Author: Casper Benedict

Leapmotor will unveil its first D-series model next month, stepping up competition in the mid-to-large SUV segment as the Chinese electric vehicle maker pushes into higher price tiers. The company’s new flagship, the D19, will make its global debut on October 16, Leapmotor said on Weibo on Wednesday. A teaser poster indicated the model is an SUV, and its naming suggests it could become the brand’s highest-priced vehicle, as the number 9 typically denotes supremacy. Spy photos of an undisguised D19 circulated briefly on Chinese social media last week before being taken down. Leapmotor currently sells models across its T,…

Chery has launched its new Fulwin X3L, equipped with the Kunpeng Golden extended-range CEM-S system, as the automaker expands its lineup of rugged SUVs. The model is offered in four configurations priced from 119,900 to 159,900 yuan ($16,500–22,000), with trade-in incentives reducing prices to between 109,900 and 149,900 yuan ($15,100–20,600). The Fulwin X3L adopts a box-shaped design similar to Chery’s iCar 03T, featuring a bold front fascia with a black horizontal trim that connects the headlights. Its square side profile includes hidden door handles, while the four-wheel-drive version stands out with 21-inch tyres measuring 265mm wide. The SUV measures 4,545mm…

Qt Group announced that Suzuki has chosen its framework to power the digital cockpit of the automaker’s first battery electric vehicle, the e VITARA, marking a key step in Suzuki’s move toward Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV). The collaboration aims to bring intuitive and visually engaging digital experiences to a wider range of EV drivers. The Qt framework will support Suzuki in creating advanced, responsive human-machine interfaces (HMI) on embedded vehicle hardware, addressing limitations in performance and cost. Leveraging Qt’s cross-platform tools, Suzuki can design, test, and reuse UI components across multiple models from a single codebase, reducing development time and costs…

Czech transport company Metrans, part of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), has added six Volvo FH Electric trucks to its fleet for urban and suburban deliveries, in a move to reduce emissions and advance the group’s climate targets. The FH Electric model, introduced by Volvo Trucks in 2022 and updated in 2024 with the Aero version, features improved aerodynamics, a camera system in place of exterior mirrors, and battery options ranging from 360 to 540 kWh. The truck delivers up to 490 kW of power and can reach 300 km on a single charge, with a long-distance version offering…

Mercedes-Benz is offering a cash incentive of $11,500 on its 2025 EQB 250+ electric SUV in the United States, cutting monthly lease payments to $249 for 36 months as part of a promotion running through September. The lease requires $4,843 at signing, with no security deposit. A dealer contribution of up to $8,429 can further lower the capitalized cost to $45,771, though final monthly payments will vary depending on the dealer. Customers also have the option to buy the vehicle at lease-end for $24,390 plus fees, subject to approval from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The EQB 250+, which starts at $53,050,…

MOKE International said it has appointed Lorne Vary as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Nick English, as the British heritage marque seeks to expand globally and scale production of its all-electric MOKE. Vary previously held senior roles at Brompton Bicycle, where he helped grow the company from a small UK-based manufacturer into a global lifestyle brand. His appointment comes as MOKE looks to enhance its direct-to-consumer strategy and reinforce its identity as a premium open-air motoring company. Nick English, co-founder of Bremont Watches, is stepping down as Executive Chairman after 18 months in the role. During his tenure, MOKE…

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed an artificial intelligence model that provides a more accurate picture of battery aging, a breakthrough that could extend the lifespan and safety of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Battery degradation is often the first factor limiting an EV’s useful life, creating resource inefficiencies that slow the electrification of transport. To address this, the automotive industry has been developing AI-based software to improve battery management and control systems. The Uppsala team said their model increases the robustness of battery health predictions by up to 70%. The findings were published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science.…

Tesla has increased the price of its fastest Cybertruck variant, the Cyberbeast, by $15,000 in the United States, according to the company’s website. The model now starts at $114,990, up from $99,990. The price adjustment coincides with the introduction of the “Luxe Package,” which adds supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD), free lifetime access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, four-year premium service, and lifetime Premium Connectivity. The premium service covers tire and windshield protection, scheduled maintenance such as wheel alignment, tire rotations, front camera cleaning, replacement of the HEPA filter, and wiper blade servicing. Other Cybertruck variants were not affected. Updated US pricing…

Zeekr has introduced its 7X electric SUV in Australia, adding a third model to its portfolio in the market after the Zeekr X compact SUV and Zeekr 009 multi-purpose vehicle. The launch marks another step in the Chinese automaker’s global expansion strategy, with pre-sales for the 7X now underway. The Australian range includes three configurations – rear-wheel drive (RWD), long-range RWD, and performance all-wheel drive (AWD) – priced from AUD 57,900 to AUD 72,900. See also: Zeekr to Refresh Four Models, Launch Two New SUVs as Part of 2025 Lineup Overhaul Depending on the variant, the 7X offers a driving…

AUDI, the new brand created through a partnership between Volkswagen’s Audi and Chinese automaker SAIC, will open pre-sales of its first model, the E5 Sportback, on August 18, with an official launch scheduled for later this summer, according to a report from local media outlet Dongchedi. The all-electric midsize vehicle is built on the Advanced Digitized Platform developed jointly by Audi and SAIC and will be produced at SAIC Audi’s manufacturing facility. The model is based on the AUDI E concept first shown in 2024, which was presented as close to production-ready and targeted for launch in 2025. The E5…

