Author: Derick Munoz

The world-renowned Monza circuit, known for hosting Formula One’s Italian Grand Prix, witnessed a groundbreaking event from June 16 to 18. In a departure from tradition, driverless cars took center stage as the Indy Autonomous Challenge held its inaugural race in Europe. This competition showcased teams from prestigious technology universities worldwide, showcasing their prowess in autonomous vehicle technology. The event coincided with the Milano Monza Motor Show – MIMO, further enhancing its significance. Paul Mitchell, the CEO of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, emphasized the competition’s objective of pushing the limits of autonomous vehicle technology and demonstrating their remarkable capabilities. Speaking…

Li Auto, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, achieved a significant milestone as its Li L7 model recorded its highest single-day sales to date. Li Xiang, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Li Auto, took to social media platform Weibo to announce the accomplishment. He stated, “Yesterday was our first tech day, and today is also a historic moment—the first time that the Li L7 has sold more than 1,000 units on a single day with no new model launch.” Li Auto’s achievement comes on the heels of the company’s inaugural Family Tech Day event held on June 17. During…

Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is reportedly in talks to acquire A Better Route Planner (ABRP), an innovative and widely popular EV route planning service. ABRP, often hailed as the ABBA of the electric car world, was developed by a group of Swedish EV owners in 2018, aiming to simplify and optimize route planning for EVs. Unlike traditional navigation systems, ABRP takes into account specific EV models and calculates remaining battery status upon arrival, while also identifying optimal charging stations along the route based on the vehicle’s range. This user-friendly software revolutionizes the planning process for EV drivers, ensuring…

Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has at last commenced the shipment of its much-anticipated manual Tonneau covers for the R1T pickup truck. This development comes after a substantial delay and a series of issues encountered with the original automatic Tonneau covers provided in early R1T models. In an effort to address these problems, Rivian temporarily removed the option to order the cover from their website and assured affected customers that a solution would be found. After several months of waiting, Rivian presented two choices to customers: they could opt for the manual cover, priced at $1,800, or receive no cover…

Tesla has implemented a new strategy to boost sales and clear its inventory of Model S and Model X vehicles by the end of the quarter. In a bid to achieve favorable financial results, the company is offering attractive discounts and incentives for customers who take delivery of these vehicles before the quarter concludes. Previously, Tesla had provided three months of free Supercharging for those purchasing a Model 3 by the end of June. However, the incentives have now been expanded to include the Model S and Model X, with even more substantial discounts available. Some vehicles have seen their…

VinFast, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in Vietnam, has reported a significant decline in revenue for the first quarter of this year. The company’s revenue dropped by 49%, while its net loss widened to $598 million. This is the first full reporting period since VinFast started exporting its vehicles to the United States. VinFast disclosed these figures in a filing with U.S. securities regulators on Thursday. The company is currently in the process of merging with a blank-check company, which is expected to value VinFast at $23 billion. The net loss for the first quarter of this year is higher…

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast has unveiled a new after-sales policy aimed at providing support to its customers in the event of EV breakdowns. This policy, which is separate from the warranty program, will entitle eligible customers in the United States, Canada, and Vietnam to either a service voucher or cash reimbursement. Under the new policy, VinFast has categorized the issues into three types for the US market: Type 1 issues: These inconveniences do not affect the vehicle’s usability. Customers experiencing Type 1 issues will receive USD 100 for each occurrence. Type 2 issues: These render the vehicle inoperable.…

The Microlino, a two-seater electric microcar, has achieved a significant milestone as its 1,000th vehicle completes production at its factory in Turin, Italy. While the Microlino may not accommodate an entire family or be suitable for road trips, one thing is certain: its eye-catching design is undeniably cool. Designed to replace larger cars in urban areas, the Microlino offers a compact yet capable vehicle that optimizes space utilization. The Microlino boasts a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) and is powered by a 12.5 kW (16.8 hp) motor, making it suitable for various city commuting needs. Although it resembles…

United Airlines and Eve Air Mobility have announced their plans to launch electric commuter flights in the San Francisco Bay Area, introducing a sustainable and efficient mode of transportation while reducing emissions. This initiative signifies United Airlines’ commitment to environmental responsibility and its investment in innovative technologies. In 2021, United Airlines made headlines as the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) companies. Their initial investment was in Archer Aviation, a partnership that paved the way for the forthcoming electric air taxi route in Chicago. This route will utilize Archer’s Midnight Aircraft, capable…

In a recent announcement during the Toyota Technical Workshop 2023 presentation, Toyota revealed its plans to incorporate a simulated manual gearbox for electric vehicles (EVs) in its upcoming models. This innovative feature, initially showcased in a Lexus prototype last year, aims to provide a unique and immersive driving experience by replicating the feel and sounds of a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. Takero Kato, president of Toyota’s newly established BEV Factory division, expressed the company’s ambition to offer customers a remarkable driving experience that elicits a “wow” factor. The simulated manual gearbox system will be one of the exciting…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced yesterday at an energy conference in Austin, Texas, that the higher-volume production of the Semi Class 8 electric semi-truck is not expected to commence before late 2024. Musk attributed this delay to battery supply constraints, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. While specific details regarding the definition of “higher-volume production” were not provided during the conference, Musk had previously stated that the Tesla Semi would achieve an annual production of 50,000 units beginning in 2024. During the Q3 2022 earnings call in October 2022, Musk mentioned that it would take approximately one year to…

