AGP Executive Report

EV Market Pulse: The IEA says global car sales fell about 5% in 1H2026, but EVs bounced hard in 2Q, up 35% quarter-on-quarter, with EVs forecast to hit 29% of global sales in 2026 as exports surge and China EV growth shifts toward stagnation. New Model Launch: Fiat has started taking US orders for the $13,995 Topolino electric two-seater, limited to private property at first, with a free conversion kit planned to make it street-legal later this year. China EV Push Abroad: Changan Nevo says its all-new Q05 has topped 100,000 cumulative sales, with overseas orders already building in Thailand and plans for Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Central/South America, and Europe. Battery & Circularity Deal: UNIDO and CATL signed a joint declaration to cooperate on circular economy, advanced batteries, and green industrial development, including standards-based market work. Policy & Security: Spain’s Defense cleared SAIC’s planned EV factory in Ferrol after earlier concerns about proximity to military facilities. Dealership Expansion: indiGO Auto Group acquired five luxury brands’ dealerships in Northern California, adding Lamborghini, Bentley, Pagani, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati locations. Road Safety Enforcement: New Orleans police kept school-zone enforcement active even as cameras stay off, issuing 117 citations in a two-hour push. Hydrogen Motorsport: JCB’s Hydromax set a hydrogen land-speed record of 406.320 mph at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats.

EV Policy Watch: Pakistan’s auto policy debate is shifting from “temporary disruption” to a long-term electrification plan, with solar-powered households seen as a natural boost for EV adoption—while warning against treating EVs mainly as a new tax source. Hydrogen Supply Chain: HD Hyundai Oilbank says it has begun supplying Korea’s first engine oil made for hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles, targeting higher-temperature wear and moisture issues. Market Disruption: Australia’s July sales hit a record, with EVs at 21.7% of the market and Chinese brands taking multiple top spots, signaling a more established EV phase. Dealer & Parts Growth: India’s PPS Motors plans to expand beyond South India into the North and East, adding geographic balance across 22 states and 21 brands. Charging/Power Use Case: V2L is getting attention as EVs can power external devices directly from the traction battery, turning cars into home and outdoor power sources. Safety & Compliance: Chrysler recalled nearly 50,000 vehicles over rear seat-belt retractor issues, and HackersEra pushed vehicle cybersecurity enforcement via continuous monitoring for connected fleets. UK Tax Change: Some Birmingham-area drivers face new low-emission vehicle charges—£20 a year for older clean cars that previously paid nothing.

Chinese EV momentum despite tariffs: Schmidt Automotive Research says Chinese-made EVs hit 14.2% of western Europe sales in the first five months of 2026, up 5 points year-on-year, even with EU EV tariffs reaching 35.3% plus a 10% baseline. China JV deepens: SAIC and GM renewed their China joint venture through 2047, aiming to turn China’s R&D and supply-chain strengths into export muscle. New EV launches in China: AVATR put the 07L on sale with Huawei ADS 5 enabled at delivery; XPENG rolled out the G9L after global testing; Leapmotor marked its A10 reaching 100,000 units in 135 days. Safety and recalls: New York says 10,711 Takata “Do Not Drive” vehicles have been fixed via inspection-linked enforcement. Aftermarket payments: 1stMILE and Splitit launched card-linked BNPL for tire and service repairs across 17,000+ partner shops. UK enforcement: London police seized 90 luxury cars worth about £8m in an antisocial driving crackdown.

EV Policy Shift (UK): Andy Burnham is set to water down England’s ZEV push, with reports suggesting by 2030 only 20% of cars on the road would be allowed to use fossil fuels—raising fears that petrol will still dominate new sales. Road Safety (UK): Under Burnham’s plan, drivers over 70 may face mandatory eye tests, with fines and licence action for those who can’t meet eyesight requirements. Connected Cars (India): Hyundai India says it has crossed 8 lakh connected-car sales and targets 10 lakh by 2027, with next-gen Bluelink features standard on an upcoming mass-market electric SUV. Auto Tech & Chips (Japan/Global): Sony and TSMC are in talks for a combined ¥1 trillion (US$6.4bn) image-sensor factory in Kumamoto, aimed at AI and self-driving demand. EV Market (Europe): Chinese EV brands hit a record 14.2% share of western Europe’s BEV market in early 2026, helped by aggressive pricing and model rollout. Supply Chain/Production (Japan): Toyota suspended production at 17 lines across nine plants after a typhoon disrupted shipping. Infrastructure & Mobility (Pakistan): Flood damage will delay restoration of the Lahore–Faisalabad rail route by at least four months. Local Disruptions (UK/Australia): A major New Forest fire forced drivers to abandon cars on the A31, while Australia’s Princes Highway pothole “Bunyip crater” damaged dozens of vehicles.

