Automotive Industry News & Contents 2026 [Daily Updates]

Sep 30, 2026

This edition highlights long-haul commercial vehicle electrification routes from IAA Transportation 2026, an exclusive interview with MAHLE CEO Arnd Franz on technological diversity and future mobility, and a comprehensive supply chain breakdown of the sixth-generation Toyota RAV4.

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

▶ Market & Tech Reports

▶ MAHLE CEO Interview on the Future of Mobility

▶ Supply chain: Toyota RAV4 (USA)

▶ Body / Structure / Module / Others Supply Chain

▶ Automotive World / Smart Energy Week September 2026

▶ GlobalData Analyst Briefings

▶ News

Market & Tech Reports

IAA Transportation 2026: Multiple Routes to Long-Haul Electrification

From efficiency and energy storage to vehicle architecture and specialization

MAN Truck & Bus: New MAN eTGX
Scania: Dynamic and Long-Haul Electrification
Volvo Trucks: FH Aero Electric Extended Range
Mercedes-Benz Trucks: eActros 600 Lowliner
Comparison of Long-Haul Battery-Electric Truck and Charging Strategies

Commercial Vehicle reports

MAHLE CEO Interview on the Future of Mobility

Technology Diversity, Global Markets, and the Success Factors of Tomorrow

MAHLE is advancing a broad technology portfolio spanning electric drive systems, thermal management, range extenders, hydrogen, and renewable fuels. At IAA Transportation 2026, CEO Arnd Franz discussed the rare-earth-free MCT electric motor, the role of biofuels, regional market requirements, and the company’s strategy for long-term growth.

MAHLE detailed report | More exclusive interviews

Supply chain: Toyota RAV4 (USA)

Toyota RAV4 Supply Chain Overview

The RAV4 is Toyota's best-selling compact crossover SUV in North America and serves as the core model driving sales in the region. The 2026 model marked a full redesign as the sixth generation, with the gasoline-only models discontinued and the powertrain lineup consolidated to HEVs and PHEVs. The new model is characterized by a major overhaul of the powertrain and a shift toward SDVs (Software-Defined Vehicles), centered on the first-time adoption of the Toyota's "Arene" software platform. Production is conducted at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) Woodstock and Cambridge plants in Canada, the Georgetown plant in Kentucky, U.S., and partially at the Nagakusa plant in Japan, among other locations. The major suppliers for North American-produced Toyota RAV4 include Harman for audio, Stanley Electric for headlamps, Adient for seats, NHK Spring for coil springs, AGC for windshields, and Qualcomm for the digital cockpit platform (SoC).

Body / Structure / Module / Others Supply Chain

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Launch Schedule for Toyota RAV4
Toyota RAV4 is a leading compact SUV in the North American market. For the 2026 model year, the RAV4 entered its sixth generation, discontinuing gasoline models in the U.S. and shifting to a fully electrified lineup consisting of HEV and PHEV models. In 2024, HEV and PHEV models accounted for almost half of the total RAV4 sales in the U.S., and the growing demand for electrified vehicles provided a backdrop for Toyota to further accelerate electrification with the sixth-generation model. This product strategy is also aligned with Toyota’s “multi-pathway” approach to electrification.

U.S. Sales Volume Full Year 2025 / Jan.-Jun. 2026:
Toyota RAV4: 479,288 units / 153,955 units
Honda CR-V: 403,768 units / 226,114 units
Hyundai Tucson: 234,230 units / 117,612 units
Nissan Rogue: 217,896 units / 135,970 units
Kia Sportage: 182,823 units / 94,907 units