Lucid has officially stepped into the robotaxi race, delivering its first Lucid Gravity SUV to autonomy specialist Nuro. The vehicle will serve as the foundation for a next-generation autonomous ride-hailing fleet that Uber plans to deploy starting in 2026.

The partnership marks one of Lucid’s most ambitious moves yet. By pairing its electric vehicles with Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous technology, the startup hopes to stake a claim in a sector where giants like Tesla, Waymo, and Cruise have already made headlines. According to Uber, the deal could scale to as many as 20,000 Lucid-built robotaxis over the next six years, representing one of the largest EV autonomy commitments to date.

Lucid Motors

For Lucid, which recently listed a 2026 Gravity for sale with just 200 miles, the Nuro and Uber tie-up offers both credibility and financial lifeline potential. Uber is investing heavily in the venture, and Lucid’s stock price surged after the announcement. The move comes at a time when Lucid is pushing to broaden its lineup and prove it can scale production beyond luxury flagships like the Air and Gravity.

In fact, executives recently revealed that the company is working on three midsize models due around 2026. Priced below its current luxury range, these models would target the mass market, if Lucid can secure the capital needed to bring them to production.

Lucid

This new robotaxi venture also ties into Lucid’s wider goal of competing with Tesla and Rivian. Analysts say that if the company can successfully launch its planned $50,000 SUV alongside the Nuro-Uber fleet, it could transform its brand image from niche luxury player to mainstream disruptor.

But challenges remain. Regulatory approval for autonomous ride-hailing varies widely across U.S. states, while competition in the EV space is intensifying. Tesla continues to push its Full Self-Driving system, and Waymo recently expanded operations to New York City. Meanwhile, questions linger about whether Lucid can balance consumer production with the demands of building thousands of robotaxis.

For now, Uber says pilot testing will begin in 2026, with the Gravity-based robotaxis rolling out in limited numbers before scaling up. Lucid and Nuro have already started closed-track testing to refine integration of the hardware and software.

If successful, the project could mark a turning point for Lucid, providing both revenue growth and brand recognition at a time when investors remain cautious. For Uber, it’s another step toward reducing costs and scaling its autonomous ride-hailing ambitions, while for Nuro, it represents validation of its technology in a high-profile, passenger-facing deployment.

The stakes are high. Whether Lucid can deliver on its promises while managing cash flow and production challenges will determine if this partnership becomes a true industry disruptor, or just another ambitious EV experiment.

BMW isn't the only brand that wants to build a bona fide off-roader. Genesis wants in on the game, and they've done more than just talk about it. The Genesis X Gran Equator Concept at the 2025 New York International Auto Show is meant to be a direct rival to the iconic and decades-proven Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Range Rovers, SUVs that define the supremely rugged and supremely refined go-anywhere luxury segment.

Genesis

From a mere glance, it looks like the SUV's radical styling carries over some of the design elements that have cemented Genesis in the luxury world. The X Gran Equator is the brand's first adventure vehicle concept, and it goes one step further in evolving Genesis's "Athletic Elegance" design philosophy and creating a Korean luxury overlander that's more than just a handsome body.

Rather than make something ornate, the goal was to use what Genesis calls "reductive design principles" that focus on minimalism and uncluttered surfaces. The brand's now-famous parametric lighting elements are even bolder here than on production models, spanning the X Gran Equator's full front fascia and extending around the front quarter panel, punctuated by super-wide wraparound taillights.

The angled C- and D-pillars give the X Gran Equator an aggressive profile, and the all-terrain tires and high clearance make it look truly purposeful. The huge but smooth rear haunches also give it a powerful stance. Until now, Genesis has had both feet in more civilized and urban-ready SUVs like the GV70 and GV80, but the X Gran Equator could very well take owners rock-crawling in Moab or glamping in the desert. It's refined but by no means a delicate flower that couldn't mount a curb without hurting itself.

There isn't an automotive interior that looks anything like the one in the X Gran Equator Concept. It deftly blends analog-inspired instrumentation with cutting-edge digital tech to create a cabin that’s truly practical and, at the same time, pleasing to the senses. Special mention goes to the four-circle cluster on the center stack, which almost seems to be a nod to the dials of classic cameras.

A chunky steering wheel, a huge column shifter, massive center console grab handles, a thick center console, and large modular storage bins dominate the interior. It's so bold in the cabin that you may not have noticed the total absence of touchscreens. Now, that's radical.

