Author: Harding Greenwood

Lotus Technology, the electric vehicle arm of British company Lotus Group, has announced its strategic focus on producing vehicles priced starting from $80,000, with no plans to enter lower-priced segments for volume sales. CEO Feng Qingfeng emphasized the importance of differentiation in the market, positioning the company’s models as smart electric “lifestyle” vehicles rooted in racetrack heritage. The announcement came as Lotus Technology began trading on Nasdaq following a merger with L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company. The division, responsible for producing lifestyle vehicles carrying the Lotus marque in China, also handles the global sales of…

Hyundai Motor announced on Wednesday its plans to commence pre-orders for the much-anticipated Staria Hybrid model and the 2024 Staria, starting February 28. The Staria Hybrid, tailored for eco-conscious consumers, features a cutting-edge 1.6 Turbo Hybrid powertrain, setting new standards in environmentally friendly driving. With a robust power output of up to 245 horsepower and a peak torque of 37.4 kgf·m, the Staria 1.6 Turbo Hybrid delivers impressive performance while maintaining a fuel efficiency of up to 13 km/L. See also: Hyundai Moves Up Production Start to Q4 2024 at Georgia Electric Car Plant One of its standout features is the…

A California state judge has tentatively ruled that nearly 6,000 Black factory workers can sue Tesla as a group for alleged failure to address rampant race discrimination and harassment at its Fremont plant. California Superior Court Judge Noel Wise in Oakland issued a written order on Wednesday, stating that the 2017 lawsuit raises questions common to the class regarding whether Tesla was aware of the alleged misconduct and failed to take preventive measures. Tesla has maintained a stance of zero tolerance for workplace harassment, stating that it has terminated employees found engaging in misconduct. The plaintiffs claim that Black factory…

Stellantis has appointed Carlos Zarlenga to lead its North American operations, a move signaling the automaker’s strategic shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. Zarlenga, a former General Motors executive, has been tasked with overseeing the launch of eight new EV models as Stellantis embarks on its electric offensive in the region. Zarlenga’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer for Stellantis North America comes after his successful tenure as President of Stellantis Mexico, where he played a pivotal role in the brand’s revitalization. Under his leadership, the company achieved record profits, with year-over-year sales, market share, and adjusted operating…

Fiido, a renowned e-bike brand, has introduced its latest model, the C11, as a testament to affordable and practical urban e-mobility. This new offering features a removable battery housed in a “classic city” form-factor, providing an impressive range of up to 56 miles (90 kilometers (km)). The bike is equipped with hydraulic disk brakes, a rear rack as standard, and a “custom-designed” Velo saddle for added comfort. In celebrating its 8th anniversary, Fiido has revisited one of its initial models, the D4S, with the C11 serving as its successor. Departing from the D4S’s basic foldable design, the C11 boasts a…

Lightning eMotors began liquidating its assets in February, following financial challenges that led to a receivership sale. Gillig, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses, has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gerco, has acquired select assets from Lightning eMotors and Lightning Systems through this sale. A significant portion of Lightning’s assets, including former engineers, will now be transferred to Gillig. Lightning eMotors, known for designing and manufacturing electric vehicles for commercial and government fleets, faced financial difficulties, leading to receivership after a lawsuit by the Cupola Infrastructure Income Fund, which had loaned the company $3 million. Gillig’s acquisition of select…

Tesla’s Full-Self Driving (FSD) Beta version 12 has been the subject of much anticipation, with CEO Elon Musk touting it as a revolutionary update thanks to its switch to what he calls “end-to-end AI.” This new approach means Tesla’s FSD system is now controlled by a machine-learning algorithm that has been trained to recognize its environment and issue commands, rather than relying on a more traditional AI system with a limited number of hand-coded vehicle inputs. Early reports from beta testers suggest that FSD v12 is indeed a significant improvement over its predecessor. Users have noted that the new version…

Trek, a renowned name in the cycling industry, has long been synonymous with innovation. As the global interest in cycling continues to soar, Trek, among other leading bike brands, has wholeheartedly embraced the e-bike trend. Currently boasting a staggering 91 models on its site, Trek is set to introduce its newest addition, the FX+ 2, bringing the total to an impressive 92 models. The Trek FX+ 2 is designed as a lightweight, no-frills urban e-bike, catering to the entry-level market and appealing to commuters and those intrigued by e-bikes but cautious about the investment. Despite its affordability, the FX+ 2…

Mercedes-Benz finds itself significantly behind its electric vehicle (EV) sales target, leading to a significant strategic shift. The company has now scrapped its original goal of achieving a 20% or higher share of battery-electric cars by 2030, as these vehicles accounted for only 12% of total sales last year. Initially, when Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars released its sales figures for the previous year in mid-January, the company reported an EV share of eleven percent, equating to 222,600 EVs delivered in 2023. This figure has since been slightly revised upwards to 240,668 BEVs. Despite a seemingly positive 73% growth, the actual outcome…

Skanska has completed a 90-day pilot program using the Volvo EC230 Electric excavator on the Purple (D Line) Extension Transit Project in Los Angeles. The pilot was conducted at the South Yard of the La Brea station and marked one of the initial uses of the Volvo excavator in North America. The aim of the program was to evaluate the performance of a battery-powered excavator in construction work, particularly compared to its diesel-powered counterpart, as part of Skanska’s efforts to reduce embodied carbon emissions on its job sites and Volvo’s goal of promoting fossil-free machinery in the United States. See…

Tesla is seeking assistance from its supporters to push back against Oklahoma politicians’ efforts to shut down its stores in the state. Operating in Oklahoma has been challenging for Tesla, with the state legislature consistently proposing laws aimed at blocking the automaker from selling its vehicles to customers there. See also: Tesla’s Upgraded Model 3 Performance Spotted Testing, Promising Exciting Features In 2022, Tesla reached out to its fans to counter a new bill in the state’s House Business and Commerce Committee. The bill was so broad that Tesla feared it could prevent the company from delivering software updates over-the-air to…

Ford announced on Tuesday a significant price reduction for its Mustang Mach-E electric SUV, slashing prices by up to $8,100 following a sharp decline in sales in January. The move aims to reinvigorate interest in the electric vehicle amid increasing competition in the market. The base model of the 2023 Mach-E now starts at $39,895, down from $42,995, while the higher-end Mach-E GT is priced at $52,395, a reduction of about $7,600. Other versions, including the extended-range premium variant, will see price cuts of $8,100, bringing the price down to $48,895. See also: Tesla Charging Adaptors on the Horizon for Ford…