Author: Floyd Hawkins

Hyundai Motor has announced plans to expand its partnership with General Motors (GM), focusing on the development of electric vehicles (EVs) and the North American commercial vehicle market, under the current U.S. administration. The South Korean automaker’s Chief Financial Officer, Lee Seung Jo, shared that Hyundai is exploring the possibility of re-badging its commercial EVs to supply GM. “We are considering re-badging our commercial EVs and supplying GM… The deal will pave the way for our entry into the North American commercial vehicle market,” Lee said. See also: Ioniq 5, Ioniq 9, and Genesis GV70 Lose U.S. Subsidy Eligibility The…

Volkswagen aims to increase its U.S. market share, targeting a goal to double its current 4% share by 2030, according to the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Arno Antlitz. This marks a reduction from the previously set target of 10%, highlighting the challenges the automaker faces in its key markets, particularly with potential import tariffs under the newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Antlitz outlined that the company’s efforts to cut costs in Germany were still in the early stages, particularly with the need to speed up production in its factories. He stressed…

Mitsubishi Motors  is reportedly weighing the option of opting out of the planned merger between Nissan Motor and Honda Motor, according to sources familiar with the matter. The automaker plans to remain independent, continuing its cooperative relationships with both Nissan and Honda, as discussions around the merger framework evolve. The potential withdrawal of Mitsubishi from the merger talks caused a significant impact on its stock, which fell over 6% in early trading on Friday. Nissan’s shares also experienced a decline of 1.6%. Mitsubishi is expected to make a final decision on the matter this month, as the merger framework continues…

The European Union is advancing discussions on the creation of a unified system of purchase incentives for electric vehicles (EVs), a proposal championed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Despite enthusiasm for the initiative, significant hurdles remain before such measures can be formalized and implemented. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Scholz expressed support for EU-wide purchase incentives, emphasizing their potential to standardize subsidies across member states. See also: EU to Launch Strategic Dialogue on Automotive Industry’s Future Teresa Ribera, Vice-President of the European Commission, echoed this sentiment, stating that a harmonized approach would prevent competition among national models…

Tesla is set to increase the prices of its entire vehicle lineup in Canada starting Feb. 1, according to updates on the company’s Canadian website. Price hikes will see the Model 3 rise by as much as C$9,000 ($6,255), while Model Y variants will cost up to C$4,000 more. Model S and Model X versions will also experience price increases of C$4,000. Tesla did not disclose the reasons behind the adjustments, and it remains unclear how many of its vehicles destined for Canada originate from its Shanghai factory in China or its U.S.-based plants. Tesla currently does not manufacture cars…

Tesla has confirmed the redesigned Model Y SUV will debut in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico this March, with a starting price of $59,990. The announcement follows the recent unveiling of the revamped Model Y for China and other Asian markets, signaling a rare simultaneous global launch. The new Model Y comes at a pivotal moment for Tesla, which reported lower vehicle deliveries in 2024 compared to 2023. CEO Elon Musk has hinted at upcoming, more affordable models to drive future growth, alongside the highly anticipated “Cybercab” teased last year. See also: Tesla Debuts Model Y “Juniper” in China Showrooms…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Nikola Corp is considering a range of strategic options, including selling parts of its business or potentially the entire company, as it faces significant financial challenges, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. The company’s shares dropped 28% in late-afternoon trading following the report. Other possibilities under discussion include seeking partnerships or raising additional funds, the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter. See also: Nikola Faces Financial Crisis, Warns of Inadequate Funds for 2025 Nikola has been grappling with mounting costs associated with scaling up production of its fuel-cell electric trucks. The company’s cash reserves fell dramatically…

A collaboration between Chinese and German researchers has demonstrated the remarkable potential of solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries, showing superior electrical properties under laboratory conditions. The innovative batteries promise to outperform current technologies, offering significant advancements in energy density, stability, and charging speed. See also: Tesla-Backed Researchers Unveil Battery with 20,000 Charging Cycles, Equivalent to 8 Million Kilometers Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries utilize a solid electrolyte composed of boron, sulfur, lithium, phosphorus, and iodine. This unique substance has a glass-like, non-crystalline structure with properties that mimic liquids. This breakthrough design accelerates the chemical reactions in the battery, addressing the…

The revamped Tesla Model 3 “Highland” has claimed the title of Edmunds’ Top Rated EV for 2025, surpassing tough competition from the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and BMW i5. This accolade reflects Tesla’s extensive updates to the Model 3, including enhancements to its interior, suspension, ride comfort, and overall design. See also: Tesla Model 3 Achieves Top Scores in Green NCAP Test with 5-Star Safety Rating Edmunds, known for its critical but fair evaluations, praised the Model 3 Highland for its increased efficiency, improved range, and refined build quality. The automotive publication noted, “A major face-lift in 2024 brought improvements everywhere……

Germany’s automotive association (VDA) has raised concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff plans, warning that the imposition of higher import duties could lead to increased car prices for U.S. consumers and negatively affect global automakers. The warning comes as the prospect of tariffs has caused a dip in auto stocks, with automakers bracing for potential impacts. At a press conference on Tuesday, Hildegard Mueller, president of the VDA, expressed that Trump’s tariffs would likely drive up U.S. inflation. “Donald Trump promised in his election campaign to reduce inflation,” she said, adding that she hoped further discussions on this…

U.S.-based startup Monarch Tractor has announced its expansion into Europe with the establishment of Monarch Tractor Europe N.V., headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium. The company aims to bring its driver-optional electric tractor, the MK-V, to European markets and develop a regional manufacturing and research hub. “With Monarch’s ongoing strategic growth journey, the expansion to Europe is a logical next step,” said CEO Praveen Penmetsa. He outlined plans for local manufacturing, a digital center of excellence, and a dedicated research and development hub in Flanders, signaling a comprehensive market entry strategy beyond sales. See also: Monarch Tractor Secures $133 Million in Series…

Hyundai unveiled its first locally-produced electric SUV, the Creta Electric, in India on Friday at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. With a starting price of ₹17.99 lakh (approximately $20,000), the Creta EV offers a range of up to 473 kilometers (294 miles) and marks Hyundai’s latest push to solidify its presence in the growing Indian EV market. The Creta, a longstanding success since its introduction in 2015, accounted for over 30% of Hyundai India’s domestic sales in 2024, contributing significantly to a record 605,433 vehicle sales in the country last year. Including exports, Hyundai India’s total sales reached 764,119 units.…

Smart Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann expects the upcoming launch of the Smart #5 model in May to significantly boost the global sales of the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. With the introduction of the #5, alongside existing models #1 and #3, Adelmann predicts annual sales could reach 120,000 vehicles worldwide by 2025. Smart recorded global sales of approximately 65,000 vehicles in 2024, nearly doubling its 2023 figures. European deliveries accounted for around 20,000 units, with 9,322 new registrations in Germany, according to Automobilwoche. Adelmann anticipates German sales could double to nearly 20,000 units following the launch of the larger,…

European fast-charging network operator Fastned has partnered with One Hundred restrooms to equip its charging parks with high-quality sanitary facilities. The initiative will debut in Belgium and the Netherlands, with the first restroom facility set to open in the current quarter. The partnership follows a European framework agreement between Fastned and One Hundred restrooms, a Dutch company specializing in innovative restroom solutions. The agreement aims to enhance the comfort and convenience of EV travelers and other road users across Europe. “Our goal is to set a new standard in comfort, safety, and well-being along European highways,” Fastned said in a…

Renault Group is strengthening its ties with the Chinese automotive sector to advance its electric vehicle (EV) development and streamline production processes, despite not selling cars in China. CEO Luca de Meo highlighted China’s role in automotive innovation, stating, “This is where the real things are happening.” The French automaker established the Advanced China Development Center (ACDC) in Shanghai last year to tap into local expertise. One of its first projects, the Twingo E-Tech, is being developed in China but will be produced in Slovenia for the European market. The EV is expected to be priced under €20,000 ($20,565), aiming…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Monday it has launched an investigation into 129,222 Ford Motor vehicles following reports of collisions involving the automaker’s hands-free driving system, BlueCruise. The probe stems from notices of two fatal crashes involving Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with the BlueCruise technology. The system, designed for hands-free driving, uses a camera-based driver monitoring system to ensure attentiveness and is functional on 97% of highways in the United States and Canada that lack intersections or traffic signals. The investigation highlights ongoing safety concerns as automakers increasingly introduce advanced driver assistance systems. BlueCruise…

The BT Group has decided to abandon its plans to repurpose up to 60,000 street cabinets in the UK as electric vehicle (EV) charging points. Instead, the telecommunications company will redirect its efforts toward improving WiFi infrastructure around existing charging stations, enabling better access to charging apps and digital services for EV drivers. BT initially retrofitted one street cabinet in East Lothian, Scotland, in August 2024, marking its first foray into EV charging. The cabinets, previously used for broadband and telephone cables, were deemed redundant and set to be decommissioned. The company had aimed to convert these cabinets into EV…

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids reached 17.1 million units globally in 2024, marking a 25% increase compared to the previous year, according to a report by UK-based market research firm Rho Motion. While the global market experienced robust growth, significant regional differences emerged, with China leading the charge and Europe facing a contraction. The report highlighted a strong close to the year, with consecutive monthly records from September to December. An average of 1.4 million EVs and plug-in hybrids were registered globally each month, peaking at 1.9 million in December. The study’s scope included passenger cars and…

Tesla has extended its free lifetime Supercharging promotion for the Cybertruck Foundation Series, which was originally set to expire at the end of 2024. The extension runs through January 31, 2025, as the company works to clear its remaining inventory of these high-end models. The promotion is available for new Foundation Series Cybertrucks ordered after December 27, 2024, and it remains tied to the original buyer’s Tesla Account, making it non-transferable. However, customers will still be responsible for any Supercharger congestion or idle fees. “Customers who purchase a new Cybertruck Foundation Series are eligible for free Supercharging during your ownership…

Porsche reported a 3% drop in global deliveries for 2024, with sales totaling 310,718 vehicles, the automaker announced on Tuesday. Despite a mixed performance, the debut of the Macan EV marked a significant milestone, outselling its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart in the fourth quarter. However, the fully electric Taycan experienced a steep 49% sales decline, underscoring challenges in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The Macan EV, launched in January 2024 but delivered to customers starting late September, accounted for 66% of the 27,795 Macans sold in the fourth quarter. “The introduction of the Macan EV marks a pivotal moment…