Mobility Monitor

Rental Car Industry

• The International Car Rental Show is focusing on "zero friction" as a key theme for addressing industry change and challenges Auto Rental News
• Commercial fleet vehicle sales are outpacing rental car fleet purchases in Q1 2026, despite monthly fluctuations Auto Rental News

Airline Industry

• Major airline leadership changes, alliance shifts, and AI-driven discovery tools are transforming the industry simultaneously Skift
• United Airlines launched tiered fares for business class and premium economy seats, similar to basic economy pricing structure Skift
• British Airways will allow in-flight phone calls using Starlink connectivity, a controversial move permitted in UK/EU but illegal in the US Skift
• Intra-African flight costs remain a barrier to tourism growth despite the continent's progress on visa-free travel policies Skift

Electric Vehicles

• EV consideration among US car shoppers jumped to 23.8% in mid-March as gas prices hit $4.09/gallon (up 33% year-over-year), with online EV searches surging 17% in one week Electrek
• BYD's Song Ultra EV launched in China at $22,000 with 5-minute charging capability, securing over 37,000 orders in less than a month Electrek
• VW confirms the ID Buzz electric van will continue in the US market with 2027 models arriving in months, dismissing reports of its discontinuation The Drive
• Mercedes-Benz is adding steer-by-wire technology and a steering yoke option to the refreshed EQS sedan The Verge
• Tesla is ending production of the Model X and Model S, shifting focus entirely to the Cybercab and Optimus robot TechCrunch
• EV adoption showed mixed results in Q1 2026, with some automakers posting double-digit growth while others saw double-digit declines Ars Technica

Product Launches

• Dodge CEO is pursuing a "back-to-basics" approach for entry-level cars, questioning whether features like radios are necessary to achieve lower prices The Drive
• Hyundai is developing a midsize truck designed to address common complaints with the segment, including inadequate rear seat space The Drive

Customer Experience

• Meta is testing product tagging for eligible Instagram Reels creators across five markets, declaring "the era of link in bio is finally over" Retail Dive
• Belk is introducing BeautySpace shop-in-shops featuring brands like IGK, Oak Essentials and Malin + Goetz in select stores, with broader online availability Retail Dive