Month: April 2026

HA NOI, Vietnam, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 22, 2026, VinFast released its first-quarter delivery figures, reporting 58,577 electric vehicles handed over globally, a 61% year-over-year increase. On paper, it is a strong commercial performance. In context, it is something more consequential, a signal that the company’s vertically integrated strategy is beginning to scale with measurable impact.

Behind the numbers lies a system, one that links manufacturing, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and urban development into a cohesive growth engine.

The composition of deliveries reveals a deliberate portfolio strategy. The Limo Green and VF 3 emerged as the best-selling models, reaching 12,693 and 11,088 units respectively, underscoring VinFast’s strength in accessible, urban-oriented segments.

Meanwhile, the VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7 collectively demonstrate the company’s ability to expand into higher-value categories without losing volume momentum. The presence of models like the VF MPV 7 and Minio Green further illustrates a segmentation approach designed to capture diverse mobility needs rather than rely on a single flagship.

Equally important is the surge in two-wheeler electrification. With 143,136 e-scooters and e-bikes delivered in the same period, up 219% year-over-year, VinFast is accelerating Vietnam’s green transition.

When VinFast vehicles begin appearing on roads in markets such as California or North Carolina, they reflect the outward extension of a system designed to operate across markets.

Smart Manufacturing as a Strategic Control Layer

At the core of VinFast’s global aspiration lies a principle often underestimated in the electric vehicle race: Manufacturing is a strategic control layer. While many EV entrants have prioritized software or branding, VinFast has invested early in industrial capability, positioning production itself as a source of competitive advantage.

This approach is reinforced through its integration within Vingroup, particularly via collaboration with VinRobotics. VinRobotics is developing AI-enabled robotic systems capable of adaptive behavior in complex manufacturing environments. These include humanoid robots designed for operational flexibility, systems that can interpret workflows, respond to variability, and continuously optimize execution.

The implications are structural. As VinFast scales production across multiple markets, the ability to maintain consistency in quality while improving throughput becomes critical. Intelligent automation enables precisely that, reducing error rates, tightening tolerances, and improving capacity utilization without proportionally increasing labor or operational complexity.

More importantly, this manufacturing model creates a feedback loop. Data generated on the factory floor can inform design adjustments, process optimization, and even supply chain decisions.

Autonomous Technology and the Discipline of Capital Efficiency

While manufacturing provides the backbone, autonomous driving represents the frontier. VinFast’s approach here is notably pragmatic. Instead of pursuing autonomy through aggressive, capital-intensive experimentation, the company has adopted a staged roadmap that balances ambition with execution discipline.

Starting from Level 2+ and 2++ advanced driver-assistance systems, VinFast is incrementally progressing toward Level 4 autonomy. This progression is not only technological but also strategic, allowing the company to deploy features that generate immediate user value while building the foundation for more advanced capabilities.

A key element of this strategy is selective partnership. Through collaboration with Tensor, VinFast gains access to cutting-edge Level 4 robocar technologies without bearing the full cost of development. In this relationship, VinFast’s role extends beyond manufacturing. It acts as a commercialization platform, bridging the gap between prototype and scalable deployment.

This hybrid model, combining in-house R&D with external innovation, allows VinFast to remain agile while preserving capital efficiency. It also positions the company to participate in emerging mobility segments such as robotaxi services, where the convergence of autonomy, electrification, and platform economics is expected to reshape urban transportation.

Ecosystem Integration as a Long-Term Differentiator

If manufacturing defines capability and autonomy defines direction, ecosystem integration defines VinFast’s long-term differentiation. Unlike many automakers that operate within narrowly defined value chains, VinFast benefits from the broader architecture of Vingroup, where adjacent sectors are developed in parallel and designed to interconnect.

Within this ecosystem, companies such as GSM and V-Green address two of the most persistent barriers to EV adoption: utilization and infrastructure. GSM’s all-electric taxi fleet generates immediate, large-scale demand while familiarizing consumers with electric mobility in everyday contexts. V-Green, meanwhile, expands charging accessibility, reducing friction in ownership and enabling broader adoption.

