Autos

• How the EV pullback is affecting factories and jobs in the South - Automakers, suppliers and battery makers were funneling hundreds of billions of dollars into EV-related manufacturing in the U.S. Now it's all in question.
• Epstein files show Elon Musk apparently discussed plans to visit sex offender's island, host him at SpaceX - Elon Musk corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein in 2012 and 2013, according to newly released files, and sought to visit Epstein's island and host him at SpaceX.
• What tariffs? Toyota hits record sales in 2025, despite Trump’s auto levies - Toyota Motor retained its position as the world's top-selling automaker with record sales of 10.5 million in 2025, the Japanese auto giant reported on Thursday.  
• Tesla tops estimates for quarter, but wraps up first annual revenue drop on record - Tesla's earnings report comes weeks after Elon Musk's automaker reported another decline in vehicle deliveries.
• Autonomous trucking startup Waabi raises $750 million to expand into robotaxis - Khosla Ventures, G2 Venture Partners, Uber, Nvidia and Volvo are all investing in Toronto-based, driverless tech startup Waabi.
• GM expects to top Ford in U.S. vehicle production as it faces up to $4 billion in tariff costs - The 2026 tariff costs would be in line with the automaker's $3.1 billion in tariff costs last year, despite the levies not being in effect for all of 2025.
• GM tops earnings expectations, announces dividend increase and stock buyback program - GM recorded $7.2 billion in special charges for the fourth quarter of 2025, largely related to its pullback in electric vehicles and restructuring in China.
• India and European Union have closed a 'landmark' free trade deal, Prime Minister Modi says - Goods traded between India and the EU in 2024 amounted to over 120 billion euros (about $140 billion), making it New Delhi's largest trading partner.
• South Korea scrambles to pass U.S. investment bill after Trump threatens higher tariffs - The bill aims to establish a state-run investment corporation and fund to manage Seoul's planned $350 billion investment pledge to Washington.
• Auto executives are hoping for the best and planning for the worst in 2026 - Automakers are entering a new phase of uncertainty as they deal with affordability issues and slowing consumer demand.