Author: Casper Benedict

In a strategic move, Waymo, the autonomous vehicle pioneer, has unveiled its plans to extend its ride-hail service to Austin, Texas. The vibrant capital of the state is poised to become the fourth major city to host Waymo’s commercial operations, joining the ranks of Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In recent months, Waymo embarked on a comprehensive testing phase, deploying its fleet of all-electric Jaguar I-Pace autonomous vehicles on the bustling streets of Downtown Austin. This approach aimed to acquaint the Waymo Driver—the core autonomous driving technology—with the unique characteristics of the city, a foundational step toward ensuring a…

Rivian, the manufacturer of the R1S SUV, R1T pickup, and Amazon Electric Delivery Van (EDV), has appointed John Krafcik to its board of directors, citing his extensive experience spanning over 35 years in the automotive industry, as reported by Automotive News. John Krafcik, 61, formerly served as the CEO of Waymo, Google’s self-driving car project, for more than five years before leaving the company in 2020. He continued as an advisor until the previous year. Prior to Waymo, Krafcik held leadership roles as the President of TrueCar, an online car marketplace, and the CEO of Hyundai Motor America. See also:…

Volkswagen, known for its nostalgia and reviving old vehicle nameplates, could be setting its sights on an electric version of the iconic Golf GTI, a beloved hot hatch in the automotive world. Recent trademark filings have surfaced, revealing a redesigned GTI logo, potentially indicating VW’s intentions to electrify the famed model and leverage the GTI reputation to generate excitement for its upcoming electric vehicles. The trademark application, filed with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, showcases a refreshed GTI logo that retains the well-known lettering but replaces the “I” with a lightning bolt. This adaptation is likely an acknowledgment…

In a recent development, Nikola Corporation announced the departure of Michael Lohscheller, who has been serving as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Effective immediately, Lohscheller will step down from his position and as a member of the Board of Directors, with his term officially ending on August 31, 2023. The decision comes as a result of a family health matter, leading Lohscheller to return to Europe. However, he will continue to support the company during the transition period in an advisory capacity until the end of September. During his tenure, Lohscheller played a pivotal role in shaping a more…

In a bid to further strengthen its electric vehicle (EV) offerings in China, Volkswagen is reportedly seeking a new partnership with Chinese EV startup Leapmotor, separate from its existing collaboration with XPeng Motors. According to a media report from Cailian, Volkswagen’s Jetta brand is currently in negotiations with Leapmotor, with a focus on using the startup’s technology to develop “economical electric cars.” An insider familiar with the matter revealed that FAW, Volkswagen’s joint venture partner in China, has issued an internal document stating that the Jetta brand is engaging in talks with Leapmotor after its partnership with XPeng Motors. While…

In a bold move to embrace the accelerating shift towards electrification, Subaru’s newly appointed CEO, Atsushi Osaki, has announced significant changes for the brand’s electric vehicle (EV) strategy. During a press conference, Osaki revealed that the Japanese automaker will be doubling the speed of its EV adoption, planning to launch eight new EV models for the U.S. market. This decision comes amidst the rapidly changing landscape of EV demand and consumer preferences. Initially, Subaru had committed to introducing four new EVs in the coming years. However, the revised plan will see the company now offering a more diverse range of…

In a strategic move to bolster its wireless charging technology, Tesla has acquired the German company Wiferion, a specialist in wireless charging solutions, for an undisclosed sum. While neither Tesla nor Wiferion have officially disclosed the transaction, Wiferion’s website now identifies itself as part of ‘Tesla Engineering Germany GmbH.’ Based on Tesla’s recent earnings report, the purchase price is believed to be around $76 million, listed under ‘Business Combinations.’ Wiferion has established expertise in the development and manufacturing of inductive charging systems, catering primarily to transport systems, forklifts, and robots, as reported by Drive Tesla Canada. With Tesla’s acquisition, updates…

In its Q1 presentation back in February 2023, LiveWire President Ryan Morrissey informed analysts about the delayed rollout of the LiveWire S2 Del Mar. While the planned release was set for the second half of the year, specific information on the exact timing remained undisclosed. During the joint LiveWire and Harley-Davidson analyst call for Q2 of 2023 held on July 27, the company reported shipping just 33 LiveWire motorcycles during the quarter, all of which were LiveWire Ones. Despite the relatively low numbers, LiveWire executives expressed optimism about the coming months, considering the significance of the impending launch of the…

In a recent announcement, Ford Motor reported a remarkable surge in demand for its electric truck, the F-150 Lightning, with orders skyrocketing by 600% following substantial price cuts implemented last month. To meet the heightened demand, the company is now on track to triple its annual production capacity by the fall. Ford’s efforts to expand and revamp the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center have been instrumental in its ability to target an annual run rate of 150,000 electric truck models by this autumn. Despite experiencing a temporary shutdown at its EV plant, which resulted in limited customer deliveries in recent…

In a move toward embracing cleaner transportation options, Iveco has revealed its intention to produce and market battery-electric and fuel-cell trucks under its own name. This decision is not entirely surprising, given the company’s previous involvement with electric trucks in collaboration with other manufacturers since 2019. The recent unveiling of the Iveco Heavy Duty BEV at the Truck Grand Prix held at the Nürburgring further solidifies their commitment to sustainable innovations. The Iveco S-Way platform serves as the foundation for both battery-electric and fuel-cell variants (Iveco Heavy Duty FCEV) due to its modular architecture, accommodating different drive technologies. Both models…

In recent months, the NEVS Emily GT project acquisition has been making headlines as it inches closer to production. After Saab’s defunct status in 2011, New Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) acquired the remaining assets of the renowned auto manufacturer. NEVS had its ambitious plans for the brand until Chinese conglomerate Evergrande assumed control. However, financial troubles plagued Evergrande in the past years. During this period, the former Saab engineers at NEVS were diligently working on the Emily GT, a four-door electric sports sedan that aimed to surpass the capabilities of many existing electric sedans on the market. The standout feature…

German automotive supplier MAHLE and Taiwan’s leading battery manufacturer ProLogium have joined forces through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pioneer innovative thermal management solutions for the next generation of solid-state batteries. This collaboration aims to leverage ProLogium’s oxide solid-state lithium ceramic battery technology, which promises extended driving range, rapid charging capabilities, and enhanced battery recyclability. The primary focus of this partnership will be the development of tailored thermal management solutions specifically designed to accommodate the unique characteristics of ProLogium’s cutting-edge battery technology. By doing so, both companies seek to foster competitive battery systems that offer exceptional efficiency, energy density,…