Author: Floyd Hawkins

Volkswagen (VW) has been considering closing its factories in Germany as part of efforts to reduce costs and secure its financial position. However, recent developments indicate the company’s supervisory board is now exploring options to keep the plants open, a move likely to be welcomed by employees and local labor unions. Closing factories in Germany would be a historic first for VW, marking the company’s first potential move of this scale. The company faces intensifying competition, particularly from new Chinese automakers entering the European market. VW’s brand head, Thomas Schäfer, has stated that simply cutting costs is not a viable…

General Motors (GM) and LG Energy Solution (LGES) have reinforced their long-standing partnership with a new agreement focused on the development of prismatic battery cells. This collaboration, extending their 14-year relationship, will play a crucial role in advancing GM’s electric vehicle (EV) portfolio. “Together with LG Energy Solution, we’ve built Ultium Cells into one of the largest battery cell manufacturers in North America, creating thousands of advanced technology jobs in the U.S. and powering our diverse EV portfolio,” said Kurt Kelty, GM’s vice president of battery cell and pack. The new focus on prismatic cells is a strategic move to…

Toyota is wrapping up the year with its “Toyotathon” sales event, offering impressive discounts and incentives on the 2024 and 2025 bZ4X models until January 6, 2025. Notably, Toyota has extended similar deals to both model years, despite the 2025 bZ4X’s yet-to-be-released details. According to CarsDirect, lease incentives on the bZ4X can reach up to $10,000, with some areas offering a 0% money factor (0.00001) for leasing. However, these deals are location-dependent, with cities such as Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, and San Francisco seeing the most favorable incentives. Areas like Cincinnati and Gulf Coast states may see…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD is on track to reach 4.25 million units in sales by the end of 2024, with an estimated 500,000 units expected to be sold in December. This forecast was shared by Lian Yubo, BYD’s chief scientist, during a speech at a wealth management forum organized by Caijing Magazine today. In November, BYD sold 506,804 NEVs, marking its second consecutive month with sales exceeding 500,000 units. As of November, the company’s cumulative sales reached approximately 3.76 million units, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 40.02%. Lian also noted that BYD’s total NEV sales have surpassed…

President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reportedly exploring the possibility of eliminating the federal requirement for automakers to report crashes involving advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) or fully automated driving technologies, Reuters reported. This potential policy shift could significantly streamline regulatory processes for companies like Tesla and other developers of autonomous technologies. Currently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandates that automakers disclose any crash that occurs when ADAS or automated driving systems were active within 30 seconds of the incident. According to Reuters, Tesla, which has reported over 1,500 such incidents since 2021, could particularly benefit from removing this…

China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, has pledged financial assistance to its suppliers to accelerate innovation in battery materials and equipment. According to a letter seen by Reuters and confirmed by CATL, the company is prepared to fund research and development costs and provide advance payments for projects to ensure technological progress and market competitiveness. The December 2024 letter outlined CATL’s commitment to aiding suppliers with certification processes to fast-track the adoption and production of new battery technologies. These initiatives aim to mitigate the challenges suppliers face as the ongoing electric vehicle (EV) price…

Tesla is developing new parking features for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite, including the ability to park in residential garages, according to Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s Head of Autopilot and AI. The update is part of Tesla’s broader efforts to refine its autonomous driving capabilities and bring fully autonomous rides closer to reality. The company has made significant progress with the release of FSD version 13.2, which has been well-received by users for its robustness and performance since its launch in late November. While FSD can already navigate parking garages, parking in residential garages remains a gap in its functionality. Tesla’s…

Chinese automaker BYD is set to bolster its European presence by starting local production of its Dolphin and Atto 3 electric vehicles (EVs) next year. The vehicles will be manufactured at a new facility in Hungary, marking a significant step in BYD’s strategy to deepen its footprint in Europe. The plant is expected to begin ramping up production by late 2025, according to Stella Li, BYD’s European chief. The Hungarian facility was initially planned to produce BYD’s compact Seagull EV, but the focus has shifted to models like the Dolphin and Atto 3, which are expected to attract greater demand.…

Volvo Autonomous Solutions (V.A.S.) and DHL Supply Chain have launched autonomous freight delivery operations in Texas, utilizing the Volvo VNL Autonomous truck powered by the Aurora Driver. The new operations, which begin on two key routes—Dallas to Houston and Fort Worth to El Paso—will initially involve a safety driver to monitor performance and ensure seamless integration with existing logistics networks. Sasko Cuklev, head of On-Road Solutions at Volvo Autonomous Solutions, highlighted the importance of early adoption in advancing autonomous technology. “Early adopters play a pivotal role in accelerating the deployment and acceptance of autonomous technology, enabling us to validate both…

SAIC-GM-Wuling has unveiled a revamped version of its best-selling Hong Guang Mini EV, marking a significant departure from the model’s boxy design in favor of a more modern, rounded aesthetic. In addition, the new model introduces a five-door variant for improved practicality, reflecting the joint venture’s effort to stay competitive in China’s ultra-budget EV market. Since its debut in 2020, the Hong Guang Mini EV family has sold more than 1.4 million units, dominating the affordable EV segment. However, increasing competition has led to a decline in sales over the past two years, prompting this comprehensive redesign. The new Mini…

