2025 Rivian Adventure Van: The Electric Off-Road Camper of Your Dreams

ford escape-plug-in-hybrid Full OverviewBefore hitting the test track, we decided to take our 2021 Ford Escape Titanium Plug-In Hybrid up to a local mountain ski resort town, mostly for the drive back. It's satisfying to watch the hybrid compact SUV's available range increase as the regenerative braking system recovers energy. The phenomenon is enjoyed frequently simply because one is on the brakes quite a lot on a winding road coming down from almost 7,000 feet of elevation.Everything was cool (excuse the pun) until the faint odor of overheating began to waft into the cabin. Our regen system was evidently working overtime, at which point we decided to let the engine and physics do most of the vehicle's slowing. Still, we managed to take the Escape's EV range from nothing to nearly 20 miles (out of 37 max) just by using the brake pedal. Neat.Fuel Economy and RangeOur Escape Titanium PHEV test model is the top trim of a three-model 2021 lineup that also includes less expensive SE and SEL trim levels. Ford also offers a standard, non-plug-in hybrid that makes the choice a little tougher if fuel economy is your main goal.The Escape PHEV returned an admirable EPA-estimated 105 mpg-e combined, which leads a burgeoning small SUV plug-in hybrid segment that includes among others the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime AWD (94 mpg-e combined), 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV AWD (80 mpg-e combined), and 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid AWD (90 mpg-e combined). Its mileage not unexpectedly surpasses the combined mpg of the regular Escape Hybrid, too, which came in at 41 mpg for the front-wheel-drive model and 40 mpg for the all-wheel-driver.Total range for the 2021 Escape PHEV is an EPA-rated 520 miles, and as mentioned earlier, all-electric range is 37 miles, which are both strong. But the 2022 RAV4 Prime—with its larger capacity 18.1-kWh battery and significantly bigger 14.5-gallon gas tank—beat that combined range by 80 miles. It also gets 5 more all-electric miles. The Escape's 14.4-kWh battery capacity and 11.2-gallon tank still help it get more total range than the Crosstrek Hybrid, which has the least amount of battery capacity of the foursome (8.8 kWh), and the Tucson PHEV, which has the smallest fuel tank (11.1 gallons).The Escape PHEV weighs at least 100 pounds less than the Toyota or the Hyundai and is only offered in FWD, two additional factors that help its efficiency—and help in other ways, as well. It gets its motivation from a 165-hp 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four working in concert with an 83-hp electric motor to deliver a combined 200 hp.The RAV4 Prime and Crosstrek Hybrid have similar formulas, but the Toyota scales up while the Subie scales down. The RAV4 employs a 177-hp 2.5-liter inline-four and electric motors front and rear for a total of 302 hp and the Crosstrek uses a 137-hp 2.0-liter flat-four and two motors for a sum of 148 hp. The Tucson PHEV offers yet another method, a 180-hp 1.6-liter turbo-four for the front axle and electric motor for the rear developing a combined 261 hp. All except the Hyundai, which is outfitted with a six-speed automatic, are equipped with a CVT.What the Numbers SayBraking is one area where we see the Escape PHEV's mass working in its favor. In spite of a vague-feeling pedal, our test team found stopping power to be consistent, with the Ford SUV coming to a halt from 60 mph in an average of 123 feet, 4 feet shorter than the heavier Toyota. We have yet to receive test results for the Tucson PHEV, but a 2022 Tucson Hybrid AWD Limited we assessed averaged 129 feet.The Escape PHEV's steering was also unexpectedly communicative, especially for a modern hybrid FWD. That's where the Ford's dynamic strengths end, though."Power is just so-so, [and] as the laps added up, the [factory all-season] tires lost all sorts of grip, in both braking and on the skidpad," reports road test editor Chris Walton. Indeed, in our lateral acceleration and figure-eight tests, the 2021 Escape PHEV exhibited less grip than the 2021 RAV4 Prime and 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, which was the last time we tested the current generation of each. As the plug-in Escape and RAV4 have similar setups and weight splits, suspension tuning and AWD traction likely also played roles.Straight-line quickness is also not the Escape PHEV's forte. It's swifter from 0-60 and through the quarter mile than the smaller, less powerful Crosstrek, but every hybrid is chasing the RAV4 Prime now. The Toyota snaps off 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and runs the quarter in 14.1 seconds at 98.7 mph, in each case more than two ticks quicker than the Escape. Our