Author: Casper Benedict

Ford has reportedly reduced its orders for electric vehicle (EV) batteries as it grapples with significant losses on the technology and adjusts its electrification strategy. Following Ford’s recent disclosure that its Model e EV unit was losing over $100,000 per EV sold, sources familiar with the matter stated in a Friday Bloomberg report that the automaker is scaling back its EV battery orders. The sources, who requested anonymity, indicated that Ford maintains partnerships with its battery suppliers, including SK On, LG Energy Solution, and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL). The company is anticipating EV unit losses of up to…

Tesla has introduced a new buying incentive for its Model Y SUV, providing customers with a special, ultra-low interest rate if they purchase the vehicle by the end of this month. The promotional financing, featuring a 0.99 percent APR interest rate, was launched on Tesla’s website on Friday night. This offer applies to buyers who finance the electric vehicle (EV) through an order placed by May 31. The financing option is applicable to loan terms spanning from 36 to 72 months and is available for all three trim options of the Model Y. The base-level Model Y Long Range RWD,…

Toyota is set to start producing electric vehicle (EV) batteries at its new factory in North Carolina, with plans to eventually manufacture battery packs for the company’s hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and EVs. The automaker has increased its investment in the plant to $13.9 billion and has made significant progress on construction since breaking ground in late 2022. In an exclusive tour of the facility with Automotive News, Sean Suggs, President of Toyota Battery Manufacturing at the North Carolina complex, announced that production of EV batteries is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year. The initial batteries will…

In a significant milestone for BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA), the joint venture between BMW AG and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd., the 6 millionth car rolled off the production line at the Plant Dadong in China. The BMW i5, a fully electric model in Frozen Pure Grey, marked this achievement, highlighting the plant network’s dynamism and competitiveness in Shenyang. Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production, praised the achievement, stating, “The 6 millionth car is a symbol of the outstanding achievements here in Shenyang.” He emphasized the focus on competitiveness and innovativeness across…

Ascend Elements and Call2Recycle have announced a collaboration to provide customized battery management, logistics, and recycling services for electric vehicles (EVs) to car dealers, recyclers, and repair technicians. The aim of the partnership is to streamline the recycling process and offer efficient solutions for handling EV batteries. The program combines Ascend Elements’ electric vehicle battery recycling infrastructure and technologies with Call2Recycle’s collection, logistics, and tracking capabilities. It includes access to GreenTraxEV, Call2Recycle’s cloud-based platform designed for shipping mid-life, end-of-life, and damaged or defective EV batteries. The companies have set a target to collect and recycle the equivalent of over 300,000…

Ineos Automotive, the British automaker behind the rugged off-roader Ineos Grenadier, is eyeing the U.S. market for its pickup truck version, the Grenadier Quartermaster, and is considering manufacturing the model in the country. The move is part of the company’s strategy to expand its footprint and appeal to a wider range of consumers. Currently, Ineos produces its vehicles at a former Mercedes facility in France and is expected to sell around 30,000 units this year. Looking to grow further, the company is exploring the possibility of establishing a manufacturing plant in the U.S., according to Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder.…

Volkswagen is bidding farewell to its GTX badge, which was reintroduced just three years ago to denote the performance variants of its ID electric models. The automaker is now set to return to its iconic GTI and R badges for the next generation of sporty electric vehicles, marking a significant shift in its electric branding strategy. CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed the change, stating, “GTX is the performance brand of the MEB [platform], but we’ll work our way back to GTI and R in the next products going forward,” according to Autocar. The GTX badge was previously used in the 1980s…

Motus, a prominent provider of vehicle management and reimbursement solutions, has unveiled Motus Protect, a new offering designed to help companies identify and manage potential liability stemming from employees driving their personal vehicles for work. Motus Protect comprises three main components: Auto Insurance Monitoring, Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Monitoring, and Driver Training. These elements together provide companies with the necessary tools for due diligence and risk management related to employee driving. Phong Nguyen, CEO of Motus, highlighted the significance of solutions like Motus Protect in the current business landscape, stating, “Employers are unfortunately one catastrophic event away from significant financial…

Tesla is set to embark on an extensive expansion of its Supercharger network, with an investment exceeding $500 million slated for this year. This initiative comes in the wake of a significant restructuring that saw the entire charging team, led by Rebecca Tinucci, and approximately 500 employees, being let go. The sweeping changes within the Supercharger team have raised questions about Tesla’s future charging station deployments. The restructuring led to Tesla withdrawing from leases on planned Supercharger stations, causing confusion among its partners and stakeholders. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1788834859110002716 Despite these challenges, CEO Elon Musk reiterated the company’s commitment to expanding the Supercharger…

Avatr, the electric vehicle (EV) brand supported by Changan Automobile, CATL, and Huawei, has unveiled a glimpse of its upcoming model, signaling a shift towards extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) from its current lineup of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The company announced on Weibo that it will introduce the Avatr 07 SUV, which will be available in both BEV and EREV variants, marking a significant expansion of its product offerings. The Avatr 07 will join Avatr’s existing lineup, which includes the Avatr 11 SUV and Avatr 12 sedan, as the brand’s third model and its first to offer both BEV and…

