This Week's Top Stories Deliver Record Numbers Exclusive Insights and Electric Reveals
In this week's coverage, we bring you the most important developments in the automotive world — from new production plans for popular electric vehicles to record-breaking performances on race tracks, along with exclusive interviews revealing the future of iconic brands. Here's a roundup of the most talked-about stories locally and globally.
Chevrolet Bolt to Return with a 2027 Edition
General Motors has officially announced the start of production for the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV by the end of 2025, with the model set to launch as a 2027 edition. The new Bolt will be built at GM's Fairfax plant in Kansas, part of a $4 billion investment across three U.S. factories. This investment will also support the development of an affordable new EV and expand traditional vehicle production. While the previous Bolt was discontinued, its revival highlights GM's commitment to delivering an entry-level EV based on its latest Ultium platform.
A Glimpse into Nissan's Future in an Exclusive Interview with the Head of Nissan Middle East
In an exclusive interview with ArabGT founder Mousub Shasha'a, Thierry Sabbagh, President of Nissan and Infiniti Middle East, addressed the challenges facing the Japanese automaker and outlined the global 'Re-Nissan' strategy. This restructuring plan aims to cut costs and launch new models such as the Patrol NISMO and Z NISMO. Sabbagh also reassured GT-R fans that the iconic model is here to stay, emphasizing Nissan's focus on quality and after-sales service.
Hyundai Teases High-Performance Ioniq 6 N
Hyundai has revealed the first teaser images of the Ioniq 6 N — a high-performance electric sedan set to join the brand's 'N' sport lineup. With a wide, aerodynamic design, prominent fender arches, and a large rear wing, the Ioniq 6 N emphasizes both track and daily driving performance. The official debut is scheduled for the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, following the success of the Ioniq 5 N.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser: Sharper Design and a Hybrid Option for the First Time
Toyota has unveiled an updated version of the 2025 Land Cruiser featuring a more aggressive design, improved lighting, and new features. The biggest headline, however, lies under the hood: for the first time ever, a hybrid version is available. It pairs a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor to deliver 457 hp and 790 Nm of torque. This hybrid option will be offered alongside the classic gasoline V6 in markets like the UAE, marking Toyota's clearest step yet into electrification without compromising its off-road legacy.
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Makes History at Nürburgring
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra made history this week by clocking an incredible lap time of 7:04.957 at Germany's Nürburgring circuit — making it the fastest road-legal, four-door electric production car ever. It beat out the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and Rimac Nevera using a production-spec version equipped with a track package that includes Bilstein suspension and Endless brakes. With over 1,500 horsepower and a 0–100 km/h time of just 1.98 seconds, Xiaomi's entry into high-performance EVs is both serious and record-breaking — becoming the first Chinese car to top the EV leaderboard at Nürburgring.
