Author: Floyd Hawkins

SWO Mobil has selected Daimler Buses as the supplier for 19 new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric buses, marking a significant step towards electrified mobility in local public transport. The buses are set to be delivered gradually starting from 2025. The contract for the fully electric and emission-free eCitaro solo buses was awarded following a Europe-wide tender. Rüdiger Kappel, Head of Sales Public Transport Germany at Daimler Buses, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted that the eCitaro electric bus partnership with SWO Mobil has now started. This order is another important step for us in the expansion of electrified…

Skoda Auto has unveiled the Enyaq RS Race concept study, signaling a new direction in motorsports that emphasizes sustainability while enhancing the brand’s emotional appeal. This concept aims to elevate Skoda’s motorsport DNA by featuring an aggressive design, highlighted by a substantial rear wing. The Enyaq RS Race concept provides insights into how motorsport technology can drive the transition towards a dynamic and sustainable automotive future. It also serves as a platform for developing and rigorously testing cutting-edge electric technologies for future battery-electric production vehicles. Michal Hrabánek, Head of Skoda Motorsport, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability: “Sustainability is a…

Rivian Automotive has secured an $827 million incentive package from the State of Illinois to support the production of its next-generation electric vehicle, the R2. The funding, announced on Thursday, will be utilized to expand Rivian’s existing factory in Normal, Illinois, upgrade supporting infrastructure, and enhance job training programs for its workforce. The automaker plans to begin updates to the factory “in the coming months.” This announcement follows Rivian’s recent unveiling of the mid-size R2 SUV, expected to be priced around $45,000 when it becomes available for sale in 2026. Additionally, Rivian intends to manufacture and sell a hatchback named…

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has announced plans to reduce capital expenditure following weak earnings, primarily attributed to slow growth in electric vehicle (EV) sales. The South Korean battery manufacturer reported an operating profit of 157.3 billion won (US$114 million), a 75.2% decline compared to the previous year. “We will have to cut capital expenditure considering sluggish EV market conditions and client demand,” stated Lee Chang-sil, LGES’ Chief Finance Officer. The company reported an operating loss for the first quarter, with the exclusion of the advanced manufacturing production credit (AMPC) from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The company’s AMPC totaled 188.9…

Elon Musk’s recent visit to China has sparked surprise and speculation in India, where his postponed trip was expected to include a firm commitment regarding Tesla’s operations in the country. Musk cited “very heavy Tesla obligations” as the reason for delaying his visit to India, leading to questions about the nature of these obligations. While the specifics of Musk’s obligations were not disclosed, it is believed that discussions with Chinese government officials regarding the rollout of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite were a key focus of his visit to China. This development has left some in India puzzled, with news…

Stellantis, the Netherlands-based automotive giant known for brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Peugeot, Citroën, and Maserati, announced a 12% decline in revenue for the first quarter of the year. The company attributed this decrease to lower sales and foreign exchange effects, despite maintaining firm net pricing. Shares of Stellantis were down 2% at the market open on Tuesday following the announcement of these results. Chief Financial Officer Natalie Knight explained that year-over-year shipment and net revenue comparisons were challenging due to the company’s transition to a “next-generation product portfolio manufactured on new platforms.” Stellantis has ambitious plans for the year,…

Nio has initiated trial operations of its 150-kWh semi-solid battery pack, with official operations of the ultra-long-range battery pack set to commence in June, the company announced today. The trial operations of the 150-kWh battery pack will be conducted from May 1-31 exclusively for Nio Destination, the company’s destination car rental service, according to a statement posted on the Nio App. Customers renting a Nio vehicle for three days or more during May 1-31 will have the opportunity to experience the 150-kWh battery pack, with availability randomly distributed among different models in various cities. Lucky customers who are assigned a…

Nissan has announced a strategic partnership with the Spanish Acciona Group to handle the distribution of vehicles from the Silence micromobility brand in Europe. The collaboration will see Nissan take over the distribution of Silence’s product portfolio, including the four-wheeled Silence S04 Nanocar light vehicle and electric scooters, in France and Italy starting in June. The partnership will expand to the German market in September. Nissan’s role will extend beyond distribution to include introducing financing, service, and insurance options for Silence vehicles through its dealerships. The move is part of Nissan’s broader strategy to strengthen its competitiveness, tap into new…

SWO Mobil, a subsidiary of Osnabrück’s municipal utility, has chosen Daimler Buses as the supplier for 19 new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric buses, marking a significant step towards the complete electrification of its fleet. The new eCitaro buses, to be delivered gradually from 2025, will increase the proportion of electric buses in Osnabrück to 94 per cent, making it one of the leading cities in Germany for electric buses, according to Daimler Buses. These twelve-metre-long solo buses feature two axles and three doors, with a capacity to carry up to 69 passengers, 30 of whom can be seated, and 39 standing.…

BMW has announced a substantial investment of $2.8 billion in its plant in Shenyang, China, to prepare for the production of electric cars from its Neue Klasse (New Class) model family. The investment follows the signing of a letter of intent between BMW and the province of Liaoning, where the BMW plants are located. Approximately a year ago, BMW revealed its plans to manufacture the Neue Klasse electric cars in China. The Chinese joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) in Shenyang will produce a model based on the Neue Klasse from 2026, along with the necessary battery packs featuring large-volume…

