Author: Floyd Hawkins

Volkswagen is ramping up efforts to introduce new hybrid models in the United States, responding to a growing demand for plug-in hybrids and some consumer pushback against electric vehicles (EVs). Despite a slowdown in EV demand, VW remains steadfast in its long-term commitment to electric mobility. In a recent interview with Auto News, VW Group of America CEO Pablo Di Si shared insights from discussions with dealerships, noting a positive trend toward plug-in hybrids and a slight resistance toward EVs among consumers. He highlighted concerns about charging infrastructure as a key factor influencing consumer sentiment but emphasized that this would…

Lucid Group has announced plans to cut its United States workforce by 6%, affecting approximately 400 employees, as the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer responds to a challenging market with slower growth. The company’s decision reflects a broader trend in the industry, with automakers seeking to streamline operations amid economic headwinds such as inflation and high interest rates, which have dampened demand for higher-priced EVs in favor of more affordable hybrid alternatives. CEO Peter Rawlinson communicated the layoffs to employees, stating that they would impact staff at all levels, including leadership and mid-level management, but assured that the hourly manufacturing and…

Bedrock Materials, a U.S. startup spun out of Stanford University in 2023, is gearing up to produce materials for sodium-ion batteries to help make electric vehicles more affordable. The company’s CEO, Spencer Gore, is a former Tesla engineer. According to a company press release, Bedrock Materials specializes in the production of materials for sodium-ion batteries. Currently headquartered in an incubator building in Chicago, Bedrock plans to move to a larger, permanent location by the end of the year. The startup recently closed a seed financing round of $9 million and opened a research and development center in Chicago. Since last…

In a bid to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation, the Philippines has extended its duty-free policy for electric vehicles (EVs) and expanded it to include hybrid vehicles, electric motorcycles, and e-bikes. The policy, which was initially introduced in 2022 and implemented in early 2023, was set to expire in 2023 but will now remain in effect until 2028, coinciding with the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s mandate. Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan highlighted the importance of the extended policy, stating, “By encouraging consumers to adopt EVs, we are promoting a cleaner, more resilient, and more environmentally friendly transportation…

Milence, the truck charging joint venture between Daimler Truck, Traton Group, and Volvo Group, is set to establish its inaugural two truck charging parks in Germany during the latter half of 2024. These parks, strategically situated to the north and south of Leipzig, mark a significant milestone for the industry. The upcoming German charging parks follow the successful opening of Milence’s facilities in the Netherlands and France, with additional sites planned in France and Sweden. The absence of a German presence had been notable, given the involvement of Daimler Truck and the Traton Group. However, this is set to change…

An intriguing Tesla Model 3 test vehicle was recently sighted in Palo Alto, California, featuring a distinct setup that caught the attention of electric vehicle enthusiasts. Images of the vehicle, shared by advocate Nic Cruz Patane on social media platform X, revealed a Model 3 stripped of its side mirrors and equipped with cameras in unconventional locations. Among the notable changes observed in the test vehicle were cameras mounted inside the cabin, positioned behind the driver’s seat and seemingly pointing out the rear windows. Additionally, the vehicle’s front fender cameras appeared to be different, while the trunk camera was raised…

Chinese battery manufacturers Hailiang and Shinzoom are set to establish separate plants in Morocco, as the country aims to adapt its growing automotive sector to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), Moroccan officials announced on Tuesday. According to authorities overseeing the development of the Moroccan northern industrial zone, Tanger Tech, Hailiang plans to invest $450 million in building a copper plant spanning 30 hectares, while Shinzoom, a part of Hunan Zhongke, will invest $460 million in an anodes plant covering 20 hectares. In April, the Moroccan government approved plans for Chinese EV battery maker BTR New Material Group…

Recent filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) hint at a potential advancement for the R-wing of the new-generation Dodge Charger, suggesting Dodge’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of aerodynamic performance. The standard R-wing, designed as an aero pass-through in the Charger’s front fascia, may undergo further development, as revealed by a new patent discovered by Carbuzz. The patent depicts a revised R-wing with adjustable flaps that could enhance downforce, akin to the active aerodynamic flaps found on the Pagani Huayra. Dodge’s engineers aim to integrate actuators for the flaps within the central beam of the R-wing,…

Vietnam-based automaker VinFast Auto is poised to enter the Philippines’ electric vehicle market in late May 2024, following a meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and VinFast CEO Pham Nhat Vuong in January 2024. The official launch of the VinFast brand is scheduled for June 1 to 2, allowing the public to explore VinFast’s lineup of EVs, including the VF e34, VF 5, VF 7, and VF 9, six electric motorcycles, and the VF DrgnFly electric bicycle. VinFast aims to establish a dealer network across the Philippines, capitalizing on the increasing pace of EV adoption in the country. Sales…

IM Motors, the electric vehicle (EV) arm of SAIC Motor Corp, has unveiled its latest electric sedan, the IM L6, in a bid to challenge competitors like Tesla’s Model 3 and Xiaomi’s SU7. The IM L6, the company’s fourth model and second sedan, was introduced at a launch event, with a starting price of RMB 219,900 ($30,400). However, a limited-time offer brings the starting price down to RMB 199,900. Available in five variants, the IM L6 offers a range of features and specifications. It measures 4,931 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, and 1,474 mm in height, with a…