road test analyst Alan Lau put it succinctly: "[The Escape PHEV] is good off the line—and that's about it relative to the segment."What It's Like to Live WithFew shoppers will look at the 2021 Escape PHEV for driving pleasure. Practicality is the game here, and as the widest among small five-passenger SUVs, the Ford provides the most first-row space. But it's also not as long as the Tucson PHEV, which gives the Hyundai an edge in cargo space and rear passenger room.While the gas 2021 Escape is available in four trim levels, both the PHEV and Hybrid are pared to just three, the SE, SEL, and Titanium. Among the standard kit the range-topping model gets that the others don't are features like adaptive cruise control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10-speaker audio system, and hands-free power liftgate. Our test vehicle also came in Rapid Red premium exterior paint and with the Premium package, which consists of embroidered floor mats, a head-up display, perforated leather, leather-wrapped steering wheel, panoramic roof, and a wireless charging pad. The 2022 Escape PHEV is a carryover except for three new exterior paint colors: Atlas Blue Metallic, Flight Blue Metallic, and Iced Blue Metallic.Poking around the cabin, we were slightly dismayed at the build quality in some spots. For sure, there is a lot of hard plastic, but that wasn't even the chintziest thing we found. The Escape PHEV's 12-volt battery is in the spare tire well under the cargo area floor and its execution seriously looks like someone did the relocating in their home garage. Furthermore, there's a noticeable gap between the steering column and the cowling beneath that's supposed to hide the wiring harness under the dash but doesn't.We might be picking nits, but if we were springing for the top model of any lineup, those are things that would give us pause. Fortunately, there wasn't much else beyond those details. The seats were comfortable, and the ride was smooth. The only way we could tell the powertrain was switching between gas and electric was by listening for the internal combustion engine's muffled hum. Otherwise, there was no sensation to tip us off.Driver controls were laid out sensibly, and the Escape PHEV's infotainment system was easy to figure out. Its automatic high-beam headlights were excellent on unlit mountain passes, and generally its driver-assist technology was unobtrusive and useful. In back, we appreciated how easy it was to fold the second-row seats and how they were nearly flat with the cargo area floor when folded.Before we handed the Escape PHEV's keys to our test team, we also went through the process of charging it up to see what that was like. It offers both Level 1 110-volt charging from a standard house outlet and Level 2 240-volt charging, which works with a high-output outlet like ones used for larger household appliances. We found a Level 2 public charger nearby, and after leaving the Escape plugged in for a tad over three hours, we got back 32 miles out of 37 in EV range.Had we left it plugged in for the full 3.5 hours we likely would've gotten a full charge. For comparison, Toyota claims its RAV4 Prime can charge in as quick as 2.5 hours on a Level 2, while both Hyundai and Subaru say the Tucson PHEV and Crosstrek Hybrid, respectively, can get a full charge on a Level 2 in about two hours.PricingThe base model 2021 Escape PHEV SE stickers for $34,320 and the Escape PHEV Titanium starts off at $40,130. When we added the $395 premium paint and $2,500 Premium package, that figure rose to $43,025.With the cost of the add-ons on our tester, the Escape PHEV still comes in under the range-topping 2022 RAV4 Prime XSE, which retails for $44,340, and the 2022 Tucson PHEV Limited, which retails for $43,775. At $36,770, the smaller 2022 Crosstrek Hybrid, which is offered in just one trim, undercuts them all except the base Escape PHEV SE, which is thousands less.VerdictThat trip up and down the mountain highlighted the plug-in Escape's strengths like its chassis' spryness and smooth ride (provided you don't push it too hard), its passenger space, and of course the strong fuel economy that a hybrid can return. Less impressive were its quickness past the launch, limited cargo space, and ubiquitous interior plastics.At its best, the Escape PHEV is the smart choice. You're saving money both on the front end and over time. It gives you everything you need, and on the range-topping Titanium considerably more. And as strange as this sounds, it's available all over the country (unlike the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, which is sold for dealer stock only in California at this time).But while the 2021 Escape Titanium PHEV is good in the areas that count, there is little to no premium-ness to this top trim. Even its jellybean shape is