Ford Rehires 350 Veteran Engineers After AI Alone Fails to Fix Quality Problems

Ford has brought back hundreds of experienced engineers over the past three years after discovering that AI systems, without deep human expertise to train them, were not enough to resolve the company’s persistent vehicle quality issues.
JLR Signals Confidence in China as European Premium Rivals Struggle

While BMW and Porsche have faced significant headwinds in China, JLR used its June 2026 investor day to strike an optimistic tone about its prospects in the world’s largest car market.
Land Rover Classic Adds 110 Double Cab Pick-Up to ‘Colour-Changing’ Defender Range

A single client’s commission of four matching colour-changing Classic Defender V8s has prompted Land Rover Classic to open up two new body styles — including the long-admired 110 Double Cab Pick-Up — to its Works Bespoke customisation programme.
Polestar and University of Oxford Launch Study to Measure the Thrill of Driving

Polestar has partnered with the SDG Impact Lab at the University of Oxford to conduct scientific research into whether the physical and neurological experience of driving excitement can be measured and analysed.
Volkswagen NZ Confirm Polo is returning to New Zealand this September

Small hatchbacks may have become an endangered species in New Zealand, but one of the segment’s biggest names is preparing for a welcome comeback. After disappearing from Volkswagen New Zealand’s showroom in 2022, the Volkswagen Polo is set to return later this year, giving Kiwi buyers another stylish European option in the compact car market. […]
Stellantis, Lotus and Mercedes-Benz Among Brands Reinstating V8 Engines as Regulations Soften

A combination of buyer reluctance around electric vehicles and a more permissive regulatory environment in the United States is prompting a wave of V8 revivals across the automotive industry.
BMW M4 GT3 EVO Wins Gold Cup at Spa 24 Hours as Overall Challenge Falls Short

ROWE Racing’s BMW M4 GT3 EVO claimed Gold Cup honours at a gruelling 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, though BMW’s bid for overall victory failed to materialise despite strong driver and team performances.
Z Energy Opens First Destination Public EV Charging Site at Auckland’s WestCity Shopping Centre

Z Energy has launched its first off-forecourt public EV charging site at WestCity Shopping Centre in Waitākere, marking a shift in how the fuel retailer is building out its charging network.
Toyota Hilux BEV and New Subaru EVs Earn Five Stars in Latest ANCAP Results

ANCAP’s latest round of safety testing awards five-star ratings to the Toyota Hilux BEV, Subaru Trailseeker, and Subaru Uncharted, while the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupé fall just short with four stars.
Matteo Fontana Wins WRC3 at Acropolis Rally Greece to Extend Championship Lead

Defending WRC3 champion Matteo Fontana claimed victory at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, strengthening his position at the top of the WRC3 standings at the halfway point of the 2026 season.