Author: Christopher Harrison

In a significant shift for the automaker, Kia America has experienced a remarkable transformation over the past five years, resulting in a surge of affluent buyers and a substantial increase in its average transaction price. Sean Yoon, the chief executive of Kia America, revealed in a recent interview with Auto News that the company’s revamped long-term brand strategy, initiated with the introduction of the Telluride in March 2019, has propelled Kia beyond its reputation as a value brand. Yoon proudly stated, “In terms of retail sales volume since 2018, excluding fleet, we grew by 31 percent, and our average transaction…

Chinese startup, Greater Bay Technology, has recently made bold claims about its groundbreaking thermal management technology for automotive batteries. The company asserts that its innovative “Phoenix” battery cell can efficiently operate at both high and low temperatures, enabling electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with these batteries to achieve an impressive range of up to 621 miles (1,000 km). According to reports from Bloomberg, the Phoenix battery cell incorporates superconducting materials that facilitate the implementation of advanced thermal management technology. This breakthrough allows for rapid heating of the battery cell from -4 °F to 77 °F (-20 °C to 25 °C) in…

Stellantis, a global automaker, has recently announced a new joint venture with metal recycling specialist Galloo, aimed at fostering a more circular economy and achieving greener practices across its entire business by 2030. The partnership between Stellantis and Galloo will focus on implementing a service to recycle end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) from Stellantis brands and potentially other automakers. While Stellantis took some time to embrace electrification, the company is now fully committed to adopting cleaner and more efficient strategies in its vehicle production. In addition to various projects related to electric vehicle (EV) batteries, Stellantis has set its sights on the…

Ferrari’s CEO, Benedetto Vigna, said that the company’s new electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility, known as the e-building, will be operational by next summer. Although Ferrari’s first EV is not set to hit the market for another two years, Vigna expressed confidence that the company’s profit margins will not be affected. Vigna made these remarks during an interview at Bloomberg’s Italy Capital Markets Forum, where he stated, “We will be ready in June 2024” regarding the completion of the new electric supercar factory in Maranello, Italy. The facility is designed to produce electric motors, inverters, batteries, and will house an…

In Australia, there has been a remarkable surge in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), and the Tesla Model Y has emerged as the frontrunner. According to the data released by the Federated Chamber of Automotive Industries, the Model Y has achieved impressive sales figures, with 3,178 units sold in May. This accomplishment has propelled the Model Y to become the best-selling SUV and the third best-selling vehicle overall in Australia, trailing only the Toyota Hi-Lux (5,772) and the Ford Ranger (4,110). The strong sales of the Model Y have not only bolstered Tesla’s position but have also resulted in…

Daimler Buses, a bus manufacturer, has unveiled its plans to establish a subsidiary dedicated to designing and constructing infrastructure tailored for electric buses. Known as Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH, the new subsidiary aims to provide comprehensive infrastructure solutions to customers across Europe in a streamlined manner. Daimler Buses already offers charging solutions, digital fleet tools, and various ecosystem components to electric bus customers. By creating this wholly-owned subsidiary, the company seeks to consolidate its existing expertise and expand its portfolio further. The independent nature of the new subsidiary is expected to foster entrepreneurial freedom, facilitating rapid growth and efficient decision-making…

German energy group E.On has unveiled a new product called Evercharge, a predictive maintenance tool designed to optimize the operations of charging points. E.On claims that Evercharge is the first software of its kind, offering charging station operators the opportunity to enhance network availability, reduce costs, and ensure steady revenues. Evercharge utilizes artificial intelligence to predict and prevent potential failures before they happen. The software is compatible with a wide range of charging station manufacturers and IT backend providers, adhering to standards like OCPP. Initially developed for internal use at E.On, the company has now made its predictive maintenance software…

Daimler Buses has introduced its groundbreaking eCitaro fuel cell bus, featuring a fuel cell as a range extender, at the prestigious Global Public Transport Summit. The launch of the eCitaro fuel cell coincides with the start of series production, marking a significant milestone for the company. In late May, Daimler Buses provided initial details about the new eCitaro variant, revealing that it combines Mercedes-Benz’s cutting-edge third-generation lithium-ion batteries with a fuel cell to extend its range. The solo bus model is equipped with three battery packs boasting a combined capacity of 294 kWh, while the articulated bus version can accommodate…

Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) proudly announced on Thursday that the all-new 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid has been recognized as a Top Safety Pick (TSP) by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This esteemed accolade is awarded to vehicles manufactured after May 2023, demonstrating the Outlander’s commitment to safety. The IIHS, a reputable nonprofit organization renowned for its comprehensive safety evaluations, rigorously tests and assesses the crashworthiness and crash-avoidance capabilities of production vehicles. In order to receive the TSP designation, a model must achieve “Good” ratings in IIHS’ driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal tests, original moderate overlap…

On June 1, Smart #1, the innovative electric vehicle (EV) developed through a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, made its official debut in France. This comes after the successful delivery of Smart #1 in the German market, which commenced in March this year. Customers can expect to receive their vehicles within a delivery cycle of 2 to 8 weeks after finalizing their configurations. With a strong emphasis on accelerating its global business operations, Smart has outlined plans to introduce Smart #1 in several additional European markets. These markets include Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland. Furthermore, the company…

