Author: Alexander Reed

Mercedes-Benz has decided to halt the development of its electric platform “MB.EA-Large,” which was intended for the electrification of its largest saloons and SUVs starting from 2028. This change comes as the company faces disappointing sales figures for its current luxury electric cars, prompting the need for “tough cuts,” according to a report by the German Handelsblatt newspaper, citing insiders. The decision to pause the development of “MB.EA-Large” reflects a broader reorientation at Mercedes-Benz, driven in part by a misjudgment by Group CEO Ola Källenius regarding the pace of sales growth for electric vehicles. The company had previously aimed to…

Electric vehicle (EV) maker Fisker has alerted its employees about the looming possibility of layoffs and the closure of its facility within the next two months if the company fails to secure its financial footing. In an email seen by Insider and reportedly confirmed by several Fisker Inc. employees, the EV startup acknowledged its ongoing efforts to tackle cash flow challenges. These efforts include engaging in discussions with potential buyers and investors, as well as exploring potential restructuring options. However, the email also cautioned that “there is a possibility… that these efforts will not be successful.” See also: Henrik Fisker’s Los…

Tesla released its first-quarter earnings report today, following a challenging quarter marked by production and delivery hurdles. The electric vehicle (EV) maker produced 433,371 vehicles and delivered 386,810 vehicles during Q1, falling short of Wall Street analysts’ expectations of 449,080 deliveries and 452,976 vehicles produced. The difficulties faced by Tesla in Q1 were attributed to various factors, including the initial stages of the updated Model 3 ramp-up at the Fremont factory, shipping disruptions caused by the Red Sea conflict, and an arson attack at Gigafactory Berlin, as stated in the Q1 vehicle delivery and production report. Tesla reported total revenues…

Sony has expanded its line of in-car audiovisual receivers with the introduction of the XAV-AX3700, a compact and affordable model packed with features typically found in higher-end receivers. The new receiver boasts support for FLAC audio files, LDAC codec, and Apple CarPlay, making it a versatile and user-friendly option for car audio enthusiasts. Priced at $399.99, the XAV-AX3700 offers a more budget-friendly alternative to Sony’s AX8500 sibling, which is currently priced at $898 on Amazon. Despite the lower price, both receivers feature iDatalink Maestro and 3-pre out links, ensuring high-quality audio output. One of the standout features of the XAV-AX3700…

German logistics hardware and software provider Identytec has filed a lawsuit against Volkswagen, alleging that the automotive giant infringed its trademark rights with the use of the ‘ID’ element in its electric vehicle series. Identytec, which has been using the acronym “ID.” in various forms for over 15 years, claims that Volkswagen, a former customer, was aware of its trademark series with the initial element “ID.” The company registered a large number of trademarks with this element starting in March 2013, including names like ID.CONNECTOR, ID.SHELF, and ID.TAG. “We were all the more surprised when, in 2020, Volkswagen began to…

German automaker BMW, in collaboration with energy company E.ON, has unveiled their much-anticipated solution for smart charging and connecting BMW and Mini vehicles to home PV systems. The “Connected Home Charging” package, initially announced in May 2023, is now available for order directly from BMW, marking a significant step towards intelligent and sustainable electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. The product, which was slated for launch in several European countries in the second half of 2023 but was rolled out in the first half of 2024, is set to pilot in Germany, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Customers in these…

Honda has unveiled its latest electric vehicle (EV) brand, “Ye” (烨in Chinese), in China, marking its third brand in the country aimed at targeting the booming EV market and regaining relevance in the world’s largest EV market. The new Ye brand will cater to the specific needs of Chinese customers and will be based on the all-electric Architecture W architecture, Honda announced at a launch event. The company plans to introduce six models under the Ye brand in China by 2027, as part of its strategy to achieve a 100 percent electrification transition in the country by 2035. Three new…

Formula E’s much-anticipated debut of its new “Attack Charge” mid-race charging system, scheduled for this weekend’s race in Misano, Italy, has been delayed once again, with no new date set for its implementation. The series has been planning to introduce a mid-race charging stop for several years as a way to showcase fast-charging technology. Initially, in the first Formula E season, drivers would swap from one car to another with a fully charged battery. However, this system was replaced with the Gen2 cars in 2018 and the Gen3 car, introduced last season, promised mid-race fast-charging capability. Despite the promise, mid-race…

Consumer Reports has delivered a scathing review of Fisker’s Ocean SUV, adding to the electric vehicle maker’s woes. The report comes amidst a series of challenges for the company, including a plummeting stock price, halted production, and reports of hiring bankruptcy advisors. In their review, Consumer Reports likened the experience of driving the Ocean to “ordering pizza at a new, buzzy restaurant, only to get a pie with undercooked dough and no sauce because the tomatoes are still growing.” The publication highlighted numerous software issues, echoing concerns raised by tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee. One tester at Consumer Reports remarked, “This…

BYD has made its entry into the Greek market by collaborating with dealer partner Sfakianakis Group, marking a significant step in its international expansion strategy. The first two BYD models to be introduced in Greece through Sfakianakis Group are the Atto 3 and the Seal, as announced in a recent press release. In China, the Atto 3 is known as the Yuan Plus. Following the launch of the Atto 3 and Seal, BYD’s Dolphin, the Seal U, is set to be the next model introduced in Greece, available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)…

