Author: Christopher Harrison

In a recent video release as part of its “Road to Gravity” series, Lucid Motors provided viewers with an inside look at the production of its highly anticipated Gravity SUV at the Advanced Manufacturing Plant 1 (AMP-1) factory in Casa Grande, Arizona. The video, featuring CEO Peter Rawlinson, showcases the advanced manufacturing processes that will bring the Gravity SUV to life later this year. Rawlinson guides viewers through the assembly line, highlighting the robotic equipment that will play a crucial role in building the SUV. The video demonstrates the robots in action, particularly at the framing station, where they are…

Mercedes-Benz is expanding its offering in the Small Van segment with new long-wheelbase versions of its electric models, the eCitan Tourer and EQT, catering to both private and commercial customers. The extended wheelbase variants can now be ordered with up to seven seats, providing increased versatility for customers. The eCitan Tourer and EQT were initially introduced in May 2023, with compact models featuring a length of 4.5 metres and a maximum of five seats. The new long-wheelbase versions add 38 centimetres to the wheelbase, offering enhanced interior space and flexibility. Prices for the eCitan Tourer with a long wheelbase start…

Fisker, the electric vehicle startup, is moving towards liquidation, according to statements made by attorneys in U.S. bankruptcy court on Friday. This development comes as two creditor factions prepare for a battle over the priority of repayment. Following a cash drain in its efforts to boost production of its Ocean SUVs, Fisker filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware on Monday. Despite initial intentions to secure additional financing and maintain “reduced operations,” Fisker’s attorney, Brian Resnick, indicated during the Wilmington hearing that obtaining financing is currently unlikely. See also: Fisker Files for Bankruptcy as Deal Talks Collapse, Citing Cash Burn and EV…

XPeng chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng is in the United States testing Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which is expected to be introduced in China later this year, according to a report by CnEVPost. He Xiaopeng took to Weibo to share his experiences and solicit feedback from his followers, asking, “I’m visiting the US for a longer period of time this time and dropping by to test the latest version of FSD and Waymo version. What aspects are you most interested in comparing between Tesla’s full self-driving software and XPeng’s XNGP (XPeng Navigation Guided Pilot). See also: XPeng Brings Tesla FSD-Like…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently announced new details about the company’s upcoming self-driving computer, dispelling expectations that it would be named Hardware 5 (HW5). Instead, Musk revealed it will be known as AI5 and is scheduled to be available in vehicles in the second half of 2025. Following the initial fifteen months with HW4, Tesla’s current self-driving computer, the company aims to introduce further enhancements to its Full Self-Driving suite. AI5 is poised to be the most advanced version of Tesla’s hardware yet, expected to consume approximately four times the energy of HW3 and HW4, necessitating a more robust effort.…

Despite the absence of a standardized megawatt charging standard (MCS), Shell has taken a pioneering step by installing its inaugural megawatt charging system at its Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA). This system is designed to cater to electric trucks and ships, marking a significant advancement in the field of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The capacity of the megawatt charger is equivalent to approximately three regular 350 kW fast chargers currently used by trucks for charging. The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) at ETCA features two distinct charging arms: one rotating arm for electric ships and another for heavy electric lorries…

Chinese automakers are intensifying their competition with the Tesla Model Y, with the Voyah Zhiyin, a mid-size electric SUV, emerging as the latest entrant. Set to become the fourth model under the Dongfeng Motor-owned premium brand, preliminary details of the upcoming EV have been unveiled. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has confirmed the Dongfeng-Nissan joint venture plant in Wuhan, China, as the production site for the Voyah Zhiyin. This facility, responsible for producing the Nissan Ariya domestically, will now add this new electric SUV to its portfolio. Measuring 4,725 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and…

Dongfeng has introduced its latest offering to the electric vehicle market in China with the launch of the eπ 008, a new three-row electric SUV. The eπ brand, which was unveiled by Dongfeng in April 2023, aims to establish itself as a mainstream player in the EV market. The eπ 008, measuring 5,002 mm long, 1,972 mm wide, and 1,732 mm tall, is a spacious SUV with a 3,025 mm wheelbase and a 2+2+2 seating layout. It is powered by a single motor located on the rear axle, producing 200 kW and 340 Nm of torque. The motor is paired…

British automotive giant Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced the revival of its Freelander brand for a new line of electric cars, set to be produced in collaboration with its Chinese partner Chery. The vehicles, which will initially be built and sold in China, mark a significant strategic move for JLR in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. The new Freelander models will be based on Chery’s E0X platform, although JLR has not explicitly mentioned this in its official statement. According to recent reports, the E0X platform will be utilized for JLR’s electric cars, while the M3X platform is earmarked…

Tesla has filed a lawsuit against its former supplier Matthews International in California federal court, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets related to Tesla’s battery-manufacturing process and sharing them with competitors. The lawsuit, filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that Matthews owes damages that Tesla estimates will exceed $1 billion for misusing its trade secrets related to dry electrode battery manufacturing technology. Matthews responded to the lawsuit in a statement on Monday, calling Tesla’s claims a “new tactic” in their efforts to bully Matthews and take its valuable intellectual property.…

At the Deutsche Bank’s Global Auto Industry Conference in New York, GM’s chief financial officer Paul Jacobson revealed the company’s plan to invest an additional $850 million into its self-driving subsidiary, Cruise. This move aims to support Cruise’s operational costs as it resumes testing activities, following a pause triggered by a San Francisco accident involving one of its self-driving taxis last year. Jacobson stated, “We are going to put $850 million into Cruise this month. That will be what I would consider to be like a step financing.” He acknowledged the need for further funding, mentioning, “Given a lot of…

European Union (EU) has announced tariffs on EVs imported from China, effective next month. The decision, based on an investigation into Chinese state aid, will see varying tariffs imposed on different carmakers. Notably, Tesla, with its Shanghai factory, will be excluded for the time being. According to the EU Commission, BYD will face a special duty of 17.4 per cent, while Geely and SAIC will face 20 per cent and 38.1 per cent, respectively. These rates were determined based on the level of governmental aid received by these companies, allowing them to offer their electric vehicles in Europe at lower…