Author: David Smith

Italian automation company Comau introduced a suite of new technologies at the Battery Show Europe 2025, including a modular platform for small-batch battery cell testing and cleanroom-compatible robotics designed for large-scale battery production. The company’s new Lab Fixtures platform, originally developed for Slovenia’s National Institute of Chemistry, is now available to global clients. Designed for laboratory and limited-series use, the customizable system aims to improve the speed, safety, and efficiency of cell formation and testing, accelerating product validation and reducing time to market. Also on display was Comau’s Racer-5 Sensitive Environments, a cleanroom- and dry room-certified articulated arm robot. Engineered…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has appointed Lars Bialkowski as its new Country Manager for Germany, effective June 1, 2025, marking a significant step in strengthening its management team in the key European market. Bialkowski, 53, joins BYD following his tenure as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Stellantis in Germany. He left Stellantis in late 2024 amid a broader management reshuffle and brings extensive experience from previous roles at Nissan and Renault. Maria Grazia Davino, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director at BYD Europe, described Bialkowski’s appointment as a milestone that will enhance continuity and accelerate BYD’s…

Hyundai has lowered lease prices on its updated 2025 Ioniq 5 electric SUV for the second consecutive month, offering consumers one of the most affordable deals in the electric vehicle market as political uncertainty clouds the future of U.S. EV incentives. The 2025 Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range RWD is now available for $179 per month over 24 months with $3,999 due at signing, down from $209 a month in May. Hyundai’s latest promotion includes the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and runs through July 7. See also: Hyundai Slashes Lease Price for Ioniq 5 N Ahead of 2026 Model…

Kia plans to move ahead with introducing its EV4 electric mid-size sedan to the U.S. market, even though the model will be imported from South Korea and therefore subject to a 25% tariff imposed under former President Donald Trump’s trade policy. A Kia product planner confirmed to U.S. media that the EV4 sedan will be built exclusively in South Korea, while a hatchback version aimed at the European market will be assembled in Slovakia. “For now, we are planning to introduce only the sedan for North America,” the planner said. See also: Everything You Should Know About Kia EV4 Specifications…

Tesla has filed new trademark applications for the term “Tesla Robotaxi” as it pushes forward with plans for a self-driving ride-hailing service, after earlier attempts to trademark more generic names encountered resistance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The company previously sought to register the terms “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” in October 2024. However, the USPTO requested further clarification for “Robotaxi,” citing its widespread use by other autonomous vehicle developers including Waymo. The application for “Cybercab” was suspended outright due to conflicts with a large number of existing trademark filings involving the word “Cyber.” See also: Tesla Robotaxi Pilot…

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled a sodium fuel cell technology that offers three times the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries, potentially transforming electric aviation and other transport industries. The research team has also launched a startup, Propel Aero, to advance commercial development. Unlike conventional batteries, the sodium fuel cell uses liquid sodium, sourced from abundant materials such as sea salt, as a fuel, which is replenished at about 98 degrees Celsius—the boiling point of water—rather than recharged electrically. The system operates by chemically reacting sodium with oxygen from the air, separated by a solid…

Self-driving truck startup TuSimple, which rebranded to CreateAI in late 2024, transferred a cache of sensitive U.S.-developed autonomous vehicle technology to a Beijing-owned company shortly after pledging to the U.S. government to cease such activity, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing hundreds of pages of internal documents and correspondence. According to the report, the transfers occurred around February 2022—just one week after TuSimple signed a national security agreement with U.S. regulators requiring it to implement firewalls and sever operational ties with China-based employees and partners. The recipient of the data was Foton Motor, a Chinese truck manufacturer owned by the…

Rivian Automotive is beginning an internal rollout of its latest over-the-air (OTA) software update, version 2025.18, which brings new features including Multi-factor Drive and improvements to charging performance and infotainment systems. The update is expected to be made available to R1T and R1S customers in the coming weeks. The software, currently being tested by Rivian employees, introduces Multi-factor Drive, a two-factor authentication feature designed to enhance vehicle security. Once enabled, starting the vehicle requires a second verification step through the Rivian app (version 3.1 or later) or a smartwatch. This function can only be enabled or disabled by the registered…

Toyota has announced a full redesign of its best-selling RAV4 SUV, with the 2026 model offering increased all-electric range, enhanced technology, and a shift to an all-hybrid powertrain lineup. The automaker said the new plug-in hybrid version can now travel up to 50 miles on electric power alone, a 20% improvement over the outgoing model. The gains are attributed to a larger high-voltage battery and the integration of silicon carbide semiconductors in the front axle, which improve power efficiency. “The more aggressive styling comes with a boost in battery range that covers the average daily driving mileage in nearly all…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng posted a sharp rise in revenue and vehicle deliveries for the first quarter, as operating conditions improved and cost-reduction measures took hold. Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 rose 141.5% year-on-year to RMB 15.81 billion ($2.18 billion), exceeding Bloomberg consensus estimates of RMB 15.66 billion. However, revenue was down 1.8% from RMB 16.11 billion in the previous quarter. See also: Xpeng to Launch Next-Generation P7 Coupe Sedan in Q3, Targeting Mid-to-High-End Market with AI-Powered Upgrades Xpeng delivered 94,008 vehicles in the first quarter, up more than fourfold from 21,821 units a year earlier. The…

Mazda has revealed a sporty new version of its all-electric EZ-6 sedan, ahead of its planned global rollout later this year. The model, which is already on sale in China starting at under $20,000, has been designed with younger drivers in mind and features distinct performance-inspired styling. Launched in China on October 26, 2024, through Mazda’s joint venture with Changan, the EZ-6 initially entered the market at a base price of 139,800 yuan (approximately $19,900). Nearly 2,500 units were sold in its first month, positioning it among the top three mid-sized new energy sedans from joint venture brands in the…

Mitsubishi Motors said on Monday it will not proceed with a planned investment of up to €200 million ($225 million) in Ampere, Renault’s electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary, as the Japanese automaker reconsiders its EV strategy. The decision marks a reversal of Mitsubishi’s earlier commitment and follows a similar move by fellow Japanese automaker Nissan, which recently withdrew its investment in Ampere to focus on internal restructuring and cost-saving efforts. Despite pulling the investment, Mitsubishi emphasized it remains open to future cooperation with Renault. “The company remains committed to exploring potential avenues for continued collaboration, including the potential OEM vehicles provided…