Author: Casper Benedict

Audi has decided to stop selling Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) in one of the world’s biggest markets, China. The move comes as the German luxury brand faces increased competition from both Tesla and new brands in emerging markets. According to a corporate executive, Audi’s PHEV sales in China have more than halved since 2020, prompting the brand to refocus its efforts on EV sales and development. The decision is not entirely surprising, given that domestic brands such as BYD now control 75% of the PHEV market in China. See also: Audi Sells 81,894 electric vehicles last year, increase 57.5%…

The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance has been in the headlines lately, with the announcement of a realignment of their existing partnership. While this involves planned joint e-mobility activities in Latin America, India, and Europe, along with a joint 800-volt platform, Nissan seems to be making new plans and putting out feelers for new partners. According to Reuters news agency, seven individuals familiar with the matter said that Nissan is pushing ahead with its growth plans in software and electric vehicles independently of alliance partner Renault. Nissan is reportedly looking for a partner outside the car industry to develop new software for its…

SAIC’s Maxus brand has just released the first photos of its latest creation, the Maxus Mifa 7 MPV. The images were published online by China’s patent office, and although pricing and release dates have not yet been confirmed, the vehicle is already making waves in the industry due to its bold design and impressive features. The example pictured is a simple white shade, but its front fascia is imposing, with blacked-out headlights and a striking LED light bar. The traditional grille has been replaced by a small black grille on the lower bumper. The Mifa 7 also boasts silver roof…

Holland’s Lightyear Automotive made waves in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with the development of the Lightyear 0, the world’s most aerodynamic production car with solar panels that could go up to seven months without a charge. However, the company filed for bankruptcy just months after beginning production. Now, several prototypes of the innovative EV have surfaced on a local online marketplace, offering a unique opportunity for interested buyers. Two of the prototypes are near-production examples and are currently being auctioned on the Troostwijkauctions website. The bidding for these two models has already reached €15,000 and €6,400, respectively. One of…

Tesla has announced price cuts for its electric vehicles in Europe, Israel, and Singapore. This is part of the company’s ongoing global pricing strategy, which began in January. According to Tesla, the price cuts in several European markets, including Germany and France, are due to a scaling up and improvement in its production capacity. Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. The company’s master plan has set a clear pathway to achieve that mission: the transformation of cost-intensive small-series products to cheaper mass-series vehicles. The recent price reductions on the Model 3 and Model Y are in…

Autel Energy, an electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider, has announced the installation of its EV charging stations in several locations across Singapore. The charging stations located in Hup Hin, the National University of Singapore, and Gain City at Sungei Kadut Drive have already been completed, while the station in Gain City at Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 is expected to be unveiled soon. The new stations, which feature Autel’s MaxiCharger DC Fast technology, promise faster and more efficient charging experiences for Singaporean EV drivers. The Hup Hin charging station has been equipped with four MaxiCharger DC 240kW and…

Kia has been recognized with a Red Dot Design Award in the category of “Product Design” for its Niro Plug-in Hybrid. This recognition highlights Kia’s commitment to designing innovative, high-quality vehicles that cater to the needs of its customers while staying at the forefront of cutting-edge design. The Niro Plug-in Hybrid has a rational and emotional design aesthetic, which reflects Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. The design aims to inspire movement, with notable features such as contemporary-looking angular ‘Heartbeat’ daytime running lights (DRLs), a distinctive Aero C-Pillar, a bold skid plate, and cladding to enhance the electrified CUV’s rugged stance.…

Luminar Technologies Inc. ($LAZR), a leading lidar sensor developer, has taken its new high-volume manufacturing facility in Mexico online ahead of schedule. The new facility, located in Monterrey, offers Luminar a footprint of 180,000 square feet and has an initial production capacity of 250,000 sensors per year. However, the factory already has the capability to be expanded to about 500,000 sensors annually. Luminar has already begun delivering the first Iris sensors manufactured at the site to one of its largest customers. Luminar’s Iris long-range lidar technology has been implemented in Volvo Cars vehicles as a prime component in the automaker’s…

Genesis, a luxury car brand, has announced its latest innovation, the Plug & Charge service, which offers a seamless and secure charging experience for electric vehicle (EV) owners. With this bespoke system, customers can simply plug in and charge without the need for a payment card or a dedicated app. This hassle-free charging solution was made possible through Genesis’ successful collaboration with Shell Recharge and Hubject, a Plug & Charge ecosystem operator. The Plug & Charge service is designed to provide the ultimate convenience for EV drivers. The system is easy to use, allowing drivers to pull up, plug in,…

ZF, a leading supplier of driveline and chassis technology as well as active and passive safety technology, has announced the series production of its new electric central drive, the CeTrax lite. The company states that the new driveline is suitable for light commercial vehicles up to 7.5 tons and has already received orders from Asia and America. The CeTrax lite is being produced under the direction of ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The division was founded in 2022 to focus more precisely on the commercial vehicle market. The new driveline, according to ZF, exploits synergies from the…

New pictures and technical data have been leaked on the internet ahead of the official premiere of the new Mini Cooper, which is being produced in collaboration with Chinese company Great Wall. The four images show a blue Mini with a white painted roof, white exterior mirror caps, and a white border around the ‘radiator grille’. The electric Mini has its own unique design for the tail lights, while the front and side lines remain true to the iconic Mini look. See also: Mini unveiled its first all-electric Mini Cooper SE as a convertible The Mini Cooper E is expected…

Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian has been facing production delays that have led to a 90% drop in its stock value since its IPO. The production holdups were primarily attributed to issues with the complex Bosch motors used in the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV, which are fitted with numerous semiconductor chips. To address these concerns, Rivian has developed its own simplified in-house motor, named “Enduro,” that it hopes will help reduce delays and improve production efficiency. The new Enduro motor uses fewer semiconductors, and is currently being introduced to Rivian’s Amazon delivery vehicles. The company is aiming to…