19 Out of 21 Late-Model Cars Tested Shared Data With 3rd Parties, Including Big Tech Companies: Study

roadandtrack.com Sep 30, 2026

19 Out of 21 Late-Model Cars Tested Shared Data With 3rd Parties, Including Big Tech Companies: Study

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 30, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A Northeastern University study, conducted with Consumer Reports, examined the data‑sharing practices of 21 late‑model vehicles and 30 companion mobile apps. Using a Raspberry Pi Wi‑Fi access point, researchers captured Wi‑Fi traffic while the cars were idle, in motion (5‑45 mph) and under cellular blockage in a Faraday tent. Nineteen of the 21 vehicles transmitted data to third parties, including major advertisers such as Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Pinterest and Reddit. The analysis also revealed that seven of the apps sent sensitive identifiers—VINs, emails, phone numbers and precise locations—to similar trackers, effectively doubling each vehicle’s exposure. Brands tested included GM, Stellantis, Fisker, Ford, Honda, Land Rover, Toyota, Lucid, Mercedes‑Benz, Nissan, Rivian, Tesla and Volvo, with Tesla and GM models showing the highest third‑party data flow.

💡 Why It Matters

· Consumers’ daily commutes are turning into covert data pipelines, linking personal vehicle information to the same advertising networks that track online behavior.

Capsules Transport

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Driving An EV Now Costs Half As Much As Diesel, New Analysis…

Transport & Environment (T&E) released new data showing that electric vehicle (EV) drivers in Europe pay less than half the cost per kilometre compared with diesel drivers, who are now paying €32 more per tank than earlier this year. The analysis, based on average consumption figures and current electricity prices, highlights the rising refinery margins and doubled oil company profits in the last quarter. T&E urges the EU to accelerate electrification, target low‑income support, and impose windfall taxes on oil firms to fund public transport and scrappage schemes.

💡 The stark cost gap underscores the urgency of shifting to EVs amid soaring diesel prices and potential supply shortages, offering a clear economic incentive for policymakers to prioritize electrification over short‑term fuel subsidies.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 30

GM Really Wasn’t Kidding About Those New LMR EV Batteries

General Motors announced that its Ultium Cells joint‑venture plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee will be upgraded to produce lithium‑manganese‑rich (LMR) battery cells, with GM reserving the output for upcoming electric vehicles. The move follows a year‑long pullback on EV model rollouts after the federal $7,500 tax credit was eliminated, during which GM shifted focus to stationary storage using low‑cost lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) chemistry. GM says the LMR formula offers better performance at a lower price than conventional high‑nickel batteries, targeting affordability‑driven segments such as trucks and full‑size SUVs. The company and LG Energy Solution plan pre‑production of prismatic LMR cells by late 2027 and commercial production in the United States by 2028, part of a $2 billion investment in multiple chemistries through 2030.

💡 GM’s bet on LMR positions it to supply cheaper, longer‑range EVs while the market recovers from policy setbacks, giving the automaker a competitive edge in cost‑sensitive vehicle segments.

techcrunch.com · Sep 29

Your car and its mobile app are probably handing over all kinds…

A Northeastern University study examined 21 late‑model cars from 17 manufacturers and 30 companion apps, finding that 19 vehicles and 7 apps routinely sent sensitive data—including VINs, emails, phone numbers, and precise locations—to third‑party tech firms such as Adobe, Google, Meta, and Snap. The research shows that pairing an app with a vehicle roughly doubles exposure to advertisers and data brokers, enabling detailed consumer profiles that can be sold to insurers and banks. Automakers largely blamed consumers, except Honda, which revised its data practices after the findings.

💡 The study exposes how everyday connected cars silently feed personal data into a vast advertising ecosystem, turning routine driving into a continuous data stream that fuels targeted marketing and risk profiling.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 29

BAIC-Foton Debuts “Cavan Beacon” Freight Truck in Hannover

At IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, BAIC‑Foton unveiled the Cavan Beacon, a modular heavy‑duty truck capable of battery‑electric, battery‑swap, compressed gas, and liquid hydrogen power. The 800‑volt architecture supports 1.44‑MW charging, allowing a 20‑80 % charge in 18 minutes and a 600‑km electric range. The truck features a 0.28 drag coefficient, 22 driver‑assist functions, and a sleeper cab with 420 L storage. BAIC‑Foton also announced plans for European assembly plants, a local engineering center, and full sales coverage by 2028.

💡 The Beacon’s plug‑and‑play power‑module design could set a new standard for long‑haul electrification, reducing charging times and expanding fuel‑type flexibility. By committing to local assembly and a dedicated EU engineering hub, BAIC‑Foton signals a shift from export‑only to integrated European production, potentially reshaping the continent’s commercial‑vehicle supply chain.

driving.ca · Sep 29

First Drive: 2027 Kia EV5 is well-equipped, well-priced

Kia’s 2027 EV5 compact SUV entered the Canadian market this week as an all‑wheel‑drive GT‑Line, offering a blend of equipment and pricing that targets the country’s highest‑volume vehicle segment. The model is available only in Canada for now, a decision driven by U.S. tariff constraints that prevent its immediate launch south of the border. Reviewers spent a full week testing the EV5, noting its well‑appointed interior, competitive range, and price point positioned to challenge Tesla’s dominance in Canada’s electric‑vehicle market. Industry analysts at thinkev.ca project that, if current trends persist, Hyundai and Kia together could match Tesla’s market share by mid‑2027, with the EV5 playing a key role in Kia’s expanding EV lineup that already includes the EV4, EV6, EV9, Niro EV and upcoming EV3.

💡 The EV5 gives Canadian buyers a domestically focused, affordable EV option just as Tesla’s lead narrows, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of Canada’s fast‑growing electric SUV market.

analyticsinsight.net · Sep 29

India’s Best-Selling Electric Cars: What the Latest Sales Data Reveals

Tata Motors maintained its lead in August 2026 with over 13,000 electric‑car registrations, a 50‑52% year‑on‑year increase that pushed India’s electric passenger‑vehicle market to roughly 30,500 units. Mahindra’s XEV 9S topped retail registrations at 3,743 units, closely followed by Tata Punch EV (3,468) and MG Windsor EV (3,224). Tata and Mahindra together captured about two‑thirds of the market, while other players such as JSW MG, VinFast, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, and BYD registered smaller shares. The month‑to‑month dip from July’s 33,000‑plus units still kept the market well above last year’s level.

💡 The surge underscores India’s rapid shift toward electrification, positioning Tata and Mahindra as dominant forces capable of shaping future policy and consumer expectations.