Author: Floyd Hawkins

Zeekr’s Chief Marketing Officer, Guan Haitao, has hinted that the highly-anticipated Zeekr Mix electric MPV will soon debut in the Chinese market, potentially as early as October 2024. This new family-oriented vehicle is expected to contribute to Zeekr’s ambitious sales target of 230,000 units for 2024. Guan shared several official images of the Zeekr Mix on Weibo, China’s popular social media platform, while engaging followers with the question of where the car should be launched. He further commented, “Yes, Mix is finally coming,” indicating that the MPV’s market release is imminent. The Zeekr Mix is built on the brand’s SEA…

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Tuesday that over $2 billion in consumer electric vehicle (EV) tax credit payments have been issued since January 1, covering more than 300,000 vehicles. This comes as part of a new initiative allowing consumers to receive tax credits directly at the point of sale, significantly reducing the upfront cost of EVs. The credits, introduced under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, offer up to $7,500 for new electric vehicles and up to $4,000 for used models. “These savings are giving consumers new choices and helping automakers and dealers to attract new customers and grow their…

A new study from Juniper Research predicts that global Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) revenue will surge to $6 billion by 2030, a significant increase from just $31 million in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 187%. This growth is primarily attributed to Urban Air Mobility (UAM) services, which provide innovative transportation solutions to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions in densely populated urban areas. The research emphasizes that building public trust is crucial for realizing this revenue potential. The integration of AI-driven systems in AAM vehicles is expected to enhance safety through real-time collision detection, ensuring safe…

Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis, is scheduled to speak before an Italian parliamentary committee on October 11, focusing on the future of the carmaker’s production operations in Italy. This announcement comes after Stellantis expressed concerns over weak demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and extended the suspension of production for its Fiat 500 electric city car until November 1. The Fiat 500 is manufactured at Stellantis’ historic Mirafiori plant in Turin, northern Italy. Initially, production was halted until October 11, but the company indicated that the ongoing lack of orders necessitated a further delay. In its statement, Stellantis emphasized the…

Chinese automaker Changan is set to launch its first all-electric model, the Deepal S07, in Europe by the fourth quarter of 2024. Initially targeting Norway, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, Changan plans to expand its reach across several other European countries by 2028. Changan has already established subsidiaries in Germany and the Netherlands in preparation for its entry. Following the initial launch, the Deepal S07 will be available in Switzerland, Sweden, and Finland by early 2025, the UK in July 2025, and Spain and Italy in 2026. Changan aims to be present in all major European markets within four years.…

Skoda has officially presented the Elroq, its second electric vehicle following the Enyaq. Though the Elroq is notably shorter than its predecessor, it is priced comparably to the ID.3, especially after recent price reductions. Set to hit the market in the first quarter of 2025, the Elroq promises to deliver more value for money than its Volkswagen counterpart. The debate surrounding electric vehicle pricing has intensified, particularly with the influx of Chinese manufacturers in Europe. Despite a high starting price of €48,900 for its cheapest electric model, the Enyaq has seen success thanks to Skoda’s reputation for good value within…

Hyundai Motor and Kia Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia’s Misk Foundation to foster talent development and leadership skills in the Kingdom. The collaboration aims to nurture young leaders through innovative initiatives designed to prepare them for future challenges in a rapidly changing global landscape. Jae-Yong Lee, an executive at Hyundai Motor, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re thrilled to partner with Misk Foundation, a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship for Saudi future leaders. We aim to create synergies to empower the next generation of leaders. This collaborative effort will contribute to the development…

Automaker Polestar is collaborating with Infosys to create a global technology hub in Bengaluru, India. This strategic partnership aims to leverage Infosys’ existing development center to enhance Polestar’s capabilities in electric vehicle (EV) software development, focusing on key areas such as in-car infotainment, advanced driver assistance systems, and telematics. The newly established hub will also play a crucial role in supporting Polestar’s product management and customer engagement initiatives, while accelerating the delivery of direct-to-consumer digital services through cloud-native development, testing, and data engineering. This collaboration, disclosed in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange, underscores Infosys’ expanding interest in the…

Xiaomi’s electric vehicle unit, Xiaomi EV, announced that its first EV model, the SU7, delivered more than 10,000 units in September. Although specific monthly delivery figures were not disclosed, the SU7 has consistently exceeded 10,000 units in deliveries for four consecutive months. Xiaomi EV is targeting a significant increase in production, aiming to produce and deliver over 20,000 units in October as the plant continues to ramp up capacity. The company remains on track to meet its full-year delivery target of 100,000 units ahead of schedule by November, as previously projected. Launched in March, the Xiaomi SU7 comes in three…

Lithium-ion batteries have long been the dominant power source for electric vehicles and are increasingly considered for renewable energy storage on the electric grid. However, experts project supply shortages of lithium within the next five to ten years due to rapid market expansion. “Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a compelling alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the greater abundance and lower cost of sodium,” stated Gui-Liang Xu, a chemist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory. Despite the potential of sodium-ion batteries, commercialization has faced significant challenges, particularly the rapid decline in performance of sodium-containing cathodes with…

Tesla is projected to report an 8% increase in third-quarter electric vehicle deliveries, driven by expanded incentives and favorable financing in China, according to Wall Street estimates. Analysts expect the U.S. automaker to deliver 469,828 vehicles, up from 435,000 in the same quarter last year, marking its best-ever third quarter. In response to slowing consumer spending in China, Tesla introduced a range of offers earlier this year, including insurance deals, discounted paint options, and zero-interest loans, which helped the company recover from two consecutive quarters of declining deliveries. Data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) shows that these measures…

The European Commission is prepared to continue negotiations with China over potential tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), even if the tariffs are imposed, according to a senior EU official on Monday. The Commission is conducting an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-made EVs and has sent its final tariff proposal to the EU’s 27 member states. A vote on the proposed tariffs is scheduled for Friday. The proposed tariffs range from 7.8% for Tesla vehicles made in China to 35.3% for companies like SAIC that were found to be uncooperative in the investigation. These would be on top of the EU’s…