Rimac Automobili, the Croatian electric hypercar manufacturer, has recently delivered its first customer unit of the highly anticipated Rimac Nevera in the United States. The prestigious vehicle was handed over to its owner by Manhattan Motorcars, a renowned dealer based in New York, along with representatives from Rimac Automobili. This particular Nevera model boasts an exquisite Gunpowder Gray exterior finish with a captivating pearlescent effect that perfectly complements the car’s exposed carbon fiber components. The Gunmetal Infinitus shade adorns the wheels, while the brake calipers sport an understated gloss black hue. Additionally, the US-spec Nevera is distinguished by its yellow…

Buick has recently introduced two new all-electric crossovers. The latest addition to the lineup is the Electra E4, which was unveiled today. Boasting an elegant design and a luxurious interior, the Electra E4 demonstrates Buick’s commitment to providing premium electric vehicles. Described by Buick as “premium and sporty,” the exterior of the Electra E4 draws inspiration from the Electra-X concept. The slim “checkmark” headlights, a prominent lower grille, and a sharp nose resemble its larger sibling, the Electra E5. However, the Electra E4 sets itself apart with a more sloping roofline, creating a distinctive and sporty crossover coupe appearance. Additionally,…

NIO, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced the official launch of the ET5 Touring on June 15. Following the launch event, deliveries of the new model will commence. The launch event, set to take place at 19:00 Beijing time on June 15, will be a multi-country affair, spanning six countries. According to the NIO App release, the ET5 Touring will be available to consumers in China, as well as in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany. Pre-orders for the ET5 Touring are now being accepted from Chinese consumers, although detailed specifications and pricing information have yet to be…

VoltAero, a domestic hybrid aircraft developer, has received a substantial grant of 5.6 million euros from the French government. The funding will be allocated towards the advancement of the Cassio 330 hybrid aircraft, a significant milestone in the company’s ambitious plans. The Cassio aircraft series, which VoltAero is currently developing, encompasses three distinct variants: the five-seat Cassio 330, the six-seat Cassio 480, and the twelve-seat Cassio 600. Each model is named after its respective propulsion power in kilowatts, showcasing the range of options available to potential customers. Notably, the VoltAero aircraft represents an entirely fresh design rather than a modified…

LiveWire, the electric motorbike brand of Harley-Davidson, is set to witness a leadership change as Karim Donnez takes on the role of the new CEO, effective from June 12, 2023. Donnez will replace Jochen Zeitz in this position, although Zeitz will continue to serve as the Chairman of the LiveWire Group. Donnez brings a wealth of experience to LiveWire, having previously worked at Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), Rio Tinto, and Accenture. With a proven track record in driving transformational growth through strategic development and implementation, Donnez is expected to lead LiveWire as an entrepreneurial business leader, as stated by Jochen…

Lordstown (RIDE), the American electric vehicle (EV) startup, is embroiled in a contentious dispute with Foxconn over their investment agreement. In response, Lordstown announced its intention to pursue legal action against Foxconn, as stated in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday. The troubles for Lordstown began when it experienced a setback after the initial production of its Endurance models at its Ohio plant in November. The company had to halt production in February and issue a voluntary recall, further exacerbating the situation. The situation worsened when Lordstown received a delisting notice from the Nasdaq stock…

Zeekr X, a compact electric crossover developed by Zeekr, has commenced production at the company’s manufacturing facility in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, China. The vehicle, which shares its platform with the Smart #1 and Volvo EX30, was previewed in February and officially launched in April. Impressively, just two months later, the Zeekr X has already started rolling off the assembly line, and deliveries are scheduled to begin later this month in the Chinese market. The Zeekr X is built on Geely’s Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA), the same platform utilized by the recently unveiled Volvo EX30 and Smart #1 crossover. With a…

Internal documents leaked from Tesla have revealed that the development program for the highly anticipated Cybertruck has been grappling with fundamental engineering issues that plague all new vehicles. Engineers involved in the program have disclosed that while some aspects of the development are simply delayed, certain flaws appear to have no clear solution. The leaked data, which recently made its way to the media, initially garnered attention for highlighting problems faced by drivers utilizing Tesla’s advanced driver assistance systems. However, the documents also shed light on the significant difficulties the automaker is facing in the development of the Cybertruck. Andy…

The implementation of federal tax incentives in the US has aimed to alleviate the financial burden of purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) while promoting their widespread adoption and bolstering the domestic electric vehicle manufacturing industry. These incentives have effectively lowered the entry cost and overall lifetime expenses associated with EV ownership, extending their reach to even rural areas, such as those in Texas. However, potential buyers often express concerns about the rising costs of recharging electric vehicles, as reported by Electrek. While these tax incentives have succeeded in driving the adoption of electric vehicles, recent findings indicate that a significant proportion…