Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio unveiled a proposal on Tuesday to significantly increase tariffs on Chinese vehicle imports by $20,000, aiming to curb what he called China’s efforts to “flood U.S. auto markets” and protect American automakers and workers. Rubio, who serves as the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, also announced plans to introduce legislation that would expand tariffs to include vehicles produced by Chinese automakers in other countries, such as Mexico. Additionally, the proposed legislation would restrict subsidies for electric vehicles to those that comply with stringent North American free trade rules. See also: China Sets Sights on…

Tesla has officially announced the opening of its Supercharger network to non-Tesla electric vehicles, with Ford being the first automaker to participate. While more OEMs are expected to join the program throughout 2024, analysts predict that this move could become a multi-billion-dollar business for Tesla in the coming years. The decision comes after several automakers adopted Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug and charger system last year. Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, praised the partnership, highlighting that “it works great” for Ford customers. For non-Tesla EV owners, accessing the Supercharger network offers clear advantages in terms of speed, reliability, and…

Li Auto has officially unveiled updates to its existing models, the Li L7, Li L8, and Li L9, at a launch event in Beijing, marking the company’s headquarters. Unlike many other Chinese EV makers who have lowered prices through model updates, the updates to the L-series models include configuration upgrades and price hikes for two Pro trims. See also: Li Auto Officially Launches Li Mega Electric MPV with Starting Price of $77,770 and Ranges up to 710 km The main updates to the L-series include an upgrade of the cockpit chip to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip, along with enhancements to…

Dacia’s Sandero continues to dominate as the brand’s best-selling vehicle, with an impressive 235,000 units sold in 2023. Despite its success, the Sandero, which also ranks as the second best-selling vehicle in Europe during the same period, has yet to offer an electrified option. However, Dacia is poised to join the electric revolution, announcing plans to introduce a battery-electric variant of the Sandero with its next generation in 2027 or 2028, aligning with EU regulations mandating manufacturers to transition to electric vehicles. See also: Dacia CEO Unveils Plans for Affordable Electric Sandero Hatchback in 2027 or 2028 Denis Le Vot, Dacia’s…

Ford Performance has released a teaser for a new high-performance version of the F-150 Lightning, set to compete at the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The teaser image hints at a low and wide vehicle, possibly featuring a massive rear wing, leading to speculation that this could be the Supertruck teased by F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo last year. While Ford has not provided additional details, it has confirmed that the vehicle will race as competitor No. 150. This move follows Ford’s record-breaking performance at last year’s event with the electric SuperVan 4.2, driven by Romain Dumas,…

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N has emerged as one of the top three finalists for the prestigious 2024 World Performance Car award. The World Car Awards, featuring over 100 international jurors who test-drive and vote on eligible vehicles, will announce the final winners on March 27 during the 2024 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). “Hyundai Motor’s nominations for this year’s competition reflect the company’s growing stature on the global stage and build on its past success at the World Car Awards,” stated the South Korean car company. “Previously, Hyundai Motor’s Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 were back-to-back triple winners of…

The Tesla Model Y has shown strong performance in recent crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), demonstrating safety levels comparable to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The IIHS’s new, more rigorous testing procedures did not pose significant challenges for the Model Y, which achieved solid results. In one test, the Model Y exhibited notable resilience, scoring -30cm in the “B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat” assessment. This measurement indicates the extent of deformation in the crushed area, stopping short of the seat centerline. By comparison, the Volvo XC90, a well-known safety leader among…

Luxury carmaker Aston Martin has announced a one-year delay in the launch of its first battery electric vehicle (BEV). The London-listed company now plans to introduce the BEV in 2026, pushing back from its earlier target of 2025. Aston Martin’s decision to delay follows the signing of a supply agreement last June with Saudi Arabia-backed Lucid Group, a move aimed at strengthening its electrification strategy. See also: Lucid Sets Its Sights on Expanding Technology Supply Business Following Aston Martin Deal The company stated, “With Aston Martin’s technical partnerships now in place, the Company’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) is now targeted…

Schaeffler, the German automotive supplier, has announced plans to invest over 230 million US dollars (around 212 million euros) in two sites in the state of Ohio by 2032, focusing on electric vehicle components. The company will construct a new production facility in Dover and expand its existing plant in Wooster. The Wooster facility specializes in electric transmission systems and serves as an innovation center for electric vehicles. Construction of the new plant in Dover is set to begin in mid-2024, with completion expected in the third quarter of 2025. The facility will be an “advanced manufacturing space dedicated to…

The International Electric Marine Association (IEMA) has rapidly expanded its membership to 40 within just half a year since its establishment. Founded in September 2023, the organization is dedicated to advancing the electrification of the marine industry worldwide, extending its influence from Europe to Asia and the South Pacific. IEMA’s primary goal is to eliminate barriers hindering the widespread adoption of marine electrification. Through lobbying efforts, access to capital, big data utilization, and networking initiatives, the association aims to facilitate the transition to sustainable marine practices. See also: Kempower and Aqua Superpower Team Up for Electric Boat Charging Solutions While specific…

