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Still Missed After All These YearsSaab's story is one that's filled with clever innovations that ended far too soon. Despite multiple attempts to resuscitate it, its doors closed for good in 2016. That effectively ended the company's car manufacturing arm after 71 years. NEVS, the company that was supposed to restart 9-3 production, just folded this year. The brand is still very much missed, and a strong following for the Swedish automaker remains. We can spend countless hours talking about the marque's greatest hits, but we're writing about Saan today for a totally different reason. Klaravik Last ChanceFor those who want to own a piece of history or a near-brand-new Saab, this is your final chance. As NEVS liquidates its assets, several cars have emerged from the woodwork. More specifically, seven different 9-3 models have come up for sale, a mix of Saab- and NEVS-badged cars, all of which are up for auction. The auction is being held by Klaravik, a company better known for selling off heavy machinery or company assets. This time around, it's part of Saab history. So, what's up for bidding? Read on. Klaravik The CarsUp for grabs are three 9-3 Aero sedans built in 2014. Note that these are pre-production examples, although all are drivable. The lowest mileage car for sale has about 11,500 miles on the clock. The lone black unit has a little over 24,000 miles, while the highest-mileage car has around 36,400 miles. Not exactly brand-new, but low mileage nonetheless. These cars were used for internal transport. You also have the chance to buy one of the few remaining NEVS 9-3s. It's essentially a 9-3 that's battery-powered, with an estimated mileage of approximately 23,600 miles. Like the Saabs, this NEVS 9-3 is drivable and was also used for internal transport. The three remaining cars are prototypes, one of which we believe is highly relevant and could have sold well had NEVS not gone bust. The first one is an EV but with four in-wheel motors. The second is a testbed for autonomous driving, while the third is a range-extended electric vehicle. Given the current automotive climate, the REEV could've been a hit, especially in Asia. Klaravik Auction DetailsBidding will be held at Saab's former headquarters in Trollhättan on May 30, 2026. The auction will also be a meet for Saab enthusiasts, so it's a bit of a bittersweet event. With that, there's still time to book a flight to Sweden for one last look before these cars go home to their new owners. Those (very) interested in bringing one of these to the U.S must first register with Klaravik as a company to be able to bid. Once you've done that, you'll be pleased to know that the cars are being sold at no reserve, and bidding starts at 0 Swedish Krona. We're curious if the pre-production cars can be registered, and we do hope that these 9-3s go to a home. Klaravik View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Classic car auctions, hell any car auction, is a good time. Auctions in general are a fun way to maybe get a deal and to have a better time doing it than just walking up and making a purchase. They have a mood, an energy, and there are lots of companies out there having auctions all over the world. Big ones like Mecum and Barrett-Jackson have created an entirely new entertainment industry inside the purchasing of cars and we love them for it. There are a lot of great cars, trucks, and more going up for auction this week at Mecum Indy, so watch the live video feed from the block and let us know what you think is the best deal of the weekend! Video Description: Join us LIVE from Dana Mecum’s 39th Original Spring Classic for Day 7 of Mecum Indy 2026, one of the most anticipated auction events of the year. From May 8th through May 16th, watch more than 2,500 vehicles cross the auction block, spanning every era and category of the automotive world. From historic icons and rare examples to quirky finds and timeless classics, the lineup delivers something for every kind of enthusiast. Tune into the Mecum live auction block cam and experience the action as it happens, with real-time bidding, last-second decisions, and unforgettable auction moments unfolding right before your eyes. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, an active bidder, or simply love great motorcycles, this is the place to be. Online bidding is available throughout the event. Visit mecum.com to register, place your bids, and explore the full auction lineup. Please note this live stream is delayed by up to 30 seconds. Event Details: – Dates: May 8-16, 2026 – Location: Indianapolis, Indiana @ Indiana State Fairgrounds The post Mecum Classic Car Auction Indy Is LIVE Right Here! Watch All The Bidding Action On Your Favorites. appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Oil Shortage Incoming? It's no secret that the war in Iran has put a strain on the world's oil supply. Fuel prices have shot up, but now it appears a motor oil shortage is on the way, at least according to a post on X about a Toyota bulletin issued to North American service managers. The document, dated late last month, April 30, 2026, details that there will be a shortage of certain oil weights at North American Toyota dealerships and that dealers might have to substitute these oils for something else in the meantime. Other sources, such as The Drive, have picked up on the story, going so far as to reach out to a Toyota rep to verify the story. So far, no further comment has been logged. I Do Cars/YouTube Parts and Accessories News Today (PANT) What may sound like another automotive maintenance blog is actually an internal bulletin issued to dealers that informs them of changes and incoming news that could affect them. The latest was sent to Toyota parts and service managers under the subject line "Temporary 02-8 and 0W-16 Oil Supply and Maintenance Guidelines." "Toyota and our supplier ExxonMobil may experience challenges in fulfilling demand for Genuine Toyota Motor Oil (GTMO) 0W-8 and 0W-16 oils due to production and logistics constraints within the global petrochemical supply chain. While Toyota and ExxonMobil continue to work diligently to maintain supply, the following substitution guidelines are recommended for dealers to help manage the demand for the affected products. These measures may allow ExxonMobil to maintain a consistent service-level fill for dealers and help provide continued support for our guests." "TMNA [Toyota Motor North America] recommends dealers follow these substitution guidelines one day per week for 0W-8 and 0W-16 or use the substitution percentages set forth below until further written notice. This approach is intended to temporarily reduce demand for both oil weights and support continued national supply." This is a PANT Bulletin - but I expect a further move as supply shortens pic.twitter.com/1PPZHwWPqi — Costa Kapothanasis (@CostaKapo) May 12, 2026 Recommended Substitutes To alleviate supply woes, the bulletin also instructed dealers to field substitutes in light of storage, albeit only for one service interval. According to the bulletin, 20% of incoming cars that require 0W-8 GTMO will use 0W-16 GTMO instead, and 10% of incoming cars that require 0W-16 will use 0W-20 GTMO. The bulletin further clarifies: "Toyota Genuine 0W-8 motor oil can be substituted with Toyota Genuine 0W-16 for one service interval." "Toyota Genuine 0W-16 motor oil can be substituted with Toyota Genuine 0W-20 for one service interval." "Always use Toyota Genuine API SP (0W-16) / GLV-1 (0W-8) multigrade oil of the specified viscosity. As for the substitution, certain issues may arise, but given that Toyota issued the memo themselves, you could say that anything related to the manufacturer's warranty and car insurance should remain intact. The memo doesn't detail whether a price increase is on the way; in fact, the guidelines in the memo speak more about inventory management than a price hike. As for Toyota's supply, one can infer that they're in the yellow zone for now. As the situation develops, we can expect more bulletins to come out, not just from Toyota but from the rest of the industry as well. In the same X thread, Kapothanasis stated that Mobil and Shell are also informing their retailers that they have nothing to send, so customers might see the brands' shelves "bare" in the next few weeks as demand outpaces supply. In that case, Toyota's already managing its consumption given the current shortage environment. View the full article

