--- title: "The Chinese Are Coming and Plan To Build Cars in the US in the Next 2 to 3 Years: TDS" date: "2026-01-06" modified: "2026-01-06" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-chinese-are-coming-and-plan-to-build-cars-in-the-us-in-the-next-2-to-3-years-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # The Chinese Are Coming and Plan To Build Cars in the US in the Next 2 to 3 Years: TDS ![Zeekr 7X Rear 3/4 View]() *\Zeekr\* Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Short, tight, and light, *TDS* gathers the latest automotive headlines from around the globe and brings them to one place. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. It's day two of 2026 as the team ramps back up to full speed. It feels great to be back in the driver's seat. Appreciate the flood of feedback and notes we've received in the last few weeks. The first cup of coffee is gone, a second is definitely needed so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter left my driveway and was replaced with a 2026 Polestar 4. I've only driven the EV about four feet to place it in my garage but a snap judgement says a vehicle that is supposed to be a mainstream car really should have a glass rear window rather than just a camera feed, but we'll see how the week goes. πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ Ash Sutcliffe, Head of Global Communications for Geely Holding Group (which is a massive Chinese conglomerate that owns everything from Volvo and Lotus to Polestar, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co) [told journalists in Las Vegas at CES]() "the big question for us is when and where will we go to the USA? I think we will have an announcement on that in the next 24-36 months." It wouldn't be hard for Geely to skirt the barriers of entry for Chinese vehicles in the U.S. with the ability to produce its vehicles on Volvo's assembly lines here today. πŸš• Uber, Lucid, and Nuro teamed up and [revealed a production-intent robotaxi]() based on the startup automaker's Gravity SUV; the [robotaxis are already on the road testing]() in San Francisco with plans calling for over 20,000 units to be deployed over the next five years. πŸ”‹ The [first Afeela EV has rolled off the assembly line]() at Honda's East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio, and a second model in the form of a [crossover SUV debuted]() in Las Vegas as CES. πŸš– Tesla [received a suspension notice from the United States Patent and Trademark Office]() over the use of the term Cybercab, which someone else owns the rights to the trademark. πŸ€– Mercedes-Benz [announced its MB.Drive Assist Pro hands-free Level 2 driver-assist system](), which is said to launch in the U.S. later this year and enable a vehicle to drive from a parking lot to a destination while navigating city intersections and making turns without driver intervention. πŸ”‹ The [first production solid-state battery has arrived]() and it's promising 5-minute charging capabilities. *Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()