According to Sawyer Merritt, Tesla has introduced a $5,000 (USD) price incentive for Norwegian buyers, effectively neutralizing the significant VAT increase on electric vehicles that will take effect in early 2026. All Model Y trims and most Model 3 trims are eligible for this discount (source: Teslarati). This move highlights the growing use of AI-powered pricing strategies in the automotive sector, enabling Tesla to maintain its competitive edge and drive consumer adoption of AI-integrated electric vehicles. The incentive demonstrates how AI-driven market analysis and dynamic pricing can directly impact EV sales and create new business opportunities for AI solution providers in the automotive industry.

According to @XPengMotors on Twitter, XPENG has officially launched its AI-powered P7+ intelligent fastback on the global stage as of January 9, 2026. The P7+ integrates advanced artificial intelligence features, including autonomous driving capabilities and an AI-enhanced cockpit, aiming to redefine user experience and safety in the high-end electric vehicle market. This launch highlights XPENG’s strategy to leverage AI to differentiate in the competitive EV sector and signals new business opportunities for AI-driven automotive solutions worldwide (source: @XPengMotors, Jan 9, 2026).

According to Sawyer Merritt, the top five best-selling electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. in 2025 were the Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Chevy Equinox EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Hyundai Ioniq 5, with the Model Y leading at 292,000 units sold (source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter). This sales data highlights the critical role of AI-powered manufacturing, battery management, and autonomous driving features in driving consumer demand and shaping competitive advantage within the EV sector. Companies leveraging advanced AI for vehicle optimization, predictive maintenance, and enhanced user experiences are capturing significant market share. The strong performance of AI-integrated models signals major business opportunities for AI solution providers targeting automotive OEMs, battery technology firms, and mobility startups.

According to Sawyer Merritt, GM sold 25,219 electric vehicles in the US during Q4 2025, marking a 43% year-over-year decline, while total annual EV sales reached 169,764 units, up 48% from the previous year. This mixed performance highlights the growing importance of AI-driven analytics and demand forecasting in automaker strategies. Models like the Escalade IQ and BrightDrop Van saw significant growth, reflecting opportunities for AI-powered supply chain optimization and predictive maintenance solutions in these segments. For models experiencing declines, manufacturers are increasingly adopting AI to analyze shifting consumer preferences and improve product-market fit. The data underscores a trend where AI integration in automotive manufacturing, sales forecasting, and customer engagement is becoming essential for competitive advantage and operational efficiency. (Source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter)

According to Sawyer Merritt, Verge Motorcycles has announced the launch of an AI-integrated electric motorbike, marking a significant advancement in the smart mobility sector (Source: vergemotorcycles.com, Sawyer Merritt). This new electric motorbike leverages artificial intelligence for real-time performance optimization, predictive maintenance, and enhanced rider safety. The integration of AI is expected to drive innovation in the electric vehicle market, offering businesses and fleet operators new opportunities to optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve customer experience. The move highlights a growing trend of AI adoption in the automotive and mobility sectors, with Verge positioning itself as a leader in the development of intelligent, connected vehicles.

According to Sawyer Merritt, Norway set a new all-time record for new car sales in 2025, driven by a year-end surge before higher EV taxes and resulting in approximately 180,000 vehicle registrations. Tesla led the market, capturing a significant 20% share. Notably, electric vehicles accounted for 96% of total new car sales, underscoring Norway's rapid EV adoption and the effectiveness of supportive government policies. This trend highlights key opportunities for AI-powered automotive solutions, such as intelligent fleet management, predictive maintenance, and advanced driver-assistance systems, as automakers and technology providers capitalize on the expanding EV ecosystem in Norway. (Source: Sawyer Merritt via Teslarati, Jan 5, 2026)

According to @XPengMotors, XPENG now offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality as a standard feature in its electric vehicles, enabling users to power external devices directly from their cars (source: https://twitter.com/XPengMotors/status/2005594648333496656). This integration leverages embedded AI systems for intelligent energy management, providing significant business opportunities for outdoor recreation, emergency backup, and smart home integration markets. The move positions XPENG as a leader in AI-driven energy solutions within the electric vehicle industry, responding to growing consumer demand for versatile power applications and supporting the trend toward multi-purpose EV platforms.