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Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Despite law, US TikTok ban likely to remain on hold
SAN FRANCISCO, United States: US President Donald Trump is widely expected to extend the Thursday deadline for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the United States. It would be the third time Trump put off enforcing a federal law requiring its sale or ban, which was to take effect the day before his January inauguration. 'I have a little warm spot in my heart for TikTok,' Trump said in an NBC News interview in early May. 'If it needs an extension, I would be willing to give it an extension.' Trump said a group of purchasers is ready to pay TikTok owner ByteDance 'a lot of money' for the video-clip-sharing sensation's US operations. Trump has repeatedly downplayed risks that TikTok is in danger, saying he remains confident of finding a buyer for the app's US business. The president is 'just not motivated to do anything about TikTok,' said independent analyst Rob Enderle. 'Unless they get on his bad side, TikTok is probably going to be in pretty good shape.' Trump had long supported a ban or divestment, but reversed his position and vowed to defend the platform after coming to believe it helped him win young voters' support in the November election. 'Trump's not really doing great on his election promises,' Enderle maintained. 'This could be one that he can actually deliver on.' Motivated by national security fears and belief in Washington that TikTok is controlled by the Chinese government, the ban took effect on January 19, one day before Trump's inauguration, with ByteDance having made no attempt to find a suitor. TikTok 'has become a symbol of the US-China tech rivalry; a flashpoint in the new Cold War for digital control,' said Shweta Singh, an assistant professor of information systems at Warwick Business School in Britain. 'National security, economic policy, and digital governance are colliding,' Singh added. The Republican president announced an initial 75-day delay of the ban upon taking office. A second extension pushed the deadline to June 19. As of Monday, there was no word of a TikTok sale in the works. Trump said in April that China would have agreed to a deal on the sale of TikTok if it were not for a dispute over tariffs imposed by Washington on Beijing. ByteDance has confirmed talks with the US government, saying key matters needed to be resolved and that any deal would be 'subject to approval under Chinese law.' Possible solutions reportedly include seeing existing US investors in ByteDance roll over their stakes into a new independent global TikTok company. Additional US investors, including Oracle and private equity firm Blackstone, would be brought on to reduce ByteDance's share in the new TikTok. Much of TikTok's US activity is already housed on Oracle servers, and the company's chairman, Larry Ellison, is a longtime Trump ally. Uncertainty remains, particularly over what would happen to TikTok's valuable algorithm. 'TikTok without its algorithm is like Harry Potter without his wand — it's simply not as powerful,' said Forrester Principal Analyst Kelsey Chickering. Meanwhile, it appears TikTok is continuing with business as usual. TikTok on Monday introduced a new 'Symphony' suite of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for advertisers to turn words or photos into video snippets for the platform. 'With TikTok Symphony, we're empowering a global community of marketers, brands, and creators to tell stories that resonate, scale, and drive impact on TikTok,' global head of creative and brand products Andy Yang said in a release.
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Red Sox baseball boss Breslow says Devers trade does not mean 'waving of the white flag on 2025'
The Boston Red Sox believed maintaining a harmonious clubhouse was more important than keeping a disgruntled Rafael Devers. A day after trading their former third baseman to the San Francisco Giants, Red Sox President Sam Kennedy explained to reporters on Monday night that Devers's refusal to change positions made his continued presence on the team unsustainable. 'In terms of what was missing, it just was that alignment in terms of what we felt we needed from him that would be in the absolute best interest of the ball club,' Kennedy said. 'That's a non-starter for us. We have to have that. We couldn't get there. … So we made the decision that we made.' For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. Less than two years after signing Devers to a 10-year, $313.5 million contract, the Red Sox sent him to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night for pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison and two prospects. The deal occurred on the same day Boston achieved a fifth consecutive win and completed a sweep of the rival New York Yankees–a rare reason for excitement this season. 'It was a shock for sure after the run that we just had this past week,' pitcher Garrett Crochet said in Seattle before Monday night's game against the Mariners. 'There's a lot of season ahead of us. So it's really just keeping your eyes forward and knowing that there's still work to be done.' When asked about the move's implications for this year's team, closer Aroldis Chapman said, 'I don't know. I don't really know.' Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow admitted on the conference call Sunday night that the deal creates a void in the lineup, but he expressed hope that it would ultimately benefit the team this season. He explained that although the team now needs a power hitter, they have gained roster and payroll flexibility to acquire players at the trade deadline. 