Author: Casper Benedict

Honda Motor announced on Thursday its plans to invest C$15 billion ($11 billion) in new electric vehicle (EV) and battery production plants alongside its existing facilities in Ontario, marking the Japanese automaker’s largest-ever investment in Canada. The investment, unveiled by company executives and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reflects Honda’s anticipation of increased North American demand for EVs. Honda, like other Japanese car companies, has been a late entrant into the EV market but is now striving to compete more effectively with agile Chinese rivals. In Canada, the company intends to produce crucial EV components through joint ventures with firms…

Tesla has announced a strategic shift in its product plan to introduce more affordable electric vehicles that will be manufactured on its current production lines, deviating from its previous strategy of developing a ‘next-generation vehicle platform’ for cheaper EVs. The automaker’s new approach aims to streamline manufacturing processes and reduce costs, making electric cars more accessible to a broader market. Tesla had previously outlined plans for two vehicles on the next-generation platform: a model cheaper and smaller than Model 3, sometimes being referred as the “$25,000 Tesla” or “Model 2” Tesla Robotaxi: a new vehicle designed from the ground-up for…

Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone giant turned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has set an ambitious target of delivering 100,000 units of its first EV model, the SU7, this year. However, capacity constraints pose a significant challenge to achieving this goal. Announced by Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun at an investor conference, the company has already secured more than 70,000 locked-in orders for the SU7 as of April 20. This strong demand is a testament to users’ trust in Xiaomi’s brand, as noted by the company’s president, Lu Weibing, on Weibo. The Xiaomi SU7 was officially launched on March 28,…

Xiaomi’s entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market with its SU7 model has garnered significant attention, but the long waiting times for delivery have prompted the company’s CEO, Lei Jun, to suggest alternative options to potential customers. In a recent Weibo post, Lei Jun advised, “If you are really in a hurry to buy a car, domestic new energy vehicles (NEVs) are good, for example, Luxeed S7, Nio ET5, Xpeng P7 series, you can also consider to buy.” Despite initial delays, Xiaomi’s efforts to ramp up production are yielding results. Delivery of the standard and Max trims has already commenced…

Tesla commemorated its 10th anniversary in China, where the US electric vehicle (EV) maker boasts a user base exceeding 1.7 million, as announced today on Weibo. “10 years ago today, we put the flagship coupe Model S in the hands of 15 consumers who were at the forefront of their time,” Tesla wrote in Chinese on Weibo. “Today, 10 years later, we are serving more than 1.7 million Tesla owners in China. Tesla has more than 6 million owners globally and China has more than 20 million new energy vehicle (NEV) ownership,” it said. On April 22, 2014, Tesla CEO…

Kia has announced the pricing and trim levels for its highly anticipated EV5 model in New Zealand, one of the first countries outside of China to receive the electric vehicle. The EV5 will be available in both FWD and AWD variants, with only long-range versions offered. The Kia EV5, which launched in China last year, is set to start from NZ$67,990 in New Zealand. Customers can order the model through dealers, with deliveries expected in the coming months. A prototype of the EV5 is currently on tour at dealerships in the region, giving customers a closer look at the new…

Auckland Transport (AT) has announced a groundbreaking initiative to electrify the West Auckland bus service, WX1, with fully electric double-decker buses. The move comes as part of a new $166 million contract signed between AT and bus operator Tranzit Group, aiming to enhance public transport sustainability and efficiency in the region. The nine-year contract will bring more than 40 new electric buses to the streets of Tāmaki Makaurau, operating under Tranzit Group’s Tranzurban Auckland brand. Over half of these buses will be double-deckers, serving key routes including the WX1, 11T/11W, and 120 bus routes. Stacey van der Putten, AT’s Director…

U.S. automakers General Motors and Ford are preparing to address a common challenge when they report first-quarter results next week: explaining to investors how they plan to drive profit growth in the face of slowing electric vehicle (EV) demand. The slowdown in global EV demand, coupled with intense competition from Chinese automakers and high U.S. borrowing costs, has prompted both companies to delay investments and reduce costs over the past year. With China’s economy slowing and U.S. inflation on the rise, a significant macroeconomic growth boost seems distant. As a result, GM and Ford are turning their attention to sales…

Canada has announced the extension of its electric vehicle (EV) purchase incentives under the ‘Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles’ (iZEV) program, with no specified end date. Originally set to conclude on March 31, 2025, the program will now continue, offering subsidies of up to 5,000 Canadian dollars per qualifying vehicle, totaling a budget of 607.9 million Canadian dollars. According to the 2024 budget announcement, the iZEV program, which began in 2019 and covers battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell cars, has significantly impacted the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. The share of zero-emission vehicles in all new vehicle sales reportedly…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has teamed up with energy storage start-up Allye Energy to introduce a new portable battery system, Allye MAX BESS, utilizing second-life batteries from its plug-in hybrid vehicles. The innovative system serves as buffer storage for fast-charging stations, offering a sustainable solution for energy storage and distribution. The Allye MAX BESS system incorporates seven second-life battery packs from Range Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEV vehicles, boasting a total capacity of 270 kWh. Despite being labeled as “portable,” the system’s design allows it to be transported to its deployment location on a car trailer, as showcased in…

In an eagerly awaited announcement, Tesla has revealed an upcoming major software update for its vehicles, set to roll out this spring. The update includes a revamped user interface, the introduction of ‘Auto Shift Beta’, native Audible integration, an updated Spotify app, and several other enhancements. One of the key visual changes in the update is the immersive full-screen vehicle controls when parked, offering a sleek and modern interface. Additionally, there will be larger playback controls and quick access to recent, favorite, and upcoming media in the player, enhancing the overall user experience. For Tesla Model S and Model X…

The brewing tensions between Italy and Alfa Romeo’s parent company Stellantis came to a head recently when the Italian government informed the automaker that naming its upcoming Alfa Romeo EV “Milano” was against the law, as the car will be manufactured in Poland. As a result, Alfa Romeo has decided to rename the vehicle to a more neutral and less evocative name, “Junior.” The decision to change the name came after a confrontation with officials from the Industry and Made in Italy Ministry, according to Automotive News Europe. Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato explained that while the company tried to…