A journey that began with a letter in 1965 continues to this day, and should inspire you to never stop riding.View the full article

Elite Motorsports brings its full stable of racers to Route 66 Raceway. Tony Stewart is ready to bring home another Chicago win.View the full article

The Bashan BS1200-G is a Chinese made cruiser with Italian ties and a Harley-Davidson motor, well, sort of.View the full article

We tested alternators, engine driven fans, and other accessories on the dyno years ago and I can tell you that most of the accessories on the front of your engine take very little power to turn under most circumstances. Sure, under extreme loads maybe your alternator takes a bit more power. And under extreme loads maybe your power steering pump uses more power, but in the grand scheme of things, none of those accessories really suck up that much. But what about that engine driven fan? If you have ever had one of those pinwheels on a stick that you got at an amusement park, and have swung them around trying to get the most speed out of them, you know that when you push it through the air fast you can feel the physical load on the stick through your hand and arm. That’s because it takes some force to spin those things, especially at big speed where it will load the fan blades the most. So it should come as no surprise that they do take some horsepower to spin. Some applications claim 10-12 horsepower when converting from an engine driven fan to an electric. But what is reality? And does the kind of mechanical fan matter? Check it out in the dyno video below to see if you can guess how much it really takes. Video Description: Today we dyno test water pump driven mechanical engine cooling fans. How much horsepower do they sacrifice from your engine ? We test stock oem style 4 blade steel fan, plastic flex fan, and a Gorsuch FC-10000 racing fan. Dirt and asphalt circle track racers will want to see this. The post How Much Horsepower Does An Engine Driven Cooling Fan Really Take From Your Engine? appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

BMW just put a powertrain specialist in charge, and that may tell us exactly where motorcycles are headed next. View the full article

Chris King is ready to make his 2026 NHRA debut. The Chicago native is excited to race at Route 66 Raceway in front of his friends and family.View the full article

BMW may have just leaked the biggest, most unhinged cafe racer of the modern era through an Instagram post by none other than Markus Flasch. View the full article

A Small Recall That Reaches Across Nearly Every GM BrandHot on the heels of Ford’s recall for older F-150s, GM is now facing its own recall – this time covering a wide range of Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles. The issue isn’t limited to just one type of vehicle; it stretches from full-size SUVs to half-ton pickups. The silver lining: despite the long list of models, only 66 vehicles are actually involved. That includes a few older trucks and SUVs, plus some of the latest 2026 models. This recall is focused on four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models; two-wheel-drive versions are in the clear. The list covers 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, along with 2026 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade. According to GM, one replacement transfer-case assembly may also have been installed in an older truck or SUV during a previous repair, which widened the recall beyond current-production vehicles. Missing Transfer-Case Part Could Cause Wheel Lock-UpAccording to NHTSA’s recall report, a missing oil pickup tube inside the transfer case was the main culprit for the recall. Without it, key bearings don’t get the lubrication they need, which can cause internal damage and, in the worst case, make the wheels lock up while you’re driving. GM says you might hear a grinding noise before things get serious, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get any warning before the wheels suddenly lock. GM traced the root cause to changes on the supplier’s assembly line at Magna Powertrain de México. Some transfer cases left the factory incomplete because standard procedures and error checks weren’t followed during production. The issue first showed up when a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 locked up its wheels in a parking lot. When GM tore down the transfer case, they found the missing oil pickup tube. That discovery kicked off GM’s safety investigation in April 2026. So far, GM has found four field complaints that might be tied to this defect. The good news: there haven’t been any crashes or injuries reported. Chevrolet GM Says Owners Should Not Drive Affected VehiclesGM isn’t taking any chances. Owners are being told not to drive their trucks or SUVs until a dealer can check the transfer case and make repairs if needed. Dealers will inspect the transfer-case assembly and replace it if needed. GM says replacement parts either come from production batches outside the suspect manufacturing window or have already been rebuilt to fix the issue. The automaker also noted that supplier process corrections and additional validation checks were completed on April 2, 2026, meaning newer production vehicles should no longer carry the defect. Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing on June 22, 2026. In the meantime, affected owners can check their VINs through GM or NHTSA recall databases to see if their vehicle is included. General Motors View the full article

The new "non-running bike" restart rule could incentivize riders to hug a bike as it careered across the track to save precious time during qualifying. But at what cost?View the full article

