Author: Floyd Hawkins

An all-electric version of the Range Rover Sport is set to hit the market later this year, presenting a formidable rival to Porsche’s popular Cayenne SUV. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reported its highest quarterly profit since 2017 in Q4, highlighting strong demand for its premium models. The Range Rover brand achieved record quarterly wholesale figures, with the highest-spec Range Rover SV already surpassing last year’s sales in the first three months of 2024. The Range Rover EV, described as the “most refined Range Rover ever created,” is generating significant interest, with over 16,000 potential buyers on the waitlist. JLR has…

Rivian R1S owners have received exclusive emails from the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, announcing priority delivery for the upcoming R2 model. The email states, “As an R1S owner, we’re excited to offer you priority delivery when you reserve your R2 so you can be among the first to experience our next adventure.” While the offer is currently limited to R1S owners, many in the Rivian community speculate that R1T owners may also receive similar priority for R2 deliveries. To qualify for this priority, Rivian owners must use the same email address they used to reserve their R1S and reside in…

Japan’s Nissan Motor is contemplating internalizing production of its ultra-compact electric vehicles (EVs), buoyed by the triumph of its Sakura model currently manufactured by its junior partner Mitsubishi Motors, according to five sources familiar with the matter. The automaker is weighing the possibility of transferring production to its facility on the southern island of Kyushu in the fiscal year starting April 2028, two of the sources revealed, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information. See also: Nissan Leaf Regains Eligibility for Federal Tax Credit, Starting at $24,400 Nissan’s Sakura emerged as Japan’s top-selling vehicle in the passenger EV…

Tesla is set to commence deliveries of its Model Y in Malaysia next week, marking a significant milestone more than eight months after the popular electric car went on sale in the Southeast Asian country. The company launched in Malaysia in mid-July 2023, opening its Design Studio to customers for the first time with the Model Y. According to the online configurator, the first deliveries were slated to start in early 2024. As per a report from local publication Soyacincau, the first Model Ys will indeed be handed over to customers next week, right on schedule. Interestingly, the Model Y…

Tesla owners who alleged the company falsely advertised estimated driving ranges for its electric vehicles have been instructed to pursue their claims through individual arbitrations rather than as a class action, a federal judge ruled on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, determined that the drivers had agreed to an arbitration provision for dispute resolution with the automaker when purchasing their vehicles. See also: Tesla Boosts End-of-Quarter Offer with 10,000 Free Supercharging Miles The plaintiffs accused Tesla of fraudulently inducing consumers to purchase its cars by overstating the distance they could travel on a single charge. The…

Electric vehicle startup Rivian announced on March 7 that it would be pausing construction of its new factory in Georgia, a move aimed at saving approximately US$2.25 billion. The company also unveiled two new models, the R2 and the R3, with the R2 set to be produced at its existing plant in Normal, Illinois. The decision to delay construction at the Georgia site, located about 50 miles east of Atlanta, comes as the growth of electric vehicle sales has slowed in recent months, prompting automakers to reevaluate their plans. “Our Georgia site remains really important to us,” said Rivian CEO…

While some automakers are still rolling out their 2024 electric vehicles, Audi is already pushing ahead with a mid-model refresh of its Q4 50 e-tron, now dubbed the Q4 55 e-tron. This refresh brings several significant improvements to performance, handling, and charging speeds. The Audi Q4 e-tron is part of Audi’s strategy to electrify its entire portfolio, blending existing combustion models with new bespoke EVs. Launched in 2021, the Q4 e-tron is now entering its third model year, with the latest refresh adding to its appeal. See also: Audi Considers Mexico and China for Q8 e-tron Production Amid Structural Changes Originally…

After much anticipation and development, Audi AG is gearing up for the world premiere of the Q6 e-tron, its first electric vehicle (EV) based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) developed in collaboration with Porsche. The Q6 marks the latest Audi model to transition to an all-electric platform, signaling the brand’s commitment to sustainable mobility. The Q6 e-tron represents a significant departure from its combustion predecessor, with a bespoke design tailored for electric performance. Built on the PPE platform, which will also underpin Porsche’s all-electric Macan, the Q6 promises to deliver a driving experience that combines Audi’s renowned craftsmanship with…

Solaris revealed the latest iteration of its 12-meter city bus, the Solaris Urbino 12, at the VDV Mobility Move electric bus conference in Berlin. The updated model boasts a revamped drive design, improved batteries, and increased seating capacity. Gone is the motor tower, replaced by a “modular drivetrain” with components strategically placed on the roof and at the rear of the bus. This redesign allows for better arrangement of elements on the roof and enables upgrades to the passenger compartment. As a result, the new Urbino 12 electric bus now offers seating for up to 41 passengers, seven more than…

Volta Trucks is set to restart production of its electric trucks in Austria from May, following the takeover of the insolvent truck manufacturer by Luxor Capital at the end of 2023. Contract manufacturer Steyr Automotive has announced the signing of an initial agreement to continue the production of Volta’s trucks. While no specific details were provided in the brief official announcement, ORF Upper Austria reports that production is scheduled to resume in May. The plan is to manufacture 500 electric trucks in Steyr this year and ramp up production to 2,000 units next year. Additionally, a new subsidiary of Steyr…

Ford Transit, America’s No. 1 best-selling commercial van, marks its 10th year of U.S. production and sales with updates to the E-Transit range and new integrated solutions aimed at easing the transition to electric and maximizing benefits for commercial customers. “We’ve assembled more than 1.2 million Transit vans in the last 10 years, and 99% of Transit vans are still on the road, working hard for customers today,” said Tim Baughman, Ford Pro general manager. Credit: FordTransit became America’s bestselling commercial van in late 2014, just six months after production began, and has maintained its leading position. Ford has continuously…

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has introduced a new dealer certification program aimed at providing a “world-class” experience for buyers of its electric trucks. The Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) Dealer Certification Program is not just a mere badge for dealerships but a strategic move by DTNA to ensure quality control at its Freightliner dealerships. DTNA’s heavy-duty Freightliner eCascadia and medium-duty eM2 trucks have already been put to use in over 50 fleets across the US, accumulating more than 4 million electric miles. This makes the timing of the dealership certification program particularly relevant. See also: Daimler Truck Mexico Delivers First Electric Freightliner…