View Interior Photos of the 2026 Kia EV4
The Kia EV4 is a new electric compact sedan, and while its exterior is pretty funky, the interior keeps things pretty normal.
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TechCrunch
4 minutes ago
- TechCrunch
TechCrunch Mobility: Ford's big bet
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. To get this in your inbox, sign up here for free — just click TechCrunch Mobility! Ford made its big EV announcement early this week — a plan to invest $2 billion to transform its Louisville Assembly Plant into a factory capable of making a new generation of affordable EVs, starting with a midsize pickup truck with a base price of $30,000 that is slated to launch in 2027. Amid the presentations from various executives, union leaders, and employees, CEO Jim Farley said something I couldn't quite shake: 'There are no guarantees with this project. We're doing so many new things, I can't tell you with 100% uncertainty that this will all go just right; it is a bet. There is risk.' The bet? The company put together a skunkworks team, which worked for a couple of years to find a way to build a line of affordable electric vehicles that could be made in the United States faster, more efficiently, and with fewer parts, all while preserving profit margins. To do that, the company has scrapped the century-old system that made Ford a household name and developed a new three-pronged assembly line that uses more automation and unicastings. Ford, like many other automakers, is being squeezed by tariffs, slower than expected EV demand, and the looming threat of competition from China. The company has to act if it wants to stay relevant. But is this the move? Ford can't really use this manufacturing technique at other factories, since it is pinned to how the vehicle is designed and then split into three unicastings — a major departure from the method used to assemble its other vehicles. What this means is we're witnessing a $5 billion experiment ($3 billion for the LFP battery factory and $2 billion for Louisville) to keep jobs in the United States. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW A little bird Image Credits:Bryce Durbin A few little birds told us that rental car startup Kyte, which once billed itself as the 'best alternative to Hertz,' is no longer operating. The startup was already in trouble late last year after slashing staff and cutting down to just two markets. But in July, the company sold its customer list to peer-to-peer car share company Turo. (Turo declined further commenting on the terms.) And since then, Kyte appears to have gone fully under, entering a form of receivership in California in late July. That has apparently left a number of customers in the lurch who had already booked rentals through Kyte; Turo told TechCrunch it is only responsible for the assets it purchased — not any financial claims against the now-defunct Kyte. Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at or my Signal at kkorosec.07, or Sean O'Kane at Deals! Image Credits:Bryce Durbin Bumper, a U.K.-based buy now, pay later platform for car servicing and repairs, raised $10.8 million in a Series B extension funding led by Autotech Ventures. InMotion Ventures, Suzuki Global Ventures, Porsche Ventures, and Shell Ventures also joined. Chowdeck, a Lagos-based food delivery startup, raised $9 million in Series A funding led by Novastar Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ, and others. Eve Air Mobility — the urban air mobility company, announced a $230 million capital raise and dual listing in the U.S. and Brazil. The company has raised $1 billion to date. Ultraviolette, the Indian electric motorcycle startup, raised $21 million in an all-equity round led by the corporate venture arm of Japanese electronics giant TDK Corporation. Ultraviolette's existing investors Zoho Corporation and Lingotto (previously Exor Capital) also participated. Via has filed its S-1 paperwork on its road to IPO. The transit software company has not yet determined the number of shares to be offered or the price range. This dropped just as I was sending out this newsletter, so I haven't read through the entire doc yet. A couple of items worth noting, though: The company's revenue grew 35% to $337 million from 2023 to 2024. Its net loss narrowed to $90 million over the same time period. And CEO Daniel Ramot's 2024 compensation package, which includes stock grants, is $9.5 million. Per the footnotes, the company is issuing him an additional grant package for 2025 and a cash bonus program. WeRide, the Chinese autonomous vehicle company, has secured an investment from Grab. The companies did not disclose the investment amount. WeRide said the funds will help speed deployment and commercialization of Level 4 robotaxis and shuttles in Southeast Asia. Notable reads and other tidbits Image Credits:Bryce Durbin Foxconn will no longer build electric tractors for California startup Monarch Tractor after the