Author: Shaun Williams

Alphabet’s autonomous ride-hailing unit Waymo has completed 10 million paid trips, co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said on Tuesday, as the company doubles down on expanding operations and fending off emerging competition from Tesla. Speaking at the Google I/O developer conference, Mawakana said the milestone reflects broader adoption of the company’s autonomous driving technology across key markets. “These are all paid trips, and they represent people who are really integrating Waymo Driver into their everyday lives,” she told CNBC. The 10 million figure includes rides completed in Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the Phoenix metropolitan area. Waymo is currently delivering over…

Volkswagen plans to phase out the “ID” branding used for its electric vehicles beginning in 2026, as the German automaker seeks to simplify its product lineup and reduce consumer confusion. The decision marks a shift in strategy for one of Europe’s largest carmakers as it repositions itself in the increasingly competitive EV landscape. The move will see Volkswagen abandon the alphanumeric “ID” prefix—originally launched in 2017 with the ID.3 concept and subsequently used across models such as the ID.4, ID.5, and ID.7—in favor of more traditional model names. “The cars will get proper names again,” said Martin Sander, Volkswagen’s board…

UK transport operator Stagecoach has announced its first fully electric bus fleet and depot, to be based in Stockton-on-Tees, North East England. The facility will host a new lineup of electric vehicles, including Yutong E12 buses and Stagecoach’s first Yutong electric double-decker (DD), as the company continues efforts to decarbonise its national fleet. While Stagecoach has previously introduced electric buses alongside conventional diesel and petrol vehicles, the Stockton depot will be the company’s first location to run an entirely electric fleet. Stagecoach has not disclosed the number of EVs to be deployed at the site but confirmed that the fleet…

Xpeng announced plans to launch its next-generation P7 coupe sedan in China between July and August, aiming to capture the mid-to-high-end sedan market domestically and overseas. Internally codenamed E29, the new P7 will replace the existing P7i model, with a target price around RMB 300,000 ($41,600), the company said in a statement. The P7, Xpeng’s first sedan, debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2019 and launched in April 2020, quickly gaining popularity for its sleek design. It delivered over 60,000 units in 2021 and nearly 60,000 in 2022, making up a significant portion of Xpeng’s sales in those…

Chinese tech giant Baidu is preparing to introduce its Apollo Go robotaxi service to Europe, expanding its presence beyond Hong Kong, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal citing sources familiar with the matter. Baidu is reportedly in discussions with PostAuto, a subsidiary of Swiss Post responsible for public bus services, to collaborate on deploying Apollo Go in Switzerland. The company plans to establish a local entity in Switzerland in the coming months and aims to begin testing the autonomous driving technology by the end of 2025. Baidu also has plans to roll out Apollo Go in Turkey.…

Waymo is recalling more than 1,200 of its self-driving vehicles to address a software issue linked to collisions with roadway barriers, such as gates and chains, the company said on Wednesday. The move follows an ongoing investigation by U.S. auto safety regulators into the performance of its automated driving system. The recall affects 1,212 vehicles equipped with Waymo’s fifth-generation automated driving software. According to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Alphabet-owned firm identified 16 incidents involving contact with fixed roadside objects between 2022 and late 2024. No injuries were reported. See also: Waymo to Build…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD plans to set up a European centre in Hungary as part of its strategy to expand its presence on the continent, according to company officials and Hungarian authorities. The new facility will create approximately 2,000 jobs and serve as a base for sales and after-sales services, vehicle testing, and the development of locally tailored models. See also: BYD Launches Sealion 7 SUV in Hungary Amid Overseas Expansion The announcement was made during a joint news conference held in Budapest with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. BYD, which already operates an electric bus assembly plant in…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has overtaken Toyota to become the best-selling car brand in Singapore so far this year, government data showed, marking a significant milestone in the company’s overseas expansion strategy. From January through April 2025, BYD sold 3,002 vehicles in Singapore, accounting for 20% of total car sales, ahead of Toyota’s 2,050 units and well above Tesla’s 535 units during the same period. Toyota had previously dominated Singapore’s auto market, delivering 7,876 vehicles in 2024 compared to BYD’s 6,191 units. However, BYD’s rapid growth highlights the Chinese automaker’s push to expand globally amid intensifying competition and…

Hyundai has introduced a lease offer and financing incentives for its upcoming 2026 Ioniq 9 electric SUV, positioning the three-row vehicle as a strong contender in the growing electric vehicle market. According to dealer communications cited by CarsDirect, the new Ioniq 9 S can be leased for $419 per month over 36 months with $4,999 due at signing, based on a 10,000-mile annual limit. The effective monthly cost stands at $558. See also: Hyundai Launches ELEXIO Electric SUV in China with 700 km Range and 800V Fast-Charging While slightly higher than the newly introduced Tesla Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel…

BorgWarner has announced a significant contract with a leading global automaker to supply its advanced 400-volt high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) technology for a range of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The deal, set to begin production in 2027, marks a major step forward for the company in the growing hybrid vehicle sector. The HVCH technology will be integrated into popular vehicle types, including mid-size pickup trucks, SUVs, and minivans. This contract represents BorgWarner’s largest HVCH deal for PHEVs in North America. The HVCH is designed to maintain optimal battery and cabin temperatures, crucial for ensuring performance and comfort, especially in…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) plans to raise up to $4 billion through a global offering of H-shares in its upcoming listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, according to an updated prospectus released on Sunday. The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery maker will offer 118 million H-shares between May 12 and May 15, priced at no more than HK$263 each. The shares are scheduled to begin trading on May 20 at 9 a.m. local time, with lots of 100 shares. At the top end of the pricing range, the company could raise as much as HK$31 billion ($3.99…

Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development and Technology has extended a grant offer worth approximately €290 million to U.S.-based battery recycling company Ascend Elements to support the construction of a production facility for recycled cathode precursor materials. The site for the project has already been selected, but the company has not yet made a final investment decision. The proposed plant will be built and operated solely by Ascend Elements and will use its proprietary hydro-to-cathode technology to manufacture sustainable nickel, manganese, and cobalt (NMC) precursors from recycled lithium-ion batteries. It marks a significant expansion of the company’s European footprint, following its…