Honda Needs a Shot in the ArmHonda's EV gamble had ended in disaster. Not only that, the collaboration with Sony is as good as dead. As a result, the Japanese automaker had suffered its first loss in nearly 70 years. The next couple of years will be tough, for sure, but we're pretty sure Honda won't take its current situation lightly. During the company's recent business update conference, CEO Toshihiro Mibe revealed two concepts that will shape its future. One is called the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype, and the other is the Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype. Sure, the names aren't the most imaginative, but they give a sneak peek of what lies ahead. Honda Honda Hybrid Sedan PrototypeHonda didn't say much about the car other than simply showing it. There was no explanation of which model it previews, nor were any technical specifications mentioned. That said, we reckon this might be a glimpse of what Honda plans for the next-generation Civic. Should that be the case, we might be looking at a very radical redesign of the compact sedan. The sharp, angular lines and the fastback shape are a massive departure from the current Civic, and if Honda goes for this look, it'll certainly raise some eyebrows. Curiously, it comes with those DOT side markers, hinting at Honda's focus on the North American market. Honda There's also the possibility that it's the next-generation Accord. In photos, at least, the car looks large, although the modern Civic is bordering on midsize in length. However, it's worth noting that the eleventh-generation Civic is now four years old and is closer to a full model change than the Accord. Honda Acura Hybrid SUV ConceptLike the Honda, the Acura concept had close to no details mentioned. However, it's easier to predict what next-generation model it could eventually become. Our best guess is that it'll be the fourth-generation RDX, given the model's proportions. At the same time, Acura announced the redesigned crossover will arrive 'in the next couple of years.' The concept also aligns with the teaser photothe company released earlier this year. The shape of the headlights is identical, and the distinct shoulder line on the quarter panel matches that of the car that was just displayed. Of course, we'd like to see more angles of the crossover, but Honda only provided one photo of each. Honda When Can We Expect These?According to Honda, we can see the production versions of these concepts within the next two years.' Looking at the product timelines for Honda and Acura models suggests we're looking at the future Civic and RDX. Two years from now, the eleventh-gen Civic will be seven years old, while the RDX was put on hiatus until the arrival of the all-new model. Given Honda's current situation, it needs a raft of redesigned models to turn the ship around. Its midsize models will have to hang on for a little longer in their current iterations. However, it appears that Honda will put more effort into fine-tuning its compact offerings. Acura View the full article

This Audi R8 was taken to a new level by Cicio Performance. Check out what Cicio did to JR Pines R8 to make it crank out 1,400 horsepower.View the full article

Honda’s Rough Year is Forcing a Change in DirectionHonda is now in rebuilding mode after a $2.5 billion loss for fiscal 2025 – the biggest in its history. The company’s rapid EV push, mixed with softer demand and higher costs, has put it in a spot that looks a lot like where Nissan found itself not long ago. Honda isn’t in a full-blown crisis, but it’s definitely making course corrections. At a business meeting in Japan, Honda announced its plan for the next few years. As one of Honda’s most profitable markets, North America is at the heart of this reset. That said, Honda is now shaping its future lineup around what people are actually buying. That means hybrids take priority over a full-speed EV rollout. For Honda, the goal by the end of fiscal 2029 is to return to a record-high operating profit of over 1.4 trillion yen, or around $8.9 billion at today’s exchange rates. Honda North America is the Priority for Honda’s Hybrid PushThe biggest shift is Honda’s pivot to hybrids, especially for North America. Development and production resources are being redirected right away, with a new wave of next-gen hybrids set to arrive starting in 2027. By 2029, Honda will roll out 15 new hybrid models globally, most of which are headed to North America. More importantly, bigger D-segment hybrids are coming, which means midsize hybrid SUVs and possibly large, family-focused crossovers aimed at American buyers. Honda also previewed two upcoming products: the Honda Hybrid Sedan Prototype (probably the next Civic Hybrid) and the Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype (the RDX Hybrid). Both are expected to arrive within the next two years and will introduce the brand’s next-generation hybrid system. Honda says the new hybrid system will cut costs by more than 30% and boost fuel economy by over 10% compared to current models. The new platform and electric AWD are also supposed to sharpen driving feel – something Honda has always been known for. Honda’s manufacturing is shifting as well. All North American plants will eventually be set up to build hybrids, and the Ohio plant will use its extra capacity for both hybrid and gas-powered models. Even the US battery partnership with LG Energy Solution is being reworked to support hybrids, not just EVs. Honda Trying to Stabilize FinancesHonda is also moving resources to Japan, India, and China as part of its recovery plan. In Japan, the focus is on expanding the EV lineup with kei cars like the N-BOX EV, due in 2028. Future models, starting with the next Vezel (HR-V), will get updated hybrid systems and new driver-assist tech. Honda also wants to boost profits with higher-margin trims like Sport Line and Trail Line. In China, Honda plans to cut costs and speed things up by using more local parts, regional tech, and partner-developed platforms. On the financial side, Honda’s next three years are all about rebuilding the car business before trying to grow again later on. The plan is to cut back significantly on EV spending and allocate more money to hybrids, combustion engines, and software. This is a clear shift from Honda’s earlier all-in EV strategy. Instead of going all-out on electric right away, Honda is now balancing hybrids, gas engines, and new software while waiting for EV demand to settle. For North America, that’s probably a better match for what most buyers want right now. Honda View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS SE keeps the Z1-inspired look but gains the electronics, throttle refinement and extra polish the retro Zed has long deserved. The post 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS SE Review | Old-school Zed, new-school polish appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Electric off-road bikes do away with engine oil, fuel and plenty of traditional service items, but Stark has confirmed its VARG machines still rely on specific MOTOREX gear oil, coolant and brake fluid. The post Stark VARG still needs oil — just not where you might expect appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

MotoGP heads to Catalunya with Aprilia carrying major momentum after its Le Mans podium lockout, Ducati missing Marc Marquez, and Jorge Martin closing to within a point of Marco Bezzecchi. The post Catalunya next test for Aprilia as Ducati regroups without Marc Marquez appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

KTM’s 2027 XC and XC-F cross-country line-up has been revealed, with the Australia-only 125 XC a surprising but welcome addition to the range. The post KTM sharpens cross-country line-up with 2027 XC and XC-F range appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

For the sixth annual Overland Expo adventure vehicle "Ultimate Build," Nissan has come to the party with a special 2026 Frontier PRO-4X, modified to be the ideal home base for those who like taking the road less traveled. The special build makes its public debut at Overland Expo West this weekend (May 15-17) in Flagstaff, Arizona, before it tours other Overland Expo events and is used for media drives. So what did Overland Expo change, exactly? Not anything under the hood, where the durable 3.8-liter V6 engine (Nissan's favorite) provides 310 naturally aspirated horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, though a Borla exhaust system upgrade did get the nod. Aftermarket Upgrades and Accessories Take Frontier PRO-4X Further Nissan NISMO rock sliders and underbody skid plates help keep the build going in precarious situations, while a heavy-duty winch system was added to the front of the Frontier (sorry, couldn't resist) to help pull the pickup out of trouble if it gets stuck. Black Rhino 17-inch alloy wheels in a satin grey finish and Lava Red lettering are shod in Hankook Dynapro AT2 all-terrain tires, and Bilstein suspension upgrades designed to provide greater wheel articulation and overall composure also appear. A steel front bumper makes the truck even more rugged, and to make the vehicle more livable, it gets a bed-mounted pop-up camper, and additional lights help get to the campsite in the dark and see around it once home base is all set up. The bed-mounted accessories also include multiple jerry cans in case the adventure leaves the V6 too thirsty for just one tank of fuel. Nissan View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Not too much else is necessary because the PRO-4X variant gets an electronic locking rear differential, an off-road mode that can be used at speeds of up to 12 mph, and a surround-view monitor that helps the driver see obstacles around the truck. "The Frontier PRO-4X is one of the most honest overland platforms on the market," according to Anthony Sicola, Ultimate Vehicle Build project manager at Overland Expo. "It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not – and that’s exactly why it works so well. It’s capable, comfortable, and adaptable, which makes it a perfect canvas for long-term overland travel." Overlanding Nissan Frontier Will Be Up for Grabs Nissan View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article If you like what you see in these images, the Ultimate Overland Vehicle will be auctioned on Bring-a-Trailer later this year, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Overland Expo Foundation, which "protects and advances the overland community." If you'd rather build your own off-road Frontier, the 2026 model carries a base MSRP of $32,150, though the PRO-4X is a little pricier, starting at $38,570 in 4x2 form and $41,870 with 4x4. There's also a Long Bed version of the latter for $42,370. If you don't mind waiting, details on the 2027 Nissan Frontier are coming soon, so stay tuned. Nissan View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

