NHTSA investigates 1.2M Tesla suspension failures as Chinese EV pressure mounts
Plus: Hyundai and Kia hit sales records; VinFast's electric taxi debuts in Copenhagen; Ford warns of Chinese automakers entering the U.S. market within a decade.
TL;DR
- NHTSA opened investigation into 1.2M Tesla Model 3 and Model Y over front suspension link detachment with no advance warning to drivers.
- Hyundai and Kia set July U.S. sales records behind hybrid surge, signaling buyer shift away from pure EVs.
- VinFast's Green SM electric taxi service debuted in Copenhagen with VF 6 and VF 8 SUVs, expanding beyond Asia.
- Ford CEO warned that Chinese automakers could enter the U.S. market within the next decade as pressure from imports intensifies.
New models and reveals
Electric taxis to concept crossovers, the week's debuts span continents
VinFast reaches Europe while Chinese upstarts press presales, and established brands accelerate EV launches.
VinFast's Green SM service launched electric taxis in Copenhagen using VF 6 and VF 8 SUVs, marking the Vietnamese brand's first European foray beyond manufacturing partnerships. The company operates its own fleet and hires drivers directly—a model that sidesteps ride-hailing middlemen and claims better vehicle maintenance and customer control. New passengers get five 25% discount vouchers through September. (via Electrek)
BYD's Qin Max arrives with 800V flash charging. The Dynasty-series sedan reaches dealers ahead of August 13 launch, pairing electric and plug-in hybrid variants with BYD's latest battery tech and rapid-charging capability. (via CarNewsChina)
Xiaomi Skynomad N70 presales open at $38,410. The tech giant's plug-in hybrid crossover offers claimed 1,000+ km range in hybrid mode and longest electric-only range in the segment, with presales for N70 and N90 variants now live in China. (via CarNewsChina)
BMW i3 opens orders months ahead of schedule. Demand for the newly redesigned all-electric compact forced the Bavarian maker to unlock the order book early as buyers rush to reserve the next generation. (via Electrek)
EV and battery tech
Tesla faces suspension crisis while China tightens EV safety screws
A recurring suspension defect affects millions of Teslas as Beijing escalates factory raids on battery-maker ties.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary evaluation into 1.2 million Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles after 156 complaints of front suspension link detachment. The component can fail without warning, causing loss of steering control and rendering the vehicle undriveable. This marks the third time the same part has failed on these models, following recalls in 2021 (2,800 units) and 2023 (422 units). NHTSA has reported no crashes or injuries to date. (via Electrek)
China's EV safety crackdown turns permanent. Factory raids on Chery, Nio, and JAC mark the second wave of inspections this month as Beijing escalates scrutiny of battery suppliers and manufacturing practices. The inspections follow earlier surprise audits on GAC Aion and Xpeng. (via TechTimes)
BYD's entry-level EV breaks sales barrier. The electric kei car racked up over 5,000 orders in its first week, signaling strong demand at the accessible end of BYD's lineup as the maker pushes further down-market. (via Electrek)
Industry and sales
Hyundai-Kia surge while Detroit braces for Chinese competition
Korean makers hit U.S. sales records on hybrid momentum; Detroit executives warn Beijing's automakers will reach America sooner than once thought.
Hyundai and Kia posted July sales records in the U.S., riding a wave of hybrid demand that outpaced pure EV appetite among American buyers. The surge reflects a broader industry shift toward PHEVs and hybrids as consumers weigh total cost of ownership and charging access. (via Automotive News)
Nissan cuts car development cycle to stay competitive in China. The Japanese maker compressed its product development timeline by 40% to 30 months, matching the breakneck speed of Chinese rivals and enabling the brand to field competitive models against homegrown upstarts racing twice as fast as Western makers. (via Automotive News)
Ford CEO warns of Chinese market incursion. Jim Farley told employees that Chinese automakers could plausibly enter the U.S. market within a decade, positioning Beijing's rivals as an existential competitive threat that Detroit has underestimated. (via Automotive News)
California hybrid sales top EVs in first half. Registrations of conventional hybrids surpassed pure electric vehicles for the first time in 2026's opening six months, reversing years of EV momentum and signaling buyer hesitation over full electrification. (via Automotive News)