Mobility Monitor

AI/Automation

• Travel brands are investing billions in AI booking agents despite travelers saying they aren't ready to let AI book trips, with no clear answer on liability when agents make mistakes Skift
• Expedia CFO says company "radically changed direction" by downsizing workforce and investing savings into machine learning and AI Skift
• Booking Holdings CFO dismisses AI threat as "not really a risk at all," expects 8% annual revenue growth and 15% EPS growth over medium term Skift
• Tourism Fiji launches first AI Travel Planner on Chinese TikTok to turn brief interest into concrete travel plans Skift
• Navan introduces AI-powered personalized travel assistant "Navan Edge" for unmanaged business travelers Phocuswire
• AI Mode represents universal expectation that digital experiences should behave like capable assistants, reducing friction and enabling AI-driven task completion Retail Customer Experience
• Biggest risk for AI shopping assistants isn't falling behind on deployment but deploying before organization is ready CX Dive
• Hyundai and other automotive manufacturers leading charge in physical AI space with robots for manufacturing and dangerous tasks MoveMnt

Customer Experience

• CX leaders shifting from dashboard overload to signal design, elevating emotional and behavioral indicators before churn appears CMSWire
• Target announces $1B investment in guest experience for 2026 to build connections with new guests and earn back trust CX Dive
• Michaels revamps loyalty program with new tier for top-spending customers Retail Dive

Airline Industry

• Indian airlines roll out Middle East flights for stranded travelers as Iran situation remains uncertain Skift
• Google partners with airline systems to track lost bags, wiring passenger-controlled tracking directly into industry recovery system Skift
• WEC cancels Qatar race with F1 and MotoGP events in Middle East also at risk The Drive
• Iran conflict threatens auto supply chains as Strait of Hormuz shipping shuts down EV Blog

Hospitality Industry

• Hyatt sees limited impact from Mexico violence but flags "challenging environment" globally, can reroute guests to other properties Skift
• UK's CMA launches investigation into Hilton, IHG and Marriott for suspected sharing of sensitive information Phocuswire

Electric Vehicles

• Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV sales surge 33% in record-setting February, defying broader market trends Electrek
• Tesla loses Toyota and Stellantis from EU CO2 pool for 2026, losing billions in regulatory credit revenue Electrek
• BYD unveils stunning flagship electric SUV "Great Tang" ahead of official debut Electrek
• BMW iX4 electric coupe SUV spotted testing in Sweden ahead of 2027 launch Electrek
• Aptera completes first Solar EV build on validation assembly line in Southern California Electrek
• Costco offers stackable discount on Polestar and Chevy EV models in limited-time deal Electrek
• Lexus discontinues UX 300e, its first electric SUV, with new EV launching in 2026 Electrek
• Defender Sport EV expected by end of 2026 as smaller, more affordable electric off-road SUV Electrek
• Lithium shortages could begin by 2028 as global demand reaches 13 million tonnes by 2050 Electrek
• Report shows progress toward cleaner EV supply chains with Tesla leading and Chinese brands making quickest progress Electrek
• Elon Musk's xAI operating 62 unpermitted gas turbines that could emit 6 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, erasing Tesla's climate gains Electrek
• Rivian's US sales fall 34% in February ahead of R2 launch, cuts R1 lease to $749 with $3,000 incentive EV Blog
• Polestar's US sales slide continues for 8 months as China tariffs weigh on lineup EV Blog
• Nio to launch Firefly sub-brand in Thailand on March 5, with orders hitting 3,500 in first three days of March EV Blog
• Lucid shuts down online configurator until 2027 model year announcement EV Blog
• Tesla accelerates Cybercab production at Giga Texas after first unit rolled off line in mid-February EV Blog
• Heybike launches Venus lightweight commuter e-bike starting at $1,499 Electrek

Automotive Industry

• Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa says "anything can happen" when asked about selling the company The Drive
• Nokian planning to launch retractable stud winter tires inspired by James Bond technology The Verge

Travel Industry

• Canada experiencing quiet travel revolution that most destinations are treating as "rounding error" Skift

Rental Car Industry

• Sixt publishes strong 2025 financial results with record revenue and 20% profitability increase driven by fleet discipline and premium expansion Sixt LinkedIn