Genesis was pretty hushed about what would power the Gran Equator. It is a concept, after all. The possibilities are myriad, including the 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 from the GV80, a hybrid mill with solid electric-only range, and even a pure EV with overlanding-ready range and DC fast charging. The grille-less front points directly to an electric SUV. Both the G-Wagen and the Range Rover have EV variants, although their success rates are less than stellar. On the gas side of things, Genesis’s recent announcement of its Magma performance subbrand makes it entirely possible that it could give birth to a high-output Gran Equator a la G63 AMG or Range Rover SV. Talk about taking the fight to the establishment.

We certainly hope the Genesis X Gran Equator isn't just a concept exercise that goes nowhere. Its styling shows real promise in the world of luxury off-roaders. It doesn't look derivative, and Genesis has been knocking things out of the park lately. If it actually hits the market, it may very well beat BMW to the punch and make Mercedes and Land Rover a bit nervous.

Owners of the Rivian R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV have a lot to get excited about, as the EV maker has just shared the details of its latest software update, which is version 2025.34. It’s no minor update, either, as the benefits for Rivian drivers include everything from expanded hands-free driving on highways to improved sound systems. Smarter charging will also result in potentially significant cost savings.

Unfortunately, Gen 1 Rivian owners are being shut out of some of the latest upgrades, as they have older hardware that isn’t compatible with every new feature released by the automaker.

2024 Rivian R1T

Rivian

Fortunately, this particular update applies to both Gen 2 Rivians (from the 2025 model year onward) and Gen 1 models (produced through the 2024 model year). A new Schedule Recommendation function will ensure that your Rivian automatically charges during off-peak times at home, when electricity is at its most affordable. 

Currently, Rivian claims over 70% of home charging sessions by Rivian owners happen outside off-peak hours. With the new function activated, annual charging costs can be cut by 20% or up to $900 annually. This does depend on where you live, though.

Smart charging, Co-Steer and audio enhancements. Check out what’s new in our latest software update:

⚡️️️️ Charging Schedule Recommendation finds the most beneficial charging times for your wallet and the grid.
⚡️️️️ Co-Steer allows Gen 2 owners to effortlessly adjust lane… pic.twitter.com/hxcSyvUbTU

If more people charge during off-peak hours, it contributes to a lower chance of outages and a more stable power grid. For each owner, doing so can also increase their use of clean energy by over 10%.

This feature can be activated by confirming your location in the Rivian app.

Rivian

Most of the other functions are reserved for Gen 2 vehicles, which has left many Gen 1 owners upset—on X/Twitter, one such owner suggested Rivian was "abandoning" Gen 1 owners.

The Highway Assist feature has been improved with Co-Steer, allowing drivers to adjust their lane position without disengaging the system. This is useful if, for example, you want to move further away from a semi-truck when overtaking.

For those who enjoy hands-free driving, there’s more good news. Enhanced Highway Assist’s availability is up by over 50%, so it’s possible to enjoy hands-free driving for longer stretches. Rivian also claims its in-house perception system is better at assessing the vehicle’s environment, which improves lane centering on highways or when navigating tighter curves.

Recently, Rivian announced a recall for 24,000 EVs as their hands-free systems failed to identify other cars.

Rivian

For audiophiles, the listening experience has been improved, too. The six pre-existing equalizer profiles can now be customized by each driver, and there are two new slots that can be named. These functions are useful if your audio settings differ significantly from anyone else who drives the same vehicle.

The low-frequency response and sound stage in Gen 2 models has been updated. Rivian claims better bass control and a “richer sense of spatial separation” to the audio. 

We also picked up a number of smaller fixes in version 2025.34, including:

• Improved navigation stability and responsiveness
• A fix for fluctuating trip energy and efficiency data
• More accurate battery range on arrival estimates
• Lowering of excessive blower noise when the climate control activates in mild conditions
• Better 12V battery health detection

Most of the fixes apply to Gen 1 vehicles, too. The full list of enhancements for Gen 1/Gen 2 R1T and R1S can be found here.

These software updates come shortly after Rivian announced a fix for the R1T’s powered tonneau cover, which initially frustrated owners with jamming and unusually loud operating noises. No specific fix was announced for the Rivian's air-conditioning system, which has stopped working entirely for some owners.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Unfortunately, most of the people who took a chance on Rivian when it was still a much smaller operation are now paying the price for it. Gen 1 vehicles continue to miss out on the latest features, much in the way that users of older iPhones gradually lose access to the latest software updates.

