1. Nissan's best-seller finally goes hybrid in the US
Nissan has confirmed the all-new 2027 Rogue Hybrid, bringing its e-POWER hybrid tech to the US for the first time in its most popular American model. Nissan says it delivers smoother acceleration, quieter operation and better efficiency — a direct response to buyers, with US fuel prices stubbornly above $4 a gallon (roughly A$1.55 a litre, for scale). The timing says it all: in the first half of 2026, 22% of US shoppers said they'd consider a hybrid, up from 20% in 2025, while only 10% would consider a full EV. Hybrids are having their moment everywhere — the US is just the latest to make it official on its biggest nameplate.
Source: USA Today
2. Geely answers BYD with AI-powered 4.5-minute EV charging
Chinese giant Geely has fired back in the charging-speed war, unveiling a system that can charge an EV from 10% to 70% in just 4.5 minutes and 10% to 97% in 8 minutes 40 seconds, using a 2.2-megawatt charger — the industry's fastest claimed speed. The trick is AI: cloud-based twin simulations and on-board deep-learning models monitor battery health and manage heat, with an AI co-developed with startup StepFun predicting battery temperatures up to 30 seconds ahead. It beats BYD's flash-charging (five minutes for 10–70%), and Geely reckons the AI-driven approach actually extends battery life rather than cooking the pack. For context, the fastest-charging EVs in the US take around 20 minutes — China is playing a different game entirely.
Source: Reuters
3. Waymo robotaxis now running in 15 US cities
Waymo has scaled its fully autonomous ride-hailing service to 15 US cities and is now averaging 500,000 paid robotaxi rides per week. Two years ago it operated in just three (Phoenix, LA, San Francisco). Roughly 80% of its ~4,000 robotaxis are concentrated in California and Texas, with Texas the hot growth corridor — the fleet there grew 49% in three weeks thanks to the new Chinese-built "Ojai" minivan, a modified Zeekr vehicle fitted with Waymo's sixth-gen self-driving system. Add in VW's MOIA America starting passenger rides in Orlando and Tesla's Cybercab becoming bookable in Austin, and the US robotaxi race is officially on.
Source: NextMSC
4. Another Chinese luxury brand lands in Australia: Avatr
Australia's new-car brand count is about to tick past 65 with the confirmation of Avatr, a Chinese luxury EV brand from the Changan Group targeting Zeekr, Denza, Tesla and the established premium players. The first model is the Avatr 07L, a Model Y-sized electric family SUV (4910mm long, 1980mm wide), with Aussie pre-orders opening later this year and first deliveries expected in the first half of 2027. Australian specs and pricing are still to be confirmed, but this is now a clear pattern: China's premium brands see Australia as a proving ground. Watch this space.
Source: Drive