Toyota Motor's North American unit reported a near 16% rise in auto sales on Wednesday, helped by sales of its pickup trucks and cars. ...

Core Viewpoint - The Walt Disney Company is actively protecting its intellectual property rights against unauthorized use by AI startups, exemplified by a cease and desist letter sent to Character.AI for using copyrighted characters without permission [1][2]. Group 1: Disney's Actions - Disney sent a cease and desist letter to Character.AI, warning the startup to stop using copyrighted characters [1]. - The company is involved in an ongoing lawsuit against Midjourney, alleging improper use and distribution of AI-generated characters from its films [3]. Group 2: Character.AI's Response - Character.AI has removed the characters mentioned in Disney's letter and stated that it aims to partner with rightsholders to enhance engagement with their intellectual property [2]. - The spokesperson for Character.AI acknowledged that while some characters are original, others are inspired by existing beloved characters [2].

According to the Consumer Federation of America, high car prices are creating a financial emergency in America. With new car prices averaging nearly $50,000 — and 20% of new car buyers paying $1,000 or more for their monthly car payment — it’s no surprise that the total level of auto debt in America has reached a whopping $1.66 trillion. Be Aware: I’m a Mechanic: These Are the 5 Most Expensive Cars To Maintain Over Time Explore More: 6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From in Retirement The consequence of all ...

The recently announced partnership between Hertz and Amazon Autos will make it easier for rental car companies to offload their own cars directly to consumers, but it could cut into a historical source of profit for car dealerships, auto industry analysts said.The announcement that the car rental company would be teaming up with the e-commerce giant sent Hertz shares soaring. Hertz already sells most of its fleet directly to consumers — it lists them on its own website and on others, and sells them on Carva ...

The U.K. government has confirmed it will guarantee a commercial bank loan of £1.5 billion ($2 billion) for car-making giant Jaguar Land Rover after a hack forced the company to shut down its production lines and left downstream suppliers at risk of bankruptcy. In a statement on Sunday, U.K. ministers said that the government-backed loan will “bolster JLR’s cash reserves so it can support its supply chain which has been greatly impacted by the shutdown.” JLR will have five years to pay back the loan. C ...

Summary of Global Auto Databook - September 2025 Industry Overview - The automotive industry is experiencing a shift due to two main forces: China's increasing global market share and the integration of AI technology in vehicles, transforming cars into more robotic entities [2][4][10]. Key Insights - **Auto Sales and Pricing**: Auto sales and pricing trends have been stable, which supports the consensus outlook for many industry players. However, underlying tensions exist due to competitive pressures from China and technological advancements [2]. - **China's Dominance**: Chinese OEMs control nearly two-thirds of the global electric vehicle (EV) market, highlighting their significant influence in the automotive sector [4]. - **Regional Sales Growth**: Year-to-date (YTD) sales growth as of July 2025 shows varied performance across regions: - China: +14.32% - USA: +8.90% - Europe: +5.86% - India: +1.50% - Brazil: +1.21% - Japan: -3.20% - Russia: -15.76% [5][7]. Sales Data - **Vehicle Sales by Country (July 2025)**: - Total global sales reached approximately 5.94 million units, reflecting an 8.5% year-over-year increase. - China led with 2.29 million units sold (+13.6% YoY), followed by the USA with 1.41 million units (+8.9% YoY) [15][16]. - **OEM Performance**: - General Motors (GM) saw a significant increase in sales, up 27.3% YoY, while Tesla's sales decreased by 2.6% YoY [16]. - Toyota maintained the largest market share at 11.2%, followed by Volkswagen Group at 10.5% [16]. Market Dynamics - **Used Car Prices**: Prices for used cars have remained stable, with EV demand driving gains in certain segments [4]. - **Electric Vehicle Sales**: The US market is witnessing a surge in electric vehicle sales, with notable models like the Tesla Model Y and Ford F-150 Lightning leading the charge [78]. Additional Observations - **Regional Variations**: The automotive market is experiencing diverse growth rates, with China and the USA showing robust growth, while Europe and Japan face challenges [5][7][15]. - **Market Share Changes**: The competitive landscape is shifting, with traditional automakers facing pressure from new entrants and established players in the EV space [16]. Conclusion - The automotive industry is at a crossroads, influenced by technological advancements and shifting market dynamics, particularly from China. Investors should monitor these trends closely to identify potential opportunities and risks in the evolving landscape [2][4][10].

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Core Viewpoint - Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey emphasizes that financing vehicles is detrimental to wealth building, urging individuals to pay cash for cars and avoid debt traps associated with vehicle loans [2][3]. Group 1: Financial Advice - Ramsey argues that vehicles depreciate in value and financing them leads to financial struggles, suggesting that car payments are a significant barrier to achieving financial freedom [2][3]. - He advises that individuals should only consider buying a new car if their net worth is at least $1 million, reinforcing the idea that car payments reflect a middle-class mindset [3][4]. - The recommendation is to save up and purchase vehicles outright, as this is deemed the best approach to car buying [4]. Group 2: Public Reaction - Some users on social media challenged Ramsey's advice, stating that not everyone has the cash available to make a purchase and that financing may be the only option for some [3]. - There are arguments that not all vehicles depreciate significantly, with examples of certain used vehicles retaining or increasing in value [3]. - Critics also pointed out that cash itself can lose value due to inflation, questioning the practicality of Ramsey's stance [3].

A new and dangerous flaw has sent a fresh shockwave through the German auto giant BMW AG, forcing it to recall at least 331,000 vehicles in the latest chapter of a deepening and costly quality control... ...

LONDON (Reuters) -Jaguar Land Rover's production shutdown after a cyberattack is hitting businesses in Britain's West Midlands region, a survey showed on Friday, with firms already making redundancies or cutting staff hours in response. The government is considering financial support for the luxury carmaker, which is owned by India's Tata Motors, after the cyberattack halted production at the start of this month. It has extended the shutdown until October. JLR has three factories that together produce ab ...