Author: Floyd Hawkins

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…

BMW has announced a substantial investment of 200 million euros in its component plant in Landshut, Germany, aimed at expanding production capacity. The focus of this expansion will be on producing the central housing for the electric drive unit of the Neue Klasse, a pivotal step in BMW’s commitment to electric mobility. The new production facility, which will house component production for the Neue Klasse, will feature three levels and two production lines. BMW plans to utilize the “Injector Casting” process in this facility, ensuring that parts are cast with optimal mechanical properties. This process not only reduces energy consumption…

In a strategic move to seize opportunities in China’s burgeoning electric vehicle market, Volkswagen Group is ramping up its investment in electrification, eyeing an extensive expansion in the region. By 2030, the German automotive giant plans to offer over 30 all-electric models across its various brands solely in China. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the production and sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) witnessed a significant surge in 2023, exceeding 9.58 million and 9.49 million units respectively, marking a notable year-on-year increase. China’s dominance in NEV production and sales, constituting over 60 percent of the…

BMW has officially obtained planning permission for its new battery assembly plant in Lower Bavaria, marking a significant step forward for the project’s construction. The district office had previously approved an early start for soil removal, construction site equipment, and the installation of construction and office containers at the end of March 2024. BMW commenced the removal of topsoil from the first construction phase at the beginning of April 2024, intending to reuse it sensibly. The company plans to work closely with local agricultural associations, the government of Lower Bavaria, and the Deggendorf Water Management Office to distribute the topsoil…

Nuevo León’s State Secretary of Economy, Iván Rivas Rodríguez, has confirmed that Tesla’s global staff reduction has no impact on the construction of Giga Mexico. He stated to Milenio that work on the Tesla Gigafactory in Mexico, located in the municipality of Santa Catarina, is progressing as planned, and the company’s investment in the region remains on track. “Everything continues as planned, I could tell you that the plant is going,” Rodríguez said. “… continuous work with them has not changed; there has not been anything different as a result of [the global layoffs], so we do not see any…

Doosan Robotics and LG Electronics have collaborated to create an automated charger for electric vehicles, operated by a robot. The system, currently undergoing pilot operation at LG’s research and development complex in Seoul, consists of a kiosk for vehicle recognition and payment processing, and an automatic main charger. Upon entering the designated charging area, an electric vehicle is recognized by a camera, which then transmits vehicle-related information to the charging system. After driver authentication, an AI-based 3D camera mounted on the robot locates the charging port and connects the charging cable, initiating the charging process. Once charging is complete, the…

Tesla’s upcoming Spring update is expected to bring significant enhancements to its vehicle lineup, including new visual updates for Model 3 and Model Y units equipped with AMD chips, as well as Auto Shift Beta improvements for Model S and Model X units from the 2021 model year onwards. Additionally, the update will introduce Hands-Free Trunk features. Notably, the Cybertruck will receive several new features, including Powersharing from Vehicle to Home. This capability will allow the all-electric pickup truck to power homes using a Universal Home Connector and Powershare Gateway during grid outages. Other features expected in the update include…

The Formula E debut at Misano, Italy, delivered a weekend of exhilarating races, with Nissan’s Oliver Rowland claiming victory on Saturday and Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein dominating on Sunday. Despite Porsche’s initial success on Saturday, Antonio Felix da Costa’s disqualification handed the win to Rowland, who showcased impressive form throughout the race. Formula E’s decision to move from Rome to the permanent Misano racetrack for 2024 presented new challenges. The faster, albeit shortened, circuit required meticulous energy management from drivers, with the race dynamics shifting significantly between the energy-saving phase and the final sprint. Minor collisions marred Saturday’s race, affecting championship…

Rivian has introduced several new features in its latest software update aimed at simplifying the public charging experience for its R1S and R1T vehicles. One of the standout features is a reliability scoring system, which helps drivers identify the most reliable fast chargers on their route. Similar to Tesla, Rivian has prioritized software development, leveraging it as a key differentiator and a means to enhance the overall ownership experience. With a fully integrated software stack, Rivian can swiftly roll out updates and introduce new features, providing an advantage as the brand continues to grow. The latest update from Rivian includes…