U.S. electric vehicle registrations are showing signs of stabilization, but the recovery is uneven. The Dauch strike is officially over. Plus, Factorial Energy CEO Siyu Huang explains how geopolitical tensions are complicating the path to market.

June 15th, 2026 | EV registrations stabilizing; Factorial Energy CEO on solid-state batteries

Automotive News Daily Drive

Welcome to Daily Drive. For Monday, June 15th, 2026, I'm Kellen Walker in Las Vegas. Today on the show, EV registrations are still down, but the market is stabilizing. The Dow strike is officially over, and Tesla is under fire in Europe over its self-driving safety data. Plus, Factorial Energy CEO, C. Yu Huang, says the company's solid-state battery technology is closer to mass market than most people think.

With the reality that the South has naturally a higher energy density, we can either have the same volume with longer range, or we have the same energy with a smaller weight, a lighter weight and a smaller pack. Let's run through all the news you need to know to keep up in the auto industry.

U.S. EV registrations are stabilizing after last fall's loss of federal tax credits, but the recovery is still a work in progress. According to the latest data from S&P Global Mobility, new EV registrations fell 9.8% in April compared to a year ago. On one hand, that sounds like a big drop, but it's also the smallest year-over-year decline of 2026.

Tesla led the way, its Model Y was up 61%, and its overall market share climbed to 51%. But analysts say Tesla faces a challenge ahead without new models on the way. We'll have more on this story in a moment with our own Lindsey Van Hulley. The UAW's two-week strike at Dow Corporation's Axelplan in Three Rivers, Michigan is officially over.

Local 2093 members voted 704 to 173 to ratify a new four-year deal that boosts wages 36%. Plus, workers get new paid holidays, a $2,000 ratification bonus, and no health care premium increases. About 1,000 workers walked off the job June 1st.

June 15th, 2026 | EV registrations stabilizing; Factorial Energy CEO on solid-state batteries

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.

June 15th, 2026 | EV registrations stabilizing; Factorial Energy CEO on solid-state batteries

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast, not the earnings call.

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.