According to Sawyer Merritt, Volkswagen has decided to cancel the all-electric ID. Buzz in the U.S. after just a year on the market, citing a strategic reassessment of current EV market conditions (Source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter). This move highlights ongoing challenges in the adoption of electric vehicles, which are increasingly reliant on AI-powered technologies for battery management, vehicle autonomy, and smart connectivity. The decision signals that despite the integration of advanced AI features in EVs, market adoption in the U.S. remains sensitive to price, range, and consumer demand. For AI industry players, this presents an opportunity to develop more cost-effective AI solutions for EV optimization and user experience, directly addressing barriers in the U.S. automotive market.

According to XPENG (@XPengMotors), the new XPENG P7+ leverages advanced AI-driven storage optimization to provide users with increased storage capacity and seamless travel experiences (source: XPENG Twitter, Dec 12, 2025). The vehicle utilizes intelligent algorithms to organize interior space, making trips more efficient and comfortable. This showcases a growing trend in the automotive industry where AI enhances not only driving assistance but also daily usability, opening business opportunities in smart vehicle design and aftermarket AI solutions.

According to Sawyer Merritt, Tesla has entered the top 10 for the first time in Consumer Reports’ 2026 auto brand rankings, rising from 18th place last year. Consumer Reports specifically noted that 'Tesla makes the most reliable electric vehicles now,' with significant improvements in quality issues for 2026 (source: Sawyer Merritt Twitter, Dec 4, 2025). Tesla ranked 9th in reliability with a score of 50, highlighting the effectiveness of AI-driven quality control and manufacturing optimizations. This development demonstrates the growing impact of AI technology in the automotive industry, especially as advanced analytics and machine learning are being leveraged to improve product reliability. The automotive sector can expect increased consumer trust and business opportunities as EV makers integrate AI for predictive maintenance, automated testing, and production efficiency.

According to Sawyer Merritt, Ford's U.S. sales of the Mach-E dropped approximately 50% year-over-year in November 2025, reaching only 3,014 units after the expiration of the federal EV credit. F-150 Lightning sales also saw a significant 72% YoY decline to 1,006 units, partly due to a supply chain disruption caused by a fire at an aluminum supplier factory, which halted production (source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter). AI-driven analytics can help automakers like Ford better forecast demand shifts due to policy changes and supply chain events, enabling more agile pricing, inventory, and marketing strategies. This trend highlights a critical opportunity for AI solutions in EV sales optimization, predictive modeling, and resilient supply chain planning within the automotive industry.

According to Sawyer Merritt, Lucid provided a Gravity SUV for a week-long test, enabling a comprehensive review focused on its advanced AI features, user interface, and design. Merritt highlighted the vehicle's AI-driven driver assistance systems, smart infotainment powered by machine learning, and the integration of adaptive cruise control and automated parking (source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter). These AI capabilities are positioned to enhance user experience, safety, and operational efficiency, addressing growing consumer demand for intelligent electric vehicles. The review underscores significant business opportunities for AI integration in next-generation EVs, signaling a competitive edge for manufacturers who prioritize seamless AI features and continuous software updates in the automotive market.

According to Sawyer Merritt, Rivian is laying off over 600 employees, representing about 4% of its workforce, as part of cost reduction measures ahead of launching a lower-priced SUV next year (source: Wall Street Journal via Sawyer Merritt on Twitter). The company previously cut 1.5% of its staff a month ago for similar reasons. These workforce reductions signal a likely acceleration of AI and automation integration within Rivian’s operations to maintain productivity with fewer employees. For the AI industry, this trend highlights growing opportunities for AI-driven process automation, robotics, and intelligent supply chain management solutions tailored for electric vehicle manufacturers seeking operational efficiency and cost control (source: Wall Street Journal).