The Chinese Are Coming and Intend to Manufacture Cars in the US Within the Next 2 to 3 Years: TDS

      Zeekr

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      Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short.

      TDS is brief, focused, and efficient, compiling the latest automotive news from around the world into one convenient location. Each story is distilled into a single sentence, accompanied by a link for those who wish for more details.

      Today marks day two of 2026 as the team returns to full speed. It feels fantastic to be back at the helm. We truly appreciate the influx of feedback and messages we’ve received over the past few weeks.

      The first cup of coffee is gone, and a second is certainly in order, so let’s dive in.

      🚘 What I’m driving: The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter has left my driveway, replaced by a 2026 Polestar 4. I’ve only moved the EV a few feet to position it in my garage, but an initial impression is that a vehicle intended for the mainstream market should ideally have a glass rear window instead of relying solely on a camera feed; however, we’ll see how the week unfolds.

      🇨🇳 Ash Sutcliffe, Head of Global Communications for Geely Holding Group (a vast Chinese conglomerate that owns brands like Volvo, Lotus, Polestar, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co), informed journalists at CES in Las Vegas, “the major question for us is when and where will we enter the U.S. market? I believe we will have an announcement on that in the next 24-36 months.” Geely could potentially navigate the barriers for Chinese vehicles entering the U.S. thanks to its capability to manufacture vehicles on Volvo’s assembly lines already operational here.

      🚕 Uber, Lucid, and Nuro have collaborated to unveil a production-ready robotaxi based on Lucid’s Gravity SUV; these robotaxis are currently being tested on the roads of San Francisco, with plans to deploy over 20,000 units in the next five years.

      🔋 The first Afeela EV has rolled off the production line at Honda’s East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio, with a second model, a crossover SUV, debuting in Las Vegas at CES.

      🚖 Tesla has received a suspension notice from the United States Patent and Trademark Office regarding the use of the term Cybercab, which is trademarked by another entity.

      🤖 Mercedes-Benz has announced its MB.Drive Assist Pro hands-free Level 2 driver-assist system, expected to launch in the U.S. later this year, allowing a vehicle to drive from a parking lot to its destination while navigating city intersections and making turns without driver input.

      🔋 The first mass-produced solid-state battery has been introduced, boasting 5-minute charging capabilities.

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