uninspiring and could use some harder edges. It's almost unfair that something as dynamically superior as the RAV4 Prime is in the same segment.That said, we don't think track testing results will make a ton of difference to most hybrid compact SUV shoppers. We do think a good deal will. And at the end of the day, if you're here to party in your small crossover, you better be ready to pay for it.Looks good! More details?2021 Ford Escape (FWD Titanium PHEV) SPECIFICATIONS BASE PRICE $40,130 PRICE AS TESTED $43,025 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE 2.5L port-injected Atkinson cycle DOHC 16-valve I-4, plus permanent-magnet elec motor POWER (SAE NET) 165 hp @ 6,250 rpm (gas), 83 hp (elec); 200 hp (comb) TORQUE (SAE NET) 155 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm (gas) TRANSMISSION Cont variable auto CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,974 lb (58/42%) WHEELBASE 106.7 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 180.5 x 74.1 x 68.6 in 0-60 MPH 7.7 sec QUARTER MILE 16.0 sec @ 91.6 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 123 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.79 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 27.7 sec @ 0.60 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 29/36/32 mpg (gas) 117/93/105* mpg-e EPA RANGE, COMB 520* mi ON SALE Now *EPA blended-PHEV (charge-depleting) mode testing, with vehicles set to their default drive and brake-regeneration modes. Show All

The internet has been abuzz since Chevy introduced the all-new 2023 Colorado just a few short weeks ago. With that pickup joining a new Ford Ranger (and likely a new Toyota Tacoma) next year, the midsize segment is heating up. And surprise, surprise, with a new Colorado in the offing, it was only going to be a matter of time before GMC's turn came to pull back the sheets that pickup's mechanically related, brother-from-another-mother: The 2023 GMC Canyon.Billed by GMC as the "official vehicle of nowhere," though it is definitely a machine that at any given time will be somewhere, the 2023 Canyon boasts a fully redesigned exterior with a lineup-wide taller stance and widened track than its Chevy counterpart. Like the Colorado, the Canyon has been reimagined from the ground up with a greater focus on off-road capability and style. The 2023 Canyon also features a new premium suite of advanced technology, an all-new interior design, a new powertrain, and a new top-tier AT4X trim. Simply put… this should be the most advanced and capable Canyon ever.It also is much more differentiated from the Colorado than before, both visually and pricewise. GMC has adopted an even wilder take on the newest Sierra's squinty-eyed, beefy-grille look here, weaving body-color sections throughout the nose to break up the forward lighting and give it a technical, aggressive mein. Compared to the relatively tamely styled Canyon of yore, the 2023 model is altogether hunkier, with deeply chamfered body creases above blistered fenders to go with a more aggro suspension setup. It's a good thing there's so much outward separation between the GMC and its Chevy sibling, too, because the Canyon now starts at about $40,000.Lifted Suspension And Wide Stance… For EveryoneIn a bold move for GM's more upscale truck brand, GMC has decided that all 2023 Canyon models will ride on same lifted, wide stance, suspension that's available only on the off-road-focused versions of the Colorado. GMC says that the Elevation, AT4, and Denali models will receive a 2.0-inch suspension lift while the AT4X will ride on a 3.0-inch lift. With no "base" model Canyon to directly compare to, these figures are in reference to the 78.8-inch maximum height of the entry-level 2023 Colorado Work Truck (WT); on the Colorado, only the Trail Boss (2.0-inch lift) and ZR2 (3.0-inch lift) lineup with those suspension heights. Elevation and AT4 check in at 79.8 inches tall while Denali lands at 80.4 inches and AT4/AT4X hit at 81.7 inches tall.The same rings true for the Canyon's track width. All Canyon models will arrive with a track width of about 66 inches front and rear, with the only variation being due to wheel offset. By comparison, the 2023 Colorado WT, LT, and Z71 will all arrive with a 3.0-inch-narrower 62.8-inch track width; only the Colorado Trail Boss and ZR2 off-road models carry the wider tracks. Generally speaking, we approve of the high and wide approach, however, we find it a touch peculiar that the luxurious, ostensibly street-truck focused Denali trim has followed this same path… but we digress.Extended Cab, Long Bed and Base Model Are DeadFirst went the manual crank windows. Then it was our beloved third pedal and standard cabs. Now, for 2023, GMC is pulling the rug out from under pickup buyers' choices by offering the all-new Canyon in pretty