The 2026 Pro Motocross Championship is loaded with storylines as Jett Lawrence returns from injury, Hunter Lawrence seeks redemption, Haiden Deegan steps into the 450 class, and Kiwi Cole Davies takes his Supercross-winning form outdoors. The post ANZAC attack sharpens for 2026 Pro Motocross opener appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Ducati’s Multistrada V2 has been reinvented around a new 890 cc twin-cylinder engine, lighter chassis package and broader ergonomic adjustment, with the V2 S adding Skyhook electronic suspension. The post Unlock Everyday Adventure with the Ducati Multistrada V2 appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

There's been a lot of talk about a new electric Golf over the last few years, potentially even as a replacement for the combustion version. Volkswagen is no longer talking about it as a replacement, instead saying an electric and a gas Golf will coexist, with the latter recently becoming a hybrid and the former being delayed. The delay was reportedly due to budget constraints that would come under too much additional pressure if EV-building upgrades to the Wolfsburg plant were to go ahead. But now Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer has said the electric Golf is not necessary now, next year, or even in 2028. VW Boss: No Need for Electric Golf With Current Lineup Volkswagen According to Autocar, Schäfer said at the FT's Future Car of the Car event in London, "We have a fantastic lineup now that we do not need an electric Golf in 2028. We are well set with what we have in our portfolio with our vehicles." Turning the Golf electric is a double-edged sword for VW. On the one hand, it's an iconic, instantly recognizable, and globally loved nameplate that could help increase interest in EVs. On the other hand, that exact reputation could be smeared if the electric Golf does not meet expectations (yes, VW did produce an e-Golf in the past, but that was when competition in the compact segment was not as intense as it is today, and while that e-Golf was decent as an addition to the Golf menu, other automakers have since made compact EVs that are brilliant). Fortunately, Volkswagen does not see the need to take that route just yet. Related: This Is Your First Look at the Volkswagen Golf 9 Along with the ID.4 and ID. Buzz, for example, Volkswagen will be expanding its EV lineup this year with cars including the ID. Polo, the ID.3 Neo, and the ID. Cross, with others like the ID. Tiguan expected to join later. Schäfer's comments not only indicate that an electric Golf is unnecessary right now, but also that it is inevitable. Perhaps VW is worried that an ID. Golf would be too popular, taking some of the limelight off the likes of the ID. Polo. Another reason could be that the Scalable Systems Platform architecture atop which the Golf EV will sit still needs more work, hinted Schäfer. VW's Next-Gen Golf EV Should Be Worth the Wait Volkswagen The SSP system will be an 800-volt setup with more advanced battery technology and, after VW's attempt at in-house software development with the Cariad division fell apart, a new software architecture developed alongside Rivian, which VW is now the biggest shareholder in. However, the Golf won't be the first product we see from these efforts, with Audi and Porsche getting first dibs, according to Schäfer. "SSP, we will roll it out across the brands. We will start with the premium brands first," he said, adding, "It will start with Audi, then Porsche, then us [Volkswagen] and on and on." With "increased competition" from Chinese EV brands, VW needs to find ways to make cars more affordably, and sharing costs with other automakers in the VW Group is just one of the methods VW has to employ. View the full article