One could argue, though, that these software-defined EVs are simply a continuation of industry norms. In previous years, before software updates became commonplace, you'd have to settle for the features equipped to whatever car you purchased, knowing that future model years will add the latest gadgets. At least Gen 1 Rivians are still capable of receiving fixes for small software glitches, so they're still getting better with time.

In a detailed 27-page public comment letter addressed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted online on September 24, electric vehicle giant Tesla voiced out against the Trump administration-controlled EPA’s proposal to scrap greenhouse gas emissions rules for cars.

The company’s response comes as the EPA considers reversing its 2009 “Endangerment Finding” that classified greenhouse gases as harmful pollutants requiring regulation. However, the Elon Musk-led firm warned that ditching these regulations could seriously damage the electric vehicle industry and even hurt American companies’ competitiveness in the global market, arguing that current emissions standards are driving innovation and investment in clean vehicle technology.

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In its letter, Tesla disclosed that its business model depends on the current regulatory framework, as the company has invested billions based on the assumption that strict emissions standards would continue pushing automakers toward cleaner technologies. It noted, "Vehicle manufacturers, including Tesla, have for nearly two decades made investment decisions informed by the stable understanding of EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases and adopt innovation-promoting emissions standards.”

The electric vehicle giant isn’t just worried about its bottom line; it also noted that it is worried about the American automotive industry as a whole falling behind in the global EV race. Tesla paid particular attention to the Chinese market, as companies like BYD have proven to be sales leaders in major automotive markets outside the United States. 

“Other countries, and China in particular, are rapidly increasing their efforts in EV production,” Tesla warned. “[The] EPA’s Proposal would reverse the market stability that has encouraged vehicle manufacturers to invest in the technologies that are required to continue to compete in the global vehicles market.”

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Specifically, Tesla revealed it spent upwards of “$20M to retrofit its supercharger network and at least $100M to build additional supercharging capacity to accommodate the growth of non-Tesla BEVs operating in the United States.” This investment was made specifically because Tesla expected other manufacturers to ramp up EV production to meet emissions standards.

In addition to the benefits of the EV regulations, the company highlighted some success with a smaller, but telling example of how green-centric regulations drive innovation in the industry. In 2019, Tesla switched from a standard refrigerant (HFC-134a) to a more environmentally friendly one (HFO-1234yf), a change that increased material costs by $25 per vehicle, but proved to be small potatoes in the long run. 

“This investment ultimately amounted to tens of millions of dollars when scaled over millions of vehicles produced for North America since this time and would be undermined by a change in the standards,” it said.

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Tesla also flexed its American manufacturing prowess, proudly stating to the EPA that “all Tesla vehicles sold in the United States are domestically manufactured” and that the company’s supply chain reach covers more than 40 states, employing more than 70,000 workers in the U.S. 

However, Tesla didn’t just make economic arguments; it also critiqued the scientific basis for the EPA’s proposed reversal, where it criticized the agency for relying on a hastily produced Department of Energy report that “was produced by five people in less than two months based upon narrowly selected materials.”

Per Tesla, more than 85 climate experts have criticized said DOE report as being “biased, full of errors, and not fit to inform policymaking.” In addition, Tesla also pointed to a new National Academy of Sciences report that concluded that “the evidence for current and future harm to human health and welfare created by human-caused greenhouse gases is beyond scientific dispute,” adding that the “EPA’s 2009 finding was accurate, has stood the test of time, and is now reinforced by even stronger evidence.”

In addition, Tesla reported in the letter that in 2024, Tesla owners helped save “nearly 32 million metric tons of CO2e” from entering into the atmosphere; a figure that it said is equivalent to the same sort of emissions that result from “driving an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle about 78 billion miles.”

Tesla

Tesla clarified that the EPA’s proposal faces significant legal challenges. The company argued that the Supreme Court decision in Massachusetts v. EPA has already determined the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases from vehicles. Additionally, Tesla countered the EPA’s assertion that current standards constitute an "EV mandate." They pointed out that it is entirely possible to meet the standards without requiring more zero-emission vehicles beyond what has already been sold, although this may not be the most cost-effective approach.

Furthermore, Tesla emphasized research indicating that electric vehicles are becoming increasingly affordable, with battery prices projected to decrease by nearly 50 percent from 2023 to 2026. It also claimed that the total cost of ownership for EVs is much lower than that of comparable gas-powered vehicles when accounting for fuel and maintenance costs. 

According to Tesla's analysis, the current emissions standards are expected to yield “$85 billion” in annual benefits, which includes “$13 billion” in health benefits from reducing criteria pollutants and “$46 billion” in fuel savings.

