Author: Derick Munoz

Faraday Future has initiated legal action against Ding Lei, the founder of Human Horizons Holdings, the parent company of HiPhi. Faraday Future accuses Ding Lei of infringing on its trade secrets and engaging in unfair competition. The lawsuit, filed by Faraday Future and its Chinese subsidiary, was lodged in the Intermediate People’s Court of Shenzhen, China. According to a statement from Faraday Future, Ding Lei is a former executive of the company. See also: Li Auto CEO Calls for M&A Mechanism Amid HiPhi Production Halt Faraday Future is seeking monetary damages and is requesting the court to compel Human Horizons to…

Avvenire is breaking barriers with the introduction of the Tectus, a mobility scooter designed for both convenience and adventure. Unlike traditional scooters confined to the “mobility aid” category, the Tectus offers a blend of freedom and innovation. With its sleek, enclosed cabin, the Tectus is a head-turner. It features modern comforts such as air conditioning, heating, and tech-friendly options like a rear-view camera, GPS navigation, and wireless charging. Avvenire has also considered storage, adding a modular rear end for extra cargo space. See also: Kofa and TAILG Launch Jidi Electric Motorcycle with 100km Range for African Markets Beyond its aesthetics, the…

Volkswagen announced on Friday that it anticipates a slowdown in sales growth in 2024, aligning with competitors’ warnings of a weaker economic outlook, increased competition, and higher costs. The top European carmaker, known for brands such as Audi, VW, and Lamborghini, forecasts sales to grow by up to 5% this year, following a 15.5% increase to 322.3 billion euros ($349 billion) in 2023. This growth projection indicates potential 2024 sales of up to 338 billion euros, surpassing the 316 billion euro analyst estimate compiled by LSEG. Volkswagen’s Chief Financial Officer, Arno Antlitz, acknowledged the “muted economic outlook and intense competition”…

British energy service provider Mitie has placed an order for 650 VW ID. Buzz Cargo vehicles, marking a significant milestone as the 4,000th electric vehicle added to its fleet. The company aims to transition its entire fleet to electric vehicles by the end of 2025. The 4,000th electric vehicle, a silver-painted ID. Buzz Cargo, was welcomed into the fleet at a special ceremony attended by representatives from the political sphere. The vehicle is part of a major order placed by Mitie with VW Commercial Vehicles. See also: DHL Express and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Collaborate on ID.Buzz Cargo Pilot Fleet in South…

Xpeng has announced the availability of its XNGP (Xpeng navigation guided pilot) feature on all roads across China, following the expansion of its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to more than 200 cities earlier last month. In a recent Weibo post, Xpeng stated, “Unlimited XNGP, available all over the country, on any road,” marking a significant milestone in its smart driving technology. See also: Everything You should know about City Navigation Guided Pilot (City NGP) from Xpeng The XNGP feature, similar to Tesla’s FSD (Full Self-Driving), aims to provide driver assistance in all scenarios, including highways, city roads, internal campus roads,…

Pompano Beach, Florida, has taken a significant step towards sustainability with the introduction of its first all-electric Mack LR waste truck. The new truck, delivered last week, promises cleaner and quieter streets for the city, marking a milestone in its commitment to environmental stewardship. The unveiling of the electric garbage truck, adorned in Coastal Waste & Recycling colors, took place at a local e-mobility event. The city sees this move as a pivotal moment in its sustainability efforts and a way to lead by example in driving positive change in the waste management industry. See also: Mack Introduces the Mack MD…

Volkswagen Group UK has announced a collaboration with Ecobat to recycle batteries from electric cars, extending their partnership that began in 2014. Under the agreement, Ecobat will collect electric car batteries from Volkswagen to recycle lithium-ion battery materials, as stated by the car manufacturer. This initiative aims to promote a circular energy economy and enhance sustainability efforts within the UK’s largest automotive group. See also: Ecobat Expands Global Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Footprint with New Facility in Arizona Ecobat currently operates two recycling plants, one in the UK and another in Germany, with a third plant under construction in Arizona, USA. In…

Polestar announced on Wednesday that it has secured a $950 million loan from a bank syndicate, a move that helped to fill a gap left by Volvo Cars’ decision to stop funding the company. The news sent Polestar’s New York-listed shares soaring by 18.5%. The company also revealed its forecast of double-digit gross profit margins by the end of 2024, a significant improvement from an expected flat outcome in 2023. This projection comes amid a cooling enthusiasm among investors for EV makers, as growth in EV sales has slowed and financial losses have mounted, particularly affecting startups. Price cuts by…

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has announced the release of lower-priced versions of its Han sedans and Tang SUVs, intensifying an ongoing and fierce price war in the world’s largest auto market, with discounts even more significant than those offered in 2023. The newly launched Han sedans, available as plug-in hybrids and pure EVs, along with the Tang hybrid SUV, will feature a starting price that is 10.35% to 14.3% lower than the previous versions. See also: BYD Introduces the SEAL U DM-i to European Markets at Geneva International Motor Show 2024 These releases follow BYD’s recent introduction of a new…

Addionics, an Israeli battery technology company, announced plans on Monday to construct a $400 million U.S. factory dedicated to producing copper anodes for electric vehicle batteries. The facility is slated to commence operations in 2027 with the goal of supplying enough anodes for approximately 1 million EVs annually. The manufacturing plant will be developed in three phases, with the first phase requiring an investment of $120 million. Addionics CEO Moshiel Biton revealed to Reuters that the company is currently in the process of conducting due diligence for up to $50 million in grants under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, primarily…