This integrated model extends beyond mobility into urban development through Vinhomes. Projects such as Vinhomes Green Paradise illustrate how electrification can be embedded into the fabric of city planning, rather than retrofitted onto existing infrastructure. With renewable energy sources, fully electrified transport systems, and low-density construction aligned with environmental preservation, such developments function as living laboratories for sustainable urban ecosystems.

What emerges from this structure is not just synergy, but compounding value. Each component reinforces the others, increased EV adoption drives demand for charging infrastructure; expanded infrastructure supports mobility services; mobility services, in turn, normalize electrification and feed back into vehicle demand. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle that is difficult for competitors operating in isolated segments to replicate.

Ultimately, VinFast’s trajectory suggests a shift in how automotive companies define themselves. The company is positioning itself as a platform, one that integrates production, technology, infrastructure, and lifestyle into a unified proposition.

In a global industry undergoing rapid transformation, this integrated approach may prove decisive. Growth figures, while impressive, are only the surface. The deeper story is about architecture, the deliberate construction of a system capable of scaling not just products, but an entire model of mobility.

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SOURCE VinFast

• Annual Initiative Recognizes Educators Across the U.S. Through Employee Stories and Surprise Recognitions
• $10,000 Awarded to Select Educators Through Heartfelt Employee-Nominated Video Submissions
• Hundreds of Additional Teachers Supported Nationwide through Gifts, Supplies, and Classroom Resources

FISHERS, Ind., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For educators who pour their time, energy, and often their own resources into shaping young lives, appreciation doesn’t always come often. Through its annual Teachers Rock initiative, Round Room, LLC, one of the nation’s largest Verizon Authorized Retailers, is working to change that by surprising teachers across the country with moments of heartfelt recognition, sparked by the very people whose lives they helped. Throughout the initiative, employees shared personal stories of gratitude, resulting in $10,000 awarded to select educators and meaningful classroom support reaching hundreds more nationwide.  

Built by the employees of Round Room and each of its entities, including TCC and Wireless Zone, the Teachers Rock initiative gives staff an opportunity to show appreciation for educators. This year, Round Room invited employees to recognize a teacher who made an impact on their life. Educators nationwide received thoughtful gifts including cozy blankets and essential supplies such as pens, paper and Kleenex, designed to support their needs both inside and outside the classroom.

For one employee, Teacher Rock was an opportunity to honor her high school guidance counselor whose influence extended far beyond the classroom.

“Mrs. Connie White was more than a guidance counselor, she was someone who gave extra time, care and encouragement not only to me, but to so many of my peers,” said Hannah Schutte, Round Room Gives Program Director, who surprised her former guidance counselor during a classroom visit, “Programs like Teachers Rock are one of many reasons I love working at Round Room. Our employees are able to turn gratitude into action and recognize the people who helped shape who we are today.”

The heartfelt teacher surprises and employee stories are featured in a video that captures the emotion and gratitude behind each nomination. The nominations highlighted educators who guided students well beyond academics, shaping character, supporting emotional growth, and offering encouragement when it mattered most.

“What makes Teachers Rock so meaningful is that it’s driven entirely by our employees,” said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room. “These recognitions come from genuine gratitude of teachers who went the extra mile and left a lasting impact. From surprise awards to classroom support across the country, this initiative reflects the heart of our culture and our belief in turning appreciation into action.”

Teachers Rock is a part of Round Room’s quarterly community giveback initiatives, which focus on addressing different needs throughout the year based on employee passions and local impact opportunities.

The Round Room Way: Community at the Core
Philanthropy is woven into the fabric of Round Room, driven by the passion and creativity of its employees and store owners. From local backpack giveaways enhanced with dunk tanks, obstacle courses, and partner giveaways, to national quarterly initiatives that support teachers, pet rescues and those affected by domestic violence, the company is committed to making a real impact. With over $10 million donated through its community grant program, benefiting more than 2,000 local nonprofits, Round Room continues to uplift communities through both grassroots efforts and large-scale giving.

