Mobility Monitor

AI/Automation

• Van rental company Bandago launches AI agent via Model Context Protocol to help travelers and agencies find rentals in real time Auto Rental News
• Papa Johns plans to enhance its app with an AI-powered food ordering agent in the coming quarter CX Dive
• Walmart reports that half of its app users have interacted with Sparky, its AI shopping agent, with higher average order values among users Retail Dive
• Research shows self-driving AI can be hijacked using simple ink and paper signs, with simulated autonomous vehicles ignoring active crosswalks The Drive
• New open source project IronCurtain uses unique security methods to constrain AI assistant agents Wired
• Chinese AI chatbots are more likely than Western counterparts to dodge political questions or deliver inaccurate answers, according to Stanford and Princeton researchers Wired
• Skyscanner launches flights app integration in ChatGPT Phocuswire

Autonomous Vehicles

• Self-driving truck startup Einride raises $113M PIPE funding ahead of public debut to support technology development and global expansion TechCrunch
• Tesla Cybercab program manager Victor Nechita exits the company just days after first production unit rolled off assembly line Electrek

Electric Vehicles

• Stellantis takes $26 billion loss due to overestimating the pace of EV transition The Drive
• Subaru launches Uncharted EV starting at $34,995, offering exceptional value compared to Toyota C-HR sibling, though FWD may be biggest selling point Ars Technica
• Jeep maker Stellantis considers tapping China's resources to reduce EV costs and enable more affordable vehicles Electrek
• All-solid-state EV battery specialist Factorial moves closer to production after securing major partnership Electrek
• BYD will unveil 1,500kW EV charger on March 5 that can add 2km of range in 1 second Electrek
• Rivian launches RAD performance division focused on extreme off-road stunts rather than circuit racing Electrek
• Genesis plans to launch its first ultra-luxury minivan for select markets Electrek
• Toyota spotted testing new SUV based on ninth-generation Hilux BEV electric pickup Electrek
• Elon Musk threatens to halt Tesla Giga Berlin expansion if IG Metall gains influence in upcoming works council election Electrek
• Ford recalls 4.3 million trucks and SUVs to fix towing software bug via OTA update Ars Technica
• Polestar becomes first brand to roll out Google Maps live lane guidance in Polestar 4 in US and Sweden EV Blog
• Zeekr expands to Spain and Portugal, prepares UK and France market entry EV Blog
• XPeng launches updated G6 in UK starting at $54,000 EV Blog
• Tesla launches seven-seat Model Y in Europe with deliveries beginning in April EV Blog
• Florida advances bill imposing 10 mph speed limit for e-bikes on shared-use paths Electrek
• China requires traceability markings on e-bikes, parts, and batteries under new safety reform Electrek

Rental Car Industry

• SIXT unveils five custom Los Angeles Lakers wrapped vehicles entering LAX rental fleet starting March 15 Auto Rental News
• Hertz reports Q4 and full year results showing meaningful progress and momentum heading into 2026 LinkedIn
• Europcar prepares for ITB Berlin 2026 with keynote on corporate mobility transformation beyond vehicle ownership LinkedIn

Airline Industry

• JetBlue's transatlantic growth appears to hit ceiling as summer 2026 reflects airline fine-tuning expansion amid slot constraints and fleet availability Skift
• Amadeus sees revenue growth of 6.4% to EUR2.3B in air IT solutions and 6% to EUR1B in hospitality solutions for 2025 Phocuswire

Travel Industry

• Travel industry needs new framework for reading OTA results as companies post double-digit growth while consumer travel spending declines Skift
• eDreams Q3 results require reading between the lines as subscription earnings reveal gaps between company emphasis and underlying performance Skift
• Bilt builds hotel booking marketplace for top spenders, offering spending data to luxury hotels for personalized first-time guest service Skift
• Melia benefits from Spain's tourism boom while Cuba operations face local condition pressures Skift
• OTAs' marketing spend exceeded $20B in 2025 as major online travel players increased investment Phocuswire
• Affiliate monetization platform Stay22 lands $122M for global expansion and platform growth Phocuswire

Customer Experience

• Qualtrics expert warns about "dark side of personalization," stating brands should not personalize if they cannot explain it to customers CX Dive
• Uber for Business reports workplace dining becoming strategic anchor for office culture with shift toward healthy eating and retention focus LinkedIn

Renewable Energy

• EIA projects 62% more renewable energy capacity in 2026 than 2025, with solar, wind, and battery storage providing virtually all net new generating capacity Electrek
• Google's new Pine Island, Minnesota data center triggers 1.9 GW of clean energy deployment and 100-hour iron-air battery from Xcel Energy Electrek

Retail

• Warby Parker posts first annual net income while expanding footprint and preparing to launch AI glasses with Google and Samsung Retail Dive
• Article partners with Klarna to offer BNPL options for big-ticket furniture purchases in US and Canada Retail Dive