Author: Derick Munoz

Hyundai Motor Group debuted its Nano Cooling Film for car cabin temperature control at Cannes Lions 2024 in France. The presentation, themed “From Logic to Magic: 5 Ways to Make Tech Resonate,” highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. This marked the first time automakers were invited to present at Cannes Lions. Hyundai Motor Group emphasized its dedication to sustainability and innovation, showcasing its Nano Cooling Film designed to reduce a car’s cabin temperature by up to 10°C in hot weather. The film does not darken the windows and is said to significantly lower the vehicle’s energy consumption. See…

In a recent report by Counterpoint Research, the electric vehicle (EV) market in Southeast Asia has seen a remarkable surge, largely driven by Chinese automakers like BYD and Vietnam’s VinFast. The region witnessed a more than doubling of EV sales in the January to March quarter compared to the previous year, while sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars declined by 7%. Counterpoint analyst Abhik Mukherjee highlighted the trend, noting that Japanese and Korean automakers, who traditionally dominate conventional vehicle sales, are lagging behind in EV adoption. This gap is being filled by Chinese OEMs, which accounted for over 70%…

During his visit to South Korea, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck highlighted the shared goal of diversifying away from China, broadening raw material suppliers, and reducing dependence on critical products. Habeck, on a trip to Asia, is expected to discuss China’s relations with Russia in Beijing, along with managing the fallout of an escalating row over European Union tariffs on Chinese electric cars. “South Korea has a similar economic policy to Germany, focusing on trade,” Habeck stated in Seoul. “It is a country that relies on open markets and pushes back protectionist tendencies as far as possible.” See also: China Criticizes…

Ford CEO Jim Farley recently discussed the company’s strides in autonomous driving, revealing that Ford has achieved Level 3 autonomy, allowing drivers to remove their hands from the wheel and eyes from the road. However, he cautioned that it will be some time before Ford customers can experience this technology. The journey to fully self-driving vehicles has been more gradual than anticipated, echoing the futuristic visions of the 1960s filled with flying cars. Despite its name, Tesla’s “Full-Self Driving” feature falls short of the Level 4 standard. Tesla’s Autopilot does not even meet Level 3 criteria by SAE standards; the…

At an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit on June 18, automotive analyst John Murphy of Bank of America (BofA) made a bold recommendation for General Motors (GM), Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis to exit the Chinese market “as soon as possible.” This advice comes in light of declining market share, increased competition, and geopolitical risks impacting the profitability of the U.S. Big Three automakers in China. “China is no longer a core market for GM, Ford, and Stellantis,” Murphy stated, emphasizing that “the Detroit Three should focus on their core products and more profitable regions.” This recommendation is driven…

The Canadian electric vehicle (EV) market experienced a dynamic first quarter in 2024, with mixed trends in adoption rates across the country. While the year-over-year (YoY) growth in the adoption of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) was impressive, quarter-over-quarter figures showed a slight decline. According to data from S&P Global Mobility, in Q1 2024, ZEVs accounted for 12.5% of all new light vehicle registrations in Canada, down from 13.2% in Q4 2023. However, the YoY comparison showed a positive trend, with ZEV registrations increasing by 55.0% from Q1 2023. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), a subset of ZEVs, also experienced a decrease…

BMW is pioneering a flexible approach to production by integrating both internal combustion and battery-electric drivelines on a single assembly line. This innovative strategy aims to future-proof its manufacturing capabilities amidst the evolving landscape of automotive technology. In a recent interview with Autocar, BMW’s product chief, Bernd Körber, emphasized the brand’s proactive stance in anticipating market shifts. Körber acknowledged the volatility of the transition to electrification, noting that initial estimates for electric vehicle (EV) sales were overly optimistic but have now swung towards being too pessimistic. See also: BMW Integrates Cerence AI Tools for Enhanced Safety in Self-Driving Vehicles “Our strategy…

Hyundai Motor Group is gearing up for a significant milestone as it prepares to commence production of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at its new Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Bryan County, Georgia, by 2025. The decision marks a pivotal moment for Hyundai’s presence in North America, with the highly acclaimed all-electric SUV poised to lead the charge. Despite the Ioniq 5 not yet being unveiled in North America, it has already garnered widespread acclaim globally. In March, Parents magazine recognized the Ioniq 5 as the Best Electric 5-Passenger SUV for Families in its 2024 Best Family Cars Awards, underscoring its…

German technology company Voith has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Chinese Weifu Group, marking a significant step towards advancing hydrogen fuel cell systems. The agreement includes the establishment of two joint ventures, with a focus on hydrogen storage systems for mobility applications. The joint ventures will collaborate on research, development, production, and application of hydrogen storage systems. One venture, Voith HySTech, based in Garching near Munich, Germany, will cater to the global market (excluding China), with Voith as the majority shareholder. This venture will concentrate on heavy-duty vehicle applications, offering a ready-to-install Plug & Drive H2 storage…

Chilean lithium producer SQM has finalized a long-term agreement with Hyundai and Kia to supply lithium hydroxide, a key component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The deal signifies a significant milestone for SQM’s expansion plans in lithium hydroxide production. While specific details regarding the quantity and financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, SQM has expressed that the deal serves as a “strong motivation” for its ongoing expansion efforts in lithium hydroxide production. Hyundai and Kia have opted to secure “a portion” of their future lithium hydroxide supply from SQM. SQM currently has the capacity to produce approximately…