EV Charging Tax Pressure (UK): Andy Burnham is being urged to extend a VAT cut on energy bills to public EV chargers, after research says drivers still face a £62 public-charging VAT hit despite home-charger savings. Fuel Tax Rule Update (UK): HMRC will publish updated “per mile” Advisory Fuel Rates from September for company-car reimbursements and private-trip repayments. Auto Tech IPO (China/HK): NASN Intelligent Tech (brake-by-wire supplier) starts trading on the Hong Kong Main Board, raising about HK$533m as it scales to challenge established brake-by-wire players. Ethanol Policy Debate (India): Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis defended E20 ethanol blending, saying critics haven’t produced proof of vehicle problems. EV Market/Model Push (China): Yueda Kia sold 25,032 vehicles in July (+24.9% YoY) and is ramping its SUV lineup with a new Seltos pre-sale date set for Aug. 13. Ford EV Gamble (US): Ford set a $28,350 starting price for its Fathom EV pickup, aiming to revive its electric-truck push after the Lightning’s costly retreat. Industry Supply Chain/AI (Philippines): SEIPI forecasts electronics exports topping $50bn this year, with semiconductors expected to drive ~70% of shipments.

Wildfire & Evacuations: British Columbia declared a state of emergency as the Bald Range wildfire nearly doubled overnight, forcing more than 20,000 people to flee and triggering air evacuations. EV Market Watch: Lucid delayed its affordable EV “Cosmos” to the second half of 2027, blaming quality and execution issues. Real-World EV Testing: A comparison of BYD Sealion 7 vs Kia EV6 GT Line AWD found the Kia faster and more efficient in city/highway range tests, with stronger regen. Brand/Marketing Backlash: BMW’s “Spider-Man” infotainment ad sparked customer anger and debate over whether luxury brands should push entertainment into drivers’ screens. Policy & Safety: California moved to ban the Hyundai Elantra, citing theft and crime concerns. India Auto Demand: Maruti Suzuki expects small-car growth to improve after GST reforms and plans seven new SUV nameplates over the next five to six years. Local Mobility: Hyderabad hit 123 hours of congestion in a year, with evening rush hour worst.

EV Policy Push (Philippines): Francisco Motors says it’s seeking a $100M investment to build two electric vehicle models locally, including an electrified version of the iconic jeepney, aiming to qualify under the government’s EV incentives. Legal Heat (Mercedes-AMG): Two drivers filed a class action claiming the raised AMG logo on seatbacks gets hot enough to cause burns, seeking medical-cost compensation and logo removal for other owners. Energy Strain (Bangladesh Industry): Bangladesh’s textile sector is cutting output as LNG supply disruptions and higher fuel costs force factories to run at up to 40% below capacity. Road Safety & Tech (Autonomous Crash, Dallas): A man died after entering a roadway and being hit by an SUV and then a Waymo autonomous vehicle; Waymo says it detected him and slowed before impact. Global Supply Chain (US Minerals): The Trump administration announced $3B for critical minerals and battery-related projects tied to defense and domestic production. Aftermarket & Materials (Window Films): Multiple trade-show and supplier-focused reports highlight demand for certified, durable automotive window films and paint protection products. Motorsport Heritage (Lola): Lola’s revived brand plans a sustainable recreation of the T70 as the T70S, built in limited track and road-legal versions.

EV Platform Push: Ford unveiled the Fathom, its first truck built on the new Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, with a $28,350 starting price, $2B Louisville investment, and a more automated “tree-shaped” assembly approach aimed at cutting parts and boosting output. Supply-Chain Pressure: Electronics makers are turning to air freight to keep festive auto and consumer production on schedule as ocean capacity stays tight. CNG Reality Check (India): Maruti’s Wagon R CNG delivered 28.24km/kg overall in real-world testing, with highway results close to the claimed figure—useful for buyers weighing CNG premiums. Policy Uncertainty (UK): Andy Burnham’s government is signaling possible softening of net-zero and EV sales rules to protect affordability, with the risk that many new cars could still be petrol by 2030. Charging Infrastructure Shift: Energy firms are converting existing fuel stations into multi-modal power hubs, with BYD and Sinopec’s China deal highlighting fast-charging rollouts alongside pumps. Safety Reminder: UK authorities warned drivers not to rely on NG eCall in older vehicles until telecom upgrades complete by March 31, 2027. Nearshoring Move: Gentex plans a Morocco plant targeting 2028 production to serve European OEMs and reduce freight risk across the Mediterranean.