Pham Nhat Vuong, the founder of Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast, has announced the launch of a new EV charging stations company called V-Green. Vuong, a billionaire, stated that V-Green would prioritize supporting VinFast vehicles globally and operate as a global partner, leading the development of a comprehensive charging network. “V-Green will directly search for land and partners to establish and expand its charging network in key markets of VinFast,” Vuong said in a statement. VinFast, founded by Vuong in 2017 and listed on the Nasdaq last year, has ambitious plans to expand to at least 50 countries in…

Rivian has officially unveiled its highly anticipated R2 electric SUV, showcasing several unexpected features that had not been previously disclosed despite some leaks leading up to the event. Ahead of the unveiling, details about the R2 had emerged through leaks, including a potential range of up to 330 miles, a starting price of $45,000, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds, and an anticipated release in 2026. However, the actual event revealed several surprises and updates to these leaked specifications. The design of the R2, which had been partially revealed in leaked images, closely resembles Rivian’s existing R1S…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Aiways is in discussions with investors to recommence production of its current models and create a new, budget-friendly vehicle, aiming to transition into an export-only brand, a company spokesman revealed on Tuesday. The company ceased production at its Shangrao plant last summer and has since been engaged in trial production of its U5 and U6 EV models as negotiations with investors advance, stated Bernd Abel, the overseas communications director at Aiways, in an interview with Reuters. See also: Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Aiways Appoints New CEO and Shifts Focus to Overseas Markets Abel emphasized the necessity of a…

Influential U.S. magazine Consumer Reports declared electrified vehicles, including hybrids and fully electric cars, as increasingly desirable compared to their gasoline counterparts, as it added seven such vehicles to its top-ten picks for 2024, in a statement on Tuesday. Toyota’s electrified lineup dominated the list with four models, including the Prius and a hybrid variant of its popular Camry sedan. Tesla’s Model Y, Ford’s Maverick Hybrid pickup truck, and BMW’s X5 PHEV also secured spots on the coveted list. See also: Consumer Reports Survey Reveals Electric Vehicle Reliability Challenges Despite Rising Popularity The magazine noted a significant rise in the…

Fiat, part of the Stellantis brand, has unveiled a glimpse into its electric future with five concept vehicles set to lead to series models by 2027, starting with a small electric car in July 2024. “These are the next steps in the creation of the Brand’s product line-up,” Fiat CEO Olivier Francois said. The concept cars depart from Fiat’s previous approach with the 500 electric, instead using a multi-energy platform from Stellantis for electric, hybrid, and pure combustion engines, likely the STLA Small and STLA Medium platforms. The first new Fiat model is expected to be the Pandina small electric…

Lucid Motors, the California-based electric vehicle (EV) startup, is gearing up to open a new $10 million engineering and research office in Southfield this April, a source confirmed to The Detroit News on Friday. The startup, known for its luxury EVs such as the Air sedan and the upcoming Gravity SUV, is slated to present its proposal for the new facility to the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Strategic Fund Board on Tuesday. The company is seeking a $6 million performance-based grant to support the initiative. See also: Lucid Reports Q4 2023 Results, Eyes Prudent Growth in 2024 The Southfield office is…

Former Nikola CEO Trevor Milton is pushing back against the Board of Directors’ recent decision to reject his five director nominees, a move that could signal a potential showdown between the embattled company’s founder and its current leadership. Milton had nominated Cole Cannon, Derek Johnson, Hans Peterson, Paul Southam, and Dave Sparks, known for his HeavyD YouTube channel, to join Nikola’s Board of Directors. However, the current Board swiftly rejected these nominations, citing concerns over the nominees’ lack of experience in public companies and their perceived lack of relevant skills. See also: Nikola Rejects Director Nominees Backed by Trevor Milton…

Commercial EV manufacturer Xos, Inc. has joined forces with renowned lifestyle vehicle expert Winnebago to further electrify the commercial segment. The partnership has yielded a fully electric chassis designed to support Winnebago’s specialty vehicle division, known for its custom builds of Class C RVs and Class A EV buses for various use cases. Xos, Inc. ($XOS) is an emerging commercial EV startup based in Southern California, specializing in Class 5 to 8 trucks, electric powertrains, and fleet management software called “Xosphere.” Its EVs have been purchased by last-mile delivery giants like FedEx Ground and Penske, as well as armored EVs…

Swiss technology group ABB announced on Tuesday that Morten Wierod, currently Head of the Electrification division, will take over as Chief Executive Officer from Björn Rosengren, effective August 1, 2024. Wierod, 52, has been with ABB since 1998 and has been a member of the Executive Committee since 2019. He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The company stated that Rosengren will relinquish his position as CEO on July 31 and will leave ABB completely at the end of the year. To ensure a smooth transition, Rosengren will provide advice and…

Tesla revealed exciting additions to its Cybertruck customization options. The Tesla Shop now offers three new wrap colors for the Cybertruck, expanding beyond the previously available Satin Stealth Black and Satin Ceramic White options. The new colors include Satin Rose Gold, Satin Abyss Blue, and Slip Grey. Among these, the Satin Abyss Blue wrap has garnered significant attention and appears to be the most popular choice among Tesla enthusiasts, based on comments following Tesla’s announcement. See also: Tesla’s Cybertruck “Wade Mode” Tested: Can It Really Swim? Tesla’s Cybertruck wraps, also known as color paint film, come with a price range of…