Author: Derick Munoz

Porsche inaugurated its first major research and development facility outside Europe on Tuesday in Shanghai, aiming to tailor software and vehicle features to local customer preferences and accelerate development cycles. The 10,000-square-metre centre employs more than 300 engineers and specialists across research, development, procurement, and quality management. It forms part of Porsche’s “In China for China” strategy, which seeks to adapt vehicles directly to the Chinese market rather than managing operations solely from Stuttgart. See also: Porsche Faces Deep Profit Slump in 2025 Amid EV Slowdown and Market Headwinds “China is leading the way in future mobility, combining electrification, digitalization,…

Toyota has introduced the Tacoma H2-Overlander Concept at the 2025 SEMA Show, presenting a hydrogen fuel cell and battery-electric hybrid truck designed for zero-emission overlanding. The concept, developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD-USA), produces 547 horsepower while offering off-grid energy generation and advanced sustainability features. Built on Toyota’s TNGA-F platform, the Tacoma H2-Overlander integrates a Mirai-derived hydrogen fuel cell stack with a 24.9-kWh lithium-ion battery and three hydrogen tanks, combining to deliver efficient, all-electric propulsion. See also: Toyota Adds Crown Fuel Cell Taxis to Tokyo’s Hydrogen Project Dual motors generate a combined 547 hp and deliver power to all four…

Hyundai and custom vehicle creators BigTime have revealed the IONIQ 9 Off-Road Concept at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, introducing a rugged, lifted version of the all-electric SUV that merges vintage styling with modern electric performance. Co-developed with BigTime founders Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe, the concept was showcased in SEMA’s Future Tech Studio — a section dedicated to electric mobility and advanced vehicle innovation. Based on the IONIQ 9 Calligraphy AWD, the BigTime Off-Road Concept delivers up to 422 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, maintaining the vehicle’s refined performance while incorporating new off-road capability. The SUV…

BMW reported a higher core profit margin in the third quarter, benefiting from peak research and development spending on its all-electric range, even as high U.S. tariffs and Chinese competition weigh on European automakers. The company’s automotive operating margin rose to 5.2%, up from 2.3% a year earlier when brake issues affected sales. Group earnings before interest and tax reached 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion), while revenues totaled 32.3 billion euros, slightly below expectations. “In the third quarter, we once again proved that our business model is robust and resilient,” said CEO Oliver Zipse. BMW maintained its full-year car margin…

Beijing Electric Vehicle Co (BJEV), the electric vehicle unit of Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), recorded a significant increase in sales in October, driven by strong demand for its Arcfox and Stelato brands. The company sold 30,542 vehicles during the month, up 112 percent from a year earlier and 48.7 percent higher than September’s total of 20,539 units, according to data released on Sunday. From January to October, BJEV’s cumulative sales reached 142,043 units, representing a 73 percent year-on-year increase. See also: Huawei-Backed Stelato Launches S9T Wagon, Secures 5,000 Firm Orders in First Hour Arcfox, BJEV’s core brand targeting the…

Xiaomi’s electric vehicle unit, Xiaomi EV, delivered more than 40,000 cars in October, marking its second straight month above the milestone as the company continues to expand its presence in China’s competitive EV market. The company announced the figure on Weibo on Sunday without disclosing the exact number, following its usual practice. In September, Xiaomi EV delivered 41,948 vehicles — its first time crossing the 40,000 mark — representing a 209.37 percent year-on-year surge from 13,559 units a year earlier and a 15.25 percent rise from August’s 36,396 units. See also: Xiaomi EV Forms New Architecture Department to Drive Next-Generation…

Purem by Eberspächer has unveiled a new steel-based concept for electric vehicle battery housings, promoting it as a more economical and sustainable alternative to aluminium, which remains the dominant material in most electric and hybrid vehicles. The company argues that its design reverses the traditional preference for aluminium by leveraging the strength and recyclability of steel. “Compared to aluminium, steel offers greater strength and makes lighter battery housings possible thanks to the use of thinner walls,” Purem by Eberspächer said in a statement. “Every gram counts, especially for high-performance batteries with a long operating scope — and is therefore an…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD reported robust sales growth in Europe in September, with its expanding model lineup gaining traction among consumers. The company registered 24,963 new vehicles across Europe last month, a 398 percent increase from the 5,013 units recorded in September 2024, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). The figures cover the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Within the EU, BYD achieved 13,221 registrations, up 272 percent from 3,553 units in the same month last year. See also: BYD to Launch Plug-in Hybrid Atto 2 DM-i in…

Three months after announcing a major partnership to bring Lucid Gravity SUVs to the ride-hailing market as autonomous robotaxis, Uber has revealed where the vehicles will first debut. As expected, the San Francisco Bay Area will serve as the launch site for the next-generation service, set to begin operations in 2026. In July, Uber Technologies committed to a $300 million investment in Lucid Group, the parent company of Lucid Motors, to deploy at least 20,000 Lucid vehicles as robotaxis over the next six years. See also: Lucid Delivers First Gravity SUV to Nuro-Uber for Robotaxi Testing These vehicles—starting with the…

Honda unveiled two new electric prototypes — the Honda 0 α SUV and the Super-ONE Prototype — at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, underscoring its commitment to expand its electric vehicle lineup with next-generation design and technology. The Honda 0 α SUV joins the company’s 0 Series lineup, following the Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV introduced earlier this year at CES 2025. The production version is expected to go on sale from 2027, beginning in Japan and India. See also: Honda Unveils WN7 Electric Motorcycle for European Commuters While Honda has yet to disclose technical specifications such as…

Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary PowerCo will delay the start of series production at its battery cell factory in Sagunt, near Valencia, until July 2027, according to a report from La Tribuna de Automoción. The postponement, however, is not expected to affect the automaker’s planned 2026 production launch of its small electric vehicles in Spain. PowerCo’s current roadmap foresees battery cell deliveries beginning in mid-2027, when two production blocks with a combined capacity of 20 GWh come online. The cells from the Sagunt facility will supply Volkswagen’s plants on the Iberian Peninsula, which are set to manufacture four small electric models —…

Honda has brought back the iconic Prelude to Europe after a 25-year hiatus, introducing a hybrid sports coupe that blends the brand’s heritage of dynamic performance with modern electrified technology. The new Prelude e:HEV integrates Type R-derived suspension, Honda’s latest hybrid powertrain, and the innovative S+ Shift system for enhanced driver engagement. The Prelude’s low, wide stance and aerodynamic form are inspired by the elegant simplicity of gliders, emphasizing both stability and flow. Inside, the cabin follows a minimalist, premium design philosophy focused on the driver. The suspension setup borrows from the Civic Type R, with adaptive dampers and Agile…