Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison talks about the benefits of driver-monitoring cameras. The Chinese auto market is fast and furious, with around 650 new or refreshed cars in the first half of the year. Tesla is now China’s No. 6 exporter. Plus, Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 light-duty pickup is getting a sweeping makeover.

July 16, 2026 | Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison on driver-monitoring cameras; Tesla becomes No. 6 China exporter

Automotive News Daily Drive

Welcome to Automotive News Daily Drive. For Thursday, July 16, 2026, I'm Kellen Walker in Las Vegas. Today on the show, around 650 new or refreshed cars were introduced to the Chinese auto market during the first half of the year. Tesla is now China's No. 6 exporter. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 light-duty pickup is getting a sweeping makeover. Plus, Mazdas Jennifer Morrison explains the safety benefits of driver-monitoring cars.

The next frontier, I think, is going to be in the cab. Driver-monitoring cameras that can do many things. They have more than just one job. Let's run through all the news you need to know to keep up in the auto industry. China's auto market is being flooded after around 650 new or refreshed cars were introduced in the first half of the year. That's a rate of almost four per day. Comparing that to the U.S., the Bank of America Securities and

Annual Car War Study for 2025 projected just 159 new model launches over the following four years. U.S. models hit a decade low of 29 in 2024. The price war and high EV adoption rates have forced Chinese automakers into a fast-moving tech race where brands must constantly churn out new models to avoid being forgotten.

Tesla is now China's number six exporter as its Chinese factory transforms into a global export hub. In June, the hub's overseas shipments more than tripled as sales in the local market fell. Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory saw 36,000 international deliveries and accounted for 40% of the plant's total shipments.

According to the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla also powered a 24% increase in overall output to 89,000 in the month. Chinese domestic demand is deteriorating and international and Chinese brands are focused on exports from China plants.

July 16, 2026 | Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison on driver-monitoring cameras; Tesla becomes No. 6 China exporter

Read the full transcript

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

July 16, 2026 | Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison on driver-monitoring cameras; Tesla becomes No. 6 China exporter

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.