ArcFox Alpha T7 attracts 30,000 orders in one hour
BAIC’s ArcFox Alpha T7 has reportedly secured 30,000 orders within an hour of launch. The electric and range-extender SUV features Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 5 system, an 800V platform, CATL batteries and up to 715km of CLTC electric range.
Geely opens pre-sales for 1,113hp Galaxy Zhanjian 700 SUV
Geely has opened pre-sales for its Galaxy Zhanjian 700 off-road SUV, reporting 43,900 refundable orders in its first hour. The plug-in hybrid features a tri-motor all-wheel-drive system, 47.14kWh LFP battery, 305km electric range and AI-assisted off-road functions.
MG 07 secures more than 42,000 locked orders in China
SAIC’s MG 07 has passed 42,000 locked orders after 20 days on sale in China. The sedan is offered with plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains, with selected versions featuring roof-mounted LiDAR and up to 845 km of claimed CLTC range.
Li Auto to debut electric SUV in Europe and begin sales later in 2026
Li Auto will unveil its battery-electric i6 SUV at the Paris Motor Show in October and begin European sales in late 2026, as it develops dealer networks and broader expansion plans across the region.
BEVs occupy nine of China’s top 10 best-selling cars in August
BEVs took nine of China’s 10 highest-selling passenger-car positions in August, with Geely’s EX2 leading on 39,651 units. No petrol-powered model made the top 10, while ICE vehicles accounted for five of the top 20.
Tesla’s China sales fall as Shanghai exports rise in August
Tesla sold 50,047 vehicles in China in August, down 12.4% year on year, while Shanghai exports rose 38.7% to 36,119. Exports have grown for eight consecutive months, helping lift Tesla’s cumulative wholesale sales despite weaker domestic demand.
China’s petrol car sales fall 40% as NEVs reach record market share
China’s passenger-car sales fell 23.6% year on year in August 2026. Internal-combustion models declined 40% to about 536,000 units, while new energy vehicles accounted for a record 65.2% of retail sales, led by modestly growing battery-electric vehicle deliveries.
Australia’s EV sales surge as fuel costs drive early-majority adoption
Australia recorded a 142% rise in electric-car sales between March and July, with EVs outselling petrol cars in August. Rising fuel costs and growing social acceptance are driving demand, although experts warn continued growth will depend on incentives, fair road-user charging and infrastructure.
BEVs become Australia’s largest new-vehicle drivetrain category in August
Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 25.6% of Australia’s August new-vehicle sales, overtaking petrol, diesel and hybrid drivetrains individually. The analysis also highlights China’s rising market share and the growing alignment between vehicle electrification and renewable electricity.
Freelander 8 secures 5,000 firm orders in 12 hours
Chery Jaguar Land Rover’s Freelander 8 extended-range electric SUV secured 5,000 non-refundable orders within 12 hours of launching in China. The six-trim model produces 818 hp and offers up to 310 km of CLTC electric range.
BYD Sealion 08 wins more than 12,000 Chinese orders in 24 hours
BYD says its Sealion 08 SUV secured more than 12,000 firm orders in the first 24 hours after launch in China. The eight-variant range includes battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models, with prices from 229,900 yuan.
EVs reach record sales shares across Europe in August
Electric vehicles set new August sales records in Norway, Denmark and Belgium. Battery-electric cars accounted for 98.7% of new passenger-car registrations in Norway, while EVs reached 85.9% of total sales in Denmark and 46.2% in Belgium.
Ford increases F-Series production despite 10.3% August US sales decline
Ford is raising F-Series pickup production after supplier fires disrupted output, with August F-150 production reaching a two-year high. The move comes as Ford’s US vehicle sales fell 10.3% year on year and F-Series sales remained 10.9% lower through August.
Australia’s EV sales exceed 20% of new-car market for third month
Electric Vehicle Council data shows Tesla and Polestar sold 7,821 vehicles in Australia in August, up 148% year on year. EVs accounted for more than 20% of the new-car market for a third consecutive month, led by Tesla’s Model Y.
Australian EV sales by model and brand in 2026
The Driven’s regularly updated tracker compiles Australian battery-electric vehicle sales by model, brand and automaker group for 2026, using FCAI, Electric Vehicle Council and company data. It highlights monthly and year-to-date totals, including gaps where manufacturer data is unavailable.
Hybrid Toyota RAV4 demand outstrips US dealer supply
Demand for Toyota’s new all-hybrid RAV4 is outstripping supply in the US, leaving dealers with only a few days’ inventory. Production is initially limited, but Toyota’s wider sales remain broadly stable as buyers increasingly favour hybrids.
