Author: Floyd Hawkins

In a bid to ramp up its commitment to electrification, BMW has announced that it is increasing its investments in electric vehicles (EVs) faster than originally planned. However, the company has refrained from setting a definitive end date for the production of combustion engine cars, citing continued strong demand in major markets like China and the United States. The automaker is on the verge of achieving its goal of reaching 15% sales from battery-electric vehicles this year, outpacing its competitors Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, both of whom have seen battery-electric cars comprise approximately 11% of their sales. CEO Oliver Zipse, a…

Archer Aviation, an innovative electric aircraft startup based in California, has made significant strides in the aerospace industry by entering into contracts worth up to $142 million with the US Air Force. The contracts are a testament to Archer’s pioneering electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL), which is touted to bring about a transformative shift in military aviation. Under the agreement, Archer will supply up to six units of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft, along with sharing valuable flight test data and certification-related test reports. Additionally, the contracts encompass provisions for pilot training and the development of essential maintenance and…

As U.S. electric vehicle startups gear up to release their quarterly results, industry analysts and investors are bracing for the impact of Tesla’s price war and closely monitoring how these companies are navigating funding concerns in a competitive market. Even Tesla, the dominant player in the electric vehicle sector, has warned of “turbulent times,” while established automakers like Ford Motor are grappling with losses in their electric vehicle ventures. The financial pressure has already taken its toll on the electric truck manufacturer, Lordstown Motors, which filed for bankruptcy in June. For companies such as Lucid and Nikola, another quarter of…

Fisker has wasted no time in accepting reservations for its groundbreaking Ronin convertible and Alaska pickup trucks. Both vehicles were revealed at the highly anticipated Product Vision Day 2023 event. The Ronin, proudly touted as the world’s first-ever four-door convertible, boasts distinctive features such as Mazda RX-8-inspired half-doors for rear passengers, a lightweight carbon fiber hardtop, and innovative active aero flaps. Set to enter limited production by late 2025, the Ronin is equipped with a cutting-edge cell-to-chassis battery and an impressive tri-motor setup, generating a staggering output of over 1,000 horsepower. Enthusiasts can secure their reservation for the hand-built Ronin…

Aiways, the Chinese electric car manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Hugo Zhu as its new CEO, signalling a strategic shift back to focusing on overseas markets. The decision follows a series of discussions and closed-door meetings involving executives and investors over several weeks. Zhu’s primary objective as the new CEO will be to streamline the company’s organizational structure, although specific details about the planned changes have not been disclosed by Aiways. Reports suggest that the reorganization will aim to foster better communication and efficiency within the company, empowering employees to take on increased responsibilities and creating a more adaptive…

Fisker, a California-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled its latest creation, the PEAR, showcasing Tesla-like ambitions despite its current workforce of around 1,000 employees and the absence of a US factory. During the introductory speech at the Product Vision Day 2023, the founder and CEO expressed plans to scale production to “millions of vehicles per year,” instilling confidence in the potential of the new model. The PEAR has been designed to cater to the lifestyles of today and tomorrow, with a specific focus on young individuals residing in urban areas. The crossover is smaller than its sibling, the Ocean,…

Ford has made significant changes to its electric car strategy for the Chinese market, resulting in the integration of its subsidiary, Ford Electric Mach Technologies (FMeT), into Changan Ford, the company’s general joint venture with Changan Automobile. FMeT, which was established less than a year ago, was responsible for developing electric vehicles and distributing the Chinese version of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. However, the move to integrate FMeT is seen as a response to the electric model’s underwhelming sales performance in China. As of 1st August 2023, Changan Ford will take over the distribution of the Mustang Mach-E electric model,…

Xpeng, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, confirmed the departure of its Vice President of Autonomous Driving, Wu Xinzhou, after earlier rumors sent the company’s Hong Kong-traded stock into a downward spiral. In a statement, Xpeng stated that Wu tendered his resignation for personal and family reasons. Taking over Wu’s responsibilities will be Li Liyun, the current senior director of the autonomous driving team, who had been leading the XNGP (Navigation Guided Pilot) program team and preparing for this transition for some time, according to the company. Xpeng’s Chairman and CEO, He Xiaopeng, revealed in a Weibo post that Wu…

Recently, a set of intriguing spy images has surfaced on social media, offering automotive enthusiasts a glimpse of the heavily-revised Tesla Model 3. Captured by Twitter user Y2KColin in Palo Alto, California, the photos showcase a prototype adorned with black cladding on the front and rear fascias, effectively concealing much of the car’s updated design. However, a clear view of the car’s side allows us to observe a few notable changes. While the majority of the car’s exterior appears unchanged, keen observers have identified a small crease extending from the side mirror housings along the front quarter panels, a design…

Kia, the South Korean automaker, recently opened online reservations for its flagship EV9 electric SUV in Canada, and the response was nothing short of remarkable. Despite allocating just over 500 EV9 models, the electric SUV received “notably high” reservations, leading Kia to plan a relaunch of the program. The EV9, Kia’s first three-row electric SUV, is expected to serve as a symbol of the company’s commitment to the new electric era. Introduced to the world in March, the EV9 boasts a range of features that cater to customers’ needs, including ample interior space for cargo and passengers, up to 5,000…

In a bid to enter the promising Indian market, Tesla, the renowned car manufacturer, has recently intensified its efforts, with two senior executives engaging in discussions with officials from the nation’s investment promotion arm. After pausing its plans to enter the Indian market, Tesla presented a proposal in May to establish a substantial factory in the country. However, Indian authorities declined to grant the automaker an exemption from local import tariffs that can reach as high as 100%. Tesla had previously hoped to sell its electric vehicles (EVs) in India by importing them from the United States and China. Presently,…

General Motors has announced its plans to initiate battery module production at its Ingersoll plant in the second quarter of 2024, in response to the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs). The move comes as a crucial step towards overcoming the current bottleneck in battery supply that has affected the plant’s operations. The upcoming facility, spanning approximately 37,000 square feet, will be responsible for assembling battery cells into modules for GM’s BrightDrop brand of electric transporter vans manufactured at the Ingersoll plant. Moreover, the modules will also be utilized in electric vehicles based on GM’s Ultium platform, which are produced…