Taiwanese tech giant recently sold its Ohio factory to SoftBank. History lesson: Foxconn had planned to establish an electric vehicle contract manufacturing operation at the factory and Monarch was one of four companies it was working with. The other three (Lordstown Motors, Fisker, and IndiEV) have all gone bankrupt. Some high-profile executive shuffling is underway. Self-driving truck maker Waabi hired Uber Freight CEO Lior Ron (who has a long and interesting history in the AV world) as chief operating officer. Rebecca Tinucci, who previously spent six years building Tesla's charging network, has taken over as head of Uber Freight. Ron will stay on as Uber Freight's chairman. A spending freeze on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program has thawed after months of uncertainty. The Trump administration has finally issued new guidance that states can use to dole out $5 billion in funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, after spending months withholding the money. Rapido, a popular ride-hailing platform in India, is beta-testing its food delivery service in Bengaluru in a challenge to market leaders Swiggy and Zomato. How many pivots can one company make in its lifetime? Revel is testing the bounds of that question. The company, which started out as an electric scooter rental service, has shut down its ride-hailing service in New York City. Revel will instead focus on its nascent EV charging business. A bit more on the 'Tesla Dojo is dead' news that I wrote about last week. Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla has disbanded the team working on its Dojo AI training supercomputer, just weeks after announcing he expected to have Tesla's second cluster operating 'at scale' in 2026. Tesla is shifting its focus to its AI5 and AI6 chips, which are being manufactured by TSMC and Samsung, respectively. Note: Tesla's plant in Buffalo, New York, was supposed to be the home of the Dojo supercomputer and the company had committed to investing $500 million into the factory over five years to bring Dojo there. Riding in a Waymo robotaxi is a modern, even futuristic, experience for customers. With one exception: the music. Reporter Max Zeff wrote about why Waymo's music upgrade matters. One more thing … The Autonocast, the other podcast I co-host (I'm also on TechCrunch Equity) that is focused on the future of transportation, had another episode that I think you'll be keen to listen to. This time, we interview Nuro co-founder and president Dave Ferguson.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Christian Brothers Automotive Doubles Down on Growth and Team Investment
Houston-Based Automotive Repair Franchise to Open $12M Technology and Training Center and Expand Shop AC Installations as Part of Long-Term Commitment to its People HOUSTON, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Christian Brothers Automotive (CBA), leading automotive repair franchise, today announced two major initiatives that signal the brand's long-term investment in its people and continued national growth. The brand will soon break ground on a $12 million Technology & Training Center in Katy, Texas, and accelerate a system-wide effort to install air-conditioning in every service bay by mid-2027—an uncommon benefit in the aftermarket space. "If we want to be the best in class, we need to invest in our people and that means more than just training," said Michael Suttle, Chief Development Officer at Christian Brothers Automotive. "These investments reflect how much we value our team members, and how seriously we take our responsibility to care for them." The nearly 14,000-square-foot facility, set to open in early 2027 at 25801 Nelson Way, will serve as a national hub for hands-on training in both technical and guest-service excellence. Equipped with the latest in automotive repair technology including vehicle lifts, diagnostic equipment, and tools for automated driving systems (ADAS), the facility marks a major milestone in CBA's commitment to employee growth and operational excellence. The Katy campus also represents the first phase of a broader vision for the brand's future. In the coming years, CBA plans to relocate its corporate Support Center from Houston's Energy Corridor to the same site, creating a unified headquarters capable of supporting up to 500 employees. In tandem with the Technology & Training Center, CBA is expanding its shop enhancement initiative. More than 100 shops have been retrofitted to feature air-conditioned service bays, and all new shops south of I-70 are now built with AC included. The brand is also supporting franchisees who opt to retrofit existing shops, as part of a broader effort to foster a more comfortable and competitive work environment. "As we look toward the future of our brand, this new campus and our facility upgrades reinforce our belief that growth and purpose go hand in hand," said Donnie Carr, President and CEO of Christian Brothers Automotive. "It's about so