Toyota's Performance Car ResurgenceAbout 20 years ago, Toyota's performance car offerings had all but dried up. The MR2 Spyder had been discontinued in the U.S, and the Celica was on its last legs. The next couple of years saw Japan's biggest automaker roll along without any models that would get the heart racing. Thankfully, that was rectified with the GT 86, initially called the Scion FR-S in America. What followed was a flurry of sports models that, in many ways, brought back Toyota's mojo. After the 86, the Supra returned in 2017, and its first serious hot hatch, the GR Yaris, followed in 2020. The GR Corolla debuted in 2022, and now the first standalone GR model has been revealed: the GT. Toyota, of all brands, is waving the flag for Japanese performance cars worldwide. Toyota Built by SpecialistsHagerty, specifically Larry Chen, was recently granted exclusive access to the GR assembly line. There, we not only see how the cars are made but also how seriously Toyota takes its performance cars. By the time you finish the video, there's a good chance you'll have a greater appreciation for the GR models. For starters, the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and Lexus LBX Morizo RR aren't built on the same assembly line as their more pedestrian counterparts. These cars are built in a dedicated facility within the Motomachi plant. It's something that Toyota didn't need to do to save costs, but did anyway. That said, it's worth mentioning that the new U.S-bound GR Corollas are made in England, not Japan. Chen noted that GR models are built more by hand than by robots. That's because the structures of these cars are much stiffer than standard ones. There's additional spot welding done, and there's heaps more structural adhesives to make the cars as rigid as possible. But what amazes the most is the speed of the line workers, and the attention to detail given by those who build the cars is truly something else. The entire video is over 40 minutes long, but every minute is worth watching. Bonus ContentIf that wasn't enough, Chen was also allowed to do a ride-along with a mid-engined GR Yaris prototype. Mind you, the test mule doesn't have the new G20E; instead, sticking with the G16E. Still, that's one heck of a privilege, and Chen said that the car moves differently, completely transforming the small hot hatch. If Toyota is, indeed, working on an MR2, it's looking very promising. The video also explored the passionate engineers of GR. Turns out, there are amateur and professional racing drivers who build and develop the cars. If anything, the entire operation is run by people with fuel in their veins and not merely people doing a job for the sake of it. Of course, it helps that the chairperson doesn't just have his family name on the building, but is also a hands-on car guy. Oh, there's even a quick tour of Akio Toyoda's 'man cave' within the facility. Toyota View the full article

Every country that sits next to a hostile neighbour needs a credible army. South Korea has known this for seven decades, maintaining one of Asia's largest standing forces through mandatory military service. But numbers are slipping fast. Troop strength has fallen roughly 20 percent over six years, sitting at around 450,000, and that figure is projected to drop further. The reason isn't conflict or desertion. It's demographics. South Korea has the world's lowest birth rate, and that means fewer bodies available to serve today. It’s what makes the conversation now happening with Hyundai Motor Group so significant. Hyundai Hyundai's Robots Are Already Built for ThisIt is a strange thing to imagine a car company helping to defend a border. But Hyundai's ambitions long ago outgrew the factory floor and the showroom. The group's robotics arm has spent years developing platforms that, with very little modification, map neatly onto non-combat military needs. A wheeled logistics bot built for last-mile deliveries becomes a supply runner in forward positions. An exoskeleton designed to stop warehouse workers throwing their backs out becomes a load-bearing kit for soldiers on the move. Boston Dynamics' Spot, the dog-like robot Hyundai snapped up in 2021, was already being used in industrial inspections and emergency response. The AI-powered Atlas, suitable for a variety of jobs on the floor and capable of learning, could be a reconnaissance tool. These are not prototype concepts being reverse-engineered for defence. They are working machines finding a new employer. Hyundai View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Where Cars End and Defence BeginsWhat makes Hyundai so well placed for this is the same thing that makes its EV division competitive globally. The electric and electronic architecture developed for autonomous vehicles transfers into robotic platforms with unusual speed. Hyundai is already testing humanoid robots in its shipyards through HD Hyundai affiliates, and in early 2026 donated unmanned firefighting machines to Korea's national fire agency. The line between carmaker, tech company, and defence supplier is getting very thin. For Hyundai, robots are simply the next frontier after engines. View the full article