Related: Get Ready for the Mercedes-Benz VLE: The Stylish New Electric Minivan With Surprising Range

The EPA’s attempt to repeal the endangerment finding is part of a series of actions taken under President Donald Trump to reduce federal support for electric vehicles. Boiling it all down, Tesla is telling the EPA that if “it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” as it believes that the current regulatory framework has created the stability and incentives needed to drive innovation and keep America competitive in the global shift toward cleaner transportation.

At the same time, other car manufacturers have taken the exact opposite stance and urged the EPA to roll back the emissions regulations established during the Biden administration, arguing that these rules are "simply not achievable" in comments submitted by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a lobbying group that represents nearly all major manufacturers, including Detroit’s Big Three.

Related: Tesla Hit With Lawsuit in China for Failing to Deliver on Self-Driving Hype

Audi already offers a three-row SUV with the Q7, which spawned a sleeker two-row Q8, but the automaker isn’t done with massive family haulers just yet. Development boss Geoffrey Bouquot told Automobilwoche that the company would release a new Q9 SUV in 2026 to coincide with a redesigned Q7.

The Q7 and Q9 will both ride on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, which also underpins the new A5 and A6. It will also be the basis of Porsche’s new gas Macan, expected for the 2028 model year.

CarPix

In addition to gas powertrains, the PPC can support diesel engines, hybrids, and plug-in systems, and it could offer a range-extended option in the future. Rumors have speculated that BMW could revive the tech for a next-generation X5, so it wouldn’t be outrageous to see a range-extended Q9 or Q7 in the near future.

The Q9 has been in development for a while, and the latest sighting of the range-topping SUV came just last month. One photographer caught what appears to be a high-performance variant, which could indicate that an SQ9 is in the works. As for the regular model, many expect Audi to offer a range of drivetrains, depending on where the Q9 is on sale, including six-cylinder mild-hybrid options for North America. The SQ9 will likely arrive with a V8.

SH Proshots/Autoblog

Given the Q9’s flagship positioning, expect an opulent interior, and it will likely offer cavernous passenger accommodations with options for six or seven seats. It will also receive the latest tech and safety features Audi has to offer, with an emphasis on rear-seat comfort and entertainment.

That said, the Q9 won’t be alone when it arrives. The Cadillac Escalade has been filling the full-size luxury SUV hole in buyers’ hearts for a long time, giving the Q9 a built-in competitor with an established customer base. Despite that, European SUVs tend to offer more engaging driving dynamics, even on the larger side of the spectrum.

Minivans are nowhere near the most popular vehicles on the road, but many companies remain committed to the format. Surprisingly, the list includes Mercedes-Benz, which recently revealed its upcoming VLE, an electric van with a sleek shape, a “limousine-like’ driving experience, and an all-new platform. Having shown the model in classic camo, the automaker has now shared a new teaser photo on Facebook.

Mercedes is building the VLE on its new modular, scalable van platform, which allows it to build multiple distinct models on the same architecture, such as the VLE and the related VLS, a more utilitarian van model. The VLE seats up to eight, while the VLW is oriented more toward work customers.

The VLE teaser image doesn’t show much, but we can clearly see a large grille with an illuminated surround and unique tri-star LED daytime running lights. The van’s shape is clearly visible, however, showing a surprisingly sporty-looking vehicle with a low, aggressive stance. While it looks cool, that shape also boosts aerodynamics and high-speed stability.

Mercedes hasn’t detailed the VLE’s range, but it has demonstrated the van’s charging capabilities with a 1,100km trip from Stuttgart to Rome. The VLE made the trip with two 15-minute charging stops, which Mercedes said demonstrates its convenience and capabilities for everyday drivers.

There’s no word on whether the VLE will come to the United States. Mercedes sells the Sprinter van here, but it hasn’t offered a tried-and-true minivan since the R-Class, which hasn’t sold in almost a decade. That said, the company may offer internal combustion powertrains for the VLE and VLS in the future, which could make them more appealing to American buyers. Mercedes already builds Sprinter vans in South Carolina, leaving the door open to a potential VLE production line in the States.

Mercedes-Benz VLE Development Drive Stuttgart-Rome

Mercedes-Benz

The VLE and related VLS are expected to arrive in 2026, and, according to Automotive World, pre-production has already started at the automaker’s plant in Vitoria, Spain. Mercedes noted that the van’s development took place in record time, moving from idea to design to testing very quickly.

