Author: Derick Munoz

Stellantis refuted an Italian newspaper report claiming that Luca Maestri, outgoing finance chief of Apple, was being considered as the company’s next chief executive. “It is not true,” a Stellantis spokesperson said in response to the report by Corriere della Sera, which suggested that Chairman John Elkann planned to appoint Maestri following the departure of CEO Carlos Tavares. The speculation around Maestri, a seasoned finance executive, is not new. His name previously surfaced as a candidate when Elkann was seeking a new CEO for Ferrari, the luxury automaker partly owned by the Agnelli family’s holding company, EXOR (EXOR.AS). However, a…

Ford has committed to investing in an electric vehicle (EV) production facility in Indonesia, with plans to have the plant operational by 2025. This follows the company’s previous move into Indonesia’s electric vehicle supply chain, where it, along with partners, began building a nickel processing plant in 2022. Faisol Riza, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Industry, confirmed the investment at an event in Jakarta, stating, “Ford has promised to realise its factory and investment in Indonesia by next year.” While Ford has not yet made a public confirmation regarding the new factory, the announcement aligns with Indonesia’s broader strategy to position…

Mack Trucks has expanded its certified electric vehicle (EV) dealer network to 65 locations across North America, adding 12 new sites to its growing roster. This expansion includes four new locations in Canada and eight in the United States, further strengthening the company’s support infrastructure for its electric vehicle lineup. The new Canadian locations include three in Ontario and one in Quebec, while the U.S. additions span across Maine, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, California, and Wisconsin. Mack Trucks emphasized that these certified dealers provide comprehensive sales and service support for its EV offerings. To qualify for certification, dealers must invest…

Sweden’s largest fossil-free construction site has reached a milestone, achieving 50% electric operation with equipment supplied by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE). The project, aimed at redeveloping the historic Slakthusområdet area in central Stockholm, highlights progress in sustainable construction technologies. The initiative, which began in mid-2024, uses electric machinery including two Volvo EC230 Electric crawler excavators, a Volvo L120H Electric Conversion wheel loader, and two electric trailer trucks. The current phase of the project aims to cut CO₂ emissions to below 3.5 tonnes per SEK 1 million turnover, a significant reduction from the industry average of 11-29 tonnes. “In the…

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has announced the purchase of 50 zero-emission buses as part of its plan to fully transition its fleet by 2040. The new order comprises 40 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses and ten 40-foot battery-electric buses, with delivery expected by late 2026. The $77.5 million investment aligns with California’s Clean Transit Rule, mandating that 25% of new bus purchases be zero-emission starting in 2023, scaling to 50% by 2026 and 100% by 2029. OCTA’s current fleet replacement strategy will see the new buses, likely models from New Flyer’s Xcelsior Charge NG and Xcelsior Charge FC lines,…

Rivian Automotive is set to integrate Google Cast functionality into its electric vehicles by the end of 2024, marking a key update in its software development roadmap. The announcement, made during a recent discussion with Rivian’s Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid, also highlighted the company’s focus on expanding artificial intelligence-powered voice controls and refining its infotainment system. The addition of Google Cast comes as Rivian maintains its stance against adopting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, opting instead for features tailored to its platform. The .47 software update, scheduled for release before year-end, will enable Google Cast functionality for both front-seat…

Dodge has unveiled its first all-electric muscle car, the Charger Daytona EV, with a launch offer of 0% APR financing for up to 72 months, making it more affordable than its gas-powered predecessor. The new model marks a pivotal moment for Dodge as it transitions to electric vehicles, promising impressive performance and competitive pricing. The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV lineup includes the base R/T trim and the high-performance Scat Pack model, priced at $59,995 and $73,190, respectively. Equipped with a Direct Connection Stage 2 upgrade kit, the Scat Pack delivers up to 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque,…

Charging infrastructure manufacturer Kempower has announced a collaboration with financing and leasing specialist DLL to provide tailored financing options for customers. The initiative, aimed at lowering the upfront costs of deploying charging infrastructure, will initially target markets in the UK, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. The partnership is set to deliver financing solutions such as finance leases, operating leases, and retail installment contracts, tailored to the needs of specific markets. Kempower anticipates the roll-out of these services to begin in the aforementioned countries, with plans to expand into additional markets in the near future. “In…

On November 22, Changan Automobile announced a strategic partnership with CATL and its subsidiary Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology (CAES) to advance battery swap technology. The agreement, formalized in a ceremony in Chongqing, highlighted the growing collaboration between automakers and battery technology providers in reshaping electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. At the event, Changan unveiled the Oshan 520, an electric sedan equipped with CATL’s Choco-SEB (Swapping Electric Block) battery swap system. The vehicle offers ride-sharing operators the ability to replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one in under two minutes, providing a range of up to 500 kilometers. The…

California Governor Gavin Newsom reiterated the state’s dedication to zero-emission vehicles on Monday, stating that the state will continue its efforts to support electric vehicle (EV) adoption, even if the incoming Donald Trump administration cuts federal incentives. Newsom, a Democrat, declared that if the $7,500 EV tax credit, introduced by President Joe Biden under the Bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act, is eliminated as part of the incoming administration’s broader tax reform, California would propose its own rebates for eligible residents purchasing electric vehicles. “We’re not turning back on a clean transportation future – we’re going to make it more affordable for…

As Volkswagen prepares for the launch of the ID. Buzz in the U.S., the automaker’s decision to limit initial availability to one or two units per dealer has created a supply shortage that some dealerships are taking advantage of. While many dealers are sticking to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), others have been reported to impose significant markups on the electric vehicle, with prices rising by as much as $20,000 over the base cost. One example of this pricing strategy surfaced on Reddit, where a user shared a screenshot of a conversation with a Volkswagen salesperson. The dealer confirmed…

Tesla has announced the release of its “Actually Smart Summon” feature in Europe and the Middle East, marking a significant step in its software rollout. However, due to regulatory constraints, the feature operates with reduced functionality compared to its U.S. counterpart, raising questions about its practical utility in these regions. The “Actually Smart Summon” feature, initially launched in the U.S. in September, allows Tesla owners to remotely command their vehicle to leave a parking spot and navigate to their current location using the Tesla app. While U.S. users enjoy a range of approximately 213 feet (65 meters), the feature in…