Mobility Monitor

Electric Vehicles

• The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt returns with faster charging, a new LFP battery, and improved Super Cruise system, starting under $30,000 - though GM says it's only available for a "limited time" (Electrek, The Drive, Ars Technica, TechCrunch)
• Chevy is dropping one exterior color option from the 2026 Equinox EV lineup (Electrek)
• Scout buyers won't receive their electric trucks until "sometime in 2028," CEO confirms, later than originally anticipated (The Drive)
• Porsche may launch a Panamera EV that could share naming with the Taycan, merging combustion and electric sedan lines (The Drive, Electrek)
• Geely joins BYD in deploying ultra-fast 1,500 kW EV chargers that can charge vehicles as quickly as filling up with gas (Electrek)
• Genesis GV90 electric SUV spotted charging at Tesla Supercharger ahead of its expected debut later this year (Electrek)
• Kia EV4 hatchback and fastback models are both due for GT performance upgrades (Electrek)
• Rad Power Bikes' new owner says the e-bike brand will build products in the US after emerging from bankruptcy, though execution remains uncertain (Electrek)
• BYD Brazil raises its 2026 sales target and aims for 10% market share after leading pure EV registrations in February (EV Blog)
• Nio posts first-ever quarterly profit in Q4 2025 as margins jump with record deliveries, expects 32,000-35,000 deliveries in March (EV Blog, EV Blog)
• Bezos-backed Slate Auto replaces CEO with Amazon veteran months ahead of its affordable EV truck launch (EV Blog, TechCrunch)
• Donut Lab's third independent test shows its solid-state battery retains 97.7% charge after 10 days, though key performance claims remain untested (Electrek, The Verge)

Rental Car Industry

• Auto Rental News explores how rental companies can successfully operate electric vehicle fleets despite industry challenges (Auto Rental News)
• EV adoption in rental fleets requires a local, targeted approach after the "EV frenzy" has disillusioned consumers about going all-electric (Auto Rental News)
• Rental fleet sales dipped in February, ending a strong streak, while commercial fleets posted the most gains (Auto Rental News)
• Wholesale used vehicle prices rose in February with solid demand at Manheim auctions indicating dealer appetite to buy (Auto Rental News)
• Georgia city of Alpharetta may have opened the first city-branded Tesla Supercharger station (Electrek)

Autonomous Vehicles

• Zoox expands robotaxi testing to Phoenix and Dallas after surpassing 1 million autonomous miles, though still awaiting federal approval for commercial operations (Electrek, TechCrunch)
• Tesla's Full Self-Driving drove through railroad crossing barriers in viral LA video on same day as NHTSA deadline for FSD traffic violation data (Electrek)
• Tesla loses software director Thomas Dmytryk who built its over-the-air update infrastructure and Robotaxi ride-hailing service backbone after 11 years (Electrek)

Airline Industry

• Oil price shock could trigger 10%+ fare increases and $24 billion in additional costs for US airlines as jet fuel is their largest expense (Skift)
• TSA staffing shortages create hours-long airport wait times as agents miss first paychecks during partial government shutdown (Skift)
• Iran war is costing small airlines $200,000 daily, with insurers estimating airlines could mitigate costs through higher ticket pricing (Skift)
• Federal government selects eight proposals to test electric air taxis across 26 states (TechCrunch)
• Archer countersues Joby alleging concealed Chinese ties, four months after Joby sued for alleged corporate espionage (TechCrunch)

Rideshare Industry

• Sixt launches SIXT ONE, its first global rewards program with transparent points system, faster pickup, and exclusive benefits across US and Europe (Sixt LinkedIn)
• Uber for Business promotes time-saving platform that keeps rides, meals, and expenses connected for admins (Uber LinkedIn)
• Lucid outlines investor day agenda featuring Uber president, signaling focus on affordability and profitability path (EV Blog)

Customer Experience

• Two-thirds of consumers lack confidence in how companies use generative AI for customer interactions, preferring human-led service (CX Dive)
• CX teams struggle to prove their bottom-line impact before outcomes get absorbed into other departments' metrics (CX Dive)
• Costco ties $470 million in sales growth to digital personalization through product recommendation carousels and modernized display pages (Retail Dive)
• Target readies next-day delivery expansion to 20 more metro areas this spring, boosting supply chain spending (Retail Dive)
• Target opens 2,000th store in North Carolina, representing "the future of Target's elevated guest experience" (Retail Dive)
• Kroger's new CEO Greg Foran plans to accelerate turnaround by improving store experience and cutting prices to drive faster growth (CX Dive)

Product Launches

• 2026 Dodge Charger R/T features twin-turbo inline six that outperforms the old Hemi V8 in first drive review (The Drive)
• Target debuts Free People intimates assortment in select stores and online with exclusive offerings (Retail Dive)
• Belk adds Michael Strahan's brand to menswear assortment with suit separates, blazers, dress shirts, polos and T-shirts (Retail Dive)
• Primark names new CEO Eoin Tonge and prepares New York flagship as it expands US presence beyond being retail's "best kept secret" (Retail Dive)

Travel & Hospitality

• Airbnb faces World Cup shortfall in NYC as New Jersey dominates after authorities refuse to lift short-term rental ban (Skift)
• T20 World Cup triggers nearly 20-fold price surge at Ahmedabad hotels, showing how much Indians will spend to watch cricket live (Skift)
• Rare India plans tech expansion and B2C growth after Samhi Hotels acquisition provides Marriott-led lifeline (Skift)
• MakeMyTrip acquires Flamingo Transworld tour operator to complement holiday packages business and drive growth across India (Phocuswire)
• CMF Capital investor challenges Booking Holdings' balance sheet and buyback strategy in letter to board of directors (Phocuswire)
• OpenAI's shift away from instant checkout to ChatGPT apps shows travel is too complex for quick-fix distribution (Phocuswire)
• Gen Z loves loyalty programs, just not in traditional ways, according to new Phocuswright research (Phocuswire)

AI/Automation

• Horizon Media pilots AI solution with Sightly and Vurvey Labs to detect cultural shifts mid-campaign and help brands respond to news developments (CX Dive)
• Nvidia plans to launch an open-source AI agent platform similar to OpenClaw ahead of its annual developer conference (Wired)
• Meta's former chief AI scientist Yann LeCun raises $1 billion for new startup AMI to build AI that understands the physical world (Wired)
• Anthropic sues Department of Defense over supply-chain-risk designation, claiming Pentagon overstepped on contract dispute (Wired)
• OpenAI and Google workers file amicus brief supporting Anthropic against US government, with Google DeepMind chief scientist among signatories (Wired)
• Anthropic claims Pentagon feud could cost billions as companies pause deal talks after supply-chain risk label (Wired)
• Bluesky CEO Jay Graber steps down, with venture capitalist Toni Schneider taking over as interim CEO ([Wired](https://www.wired.com