Author: Derick Munoz

Geely Auto said it has opened new showrooms in Chile and Nicaragua, marking a significant step in its ongoing push to expand its footprint across Latin America. The Chinese automaker inaugurated its first flagship store in Santiago, Chile, located in the capital’s Movicenter automotive district. The facility offers vehicle sales, after-sales services, and a product experience center. Geely also launched its Coolray Lite compact SUV in Chile as part of the expansion. Geely entered the Chilean market six months ago and has since introduced four models — the Okavango, Starray, EX5, and now the Coolray Lite. The company said it…

Opel has revealed a special concept version of its new electric SUV, the Frontera, at the XS Carnight tuning event at Lake Wörthersee. The show car, dubbed the Frontera Gravel, is designed to showcase what a more rugged, off-road-focused edition of the electric vehicle could look like, though series production is not currently planned. First introduced as a successor to the Crossland, the new Frontera blends a more SUV-oriented design inspired by its 1990s namesake with electric and hybrid powertrain options. With the Gravel edition, Opel is pushing the model’s adventurous appeal further, presenting a tougher aesthetic aimed at off-road…

A leading Chinese automotive industry group has called for an end to intensifying price wars among carmakers, warning that deepening competition could harm consumers, squeeze profits, and derail the sector’s long-term growth. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) issued the warning in a statement on Sunday, expressing concern over aggressive price cuts initiated by “a certain automaker” on May 23, which have since been matched by several competitors. Though the association did not name the company, industry observers have pointed to BYD as the likely initiator of the recent wave of discounts across dozens of models. “Unregulated price wars…

Li Auto reported a sequential increase in vehicle deliveries in May, rebounding from a dip in April. The Chinese electric vehicle maker delivered 40,856 units last month, up 16.66 percent year-on-year from 35,020 in May 2024 and up 20.38 percent month-on-month from 33,939 in April, according to data released on Friday. From January through May, Li Auto delivered a total of 167,659 vehicles, marking an 18.73 percent increase compared with the same period last year. Since its inception, Li Auto has accumulated total deliveries of 1,301,531 vehicles as of the end of May. See also: Li Auto Begins Mass Production…

Zeekr Group delivered 46,538 vehicles in May, a 12.64% increase from April’s 41,316 units, the company said on Sunday, marking its third straight month of sequential growth. The Zeekr brand contributed 18,908 units in May, up 1.57% from a year earlier and up 37.74% from April. Deliveries from Lynk & Co reached 27,630 vehicles, rising 26.87% year-on-year and 0.15% month-on-month. See also: Geely Faces Pushback From Zeekr Investors Over $2.2 Billion Privatization Offer The May results mark the fourth delivery report since Lynk & Co completed its integration into Zeekr Group earlier this year. Combined, the two brands saw a…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has pointed to global factory retooling efforts for the updated Model Y as a key factor behind the company’s decline in vehicle deliveries during the first quarter, as the electric vehicle (EV) maker grapples with weakening sales momentum across major markets. Tesla reported a 13% year-on-year drop in global deliveries in the first quarter of 2025, even as EV sales rose overall in the United States, Europe, and China. Musk said in a CNBC interview this week that a temporary production halt was necessary to prepare for a refreshed version of the Model Y, Tesla’s top-selling…

The Polestar 3 has received additional recognition from international automotive publications, including being named Best EV SUV by BBC’s Top Gear and Luxury Car of the Year by Australian outlet Chasing Cars. These awards follow the vehicle’s recent five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. Launched in 2024, the full-size electric SUV has been noted for its design, electric vehicle technology, and focus on safety. In April, Euro NCAP awarded the Polestar 3 a five-star rating, with a 93% score in child occupant protection—the highest rating in that category for a passenger vehicle in the last nine years. The vehicle also…

Toyota is ramping up its electric vehicle strategy with the debut of a third model this week—the off-road-focused 2026 bZ Woodland—as part of a broader push to expand its battery-powered lineup, long criticized for lagging behind rivals. The bZ Woodland joins the upgraded 2026 bZ and a sportier C-HR in a trio of new electric offerings. Mechanically based on the 2026 bZ and closely related to Subaru’s Trailseeker EV, the bZ Woodland brings dual-motor all-wheel drive, trail-ready upgrades, and 375 horsepower to Toyota’s electric SUV family. See also: Toyota Unveils 2026 bZ Electric SUV with Extended Range, Faster Charging, and…

Japan is considering extending subsidies for the construction of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to include Tesla’s Supercharger system, as part of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, local broadcaster TBS reported on Saturday. Currently, Japan limits public subsidies to EV charging stations using the CHAdeMO standard, which was developed domestically. Tesla’s proprietary Supercharger network, which is widely used in the United States and other markets, is not eligible under the existing program. See also: Mazda to Integrate Tesla Supercharger Access in Japan Starting in 2027 The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has raised concerns about the exclusion of Tesla’s…

Hyundai Motor is offering generous leasing and financing incentives for its newly launched Ioniq 9, a three-row electric SUV that entered the U.S. market earlier this month, as part of an effort to attract early adopters and bolster showroom traffic. Customers can receive up to $13,000 in lease cash on select trims when signing a 36-month lease, significantly reducing the vehicle’s MSRP. See also: Hyundai Ioniq 9 Priced From $60,555, Offers Three Rows and Up to 335 Miles of Range With these incentives, the rear-wheel-drive Ioniq 9 S can be leased for as low as $419 per month, though the…

Chinese bus manufacturer Yutong has commenced series production of its next-generation electric double-decker, the U12DD, marking a significant step in advancing safety, durability, energy efficiency, passenger comfort, and intelligent functionalities in new energy buses. The first U12DD rolled off the production line in Zhengzhou, China. Li Jia, Deputy CTO of Yutong High-End and International Engineering, noted that the U12DD launch represents more than a product upgrade—it embodies Yutong’s strategic vision to lead in the high-end segment of new energy buses. Kent Chang, CEO of Yutong Asia-Pacific, added, “This model achieves comprehensive breakthroughs in safety, range, durability and intelligent management, demonstrating…

Avatr Technology, the electric vehicle unit of Changan Automobile, has filed a lawsuit against a Chinese automotive blogger following a dispute over the aerodynamic performance of its Avatr 12 sedan. The company is seeking RMB 10 million ($1.4 million) in damages, calling for the blogger to cease what it described as “infringing behavior.” In a statement posted on its official Weibo account, Avatr said it had initiated legal proceedings against the owner of the @苏黎世贝勒爷 account, accusing him of publishing false claims that harmed the company’s reputation and caused economic loss. The legal action is among the largest publicly known…