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Canada has opened its doors to Chinese EVs, and Kia says bring them on. Given recent policy changes and consumer sentiment in Canada warming to Chinese imports, Canadians are ready to make the switch from Western and Japanese brands as their everyday cars to Chinese EVs. Kia, however, says that it is not worried about the Chinese competition.

2027 Kia EV3

Kia

According to Kia Canada COO Elias El-Achhab, speaking to Automotive News, the move was “just a bonus” when Ottawa cut its tariff on Chinese-built EVs from 100 percent to 6.1 percent, capped at 49,000 vehicles in the first year. His plan is to be “the first affordable EV brand in the country,” winning on what he calls a “value equation” that pairs a low price with the features buyers want.

Kia launched the EV3 in August at CAD $39,744, about $27,800 at recent exchange rates, and called it the lowest-priced EV on the market. That claim is already under pressure, because a Shanghai-built Tesla Model 3 now starts at approximately CAD $40,000. Kia also sells the EV4 from CAD $38,995 (about $27,300) and the EV5 midsize SUV from CAD $43,495 (about $30,500). El-Achhab says about 90 percent of EV buyers stay with EVs and that EV3 and EV5 orders are already backed up.

Kia

U.S. shoppers have a thinner menu. Kia has delayed the EV4 for the United States indefinitely and has no plans to sell the EV5 here. The 2027 EV3 starts at $29,890, and the range runs from 221 miles in the base trim to up to 321 miles with the larger 81.4-kWh battery. It also has a built-in NACS port for Tesla Superchargers. That makes it one of the cheapest EVs on sale in America, but it faces none of the Chinese rivals heading to Canada, and Americans still can’t buy those cars.

We aren’t yet sure about exactly which Chinese models will come to Canada or what they will cost. BYD has started compliance work for two passenger cars and plans six dealerships, per reports. Until prices land, Kia’s confidence is a bet that buyers will pay for brand and support, not just the lowest number on the sticker.

When the next-gen Tesla Roadster finally debuted, it completely shattered conventional automotive reveals. Instead of simply rolling onto a stage, the prototype climbed a wall, executed a ramp-less flying kickflip, and boasted a zero-to-60 mph sprint in under a single second. It felt more like a sci-fi movie than a car launch.

To pull off the wall-climbing stunt, the vehicle essentially operates as a massive vacuum on wheels. By utilizing four 20-kilowatt fans to suck air from beneath a sealed aerodynamic skirt, the car generates an 11.5% vacuum. This creates roughly 10,360 pounds of artificial downforce, more than enough suction to comfortably keep a 4,400-pound vehicle glued to the ceiling without breaking a sweat.

While the stunts seemed like pure marketing magic, the underlying math actually checks out. According to the deep dive by Engineering Explained in the video above, the Roadster’s flying capabilities are firmly rooted in real-world physics. The kickflip relies on composite storage tanks holding 550 pounds of highly compressed nitrogen at a staggering 10,000 psi. By routing this cold gas through ten strategically placed thrusters, the system generates a massive 18,000 pounds of thrust, giving the car enough lift to physically hover for several seconds.

The acceleration math is equally staggering. The flagship “Rocket” trim utilizes a massive 158-gallon nitrogen capacity to generate up to 5.5 Gs of acceleration, yielding a theoretical 0-to-60 mph time of just 0.55 seconds. When combined with reports that the Roadster targets 330 mph for the production car speed record, it makes total sense why even the Ferrari CEO gave the reveal a perfect 10 out of 10.

The math confirms the car has enough onboard nitrogen to sustain a hover for about 6.7 seconds. Given that the kickflip stunt only lasted around four seconds, the flight capability is absolutely legit. It’s an incredible display of cross-pollinated tech, leading many to wonder if the flying Roadster reveal was actually a SpaceX ad cleverly disguised as a car launch.

Tesla

The engineering equations unequivocally validate Tesla’s jaw-dropping stunts, but proving a concept on stage is vastly different from delivering a reliable mass-market vehicle. For instance, the fans and aerodynamic skirts required for extreme downforce will be substantial wear items, constantly dragging on the asphalt and ingesting fine road debris. Owners would regularly need to replace these complex components to maintain the car’s gravity-defying parlor tricks.

Tesla has a notoriously spotty track record of delivering on initial promises, from the Cybertruck’s missing seating configurations to long-delayed battery extenders. The physics behind the air thrusters and sub-second sprint times are mathematically sound, proving the engineering team certainly did their homework. Until this rocket-equipped supercar actually lands in a customer’s driveway with all its advertised features intact, maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism is the most logical approach.

Tesla

Moe, owner of the Tech Moe channel, recently bought a new Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport. He then took delivery of the vehicle and started his two-hour journey home from the dealer. Moe was excited to drive home, but about a mile away from the dealership, the car lost all electrical power, refused to restart, and trapped him inside.

What should have been an exciting ride home turned into the setup for a thriller film. Moe eventually found the mechanical door latch and got out. After he stepped out and tried to figure out what was wrong with the car, the door closed on him, leaving him locked out on the side of the highway.

Eventually, two policemen helped him; one had a Corvette at home and helped Moe find the mechanical keyhole and regain access to the interior. The second officer drove down to the dealership, but it was closed by the time he got there.

Moe then contacted OnStar to confirm that the car that he just bought wasn’t stolen. After that, the car started without a problem, and Moe drove it home. When asked by his fans why he couldn’t film the ordeal, he said he is a tech reviewer, not a vlogger, so his first response was to get it sorted out, not film it.

