Audi has confirmed it will expand its hybrid lineup in the United States as the brand works to meet growing demand for electrified vehicles.

Audi is preparing to expand its hybrid lineup in the United States after acknowledging the growing demand for electrified vehicles. The announcement comes as the German automaker looks to strengthen its position in a market where hybrid sales continue to outpace fully electric vehicles.

According to Audi of America President Vito Paladino, the company is evaluating which models should receive hybrid powertrains to better meet customer demand.

Audi Plans a Bigger Hybrid Lineup

Speaking during the launch of the new Audi Q9, Paladino confirmed that additional hybrid models are on the way.

“We will have hybrids in our lineup,” he said, adding that Audi is reviewing which vehicle segments require electrified options.

The move comes after Audi reported lower U.S. sales during the first half of 2026, while electric vehicles represented only a small portion of the brand’s total deliveries.

Audi plans to expand its hybrid lineup in the United States over the coming years.

Competition Already Offers More Choices

Audi enters the expanding hybrid market later than several of its premium rivals.

Today:

• BMW offers multiple plug-in hybrid models, including the X5.
• Mercedes-Benz sells a broad range of plug-in hybrid SUVs.
• Lexus offers hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains across most of its lineup.

Audi currently has two confirmed hybrid performance models expected for the U.S. market:

• Audi Nuvolari
• Audi RS 5

However, the company is expected to introduce hybrid technology in higher-volume models to increase its competitiveness.

Audi aims to close the gap with premium rivals that already offer extensive hybrid lineups.

Best-Selling SUVs Could Receive Hybrid Power

Because Audi already offers hybrid technology in several global markets, the company may be able to bring additional electrified models to the United States without waiting for full redesigns.

Popular SUVs such as the Q5 are widely expected to receive plug-in hybrid variants, while Audi continues evaluating other models that could benefit from electrification.

The strategy allows the brand to respond more quickly to shifting consumer demand while leveraging hybrid technology already available within the Volkswagen Group.

Audi’s best-selling SUVs are expected to play a key role in the brand’s hybrid expansion.

Lucid has begun rolling out a new over-the-air software update for the Gravity SUV, adding hands-free driving assistance, smarter navigation, and enhanced charging features.

Lucid has started rolling out a major over-the-air (OTA) software update for the Lucid Gravity in North America, introducing one of the SUV’s most anticipated features: Hands-Free Drive Assist. The latest software also brings navigation improvements, advanced charging tools, adaptive headlights, and several usability enhancements designed to improve the everyday driving experience.

The update reinforces Lucid’s strategy of continuously expanding vehicle capabilities through software rather than hardware changes.

Hands-Free Driving Arrives for Lucid Gravity

The biggest addition is Hands-Free Drive Assist, available on Gravity models equipped with DreamDrive 2 Pro.

The system allows the SUV to control steering, acceleration, and braking on compatible highways while continuously monitoring driver attention.

Additional features include:

• Hands-Free Lane Change assistance
• Automatic Lane Change for overtaking slower traffic
• Improved highway driving comfort
• Driver monitoring to ensure attention remains on the road

Lucid notes that the feature is designed to assist drivers and does not replace active supervision behind the wheel.

The latest OTA update introduces Hands-Free Drive Assist for the Lucid Gravity.

Navigation, Charging and Lighting Receive Major Upgrades

The update also enhances Lucid Navigation by integrating the Google Maps Places API, providing richer destination searches with:

• Business ratings
• Photos
• Parking information
• Improved charging station details
• More accurate real-time charger availability

Charging has also become more transparent thanks to two new tools:

• Advanced Preconditioning View, which displays battery temperature before charging.
• Predictive Charging Power, estimating expected peak charging performance before plugging into a fast charger.

Meanwhile, vehicles equipped with DreamDrive Premium or DreamDrive 2 Pro now benefit from Adaptive Driving Beam headlights, which maintain maximum illumination while automatically reducing glare for surrounding traffic.

Google Maps integration and new charging tools improve the Lucid Gravity ownership experience.

Software-Defined Features Continue to Expand

Lucid says the OTA rollout has already begun for eligible Gravity SUVs across North America, with additional software improvements planned over the coming months.

The company continues to position the Gravity as a software-defined luxury SUV capable of receiving meaningful functionality upgrades without requiring dealership visits.

As competition intensifies in the premium electric SUV segment, Lucid is using software updates to add new capabilities while improving convenience, safety, and overall vehicle usability.

Lucid continues expanding the Gravity’s capabilities through over-the-air software updates.

General Motors is rolling out new over-the-air software updates that improve the infotainment experience with a redesigned interface, enhanced personalization and easier-to-use controls across eligible Cadillac models.

The latest GM infotainment software update introduces a wide range of enhancements designed to make the in-vehicle experience more intuitive and personalized. Developed using customer feedback, the new features improve navigation, media controls, seating preferences and charging functions while delivering a cleaner and more responsive interface.

Moreover, the updates are arriving through over-the-air software downloads, allowing eligible Cadillac owners to receive new functionality without visiting a dealership.

Smarter Audio Controls and Easier Navigationdia playback.

Drivers can now view an upcoming playlist through a new side queue, making it easier to see which songs will play next. Additionally, a new drop-down source selector allows users to switch between music apps and audio sources with fewer taps, creating a faster and more seamless listening experience.

Furthermore, larger touch targets throughout the interface reduce accidental presses and make frequently used controls easier to access.

GM’s updated infotainment interface features improved media controls and larger touch targets.

Personalized Driver Profiles and Comfort Settings

The GM infotainment software update also expands personalization features.

Drivers can now link two user profiles to the vehicle’s memory seat buttons. With a single press, both the preferred seating position and the driver’s personalized profile are restored automatically. The feature will debut on the 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ before expanding to additional GM models.

Meanwhile, seat adjustment graphics have been redesigned to match the physical controls located on the vehicle’s doors. As a result, changing comfort settings becomes more intuitive and visually consistent.

Additionally, the charging application now features clearer labels and descriptions, making charging options easier to understand.

Updated driver profiles automatically restore personalized seating and infotainment settings.

Better Connectivity and Improved Display Quality

GM has also refined several everyday features to improve convenience.

The latest software includes sharper Head-Up Display graphics, making important driving information easier to read. Furthermore, Bluetooth pairing has been simplified by removing an extra confirmation step, allowing devices to connect more quickly.

These refinements contribute to a smoother user experience while reducing unnecessary interactions with the infotainment system.

Eligible Cadillac Models Receive Over-the-Air Updates

The new GM infotainment software update is being released gradually through over-the-air updates.

Eligible vehicles include:

• 2025 Cadillac LYRIQ
• 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ
• 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ
• 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ
• 2025 Cadillac VISTIQ
• 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ
• 2025 Cadillac CT5
• 2026 Cadillac CT5

GM confirmed that additional software improvements will continue rolling out over the coming months as updates become available.

Eligible Cadillac models receive the latest infotainment improvements through over-the-air software updates.

Future Updates Will Expand the Experience

General Motors has already outlined additional enhancements planned for future releases.

Upcoming updates will introduce a redesigned home screen featuring a larger interactive navigation map alongside media controls. Drivers will also benefit from simplified widget customization, making it easier to personalize the dashboard layout with just a few taps.

Overall, these software improvements demonstrate GM’s continued focus on enhancing the digital driving experience through regular over-the-air updates, delivering new features that improve usability, convenience and personalization without requiring new hardware.