'It's important to point out that this is in no way signifying a waving of the white flag on 2025,' he said. 'We are as committed as we were six months ago to putting a winning team on the field, to competing for the division, and making a deep postseason run.' A homegrown, three-time All-Star who joined Ted Williams as the only Red Sox players to have multiple 30-home-run seasons before turning 25, Devers's relationship with the team deteriorated when the Red Sox signed Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman this offseason. Devers, who led the league in errors for a third baseman in each of the last seven seasons, resisted moving to designated hitter and then declined to play either first or third base when Bregman and first baseman Triston Casas were both injured. 'We have a responsibility to do everything we can to improve the club. And we felt we were doing that by bringing Alex Bregman to the Red Sox,' Kennedy said. 'And we have a responsibility, ironically, to every single player in that clubhouse to do everything in our power to improve the club. So it was something that we were committed to doing. And I do not regret that for one minute.' But they lost Devers in the process. 'We worked at it. We had a different vision for him going forward that he had, and we couldn't get there. We couldn't find alignment,' Kennedy said. 'And we reached that inflection point and made the decision to make a big move.' The move shocked Red Sox fans, still resentful over the 2020 salary dump of Mookie Betts–a year after he won the AL MVP–in a trade that yielded little in return. The team also allowed Xander Bogaerts to leave as a free agent before deciding that Devers was the player in whom they were willing to invest. Now, just one full season later, he is gone, too. 'There's some reasons that it didn't work out,' manager Alex Cora said. 'But the last few months hasn't been easy. We made decisions in the offseason. Circumstances changed in the last month, and that's the business decision we made as an organization. Now Raffy is going to be with the Giants, and, like I said, we have to turn the page and be ready for this team.' Breslow insisted that the deal was not an attempt to reduce payroll–like the deals for Betts, who went on to win two World Series in Los Angeles, or Chris Sale, who won the NL Cy Young Award in his first season with the Braves. The baseball boss admitted to second-guessing himself regarding his handling of the Bregman signing, which surprised Devers, and the attempts to convince the 28-year-old All-Star to change positions. 'I think about that question all of the time,' Breslow said. 'This is not the outcome that we had expected. And it's forced me to reflect on the interactions that I've had not just with Raffy but with other players and opportunities to communicate differently.' The Red Sox' winning streak occurred while Bregman and outfielder Wilyer Abreu were injured, joining outfielder Masataka Yoshida and first baseman Triston Casas on the injured list. In their absence, the team has relied on call-ups like Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, and top prospect Roman Anthony, whose major league debut last week generated considerable excitement. Breslow stated that the front office would continue to explore ways to improve the team, now needing a middle-of-the-lineup hitter. 'For some reason this team (is) an example where the hole was not greater than the sum of the parts,' he said. 'And being great teammates and sacrificing and stepping up for each other and embodying this shared vision, we believe that those are principles that we need to be faithful to. And so at the end of the season, I think we we could look back and say we've won more games than we otherwise would have,' he said, 'because of the way that this roster is now able to come together.'
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
WhatsApp to start showing ads to users in parts of the messaging app
WhatsApp said Monday that users will start seeing ads in parts of the app, as owner Meta Platforms moves to cultivate a new revenue stream by tapping the billions of people that use the messaging service. Advertisements will be shown only in the app's Updates tab, which is used by as many as 1.5 billion people each day. However, they won't appear where personal chats are located, developers said. 'The personal messaging experience on WhatsApp isn't changing, and personal messages, calls and statuses are end-to-end encrypted and cannot be used to show ads,' WhatsApp said in a blog post. It's a big change for the company, whose founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton vowed to keep the platform free of ads when they created it in 2009. Facebook purchased WhatsApp in 2014 and the pair left a few years later. Parent company Meta Platforms Inc. has long been trying to generate revenue from WhatsApp. WhatsApp said ads will be targeted to users based on information like their age, the country or city where they're located, the language they're using, the channels they're following in the app, and how they're interacting with the ads they see. WhatsApp said it won't use personal messages, calls and groups that a user is a member of to target ads to the user. It's one of three advertising features that WhatsApp unveiled on Monday as it tries to monetize the app's user base. Channels will also be able to charge users a monthly fee for subscriptions so they can get exclusive updates. And business owners will be able to pay to promote their channel's visibility to new users. Most of Meta's revenue comes from ads. In 2025, the Menlo Park, California-based company's revenue totaled $164.5 billion and $160.6 billion of it came from advertising.
