Automotive Industry News & Contents 2026 [Daily Updates]

August 10, 2026

This issue highlights the premium 800V PPE platform-based Audi Q6 e-tron's supply chain network, the challenging search for PFAS (forever chemicals) alternatives under growing regulations, and strong July sales performances in Australia and Canada.

Updated daily with the latest information for the automotive industry. Coverage (Japanese/English/Chinese) of information directly related to business, including complete vehicles, EVs, automated driving, sales figures, and industry reports.

Table of contents

▶ Supply chain: Audi Q6 e-tron

▶ ATZ report: PFAS alternatives

▶ Statistics (Australian and Canadian Sales)

▶ Brake Supply Chain

▶ Automotive News

Supply chain: Audi Q6 e-tron

Audi Q6 e-tron PPE Platform Supply Chain Analysis

The Audi Q6 e-tron, produced in Germany, is a battery electric crossover SUV (BEV). It is one of the first mass-produced models to adopt the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform—an 800V architecture jointly developed by Audi and Porsche. It went on sale in Europe in July 2024, followed by its U.S. launch in August of the same year. Production takes place at Audi's Ingolstadt plant in Germany. Global sales for the first half of 2026 (January–June) totaled approximately 28,000 units, representing a monthly average of about 4,700 units.

For parts procurement, the vehicle sources prismatic lithium-ion battery cells from CATL and primarily relies on major Tier 1 suppliers, including Marelli (electronic suspension system), ZF (shock absorbers, brake calipers), Denso (Heat exchanger for EV) and Bosch (various ECUs and sensors). For ADAS-related components, suppliers include Aumovio (formerly Continental; surround view cameras, curved OLED displays), Bosch (ACC radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors) and Hella (blind spot monitor sensors).

PPE platform-based electric models overview (vehicle specifications and safety features)
Audi Q6 e-tron specifications and safety features
Production plant: Audi AG, Ingolstadt Plant (Germany)
Audi related plant news
Audi's Suppliers in Germany (including indirect transactions):
List / Distribution

ATZ report: PFAS alternatives

Forever Chemicals and Climate Protection Measures

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, are used in a large number of applications in automotive engineering. However, due to their unlimited life (“forever chemicals”) and their bioaccumulative properties, they pose risks to human health and the environment. Replacing all PFAS in the automotive industry seems like an unrealistic proposition at the moment. But substitutions are already possible in some applications today and research is being carried out in other areas.

Statistics (Australian and Canadian Sales)

Australian and Canadian Light Vehicle Sales Update

July Australian sales rises 4.2%. While market leader Toyota saw a decline, BYD, Chery, Geely, and Tesla all posted significant increases, driving market growth. BYD’s Sealion 07, Tesla’s Model Y, Geely’s EX5, and Chery’s Tiggo 4 were the main drivers of sales growth for their respective companies, further enhancing the presence of Chinese automakers.

Sales volume by major carmakers (Australia y/y)

1 Toyota Group 23,465 → 21,462（8.5% down）
2 Hyundai Kia Automotive Group 14,248 → 12,688（10.9% down）
3 BYD Auto 4,607 → 8,131（76.5% up）
- - Sealion 07 1,427 → 2,548（78.6% up）
4 Chery Automobile 3,583 → 6,750（88.4% up）
- - Tiggo 4 2,065 → 2,156（4.4% up）
5 Geely Holding Group 1,320 → 6,497（392.2% up）
- - Geely E5/EX5/e.MAS 7 (Galaxy E5) 490 → 2,034（315.1% up）
6 Mazda 7,452 → 6,458（13.3% down）
7 Ford Group 7,279 → 6,400（12.1% down）
8 Tesla 917 → 4,778（421.0% up）
- - Model Y 555 → 4,644（736.8% up）
9 Great Wall Motor Company Ltd. (GWM) 4,721 → 4,518（4.3% down）
10 SAIC (Shanghai Automotive) 3,008 → 4,284（42.4% up）

July Canadian sales rise 5.4%

Demand for SUVs and pickup trucks remained strong, supporting market growth. Among manufacturers that saw significant sales growth, Ford’s F-Series, Toyota’s RAV4, and Subaru’s XV were the respective flagship models.
Canadian Sales Database

Sales volume by major carmakers (Canada y/y)

1 Ford Group 21,679 → 28,669（32.2% up）
- - Ford F-Series 10,928 → 13,266（21.4% up）
2 Toyota Group 23,033 → 25,060（8.8% up）
- - RAV4 5,508 → 6,269（13.8% up）
3 GM Group 25,997 → 24,038（7.5% down）
4 Hyundai Kia Automotive Group 23,243 → 23,344（0.4% up）
5 VW Group 13,395→13,509（0.9% up）
6 Honda 12,029 → 12,462（3.6% up）
7 Stellantis 9,297 → 10,110（8.7% up）
8 Nissan 9,044 → 8,540（5.6% down）
9 Mazda 7,966 → 7,753（2.7% down）
10 Subaru 5,316 → 6,840（28.7% up）
- - XV 2,968 → 3,143（5.9% up）