Ford plans to eliminate up to 1,000 jobs at its Cologne, Germany, plant, reports German news agency DPA. The historic manufacturing site was recently converted into an all-EV factory, and the report cites slowing EV demand in Europe as a reason for the cuts. But Ford has also been planning on whittling down jobs as part of a cost-saving plan initiated in 2024.

The automaker plans to move from a two-shift schedule to a single shift schedule at the beginning of 2026, according to the report, adding that the job cuts resulting from that change come on top of a planned 2,900 jobs to be cut across administration, development, and other departments at the Cologne site.

Ford

Ford is currently in discussions with labor leaders regarding additional job cuts, according to the report. The automaker is reportedly hoping to achieve these reductions through voluntary departures that will include severance packages and partial retirement benefits for the affected employees who agree to leave voluntarily.

Ford has a long association with Cologne. The automaker has been manufacturing cars there since 1930, and the city is also home to its German division. The establishment of a presence in Cologne was one of Ford's first major forays outside the United States, and an important step toward the global presence Ford maintains to this day.

In 2023, Ford implemented a $2 billion transformation of the site into the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center. Production restarted in 2024 with the electric Ford Explorer, a Europe-only model based on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform that shares only a name with the SUV Americans know. Production of the Capri was added later in the year.

Ford

It's not a good time for Ford's German workers. In addition to job cuts at Cologne, the automaker plans to close its other German plant—located in the town of Saarlouis—entirely by November. That plant currently builds the gasoline Ford Focus, which is due to be discontinued with no planned replacement, although a recent report suggested a Focus-badged SUV was being considered.

Like other automakers, Ford is trying to guess the speed at which EV adoption will increase ahead of a planned cutoff of sales of new internal-combustion cars in Europe in 2035. So while it may be reducing production in Cologne, it remains committed to EVs. If that Focus SUV happens, it will reportedly have an all-electric powertrain option. And in the U.S., Ford is developing a new platform for a family of more-affordable electric vehicles.

Unveiled at the recent IAA Mobility Show in Munich, the Hyundai Concept Three is a compact electric hatchback previewing a more affordable EV from the Korean automaker (albeit one that might not make it to the United States). The concept's interior also minimizes screens, an approach designers would like to carry forward to future models.

"A lot of customers are frustrated at having to look and go through layers, so how do we simplify?" Simon Loasby, head of the Hyundai Design Center in Seoul, said in a recent interview with Auto Express regarding current touchscreen interfaces. With the Concept Three, the Hyundai design team looked for another way.

Hyundai

Instead of a large central touchscreen or digital instrument cluster, the Concept Three has several smaller displays that can be customized to show different information. The most vital information is displayed at the base of the windshield to keep it within the driver's line of sight. That's based on how Hyundai sees customers interacting with in-car interfaces, according to Loasby.

"People are prepared to sit and go through menus to play with the high tech stuff, but the instant interaction—temperature, air conditioning, volume, seat heating, skipping tracks—there's a set which are just so frequently used that actually, then you start questioning, well, why do we need a screen? Not the other way around, not why do we need buttons? Why do we have a screen, and can't we do that in another way?"

Hyundai

Hyundai's stance on screens for future production cars is still in flux, but it appears enthusiasm for screens has peaked. Earlier this year, Ha Hak-soo, the vice president of Hyundai Development and Manufacturing of North America (HDNA) said that, in this market at least, the automaker was looking to bring back more physical controls after negative feedback from customers on screen-centric interfaces.

Exactly when that will happen is unclear, though. The Concept Three is expected to preview an upcoming production model, but that doesn't mean the concept's simpler interface will make the transition. The small electric hatchback also seems more tailored to the European market than the U.S. Meanwhile, the next-generation Hyundai Elantra and Tucson are expected to get a new infotainment system that remains screen-centric.

"We're not there yet, designers always like to challenge and see where the journey could go, which is why we have done what we have with the Concept Three," Loasby said. "And our cars have some very good interactions and functions where screen interaction is required; that's okay, but we complement that with the frequent-use physical interaction buttons."

