marks a pivotal day across global transport and defense: President Trump formally rolled back Biden-era fuel economy rules and declared an end to the so-called “EV mandate” just as the US marks one year since the federal EV tax credit expired, while Tesla finally began customer deliveries of its long-delayed electric Semi truck from Giga Nevada. The US Navy awarded Boeing a $20 billion-plus contract for its sixth-generation F/A-XX carrier fighter, and RTX’s Raytheon landed a record $20.7 billion AMRAAM missile deal. Meanwhile, tanker markets remain in turmoil after Iran struck another vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, Boeing finalized a massive Turkish Airlines 737 MAX order, and SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 successfully splashed down after a three-hour mission.
Cars, Trucks & Vans
- Trump / NHTSA: President Trump announced on September 26 the rollback of Biden-era fuel economy standards, saying the new rules “TERMINATE” the EV mandate, with NHTSA projecting about $930 in upfront savings per vehicle.
- GM / Ford / Stellantis: GM and Ford have lost more US market share than any other automakers this year — Ford sales down an expected 8.8% through Q3, GM down 6.2% — as high gas prices push buyers toward hybrids; Stellantis, Ford, and GM shares climbed on the fuel-economy rollback news
- Tesla: Customer deliveries of the Tesla Semi began September 25 at a dedicated Sparks, Nevada plant capable of building 50,000 electric trucks per year, ending a nine-year wait ; Tesla also reported Cybercab production has started, with test drives of production vehicles on public roads.
- US EV market: One year after the $7,500 federal EV tax credit expired on September 30, 2025, EVs have stabilized at 5–6% of new US car sales through 2026, while Chinese EV demand keeps growing with BYD leading globall
- BMW: The all-new BMW iX3 electric SUV went on sale in the US on September 25 from $61,500, with an 800-volt architecture, 21-minute 10–80% charging, and up to 434 miles EPA range
- Jeep: Jeep has begun taking orders for the electric Recon, with first deliveries expected later in September from about $65,000
Motorcycles & Scooters
- Billy Joel collection: Billy Joel is auctioning more than 70 vintage motorcycles — including Ducati, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Triumph, Honda, and Kawasaki — all sold without reserve
- BMW Motorrad: BMW teased the highly anticipated F450R naked roadster ahead of a reveal expected next week
- Harley-Davidson: Harley-Davidson is reviving its retro-styled Road King after years out of the lineup
Ships, Tankers & Maritime
- Strait of Hormuz: Iran struck another tanker on September 21 in the Strait of Hormuz, injuring two seafarers, as Gulf oil exports continue via risky ship-to-ship transfers near the strait
- Tanker market: VLCC spot earnings and freight futures hit unprecedented highs from September 7–19, with owners committing to a major newbuilding surge amid Hormuz risk
Aviation & Electric Aircraft
- Boeing / Turkish Airlines: Boeing and Turkish Airlines finalized an order for up to 150 737 MAX jets on September 23 — the airline’s largest-ever Boeing single-aisle purchase
- Boeing / Korean Air: Korean Air finalized a record order of 103 Boeing jets (20 777-9s, 25 787-10s, 50 737-10s, 8 777-8 freighters) worth roughly $36 billion at list prices; Boeing’s 737 program is approaching 47 aircraft per month (Boeing Newsroom; Leeham; AFM).
- Beta Technologies: Beta launched electric aircraft operations in North Carolina under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, testing medical logistics missions
- Vertical Aerospace: Vertical Aerospace announced a strategic review, appointing Jefferies to explore partnerships for its next development phase.
Space
- SpaceX: Starship returned to Earth on Flight 14, splashing down north of Hawaii after a three-hour mission — a major milestone for the program.
Military, Weapons & Defense
- Boeing / US Navy: The Navy selected Boeing over Northrop Grumman on September 29 to build the sixth-generation F/A-XX strike fighter, valued at more than $20 billion, to replace F/A-18 Super Hornets in the 2030s.
- RTX / Raytheon: Raytheon won a five-year multi-year contract worth up to $20.7 billion on September 28 to accelerate AMRAAM missile production to record levels.
- Lockheed Martin: The US Army awarded Lockheed a $1.2 billion IDIQ contract for Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 2 after a second successful maritime test
- KAI / South Korea: The Republic of Korea Air Force officially accepted its first mass-produced KF-21 Boramae fighter jet and inducted the type into service — a milestone for its defense industry
- US Air Force: Collaborative combat drones — the YFQ-44A Fury and FQ-42 Vengeance — have moved into operational testing
Submarines & Naval Forces
- Huntington Ingalls: HII won a $5.1 billion Navy contract to overhaul the USS Harry S. Truman, announced September 30
- Newport News Shipbuilding: Newport News expects about $25 billion in contracts as delivery yard for six Block VI Virginia-class nuclear submarines
- Pakistan Navy: PNS Hangor, the first Hangor-class submarine, completed its maiden live firing, announced September 26
- China: New satellite imagery revealed a next-generation Chinese submarine under construction at Bohai Shipyard, Huludao
