Author: Floyd Hawkins

Yangwang, the ultra-luxury sub-brand of BYD, said on Thursday it would soon launch its U7 luxury sedan, following the start of pre-sales last November. “The never-before-seen DiSus-Z has now completed its development and testing, and will soon meet you with the launch of the Yangwang U7,” the brand announced on its Weibo account. See also: BYD’s Yangwang U7 Sedan to Feature Next-Gen Blade Battery with Enhanced Charging Capacity The DiSus-Z system, a newly developed branch of BYD’s DiSus body control system, will debut in the U7. Yangwang said the system enhances ride comfort beyond that of a maglev train. A…

Volkswagen’s mobility subsidiary Moia has been conducting winter trials of the fully autonomous ID. Buzz AD in Oslo since early 2024, expanding its autonomous vehicle testing beyond Austin, Munich, and Hamburg. The trials are focused on assessing the vehicle’s performance in snow, ice, and low temperatures, as well as its ability to navigate challenging visibility conditions. See also: Volkswagen Unveils ID. Every1, a €20,000 EV Targeting Mass Market Adoption The tests aim to evaluate how the vehicle interacts with traffic infrastructure, including snow-covered road markings and signs, while also ensuring reliable detection of pedestrians and other road users. A safety…

The Norwegian government is preparing legislation that would allow municipalities to establish zero-emission zones, a move aimed at accelerating the transition to cleaner transport. The Ministry of Transport has tasked the Norwegian Public Roads Administration with drafting the necessary regulatory framework, addressing technical, legal, and practical considerations. Local authorities will have the final say on whether to implement such zones. See also: Norway’s Hydro to Acquire Full Stake in Battery Recycler Hydrovolt from Northvolt for $6.79 Million Norway’s push for emission-free transport comes as electric vehicles (EVs) continue to dominate new car sales. In February, nearly 95% of newly registered…

Volvo has introduced the ES90, an electric saloon featuring the automaker’s latest 800-volt battery technology, enabling faster charging and improved efficiency. The vehicle, which follows the EX90 SUV on Volvo’s dedicated EV platform, is now available for order across several European markets, with additional regions to follow through 2026. See also: Volvo Reports 1% Sales Growth in February, But EV Deliveries Decline Unlike its predecessor, the S90, Volvo positions the ES90 as a distinct model that blends elements of a saloon, fastback, and SUV coupe. It features a long 3.10-metre wheelbase, a closed front grille, and Volvo’s signature vertical rear…

Charging infrastructure provider Qwello has won a public tender to install 150 AC charging points in Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany, expanding its presence in France’s growing electric vehicle (EV) charging network, the company said. The charging points, spread across 36 municipalities including Rennes, are part of a broader project awarded by the Energy Union of Ille-et-Vilaine (SDE 35). The initiative follows a collaborative process in which municipalities proposed preferred locations for installation, Qwello said in a statement. A second tender is expected in 2025. See also: Qwello Acquires Park & Charge to Expand Presence in EV Charging Infrastructure Qwello, in partnership with…

Huawei-backed Aito is set to introduce its new M8 SUV in April, aiming to strengthen its position in the mid-to-large-size SUV market. The M8, positioned between the existing M7 and M9 models, will be available in both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) variants. According to filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the M8 measures 5,190 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, and 1,795 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,105 mm. The vehicle offers 5-seat and 6-seat configurations, adhering to Aito’s family design language. See also: Huawei-Backed Aito Opens Pre-Sales for…

Alpine is preparing to unveil its first high-riding model, the A390, on May 27. Positioned as a “sport fastback” rather than a traditional SUV, the A390 aims to combine performance and practicality in an electrified package. A prototype, spotted undergoing winter testing in Lapland, offers a glimpse at its sleek design, featuring an aggressively sloped rear glass and a sedan-like decklid. See also: Renault 5 and Alpine A290 Face Workshop Return Over Inverter Issue in France Smaller than a Porsche Macan EV, the A390 is expected to compete with performance-oriented electric crossovers. The front-end design includes a distinctive aero “blade”…

French battery manufacturer Automotive Cells Company (ACC) on Thursday welcomed the European Union’s new action plan for the automotive sector but warned that the proposed support measures may come too late to address the industry’s pressing challenges. The European Commission on Wednesday announced a plan to help the sector transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, including €1.8 billion ($1.94 billion) in funding to strengthen battery supply chains. See also: TotalEnergies CEO Advocates for Focus on French ACC Factory, Doubts Expansion Plans ACC, a joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies, acknowledged the initiative but stressed the need for urgent action.…

S&P Global has lowered Stellantis’ credit rating to “BBB” from “BBB+”, citing concerns over the automaker’s profit margins, the ratings agency said on Thursday. S&P attributed the downgrade to price reductions implemented in North America and Europe late last year, as well as affordability challenges faced by consumers, which could limit the company’s volume growth and margin expansion. See also: Stellantis Warns U.S. Dealers of Competitive Risks from New Tariffs The downgrade follows Stellantis’ cautious outlook for 2025, after its latest earnings report showed a decline in U.S. sales, leading to the departure of CEO Carlos Tavares. Meanwhile, the automaker…

Chinese auto giant Geely Auto has introduced the AI-powered G-Pilot smart driving system, intensifying competition in the electric vehicle (EV) sector as rivals BYD and Tesla push forward with their own smart driving technologies. Unveiled at a recent event, G-Pilot comprises five levels of intelligent driving solutions: G-Pilot H1, G-Pilot H3, G-Pilot H5, G-Pilot H7, and G-Pilot H9, designed to offer varying degrees of autonomy. The system is Geely’s answer to BYD’s God’s Eye smart driving system and Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. G-Pilot Hardware and Capabilities Each G-Pilot level is equipped with a unique combination of sensors, cameras, and…

Hyundai has partnered with Avride, a Yandex spinoff, to develop fully autonomous vehicles for ride-hailing, the companies announced on Monday. Under the agreement, Avride will deploy 100 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUVs retrofitted with self-driving technology this year. Avride, which operates sidewalk delivery robots in multiple cities, aims to launch a commercial robotaxi service soon. The company has already tested the Ioniq 5 and Hyundai Sonata for autonomous operations in Austin and Seoul over the past year and plans a “significant expansion” ahead of its official rollout. See also: Avride to Begin Sidewalk Bot Deliveries in Central Tokyo Through Rakuten Partnership…

Tesla’s vehicle sales in Germany fell by 76% in February compared to the same month last year, according to data from the German road traffic agency KBA, marking a sharper decline than the 60% drop recorded in January. KBA reported that Tesla sold 1,429 cars in Germany last month, even as overall electric vehicle sales in the country rose 30.8% to 35,949 units. The agency did not provide reasons for the sales decline. See also: Tesla’s Sales Decline in Europe Continues in February Amid Market Shifts The drop in Tesla’s German sales follows similar trends in other European markets. Recent…