Model Launch Watch: China’s MIIT homologation filing for the Smart #2 confirms production specs ahead of its October 2026 debut, including two body-length options and a stated top speed of 87 mph. EV Infrastructure: NIO says its battery swapping service has topped 120 million cumulative swaps, with the 4,000th station and first batch of fifth-gen stations now live across NIO, Onvo, and Firefly. China OEM Strategy: SAIC-GM renews its JV for 20 years to 2047, signaling a push to export China-developed products globally while highlighting electrification plans. Platform Development: Honda plans to outsource end-to-end platform development for a new model to India’s Tata Technologies, aiming to cut R&D costs. Supplier & Tech: Axera and BlackBerry QNX unveil a production-ready intelligent driving platform built on Axera chips plus QNX software, with commercialization targeted later this year. Local Auto Culture: Route 66 is named honorary grand marshal for the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade, celebrating the highway’s 100th anniversary. Dealer/Aftermarket: Certified Collision Group appoints Michael Horne as CFO to support growth of its independent collision-repair affiliate network.

EV Charging Crackdown: China’s market regulator put EV chargers on a priority watch list, running inspections of 11,164 operators and sampling 145,829 chargers, flagging 1,783 non-compliant devices and opening 282 investigations to curb billing errors and tampering. EV Infrastructure Expansion: NIO added two battery swap stations (Shanghai, Zhuhai) and a supercharging hub (Anshun), bringing its China network to 9,156 stations and 110M+ swaps. Supplier Milestone: XunBo Technology hit Start of Production for ADC dampers on BAIC’s N60 project, moving from qualification to mass supply after rapid plant build-out and vendor approval. Road Safety Tech Mandate (UK): The UK plans to require 18 advanced safety features on new cars, including cyclist/pedestrian braking and speed-limit assist, with potential price impact. India Auto Policy & Finance: Maruti Suzuki urged an “as-is”/amnesty settlement to clear legacy indirect tax disputes, while RBI’s FCNR(B) scheme drew ~$41B so far, with Jefferies expecting $80–100B by Sept. 30. Product Launch (India): Volkswagen launched the Virtus Anniversary Edition at Rs 19.20 lakh, adding items like a 360-degree camera and parking sensors. Classic & Community: Dana Point’s classic car show returns Aug. 23 after selling out registrations in four days.

EV Pickup Launch: Ford unveiled the all-new electric Fathom midsize pickup starting at $28,350, built on its Universal Electric Vehicle Platform with BlueCruise hands-free driving and access to Tesla Superchargers. Headlight Recall Fight: Tesla must fix overly bright headlights on about 19,900 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles after NHTSA rejected the automaker’s “inconsequential” safety argument. Local Zoning & Parking Rules: Norcross, Georgia’s planning board recommended a special permit requirement for car-related sales and services, plus changes that clarify downtown parking minimums for commercial uses. Sales Snapshot: Mazda’s U.S. July results show the aging Mazda 3 surging 87.5% year-over-year while most SUVs fell, underscoring shifting buyer priorities amid higher fuel costs. Road Safety: Nevada’s Clark County released a school traffic safety plan after 432 students were hit by cars last school year, with e-scooters and pedestrians among the most common crash participants. Industry Disruption Abroad: Russia’s Black Sea drone and missile attacks damaged a German cargo ship and hit logistics sites tied to Puma and Liqui Moly.

Job Cuts & Strategy: BMW plans to cut about 8,000 jobs via turnover and voluntary exits as profits slide, underscoring how Germany’s green industrial push is squeezing automakers. Autonomous Mobility Friction: Waymo robotaxis are frustrating Los Angeles residents by taking curb parking and occasionally blocking roads while returning to charging. London Robotaxi Step: TfL greenlights Wayve’s autonomous Ford Mustang Mach-E trials in London with a licensed human driver overseeing trips. EV Supply Chain Bets: Bain Capital-backed Dhoot Transmission is gearing up for India’s EV shift ahead of its IPO, expanding from wiring harnesses into battery assemblies and charging gear. Semiconductor Push: VW Transmission Tianjin and Leadrive sign a SiC power-module plan to deepen localized EV powertrain supply. Access & Sensing Tech: BMW will adopt NXP’s secure UWB fine-ranging plus short-range radar chip for digital access and cabin presence detection starting in 2026. Regulation & Safety: India’s Supreme Court extends mandatory third-party insurance for new cars to four years (and two-wheelers to six). Local Industry & Infrastructure: Pike County proposes vehicle taxes to protect road funding, while McGovern Auto Group expands operations into a historic mill site in Uxbridge.