To learn more about Round Room and their philanthropic commitments, visit roundroom.com/our-impact

About Round Room, LLC
Founded on a mission and deep commitment of giving back to employees, customers, and the communities it serves, Round Room is one of the largest Verizon-authorized retailers in the U.S. Its collective portfolio of brands includes TCC, Wireless Zone, and Culture of Good. With more than 1,300 TCC and Wireless Zone retail locations across 43 states, Round Room has donated more than $10M to various causes through ongoing giveback initiatives. The company’s efforts have also been recognized through the Top Workplaces USA 2025 award and Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award. To learn more about Round Room, visit www.RoundRoom.com.

About TCC
Founded in 1991, TCC is a Verizon wireless retailer that operates over 500 locations from coast to coast and employs upwards of 1,900 people. As a certified ‘Culture of Good’ company, TCC encourages employees to give back in every community it serves through its Community Grant program, volunteer opportunities, and local philanthropic events. TCC has been recognized with several notable awards including Inc. Magazine’s Best in Business, Top Workplaces USA, and Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. To learn more about TCC or to find a location near you, visit www.TCCRocks.com. For more information about TCC’s parent company, Round Room, LLC, visit www.RoundRoom.com.

About Wireless Zone
Wireless Zone^® is the nation’s largest wireless retail franchisor with 790 independently owned and operated Verizon wireless stores across the U.S. Founded in 1988, Wireless Zone has earned prestigious industry rankings on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 and Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchise in 2025. From franchisees to corporate employees, each team member plays a critical role in its giveback efforts through system-wide fundraising campaigns or nominating a local charity for a community grant. The system is franchised and operated by Wireless Zone, LLC. Visit www.WirelessZone.com for more information or www.RoundRoom.com to learn about its parent company, Round Room, LLC.

Media Contact: Jessica Cahill, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300 or jcahill@fishmanpr.com   

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SOURCE Round Room (TCC | Wireless Zone)

Recipients include 86 nonprofit organizations across American Water’s national footprint

CAMDEN, N.J., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., awarded a combined total of $1,502,392 million to 86 organizations in 13 states, supporting communities served by American Water through the Foundation’s 2026 Water and Environment Grant Program.

“The HeartLands Conservancy is proud to be a 2026 Water and Environment grant recipient and is grateful for the American Water Charitable Foundation’s continued partnership,” said Mary Vandevord, President & CEO, The HeartLands Conservancy. “With this funding, the Conservancy will continue to advance Phase 4 of our Exploration Garden: A Raindrop’s Journey, transforming a former golf course into an interactive, educational landscape that brings learning to life while demonstrating nature‑based solutions that improve biodiversity and water quality, strengthen environmental stewardship, and benefit The Metro East Community and greater region for generations to come.”

Grant recipients positively impact communities served by American Water’s regulated subsidiaries in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Regional events to celebrate local efforts are forthcoming.

“Through the Water and Environment Grant Program, the American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to support projects that protect clean water, promote conservation, expand environmental education, and create meaningful water‑based experiences in communities served by American Water,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. “Guided by our core passion for water, we are pleased to invest in local efforts that help protect the environment and strengthen communities.”

The Water and Environment grant is part of the Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, which focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.

Due to the volume of grant applications received, each application was evaluated on a competitive basis. The Foundation strives to fund programs with a strong impact and measurable outcomes within its funding priorities.

Learn more about the American Water Charitable Foundation and the 2026 Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program here. 

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water, focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested over $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.

