US EV sales blocked: The US Commerce Department has barred Polestar from selling cars in the US starting with the 2027 model year under the Connected Vehicle Rule, citing China-linked connectivity risks. EV pricing pressure in India: JSW MG raised prices for the Windsor EV by up to Rs 60,000 in July 2026, pointing to higher production costs. Cabin hygiene tech: Hyundai and Kia unveiled “Plasma Care UVC,” a far-UVC plasma system aimed at killing cabin bacteria and viruses without masking odors. Fuel policy push: Toyota’s Vikram Gulati says India’s E20 ethanol blend will be the standard for vehicles sold after April 2023 and is compatible with older cars, while higher blends need flex-fuel tech. China’s auto momentum in Europe: Chinese passenger brands (BYD, SAIC, Geely, Chery, Leapmotor) surpassed Japanese rivals in May European sales for the first time, despite tariffs. Right-to-repair politics: Trump pardoned people tied to bypassing emissions monitoring and backed a memo expanding Americans’ right to fix their own cars. Local safety and disruption: LA firefighters evacuated nearby buildings after a motel fire likely tied to fireworks, while Tasmania’s “Neil the seal” is again causing road and car damage.