French automaker Renault unveiled its highly anticipated new electric R5 on Monday at the Geneva Motor Show, aiming to revitalize its electric vehicle sales with a model inspired by its 1972 bestseller. The new R5, part of Renault’s turnaround plan announced in 2021, features design elements from the original R5 and the iconic Super 5, including vertical tail-lights and bright colors. Together, the two models sold over nine million cars between 1972 and 1996. See also: Renault Unveils Flagship Colors for Upcoming Electric Renault 5 Renault’s approach to the R5 revival avoids what the brand’s design director, Gilles Vidal, refers to…

Edmunds has corrected its article on the range of the Tesla Cybertruck. The update came after members of the EV community on X pointed out an error in the initial report regarding the Cybertruck’s tire specifications and range estimates. Initially, Edmunds reported that the all-electric pickup truck fell short of its 340-mile range estimate, citing a real-world range of 334 miles in their testing. However, it was later clarified that the Cybertruck’s 340-mile range is for the vehicle’s All Season tires, which are slated for release in 2024. The current Cybertrucks come with all-terrain tires, which have an estimated range…

Tesla has achieved a significant milestone with over 600,000 installations of its Powerwall energy storage systems worldwide, coinciding with the launch of its next-generation Powerwall 3 in the United States. On Friday, the official Tesla Energy account on X social media platform announced the milestone, marking a substantial achievement for the company’s energy division. The announcement comes shortly after the official rollout of the Powerwall 3 in the U.S., following a gradual deployment of the new product throughout much of last year. See also: Tesla Expands API Support, Includes Powerwall, Solar, and Home Charging Station https://twitter.com/teslaenergy/status/1761189903482642720 While orders for the Powerwall…

Lotus Technology, the luxury electric vehicle (EV) company majority-owned by Geely Holding, saw a modest increase in its Nasdaq debut on Friday following its merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Trading under the ticker symbol “LOT,” Lotus Technology closed the day up 2.15 percent at $13.80, giving it a market capitalization of $9.3 billion. This places it higher than Xpeng’s $8.1 billion but slightly below Nio’s $11.2 billion. Li Auto leads among US-listed Chinese EV makers with a market capitalization of $36.9 billion. See also: Lotus Emeya Hyper-GT Successfully Concludes Global Testing Program in Arctic Conditions Nio, on the…

Ford appears to have inadvertently leaked its CCS to J3400 adapter, a move that could provide its electric vehicle (EV) owners with access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. Ford became the first automaker about a year ago to adopt Tesla’s connector, now known as the J3400, setting it on a path to potentially become the new standard EV connector in North America. See also: Tesla Charging Adaptors on the Horizon for Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning Owners Since then, Tesla has signed deals with nearly all automakers to incorporate the J3400 connector in their upcoming vehicles starting in 2025. In the…

South Korean battery cell manufacturer LG Energy Solution (LGES) has signed a contract with Chinese company Changzhou Liyuan New Energy Technology for the supply of 160,000 tonnes of LFP cathode material. The contract, reported by several South Korean media outlets, is set to run for the next five years. LG Energy Solution plans to begin producing LFP batteries for electric vehicles in the second half of 2025. While the Korean company has primarily focused on nickel-containing cell chemistries, the automotive industry’s increasing demand for cheaper LFP cells, which have significantly improved in energy density, has prompted this strategic move. See…

VinFast Auto, a leading Vietnamese automaker, is set to commence construction at its integrated electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing site in Tamil Nadu on February 25, 2024. This plant will mark VinFast’s inaugural foray into EV manufacturing in India, following a partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu that was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced on January 6, 2024. The collaboration between VinFast and the Government of Tamil Nadu includes a commitment of $500 million for the initial phase of the facility over five years. The site is expected to generate approximately 3,000 to 3,500 local job opportunities,…

Indian steel conglomerate JSW is reportedly in discussions with the Volkswagen Group to forge a joint venture aimed at manufacturing electric vehicles in India. This news comes alongside reports suggesting that Volkswagen is contemplating the potential sale of its Indian subsidiary, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India. Initial reports surfaced on Moneycontrol, drawing from sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations. According to these sources, talks commenced earlier this month and are progressing towards an exclusivity arrangement, indicating that both parties may soon commit solely to each other for partnership discussions, sidelining other potential collaborators. See also: JSW Group to Invest $4.82 Billion in…

Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is gearing up to expand its brand reach with the introduction of its more affordable R2 electric SUV. Ahead of the R2’s official debut, Rivian’s CEO RJ Scaringe identified $48,000 as an “important sweet spot” for buyers transitioning from gas vehicles. He also positioned the upcoming R2 as a competitor in the same market segment as Tesla’s popular Model Y. In an interview with Forbes, Scaringe outlined Rivian’s ambitions to tap into the mass market. “The average transaction price of a vehicle, any vehicle in the United States, is around $48,000,” he noted. “We…

Qualcomm, the semiconductor giant known for powering smartphones, is making a bold move to establish a significant presence in the automotive industry. The company recently introduced a cutting-edge connectivity platform tailored specifically for vehicles. Named Snapdragon Auto Connectivity QCA6797AQ, this new platform is designed to support the latest connectivity standards. It boasts cellular support up to 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and the latest Bluetooth technology, along with C-V2X and precise positioning tech. See also: Sony-Honda Afeela EV to Harness Qualcomm’s Super Chips for Cutting-Edge Performance In practical terms, this translates to significantly faster and more reliable connections for vehicles. Features like quicker…