MG 07 deliveries begin after 31,000 orders in 10 days
SAIC MG has begun delivering its MG 07 sedan after securing more than 31,000 firm orders within 10 days of launch. The model is offered with battery-electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains, with electric ranges of up to 845km.
BMW iX3 secures strong China pre-orders despite delivery delays
BMW has opened pre-sales of its Neue Klasse iX3 in China, reportedly securing tens of thousands of preliminary orders. However, showroom cars will not arrive nationwide until late October, with large-scale deliveries potentially delayed until 2027.
Geely reaches 20,000 plug-in EV deliveries in Australia
Geely has delivered its 20,000th plug-in electric vehicle in Australia, just 18 months after entering the market. The milestone includes sales of the fully electric EX5 and EX2, plus the Staray plug-in hybrid.
BYD leads global BEV sales as Tesla ranks second
Global EV sales reached 5.37 million in Q2 2026, up 10.4% year on year. BYD led BEV and PHEV sales, Leapmotor reached third in BEVs, while Volkswagen left the top 10. Chinese brands took nearly 30% of Western Europe’s PHEV market.
Einride orders 500 Tesla Semi electric heavy trucks
Einride has ordered 500 Tesla Semi electric heavy trucks from Tesla, in the manufacturer’s largest order to date. Deliveries are due to begin in September 2026, with the vehicles deployed gradually over two years.
Refreshed Aito M9 leads China’s luxury SUV sales, Huawei says
Huawei-backed Aito says its refreshed M9 luxury SUV topped China’s vehicles priced above 500,000 yuan for two months. The EV and EREV model exceeded 10,000 monthly sales in June, while its Ultimate long-wheelbase variant is entering pre-sales with ADS 5.0 and six LiDAR sensors.
Ferrari Luce EV sells for record $40 million at charity auction
Ferrari’s first fully electric car, the Luce, has sold for $40 million at a Sotheby’s charity auction during Monterey Car Week, reportedly setting a record for a new car sold at auction.
Electric vehicles take 65.1% of China’s July car sales
Electric and hybrid vehicles accounted for 65.1% of China’s new passenger-car sales in July, up from 54% a year earlier. Geely’s Xingyuan was the best-selling model in the first six months through July, while Tesla’s Model Y ranked second.
BYD Racco electric kei car secures 1,002 Japanese orders in two weeks
BYD’s Racco electric kei car secured 1,002 orders in Japan within two weeks of launch, with the 300 Premium accounting for 80% of demand. BYD is targeting 10,000 reservations by the end of 2026.
Commercial fleet sales rise 7.1% through July 2026
Commercial fleet sales reached 508,155 through July 2026, up 8% year on year, or 7.1% on a comparable same-automaker basis. Commercial growth offset lower rental volumes and helped lift combined fleet sales 0.5%.
Australia’s EV fleet surpasses 650,000 as Volvo reports strong July sales
Australia’s electric vehicle fleet has surpassed 650,000, with EVs accounting for 22.3% of July sales. Volvo said fully electric cars made up 65% of its July sales, highlighting growing uptake beyond EV specialists.
Chinese carmakers take three places in H1 2026 global top 10
BYD, Geely and Chery ranked sixth, seventh and ninth among global automakers by market share in H1 2026, highlighting the growing international presence of Chinese carmakers.
Xiaomi Skynomad pre-orders may exceed 100,000 ahead of September launch
Xiaomi’s Skynomad N70 and N90 extended-range electric SUVs may have attracted more than 100,000 pre-orders in China. Production is under way at the company’s Beijing plant ahead of the planned September launch, as Xiaomi seeks to meet its 550,000-vehicle annual target.
Geely opens European orders for E2 electric hatchback in Belgium
Geely has opened orders for its E2 electric hatchback in Belgium at an introductory €19,490, with deliveries due in September. The compact model is offered in three trims and undercuts the BYD Dolphin Surf and Renault 5.
Australian EV sales tracker details 2026 performance by model and brand
The Driven’s 2026 Australian EV sales tracker compiles monthly battery-electric vehicle sales by model, brand and automaker group, using FCAI, EVC and manufacturer data. Tesla, BYD and Geely lead year-to-date sales, although some manufacturer-level figures remain incomplete.
Ford’s US vehicle sales fell 10.2% in July as it cut rental-fleet volume
Ford’s US vehicle sales fell 10.2% year on year in July, which it attributed to phasing out models, sharply reducing rental-fleet deliveries and prioritising retail F-Series sales. Year-to-date sales were down 9.7%.