Ford has announced a major safety recall impacting more than 115,500 Super Duty pickups in the U.S., citing a dangerous defect that could cause the steering column’s upper shaft to detach, leading to a sudden and total loss of steering control.

The recall specifically targets 2020–2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 models manufactured prior to February 2021, when the automaker introduced an additional safeguard to the part. Owners are urged to check their vehicles immediately, as this issue poses a serious risk to driver and passenger safety if left unaddressed.

Ford

The problem traces back to the design of the column’s upper shaft. Trucks built during the affected period used a single primary staking method to hold the shaft together, but Ford engineers later determined this wasn’t sufficient to meet safety pull-apart standards. Owners aren’t receiving dashboard warnings if failure occurs, making the defect especially concerning.

According to recall filings, Ford identified the issue in late June 2025 and escalated it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). No crashes or injuries have been reported so far. Dealers will inspect the steering shaft, reinforcing it if possible or replacing it entirely if it fails inspection. Repairs will be free of charge, and interim owner notification letters will begin arriving in early October.

Ford

This recall is the latest in a string of quality headaches for Ford. Just days ago, the automaker recalled 102,000 cars after doors started falling apart, with trim pieces detaching unexpectedly. And earlier this month, CEO Jim Farley admitted that Ford is pouring resources into quality control and global branding efforts, part of its new worldwide campaign called “Ready Set Ford”, the company’s first in over a decade.

Despite setbacks, Ford is also leaning on strong EV momentum. The automaker rolled out new September incentives, including lease deals for the F-150 Lightning, hoping to boost adoption of its flagship electric truck while balancing mounting costs from recalls.

Ford

For Super Duty owners, the steering defect is more than an inconvenience, these trucks are often used in heavy-duty work environments where sudden steering failure could have catastrophic consequences. For Ford, the recall underscores a larger problem: balancing its EV push, global marketing efforts, and cost-cutting strategies while still addressing lingering quality issues across its lineup.

As the company continues to spend heavily on electrification and branding, every recall adds pressure to prove that its vehicles, whether gas, hybrid, or electric, can meet the standards buyers expect from one of America’s most important automakers.

Unlike supercar rivals Lamborghini and Ferrari, McLaren has so far resisted the temptation to jump on the SUV bandwagon. It’s simply been viewed as too much of a leap from the British marque’s lightweight, performance-focused ethos.

But to retain profitability, it’s hard for any automotive company to limit itself to low-volume, impractical exotics like the 750S, no matter how spectacular they are to drive. Nick Collins, McLaren CEO, is aware of this, and just revealed that a more practical McLaren is on the way. Whether it’s an SUV is still unconfirmed, though, but the evidence suggests this would be a wise business decision.

McLaren underwent a change of ownership earlier this year, being acquired by CYVN. In the process, the brand merged with Forseven, an electric car startup from the UK. That led to Collins taking over as McLaren’s new CEO, and he’s now tasked with optimizing the company’s lineup of vehicles to achieve more wide-ranging appeal and greater profitability.

Part of this process will be to enter segments not typically associated with McLaren, which focuses almost exclusively on high-performance track weapons and the odd grand tourer. 

“We know—give or take 10 percent—everything we’ll do through 2030, and we have a design model of everything,” said Collins when speaking to Car Magazine. There will be more of what we’ve always done, but even better, and then entry to some adjacent segments. You’ll definitely see something with more than two seats, but that still leaves us in quite a wide territory.”

While “something with more than two seats” isn’t explicit confirmation of an SUV, it does point to the company’s plans to introduce a more practical model than anything else it sells right now. A coupe-style 2+2 is also possible.

There are a few reasons that an electric McLaren SUV is a strong candidate to be added to the range. For starters, CYVN also owns a stake in Nio, a Chinese EV carmaker, giving McLaren access to advanced electric powertrain/platform technologies. 

Forseven’s engineering team also previously developed plans for a luxury EV in the mold of a Range Rover, as per Auto Express. Since that brand won’t launch its own EV, the foundation is there to merge Forseven and Nio’s expertise with McLaren’s goals to create a new McLaren electric SUV. However, there is also the possibility for a hybrid SUV.

“I believe every brand must have a multi-propulsion future,” said Collins. The pace of regulatory change and consumer adoption is different in different parts of the world. Are we going to make McLaren an all-electric brand? Absolutely not.”

We’ve seen more than one example of how an SUV can provide the financial stability required to keep high-end automakers afloat. Consider Porsche, which saw sales plummet in the early 1990s, partly due to a range of expensive sports cars and time-consuming production processes. The cheaper Boxster helped right the ship, and the arrival of the Cayenne in 2002 became the volume seller Porsche needed.