Rivian has informed state officials of its plans to implement further layoffs in California. In a communication dated April 24 to the state’s Employment Development Department, Scott Griffin, Rivian’s vice president of people, outlined the company’s intention to lay off more than 120 employees, including 89 in Irvine and 28 in Palo Alto. Griffin stated that these job cuts, scheduled to start in June, are expected to be permanent. Despite efforts to reach Rivian officials for comment, including via email and phone, no response was received. This announcement follows a prior round of layoffs in February, when Rivian announced a…

President Joe Biden is poised to unveil new tariffs on China as early as next week, focusing on strategic sectors, a source familiar with the matter revealed. The announcement, likely to occur on Tuesday, is expected to mostly maintain current levies. While specifics regarding the tariffs’ value or categories remain unclear, the administration is honing in on areas of interest within strategic competitive and national security realms. The move contrasts with the broad tariff approach proposed by Republican candidate Donald Trump. The targeted sectors are expected to include electric vehicles, batteries, and solar equipment, according to Bloomberg News. However, the…

After a 60-year legacy, Chevrolet has announced the discontinuation of the Malibu sedan, marking the end of an era for the iconic model. The move reflects the evolving priorities of the auto industry, with manufacturers like General Motors (GM) increasingly emphasizing SUVs and electric vehicles (EVs) over traditional sedans. Production of the Chevrolet Malibu will continue until November 4th at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, alongside the Cadillac XT4. Following this, production will be halted to retool the factory for future vehicles, confirmed a Chevrolet spokesperson to Carscoops. “When production resumes in late 2025, Fairfax will produce both…

In a recent letter to shareholders, Luminar Technologies revealed that electric vehicle giant Tesla was its largest customer for LIDAR products in the first quarter of 2024, accounting for over 10% of its revenue. However, a comment by Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hinted at a potential shift in their business relationship. Musk, known for his outspoken views on LIDAR, previously dismissed it as a “crutch” for self-driving technology. Despite this, Tesla has reportedly used LIDAR units from Luminar to validate vision data on its test vehicles, a practice that Musk defended as necessary for testing and development purposes. Responding…

Chinese automaker Geely and Israeli auto safety technology startup Foretellix have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the safe large-scale development of self-driving vehicles. In a joint statement, Foretellix and Geely outlined their plans to integrate Foretellix’s safety platform with Geely’s development and verification processes, as well as its advanced simulator. This integration is expected to enhance Geely’s ability to develop and validate autonomous driving technology at scale. The platform will enable automatic analysis of driving logs from Geely’s test vehicles and facilitate the replay of numerous scenarios in virtual simulation. This approach aims to maximize the utilization of…

Leapmotor and Stellantis are gearing up to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) in India, joining a growing list of automakers targeting the country’s burgeoning EV market. Details about their collaborative effort were unveiled, shedding light on the eSUV C16. Both companies have filed for a sales license with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), indicating their intentions to sell EVs not only in China but also globally. India’s EV market has gained prominence following the introduction of a new electric vehicle policy, which aims to facilitate the import of EVs into the country, making it more appealing to companies…

Lucid Motors, in its Q1 earnings call this week, hinted at a future electric vehicle (EV) poised to rival the Tesla Model Y, adding to its lineup that already includes the impressive Air sedan and the upcoming Gravity SUV. CEO Peter Rawlinson, during the earnings call, highlighted the Gravity SUV, scheduled to commence production later this year, and an upcoming mid-size model, expected to be priced around $48,000 and to enter production in late 2026. When asked by an investor about plans for an affordable EV to compete with Tesla, Rawlinson suggested that the mid-size vehicle would play a pivotal…

The Thuringian Ministry for the Environment, Energy, and Nature Conservation has announced its support for Weimar’s initiative to expand its hydrogen fuel cell bus fleet and improve urban transport infrastructure. The funding, totaling approximately 4.8 million euros, will be used to acquire six new hydrogen buses and upgrade infrastructure, including the expansion of the hydrogen workshop and depot conversion. The total project cost is estimated at around 7 million euros. The decision to fund this project, partly sourced from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021-2027 and Thuringia’s state funds, follows the successful delivery of the first three hydrogen buses…

The Tesla Cybertruck is currently touring Europe, with the company recently highlighting its display in Germany and Norway over the weekend. Tesla shared photos of the Cybertruck display at the Mall of Berlin on its Europe and Middle East page on X, showcasing the electric pickup truck surrounded by curious onlookers. This display follows the Cybertruck’s recent appearance at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Grünheide, Germany, and is part of a larger European tour dubbed the “Cyber Odyssey.” https://twitter.com/teslaeurope/status/1786843088423465104 The Cybertruck has also been spotted in Oslo, Norway, and at Tesla Park Royal in London, United Kingdom. Tesla’s “Cybertruck Odyssey” events in…

Natron Energy, a manufacturer of sodium-ion batteries, has commenced commercial-scale operations at its manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan, marking the first-ever large-scale production of sodium-ion batteries in the United States. These batteries offer superior power density, longer cycles, a domestically sourced supply chain, and distinct safety features compared to other battery technologies. They are currently the only UL-listed sodium-ion batteries available. The opening ceremony of the facility in Holland, MI featured speeches from Holland Mayor Nathan Bocks, Evelyn Wang, PhD, Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), and Natron Energy’s Founder and Co-CEO Colin Wessells and Co-CEO Wendell Brooks.…