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SOURCE American Water

SHENZHEN, China, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 57th World Earth Day is being observed on April 22, 2026, under a theme calling for the protection of natural resources. Weeks later, the 18th China International Battery Fair (CIBF2026), one of the world’s largest gatherings focused on battery technology and sustainable energy, is set to open from May 13 to 15 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center. Organized by the China Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS) under the theme “Connecting the Globe, Empowering Green Energy and Driving the Future,” the 280,000-square meter event will draw over 3,100 exhibitors from China and abroad.

The Earth Day theme aligns with a broader push toward peak emissions and carbon neutrality, increasingly reflected in regulatory requirements, industrial standards, and procurement expectations across the supply chain. Much of this shift is now taking place at the industrial level, where battery manufacturing, energy storage, and recycling are moving toward lower-emission production and more circular resource use.

Regulatory activity around zero-carbon factories and battery recycling has picked up this year. In China, five central government departments jointly issued guidelines on January 14 to promote the construction of zero-carbon factories, identifying key sectors (lithium batteries among them) for pilot zero-carbon projects. Furthermore, new regulations governing power battery recycling took effect on April 1, introducing tighter oversight across collection channels, processing stages, and the full product lifecycle. Together, these measures signal tighter timelines and more defined compliance requirements.

Across international markets, the European Union’s New Battery Regulation is phasing in carbon footprint thresholds and mandating digital battery passports, provisions that tie a manufacturer’s carbon footprint directly to market access in the EU. Major automakers, including Volkswagen and BMW, have already established their own carbon neutrality targets and are pushing decarbonization requirements down through their battery supply chains.

With these regulatory forces converging globally, CIBF2026 is positioned to serve as a key venue for advancing the zero-carbon transition. The fair will span the full industrial spectrum: power batteries, energy storage systems, raw materials, advanced manufacturing equipment, and recycling technologies, covering the full battery value chain, from upstream materials to downstream recycling.

As a key industry event, CIBF2026 serves as a venue where industry requirements, manufacturing deployment, and emerging technologies intersect, offering a platform for both technical exchange and international engagement. Leading global battery manufacturers, including CATL, BYD, EVE Energy, Gotion High-tech, and Sunwoda, have confirmed their participation and are expected to present their latest advances in lower-emission manufacturing and lifecycle management.

The exhibition will also highlight green innovations across the entire battery value chain. From low-carbon precursors and recycled materials at the upstream end, to cleaner manufacturing equipment and low-emission processes at the production stage, and extending to high-efficiency dismantling technologies downstream—the event will present a full range of solutions focused on reducing lifecycle emissions, while enabling more direct exchanges of technical know-how between market participants across China and international supply chains.

Spanning materials, manufacturing, and recycling, China’s battery supply chain is increasingly functioning as an integrated system that improves efficiency and reduces emissions. This shift is driven by companies’ responses to both regulatory mandates and changing customer expectations in global markets.

As a leading platform for sustainable battery industry development, CIBF2026 will host a concurrent lineup of high-level forums, including the CIBF2026 Conference on the Frontier Technology of Advanced Batteries, the Conference on Next Generation Battery Technology and Advanced Manufacturing for Electric Aviation, the 6th China International Conference on New Energy Storage Technology and Engineering Application, the Annual Conference of the CIAPS Lithium Iron Phosphate Materials Branch, and the 3rd Battery Passport and Sustainable Development Technology Seminar. These sessions will bring together business leaders, industry experts, and researchers to engage in focused discussions on manufacturing pathways, circular economy models, and carbon footprint management, with an emphasis on practical implementation, standards alignment, and cross-border interoperability.

On the occasion of Earth Day, companies, experts, researchers, and professionals from across the global renewable energy community are invited to gather in Shenzhen for CIBF2026 to align industry efforts toward a lower-emission global supply chain, accelerate the transition to more sustainable energy systems, and deepen cross-border collaboration in real-world applications.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-earth-day-2026-highlights-zero-carbon-push-as-cibf2026-prepares-to-gather-global-battery-industry-302750388.html

SOURCE China Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS)

SHENZHEN, China, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 57th World Earth Day is being observed on April 22, 2026, under a theme calling for the protection of natural resources. Weeks later, the 18th China International Battery Fair (CIBF2026), one of the world’s largest gatherings focused on battery technology and sustainable energy, is set to open from May 13 to 15 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center. Organized by the China Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS) under the theme “Connecting the Globe, Empowering Green Energy and Driving the Future,” the 280,000-square meter event will draw over 3,100 exhibitors from China and abroad.

