Thomasa Top 5: How Stellantis Is Supercharging U.S. Auto Production with a $13B Bet

Stellantis has announced its largest single investment in company history, a $13 billion plan to expand U.S. production by 50% across four states. This effort is set to create over 5,000 new jobs and support the launch of five new vehicles and a new four-cylinder engine. Read other details of the collaboration in our article.

In other automotive news, Mitsubishi Motors is introducing a rugged, off-road-focused variant of the Outlander to its North American lineup, slated for launch in late calendar year 2026. This new model will feature dedicated bodywork, performance components, and unique drive modes, building on the brand’s rally history. Check out our write-up to discover more about the brand’s broader electrification strategy.

Meanwhile, vocational students from Hong Kong took home the top honor in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge’s Cruiser Class with their solar-powered electric vehicle. The Sophie 8X completed the 3,021.5-kilometer race across the Australian Outback in 44 hours, leveraging a lightweight design with a battery that weighs only 88 pounds. Watch the video to see the advanced features of the EV.

The future of air travel is getting closer as Electra’s two-seat EL2 aircraft prototype successfully demonstrated its short take-off and landing capabilities in a public flight test. The hybrid-electric aircraft can reportedly operate using just one-tenth of the space of a standard runway. Head on over to our video of the EL2 demonstrating its "pinpoint landing capabilities.”

Lastly, pre-service trials for China’s CR450 train have reached a top speed of 281 miles per hour. This next-generation bullet train is 55 tons lighter and features a longer nose cone, which reduces aerodynamic drag by 22% compared to its predecessors. Learn more about the world’s fastest high-speed rail service in this write-up.

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