much a single cab and bed configuration. You'll now only be able to purchase a Canyon in four-door crew-cab, short-bed (5-foot 2-inch) configuration. While this eliminates both the stubbier extended cab and long-bed (6-foot 2-inch) options from the order sheet, it aims to simplify the production process for GMC by focusing on the models most buyers want.That same process of elimination ensnared the Canyon's least-expensive trim level, the Elevation Standard. A little bit of history: When GMC launched the previous generation of Canyon in 2015, that truck was available in three trims: Base, SLE, and SLT, with an All-Terrain package available for SLE. By 2020 the lineup had grown to include SL, Canyon, SLE, All-Terrain, SLT, and Denali. In 2021, the lineup changed again, and this time reduced to just four trims: Elevation Standard, Elevation, AT4, and Denali.At launch, the now Elevation-Standard-less 2023 GMC Canyon will be available in the premium AT4 and Denali trims along with the new AT4X. This move doesn't come as a huge surprise given that the AT4 and Denali trims currently make up the vast majority of not only Canyon sales but GMC sales as a whole. While not available right at launch, the (non-Standard) midlevel Elevation trim will be returning later in 2023.A New Interior With Modern TechnologyThe 2023 Canyon's interior comes packed with GM's latest suite of in-car tech, including a high-resolution 11.0-inch infotainment screen and a fully digital driver information display (11.0 inches on Denali and AT4X, 8.0 inches on Elevation and AT4). These new screens enable the truck to provide drivers with up to 10 different camera views, including HD Surround Vision and waterproof underbody cameras with a washing system. Also available is a class-exclusive 6.3-inch head-up display.All 2023 Canyon models will come fitted with automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking with cyclist alert, IntelliBeam automatic high beams, following distance indicator, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and forward collision alert. An available Canyon Safety Plus Package adds rear cross traffic braking and blind zone steering assist. The available Technology Package offers rear pedestrian alert, adaptive cruise control, and HD Surround Vision. GMC's vibrating Safety Alert Seat is standard on Denali and AT4X.Each of the 2023 GMC Canyon's four trims will come fitted with a unique interior identity, each an upgrade over the outgoing truck's inner duds. For example, Denalis get laser-etched wood décor and leather appointments. The flagship, off-road-focused AT4X will arrive with trim-exclusive Ceramic White and Obsidian Rush color treatments, both with vibrant red-colored seat belts. Every Canyon's dashboard, while clearly related to the newest Colorado, does sport GMC-specific touches, including angular outboard air vents instead of round pieces, plus a different primary dashboard design ahead of the passenger.A New Turbocharged 2.7-Liter I-4 EngineAt the height of its popularity, the outgoing GMC Canyon came with the choice of three different engines and transmissions. You could get an entry-level 2.5-liter I-4 with either a six-speed manual or automatic, an optional 2.8-liter Duramax Diesel I-4 with a six-speed automatic, or the standard 3.6-liter V-6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For 2023, GMC has tossed all of the former powertrains in favor of a turbocharged 2.7-liter I-4 sourced from the larger full-size Sierra 1500 and new second-generation eight-speed automatic transmission.If you've been paying attention to GM-related truck news, you'll note that the 2023 Chevy Colorado also made the switch to the same 2.7-liter engine. However, in the Chevy, three power levels are available, ranging from 237 hp to 310, and from 259 lb-ft of torque to 430. GMC deploys only the hottest version of the 2.7-liter engine across the Canyon lineup, meaning every 2023 Canyon gets 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. This ties the V-6 in Nissan's Frontier for horsepower and smashes it in torque; GMC (and Chevy) likewise crush all comers in the torque department, out-twisting the 2.3-liter turbo I-4 in Ford's Ranger (which produces 310 lb-ft) by an astonishing amount. Even the Canyon's outgoing 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine managed to produce "just" 369 lb-ft.While fuel economy is still unknown, and likely will be for some time, GMC officials have been quoted as saying that the new 2.7-liter engine is expected to return figures better than the outgoing 2.5-liter engine. While your mileage will certainly vary, the outgoing base engine was rated as high as 26 mpg highway. And with the 2.7-liter-powered GMC Sierra 1500 sporting a highway rating as high as 22 mpg, we don't think 26 is out of the