📨Autowist Report 121

Key headlines shaping the auto industry this week

Top insights and analysis that is moving the needle in the automotive industry

✅ BMW trimmed its 2025 auto margin outlook to 5–6% (from 5–7%) and now expects a slight decline in pre-tax earnings, citing U.S. tariff assumptions and China softness.
✅ Management also halved free cash flow guidance for autos to >€2.5B due to delayed U.S. customs refunds shifting into next year.
✅ JPMorgan flagged that regaining pricing power in China is pivotal to BMW’s competitiveness.

✅ CEO RJ Scaringe reiterated no Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, arguing they make in-car UX too generic for Rivian’s brand.
✅ Rivian plans native voice, messaging, and mapping upgrades within ~18 months to match the convenience drivers expect.
✅ The company accepts it may lose buyers over this stance but believes deep OS integration enables faster features and better support.
✅ Strategy aligns with Rivian’s SDV roadmap and the VW JV focus on core software.

✅ Volkswagen will adopt XPeng’s XNGP autonomous driving solution on China-market EVs from 2026, per local reporting.
✅ Move accelerates VW’s China localization after delays with Cariad and aims to close the gap with domestic L2+/L3 rivals.
✅ Early rollout is expected on select MEB/PPE-based models targeting tech-savvy Chinese buyers.

✅ Cariad will pivot from building everything in-house to coordinating external stacks, prominently from Rivian and XPeng.
✅ The change follows years of delays/cost overruns and aims to speed time-to-market for VW brands.
✅ Internal processes shift toward integration, validation, and safety cases, not sole development.

✅ Rivian says all RAN sites will become compatible with non-Rivian EVs “over time.”
✅ Current footprint: 131 stations / 839 chargers, expanding with NACS and CCS adapters as needed.
✅ Opening the network supports utilization & revenue and aligns with U.S. funding criteria pushing open access.
✅ Complements Rivian’s software JV ambitions by broadening its ecosystem touchpoints.
✅ Owners should see improved roaming as interoperability matures.
🔍 The fas

✅ A new Tesla patent details an inflatable wedge in the Cybertruck bed to cut drag when towing.
✅ The device deploys to shape the wake behind a trailer, targeting meaningful range gains under tow.
✅ Concept complements other aero aids and might be retrofit-friendly if commercialized.
✅ Highlights Tesla’s willingness to try unorthodox aero solutions for real-world use cases.
✅ No production timing yet; feasibility will hinge on durability and safety.

✅ Toyota announced progress with Sumitomo Metal Mining on cathode materials, aiming to commercialize all-solid-state batteries by 2027/28.
✅ Solid-state promises faster charging, higher energy density, and safety vs. current Li-ion cells.
✅ Sumitomo targets FY2028 mass production of cathodes, initially prioritized for Toyota.
✅ Work complements Toyota’s collaboration with Idemitsu on sulfide electrolytes and supply readiness.

✅ Tesla launched lower-cost Model 3/Y ‘Standard’ trims, omitting AM/FM radio and other comforts to hit price points.
✅ InsideEVs confirms no tuner, alongside removals like rear screen and some NVH hardware.
✅ Range remains ~321 miles RWD, but equipment cuts drew mixed reactions in China and EU forums.
✅ Regulatory pressure on AM radio mandates could complicate U.S. spec decisions.
🔍 Demonstrates the trade-offs OEMs are making to reach lower prices—expect feature stratification across trims to intensify.

✅ The Rivian–VW software JV is hiring for photorealistic, real-time 3D in driver-assist visualizations—beyond today’s simplified renderings.
✅ Job listings point to integration across R1 and future models, with Palo Alto as a hub.
✅ Visual fidelity aims to improve driver trust and situational awareness, a key HMI frontier.

✅ Community sources and job posts indicate Rivian is transitioning from Alexa to Google Gemini as its in-vehicle voice assistant.
✅ Comes as Rivian rolls out voice-to-text and doubles down on first-party UX (no CarPlay).
✅ The shift could improve dictation, search, and multimodal features across the cabin.
✅ Relationship dynamics matter: Amazon remains a major stakeholder/customer.

✅ After a ~5–6 week halt from the Sept 1 attack, JLR is executing a phased restart beginning with Wolverhampton (engines) and Hams Hall (batteries).
✅ Subsequent ramp includes Castle Bromwich, Halewood, Solihull, with vehicle manufacturing following shortly.
✅ Govt to guarantee ~£1.5B loan to support JLR’s stressed supplier base as cashflow normalizes.
✅ Retail & wholesale volumes took a hit; analysts estimate material revenue loss for the quarter.
✅ Dealers like Vertu Motors flagged profit impacts tied to JLR outages.
🔍 Cyber resilience is now a board-level operational risk—OEMs and governments are coordinating financial backstops to protect supply chains.