TEN 561 | Ford And Renault Work Together, Ford And SK On Split, Fiat Topolino To The US?

Welcome to this week’s episode of TEN — Transport Evolved News! Today on the show: Ford and Renault announce a new partnership on EVs to give Ford new European models, SK On and Ford break up their BlueOval battery joint venture, and Stellantis confirms it’s exploring bringing the Fiat Topolino microcar to the U.S. — just one week after President Trump said he wants Japanese-style kei cars on American roads. Special thanks to Robert from @agingwheels for the Mia footage! Read full show note and script at https://www.transportevolved.com/2025/12/13/ten-561-ford-and-renault-work-together-ford-and-sk-on-split-fiat-topolino-to-the-us/ ---- *👥 Today’s Sponsors* 🌱 Electric Vehicle Association - https://www.myeva.org ⚡ EnergySage - https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101290941-16952262 — ✊ Get Involved 🗳️ https://indivisible.org/town-hall-resources ❤️ Support the Show 📰 https://www.transportevolved.com 🔥 https://www.patreon.com/transportevolved ☕ https://ko-fi.com/transportevolved 📺 https://www.youtube.com/transportevolved 👕 https://www.redbubble.com/people/TransportEVd/ 🛍️ https://amzn.to/40xOyjm ₿ 1QRZRGCCXUKPDZ2DZ9KX9JYJXMZDYHYGFZ0MN4WH 💬 Join the Conversation 🐘 https://mastodon.transportevolved.com/@show 💬 https://discord.gg/9WAjfQn 🌀 https://bsky.app/profile/transportevolved.bsky.social 🔁 Subscribe to our 2nd channel - https://www.youtube.com/transportevolvedtake2 ---- *⏱️ Episode Timeline & Sources* 00:00 – Introduction and sponsor shoutouts 🎙️ 00:23 – Welcome to the show 👋 00:35 – Mercedes-Benz unveils the electric GLB 🚙 01:31 – Rivian holds its autonomy day 🤖 02:30 – Study finds EVs no more dangerous to pedestrians than ICE (SUVs are the real problem) 🚶 03:23 – Ford and Renault partner on new electric cars 🔌 04:10 – Ford and SK On split the BlueOval battery JV 💔 05:11 – Euro NCAP publishes new electric car and van ratings 🏆 06:12 – Waymo makes its driving style more aggressive 😤 07:05 – Judge rules U.S. offshore wind ban illegal ⚖️ 07:59 – U.S. administration renames NREL to NLR 🏛️ 08:50 – DOT asks for public feedback on fuel economy rollback 📝 09:40 – Sponsor Segment: EnergySage 🌞 Recall Reminders 10:57 – Rivian recalls EDV over seatbelt pretensioner issue 🛡️ 11:16 – Volkswagen ID.4 recalled for wheel bolt issue 🛞 11:27 – Volkswagen ID.4 also recalled over battery concerns 🔋 11:40 – Cadillac Vistiq recalled for missing owner’s manual 📕 News Shorts 12:01 – Porsche explores virtual gearboxes and fake shifting 🎮 12:24 – U.S. solar installs hit 11.7 GW in Q3 2025 🌞 12:39 – More EU states join push to weaken emissions rules 🇪🇺 12:53 – Electric mining trucks arrive at Pilbara ⛏️ 13:09 – Los Angeles officially coal-free 🌇 13:22 – Nissan searches for new EV partnerships 💞 13:37 – Nissan unveils the NX8 EV 🚘 13:53 – BYD announces Zero Defects battery initiative 0️⃣ 14:07 – VinFast to build e-scooters and buses in India 🛵 14:19 – Mercedes-Benz and LGES sign new battery deal 🤝 14:31 – StoreDot plans SPAC merger 📈 14:42 – AUDI confirms China-only E7X EV 🅰️ 15:02 – GM launches Brazilian EV production line 🏭 15:14 – Openreach fleet passes 6,000 EVs 🚐 15:27 – Mercedes-Benz Trucks starts eActros 400 production 🚚 15:40 – Gridserve upgrades chargers to 400 kW ⚡ 15:53 – BNEF says battery prices still falling, but slower 📉 16:07 – Eve Air Mobility teams with Beta Technologies ✈️ 16:18 – Volvo Trucks launches FL Electric 14-tonne 🚛 16:30 – Xiaomi plans EV lineup expansion ✨ 16:43 – Nio Firefly expands into more markets 🪰 16:55 – Moke International launches in the U.S. 🚘 17:11 – Lucid promises imminent Gravity software fix 🛠️ 17:22 – Stellantis updates Opel Astra EV ⚡ 17:34 – QuantumScape ready to launch pilot production 🧪 17:48 – Subaru announces pricing for Uncharted and Trailseeker EVs 🏞️ 18:00 – Mercedes-Benz and Momenta announce robotaxi service 🚕 18:11 – Port of Oslo launches zero-emission ship incentives 🛳️ 18:23 – NASA and USPS stop using Canoo vehicles 🔧 18:34 – Korean researchers tackle high-nickel battery degradation 🧬 18:46 – CATL presents roadmap for electric shipping 🗺️ 19:02 – China sets new EV registration records 📊 19:16 – SNCF partners on large-scale fleet charging 🚄 19:30 – Lexus unveils LFA Concept EV ✨ 19:41 – Nissan partners with Wayve on AI ProPilot 🧠 19:53 – Caterham previews Project V prototype 🏁 20:07 – Ultraviolette secures $45 million 💸 20:21 – Peterbilt and Kenworth unveil new electric trucks 🚛 20:35 – BMW drivers gain access to Tesla Superchargers 🔌 20:44 – Report claims VW may cut PowerCo funding ✂️ 20:55 – Hyundai rumored to drop IONIQ 6 in U.S. (except N) 🏎️ 21:12 – Lucid says it’s on track for 18k vehicles 🎯 21:34 – Sponsor Segment: You! 📣 23:39 – Fiat Topolino may be headed to the U.S. 🇮🇹 24:53 – Citroën unveils a very familiar concept van 📦 25:57 – Thanks, and goodbye! 👋 ----- *🎙️ Credits:* Host, Script, Editor: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield Camera, Color: Vi Horton Art & Animation: Erin Carlie Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield Music: via Artlist.io © Transport Evolved LLC, 2025