Tesla’s Model Y L drives Australian EV sales to new records
Tesla recorded 4,778 Australian sales in July, led by the new six-seat Model Y L. Electric vehicles captured a record 21.03% of second-quarter new-car sales, while battery-electric and plug-in hybrid deliveries surged year on year as internal-combustion market share fell to 50.84%.
Leapmotor exceeds 100,000 July sales as Chinese EV makers report growth
Chinese automakers reported July 2026 NEV sales, with BYD retaining leadership at 411,072 units and Leapmotor exceeding 100,000 for the first time. BYD’s overseas sales also reached a record high, while several newer brands posted strong year-on-year growth.
Freelander targets 300,000 annual sales ahead of Freelander 8 pre-sales
Freelander is targeting annual sales above 300,000 vehicles within three to five years, split between China and overseas markets. Pre-sales of its first model, the extended-range Freelander 8, are due to open on 10 August ahead of a planned six-model new-energy line-up.
MG 07 draws 21,000 China reservations as SAIC prioritises capacity
SAIC says the electric MG 07 received more than 21,000 refundable reservations within 20 hours of pre-sales opening in China. The company is prioritising production-capacity expansion ahead of the model’s August launch.
Hyundai announces 2027 commercial fleet incentives
Hyundai has announced 2027 Commercial Fleet Program incentives for eligible small commercial fleets and government organisations, with model-specific invoice credits and enrolment requirements.
Carvana reports record second-quarter profit and raises 2026 earnings outlook
Carvana reported record second-quarter results, with net income of $513 million and vehicle sales up 38% to 197,325 units. It forecast adjusted earnings of $2.7bn-$3bn for 2026.
US used Class 8 truck sales rebound in June as prices rise
US used Class 8 truck retail sales rose 9.6% month on month and 4% year on year in June, ACT Research reports. Average retail prices increased 2% to $61,751, although wholesale and auction activity declined.
China’s EV lead is reshaping Australia’s imported car market
June data shows China’s domestic EV growth is driving exports, while Thailand’s electrification could reshape Australian imports. Australia’s battery-electric sales reached 23.3% of new-car sales, highlighting the influence of supplier-country policy and production choices.
Stellantis Pro One reports 7% first-half commercial-vehicle sales growth
Stellantis Pro One reported 7% first-half 2026 sales growth and maintained strong commercial-vehicle positions globally. It led Europe’s battery-electric van market, increased shares in South America and North America, and launched the Ram Dakota in Brazil.
Toyota, Hyundai and Honda dominate America’s growing hybrid market
US hybrid sales rose almost 20% year on year to a 15.4% market share in the first half of 2026. Toyota, Hyundai Motor Group and Honda accounted for 86% of sales, while Honda prepares a hybrid system for larger vehicles.
Ryder launches free 60-day warranty for used commercial vehicles
Ryder has launched a free 60-day limited warranty for DOT-verified used commercial vehicles sold in the US until year-end. The programme covers key powertrain and comfort components, alongside optional extended cover of up to 36 months.
Chinese automakers gain ground in the UK as buyers embrace lower-priced cars
Chinese-made cars, including BYD and Geely models, are gaining ground in the UK, with imports and sales rising sharply. Their lower prices, strong technology and the UK’s treatment of plug-in hybrids are helping them attract buyers.
US used Class 8 truck retail sales rise 11% in June
Preliminary ACT Research data shows US same-dealer used Class 8 truck retail sales rose 11% month on month in June, while average prices increased 5% to more than $61,000. Auction and wholesale sales declined.
US fleet sales rise 10.3% in June as first-half gains continue
US fleet sales rose 10.3% year on year in June 2026 to 210,683 vehicles. First-half sales reached 1.25 million, up 4.4%, with commercial fleet purchases increasing 7.6% year to date.
BYD Shark 6 exports fall 25.76% year on year in first half of 2026
BYD exported 20,037 Shark 6 plug-in hybrid pickups in the first half of 2026, down 25.76% year on year. Australia accounted for 85% of June deliveries as competition in the global plug-in hybrid pickup market intensified.
BYD withdraws Sealion 7 from Chinese retail
BYD has withdrawn the Sealion 7 from Chinese retail and has redirected production to international shipping hubs, prioritising exports after weak domestic demand for the pure-electric variant and to align battery-platform utilisation with global markets.
BYD June sales rise 5.2% as Denza exceeds 20,000 units
BYD reported June 2026 sales of 403,472 vehicles, up 5.2% year on year. Pure-electric and plug-in hybrid models contributed almost equally, while overseas passenger-vehicle and pickup exports rose 95% to 174,897 units. Denza sales exceeded 20,000 units for the first time.