During an attempt to conquer the infamous Hell’s Gate off-road obstacle in Moab, Utah, a Rivian R1T owner encountered a mechanical issue. The driver, aiming to navigate the challenging terrain in the all-electric truck, chose an unfavorable path and decided to backtrack for a better line. Unfortunately, while reversing, an inner tie rod broke, rendering steering nearly impossible for the 7,148-pound vehicle. Facing this setback without any spare parts on hand, the R1T owner reached out for assistance. Enter David Hellman, the proprietor of Xtreme 4×4 Tours and Moab Scenic Adventures, who came to the rescue in his Chevy K30…

According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), U.S. automaker Tesla experienced a 2.4% increase in deliveries of China-made electric vehicles (EVs) in May compared to April. The company delivered a total of 77,695 EVs during the month. In comparison to May 2022, when production was impacted by COVID-19 containment measures, sales surged by an impressive 142%. During that period in 2022, Tesla’s factory in Shanghai, China, was still subject to restrictions. Tesla’s Chinese competitor, BYD, also witnessed growth in May, with sales of its Dynasty and Ocean series of EVs and petrol-electric hybrid vehicles reaching 239,092 units.…

StradVision, a provider of autonomous driving technology, has unveiled its state-of-the-art autonomous driving workshop in Dongtan, Korea. This cutting-edge facility aims to revolutionize the testing and optimization of self-driving sensor equipment. Spanning an impressive 18,000 square feet, the workshop is equipped with advanced technology to verify, test, and develop an array of cameras and sensors for autonomous vehicle design. It specifically focuses on lidar and radar systems, essential components for safe and efficient self-driving capabilities. With the capacity to accommodate up to 40 engineers simultaneously, the facility allows for rigorous testing of as many as six vehicles at a time.…

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) brought about a significant transformation in the federal tax credit system in the United States, specifically targeting plug-in electric cars. Today, we delve into this pivotal incentive and examine the qualifying criteria for eligible models. The federal tax credit serves as a substantial incentive, offering up to $7,500 for new plug-in electric vehicles that meet the specified requirements. Initially introduced in mid-2022, the primary prerequisite was that an electric vehicle must be manufactured in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. However, as of April 18, 2023, the requirements were expanded and significantly strengthened,…

Xiaomi, the renowned tech giant, is expanding its electric scooter lineup in Europe with the introduction of the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Ultra. After its successful unveiling at MWC 2023, the scooter quickly gained popularity in several European countries such as France and Spain. Now, the anticipation is building as the powerful model gears up to make its way to Italy. The exciting news broke when XiaomiToday.it stumbled upon a noteworthy discovery—a Declaration of Conformity filed by Navee, Xiaomi’s dedicated e-scooter brand. The document, relating to models DDHBC01ZM and DDHBC02ZM, serves as confirmation of the upcoming launch in Italy. Equipped…

In a recent announcement, Hyundai USA unveiled its sales figures for May 2023, revealing a fascinating trend in the realm of electric vehicles (EVs). The Korean automaker’s electric fleet has outshined its conventional lineup, with hybrids and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounting for a noteworthy 19% of total sales volume for the month. Among the standout performers, the Ioniq EVs emerged as the clear winners, contributing significantly to Hyundai’s sales figures for May. Astonishingly, the Ioniq EVs alone constituted 4.9% of Hyundai’s total sales, showcasing their growing popularity in the market. However, what makes these numbers even more captivating is…

Tesla has quietly discontinued the right-hand-drive (RHD) Model S sedan and Model X SUV in Australia and New Zealand. A glimpse at their regional websites reveals a straightforward notice on top stating that the models are unavailable to order and that the specs displayed are US values. The move comes in the wake of Tesla’s decision to stop manufacturing RHD versions of the Model X and Model Y, reportedly due to mechanical and logistical hurdles. The company is implementing similar measures in other RHD markets like Hong Kong and Singapore. Tesla has offered reservation holders in Australia a full refund,…

Europe’s pioneering teledriving service, Vay, is set to make its debut in the United States, with plans to establish its headquarters in Las Vegas. The German-based company has adopted a remote-first approach to driverless vehicles, relying on operators to remotely drive electric vehicles (EVs) from a dedicated hub. While Vay aims to gradually introduce autonomous driving capabilities as they become safer and legally permissible, its current focus lies on teledrivers transporting rental EVs to customers, who can then drive the vehicles and return them to base with the assistance of Vay’s remote driving technology. In Las Vegas, Vay will face…

Rimac, the Croatian automotive company, has recently been observed testing their electric vehicle, the Nevera, at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The car, which previously set multiple acceleration records, was seen with new sensors and potential timing equipment on its roof, indicating Rimac’s intention to assess its performance on the challenging racetrack. The current record for the fastest production electric vehicle lap at the Nurburgring is held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, with a time of 7 minutes and 33.3 seconds. However, in May 2017, the Nio EP9 completed a lap in an impressive 6 minutes and 45.9 seconds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNLXjaJOkGE It’s…

In a recent investor conference, Ford’s Chief Executive, Jim Farley, shed light on the future of electric vehicles (EVs) and their journey towards cost parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Farley indicated that this milestone may not be achieved until after 2030, emphasizing the need for the second and third generation of EVs, which are expected to enter production after 2025. According to Farley, the primary factor driving cost reduction in EVs between 2030 and 2035 will be the significant decrease in labor requirements. As future EVs are designed to be simpler to manufacture with fewer components, the assembly…