To figure out what went wrong, Moe contacted the dealership near his home to replicate the problem. The thing is, the Corvette Grand Sport worked normally, and technicians couldn’t replicate the issue. With help from OnStar representatives, they determined that the car’s computer network failed to register the key fob during the remote start sequence.

This then caused errors in the anti-theft system’s code, which then caused the Corvette to go completely limp. The errors occurred because the remote start sequence was done with another key fob inside the trunk. As a result, the system glitched out and became totally unresponsive.

YouTube - Tech Moe

So I guess it’s exactly like one of those situations where you just need a hard reset, like your phone or your WiFi. It’s kind of worrying that a small software glitch can cause a ton of headaches, and even more worrying that it was a completely brand-new car that ended up with this error.

You’d think companies would have figured these things out by now, but anyway, at least it’s sorted. Since the incident, Moe was able to get his car well protected with paint protection film, a ceramic coating on the wheels, and even a Uniden R8 radar detector.

YouTube - Tech Moe

Fiat has lately been tapping into micromobility with models like the Topolino, a two-seater microcar with limited road access. If this venture becomes more commercially successful, it could carve a different path for Fiat, which may be especially crucial in the U.S., where the brand sold just 54 passenger vehicles in Q3 2026.

The Topolino certainly has its target demographic, but expanding the micromobility lineup with a model that offers more seating could broaden its appeal. That’s exactly what the new Multiplina Concept is hinting at. Riding on an extended version of the Topolino’s electric platform, the Multiplina Concept, inspired by the 1956 600 Multipla, can seat up to four while retaining compact proportions. While the vehicle could be a go-to option for short trips like grocery runs, bringing the concept to production comes with challenges.

Stellantis

The press release didn’t touch on production plans. But according to Autocar, which spoke to Fiat’s head of design, François Leboine, the Multiplina Concept – which measures 3.04 meters (10 feet) long, 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) wide, and 1.53 meters (5 feet) high – is now “close to production.” The problem is that the Multiplina is being developed for Europe’s L7e classification, which covers lightweight four-wheel vehicles subject to different regulations than conventional passenger cars.

Under the L7e classification, passenger quadricycles must not weigh more than 450 kg (992 lbs) in running order, just 25 kg (55 lbs) more than the L6e limit that applies to the Topolino. But because the Multiplina essentially adopts the Topolino’s platform while adding more seating and a larger battery, Leboine said the production version must shed weight to meet the L7e limit.

In the U.S., safety regulations for tiny vehicles are different. A comparable category is called low-speed vehicles (LSVs), which are limited to a top speed of 25 mph. The L7e classification under which the Multiplina is being developed allows speeds of up to 56 mph, so if Fiat develops the vehicle to approach that limit, it would exceed U.S. LSV regulations. The Italian marque would then have to either limit its speed or meet the more stringent federal safety standards that apply to conventional passenger cars.

Stellantis

If the Multiplina Concept goes into production, it would slot between the Topolino and 500e. For reference, the Topolino is already available in the U.S. with a starting price of $13,995, excluding destination charges, while the 500e starts at $35,700.

Given Fiat’s underwhelming U.S. sales, the brand’s growing micromobility lineup could provide a breath of fresh air. If the Multiplina reaches American shores, it would compete with offerings from companies like Waev and Chip Motors. Moreover, with much of Stellantis’ attention in North America focused on Ram and Jeep, Fiat carving out a niche of its own could present a much-needed opportunity.

Stellantis

Update (October 26, 2026 at 9:00 am ET): Audi has officially confirmed its plan to open its US plant via a press release. We’ve updated this article with official information.

Ever since the Trump administration increased tariffs on foreign automakers, the automotive landscape hasn’t been the same. Most brands competing in the major U.S. market have been trying to find ways to survive and stay competitive. One reason why the current government increased the tariffs was to convince more of these car makers to build their cars in the U.S. instead.

One major car brand has just called the administration’s bluff, with a major announcement concerning local American production.

Audi

Audi just announced that it’s set to build a $4 billion assembly and manufacturing plant in Georgia. This new facility is set to produce 200,000 SUVs annually and will also generate more vital American jobs. Moreover, the brand says that this new investment is part of a long-term strategy for profitable growth as well as showing its focus on customers’ needs.

This will mark a major milestone for the Audi brand, as it will be its first assembly facility in the U.S. According to Audi Chairman of the Board Gernot Doellner, “We have much greater ambitions for Audi in America. The United States is one of the world’s most important premium markets, and we have not yet realized our full potential. We are determined to change that — with premium products, a stronger brand and a competitive local production base. This is about building a stronger Audi business in America — not only about building a factory.”

Audi says the plant will create 4,500 new jobs, with construction set to begin next year and production expected to start in the early 2030s. A U.S. official said that the new Georgia plant will produce the Q7, Q8, and Q9 SUVs. Furthermore, Audi also has plans to build 25,000 cars per year in South Carolina. The South Carolina facility is for the Scout brand, another Volkswagen subsidiary, and will cost $2 billion.

Audi

Just last year, Trump’s tariffs cost Audi $1.4 billion because it brings most of its vehicles to the U.S. market from Mexico or Europe. Sales also haven’t been so good in the past two years; in the first half of this year, sales slipped 7%, and 2026 sales are already down 16%. US Senator Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, said that Audi’s major investment in Georgia would never have happened without tariffs or without eliminating California’s ability to regulate fuel economy standards.

Audi