Author: David Smith

According to Auto News Research & Data Center, Tesla delivered 491,000 vehicles in the US in 2022, a 44% increase from the previous year, making it the top luxury brand in America. However, Tesla does not officially disclose sales by country and the data does not specify which model was the best-seller. Auto News’ estimates are based on vehicle registration data and are considered accurate. If the numbers are correct, Tesla has now surpassed Mercedes and BMW as the top-selling luxury brand in America. Previously, Mercedes was considered the luxury sales leader with 350,949 units sold, surpassing BMW’s sales of…

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse stated that the company’s future investment in the US will be determined by market demand, not politics. Despite the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requiring North American production and sourcing of key parts and raw materials for EV tax credits, Zipse emphasized that the company will not be swayed by political agendas and will make decisions based on what is financially beneficial for the company. The automaker is facing pressure to re-evaluate its EV parts and battery production and supply in order to qualify for the $7,500 tax credit in the US. “We would not change…

LG Energy Solution and Honda have established a joint venture to produce lithium-ion batteries for Honda’s electric vehicles. The new battery plant, set to be built in Fayette County, near Jeffersonville, will begin construction early this year with plans to start mass production by the end of 2025. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 40 GWh and will exclusively supply batteries to Honda plants in North America. The companies have committed to investing $3.5 billion and creating 2,200 jobs for the new facility, with the overall investment projected to reach $4.4 billion. LG Energy Solutions (LGES), a…

The CharIN association, which promotes the CCS charging standard, has announced new members, including Chinese electric car manufacturer Nio, which recently launched in Europe. Nio sees joining the CharIN platform as an opportunity to interact with other EV charging industry partners and ensure end-to-end compatibility, promote interoperability, and strive for a better user experience. Other new members include Vega Chargers and Jema Energy from Spain, Pionix from Germany, Nanjing Powercore Tech from China, and DEWA from Dubai. It is yet to be seen how Nio’s battery-swapping stations will integrate with CharIN. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is joining…

Both Tesla’s Model S sedan and Model Y SUV were recently recognized for their safety by Euro NCAP, being named on the “Best in Class” list for 2022. Despite the perception that Tesla’s focus is on speed and futuristic features, the company has long emphasized the safety of its vehicles, with CEO Elon Musk claiming that some Tesla EVs have received the highest safety scores ever given by official organizations. Though the Autopilot and FSD Capability packages have drawn criticism, the recent recognition by Euro NCAP once again highlights Tesla’s commitment to safety in their vehicles. https://twitter.com/EuroNCAP/status/1613116129794293760 Euro NCAP uses…

Rivian, an electric vehicle startup, has recently parted ways with several top executives, including a Vice President and the head of supply chain, according to confirmation from a company spokeswoman to the Wall Street Journal. These departures come as the company attempts to increase production and build a second factory in Georgia. Although they have increased output by 36% in the quarter, they failed to meet the target of 25,000 units by 700 units. Rivian cited supply chain issues, which are also impacting other automobile manufacturers. Randy Frank, Vice President of Body and Interior Engineering and Steve Gawronski, the Vice…

Tata Motors, the top-selling electric vehicle company in India, plans to expand its electric car lineup with new models and higher prices, according to its managing director. “Customer needs are getting very individualistic. Going ahead we will maintain our growth momentum and work towards further strengthening our portfolio,” said Chandra. The company presented 12 cars, including 5 electric models, and 14 trucks, including hydrogen fuel cell-powered ones, as part of its efforts to increase its clean vehicle offerings. The electric cars featured included versions of the popular Harrier and Sierra SUVs, as well as a concept car based on a…

Mazda has revealed that it will release the new Mazda MX-30 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in the near future, the rotary engine is back! On the official Mazda Europe media page, the new Mazda MX-30 PHEV car will be launched at the 2023 Brussels Motor Show. The launch of the new Mazda MX-30 PHEV car will be held on Friday (13/1) at 10.00 local time or 16.00 WIB. Not only revealing when and where the MX-30 PHEV was launched, Mazda didn’t forget to provide a teaser photo in the form of a logo. The logo has the shape of a rotor…

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has approved regulations known as Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC), which effectively prohibit the sale of new vehicles powered by combustion engines, including gasoline and diesel vehicles. Under these rules, all new vehicle sales in Oregon must be exclusively electric by 2035, with some exceptions. According to the recently passed ACC II legislation, the sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles will be permitted, although there is no clear indication of criteria for electric-only range. The legislation specifically mentions light-duty trucks, but does not address heavy-duty models such as the Ford Super Duty, Silverado HD, or…

Suzuki has entered into a partnership with Inmotive to develop a new 2-speed EV transmission called Ingear. The Ingear transmission is designed specifically for electric vehicles and is more efficient than traditional single-speed EV powertrains. The transmission utilizes a continuous chain drive and a unique morphing sprocket that changes size during gear shifts, allowing the shift to occur in a single revolution of the wheels. To shift, an actuator directs outer gear segments in or out of the chain path, while the motor speed is carefully adjusted so that shifts are barely perceptible and can be completed in as little…

Italdesign showcased an innovative modular design at CES in Las Vegas, called the Climb-E. It is an autonomous transport platform in the form of an electric shuttle, with a basic cabin that can accommodate four passengers. However, the design is highly versatile, as the passenger compartment of the shuttle can be detached from the electric drive and platform and transformed into a variety of different spaces, such as a dentist’s office, living room or restaurant. Italdesign envisions that the Climb-E could be used for a wide range of services, such as medical, veterinary or hospitality services, and be delivered “straight…

Hyundai Motor Company announced that its SEVEN and Trailer Drone concepts have received 2022 GOOD DESIGN Awards in the transportation category, and its Plug & Drive (PnD) Mobility, PnD L7, and Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED) have each been awarded in the robotics category. “Hyundai Design strives to forge strong connections between our customers and our mobility solutions,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center.  “The awards recognize how we add more value to our customers’ everyday lives within and beyond the automotive space. Our design dream team and engineers put their passion and heart…