The auto world is starting to show signs of stress cracks and fatigue — not an outright crisis, but at least moments of self-doubt after a decade of bullishness.

While Rivian, Faraday Future, Bollinger Motors and a handful of other startups have garnered headlines as they seek investors for their electric vehicles, Karma Automotive decided to stay out of the news until it had a salable vehicle.

People are getting more comfortable using multiple options for transportation, but one expert says there is more at stake than convenience: There is also comfort.

With automakers diverting product development funds from next-generation internal combustion engines, the pressure is on suppliers to find low-cost ways to improve engine efficiency.