Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

BorgWarner has initiated the production of eMotor rotor and stator components for XPeng Motors, a prominent Chinese Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturer. These components will be utilized in XPeng’s X9 MPV and upcoming electric B-class sedan, with production slated to commence in the third quarter of 2024. The high voltage hairpin (HVH) 220 eMotor, developed by BorgWarner, is designed to offer high power and torque density, along with increased efficiency at a competitive cost, while ensuring exceptional durability. Dr. Stefan Demmerle, President and General Manager of BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems, expressed enthusiasm about supplying components to XPeng Motors, a leading Original…

According to a report from Spanish media outlet La Tribuna de Automoción, Stellantis is gearing up to commence production of electric cars based on the STLA Small platform at its plants in Spain by 2026. The report indicates a purported model schedule and initial forecasts for unit numbers. Citing “reliable industry sources,” La Tribuna de Automoción reveals that Stellantis intends to initiate production at its Zaragoza plant, with the next generation of the Peugeot e-208 slated for assembly starting December 2026. Following suit, the next Opel Corsa Electric is purportedly scheduled for production from May 2027, with the new Peugeot…

The Czech city of České Budějovice has inked a deal with the Skoda Group for the purchase of 35 new battery-powered trolleybuses. The agreement will see Skoda delivering its 18-meter-long Skoda 33Tr articulated trolleybuses to the city. However, residents will need to exercise patience as the new buses are integrated into the city’s public transport system. Skoda and the city authorities announced that the initial batch of 14 trolleybuses is slated for delivery in the first half of the upcoming year, with the remaining units expected to be in service by mid-2026. The procurement of these new trolleybuses is part…

Benteler Group, a player in the automotive sector, is poised for a significant expansion of its autonomous mover venture, Holon, following a multi-million-dollar investment commitment from Tasaru Mobility Investments, a Saudi Arabian investment firm specializing in automotive initiatives. Tasaru has disclosed its intention to acquire a minority stake of up to 38% in Holon, marking a strategic move in the realm of autonomous mobility. The agreement, formalized by the management teams of both companies, sets the stage for substantial advancements in the autonomous transportation sector. The influx of funds from Tasaru is earmarked for the acceleration of series development and…

Following the United Automotive Workers’ (UAW) recent push to organize workers at several automakers with U.S. factories, a significant milestone has been reached at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant in Tennessee, with over 50 percent of workers signing up to join the union. According to a report from Bloomberg on Tuesday, the UAW has garnered substantial support at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga facility. This development follows the union’s initiative launched in November, which targeted Volkswagen, Tesla, Toyota, and others, following a successful six-week strike against major automakers Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis. Zach Costello, a Volkswagen employee leading the UAW organizing committee at…

Tesla Inc. has unveiled plans to embark on a dedicated advertising campaign on X in the United States, marking a notable departure from its longstanding stance against traditional advertising methods. The move suggests a shift in strategy, aligning with CEO Elon Musk’s earlier indication of exploring a “small scale” approach to advertising, a departure from the company’s historical reliance on word-of-mouth and unconventional marketing tactics. Traditionally, Tesla has eschewed traditional advertising channels, with Musk advocating for directing financial resources towards research and development and product innovation. However, the company initiated limited advertising efforts in 2023, which have now expanded with…

Tritium, a leading charging station manufacturer, has clinched a significant deal to install 48 fast chargers at 12 locations throughout Tennessee, representing nearly 50 percent of the state’s initial round of funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) programme. The company secured $10.5 million in funding to produce and deploy the chargers, which will be manufactured at its facility in Lebanon, Tennessee. Tritium’s success in securing the contract underscores its commitment to bolstering electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the United States, with a focus on meeting local manufacturing requirements. See also: Tritium Shifts Electric Vehicle Fast Charger Production to…

Approximately 25% of Cybertruck buyers are opting for the additional range-extending battery pack, according to data compiled by the Cybertruck Owner’s Club. While the figures are based on community-sourced data from website visitors and may not fully reflect actual sales numbers, they indicate significant demand for the extended-range option despite associated drawbacks. The poll results underscore the appeal of the extra 193 km of range provided by the battery pack, outweighing concerns about reduced loading space and increased cost. See also: After 10,000 Miles: Unveiling the Tesla Cybertruck – In-Depth Analysis of Range, Charging, and More However, buyers must consider…

Fisker, the American electric vehicle manufacturer, has given the green light for the design and engineering of its forthcoming entry-level electric vehicle, dubbed the Pear. Set to enter production on both sides of the Atlantic, Fisker aims to introduce the six-seat hatchback to the market by 2025. Following the successful debut of its Ocean SUV in the UK, the Pear represents Fisker’s second production model, promising to offer consumers a compelling mix of affordability and sustainability. Priced at a targeted £28,000 in Britain, the Pear is strategically positioned to provide an appealing alternative to similarly sized crossovers and popular contenders…

Hyundai Motor India, a subsidiary of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co., is reportedly in preliminary discussions to launch an initial public offering (IPO) later this year, aiming to raise at least $3 billion. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that the Indian unit could garner a valuation ranging from $25 billion to $30 billion. The IPO plans coincide with Hyundai Motor Group’s substantial investment of $3.3 billion into expanding its manufacturing capabilities in India over the forthcoming years. This move underscores the company’s commitment to bolstering its presence in the region’s automotive market. See also: Hyundai India Announces Partnership with…

Luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors has announced a novel collaboration with upscale retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, offering prospective customers the opportunity to test drive its vehicles and explore marketing displays at select department store locations. The partnership, unveiled through a press release on Tuesday, outlines plans for Lucid test drives to be available at designated Saks Fifth Avenue stores, accompanied by various marketing initiatives to promote the luxury automaker. The collaboration encompasses content dissemination across Saks’ digital platforms and a forthcoming event at the retailer’s Beverly Hills location. Additionally, Saks Fifth Avenue has launched a dedicated landing page on…

British automaker Lotus is poised to list its electric vehicle (EV) arm, valued at $5.4 billion, on Nasdaq by the end of March. The company, under Geely ownership, is set to merge with the “blank check” company L. Catteron Asia Acquisition in the first quarter, as confirmed by Lotus CEO Mike Johnstone. Johnstone, addressing the earlier delay in Lotus Tech’s listing, stated, “We feel we are in a good place. We delivered the volume of cars that we expected to, and we put in place a really pragmatic plan in terms of growth and gross margin.” See also: Lotus Technology…

A German car dealer, Gregory Brudny, finds himself entangled in a legal dispute with Volkswagen (VW) after importing 22 Volkswagen ID.6s from China, a move that has sparked controversy with the automaker. Brudny asserts that he followed legal procedures in acquiring the vehicles, purchasing them from China’s VW-FAW. Motivated by significant price disparities between the Chinese and German markets, Brudny sought to capitalize on competitive pricing, a trend driven by intense competition in China’s electric vehicle (EV) sector. See also: Volkswagen Introduces 2024 ID.6 Crozz Electric SUV with Range Up To 347 Miles In contrast to the rising costs of…

AeroVolt, a company specializing in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) charging infrastructure, has successfully initiated operations at five charging locations in the UK since August 2023. The company aims to scale its network to 24 sites by 2025 and envisions a long-term expansion to over 60 charging locations. AeroVolt’s initial charging stations boast a rated output of 22 kW, with plans underway for the installation of more powerful 44 kW chargers this year. The company has also committed to introducing 120 kW chargers in the near future. See also: Lufthansa and Lilium Explore Strategic Partnership for eVTOL Operation in…

The City of Regina in Saskatchewan is forging ahead with its commitment to electrify Regina Transit by finalizing a five-year contract with Nova Bus, a subsidiary of the Volvo Group. The deal involves the acquisition of 53 battery electric city buses as part of the city’s broader strategy to become a 100% renewable city by 2050. Nova Bus, based in Quebec, is recognized for manufacturing long-range electric buses equipped with substantial battery packs, reaching up to 564 kWh in its largest models. The company offers options for both DC fast-charging and overhead wire charging. The initial phase of the agreement…

Norway witnessed a substantial uptick in new electric car registrations during January 2024, with 4,717 units recorded, according to data from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. This figure represents a significant surge of 281.3% compared to the same month in the previous year. However, it’s worth noting that January 2023 experienced subdued activity, reflected in the overall car market’s growth of 175.5% across all drive systems in the current January. See also: Tesla Dominates Norway’s Car Market for the Third Consecutive Year Despite Labor Union Conflicts The January 2024 registrations indicate a strong start to the year, adding 3,263 more…

In a recent press conference, Volvo’s Chief Operating Officer, Bjorn Annwall, detailed the automaker’s plans for a series of updates to its mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, emphasizing Volvo’s commitment to becoming an all-electric brand by 2030. Annwall stated, “Clearly the transition [to electrification] happens at different timescales around the world. That’s a strength of Volvo – we have this balanced portfolio.” He explained the coexistence of the newly introduced EX90 with the existing XC90, anticipating regional variations in sales. Annwall noted, “We’re going to sell more EX90s in Northern Europe, but we’ll sell more XC90s in Eastern Europe; more…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor witnessed a decline in deliveries for January, citing seasonal factors that impacted major peers in the industry. According to the data released by the company, it delivered 12,277 vehicles last month, reflecting a notable 34.06% decrease from December, despite a remarkable year-on-year increase of 977.88%. See also: Leapmotor C10 SUV: Stellantis Partnership, CALB LFP Battery, and 530 km Range Unveiled for Global Markets Founded in 2015, Leapmotor initially focused on battery electric vehicle (BEV) models. However, in 2022, the company expanded its strategy by unveiling plans to introduce extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) models, targeting a…

Porsche is set to reveal the facelifted version of its electric Taycan, and the automaker is generating anticipation by touting an impressive real-world range. According to Porsche, in a test conducted with members of the media, the updated Taycan achieved a notable distance of up to 365 miles (587 km) on a single charge. Although this figure is not an official government range rating, the automaker highlights it as a substantial improvement over the current model, which is EPA-rated at 246 miles (396 km) per charge. See also: Porsche Taycan Turbo GT SHATTERS Nurburgring Record – Beats Tesla Plaid and…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has expanded its presence in the Nepalese market with the launch of its electric sedan, the Seal. Partnering with local dealer Cimex Inc, BYD introduced the Seal at a starting price of NPR 10.5 million ($79,275), marking its third electric model in Nepal, following the Atto 3 and Dolphin. See also: BYD Seal and Dolphin Earn 5-Star ANCAP Ratings in Australia Based on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, the Seal distinguishes itself as the company’s inaugural model utilizing CTB (cell to body) technology. In China, the Seal is available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid…