Author: Derick Munoz

BMW has postponed the rollout of its agency sales model for its core brand, originally planned for early 2026, but remains committed to adopting the strategy across Europe, a company spokesperson told Automobilwoche. BMW first introduced the agency model for Mini in January 2024, with Italy, Poland, and Sweden among the initial markets, followed by Germany in October. Under this model, dealerships serve as intermediaries rather than direct sellers, with BMW managing pricing and contracts. The shift has been met with industry debate, but the automaker believes it will strengthen customer relationships and enforce standardized pricing. See also: BMW’s M3…

Zerova, a provider of DC fast charging solutions, has announced a partnership with Go Eve, a company specializing in EV charging technology, to enhance the efficiency and scalability of electric vehicle (EV) charging. The collaboration integrates Zerova’s DS Series chargers with Go Eve’s DockChain technology to streamline the charging process across multiple locations. See also: ZEROVA Technologies Unveils 480 kW 4-Car DC Charger for Electric Vehicles DockChain technology allows a single charger to serve multiple EVs through a daisy chain of compact terminals, with charging prioritized based on customizable settings. These settings include first-in, first-served, lowest battery level for urgent…

Ionity, the European electric vehicle charging network, has inaugurated its largest UK charging hub at the DoubleTree by Hilton Dartford Bridge, installing 24 ultra-fast chargers capable of delivering up to 350 kW. The site is the first of six Hilton DoubleTree locations set to receive charging infrastructure, with a total of 104 public rapid chargers planned across multiple sites. The additional locations include Newbury North, Coventry, M6 Junction 2 / M65 Junction, Bristol North, M4 / M5 Junction, Edinburgh Airport, and Glasgow Strathclyde, M8 Junction 7. Ionity has not provided a timeline for the installations. The initiative aligns with the…

The UK used car market grew by 5.5% in 2024, reaching 7,643,180 transactions, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This marked eight consecutive quarters of growth, with 400,488 more vehicles changing hands than in 2023. The growth in new car sales has played a crucial role in increasing availability and providing more options in the used sector. Transactions rose every month in 2024, as in 2023, with Q4 seeing a 4.0% increase to 1,746,051 units. See also: Xpeng Officially Enters the UK Market with Smart EVs and Flying Car Superminis remained the…

Ford Motor and General Motors are evaluating the effects of new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, with each company taking a different approach to handling potential cost increases. The Trump administration officially imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports earlier this week, following a temporary exemption for Mexico and Canada. Ford CEO Jim Farley described the move as bringing “cost and chaos” to the auto sector, while GM CEO Mary Barra stated that the automaker could mitigate up to 50% of the tariffs’ impact, according to Automotive News. See also: Ford Seeks Chinese Battery Technology…

The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore has introduced a battery-electric rail car mover, marking a first for the modern American maritime industry. The LOK 16.150E model, built by Marmon Rail’s Zephir division in Italy, is designed to organize rail yards with zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to cleaner operations at the port. See also: Yolo County Adopts Volvo DD25 Electric Compactor to Advance Carbon Neutrality Goals “At this terminal, the asset will be used to help with intermodal cargo exchange,” said Matt Stahl, Mid-Atlantic terminal general manager for Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the global shipping company operating the Zephir. “We can do…

Vanwall, the revived car brand, is progressing with its plans to introduce an electric version of its Vandervell model, two years after the initial announcement. The company has partnered with Hyundai Motor Group to use its E-GMP electric platform, with plans to launch two all-wheel-drive variants. When the market launch was first announced in January 2023 for the third quarter of the year, Vanwall faced skepticism regarding its ability to meet the timeline. At that time, the company only released renderings of the model, and production details were scarce. As the deadline passed without production commencing, the brand has continued…

Voltu Motor, a specialist in electrifying Class 3 vehicles for heavy-duty applications, has begun deploying ten units of its Voltu 3 electric work trucks in Riverside, California, marking the company’s first large-scale deployment from its newly established manufacturing facility in the city. The Voltu 3 Pickup Work Truck features a 620-horsepower dual-motor system, a 166 kWh battery pack, and an EPA-rated range of 350 kilometers. A key innovation is Voltu’s proprietary Immerse Cooling Technology, which the company claims enhances performance, safety, and durability. A standout feature of the vehicle is its ability to fast-charge without traditional DC fast-charging infrastructure. Instead,…

Tesla’s upcoming Model Y Juniper facelift is set to deliver a 5% improvement in range compared to its predecessor, thanks to a combination of enhanced aerodynamics and reduced weight, despite no increase in battery capacity. Scheduled for release in March, the refreshed Model Y will offer an official EPA range of 327 miles for the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version, up from the previous 311 miles. Notably, this range increase is achieved without any changes to the battery size or powertrain, as Tesla opted to keep the vehicle’s affordability and fast-charging capabilities intact. BREAKING: Tesla Engineering breaks down the Model Y…

Renault has introduced the Filante Record 2025, an electric single-seater designed to push the boundaries of aerodynamics and energy efficiency. The prototype, which the company describes as a vehicle “designed to set electric range records,” is an important step in Renault’s efforts to showcase its innovative approach to electric vehicle (EV) design. The Filante Record 2025 features a highly aerodynamic design, measuring 5.12 meters in length, 1.71 meters in width, and only 1.19 meters in height. Despite its sleek design, the vehicle weighs 1,000 kilograms, with the 87 kWh battery contributing 600 kilograms to the overall weight. See also: Renault…

Researchers at Graz University of Technology have introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) system aimed at accelerating the development of battery electric vehicle powertrains. The AI, known as the Optimisation of Electric Drives (OPED), integrates simulation models with evolutionary optimisation algorithms to automatically refine components such as power electronics, electric machines, and transmissions based on specific manufacturer requirements. “Electric drives consist of a large number of components that can be designed very differently in order to fulfil the desired requirements,” said Martin Hofstetter from the Institute of Automotive Engineering at TU Graz. “If I make a small change to the electric…

Hyundai Motor Company has introduced two electric last-mile mobility concepts, the E3W and E4W, at a motor show in India, as part of its exploration into the electric two- and three-wheeler market. The South Korean automaker is in discussions with Indian manufacturer TVS Motor Company for a potential partnership to produce and market these vehicles. The announcement coincided with the launch of Hyundai’s first locally manufactured electric vehicle, the Creta Electric. The E3W is an electric rickshaw, while the E4W is an electric microcar, both designed to address urban mobility needs. Under the proposed collaboration, Hyundai would be responsible for…