Hyundai poised to beat Ford and crack the U.S. top 3 seller

koreajoongangdaily.com Sep 26, 2026

Hyundai poised to beat Ford and crack the U.S. top 3 seller

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 26, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Hyundai Motor Group is set to enter the U.S. market’s top three automakers after selling 511,421 vehicles in the July‑September quarter, edging out Ford’s 504,172 units, according to CNBC, Bloomberg and Cox Automotive data. The Korean conglomerate’s combined Hyundai, Kia and Genesis sales rose 6.5 % year‑over‑year, while Ford’s volumes fell 7.1 % amid supply disruptions to its pickup line and a broader consumer shift toward fuel‑efficient hybrids and electric models. General Motors and Toyota remain ahead with 671,706 and 642,707 sales respectively, but Hyundai’s gain marks its first appearance in the elite trio. Rising gasoline prices, currently averaging $4.48 per gallon, have accelerated demand for the group’s hybrid lineup, bolstering its market share.

💡 Why It Matters

· Hyundai’s breakthrough challenges the long‑standing dominance of legacy American brands and reshapes the competitive hierarchy of the U.S.
· auto market.

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Tesla Begins Delivering Long-Delayed Semi Trucks After Nearly A Decade

Tesla has started delivering its first all‑electric Semi trucks to customers at a ceremony in Reno, Nevada, nearly ten years after the model’s 2017 debut. The new Semi factory is slated to reach an annual capacity of 50,000 units and generate roughly 3,000 jobs. The top‑spec version promises a range of 500 miles or more per charge, depending on payload, and carries a base price just under $300,000 before incentives. Tesla has also introduced megawatt‑scale charging stations to support the trucks, though it acknowledges that charging infrastructure remains a hurdle. Development refinements include a 1,000‑pound weight reduction, a redesigned axle system, and the replacement of pop‑out windows with conventional roll‑down windows after driver feedback. Deliveries mark the transition from prototype to commercial rollout.

💡 Real‑world deployment tests Tesla’s ability to scale electric freight solutions and validates its high‑capacity charging network under operational conditions.

thesun.my · Sep 26

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 (C174) previewed, power up to 184PS/330Nm

Mercedes‑Benz Malaysia has unveiled the 2026 CLA 200 AMG Line, a locally assembled (CKD) petrol‑hybrid compact sedan priced from RM 275,000. The model uses a 1.5‑litre turbocharged four‑cylinder engine (163 PS, 250 Nm) paired with a 48‑volt hybrid system integrated into an eight‑speed dual‑clutch gearbox, delivering a combined output of 184 PS and 330 Nm. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, tops out at 232 km/h, and can run on electric power alone at low urban speeds thanks to a 1.3 kWh battery. Fuel consumption is claimed to be around five litres per 100 km. The CLA 200 shares its exterior design with the fully electric CLA, differing mainly by a conventional grille, and features the MBUX Superscreen with AI‑driven infotainment. Pre‑bookings are open, with the first 100 customers receiving passes to a Mercedes‑AMG F1 party.

💡 The hybrid CLA offers Malaysian buyers a middle ground between fully electric and traditional combustion models, expanding Mercedes‑Benz’s power‑train portfolio in a market transitioning toward electrification.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 26

Green SM Starts Amsterdam Taxi Pilot, Bringing the Green EV to Europe

Vietnamese electric‑mobility firm Green SM launched a pilot electric taxi service in Amsterdam, its second European market after Denmark, using VinFast vehicles. The pilot covers the Centrum, West and Zuid districts, with plans to expand to Oost, Noord, Nieuw‑West and Zuidoost. Green SM will build a driver network, refine operations, and set service standards before scaling across the city. The launch adds a new commercial channel for VinFast in Europe and tests the company’s integrated vehicle‑and‑platform model.

💡 The pilot demonstrates how a non‑automaker can deploy a full mobility ecosystem, potentially reshaping how electric vehicles are introduced and operated in dense urban markets.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 26

Nissan Taps China JV To Power Philippine EV Push

Nissan Philippines will launch the Navara Pro Plug‑in Hybrid pickup and the Primera EV sedan on November 6, sourcing both models from its Dongfeng Motor joint venture in China. The move marks a strategic shift, using China as a development and production hub to supply left‑hand‑drive vehicles for the ASEAN market. The Navara Pro offers 408 horsepower and a 135‑km electric range, while the Primera EV delivers up to 635 km on a 73‑kWh battery and 14‑minute fast charging. Both vehicles adhere to Nissan’s global engineering and safety standards.

💡 By importing fully engineered EVs from China, Nissan bypasses Japan’s limited production capacity for pickups and sedans, positioning itself to meet rising regional demand for electrified commercial and executive vehicles. This strategy could accelerate the adoption of electric trucks and sedans in Southeast Asia, reshaping the local automotive supply chain.

carscoops.com · Sep 26

A Hacker Took Control Of A BYD For TV, But Should Should…

An Australian documentary examined the cybersecurity of Chinese‑made electric vehicles, focusing on BYD and Xpeng models. Researchers demonstrated that an insider could monitor an Xpeng G6’s location, speed, seat occupancy and steering angle, while a cybersecurity specialist accessed a BYD Shark 6 pickup without a password, remotely locking the driver, controlling lights, wipers and interior microphones, and even extracting personal data from a linked iPhone. The investigation revealed that both manufacturers collect telemetry and user information, which can be transmitted to servers in China. Australian officials, including trade minister Don Farrell and climate minister Chris Bowen, own such vehicles, prompting the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation to warn servants against discussing matters in them. Report underscores security risks linked to adoption of Chinese EVs.

💡 The ease of remote control exposes drivers to personal safety threats and potential espionage, challenging trust in imported smart cars.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 26

XPENG Grows in Malaysia, & Readies G9L for Global Launch

XPeng announced a major expansion of its Malaysian network, adding ten new 3S/4S showrooms across the country by the end of 2026 to provide full sales, service, spare‑parts and body‑paint support. The move aims to create a high‑touch ownership experience and is expected to boost local sales. Simultaneously, the Chinese EV maker is preparing the global launch of its next‑generation AI flagship SUV, the G9L, at the Paris Motor Show on October 12. The G9L will be offered in battery‑electric and range‑extended versions, features a 5.12‑metre length, a 3.1‑metre wheelbase, and incorporates XPeng’s VLA 2.0 AI platform and Turing AI chip. It has passed 192 crash tests under Euro NCAP, ANCAP, C‑NCAP and CIASI standards and logged over 6.74 million kilometres of road testing in 26 markets.

💡 By pairing a robust service footprint in emerging markets with a globally‑tested, AI‑driven SUV, XPeng positions itself to capture growth outside the stalled U.S. market and accelerate its international brand credibility.