Author: Shaun Williams

Bosch has announced that Chief Executive Officer Stefan Hartung will step down on June 30, despite receiving a contract extension through 2031 last year. The company said the leadership change comes at Hartung’s own request and was agreed in consultation with the company’s shareholders. Christian Fischer, currently Deputy Chairman of the Board of Management, will succeed him as CEO. Leadership Transition Hartung joined Bosch in 2003 after beginning his career at McKinsey and has served as chief executive for the past four and a half years. In a company statement, Hartung said he plans to pursue activities outside the Bosch…

Smart has indicated that its upcoming #2 electric city car could launch in Europe with a starting price below €22,500, as the company prepares to reintroduce its two-seat urban vehicle concept. The Smart #2 is expected to arrive next year as the battery-electric successor to the Fortwo, with production initially planned in China. Affordable Electric City Car Speaking about the upcoming model, Smart Europe CEO Wolfgang Ufer said the entry-level version is expected to be priced below the midpoint of the €20,000 to €25,000 range. While the final price has yet to be confirmed, Smart plans to announce full pricing…

Mazda has begun exporting the right-hand-drive version of its all-electric 6e sedan, with the first overseas shipment arriving in Thailand as the automaker expands the model into international markets. The initial shipment of 500 vehicles recently reached Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi Province, where deliveries to Thai customers are expected to begin after import procedures are completed, potentially in early July. First Right-Hand-Drive Market The Mazda 6e is produced by Changan Mazda at its manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China. The model debuted in the Chinese market in 2024 as the Mazda EZ-6, where it is available in both battery-electric and…

General Motors is reportedly developing a next-generation electric vehicle platform, internally known as BEV-N, that is expected to replace its current BEV3 architecture later this decade. According to GM Authority, citing sources familiar with the matter, the new platform could enter production in late 2028 or early 2029, forming the foundation for the automaker’s future battery-electric vehicle lineup. Successor to BEV3 Platform The BEV3 architecture has served as General Motors’ primary electric vehicle platform since 2022, underpinning a broad range of models across several brands. The Cadillac Lyriq was the first production vehicle built on the platform, followed by models…

Legacy automakers in the United States, Japan and Europe are at risk of falling further behind competitors that are accelerating their electric vehicle strategies, according to the latest Global Automaker Rating published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The report found that global electric vehicle (EV) sales continued to grow in 2025, accounting for one in four new vehicles sold worldwide, compared with one in five in 2024. While most manufacturers increased the share of EVs in their sales mix, the ranking points to an increasing divide between companies expanding their electric portfolios and those slowing their transition.…

The government of New South Wales (NSW) has committed A$6.5 billion over the next decade to expand its electric bus fleet, with funding allocated for 1,700 battery-electric buses and the construction of 17 charging depots. The investment forms part of the state’s latest budget and is intended to accelerate the transition of public transport away from diesel-powered buses while supporting local manufacturing and charging infrastructure. Expanding the Electric Bus Fleet The funding builds on NSW’s Zero Emission Buses programme, which aims to replace more than 8,000 internal combustion engine (ICE) buses operating across the state’s public transport network. According to…

Nissan has reportedly halted development of a battery-electric version of its Qashqai SUV, casting uncertainty over one of the three electric vehicle programs previously planned for the company’s Sunderland manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom. According to a Reuters report citing six sources familiar with the matter, development of the all-electric Qashqai was suspended in early 2025 as Nissan reassessed its electrification strategy amid changing market conditions in Europe. Nissan declined to comment specifically on the reported cancellation but reiterated its commitment to expanding its electrified vehicle lineup, including both battery-electric and hybrid models. Best-Selling Model Affected The Qashqai is…

NEXEN TIRE has secured its first original equipment (OE) supply agreement with Chinese automaker BYD, marking a new partnership between the two companies as BYD continues expanding its presence in international markets. Under the agreement, NEXEN TIRE will supply tires for the BYD SEAL 6 and Dolphin Surf models destined for export markets in Australia and Europe. The deal represents NEXEN’s first OE supply program with BYD and expands the tire manufacturer’s involvement in the growing electric vehicle segment. Tires Selected for Export Models For the BYD SEAL 6, NEXEN will provide its N’FERA Sport ultra-high-performance summer tire. The tire…

African electric mobility company Spiro has completed its latest funding round at $270 million following a $55 million investment from growth-stage investment firm NewTrails Capital. The company said the financing will support the expansion of its battery-swapping network, manufacturing operations and electric vehicle infrastructure across several African markets. New Investment Finalizes Funding Round The latest investment was provided by NewTrails Capital, a growth-focused fund with operations in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Nigeria that invests in emerging markets. The funding closes Spiro’s most recent capital raise, which also received backing from several institutional and impact investors, including the Fund for Export Development…

Lucid Group is cutting approximately 18% of its U.S. workforce and eliminating a production shift at its Arizona manufacturing facility as the electric vehicle maker seeks to reduce costs and better align production with demand, CNBC reported. The latest round of layoffs comes just four months after the company reduced its workforce by 12%, underscoring ongoing challenges facing the luxury EV manufacturer despite positive reviews for its vehicles. Restructuring Under New Leadership The workforce reduction was announced alongside the departure of former interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Marc Winterhoff. Lucid also confirmed it is eliminating the Chief…

Bosch eBike Systems has unveiled its first hub motor for electric bicycles, marking a significant expansion beyond the mid-drive motors that have long defined the company’s product lineup. The new drive unit, called Hub Line, is designed specifically for urban e-bikes and is accompanied by the launch of the PowerTube 360, the most compact battery in Bosch’s portfolio to date. The company also introduced new connectivity, display, and security features aimed at city riders. Bosch Expands Beyond Mid-Drive Motors Bosch eBike Systems has traditionally focused on mid-drive motor technology, which dominates much of the premium e-bike market. With the launch…

Audi has started series production of its new MEBeco electric drive system, also known as the APP290, at its manufacturing facility in Győr, Hungary, marking a significant step in Volkswagen Group’s plans to expand electric vehicle production in Europe. The new powertrain will first be installed in the all-electric Cupra Raval before being deployed across several upcoming compact electric models developed under Volkswagen Group’s small EV program. €350 Million Investment Supports Production Launch Audi Hungaria has been preparing the Győr facility for production of the new electric drive system since 2022. The project involved investments totaling approximately €350 million, with…