AGP Executive Report

Right-to-Repair Push: Trump signed a “Freedom to Fix” order aimed at making vehicle repairs cheaper by expanding consumers’ ability to fix their own cars and boosting aftermarket parts competition. Trade Deadline Watch: UK PM Mark Carney said he expects “no drama” as the U.S. prepares to miss the CUSMA renewal deadline, kicking off a longer review process. EV Adoption Sentiment: Renault data says 96% of UK EV owners would recommend EVs, with range anxiety largely fading and design plus easier daily use driving the next wave. Smart Cockpit Competition: Gasgoo’s supplier ranking shows cockpit domain controllers and AR/HUD areas are intensifying, with Desay SV leading and Bosch, Huawei, ECARX and others close behind. Dealership Expansion: Vic Vaughan Toyota in Boerne opened a new four-lane service drive to cut customer wait times. Supplier M&A: PHINIA announced plans to acquire Germany’s stoba Group to strengthen precision manufacturing and supply resilience. Safety & Enforcement: Quebec police ticketed 10,000+ drivers for speeding in a road safety crackdown focused on school and construction zones. Road Policy Shift: Israel launched a 2050 transport plan targeting ~70% sustainable trips and reducing private car use to ~30%.

Autonomous Motorsport: Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) is taking fully autonomous Dallara Super Formula SF23 cars to Imola for an international debut on Sept 5, after two seasons at Yas Marina. EV Policy Push (India): Delhi’s Cabinet approved EV Policy 2.0 starting July 1, with direct purchase incentives for buyers (including Rs 10,000 per kWh up to Rs 30,000 in year one for eligible electric two-wheelers) plus scrapping and tax exemptions. Right to Repair (US): Trump signed a presidential memo directing the EPA to back Americans’ “right to fix” their vehicles and expand aftermarket competition, aiming to cut repair costs. Fuel & Road Costs (US/Australia): Washoe County’s fuel tax rises July 1 (RTC 5 Fuel Tax) and Victoria’s fuel excise increase is set to lift petrol prices again—drivers are urged to fill up early. Industry Pressure (Sri Lanka): The Ceylon Motor Traders Association warns of potential Rs 100bn+ revenue leakage from motor imports due to loopholes and undervaluation, urging policy changes. Local Regulation (Louisville): Louisville Metro Council passed an ordinance setting decibel limits for loud vehicle noise and late-night bar music, with enforcement plans including possible noise-detection tech. Supply Chain for Auto Parts (China): Multiple suppliers promoted reusable corrugated plastic gaylord boxes and totes for automotive logistics, pushing circular, moisture-resistant packaging to reduce damage in transit. Compliance Spotlight (US): DOJ’s National Security Division issued its first declination under a new corporate self-disclosure policy to Bosch over export-control licensing issues tied to automotive sensors/software.

F1 Tech & Regulation: Max Verstappen mocked the 2026 hybrid battery rules after simulator laps at Silverstone, warning the circuit will “barely” have battery to match the new power balance. EV Policy Push (India): New Delhi approved an EV Policy 2026 with up to $1,060 scrappage for eligible car owners, 100% road-tax and registration exemptions for battery EVs up to ₹3 million, and a plan for 32,000 charging points—while hybrids were left out and petrol two-wheelers face a 2028 registration ban. EV Policy Push (EU): The EU formally adopted circularity rules for vehicle design and end-of-life management, requiring easier reuse/recycling and recycled plastic quotas (15% at six years, 25% at ten). Smart Manufacturing: Capgemini is upgrading Bentley’s AI and data infrastructure for smart manufacturing under the Beyond100+ plan. Auto Business Media: Carwow is launching as a FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus, bringing its car reviews and EV content to ad-supported TV. Market/Industry Signals: Thailand’s auto production fell 17.9% in May as exports dropped amid regional conflict, even as domestic EV and SUV demand held up. Manufacturing Expansion: Stellantis expanded stamping capacity at its Sterling and Warren plants to boost in-house supply for key vehicle programs. Stock Watch: Tesla shares rose more than 4% as investors weighed its software and energy storage momentum.

Auto Finance & Used-Car Market: OLX India teamed with IDFC FIRST Bank to launch used-car loans for digital-first buyers, aiming to turn financing access into more completed transactions as India’s used-car volumes keep climbing. Mobility Tech Profitability: Estonia ride-hailing and micromobility firm Bolt posted its first net profit (€900,000) in 2025, while expanding into more cities and pushing partnerships tied to self-driving plans. EV Policy & Hydrogen Push: Gujarat is set to extend its clean mobility plan by adding green hydrogen incentives to its EV policy, targeting a hydrogen refuelling ecosystem to unlock fuel-cell adoption. Safety & Regulation: California lawmakers moved to limit retail nitrous oxide sales (with exceptions for medical, dental, culinary and automotive uses), citing links to crashes and abuse. Road Incidents: A wrong-way driver on Boston’s I-93 killed one and sent four others to hospital; in Las Vegas, a reckless-driving crash injured five including a 4-year-old. Industry Watch: South Korea unveiled a Samsung-led $649B AI/semiconductor/robotics investment push, underscoring how chips and automation are reshaping the auto supply chain. Product Updates: Audi says cheaper, faster versions of the facelifted 2026 Q4 e-tron are coming within 12 months.

New SUV Launch (China): Huawei-backed AISTALAND (Huawei + GAC) unveiled the GX7, a large five-seat SUV built around a long wheelbase, a two-stage roof for better rear headroom, and an integrated “cabin rest” system that turns electrically controlled seats into a full-length bed in about 20 seconds. Clean Energy Deal (China): CATL expanded its partnership with CECEP to push next-gen solar (including perovskite) and energy storage, including sodium-ion systems, plus green infrastructure and overseas mining. EV Import Update (Canada): Canada is preparing the first Lotus EV shipments from Geely under a tariff deal and a 49,000-unit annual import limit, with other Chinese brands also lining up for procedures. Auto Policy (India): India’s CAFE Phase III rules from April 2027 will tighten fleet-wide CO₂ caps, and the coverage highlights Auto LPG as a compliance option for automakers facing fines. Safety/Tech (Mobility): TechCrunch Mobility reports growing scrutiny of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) after a fatal Texas crash, with U.S. probes opened. Motorsport (Global): George Russell won the Austrian GP, cutting Kimi Antonelli’s lead; Ferrari blamed pace, not strategy, after a tough race. Road/Urban Planning (Europe): Prague’s car density keeps rising, with parking rules and commuter inflows cited as key drivers. Local Auto Business (U.S.): A franchise aftermarket operator argues proactive resale programs can prevent disruptions when franchisees exit.

China EV Surge: New energy vehicles hit 56.9% of China’s new car sales in May, up from 50.8% in 2025 and 40.9% in 2024, as costs fall and buyers shift toward software-driven cabins with AI features. Real-World Fuel Economy: Autocar India tested the Tata Harrier turbo-petrol automatic, finding 6.17 kpl city and 12.49 kpl highway (9.33 kpl overall), while noting it lacks auto engine stop-start. Transit Disruption: MARTA passengers were stranded for over an hour after a mechanical issue shut down a northbound Gold Line train near Lenox Station following a World Cup match. Road Enforcement: Birmingham’s Broad Street bus-lane cameras logged nearly 18,000 drivers in 2026 so far, with fines rising after camera placement changes. EV Security/Geopolitics: A report warns China’s EV exports could carry surveillance and disruption risks, tying the issue to broader hybrid-warfare concerns. Motorsport: Shane van Gisbergen won NASCAR’s Sonoma road course race, leading 66 of 79 laps and managing fuel to hold off Connor Zilisch.

EV Infrastructure & Policy: Bangladesh’s BEPRC chairman says uninterrupted electricity is the make-or-break factor for EV growth, calling for tighter public-private coordination and more renewable power. US Auto Affordability: Edmunds reports average U.S. new-car payments hit $733/month and used/leased average $571–$598, with rates still high—fueling sticker shock for buyers. Manufacturing Reshuffle: Volkswagen is weighing up to 100,000 job cuts and potential closure of four German plants as it faces Chinese competition, tariffs, and weak European demand. US-China EV Trade Clash: Polestar says the U.S. Commerce Department denied authorization for 2027 model-year sales under connected-vehicle national security rules tied to Chinese ownership. Tech for Cars: India’s MoRTH proposes phased rollout of automotive cybersecurity norms, requiring OTA-enabled vehicles to comply by 2029. Road Safety & Enforcement: In Kuala Lumpur, two men were arrested after a heroin-fueled chase that rammed three stationary cars; no injuries reported. Classic Rally Spotlight: The Hemmings Great Race is set to finish at Pasadena City Hall Sunday, ending a 2,300-mile precision drive along Route 66.

Bosch Leadership Shake-Up: Robert Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung is stepping down after leading job-cut plans as the auto downturn bites, with Christian Fischer set to replace him July 1. EV Market Reality Check: The move follows Bosch’s mobility-unit restructuring and reflects uneven EV demand plus tougher cost pressure from China. Regulation & Safety: California lawmakers push SB 936 to restrict nitrous oxide sales, citing youth abuse and road-safety risks, with automotive-industry exceptions. Tech in Cars: Google’s Gemini AI is rolling into Android Automotive vehicles, including Volvo EX30, as automakers add more in-car intelligence. China-EU Trade Tension: A new policy debate warns against “industrial firewall” protectionism that could backfire on Europe’s competitiveness and green transition. India Auto Supply Chain: Renault-Geely Horse Powertrain plans a $370M India entry, targeting hybrid Duster rollout around Diwali 2026. Local Automotive Life: Pep Boys Puerto Rico appoints Alan Cruz Nieves to a state automotive mechanics board, while Riverhead considers overnight parking limits for commercial vehicles on residential streets.

Volkswagen Restructuring: Volkswagen is weighing the biggest shake-up in its history, with reports of up to four German plant closures and as many as 100,000 job cuts amid China competition, tariff pressure, and weak European demand. Trade & Regulation: Polestar has been forced to stop selling new cars in the U.S. from the 2027 model year after the Commerce Department moved against connected-vehicle rules tied to data-collection concerns. China EV Momentum: NIO delivered the 10,000th ES9 in just 30 days, signaling strong demand for premium full-size electric SUVs even as the broader market cools. Autonomous Driving Standards: China’s MIIT approved new 5G standards for high-level autonomous driving, effective Sept. 1, 2026, aiming to set clearer network performance and testing benchmarks. Energy Policy: Indonesia begins B50 biodiesel on July 1, boosting energy self-sufficiency and targeting major foreign-exchange savings. EV Supply Chain: CATL launched a direct online sales platform for small and medium energy storage integrators, lowering order minimums and reshaping how storage cells are procured.

US Regulatory Clash: California AG Rob Bonta sued to block the Trump administration from rolling back California’s stricter auto emissions standards, a fight that could reshape how many states regulate pollution. US-China Tech Crackdown: Polestar says it will stop selling new cars in the US starting with model year 2027 after the Commerce Department denied an exemption under the Connected Vehicles Rule, targeting China-linked connected software. Autonomous Vehicle Rules: The US DOT proposed nixing brake pedal requirements for vehicles with higher automation levels, signaling a push to loosen self-driving constraints. EV Supply Chain & Recycling: Moment Energy opened what it calls the world’s largest EV battery repurposing facility in Canada, aiming to turn retired packs into grid storage. Manufacturing & Jobs: Tesla plans to hire 1,000 more workers at its Berlin-Brandenburg plant and ramp output by 20% to 7,500 vehicles per week. Deal & Tech Moves: Onsemi agreed to buy Synaptics in a ~$7B all-stock deal to expand “Physical AI” chips used in cars and devices. Safety & Infrastructure: Indian Railways and ARAI completed a full-scale crash test of LHB coaches to validate passenger protection. Consumer Reality Check: A US report highlights how dealers can use undisclosed fees and add-ons to push final prices far above advertised car costs.

US Policy Shock: Polestar says the Commerce Department denied authorization under the Connected Vehicle Rule, blocking new US sales from model year 2027 (while Polestar 3/4 existing inventory and service support continue). EV Market Shift (Philippines): Electric vehicle sales more than doubled in the first five months, taking 14.6% share as gas sales fell 12% overall. Global Competition Watch: Cox Automotive projects Toyota is closing the US sales gap on GM as hybrids surge and EVs stall. Connected-Car Security: The same rule framework is driving broader scrutiny of China-linked vehicle tech, with Volvo reportedly receiving a waiver while Polestar did not. Manufacturing Tech: BMW is deploying a humanoid robot at its Spartanburg plant to handle logistics sequencing, aiming to scale automation across factories. Road Safety & Enforcement: A Faisalabad traffic warden reportedly clung to a moving car after a driver ignored stop orders, sparking viral safety concerns. Climate/Emissions: Europe’s average CO2 from new cars and vans fell in 2025, helped by higher shares of battery electric vehicles. Motorsport Heat Rules: The FIA declared Austria’s Grand Prix a heat-hazard race, adding ballast for drivers who skip optional cooling vests.

EV Policy & Incentives: Ireland’s new ICE2EV scrappage scheme targets rural drivers with a €10m fund and an extra €5,000 discount on a new BEV (applications open July 1). Safety Tech Regulation: A bipartisan U.S. bill would let automotive suppliers run independent testing for vehicle safety technologies, aiming to speed deployment. Manufacturing AI: SK Telecom is rolling out its proprietary AI foundation model on factory floors via trials with KG Steel and automotive parts maker Konek. Trade & Industrial Policy: The WTO has agreed to form a panel on China’s challenge to India’s solar-related import and incentive measures. EV Adoption Economics: Egypt is accelerating EV uptake to cut a $21bn petroleum import bill and ease budget pressure. Logistics for Exports: A new China-Europe rail container design boosts capacity for shipping cars, lowering transport cost per vehicle. Product/Testing Infrastructure: UL Solutions opened an automotive electromagnetic compatibility lab in Toyota City, expanding EMC testing for complex, electronics-heavy vehicles. Local Disruption: A fire at Dug’s Automotive shut IN-61 in Warrick County, Indiana.

China EV supply chain & exports: At Beijing’s China International Supply Chain Expo, Rio Tinto and Baowu highlighted how upstream inputs like iron ore flow into braking systems, software and vehicles—while Gasgoo data shows China’s passenger-vehicle exports to Europe are led by Chery (147,771 units, +264% YoY) with BYD and Tesla also rising, and regional results diverging across Southeast Asia and North America. Robotaxi race in London: Wayve, Waymo and Baidu are pushing ahead with UK trials as London’s dense roadworks and vulnerable users test autonomy, with Wayve running rides in a Ford Mustang Mach-E. SDV cybersecurity push: ETAuto Tech Summit 2026 stressed “security-by-design” for software-defined vehicles, arguing cybersecurity must be built in from the start, not bolted on later. Repair costs rise with tech: Insurance analysts point to sensors and cameras in modern cars driving higher repair bills, especially when recalibration and specialized diagnostics are needed. Right to repair heats up: Slate’s new electric truck plan pairs a warranty with repairs via 3,000 independent shops and an online repair portal. Market watch: EU car sales rose 4% in May, supporting rubber demand, while oil weakness capped gains.

Autonomous Race: Wayve and Uber are pushing robotaxis onto London streets, aiming to outpace Waymo and facing heavy roadworks and vulnerable users. AI ROI Pressure: A PwC survey finds many CEOs see little revenue or cost benefit from massive AI spending, a warning automakers and suppliers can’t ignore. Humanoid Push: Bernstein says automakers’ scale and supply chains give them a structural edge in humanoid robotics, as OEM-linked robots appear at major shows. Tesla Scrutiny: A lawsuit alleges Tesla’s Autopilot may have accelerated into a home; meanwhile, reports from China show some owners using doll heads to fool driver-monitoring cameras. Porsche Restructure: Porsche’s CEO promises turnaround steps after China-driven margin collapse and 3,900 job cuts. China Demand Policy: China names 40 pilot cities to boost auto consumption via second-hand, rentals, events and scrappage. India Fuel Clarity: India’s government defends E20 ethanol safety but leaves mileage-running-cost questions unanswered. EV Product News: Mercedes launches a new three-row all-electric GLB with two variants and fast charging. Tata Expansion: Tata Motors outlines plans to invest up to ₹40,000 crore by FY31 and grow its EV lineup. Supply Chain/Materials: Lindian Resources sets up a Singapore office to directly manage rare-earth sales and logistics for Malawi projects. Safety & Risk: AAA warns vehicles can spark wildfires during dry, high-risk conditions. Urban Planning: A study says “carspreading” could cost European cities up to 14% of on-street parking by 2040.

EV & Charging: Vodafone IoT is testing satellite connectivity with Iridium and Skylo to reduce “white spots” for outdoor tracking, with commercial services planned later in 2026. US Manufacturing: Toyota has started production of the new RAV4 Hybrid at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant and is building an in-house paint facility aimed at cutting emissions and water use; a Highlander BEV launch is also slated for September. American-Made Rankings: Cars.com’s 2026 American-Made Index again crowns the Tesla Model 3 as the most American-made vehicle (Model Y #2), while the total number of qualifying EVs drops as tax-credit changes bite. Auto Retail Politics: A dealers’ association executive warned that if compliance and pricing practices don’t improve, automakers could push for a federal franchise law that reshapes the dealer model. AI & Consumer Costs: California drivers filed a class-action alleging major gas stations used an AI pricing tool to coordinate higher fuel prices. Design & Brand Identity: Industry designers say automotive styling is evolving, not converging—continuity matters even as electrification and software reshape vehicles. Classic Culture: Italian cars take center stage at the 1000 Islands Concours d’Elegance, with rare marques and family-friendly events drawing enthusiasts.

Legal Pressure on Auto Claims: Ford is suing a Los Angeles lemon-law firm, alleging it inflated fees by up to 7,000% using low-paid non-lawyers to file cases while billing as much as $950/hour. EV Pricing Moves: BYD has raised prices in the Philippines across multiple models, citing FX swings and Philippine excise-tax changes. Dealer/Marketplace Expansion: Carro is entering deeper into Australia by acquiring CarPlace (backed by Autoleague), adding physical showrooms and expanding wholesale operations. Nissan Governance Watch: Nissan shareholders rejected a key outside director appointment tied to Renault’s voting stance, underscoring ongoing board scrutiny. Road Safety & Disruption: Minnesota DOT is starting seal coating July 6 on several highways, with lane closures and flagger-controlled traffic. Mobility & Infrastructure: Bengaluru’s Hejje Gala active mobility challenge says people will walk and cycle more if cities deliver safer, better infrastructure. Tech for Connected Cars: A report flags fast-growing demand for automotive operating systems as vehicles get more connected and software-driven. Cybersecurity Funding: Bengaluru startup Mitigata raises $15M to expand AI-driven cyber resilience, serving sectors including automotive.