Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Rivian has introduced a limited-time promotion for buyers of its R1 electric vehicles, offering a $4,000 discount for customers who pay in cash rather than using Rivian’s financing or leasing options. Buyers who secure their own third-party financing are also eligible for the discount. The cash incentive can be combined with Rivian’s November Sales Event, which provides an additional $1,000 discount for customers who take a test drive and place an order on the same day, allowing for total potential savings of up to $5,000 on a new R1 vehicle. The promotion applies to 2025 and 2026 model-year R1 vehicles,…

GAC Group’s electric vehicle unit, GAC Aion, has introduced the Aion UT Super, a compact hatchback built with CATL’s Choco-SEB battery swap technology, as part of efforts to stimulate sales through partnerships with CATL and JD.com. The Aion UT Super is priced from RMB 89,900 ($12,630) including the battery pack, or RMB 49,900 under a battery rental plan. See also: GAC Aion and DiDi Unveil Level 4 Autonomous EV with 10 LiDAR Units and Multi-Layer Safety Architecture Limited-time incentives lower the effective starting price to RMB 85,900 with the battery or RMB 45,400 under the rental option. The model is…

Mercedes-Benz has begun accepting orders across Europe for the new CLA hybrid lineup, combining a reengineered 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and the latest MB.OS-powered user interface. Prices in Germany start at €46,243 for the CLA 180. The new CLA range launches with three variants — CLA 180, CLA 200, and CLA 220 — with the latter two also available in 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Each version pairs a 1.5-liter Miller-cycle four-cylinder engine with a 22 kW electric motor integrated into an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. See also: Mercedes to Launch Next-Generation EQV Successor and Sprinter Vans in 2026…

Asahi Kasei said it has signed a licensing agreement with Germany’s EAS Batteries for its acetonitrile-based electrolyte technology, aimed at supporting the development and market launch of a new ultra-high-power lithium-ion cell for demanding mobility and industrial uses. The Japanese chemical company said on Wednesday that the electrolyte, first demonstrated in June 2024, enables higher power output at low temperatures and improved durability at high temperatures. The new cylindrical cell, which uses a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode, is expected to be launched by March 2026. See also: Asahi Kasei and Toyota Tsusho Partner to Strengthen U.S. Battery Supply Chain…

The European Commission is preparing to unveil new CO₂ regulations for company fleets in mid-December, a move that industry groups warn could amount to an early ban on combustion engine vehicles. The proposal, expected to be presented on 16 December, may include mandatory electric vehicle (EV) quotas that would take effect years before the bloc’s 2035 target for zero-emission cars. According to Automobilwoche, which cited industry sources, the Commission plans to introduce a binding quota for electric vehicles in corporate fleets — potentially requiring at least 50% of new company car registrations to be electric by 2027 and as much…

New Zealand public transport operator Ritchies has entered into a major partnership with Zenobē to expand its electric bus fleet and develop new charging infrastructure across Auckland. The collaboration will see Ritchies’ number of electric buses increase fivefold, alongside the construction of six new depots in West and South Auckland. According to Zenobē, the rollout will take place over the next nine months, beginning with the opening of the first new depot on 2 November 2025. Additional facilities are planned to be completed between now and August 2026. See also: Zenobe Launches 35 Electric School Buses in Massachusetts With Public-Private…

Li Auto  has announced the recall of more than 11,000 Li Mega MPVs following a vehicle fire in Shanghai that heightened concerns over the model’s safety. The move impacts nearly half of all Li Mega units delivered since the model’s launch. According to a notice published on the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) website, the recall covers 11,411 Li Mega MPVs manufactured between February 18 and December 27, 2024. The vehicles may suffer from corrosion and leakage in the cooling aluminum plates of the power battery and front motor controller due to insufficient corrosion protection in the coolant. See…

Xpeng reported record deliveries of 42,013 vehicles in October, marking its fourth consecutive month of record-breaking performance as the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker continues its strong growth momentum. The October result represents a 75.7% increase from 23,917 vehicles delivered in the same month last year and a 1.0% rise from September’s 41,581 units, according to company data. From January to October, Xpeng delivered 355,209 vehicles, up 190.0% from a year earlier. See also: Xpeng’s X9 EREV MPV Offers 1,602 km Combined Range Earlier this year, Xpeng management said it expected to double its deliveries in 2025 compared with last…

Bosch has extended the contract of its Chief Executive Officer Stefan Hartung, ensuring his continued leadership of the German automotive supplier. The company confirmed the extension but declined to provide details on the duration, citing its status as a privately held limited liability company (GmbH) not bound by the disclosure requirements of a listed corporation. A spokesperson at Bosch’s headquarters in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, said Hartung’s employment contract had been renewed “some time ago.” While the company did not reveal further information, Germany’s Handelsblatt reported that the extension could last until 2031, effectively giving Hartung a decade-long tenure at the…

Austrian health company Biogena has started deploying its new all-electric fleet of 126 Mini Cooper SE vehicles, set for delivery by early 2026. The move establishes Austria’s largest electric Mini fleet and the second largest in Europe, underscoring the company’s long-term focus on sustainability and innovation in corporate mobility. The rollout also represents the first major fleet handover under Mini’s new direct sales model, introduced in Austria in 2024. Under this agency model, retail partner AutoFrey manages both sales and delivery, while parent company BMW oversees brand operations. Mini has seen strong momentum in the Austrian market, with overall registrations…

French sporting goods retailer Decathlon has expanded its electric bike portfolio in Europe with the launch of the Van Rysel E-GRVL AF Discover, a new electric gravel bike designed for both daily commuting and long-distance adventures. Described by Decathlon as “the Swiss Army knife of electric bikes,” the E-GRVL AF Discover is equipped with a 250W brushless rear hub motor delivering 35 Nm of torque and pedal assistance up to 25 kph (16 mph). See also: Decathlon Expands Van Rysel E-GRVL AF HD E-Bike Lineup With New Black Edition Riders can choose between three modes — Eco, Tour, and Sport…

Unity China and Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer Leapmotor have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop next-generation intelligent cockpit systems, the companies said. The partnership will focus on advancing human–machine interaction by integrating perception, cognition, and predictive technologies into the in-car environment. Using the Unity engine, large-scale AI models, and biosensors, the collaboration aims to accelerate the deployment of multimodal interaction technologies across vehicle applications. See also: Opel Reportedly Evaluating Leapmotor B10 as Affordable Electric SUV under Stellantis plan Leapmotor has been one of China’s fastest-growing NEV manufacturers, delivering about 396,000 vehicles between January and September 2025.…