The Earth Day theme aligns with a broader push toward peak emissions and carbon neutrality, increasingly reflected in regulatory requirements, industrial standards, and procurement expectations across the supply chain. Much of this shift is now taking place at the industrial level, where battery manufacturing, energy storage, and recycling are moving toward lower-emission production and more circular resource use.

Regulatory activity around zero-carbon factories and battery recycling has picked up this year. In China, five central government departments jointly issued guidelines on January 14 to promote the construction of zero-carbon factories, identifying key sectors (lithium batteries among them) for pilot zero-carbon projects. Furthermore, new regulations governing power battery recycling took effect on April 1, introducing tighter oversight across collection channels, processing stages, and the full product lifecycle. Together, these measures signal tighter timelines and more defined compliance requirements.

Across international markets, the European Union’s New Battery Regulation is phasing in carbon footprint thresholds and mandating digital battery passports, provisions that tie a manufacturer’s carbon footprint directly to market access in the EU. Major automakers, including Volkswagen and BMW, have already established their own carbon neutrality targets and are pushing decarbonization requirements down through their battery supply chains.

With these regulatory forces converging globally, CIBF2026 is positioned to serve as a key venue for advancing the zero-carbon transition. The fair will span the full industrial spectrum: power batteries, energy storage systems, raw materials, advanced manufacturing equipment, and recycling technologies, covering the full battery value chain, from upstream materials to downstream recycling.

As a key industry event, CIBF2026 serves as a venue where industry requirements, manufacturing deployment, and emerging technologies intersect, offering a platform for both technical exchange and international engagement. Leading global battery manufacturers, including CATL, BYD, EVE Energy, Gotion High-tech, and Sunwoda, have confirmed their participation and are expected to present their latest advances in lower-emission manufacturing and lifecycle management.

The exhibition will also highlight green innovations across the entire battery value chain. From low-carbon precursors and recycled materials at the upstream end, to cleaner manufacturing equipment and low-emission processes at the production stage, and extending to high-efficiency dismantling technologies downstream—the event will present a full range of solutions focused on reducing lifecycle emissions, while enabling more direct exchanges of technical know-how between market participants across China and international supply chains.

Spanning materials, manufacturing, and recycling, China’s battery supply chain is increasingly functioning as an integrated system that improves efficiency and reduces emissions. This shift is driven by companies’ responses to both regulatory mandates and changing customer expectations in global markets.

As a leading platform for sustainable battery industry development, CIBF2026 will host a concurrent lineup of high-level forums, including the CIBF2026 Conference on the Frontier Technology of Advanced Batteries, the Conference on Next Generation Battery Technology and Advanced Manufacturing for Electric Aviation, the 6th China International Conference on New Energy Storage Technology and Engineering Application, the Annual Conference of the CIAPS Lithium Iron Phosphate Materials Branch, and the 3rd Battery Passport and Sustainable Development Technology Seminar. These sessions will bring together business leaders, industry experts, and researchers to engage in focused discussions on manufacturing pathways, circular economy models, and carbon footprint management, with an emphasis on practical implementation, standards alignment, and cross-border interoperability.

On the occasion of Earth Day, companies, experts, researchers, and professionals from across the global renewable energy community are invited to gather in Shenzhen for CIBF2026 to align industry efforts toward a lower-emission global supply chain, accelerate the transition to more sustainable energy systems, and deepen cross-border collaboration in real-world applications.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-earth-day-2026-highlights-zero-carbon-push-as-cibf2026-prepares-to-gather-global-battery-industry-302750388.html

SOURCE China Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS)