ICYMI: NTSB to hold hearing on fatal Ford BlueCruise crashes. Volkswagen expands battery focus to energy storage amid slower EV growth. Federal safety agency hosts forum on robotaxi deployment and regulation. New-vehicle prices rise in February as EV gap narrows, KBB reports. Renault plans 36 new models by 2030 as automaker targets global expansion
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
NTSB to hold hearing on fatal Ford BlueCruise crashes
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold a hearing March 31 to determine the probable cause of the crashes, both of which involved 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles operating in the system’s partial automation mode. Both incidents were rear-end collisions in which the Ford SUVs struck stationary vehicles at highway speeds, occurring in San Antonio and Philadelphia in 2024. Read More
Volkswagen expands battery focus to energy storage amid slower EV growth
Volkswagen is broadening its battery ambitions beyond EVs to include large-scale energy storage and energy trading, as global EV demand underperforms expectations. The automaker began operations Monday at its first major storage facility in Salzgitter, Germany, part of its Elli energy subsidiary. The site can supply roughly 20,000 homes for two hours and is directly connected to the grid. It will also participate in energy trading on the European power exchange EPEX SPOT. The facility uses cells from Volkswagen’s in-house PowerCo division, which had previously targeted as many as seven EV battery plants but has scaled back ambitions for the Salzgitter factory. Read More
Federal safety agency hosts forum on robotaxi deployment and regulation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will host a national autonomous vehicle safety forum on Tuesday, featuring executives from several leading self-driving companies, as federal officials examine how to accelerate robotaxi deployment while addressing safety concerns. The meeting comes as the Trump administration seeks ways to remove regulatory barriers that could slow the rollout of autonomous vehicles while maintaining oversight of emerging safety risks associated with the technology. Read More
New-vehicle prices rise in February as EV gap narrows, KBB reports
According to a recent Kelley Blue Book report, new-vehicle prices accelerated in February as market sales rebounded from a slow January. Average transaction prices (ATP) rose modestly month over month and jumped notably year over year, while sales incentives increased slightly from January but remained near year-ago levels. Read More
Renault plans 36 new models by 2030 as automaker targets global expansion
Renault said it plans to launch 36 new models by the end of the decade as the French automaker looks beyond Europe to drive growth amid intensifying competition in its core markets. The strategy marks the first update under Chief Executive Francois Provost, who took the role last year after former CEO Luca de Meo moved to luxury group Kering. Read More
Next Week: Exclusive Interviews You Can’t Miss
Matt McAlear outlines performance-driven future as Dodge navigates industry changes
In the concluding segment of a three-part interview on Inside Automotive, Matt McAlear, the CEO of Dodge and the newly appointed CEO of Chrysler, outlines the brands’ strategy for addressing the challenges of electrification, trade tariffs, and evolving consumer preferences. He emphasized a return to Dodge’s roots as a performance-first brand while preparing dealers for the next generation of vehicles arriving in showrooms.
How Capitol Auto Group drives profits through culture and customer experience
Strong employee engagement and strategic customer focus can drive both retention and profitability in today’s automotive market. On Inside Automotive, Alex Casebeer, GM and dealer, and Phillip Cianni, COO at Capitol Auto Group, share strategies for strengthening dealership culture, retaining employees, and maintaining profitability amid shifting market dynamics. Capitol Auto Group, operating multiple franchises across Oregon, reports a mixed but stable business climate. New and used car volumes fluctuate by brand, with Toyota performing strongly while Subaru lags, and Cadillac achieving high sales.