Hyundai

All things considered, Lamborghini has done well under the stewardship of Audi, which has been in charge of the Italian automaker since its purchase by the Volkswagen Group in 1998. Audi's technical expertise and VW's money have made Lambos faster and more reliable, while also allowing the automaker to expand production to levels unimagined before the Germany takeover.

Related: Lamborghini Wants AI to Fix Your Bad Driving Habits

A reminder of the turbulent pre-Audi times will be a featured lot at the Broad Arrow Zoute Concours Auction in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, scheduled for October 10. It's the 1998 Lamborghini Pregunta concept, the last Lamborghini concept car developed before Audi stepped in. By the time it was unveiled at the 1998 Paris Motor Show, in fact, Lamborghini's sale to the VW Group had already been completed.

Broad Arrow Auctions

Lamborghini was still owned by Chrysler when the Pregunta (Spanish for "question") was in development. But, especially this late in the game, Chrysler was fairly hands-off, allowing Lamborghini to act fairly independently. For this concept, Lamborghini selected French coachbuilder Carrosserie Heuliez for the design work and construction of carbon-fiber bodywork.

The Pregunta was styled by Heuliez's head of design, Marc Deschamps, who had also penned the Lamborghini Jalpa. Deschamps took inspiration from the Dassault Rafale fighter jet, giving the Pregunta large side air intakes meant to look the ones for the Rafale's jet engine, as well as a canopy-like wraparound windshield.

Underneath the French bodywork are mechanical bits from the Lamborghini Diablo, including that car's 5.7-liter V12, which powers the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. In the Pregunta, this engine produces 530 horsepower and 448 pound-feet of torque, getting the one-off concept from zero to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds and up to a top speed of 209 mph, according to the auction listing.

Lamborghini

Heuliez retained ownership of the Pregunta, continuing to loan it out to Lamborghini for public display until 2007. The car was sold to a private collector in 2008, and received an official Lamborghini Polo Storico certificate in 2014. The automaker's heritage department then gave the Pregunta a complete inspection and servicing in 2021, before placing it on display at the company museum.

Related: Lamborghini’s Boldest Car in Decades Faces an Identity Crisis

The Pregunta is now expected to sell for 2.5 million to 3.5 million euros, or approximately $2.9 million to $4.1 million at current exchange rates. That's a steep price, but it's also rare for a concept car to come up for auction, let alone one that's drivable and based on an iconic supercar. The Pregunta's end-of-an-era significance will also ensure that it stands out even in a collection populated with more recent Lamborghini one-offs and special editions.

The Lexus LX has long balanced two worlds: the rugged dependability inherited from its Toyota Land Cruiser 300 roots and the elegance that defines the Lexus brand. It is the model buyers choose when they need genuine off-road capability wrapped in leather and wood trim. That mix of toughness and refinement makes it the last Lexus you would expect to be transformed into a rolling fashion studio.

Yet here we are – Lexus has done precisely that with the debut of the Glam LX, a one-off concept that treats the flagship SUV as a blank canvas for beauty and style.

Lexus

The Lexus Glam LX is a showcase of how far its design and marketing imagination can stretch. Built in partnership with Complete Customs, the concept wears a pearl symphony chameleon wrap that shifts colors in the light, while crystal-faceted badging adds jewelry-like detail.

Inside, pink-and-white stitched leather sets a vivid backdrop for mohair, silk, and stone inlays. The cabin is arranged like a mobile dressing room, complete with a series of purpose-built features. The trunk opens with French doors to reveal a vanity and dressing suite, complete with pullout chairs, twin Robern illuminated mirrors, a retractable privacy screen, an LED-lit clothing rack, and acrylic drawers for wardrobe changes.

Up front, a small manicure station with UV and LED lighting allows for quick polish changes. The second-row seating converts to a professional-grade beauty studio with stone-inlay tray tables, a halo-lit skylight for natural illumination, and a full-width dropdown illuminated mirror.