The highly anticipated Tesla Model 3 Performance, previously known as Project Highland, has been spotted without camouflage, indicating that its launch is nearing. Last October, Tesla unveiled the new Model 3 but initially released only the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range (LR) variants, leaving out the top-of-the-line Performance variant. Speculation arose among fans about whether the Performance model would be reintroduced or if it had been canceled. Recent leaks, including some from Tesla itself, suggested not only its return but also upgrades over its predecessor. See also: Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Sees Third Price Increase This Month While…

VinFast has requested India to lower import duties on its cars for about two years, allowing customers to familiarize themselves with its products while a local manufacturing plant comes online, an executive said on Sunday. VinFast has commenced the construction of a factory in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and aims to begin production by mid-next year, focusing initially on domestic sales before venturing into exports, VinFast’s India CEO Pham Sanh Chau told Reuters. See also: VinFast Officially Begins Construction of Electric Vehicle Facility in India’s Tamil Nadu Last month, VinFast and Tamil Nadu announced their agreement to pursue…

BYD is setting its sights high for 2024, aiming to achieve a sales target of 4 million units, up from 3.02 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold in 2023, as reported by local media outlet 36kr today. The company is expected to announce a sales target of 4 million units, with production capacity reaching 4.2 million at its production sites. The forecasted sales breakdown includes 2 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 2.2 million plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), with an emphasis on lower-priced models dominating sales. See also: BYD Launches Yangwang U9 Electric Supercar: Hits 0-100 km/h in 2.36 Seconds,…

Tesla has commenced sales of early Cybertruck units in the United States and is looking to expand its availability to Canada soon, according to Rohan Patel, Tesla’s Vice President of Public Policy and Business Development. In a post on X on Saturday, Patel expressed confidence that the Cybertruck would be sold in Canada, stating, “there’s no doubt” about its availability. He also mentioned that he hopes the necessary paperwork for its Canadian launch “can be wrapped up soon.” See also: Edmunds Test Reveals Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series Exceeds Range Estimates, Achieves 334 Miles https://twitter.com/rohanspatel/status/1761428680536969480 The announcement comes on the heels of…

Toyota has announced its most substantial discount yet on the hydrogen-powered 2023 Toyota Mirai, with a rebate of up to $40,000 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). This discount, detailed in a bulletin sent to dealers today, presents an opportunity for buyers to acquire the Mirai at a significant discount, potentially making it more affordable than a Toyota Corolla. Effective immediately, the 2023 Toyota Mirai Limited models are eligible for a $40,000 APR Subvention Cash rebate when qualifying for promotional financing. With a sticker price of $67,095, this rebate represents a substantial 60% discount off the MSRP, potentially reducing…

In an era where some manufacturers are reevaluating their initial enthusiasm for electric vehicles (EVs), Japanese automakers are notably undeterred, proceeding with their plans as envisioned. While brands like Ford, GM, and Genesis are adjusting their EV strategies, and Chinese automakers like HiPhi are pausing EV production, Japanese automakers like Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Nissan, and Mazda maintain a cautious yet steady approach to EV transformation. See also: Toyota Teases Three-Row Battery Electric SUV for US Market Toyota, known for its skepticism toward rapid EV adoption, continues to focus on its successful hybrid-powered vehicles. Toyota’s Chief Financial Officer Yoichi Miyazaki reiterated the…

Ontario-based pickup truck specialist Worksport has announced the initiation of its development program for a solar tonneau cover designed specifically for the Ford F-150 Lightning, marking a significant milestone for America’s best-selling electric pickup. The innovative solar tonneau cover aims to provide power to the F-150 Lightning by harnessing solar energy, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional grid charging methods. While the technology is still in its developmental stages, Worksport is focusing on optimizing its performance to ensure efficient charging during daytime hours, considering factors such as the F-150 Lightning’s size, weight, and limited bed area. See also: Ford Halts…

Nio has launched a pilot program utilizing humanoid robots on its EV assembly line at one of its factories. Nio, known for manufacturing EVs at its facilities in Hefei, the largest city in Anhui Province, China, is now incorporating advanced robotics to streamline its production process. The Shenzhen-based company UBTECH ROBOTICS, publicly traded on Hong Kong’s stock exchange, has developed the Walker S robot specifically for this purpose, marking the first instance of its use on an EV assembly line. See also: Nio’s Sub-brand “Firefly” Makes First Appearance in Spy Shots, Set to Debut in Europe in 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCt7qPpTt-g The Walker…

Li Auto, renowned for its extended-range luxury SUVs, is stepping into the purely electric realm with its latest offering – the Mega, a futuristic minivan. While minivans are often associated with practicality over style, Li Auto is aiming to change that perception with the Mega, which wouldn’t look out of place in a sci-fi movie set. The Mega boasts a range of innovative features, starting with its tech-forward interior. It features a large center screen and an innovative heads-up display, similar to the setup found in Li Auto’s L7 and L9 models, providing a modern driving experience. See also: Li Mega…

Volkswagen’s Tiguan, the company’s most successful model with annual production exceeding half a million units, is set to arrive at VW dealerships with a range of upgrades. Coinciding with its European market launch, the new Tiguan now offers plug-in hybrid drives (eHybrid) with two outputs (150 kW and 200 kW). Since September 2023, Tiguan models with efficient 48 V mild hybrid drives (eTSI) and turbodiesel engines (TDI) have also been available. The plug-in hybrid drives in the new Tiguan have been completely redesigned by Volkswagen, delivering a system power of 150 kW (204 PS) and 200 kW (272 PS). Thanks…