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.…