Storage compartments are tailored for hot tools and cosmetics, including a refrigerated makeup console and LED-lit handbag compartment, all powered by integrated outlets.

Lexus

Beneath the glitter, the Glam LX remains an LX at heart. The production model uses a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. Its ladder-frame construction and adaptive suspension still give it the strength to tackle unpaved roads with ease, though those low-profile tires might make you think twice before doing so.

Lexus plans to showcase the Glam LX at select marketing activations throughout the year, allowing the public to experience its design and features up close. Unfortunately, even if you have the money to purchase one, the concept is not headed for dealerships. However, it serves as a reminder of how flexible the LX platform can be – able to carry both its off-road heritage and a complete makeover worthy of a red-carpet entrance.

Lexus

The 2016 BMW M4 GTS represented Munich's most focused track weapon, a limited-production masterpiece that bridged the gap between road car and race machine. BMW produced just 803 examples globally, with only 300 originally earmarked for the United States. Now, the final M4 GTS ever produced, #803 of 803 is for sale on Exotic Car List with just 305 miles on the odometer, for an impressive $1 million.

When BMW introduced the M4 GTS in 2016, it commanded a base price of $135,195 before options, more than double the regular M4's MSRP of $67,000. At launch, this positioned the GTS against competitors like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and McLaren 570S, so you can be sure BMW made sure the M4 GTS was worth the ask.

Exotic Car List

The M4 GTS wasn't simply a more powerful M4, it featured the world's first production car water-injection system, making it both the first and last M car to feature this technology. This revolutionary system provided a 49-horsepower gain over the standard M4, spraying water into the intake manifold to cool the pressurized air-fuel mixture for more efficient combustion, an old hot-rodders' trick. The result was the M4 GTS’ 493 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.

The GTS philosophy extended beyond raw power. BMW stripped weight, added aggressive aerodynamics, installed a roll cage, and fitted manually-adjustable suspension. The result was a street-legal track car that could lap the Nürburgring in 7:28, matching the original lap time of the Porsche Carrera GT. It took BMW nearly a decade to beat that lap time, with the hardcore G82 M4 CSL setting a 7:18 lap in 2023.

Exotic Car List

Today's M4 GTS market tells a complex story, with the average selling price sitting around the $80,000 mark. The $1 million asking price for unit #803, finished in Black Sapphire, represents a very significant premium. However, being the absolute final example ever produced adds immeasurable collector value.

Exotic Car List

The 305-mile odometer reading further enhances this example's collectibility. While typical M4 GTS values have dropped nearly thirty percent from new, this ultra-low-mileage final example exists in a different category entirely, one where traditional depreciation curves just don't apply. For serious BMW collectors, it’s about buying a piece of M Division history that can never be replicated.

The U.S. will lower tariffs on Japanese automobiles and auto parts to 15% starting today, September 16, 2025, down from the previous 27.5% rate. The move is part of a broader trade realignment between Washington and Tokyo, and one that could reshape competitive dynamics across the global auto industry.

This isn’t just about easing sticker prices for Toyota and Honda buyers. It’s also a geopolitical calculation. The Biden–Trump tariff era had seen duties swing wildly, leaving automakers scrambling to plan around unpredictable costs.

Now, Japan secures relief just as Mexico raised tariffs on Chinese cars to 50% to protect its local industry and align more closely with U.S. trade priorities. The two moves together show how tariffs are being wielded not just for revenue, but as tools to push global supply chains into politically acceptable channels.

Japanese automakers are obvious winners. Lower duties mean more flexibility to keep pricing competitive in the U.S., and the cut could strengthen their foothold against rivals. Trump’s tariff deal has already been described as giving Japanese brands a clear edge over their European competitors, who remain under higher U.S. tariff pressure.

The losers? Likely European brands like BMW and Mercedes, still caught in a tariff bind. Their costs remain higher, and unless Brussels strikes a deal with Washington, German and French automakers risk losing more ground in a market where affordability is already under strain.

Automakers outside Japan aren’t standing still. Volkswagen, for example, has been negotiating its own arrangement with Washington, pledging $10 billion in U.S. investments to secure tariff exemptions. Moves like this underscore how trade policy is directly influencing corporate strategy: invest locally or risk being priced out.

Getty

The tariff cut is seen as a win-win, relief for Japanese automakers and possible lower prices for U.S. buyers. But it also raises the stakes for Europe and China, which now face growing tariff pressure in the American market. With Mexico hardening its stance on Chinese imports and the U.S. selectively rewarding favored trade partners, the global tariff landscape is being redrawn in real time.

These moves mark not just tactical trade adjustments but a broader reordering of alliances and rivalries in the auto and manufacturing sectors. The next few months will be critical in determining whether the shifting policies stabilize trade flows and encourage investment, or instead trigger a new wave of retaliatory measures that could escalate tensions and unsettle global markets.

Toyota is suggesting that the days of diesel are numbered. Speaking in Australia, sales and marketing vice president Sean Hanley explained that the fuel which has long powered the country’s most popular utes and SUVs might have only another ten years left before hydrogen technology begins to take over.

Toyota

Hanley emphasized that diesel will continue to play an important role in the short term, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles and in regional areas where options are limited. But his message came with a clear warning. “It’s not going to die off anytime in the next decade,” he said, “but in 10 years we’ll see hydrogen take over.”

The comments matter in a country where nearly half of Toyota’s sales are diesels, with stalwarts like the Land Cruiser seeing demand surge nearly 690% in 2025 even as prices creep higher.

Toyota

The change in tone reflects mounting global pressure. In Europe, the phase-out of combustion car sales by 2035 is already underway, and Toyota has made it clear it intends to be ready when that deadline arrives. In the U.S., the trend is just as telling, with hybrids steadily moving into vehicle lines that once depended entirely on diesel, signaling how quickly the market is shifting.

The 2026 Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander, for example, are now offered with hybrid drivetrains that blur the line between family hauler and fuel miser. The timing of Hanley’s comments suggests Toyota wants to prepare buyers for gradual change rather than springing a shock later.

Toyota has been working on hydrogen fuel cell technology for years, from the Mirai sedan to experimental Hilux prototypes. Hanley’s remark that hydrogen could “take over” from diesel hints at a future where workhorse vehicles and regional fleets trade their fuel tanks for hydrogen tanks.

It is a bold statement considering the huge infrastructure hurdles ahead, but Toyota has always played the long game, backing hybrids, EVs, and hydrogen side by side rather than putting everything on one option.

For now, diesel buyers still have options, and Toyota isn’t about to abandon them overnight. Lease deals and pricing show how the brand is keeping performance and affordability in play while hybrids and hydrogen ramp up.

Even enthusiasts are catered for, with offers like September’s deal on the 2025 Toyota GR86 keeping the lineup diverse. But Hanley’s comments confirm what many already suspected: diesel’s clock is ticking, and Toyota wants to be in control of how that story ends.

The eighth-generation Chevy Corvette is an impressive car in all its forms, but it’s not perfect, and some owners are finding that out the hard way. A recent video shared from one Corvette Z06 owner illustrates one of the car’s major design flaws, which can cause it to catch fire and burn to the ground.

Shawn Conner’s 2024 Corvette Z06 caught fire while fueling at a gas station, and the flames burned so fast and intensely that there was almost nothing left. He posted on Facebook earlier this summer asking for help, saying, “Anybody have any experience, or ever heard of anything like this before? Car exploded while pumping gas. I have an idea, but would love to hear what everyone else thinks.”

Conner’s car is one of several to experience the same problem, including at least one of General Motors’ in-house engineering test vehicles. The issue is significant enough to warrant a stop-sale and recall of more than 23,000 vehicles. It’s caused by a design flaw that could allow fuel vapor or liquid to spill toward a cooling fan, which can suck it into the engine bay, sparking a fire. The Z06 and ZR1 both suffer from the issue, but the Stingray and E-Ray are not.