Tesla is advancing its ambition to undercut the cost of battery cells supplied by external manufacturers with its proprietary 4680 format, slated to achieve cost parity by the end of 2024. The 4680 cell, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as tabless designs, was unveiled in 2020 with the promise of delivering superior affordability, extended range, and faster charging capabilities. Venturing into cell production marked a significant departure for Tesla, pitting it against industry behemoths like LG, Panasonic, and CATL, which currently serve as Tesla’s primary cell providers. Despite this competitive landscape, Tesla has maintained a cooperative relationship with its suppliers, continuing…

Nikola Motor has unveiled its production and delivery figures for the first quarter of 2024, ahead of its official Q1 financial result presentation. The company produced 43 Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks and wholesaled 40 of them during the same period. The delivery numbers are noteworthy, surpassing the total number of deliveries Nikola made in the entire year of 2023. This achievement is particularly significant considering the challenges the company faced, including the legal issues involving former CEO Trevor Milton. Nikola’s CEO, Steve Girsky, expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory, stating, “We are on track for a successful…

In a recent forecast, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a significant rise in electric car sales in 2024, reaching 17 million compared to 14 million in 2023. This surge, according to the IEA, is driven by various factors, including concerns about climate change, improving technology, and government incentives. However, the IEA also highlights key challenges that could impact future growth, such as affordability and the availability of charging infrastructure. The IEA expects more than one in five cars sold globally to be electric this year, which would have a notable impact on reducing oil demand for road transport. China…

Rivian has introduced a special trade-in discount in celebration of Earth Day, offering $5,000 off for customers who trade select gas vehicles for a new R1T or R1S. In an email sent to prospective customers on Monday, Rivian announced the “Electric Upgrade” offer, which not only provides a $5,000 discount but also includes one year of free charging on the Rivian Adventure Network (RAN). “Today is Earth Day—a time to celebrate the planet we call home and think about ways to preserve it for generations to come,” Rivian wrote in the email. “We want to help you get into a…

Tesla has started rolling out the newest point version of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised) software, marked as FSD v12.3.5, to owners as part of the 2024.3.20 software update, following the recent deployment of v12.3.4 earlier this month. This release comes after Tesla officially replaced the term “beta” with “supervised” for its FSD software at the end of last month. The FSD v12 software is a crucial component of Tesla’s autonomous driving strategy, as it shifts to utilizing end-to-end neural network control for functions like steering, acceleration, and braking, which were previously governed by human-written code. This latest update eliminates…

Neta Auto, a subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) company Hozon Auto, has officially introduced the Neta L, the latest SUV option in the Chinese EV market. The launch event for the Neta L, currently available only in extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants, was held today, with plans to offer battery electric vehicle (BEV) variants in the future. The Neta L EREV is offered in four variants with starting prices ranging from RMB 129,900 ($18,000) to RMB 159,900. Notably, the lowest-priced version will be officially launched in August, with only the price announced today. Built on Neta’s Shanhai platform, the…

BYD has unveiled the Glory Edition updates for its Tang EV and Tang DM-p models, following a similar update for the Tang DM-i variant two months ago. Today, the new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer launched the Glory Editions for the all-electric Tang EV and the hybrid Tang DM-p, reducing their starting prices as part of a continued strategy. The Tang EV Glory Edition now starts at RMB 219,800 ($30,350), a reduction of RMB 30,000, or 12 percent, from its predecessor’s price of RMB 249,800. Similarly, the Tang DM-p Glory Edition starts at RMB 229,800, down RMB 40,000, or 14.83 percent,…

Waymo has been offering driverless ride-hailing services in San Francisco for approximately six months, and new data sheds light on the most popular destinations for riders using the service. According to a report from The San Francisco Chronicle, Waymo riders frequently travel to areas such as Hayes Valley, Mission Bay, South of Market, and the Mission District. The company has transported over 530,000 passengers around the city between September and February, with many passengers heading to job centers like the Financial District, event venues like the Chase Center, and other locations known for challenging parking situations. Aman Nalavade, Waymo group…

Japanese automaker Honda announced plans to invest 4.2 billion reais ($807.74 million) in its Itirapina plant in Brazil by 2030. This investment aims to develop a hybrid-flex vehicle, a first for the South American country. Honda’s commitment reflects a broader trend, with automakers like Volkswagen, General Motors, Stellantis, and Toyota also making significant investments in Brazil. According to Brazil’s government, these investments from automakers are poised to reach nearly 130 billion reais in the coming years. Honda’s commercial vice president in Brazil, Roberto Akiyama, highlighted that the company’s focus will be on new technologies, particularly the development of a hybrid…

Volkswagen’s Chattanooga Assembly Plant has made history by voting to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, marking the first newly unionized auto plant in the US South in 80 years and the only union plant owned by a foreign automaker in the US. The vote, which saw 83.5% of eligible employees participate, with 73% voting in favor, is a significant win for the UAW and comes on the heels of several recent union victories in the US auto industry. UAW President Shawn Fain referred to this success as “the UAW bump,” emphasizing that strong unions benefit workers across the…