much more than building infrastructure. We're creating an environment where our team members, franchisees, and guests all benefit from a stronger, more united brand experience." Founded in Mission Bend, Texas in 1982, Christian Brothers Automotive has redefined the auto care experience. Ranked #1 by J.D. Power for Customer Satisfaction among Aftermarket Full-Service Maintenance and Repair Providers six times in a row**, the brand's priority is to create a positive experience for every guest. From oil changes to complex engine diagnostics, Christian Brothers Automotive adheres to the principle, "Love your neighbor as yourself," and exhibits this commitment through its people-first approach to car care. To learn more about the company and its growing footprint, visit About Christian Brothers Automotive CorporationDedicated to its brand mission "To love your neighbor as yourself," Christian Brothers Automotive has firmly planted its roots in faith and honesty, which have set it apart in the auto services and repair industry. Standing out from the competition, Christian Brothers Automotive ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Aftermarket Full-Service Maintenance and Repair Providers by J.D. Power six times in a row.** With its guiding principles instilled from the very first location in 1982, Christian Brothers Automotive has successfully expanded to more than 315 locations across 30 states. The Houston-based franchise delivers a variety of professional auto-care experiences including upkeep, maintenance, and repair. **Christian Brothers Automotive received the highest score for aftermarket full-service maintenance and repair in the J.D. Power 2019, 2021–2025 Aftermarket Service Index (ASI) Satisfaction Studies of customer satisfaction with automotive aftermarket service providers. Visit for more details. MEDIA CONTACT: Hayden Koone, Fish919cbac@ 893-9150 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Christian Brothers Automotive
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
UK insurers face challenges in EV adoption
GlobalData's survey reveals battery-related protection features are among the most valued aspects of electric vehicle (EV) insurance. The UK motor insurance sector has encountered considerable challenges as it adjusts to the changing landscape of EV adoption. Although there were optimistic expectations that government incentives and environmental policies would hasten the shift to EVs, the actual rate of adoption has not met those forecasts. This slower uptake has heightened concerns among insurers, who are already dealing with the unique risks and expenses associated with EV ownership. Results from GlobalData's 2024 Emerging Trends Insurance Consumer Survey reveals that 34.1% of drivers rated battery cover for theft, failure, or explosion as 'extremely important,' while an additional 48.8% considered it 'very important.' Furthermore, assistance to reach a charging station if the battery runs out was deemed as extremely important by 36.6% of respondents, underscoring the demand for support services tailored to address EV reliability concerns. Insurers are increasingly pressured to modify their products to cater to the specific needs of EV drivers, which differ significantly from those of traditional vehicle owners. Research from industry bodies found escalating battery replacement costs, a lack of repair expertise, and a shortage of specialised parts have all contributed to uncertainty regarding claims and pricing models. Industry experts stress the necessity of aligning insurance coverage with the realities of EV usage and the evolving expectations of consumers. Interestingly, this consumer focus on coverage aligns closely with earlier industry insights. In a GlobalData poll ran on Verdict Media sites in Q2 2023, when asked about the biggest challenge for insurers in the transition to EVs, 39.6% of respondents identified the cost of repairs as the primary issue. This reinforces the findings from 2024, as the high expenses associated with battery replacement and repair work remain a central challenge for insurers, directly influencing policy design and pricing strategies. To effectively address these challenges, insurers should consider implementing educational campaigns to inform consumers about the unique aspects of EV insurance, enhancing customer service related to EV coverage, and actively engaging with stakeholders in the EV ecosystem. Insurers may need to focus on innovation and collaboration with EV manufacturers and repair networks. Tailored products, particularly those that address battery risks and roadside support, could become crucial differentiators. Ultimately, the gap between EV adoption forecasts and the current reality highlights both the volatility of the motor insurance market and the importance of building consumer confidence through responsive, specialised coverage. "UK insurers face challenges in EV adoption" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