The Corvette’s owner’s manual already contains guidance on how to safely fuel the car, advising owners to not pull the handle again once it has turned off, and to wait before pulling the filler nozzle out once fueling is done. That said, GM can’t prevent faulty gas pumps that don’t click off in time, requiring a physical fix for the problem.

The fix has already been developed, which includes adding a shield to prevent spilled fuel from being sucked into the engine. GM said it is still working with suppliers to get production up and running, which should happen within the next few weeks.

Subaru is cranking up its performance lineup with the unveiling of two exclusive special editions: the 2026 Subaru WRX Series.Yellow and the 2026 Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow. These bright yellow machines are extremely rare, with only 350 units produced for each model. They pay tribute to Subaru's legendary rally heritage, combining classic motorsport DNA with modern technology and performance upgrades tailored for track and street. Blink, and you'll miss your chance to own one of these iconic beauties, both based on their high-performance tS trims.

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Subaru spares no effort with the limited-edition WRX Series.Yellow, built on its legendary symmetrical all-wheel-drive system that guarantees precise handling in any conditions. It packs a turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer engine belting out 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The car features adjustable dampers tuned by Subaru Tecnica International (STI) for smooth, adaptable performance.

Rolling on 19-inch matte black wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires for maximum grip, the WRX Series.Yellow delivers intense driving experiences. Inside, Recaro Performance Design front seats feature yellow stitching and perforated details, while the cabin boasts an 11.6-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The rear-wheel-drive BRZ Series.Yellow targets purists craving immaculate balance and precision at an accessible price point. It's powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter Boxer engine producing 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. Neither limited-edition model offers automatic transmission.

The BRZ Series.Yellow delivers precise handling through STI-tuned Hitachi front and rear dampers that enhance stability. Brembo brakes and 18-inch matte black wheels wrapped in high-grip Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires complete the performance package. The cabin features black upholstery accented by vibrant yellow stitching on front seats, plus leather-wrapped steering wheel, shifter boot, and parking brake boot.

Subaru will soon reveal pricing for both the WRX Series.Yellow and Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow models.

Polestar's first standalone model, the Polestar 2, has been the brand's anchor ever since its debut earlier this decade. It was initially thought to be a Volvo product, but later evolved into Polestar's very first dedicated EV, becoming a benchmark for the company's clean, understated design language.

The five-door fastback (sedan) has since sold more than 180,000 units worldwide and has received steady updates, including a 2023 shift from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive for the single-motor variant. Now, after years of speculation about its future, Polestar has confirmed that a successor is on the way – but it will not arrive any time soon.

Polestar

According to a report from Carsales, Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller said the company is preparing a second-generation Polestar 2 that will retain its name rather than adopt the rumored Polestar 8 badge. The new model's design will be led by Philipp Roemers, formerly of Audi, who recently joined as Polestar's design chief.

"I want to have those current Polestar 2 customers back. Because we build it up. I think we did a great job. And I want to keep them in the family," said Lohscheller.

Carsales adds that the plan underscores Polestar's intent to maintain continuity in its most successful model, even as the brand works to stabilize finances and improve profitability.

The timeline, however, remains long. Carsales reports that the next-generation Polestar 2 will follow the upcoming Polestar 7 compact SUV, which is slated to enter production at a new Volvo plant in Slovakia in early 2028. That places the earliest arrival of the second-generation Polestar 2 at some point in 2028, roughly eight years after the current model's production began. Delays are possible if Polestar decides to prioritize other low-volume projects, such as the Polestar 6 roadster, although that scenario is considered unlikely.

Until then, Polestar plans to keep its first EV relevant with incremental updates. Another technical refresh is expected before the end of the year, and the high-performance BST edition – previously a limited-run variant –may join the permanent lineup and expand to new markets.

For now, the Polestar 2 remains a key pillar for the brand as it works toward profitability and prepares for the next chapter of its original electric fastback.