Vauxhall has unveiled leasing options for its Combo Electric vans, aiming to encourage businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles. The new deals offer electric models at the same monthly rental cost as their diesel counterparts, with identical deposit and terms. This initiative by Vauxhall aims to bridge the cost gap between electric and diesel vehicles, making electric mobility more financially appealing for businesses. The company estimates that drivers could save up to £91 per month on fuel costs by switching to electric, based on an average of 6,000 miles driven per year. The leasing deals cover both the…

German robotics expert Kuka has secured a substantial contract to supply welding robots for the production of electric vehicles (EVs) to an undisclosed automotive client. The deal, valued in the double-digit million euros, marks Kuka’s largest single order in this field to date. The order comprises 23 cells equipped with integrated robots designed for Friction Stir Welding (FSW). These cells, which include Kuka’s KR FORTEC robots and other essential components, will be seamlessly integrated into the client’s EV production lines. “The robots in the cells weld battery trays together and join cooling plates to the battery trays in a second…

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, announced today at the company’s shareholder meeting that Tesla will allow owners to transfer their Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability to new vehicles for “one more quarter.” This decision comes after repeated claims from Tesla that such transfers would not be allowed. Tesla has been selling its FSD system for several years, with many early owners going through multiple vehicles without the software being delivered in its full working state. While these owners can use Tesla’s FSD Beta, now called FSD Supervised, no Tesla owner has yet been able to use a full self-driving system that…

Hankook has unveiled the e-SMART City AU56, the industry’s first tyre designed specifically for urban electric buses used in public transport. The company highlights the tyre’s key features, including low rolling resistance, high load capacity, and excellent grip, all crucial for electric buses’ demanding everyday use. For electric buses, tyres must meet several high standards. They must minimize rolling resistance to maximize the vehicle’s range on a single charge. Additionally, they must effectively transmit the high torque of electric motors to the road without premature wear. Furthermore, the tyres need to support the heavier weight of electric buses, primarily due…

In a remarkable stride forward, Korean-made electric vehicles (EVs) have solidified their position among the top five imported EVs in major markets including the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These nations, known for being significant overseas markets for Korean automakers, have shown a strong preference for Korean EVs, according to a recent report titled “The Korean Automotive Industry’s Export Competitiveness,” released by the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET) on June 10. The report highlights the growing market share of Korean EVs in key countries. In 2023, the United States and Germany imported 23.68…

MAN Truck & Bus is experiencing a significant surge in demand for its eTrucks, with almost 2,000 order inquiries and orders for the new MAN eTGX and MAN eTGS models recorded around seven months after the start of sales. Friedrich Baumann, Executive Board Member for Sales and Customer Solutions, expressed enthusiasm at the IAA Commercial Vehicles pre-press conference in Frankfurt am Main, stating, “We are continuing to gain momentum when it comes to electromobility. Our eTruck is very well received by our customers. The start of sales has exceeded our expectations.” This momentum has been further accelerated by the recent…

Nippon Express USA has launched an ambitious plan to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by introducing electric trucks. The company’s first electric truck, which emits no CO2 or pollutants, was recently unveiled at its San Antonio Sales Office in Texas. The logistics giant plans to deploy 14 electric trucks across various locations, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Raleigh (North Carolina), during the current fiscal year. This move is expected to result in an impressive 11% reduction in CO2 emissions from its operations within the first year. In addition to reducing its own CO2 emissions, NX Group aims to promote…

Fisker, the electric vehicle (EV) maker, is facing a severe crisis that could potentially lead to its collapse unless it secures a partnership with another manufacturer or attracts new investors. The company is now attempting to sell some of its remaining Ocean SUVs to its remaining employees in a desperate bid to stay afloat. A recent email sent by Fisker to its staff, which was shared on Reddit, outlines a special offer allowing employees to purchase an Ocean One, Ocean Extreme, or Ocean Ultra for just $20,000 through the Newport Fisker dealer in Costa Mesa, California. The email acknowledges that…

UP.FIT, a company specializing in upfitting Teslas for fleet use, has unveiled the first Tesla Cybertruck Patrol vehicle designed for public safety officials. The UP.FIT Cybertruck combines Tesla’s electric vehicle technology with Unplugged Performance’s expertise in vehicle modification, offering a complete turn-key solution for police departments. Equipped with a suite of warning lights, sirens, a PA system, and upgraded radio and computer systems, the UP.FIT Cybertruck is designed to meet the needs of law enforcement agencies. See also: Tesla Cybertruck to Receive Full Self-Driving in Version 12.5, Says Elon Musk It can also be customized for tactical, military, or search and…

A group of Republican lawmakers is urging the immediate addition of Chinese battery companies Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL) and Gotion High Tech Co. Ltd to the U.S. entity list, citing alleged ties to forced labor in their supply chains, the Wall Street Journal reported. CATL, which has ties to Ford, and Gotion, a supplier for Volkswagen, are being targeted for inclusion in the entity list under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. This move would restrict the import of goods linked to what the U.S. government has described as an ongoing genocide of minorities in China’s Xinjiang region,…