Stellantis plans to begin selling Chinese-branded electric vehicles in South Africa starting this September, with the launch of the C10 SUV from its partner Leapmotor, the company said on Tuesday. The C10, a range-extended electric SUV equipped with a petrol engine that charges its battery, will be the first Leapmotor model introduced in the market. “More Leapmotor models are expected to be launched next year, including fully electric models,” said Mike Whitfield, managing director of Stellantis South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, in a statement. See also: Leapmotor Launches Updated C11 SUV with Extended Range and Higher Performance Leapmotor has gained…

Jeep is offering a first glimpse of its revamped 2026 Cherokee SUV, signaling the brand’s intent to reinvigorate its lineup following six consecutive years of declining global sales. The new Cherokee, set to debut next year, will feature a redesigned exterior and offer hybrid propulsion — and potentially an all-electric variant. While Jeep has not officially confirmed a battery electric version of the new Cherokee, the SUV will be built on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, which supports a range of powertrain configurations, including full electrification. The same platform underpins Jeep’s new Wagoneer S, which delivers an estimated range of 300…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor said on Tuesday it has reached a cumulative delivery milestone of 800,000 units, as the company prepares to launch its updated 2026 C16 SUV later in the day. The announcement, made on the company’s official Weibo account, confirms that Leapmotor has delivered 26,794 vehicles so far in June, following a cumulative total of 773,206 at the end of May. The 2026 C16, set to be unveiled at 2:00 pm Beijing time on Wednesday, will introduce more than 70 updates, including greater range and expanded interior space. The C16 was originally introduced in June 2024 as…

Autonomous driving company WeRide on Tuesday announced an expanded partnership with Tencent Cloud to speed up the global commercialization of its Robotaxi services, marking a key step in its international growth strategy. The collaboration will integrate WeRide’s autonomous driving technology into Tencent’s digital platforms, including the Smart Transportation Mini Program on Weixin/WeChat, aiming to deliver safer and more convenient travel experiences for users. As part of the deal, WeRide and Tencent Cloud will co-develop intelligent driving solutions tailored to overseas markets, leveraging Tencent’s global cloud infrastructure. The companies said the partnership will support localized and compliant operations, helping WeRide to…

The UK has completed its first circular supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries with the conclusion of the RECOVAS project, a four-year initiative led by EMR and funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre. The programme has delivered a functioning model for battery recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing, marking a significant step toward a sustainable EV ecosystem. Central to the project is a newly operational recycling facility in Birmingham developed by EMR, capable of processing up to 2,000 tonnes of end-of-life EV batteries annually. The site, backed by a multi-million-pound investment, has created 14 skilled jobs and expands the UK’s domestic…

Ford Motor has discontinued development of a key next-generation electrical architecture project, once seen as critical to competing with electric vehicle leaders like Tesla, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The program, internally called FNV4 (Fully Networked Vehicle), was designed to streamline and unify vehicle software across Ford’s electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) models. The company aimed to reduce costs, improve quality, and enable new software-driven features. However, the effort was abandoned due to mounting costs and repeated delays, the sources said. See also: Ford Pauses U.S. Vehicle Shipments to China Amid Escalating Tariffs A Ford spokesperson…

Volkswagen and Uber announced plans to deploy a fleet of autonomous electric vehicles in the United States, with a commercial rollout slated for Los Angeles in late 2026. The move marks a significant step forward in the companies’ efforts to expand autonomous ride-hailing services in a competitive U.S. market. The service will be based on Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz AD – a variant of the company’s all-electric van equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving technology developed in collaboration with Mobileye and VW subsidiary Moia. The ID. Buzz AD is already undergoing testing in several cities, including Hamburg, Munich, Oslo, and Austin,…

UK-based Fusion Processing has joined forces with Construct Invest to roll out fully automated electric buses for airport passenger transport, as the industry looks to streamline ground operations through automation and sustainability. The collaboration combines Fusion Processing’s CAVstar® Automated Drive System with Construct Invest’s expertise in autonomous vehicle deployment, delivering Level 4 autonomous vehicles capable of operating without human input in designated environments. The initiative will be formally showcased at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Madrid in April 2025. See also: DHL Partners with Oxa for Successful Autonomous Vehicle Trial at Heathrow Airport Over 90,000 kilometers of operation, Fusion’s system…

Stellantis has introduced a retrofit program in France that allows owners of diesel-powered light commercial vehicles to convert them into fully electric models. Developed in partnership with French retrofit specialist Qinomic, the initiative targets mid-size vans including the Fiat Scudo, Opel Vivaro, Peugeot Expert, and Citroën Jumpy. See also: Electric Conversion Transforms Classic Fox-Body Ford Mustang While Retaining Manual Transmission The retrofit program is managed by Stellantis’ Pro One unit, which focuses on business customers, and was created in collaboration with the automaker’s circular economy division, SUSTAINera. The conversion involves replacing over 200 components, including the engine, transmission, and exhaust…

Electric vehicle infrastructure company ChargePoint has introduced a new AC charging platform designed to significantly enhance EV charging capabilities through innovations such as bi-directional Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) support and charging speeds twice as fast as standard AC units. The new architecture, intended for commercial, residential, and fleet applications in North America and Europe, includes features like dynamic load balancing, solar and smart home integration, and a charging speed of up to 19.2 kW. According to the company, this allows a typical EV battery to be charged from 0 to 100 per cent in approximately four hours. See also: ChargePoint to Open…