Autonomous & AI Mobility: Transport for London granted Wayve’s Uber-backed fleet of autonomous Ford Mustang Mach-E PHVs full private hire vehicle licensing for supervised passenger trips, using cameras/radar and no LiDAR or pre-built maps. Fuel & Pricing: Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery cut ex-depot petrol to ₦1,165/litre (from ₦1,215) and diesel to ₦1,570/litre (from ₦1,650), aiming to ease energy costs and support supply. EV Launch/Performance: BYD’s Denza Z9S EV in China claims blistering acceleration (0-100 km/h in 2.68s) and adds features like “novice drift” and active suspension. Safety & Recalls: Toyota Supra owners face a BMW-linked recall tied to a Valeo starter motor that could overheat and pose fire risk; separate from that, Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 Night Edition gets a review spotlight. Road Use & Urban Life: Phoenix congestion is worsening, with commuters spending 76 hours in traffic in 2024; Minneapolis secured $2.5M to tackle long, unsafe north-side rail crossing delays. Aftermarket/Ownership: A guide explains how warranty providers handle rental cars and towing during covered repairs, stressing pre-authorization and limits. Local Incidents: Police in Ontario recovered a stolen Dodge Durango SRT and chased a second stolen vehicle; Detroit saw an officer-involved shooting during an auto theft arrest attempt.

EV Market Watch (Australia): Australia’s EV momentum stayed hot in July, with battery EVs taking 21.7% of new-vehicle sales for a third straight month (23,510 deliveries out of 103,656 total), though the industry warns charging rollout may lag demand. Earnings & FX (Japan): Honda lifted its FY27 profit outlook to 400 billion yen, citing a weaker yen and strong motorcycle demand. Tech for Autonomy (Global): Innoviz Technologies says it’s developing a LiDAR-based perception stack for highway driving with a top-10 global OEM, using its InnovizTwo LiDAR and NVIDIA-powered perception capabilities. India Fuel Policy (E20): SIAM clarified that India’s E20 fuel monitoring follows a strict multi-parameter testing framework and withdrew an earlier letter after media reports highlighted only selected concerns. Auto Finance (Australia): ASIC warned some car-loan deals were unaffordable, with borrowers hit by high fees and early defaults after vehicle repossessions. Manufacturing Moves (India): JSW and Skoda-VW are reportedly in final talks on an India EV manufacturing JV, with an MoU expected within two months and localization aimed at cutting costs. Safety & Regulation (India): The Supreme Court extended mandatory third-party insurance coverage for new vehicles (4 years for cars, 6 for two-wheelers). Fuel Prices (Spain): Gasoline and diesel prices in Spain edged down slightly on Aug. 5, easing a recent upward trend but keeping refueling costs high. GM/SAIC (China): GM and SAIC extended their 50-50 joint venture agreement through 2047 and plan to launch 30+ hybrid and EV models by 2030.

ADAS Calibration Fight: A U.S. push to expand independent repair shops’ access to vehicle repair data is colliding with a tougher issue: getting ADAS calibrations identified, performed, and documented consistently. EV Trade Disruptions: Nepal’s EV boom is being slowed by months of northern border disruptions, cutting EV imports and threatening new model launches at upcoming auto shows. Tesla–SpaceX Merger Watch: Reuters reports Tesla’s China business could become a major hurdle in any potential Tesla–SpaceX merger due to U.S. national security scrutiny and China-linked operations. Insurance Rule Change: India’s Supreme Court extended mandatory third-party insurance to 4 years for new cars and 6 years for new two-wheelers, citing millions of uninsured vehicles. Local Industry & Jobs: Minth Group broke ground on a $430M Gadsden, Alabama campus expected to create 1,300+ jobs by 2027. Consumer/Brand Backlash: BMW faced owner backlash after Spider-Man movie ads were pushed onto in-car dashboards. Road Safety & Weather: Storm damage in NYC included a tree falling on three parked cars, while icy windscreens are prompting winter driving warnings in New Zealand.

EV Policy & Charging Funding: Malaysia is weighing a levy on every EV sold to bankroll public charging, after earlier CKD/CBU tax exemptions drove limited charging investment and cost RM3.3bn in forgone revenue. Supply Chain & Investment Watch: Malaysia also says it hasn’t received official word on whether BYD will proceed with its planned Tanjung Malim EV assembly investment. Battery Tech Shift: Tata’s Agratas is preparing to make lithium-ion cells and is pivoting toward in-house LFP development amid tighter Chinese export controls on battery tech licensing. Sales & Demand Signals: South Africa posted its strongest new passenger vehicle month since 2014, while Volvo reported a 4% May–July sales dip as electrified models rose to 53% of volume. North Africa Industrial Strategy: Morocco’s trade deficit widened, but automotive exports grew, and a new policy push signals a move from building capacity to capturing more value. Tech in Cars: NXP will supply BMW with secure UWB for presence detection and Digital Key Plus. Road Safety Regulation: UK transport officials are considering tougher penalties for offences like missing MOT and cloned plates. Disruption: A major crash on the A47 in England caused long traffic delays before reopening.