Bentley saw much the same success when it launched the Bentayga in 2015, which has remained its top-selling model globally. It provided the sort of stability that allowed Bentley to continue crafting aspirational models like the coachbuilt Batur.

An SUV, be it a gas, hybrid or electric model, could play a similar role for McLaren. In an era where even Lotus has an SUV, it’s a move that doesn’t seem nearly as farfetched as it once did.

• 2026 Toyota GR Corolla debuts with a stiffer body, refined suspension, and cooling updates.
• Nine-speaker JBL sound system added with fake engine noises.
• Pricing starts at $49,115 with destination (an increase of $760), and the middle trim has been removed.

Exactly one week ago, Toyota Japan revealed the 2026 GR Corolla for the domestic market, and now it's our turn in the United States. Changes are relatively small but meaningful, though none are evident from a cosmetic standpoint. And why would they be? The GR Corolla is one of the most eye-catching hot hatches around. Its angry aesthetics are now even further backed up by the capability of the chassis after the addition of another 45.6 feet of structural adhesive in the front and rear sections of the body, which Toyota says improves overall rigidity as well as rear grip and feel. The subtle improvements continue with a new secondary air intake duct that should mean more track time without overheating for the remarkable G16E-GTS 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbo engine. Outputs remain unchanged at 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Toyota

Previously, the GR Corolla was available in Core, Premium, and Premium Plus guises, but for 2026, the Premium has been dropped from the lineup. Both of the remaining trims are available with your choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic (a $2,000 option), with the Core starting at $39,920 and the Premium Plus at $45,965 (excluding the destination charge of $1,195).

Related: Toyota Just Made 2023 GR Corollas as Quick as 2025 Models

These prices represent increases of $760 and $150, respectively, and the latter is particularly impressive since the 2026 GR Corolla Premium Plus has been imbued with a new nine-speaker JBL audio setup that now includes Active Sound Control, or fake engine noises. It's unclear whether this can be deactivated, but we hope so, as the three-pot sounds rorty enough in stock guise.

Toyota

As positive as these changes are, there's still something that the most hardcore enthusiasts are waiting for: the long-awaited GRMN variant. Earlier this month, following indications of a hotter "Gazoo Racing Meister of Nürburgring" variant from the car's chief engineer, Naoyuki Sakamoto, images of just such a thing leaked online, showing additional carbon fiber elements, the deletion of the rear seats, Alcantara-clad buckets in front, and a plaque indicating that production would be limited to 500 units. With no mention of this GRMN variant in Toyota's announcement today, we can only hope that it will be launched at the Los Angeles Auto Show (November 21-30). In the meantime, the two-trim GR Corolla lineup for 2026 is promised to reach dealers in the fall.

Toyota

The last decade hasn’t been kind to sedans, as SUVs have taken over the U.S. market. That shift has led some automakers to drop cars to focus on more profitable SUV models, but BMW isn’t getting rid of cars anytime soon.

Speaking with Australian publication GoAuto, BMW designer Olver Heilmer revealed that sedans remain “the core of the brand.” He acknowledged the challenges, saying, “A couple of years ago, you might have thought the sedan is something that might disappear. But it’s quite stable, to be honest. Now it’s something where we are setting a statement. We have said BMW is standing for sedans. A small, sporty, elegant, mid-sized sedan is the core of the BMW brand.”

The automaker is also evaluating its approach to design after years of criticism over its large grilles. Heilmar said, “Different markets are reacting differently to proportion. We always try out different kinds of shapes. BMW is always testing if the customer’s taste is changing.” That could mean more reasonable front-end designs in the near future.

BMW’s catalog contains several car models, including a range of performance variants. It currently offers 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 7-, and 8-series cars, and there’s also the M3, M5, and M8. That doesn’t count the multiple M-tuned variants, such as the M235, which feature elevated performance without the full-fat powertrains and price tags of regular M cars.

James Riswick

Electric vehicles are also part of the plan. The automaker’s new iX3 electric SUV will be followed by the i3, an electric version of the 3-Series sedan. That will give BMW four electric sedans, ranging from compact to full-size.

Additionally, the company plans to introduce 40 new models by the end of 2027. Using its Neue Klasse design language, BMW will introduce new sedans, though many of the new vehicles will become crossovers and SUVs.

Related: BMW Bets Big: 40 New Models Coming by 2028 With Bold, Unique Designs