Author: Casper Benedict

Renault is gearing up to reclaim its position in the electric vehicle (EV) market by introducing new models and implementing a price reduction strategy for its Megane model, aiming to compete with U.S. rival Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) on its home turf. Ivan Segal, the sales director for France at Renault, highlighted the company’s focus on the electric segment in 2024 to regain ground against competitors. Having been a pioneer in the EV market alongside alliance partner Nissan (7201.T), Renault has faced stiff competition from newer entrants. In the French market, Tesla outpaced Renault’s electric Megane sales last year, selling 25,000…

Since its introduction in 2020, the Chinese-manufactured Ora Good Cat, also recognized as the Ora Funky Cat, GWM Ora, and GWM Ora 03, has gained attention for its retro-inspired design reminiscent of a hatchback version of the Porsche 911. Noticing this distinctive aesthetic, Thai tuning specialist Lumga Design crafted an eye-catching bodykit for the electric vehicle (EV), drawing inspiration from the track-focused Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Operating out of the Lam Luk Ka district in Thailand, Lumga Design specializes in visual enhancements for various Chinese models, such as the BYD Dolphin and MG 3. However, it is their Ora Good…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has set its sights on the competitive U.S. pickup market with the unveiling of the VF Wild, a mid-sized electric pickup concept, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. While the VF Wild is currently a concept, VinFast executives have signaled their intent to move it into production. VinFast’s Deputy Chief Executive for Sales and Marketing, Tran Mai Hoa, emphasized the significance of the VF Wild, stating, “This is not just a new product in our offering — it showcases our aspiration to venture into the fast-paced and thriving electric pickup truck market.” See…

Automaker Stellantis, home to brands like Fiat, Peugeot, and Chrysler, faced a shortfall in the production of its fully-electric 500e cars in Italy in 2023. According to the FIM CISL union, the company manufactured 751,384 vehicles in Italy last year, a 9.6% increase from 2022. However, the production of the 500e model fell short, with only 77,000 units produced, compared to the initial forecast of over 90,000. Ferdinando Uliano, leader of FIM CISL, attributed the production lag to delayed government incentives for electric vehicles (EVs), which prompted buyers to postpone their purchases. The Italian government announced EV incentives multiple times…

The labor dispute between Tesla Sweden and IF Metall persists into 2024, with the Swedish union returning to the picket lines. In an interview with local media outlet Dagens Nyheter, IF Metall provided insights into its unwavering stance and proposed a potential compromise to bring an end to the prolonged strike against Tesla Sweden. IF Metall’s contract secretary, Veli-Pekka Säikkälä, indicated that the strike could be resolved if Tesla follows a model previously employed by Amazon. In 2020, when Amazon entered the Swedish market, it hired a logistics contractor with an existing collective agreement with the Transport Workers Union, effectively…

Tesla is recalling more than 1.6 million vehicles in China, marking its largest recall in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market. The recall encompasses potentially all vehicles delivered by Tesla in China. The recall, prompted by software issues, covers a total of 1,610,105 vehicles produced between August 26, 2014, and December 20, 2023. The affected models include locally produced Model 3 and Model Y, as well as imported Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles. See also: Tesla Delays Full Self-Driving (FSD) v12 Software Update for Further Testing According to the statement from China’s State Administration for Market…

Kia America announced robust sales figures for December 2023, with a total of 60,275 vehicles sold in the United States, maintaining parity with the same period in 2022. The year 2023 marked a record-setting performance for Kia, as the company achieved an annual sales figure of 782,451 vehicles, reflecting a noteworthy 12.8% year-over-year increase. The highlight of Kia’s December sales was the positive reception of its all-electric cars, particularly the newly launched Kia EV9 SUV. See also: Kia EV6 GT Challenges BMW M2 in Quarter-Mile Drag Race and Handling Test In December, Kia’s electric vehicles (EVs) based on the Electric-Global…

In a phased deployment, 35 electric buses commenced regular service in Latvia’s capital, Riga, starting December 2023. The introduction followed a series of test drives conducted in wintry conditions and comprehensive technical evaluations. Ordered by public transport operator Rigas Satiksme from Polish manufacturer Solaris, the zero-emission buses are designated for routes 26, 33, and 57 during weekdays and 9, 20, and 26 on weekends. While the electric buses have been in operation since the end of the year for testing purposes, the impact of cold temperatures on the battery, particularly due to heating usage, is under scrutiny, as reported by…

Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion, supported by Volkswagen, has entered into a partnership with Nasdaq-listed EHang to jointly develop battery solutions for EHang’s electric unmanned aerial vehicles (eVTOLs). The collaboration, formalized in a deal signed on December 28, 2023, encompasses the co-development of battery cells, battery packs, storage systems, and charging infrastructure for EHang’s eVTOL aircraft. See also: Gotion High-Tech Inaugural Battery Pack Production in the United States Simultaneously, on the same day, EHang’s EH216-S, an unmanned passenger-carrying aerial vehicle, successfully completed its inaugural commercial flight demonstrations in Hefei, Anhui province, and Guangzhou, Guangdong province. Notably, the aircraft had secured the…

Tesla is commencing 2024 with a unique promotion targeting owners of non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe. In a departure from its usual offerings exclusive to Tesla owners, the company is providing complimentary Supercharging sessions to non-Tesla EV users. The Non-Tesla Supercharger Pilot Program, initiated in November 2021 with the launch of 10 Supercharger stations in the Netherlands, has since expanded globally, covering 25 countries, including three stations in Canada (Deep River, North Bay, Calgary). Tesla’s website highlights that EV owners worldwide can now access and utilize Superchargers, fostering cross-brand compatibility. See also: Tesla Welcomes Non-Tesla EVs to Supercharger Network…

German automaker Audi is embracing the current off-roading trend with its latest release, the Q8 e-tron Edition Dakar, priced at around €120,000 ($132k) in Germany. This SUV, based on the twin-motor 55 non-Sportback e-tron, taps into Audi’s rich off-highway heritage, harking back to the rallying success of the iconic Audi Quattro in the early 1980s and the more recent RS Q e-tron Dakar racer. The Q8 e-tron Edition Dakar maintains the performance of the stock model, boasting 402 hp (408 PS / 300 kW) in boost mode and accelerating from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.8 seconds on…

A Swiss development team has established a new world record for electric vehicles by driving a solar-powered electric truck to an impressive altitude of 6,500 meters on Ohis del Salado in Chile. This groundbreaking achievement was made possible with the support and financing provided by Austrian logistics company Gebrüder Weiss, which facilitated the transportation of the vehicle from Switzerland to Chile. According to Gebrüder Weiss, the Peak Evolution team commenced their expedition at the Maricunga salt lake, initiating exploratory tours and acclimatization on the mountain at an elevation of 3,400 meters. The extreme terrain and environmental conditions of the world’s…