Briefly | 15 Sep 2025

It's EV News Briefly for Monday 15 September 2025, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.

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GLOBAL EV SALES RISE AUGUST 2025 https://evne.ws/4gpyec9
FORD'S FOCUS-SIZED RECOVERY PLAN https://evne.ws/4meLq4M
EUROPEAN AUTOMAKERS SEEK 2035 FLEXIBILITY https://evne.ws/3Vi2snC
TOYOTA BUILDS EV SUVS IN KENTUCKY https://evne.ws/4nvokI6
STELLANTIS CANCELS ELECTRIC RAM 1500 REV https://evne.ws/4nftZCk
NISSAN MICRA LIVE EVENT SHOWCASES NEW SUPERMINI EV https://evne.ws/42g5jS7
GM REAFFIRMS EV-ONLY FUTURE, SLOWS TRANSITION https://evne.ws/42g5jS7
AMAZON TESTS GM BRIGHTDROP DELIVERY VANS https://evne.ws/42xweZr
VOLVO CEO EXPECTS OTHER BRANDS TO FAIL https://evne.ws/46JM199
CHINA AUTO INDUSTRY THREAT TO GLOBAL MARKET https://evne.ws/3K1F6QR
HYUNDAI-LG GEORGIA BATTERY PLANT STARTUP DELAY https://evne.ws/42qMDif
SCOUT CEO ARGUES FOR DIRECT SALES STRATEGY https://evne.ws/3K1vNjS
MAINE DISTRICTS FACE ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS SERVICE ISSUES https://evne.ws/46kbFAN

GLOBAL EV SALES RISE AUGUST 2025
Global electric vehicle sales reached 1.7 million in August, marking a 5% rise from July and 15% year-on-year, with BEVs and PHEVs contributing to a strong year-to-date total of 12.5 million—25% higher than 2024. Europe led growth, North America hit a record as buyers rushed to secure tax credits, and China saw robust, if moderating, expansion, while BYD cut its sales target but expects significant overseas volume.
FORD'S FOCUS-SIZED RECOVERY PLAN
Ford will launch a new mid-sized crossover in 2027, built in Valencia, Spain, reflecting a shift toward affordable EVs following Fiesta and Focus factory closures. The model will compete directly with the likes of Tiguan and Sportage at a mid-£30,000 price point—aiming to recover relevance with lower emissions and competitive pricing without expecting past market share highs.
EUROPEAN AUTOMAKERS SEEK 2035 FLEXIBILITY
European automotive leaders are calling for flexibility in the EU’s 2035 ban on petrol and diesel cars, citing tougher global supply chains and increased reliance on Chinese battery suppliers. Automakers advocate for hybrids and transitional support beyond 2035, while member states like Italy and France push for exceptions, highlighting the division over the full fossil fuel phase-out deadline.
TOYOTA BUILDS EV SUVS IN KENTUCKY
Toyota will begin producing its first electric vehicles in the U.S. next year, including two three-row SUVs at its Georgetown, Kentucky site, part of a $1.3 billion investment focused on domestic EV growth. The move aims to serve rising American demand, add jobs, and advance Toyota toward carbon neutrality by 2050, while balancing hybrids, plug-ins, and full EVs.
STELLANTIS CANCELS ELECTRIC RAM 1500 REV
Ram has scrapped its planned all-electric 1500 REV pickup in favor of a plug-in hybrid model, citing weak demand for battery-only trucks and financial constraints at Stellantis. The new Ram REV, featuring a gasoline generator with over 690 miles of range, appeals to users needing greater towing and long-distance capability, while Stellantis refocuses on hybrids and profitable platforms.
NISSAN MICRA LIVE EVENT SHOWCASES NEW SUPERMINI EV
Nissan unveiled its fully electric sixth-generation MICRA in Rotterdam, built on the dedicated AmpR platform, offering two battery sizes, 198–260 miles WLTP range, and advanced handling and tech features. Starting at £21,495 in the UK with government support, deliveries begin January 2026 as MICRA leads Nissan’s European EV lineup expansion.
GM REAFFIRMS EV-ONLY FUTURE, SLOWS TRANSITION
GM CEO Mary Barra reaffirmed the company's long-term goal of going all-electric by 2035, positioning it as a strategic "North Star". However, she acknowledged that the full transition may take decades due to industry complexity and evolving market and regulatory challenges.
AMAZON TESTS GM BRIGHTDROP DELIVERY VANS
Amazon has started testing GM’s BrightDrop electric vans alongside its existing Rivian fleet, part of its strategy to deploy 100,000 electric delivery vehicles by 2030. The pilot comes as GM faces production slowdowns, offering a chance to boost BrightDrop’s visibility and demand while Amazon diversifies its supplier base.
VOLVO CEO EXPECTS OTHER BRANDS TO FAIL
Volvo recently rehired former CEO Håkan Samuelsson, who affirmed the inevitability of electrification and predicted only a few Chinese brands will dominate globally in the next decade. He expects legacy automakers will struggle, with survival dependent on agility and partnership with advanced firms like Geely, as newcomers like Tesla and BYD reshape the market.
CHINA AUTO INDUSTRY THREAT TO GLOBAL MARKET
Industry experts at the Detroit Automotive News Congress warned that U.S. automakers are underestimating the competitive threat posed by Chinese brands, whose EV market share in China surged to 50%. Fierce home competition is fueling aggressive export plans, targeting Europe, Mexico, and North America, with cost and technology advantages challenging established automakers.
HYUNDAI-LG GEORGIA BATTERY PLANT STARTUP DELAY
Hyundai and LG’s Georgia battery plant faces a two- to three-month startup delay after a major U.S. immigration raid detained hundreds of workers, most employed by LG suppliers. Hyundai will offset production impact by sourcing batteries from other facilities while both governments negotiate skilled labor solutions for future projects.
SCOUT CEO ARGUES FOR DIRECT SALES STRATEGY
Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh stated the company will pursue direct sales, comparing traditional dealer model unfavorably to buying directly from Apple and advocating for a seamless brand experience. He dismissed dealers as a distraction, reinforcing direct-to-consumer as the company's strategic retail approach.
MAINE DISTRICTS FACE ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS SERVICE ISSUES
Maine school districts have seen electric buses sidelined due to unresolved service issues, with manufacturer Lion Electric’s bankruptcy halting repairs and parts, leaving districts stuck with non-functional vehicles under federal grant terms. The state faces mounting frustration, a federal lawsuit against Lion, and reliance on emergency replacement options while the EPA oversees the troubled program.