VinFast Outlines Phased Autonomy and Localized Manufacturing Strategy

Demand for hybrid vehicles is outpacing the supply available on dealer lots, according to a new Cars.com report. The survey found that 25% of shoppers named a hybrid as the powertrain they want to buy, yet hybrids make up only one of every eight listings at dealerships or on online sites. Days on lot for hybrids, a measure of supply, fell to 46 days, down 10% from a year ago, while new hybrid supply rose just 1%; overall cars sit at 73 days on lot. Sales data show Honda hybrids up 35% in the third quarter, Kia hybrids up 152% in September, and Toyota up nearly 30% in the third quarter, with higher gas prices cited as the main driver. The Toyota RAV 4, the most popular non-truck vehicle in America, will be hybrid-only in 2026, and the Kia Telluride is also going all hybrid.

The United States electric vehicle market is forecast to grow from US$385.0 million in 2025 to approximately US$630.2 million by 2030, according to a new ResearchAndMarkets.com databook. The market is projected to grow 10.8% annually to reach US$426.5 million in 2026, following a CAGR of 9.7% during 2021-2025, and is expected to record a CAGR of 10.3% from 2026 to 2030. Affordability is becoming central to adoption as consumers weigh monthly payments, insurance, charging availability, resale value, and household suitability, with demand shifting toward lower-priced models and practical crossovers including the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, and Honda Prologue. The end of federal clean vehicle credits after September 30, 2025, has increased the importance of automaker pricing, leasing programs, dealer incentives, and state-level support, while automakers balance battery-electric investment with hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and extended-range EVs. Charging access is emerging as a competitive advantage, with GM stating its customers can use more than 21,500 Tesla Superchargers with a GM-approved NACS adapter, and Hyundai extending compatible network access to eligible U.S. EV owners. Localized production is also a strategic priority, illustrated by Hyundai's Georgia Metaplant producing the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9, while GM and Hyundai have announced plans for five co-developed vehicles, including a North American commercial van, and Volkswagen and Rivian are advancing a joint venture focused on software-defined vehicle architecture.

Mitsubishi Motors North America has announced that the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback, an all-new battery electric vehicle for the North American market, will start at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $37,745 when U.S. sales begin in October. The Eclipse Sportback offers up to 282 miles of range from a 75 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, and its only option is the Technology Package at $2,600. The vehicle is the first all-new model to debut under the company's Momentum 2030 business plan, which commits to at least one new or completely refreshed vehicle each year between fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2030, with an all-new rugged off-road derivative of the Outlander SUV due in early 2027. Mitsubishi also said it intends to re-enter the pickup truck segment in North America through its collaboration with Nissan. The MSRP excludes a destination fee of $1,995, or $2,120 in Hawaii and Alaska.