question.Where capability is concerned, the new 2.7-liter engine has that covered as well. The 2023 GMC Canyon will have a maximum payload rating of 1,640 pounds in the two-wheel drive Elevation version. Selecting an AT4 drops that to 1,550 pounds while the upscale Denali carries a payload rating of 1,360 pounds. AT4X chews through its payload with its off-road extras, limiting its hauling capability to 1,250 pounds; the even more kitted-out AT4X Edition 1 Package drops that figure to 1,010 pounds. To put that last figure into perspective, with all five seats filled with some average joes, you'll be left with just enough payload reserve to toss a cooler in the bed.Trailer towing prowess remains respectable, with Elevation, AT4, and Denali all carrying a 7,700-pound maximum rating. The top towing spec drops to 6,000 pounds for AT4X models and 5,500 pounds for the heavier AT4X Edition 1 Package.Introducing The Rugged AT4XIn really what should come as a surprise to no one, GMC is expanding the popular AT4 trim to include a new, higher-performance AT4X off-road model. Building on the lessons learned from the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, the new 2023 Canyon AT4X will feature an impressive slate of off-road hardware, starting with the latest generation of Multimatic's Dynamic Spool Valve (DSSV) frequency selective dampers. The truck is also equipped with unique cast iron control arms and 17-inch aluminum wheels with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires.Fun fact, the Canyon AT4X's tires are a 285/70R17, which measures a touch taller and a full inch wider than the 265/70R18 Wrangler DuraTrac tires that come on the one-size-up 2022 Sierra 1500 AT4X. The Canyon AT4X also comes fitted with front and rear electronically locking differentials, a modified rear axle for increased durability, and 3.42:1 axle gears. Keeping rock rash at bay are aluminum skid plates below the radiator, engine oil pan, and transfercase. The truck also comes fitted with steel rock rails. No, we can't wait to line this up with Ford's Ranger Raptor, a Colorado ZR2, and a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and hit the dirt.Hurry Up, the AT4X Edition 1 Package Is LimitedFor those customers looking for the ultimate midsize off-roader with all the bells and whistles, GMC is going to be offering an extremely limited run of 2023 Canyon AT4X First Edition pickups. In addition to all of the gear that comes standard on the new Canyon AT4X, the First Edition adds 17-inch beadlock capable wheels and a unique off-road bumper to the front of the truck complete with an LED light bar. Most interesting, however is the standard 10,000-pound recovery winch, which comes integrated behind the front bumper. The hardware is being sourced from a relative newcomer to the U.S. market, COMEUP, and is fitted with synthetic rope. The truck will also receive unique First Edition badging.Get Your 2023 Canyon Now!The all-new 2023 GMC Canyon is slated to begin production at GM's Wentzville assembly plant in the spring of 2023 and will kick off with the AT4X model. Starting today, reservations are open for the exclusive 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Edition 1 package, which comes with a starting MSRP of $63,350, not including destination and delivery. The rest of the Canyon lineup will follow, with the Elevation trim starting at $40,000. Though pricing for the 2023 Colorado is forthcoming, forty grand is big money for the midsize truck segment—the GMC's entry-level MSRP sits in the upper realm of most of its competitors' price ladders. Again, though, given it only comes in high-output, up-market forms, the sub-AT4X GMCs might end up costing only slightly more than equivalent Colorados.2023 GMC Canyon Specifications   BASE PRICE $40,000-$63,350 LAYOUT Front engine, 2WD or 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck ENGINE  2.7L/310-hp/430-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 TRANSMISSION  8-speed auto   CURB WEIGHT 4,400-5,200 lbs   WHEELBASE 131.4 in L x W x H 213.2-217.9 x 84.4 x 79.8-81.7 in 0-60 7.0 - 7.5 (MT est) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON TBD ON SALE Spring 2023 Show All 

The Russian incursion into Ukraine this week has thrown European and global markets into a frenzy, as automakers work to determine how big an impact the war, and any economic sanctions against aggressor Russia, will have on supply lines, production, and workforces who could now be in direct danger. Europe's home automakers will be hit the hardest, as supply lines from Ukraine and Russia freeze up while bombs get dropped. However, Hyundai and Kia's massive manufacturing presence in Russia now presents a huge headache for the Korean group, as well.Multiple global automakers have reportedly halted shipments of local dealer orders to Russian partners, effective February 24, the date of the Russian invasion, according to letters apparently sent from the automakers and viewed by the Russian-language business paper Vedomosti. Russian dealers for Audi and Chevrolet reportedly received notices, and Vedomosti claims VW and Skoda are prepping notices of their own. Porsche and Land Rover's Tata Group had also halted shipments starting the date of the Russian invasion. If this is all true, and it likely is, it's unclear exactly what conditions forced the shut down—but it probably isn't going to be easy getting your car through Russian customs right now.The report says Audi will inform its partners on its plans to resume shipments down the road. Any inventory from automakers that's already passed through Russian customs will still be delivered. The quick move to halt shipments to Russia on the part of most automakers is likely precautionary and temporary, and more to do with establishing new logistics options adapted to an environment now at war, and in the environment of new global sanctions against Russia. Companies obviously face public pressure to not appear too cozy with a current aggressor, so the shipment freeze is likely an indefinite delay until everybody calms down.If you're wondering if the U.S. government and its allies' sanctions against Russia will further exacerbate the ongoing semiconductor shortage, the answer is of course. While no semiconductors or raw materials used to make them will be flowing into Russia, much of the raw materials come from Ukraine, which probably won't be exporting them for a while.Hyundai + Kia In RussiaThe Korean automotive sector is hugely reliant on Ukrainian-provided rare gases like neon, krypton, xenon, and more, everything from EV battery cells to superconductors are now on an even tighter supply line, and prices will go up. And speaking of gas, the kind you use to fill up your car at the pump likely will get more expensive in the coming weeks as energy prices rise globally, especially if European nations abstain from Russian fuels in response to its attack on Ukraine.Hyundai Group, which Kia also operates through, first established itself with a factory in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2010 and recently purchased a former General Motors facility to renovate for Hyundai Tucson, Palisade, and Kia Sportage production for export to North America and the rest of Europe this year. The automakers combined currently produce more than 230,000 cars annually in Russia.That's just what they build there—Hyundai Group sold 373,132 vehicles in the Russian market in 2021, holding the largest market share; Hyundai accounts for 10.3 percent and Kia 12.3 percent of Russia's total vehicle market share.The outbreak of war and the onslaught of economic and financial sanctions against Russia now put all of Hyundai and Kia global business in jeopardy and will severely damage the national Korean economy, as well. The Korea Times says "Korean conglomerates" sold $2.5 billion worth of cars to Russia in 2021, plus an additional $1.45 billion worth of car parts and components.Cars and their parts previously accounted for 44 percent of Korea's annual export volume to Russia, which will likely be severely hindered by American and European sanctions looking to cut trade and handicap Russia's economy.Kia takes home four prizes at the annual Russian Car of the Year awardsHyundai + Kia in UkraineHyundai also operates a local sales office in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Kia produces the Rio sedan and hatchback at the ZAZ factory in Zaporozhye, Ukraine. On January 28, 2022, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a state of emergency in the region and established plans to evacuate Korean nationals out of Ukraine, the Korea Times reports.Hankook Tires, another Korean company, evacuated its sales office in the country. An official from Hyundai offered that the company has "been closely monitoring the situation as the Russian-Ukraine crisis is expected to bring about an economic slump and weak ruble," in a statement to the Korea Herald.The war in Ukraine could also severely impact global EV battery cell production, as the nation is the world's third-largest producer of nickel and aluminum, two highly valuable resources necessary in battery and EV components. Additionally, Ukraine produces almost 70 percent of the world's neon gas needed for components like chips, which are already suffering a shortage that has driven the average new vehicle transaction price in the U.S. to unbelievable new heights. It will likely only grow higher this year.Ukraine is also a critical global supplier of rare gases used in all sorts of high-tech equipment and components, and the war will severely hinder those supplies and likely cause prices to rise. This, too, will have a specific impact on the Korean economy, as the nation imports 30.7 percent of its krypton, 23 percent of its neon, and 17.8 percent of its xenon rare gases for component production from Ukraine, according to the Korea Herald. South Korean-based automaker SsangYong also imports raw materials like aluminum from the region.The Korean Automotive Manufacturer's Association fears up to 29 percent of its group sales could drop this year, anticipating a similar impact to when it witnessed a 62 percent drop in auto exports after the Russian incursion in Crimea in 2014, which also brought about international sanctions against Russia.New Sanctions on RussiaIn response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it would immediately target the core infrastructure of Russian financial and some economic institutions. Sanctions target banks such as the state-backed Sberbank, VTB Bank, Otkritie, Sovcombank and Novikombank. The move is meant to ban any trading with U.S. institutions and freeze any U.S. assets held by the companies and their executives.This first wave of sanctions from the U.S. and its allies, announced on February 24, did not specifically target Russia's auto sector or any enterprises directly involved. However, some major economic enterprises related to autos were targeted, including Russia's Sovcomflot shipping company and Russian Railways, as well as much of the Russian energy sector.Russia is currently the third-largest supplier of nickel in the world and provides 40 percent of global palladium resources used for manufacturing catalytic converters, according to NBC. In return, Russia also relies on foreign supply lines for as much as 25 percent of its home automotive production, which could be heavily sequestered by new sanctions. The Russian Gaz Group has already announced that it will have to halt production as sanctions are levied against Russia.Analyst Sam Abuelsamid from Guidehouse Insights told NBC the big question regarding sanctions comes down to China: "If we put heavy sanctions on Russia, they might respond and cut us off from many of the things we need," including circuit boards and other raw materials, such as the lithium needed for electric vehicles. However, following the first wave of sanctions, this may not be a serious risk.J.D. Power and LMC Automotive analysts have downgraded projected global light vehicle production this year to 85.8 million units for 2022, a cut of 400,000 vehicles this year, Reuters says. However, the overall global volume of light vehicle sales is still expected to rise by 5 percent.Renault + Stellantis + Toyota Have Russia Trouble, TooOther major global automakers, including Renault and its affiliate brands, Stellantis and its affiliates, and Toyota, also have a significant manufacturing presence in the region. Renault has already announced that production in its Moscow, Russia, facility would have to stop from February 28 to March 5, citing "tighter border controls in transit countries and the forced need to change a number of established logistics routes," but failing to mention the Russian invasion of Ukraine outright, according to Reuters.Renault Group makes 8 percent of its core earnings in Russia, the automaker's second-largest market after its home of France. Russia's top automaker, AvtoVAZ, is partially owned by Renault, as well.Stellantis operates a car factory in Kaluga, Russia, where it also manufactures Mitsubishi models. Production of Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel cars reportedly doubled in Kaluga in 2021, and overall sales for Stellantis in Russia grew by 65 percent. There were plans earlier this year to start exporting commercial vehicles from the factory, which have now been interrupted.Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares commented on the situation on a conference call earlier this week: "If we cannot supply the plant, if that is the reality, we have either to transfer that production to other plants, or just limit ourselves," via NBC. The factory only exported about 11,000 commercial vehicles last year, a fraction of more than 2 million total light commercial vehicles the company sold.A Stellantis spokesperson told MotorTrend that the company is "monitoring the situation carefully in real time, and if necessary we will take appropriate measures in the interest of our employees and their families. We currently see no significant impact on our business operations, including our manufacturing plant."Considering the light amount of commercial exports from the Kaluga factory, it's more likely Stellantis' local Russian operation takes the bigger hit, though broader supply chain issues will still negatively impact the global Stellantis portfolio.Toyota has been building the Camry in Russia for decades and has a