MALMÖ, Sweden /PRNewswire/ — Guided by the vision of creating a better everyday life for the many people, Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, is stepping up efforts to support customers with low price while ensuring long-term growth. In many IKEA markets around the world*, the price of restaurant meals will be halved Monday through Friday, and children will eat for free.

With hundreds of millions of guests visiting IKEA restaurants every year, the company aims to inspire a better everyday life through food that is healthier, more sustainable, and affordable. As part of ongoing investments in the in-store experience, Ingka Group is introducing this price drop to help people stretch their budgets, nourish their families, and find a little more joy.

For example, in France, the price of lunch for a family of four, which includes two hot-meals with meatballs for adults and two meals for kids, will cost EUR 6.96 instead of EUR 19.9. In addition, all restaurant guests will receive a EUR 5 voucher to use in-store.

“Food has always been very important for IKEA, and we wanted to enable even more people to enjoy our restaurant offer while exploring our home furnishing range,” says Tolga Öncü, Ingka Retail Manager (COO) at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group). “Securing the lowest possible price for our products is always our utmost goal, and this is even more important in today’s times of economic uncertainties and cost-of-living pressures.”

At the same time, IKEA is refreshing its food offer with new dishes inspired by Asian flavours, expanding affordable, healthy options for customers.

“We always look for ways to bring more variety to our food offer, especially with new plant-based options,” says Lorena Lourido Gomez, Global Food Manager, IKEA Retail (Ingka Group). “We will soon launch our very first falafel, adding this popular food to our restaurants and, later, to our Swedish Food Markets. Good quality, low price, and making a positive difference for the planet – those ingredients remain a guiding star for our food business.”

Heading toward the end of FY25, IKEA remains focused on helping customers make the most of their finances while delivering value through both food and home furnishing.

*Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, UK.

www.ingka.com/newsroom/latest-news

SOURCE IKEA

The Affordable EV Dream, Derailed

Slate Auto made waves in early 2025 by announcing an electric pickup truck with a revolutionary promise: a starting price under $20,000. With a minimalist, modular design and direct-to-consumer sales model, the company hoped to disrupt the industry by delivering a rugged, no-frills EV that everyday drivers could actually afford.

But that promise may now be broken.

In July 2025, the newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill” from President Donald Trump eliminated the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, a cornerstone of Slate’s pricing model. And as of now, Slate has quietly removed its sub-$20K price claims, signaling a dramatic shift in its market positioning.

What Was the Original Plan?

Slate Auto’s vision was simple:

Base price of the pickup: ~$25,000 Subtract $7,500 tax credit → final cost: $17,500 Optional bolt-on accessories and upgrades for customization

This formula positioned the Slate truck as a compelling solution for tradespeople, students, rural drivers, and eco-conscious buyers seeking low-cost alternatives to gas trucks.

What Changed?

The Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” passed in July 2025, includes a provision that eliminates all federal EV tax credits starting September 30, 2025. That means:

No more $7,500 off at the point of sale Budget EVs like Slate’s are left to float—or sink—on their true retail pricing EV industry analysts warn of broader slowdowns in adoption

For Slate, it means their truck is no longer “America’s first under-$20K EV pickup.” Instead, the expected price now ranges from $25,000 to $27,500, and could rise to $35K with add-ons—putting it closer to competitors like the Ford Maverick Hybrid and Chevy Equinox EV.

The Fallout

This change hits hard for Slate, which built its brand on simplicity and accessibility. Without the tax credit:

Entry-level customers are priced out Preorder holders may cancel based on unexpected price hikes Market differentiation is weakened, as affordability was Slate’s primary value proposition

Meanwhile, critics argue the rollback of tax credits slows EV adoption at a critical time in the climate fight. Environmental groups and consumer advocates are already pushing back, saying the bill disproportionately hurts low- and middle-income Americans who were just beginning to consider electric vehicles.

What’s Next for Slate?

Slate says it still plans to begin production in late 2026, but without the EV credit, it must rework its pricing strategy and value offering. Possibilities include:

Offering fewer standard features Creating stripped-down fleet or worksite models Lobbying for state-level incentives to offset federal losses

Whether these changes will be enough to keep Slate competitive remains to be seen.

Final Thoughts

The electric vehicle space is undergoing seismic shifts, and the demise of the federal EV tax credit is likely to create ripple effects across the industry. For Slate Auto, the dream of a sub-$20K EV pickup may be over—but if they can pivot wisely, the company could still carve out a niche in the fast-evolving electric truck market.

Visit Slate Auto: https://www.slate.auto/en

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Safe Seasonal Driving

(Family Features) Between increased road travel traffic, warmer pavement, higher rates of construction and more, summer driving comes with a litany of potential safety hazards. However, knowing the condition of one of your vehicle’s most important safety components – the tires – can help mitigate risks. After all, it’s the only piece of your vehicle that makes contact with the road. Before setting out on vacation (or just driving across town), consider this advice from Discount Tire’s experts to help drivers like you stay safe on the road this summer. Rotate Regularly Tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles, or earlier if uneven wear develops. A good rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated every other oil change, but if you can’t remember when your tires were last rotated, book an appointment to ensure maximum handling, traction and stopping power. Replace Aging Tires As tires age, the rubber becomes harder and brittle, increasing the risk of failure on the road. Typically, experts recommend replacing any tire that’s more than 6 years old. To check the age of your tires, look for the DOT number stamped on its sidewall. If you need assistance finding new tires, Discount Tire’s online tire recommendation tool, Treadwell, combines millions of data points from tire safety checks and independent testing on tires from all major manufacturers. The tool can help you find tires suited for your vehicle, where you drive and your typical driving habits. Check Pressure Often Low tire pressure can lead to poor handling, lower gas mileage and excessive wear. At least once a month – especially before longer trips – when your tires are cool, check the air pressure to ensure it meets the manufacturer’s recommendations, which can be found in your owner’s manual or on a sticker in your vehicle’s driver side door jamb. Beware of the impact bumps and temperature changes have on air pressure. Ensure Adequate Tread Tread depth, or the amount of tread on a tire, helps determine a vehicle’s safe stopping distance. Tires are typically reaching the end of their life at 4/32 of an inch of tread. You can check it by sticking a penny upside-down in a tread groove; it’s time to replace if President Lincoln’s head is visible. Or visit your local Discount Tire store to have a technician check your tread for free. Ensure Tires are Aligned Wheel alignments adjust the direction your tires point to prevent irregular wear and improve steering. It may be time to have your alignment checked if you notice steering wheel vibration, uneven tread wear, your vehicle pulling sideways or an off-center steering wheel while driving straight. Understand Emergency Equipment Many newer vehicles now come with tire inflation kits that include puncture-coating sealants and air compressors, or even run-flat tires, instead of a spare. Check what your vehicle is equipped with ahead of taking a trip and consider a roadside assistance plan, which can help with flat repairs and replacements in times of need. Look Beyond Your Tires In addition to tires, summer provides an opportunity to look at other features of your car that need periodic replacement like rims, windshield wiper blades, lightbulbs and more. For example, windshield wiper blades should be replaced annually, or earlier if heavy streaking occurs. To locate a neighborhood tire store near you, save on in-store wait times on service appointments or shop for wheels and tires, visit DiscountTire.com.   Photo courtesy of Shutterstock   SOURCE: Discount Tire