Author: David Smith

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to overturn numerous environmental rules and policies implemented by the Biden administration, as reported by the Washington Post. During a meeting with top U.S. oil executives, Trump also requested that they raise $1 billion for his presidential campaign. According to sources familiar with the meeting, Trump promised to roll back President Joe Biden’s emissions rules aimed at promoting electric vehicles and to lift the Biden administration’s freeze on permits for new liquefied natural gas exports, among other actions. Trump reportedly described giving $1 billion as a “deal” for the oil executives. Attendees at…

Just months after the debut of the E8 electric sedan, Geely’s subsidiary Galaxy has pulled the curtain back on its latest offering, the E5 electric SUV. With a launch slated for the Chinese market followed by a global rollout, the E5 promises a blend of practicality and sophistication. Measuring 4,615 mm long, 1,901 mm wide, and 1,670 mm tall, the Galaxy E5 falls into the compact SUV category, echoing the dimensions of the VW ID.4. Despite its smaller stature, the E5 exudes a sense of elegance, with narrow headlights, L-shaped daytime running lights, and an illuminated Geely logo creating a…

Tesla is facing scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department over its statements regarding self-driving technology, with the agency opening a probe to determine if the company misled consumers and investors, potentially violating securities or wire fraud laws. According to a Reuters exclusive report, investigators are particularly interested in whether Tesla committed wire fraud by misleading consumers about the capabilities of its driver-assistance systems. While Tesla has never claimed its vehicles are fully autonomous, the Justice Department is focusing on statements related to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite. The probe, which is in its early stages, could lead to criminal charges,…

Tesla has reportedly secured support from the Chinese government to test its robotaxi concept with Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities in China. According to sources cited by China Daily, Tesla CEO Elon Musk proposed the testing of Full Self-Driving functions within vehicles deployed in the Chinese market, with plans to operate them as taxis. Musk likened Tesla’s robotaxi service to a combination of Airbnb and Uber, with Tesla overseeing the fleet’s operation. The Chinese officials allegedly welcomed Tesla’s proposal, indicating that the company was free to conduct robotaxi tests in China. This move is seen as part of China’s broader strategy…

New car sales in the UK experienced a modest increase in April, primarily bolstered by higher demand for fleet vehicles during what is typically a low-volume month, according to industry data released on Tuesday. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported a 1% year-on-year rise in new car registrations, reaching a total of 134,274 units. Despite this uptick, the figures remain more than 16% below pre-pandemic levels. Fleet registrations notably surged, rising by 18.5% to 81,207 units, significantly contributing to the overall growth in new car sales for the month. The SMMT also revised its new car sales…

Supply chain sources have hinted at potential discussions between Rivian and Apple for a collaboration that could enhance Rivian’s upcoming R2 and R3 vehicles while providing Apple with an outlet for some of its advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology developed for Project Titan. Apple’s EV ambitions have been the subject of speculation, with reports suggesting a shift in focus towards developing artificial intelligence (AI) after initially planning to launch an electric vehicle with limited autonomous driving features in 2028. Recent reports indicate that Apple may have halted its own EV development to concentrate on AI technology. A partnership with Apple…

Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, is set to receive a significant upgrade to its hands later this year, according to a recent comment from CEO Elon Musk. The upgraded hands will feature 22 degrees of freedom (DoF), bringing them very close to the 27 degrees of freedom of a human hand. A new video released by Tesla over the weekend showcased Optimus performing various tasks in a factory setting, demonstrating its precision and dexterity. NVIDIA’s Senior Research Manager and Lead of Embodied AI, Jim Fan, praised Optimus’ hands as among the best in the industry, noting their tactile sensing and 11…

Tesla has initiated a new round of layoffs as part of its aggressive cost-cutting strategy, trimming various aspects of its operations as it transitions between two significant growth phases. The electric vehicle giant began laying off employees several weeks ago in a bid to streamline expenses during what it described as challenging economic conditions. While Tesla remains stable, the company has acknowledged its focus on a singular objective: bringing its next-generation lineup of vehicles to market. CEO Elon Musk emphasized the necessity of sacrifices to achieve this goal. Following the termination of thousands of employees in late April, additional job…

Hyundai is gearing up to launch a next-generation model of its hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) NEXO crossover, set to hit the market in the second quarter of 2025. The move is aimed at solidifying the company’s position in the global eco-friendly vehicle segment. According to sources within Hyundai, the new version of the NEXO will feature several upgrades from the current model, including a larger fuel tank and improved specifications such as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) and over-the-air (OTA) software upgrades for suspension and braking systems. The company is currently in the final stages of testing…

In a quirky twist in the world of autonomous vehicles, an Arizona eBike enthusiast and content creator, Jason B Carr, has stumbled upon a peculiar way to prompt Waymo’s self-driving cars to stop: wearing a simple t-shirt emblazoned with a stop sign. Carr’s unconventional experiment, captured in a series of videos, showcases his ability to halt Waymo’s Jaguar I-Paces by strategically revealing his stop sign-adorned t-shirt. While some skeptics speculated that the vehicle may have mistaken Carr for a pedestrian entering the road, subsequent tests from a sidewalk confirmed that the t-shirt alone was sufficient to trigger the autonomous vehicle’s…

As technology races forward, the venerable AM radio finds itself at the center of a congressional debate. A new bill, the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023,” is on the cusp of approval, with overwhelming support from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senator Edward Markey, the bill’s proponent, emphasized its importance, stating, “AM radio is a lifeline for people in every corner of the United States to get news, sports, and local updates in times of emergencies.” This sentiment underscores the role of AM radio as part of the emergency broadcast network, particularly crucial for…

Volvo Cars has announced the resignation of Javier Varela, the company’s Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO. Varela has decided to pursue a new opportunity outside the company, with his resignation taking immediate effect. Volvo Cars is yet to appoint a direct successor. In response to Varela’s departure, Volvo Cars’ Executive Management Team (EMT) will undergo restructuring. Erik Severinson will assume the role of Chief Product & Strategy Officer, Anders Bell will become Chief Engineering & Technology Officer, and Francesca Gamboni will take on the role of Chief Supply Chain Officer. These appointments are part of Volvo Cars’ ongoing succession…