Michelin has introduced three new tire ranges, tailored for the all-electric Porsche Macan, covering summer, winter, and all-season options. As the exclusive tire provider for the Macan since 2014, Michelin’s latest offerings are set to enhance the performance and driving experience of Porsche’s latest electric SUV, which launched on January 25, 2024. The new tire ranges cater to 14 different tire dimensions, addressing key challenges such as autonomy, rolling noise, and driveability. According to Michelin, these tires have been meticulously designed to meet the specific demands of electric vehicles, offering optimal performance and safety. The Michelin Pilot Sport EV NE0…

Exeed, the premium car brand under Chery, unveiled its latest model, the Sterra ET, on May 9, expanding its electric vehicle (EV) lineup. The Sterra ET, the second offering in the Sterra series following the Sterra ES sedan, comes in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) options, a first for the brand. The Sterra ET EREV is available in three variants, priced at RMB 189,800 ($26,280), RMB 205,800, and RMB 225,800 respectively, while the BEV version offers five variants with prices starting from RMB 229,800 up to RMB 319,800. Measuring 4,955 mm in length, 1,975 mm…

Ford is contemplating the continuation of gas-powered vehicles and hybrids in Europe beyond 2030, a departure from its earlier commitment to an all-electric lineup in the region, the Detroit automaker announced on Thursday. The company had previously stated its intention for an all-electric lineup in Europe by the end of the decade, as outlined in 2021. However, Ford now believes it is necessary to provide customers with internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicle options beyond 2030 due to the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Europe. “As EV adoption in Europe has slowed, we believe we need to…

BP’s electric charging unit is set to ramp up its presence in the United States following Tesla’s decision to disband its EV charging team, the oil company announced on Thursday. This move by BP reflects its commitment to bolstering its network amidst Tesla’s strategic shift. “We are aggressively looking to acquire real estate to scale our network, which is a heightened focus following the recent Tesla announcement,” a spokesperson for BP stated. The company outlined its priority regions for expansion, including the north-east, the Sun Belt, the west coast, and the Great Lakes region. Tesla’s decision to downsize its EV…

Lexus is set to introduce new hybrid and fully electric powertrains for its ES sedan. Recent trademark filings reveal the arrival of the ES350h, ES350e, and ES500e variants, signaling an upgrade from the current ES250, ES350, and ES300h models. The ‘h’ designation will denote hybrids, ‘h+’ for PHEVs, and ‘e’ for fully electric models, according to Lexus’ naming convention. The ES350h is expected to inherit the AWD self-charging hybrid system from the RX350h, positioning it as a step up from the existing FWD-only ES300h. Meanwhile, the ES350e and ES500e are anticipated to feature fully electric powertrains. Despite limited information on…

Korean battery manufacturers are making significant strides in the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market, with 72% of recently subsidized EV models using batteries from South Korea. The U.S. government’s expansion of subsidized EV models from 10 to 43 has boosted the presence of Korean batteries in the American automotive industry. LG Energy Solution leads the pack with 17 models, followed by Samsung SDI with 12 and SK on with 10, out of the 31 models using Korean batteries. Notably, all brands except Nissan have at least one model equipped with Korean batteries. Nissan’s Leaf S and Leaf SV Plus are…

Daimler Truck North America has revealed a groundbreaking development in the realm of electric commercial vehicles, showcasing a demonstrator electric semi-truck equipped with autonomous driving technology. The Freightliner eCascadia, an electric autonomous technology demonstrator, is built on the foundation of a production electric Freightliner eCascadia. It features Torc Robotics’ autonomous driving software and cutting-edge Level 4 sensor and compute technology, paving the way for eventual Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. Level 4 autonomy denotes a fully autonomous system that can manage most driving scenarios independently, although a driver is still required to be present in the vehicle. Torc Robotics, based…

In an update outlining Tesla’s upcoming Full Self-Driving (FSD) software updates, CEO Elon Musk has stirred excitement among enthusiasts. The upcoming FSD v12, alongside the impending launch of Tesla’s dedicated Robotaxi, has generated considerable buzz around Tesla’s self-driving endeavors. Musk, no stranger to predicting the imminent release of a true self-driving system, acknowledges that while Tesla is nearing this goal, the path ahead remains challenging. Addressing the release schedule for FSD, Musk revealed, “12.4 has almost completely retrained models. The final touches are for comfort, as it sometimes accelerates or brakes too fast for most people’s taste.” This update marks…

Costco, the wholesale giant, has become the latest customer to embrace sustainable transportation, taking delivery of the all-electric Tesla Semi for its logistical needs. The Tesla Semi, introduced two years ago, initially saw limited adoption. However, with PepsiCo serving as its inaugural customer, Tesla gathered crucial data to showcase the advantages of electrified tractor-trailers over traditional combustion engine trucks. The move by Costco signals a significant step forward for the Tesla Semi in mainstream adoption. Despite being in “Pilot Production,” according to Tesla’s most recent quarterly Earnings Call Shareholder Deck, the vehicle’s production is ongoing. https://twitter.com/Joaquin03114400/status/1787650741307576702 Initially produced at a…

In a significant move aimed at bolstering the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Vice President Kamala Harris announced today the White House’s commitment to freeing up $100 million in funding. The initiative, part of the Vice President’s Economic Opportunity Tour, targets small- and medium-sized auto parts manufacturers, particularly in Michigan, a crucial swing state. Harris, joined by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, revealed the plan in Detroit. The funding, split evenly between the Department of Energy’s Automotive Conversion Grants Program and its Implementation Grants Program, seeks to assist suppliers in…