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse has firmly opposed calls to delay the European Union’s CO2 targets for 2025, emphasizing that the targets have been known since 2019 and that BMW has aligned its model policy accordingly. In an interview with Automobilwoche, Zipse reiterated his stance on the importance of technological openness while highlighting electric cars as having the greatest growth potential for the future. Zipse rejected the notion of postponing the 2025 CO2 targets, stating that BMW has already increased the efficiency of powertrains, including advancements in combustion engine technologies such as 48-volt systems. “We see no reason to postpone the…

Automotive supplier Marelli has announced advancements in its battery management systems (BMS) for electric vehicles, focusing on the integration of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). According to the company, the updated BMS is designed to “elevate the standard for battery cell management,” ensuring optimal performance and improved efficiency in battery packs. The system offers valuable insights into the degradation of lithium-ion batteries, which includes monitoring capacity reduction and increased resistance. This data is crucial for determining the remaining useful life (RUL) of batteries, helping to better assess their residual economic value. Marelli highlights that the adoption of EIS in battery management…

China’s tech giant Huawei, in collaboration with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC), has unveiled key specifications of its Maextro S800 sedan, a model under its new automotive brand Maextro. The vehicle, which made a brief appearance at the end of November, is now included in the latest batch of vehicles that have been approved by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for public comment, marking a significant step toward its official market release. The Maextro S800 is available in both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) variants. The MIIT catalog lists four versions of the…

Nio has received mass production approval from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for the steer-by-wire (SBW) technology in its flagship sedan, the ET9. This marks a significant milestone, as the ET9 becomes the first mass-produced vehicle in China to feature SBW technology. The approval ensures that the ET9 will be able to meet its scheduled delivery timeline. SBW technology, which decouples the steering wheel from the wheels, is a key component of the ET9’s advanced technical capabilities. Nio has announced that it will play a central role in developing national standards for SBW, being the only automaker…

Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions continue to evolve, with the company planning to launch robotaxi services in 2025. However, these vehicles may not be entirely driverless, as Tesla envisions employing remote teleoperators as an initial safety measure, according to a report from Deutsche Bank’s Autonomous Driving Day in New York City on December 5. Tesla executive Travis Axelrod confirmed that the first wave of robotaxis will incorporate human oversight to ensure safety and redundancy. The report, reviewed by Carscoops, noted that Tesla expects teleoperators to play a pivotal role during the early stages of deployment. However, key questions remain unanswered, such…

BYD is set to roll out a mid-lifecycle update for its Dolphin electric hatchback, four years after its initial debut. The refreshed model is expected to launch in mid-to-late 2025, introducing updated styling and a new powertrain option to the popular EV lineup. Images of the 2026 BYD Dolphin surfaced on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website, revealing key design changes. The facelifted Dolphin features redesigned headlights extending into the front fenders, evoking a resemblance to the original Chevrolet Bolt. Additional updates include a slimmer grille, smaller bumper intakes, and a cleaner rear bumper design with updated taillight…

Toyota and its Chinese partner GAC have started pre-sales of the bZ3X electric SUV in China, marking their latest collaboration in the growing electric vehicle market. With a starting price equivalent to €13,000, the bZ3X is offered in three variants and is set to launch officially in March 2025. The bZ3X is based on the GAC Aion Architecture Electric Platform (AEP) 3.0, sharing similarities with GAC’s Aion V model. It features a 150 kW electric motor from Guangzhou Nidec Auto Drive System and is equipped with a 50 kWh LFP battery in the base 430 Air+ version, delivering a range…

Fjord1, a ferry operator in Norway, has commissioned Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) to supply two onshore charging stations for its fleet of autonomous, zero-emission ferries set to operate between Lavik and Oppedal starting September 2026. The move reinforces Fjord1’s commitment to environmentally friendly ferry operations and advances Norway’s push towards sustainable transport solutions. The Lavik-Oppedal route spans 5.6 kilometers across the Sognefjord and is among Norway’s most vital ferry connections, facilitating the transport of 1.2 million cars annually. Fjord1, awarded the operational contract for the route from September 2026 to August 2034, will deploy four zero-emission ferries, each with a…

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has placed an order for 98 hydrogen fuel cell engine modules from Ballard Power Systems. Each engine, with a capacity of 200 kW, contributes to a total power output of approximately 20 megawatts. The engines will be utilized in CPKC’s hydrogen locomotive program in Alberta, Canada, with delivery expected in 2025. This order is part of a Long-Term Supply Agreement (LTSA) between the two companies, building on earlier deliveries from Ballard Power Systems, which have supplied nearly 10 megawatts of fuel cell engines to CPKC since 2021. The expanded collaboration supports CPKC’s exploration of hydrogen…

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz, which began deliveries in the U.S. last month, is seeing significant markups at dealerships, with some even reaching over $35,000 above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). The most notable case is Volkswagen San Bernardino, which has listed two 1st Edition models for $107,668, compared to the MSRP of $72,668. This results in a hefty $35,000 markup, a 58% increase over the van’s base price. Other dealerships are also charging substantial premiums. King Volkswagen in Maryland has added a $10,000 markup, bringing the price of its 1st Edition to $81,895, up from the original MSRP of…