Author: Harding Greenwood

Vietnamese automaker VinFast has announced the appointment of its founder and primary financial supporter, Pham Nhat Vuong, as the new chief executive officer. Vuong, aged 55, replaces Le Thi Thu Thuy, who held the position since late 2021. Thuy will transition to the role of chairwoman, focusing on external stakeholder engagement. As the founder and chairman of Vingroup, VinFast’s parent company and Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, Vuong will now directly oversee the electric vehicle (EV) maker’s global operations, including production, sales, and marketing. See also: VinFast Initiates U.S. Dealer Network Expansion for Electric Vehicles This leadership change marks VinFast’s fourth CEO,…

The Netherlands witnessed a notable surge in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in 2023, with electric cars constituting approximately 31% of new car registrations, according to official data from the RAI Association, BOVAG, and management consultancy RDC. When considering hybrid vehicles, the combined market share of electrified drive systems surpassed two-thirds of total car sales, marking a significant shift in consumer preferences. Pure electric cars captured a market share of 30.8%, representing a 7.5% increase from 2022, while hybrids, without distinguishing between plug-in and full hybrids, achieved a market share of 37.1%. In comparison, pure petrol cars and electric…

In a strategic move to capture the American electric motorcycle market, Chinese manufacturer Horwin is gearing up to make a notable debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. The company plans to unveil a trio of electric motorcycles, each designed to offer a unique blend of performance, style, and cutting-edge technology. Leading the charge is the Senmenti 0, a sporty and versatile urban adventure bike priced at $16,800. Horwin, while remaining tight-lipped on specific details, highlights the model’s distinctive angular lines and unique lighting units. Measuring 84.4 inches in length with a seat height of 31.2 inches, the Senmenti…

Yamaha Motor has officially announced the establishment of ENYRING GmbH, a Berlin-based company poised to collaborate with partners in delivering replaceable batteries for compact urban electric vehicles, primarily focusing on electric bikes. The innovative service will be facilitated through subscription-based models. Scheduled to commence operations in the first half of 2025, ENYRING’s initial deployment will be in Germany and the Netherlands. The company proposes a flexible battery rental system, allowing customers to swap depleted batteries for fully charged ones at various designated stations throughout participating cities. See also: Yamaha Unveils PWseries C2: The Ultimate Urban E-Bike Motor for Commuters However,…

Tesla reported fourth-quarter deliveries that surpassed analysts’ expectations, driven by an effort to accelerate shipments of Model 3 electric cars before certain variants of the compact sedan lose federal tax credits in the New Year under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). As the world’s most valuable automaker, Tesla achieved a record-breaking number of vehicle deliveries in the fourth quarter, successfully meeting its 2023 target of 1.8 million units. See also: Tesla Model 3 Refresh Spotted in US Testing, Indicating Imminent North American Launch The company delivered 484,507 vehicles in the last quarter of the year, surpassing estimates of 473,253 units…

Lucid Motors, known for its premium electric vehicles like the Air sedan and Gravity SUV, is actively developing an affordable electric car targeted at the market segment dominated by Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y, according to Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson. Rawlinson clarified that the company is aiming to release the cost-effective electric vehicle (EV) by the mid-to-late decade, disputing some misinterpretations suggesting a 2030 timeline. He stated, “What I mean is ‘not 2025.’ It’s a few years away, but it’s close,” emphasizing that development has already commenced. See also: Lucid Motors’ Saudi Facility Successfully Assembles Nearly 800 Cars in…

Ford has restated its dedication to maintaining compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a move in contrast to its competitor General Motors (GM), which had earlier announced its intention to phase out these popular smartphone connectivity features citing safety concerns. GM’s decision earlier this year raised skepticism and criticism from customers, both current and prospective. In an interview with Motor Trend, Tim Babbitt, GM’s head of product for infotainment, highlighted safety concerns related to driver distraction, attributing them to issues such as bad connections, poor rendering, slow responses, and dropped connections associated with phone-mirroring programs. See also: Ford Adjusts…

Fisker has commenced the deployment of its final over-the-air (OTA) software update for the Fisker Ocean all-electric SUV in 2023. The rollout of Version 1.11 commenced on December 14, and the company anticipates completing the update for all customer cars by the end of January 2024. This OTA update follows the significant Version 1.10 release in November and can be remotely authorized by Fisker Ocean owners. Henrik Fisker, Chairman, and CEO, emphasized the importance of using OTA updates to introduce new features, address customer feedback, and resolve bugs as a key competitive advantage for the company. He noted that both…

Tesla has commenced the rollout of a software update aimed at addressing the recent NHTSA Autopilot recall, which impacts all Tesla vehicles equipped with Autopilot in North America. The recall, announced earlier this week, signifies the culmination of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s extended investigation into incidents involving Tesla vehicles on Autopilot colliding with stationary emergency vehicles on highways. See also: Tesla Model Y Secures Second Place in US Vehicle Registrations, Trailing Behind Ford F-150 The remedy for the recall involves an over-the-air software update, as confirmed by Tesla. The company’s collaboration with the NHTSA seeks to enhance safety…

Chevrolet’s popular SUV, the Equinox, is set to go electric in the coming year, as confirmed by GM’s Mexico President, Francisco Garza. Production of the Chevy Equinox EV is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2024 at GM’s Ramos Arizpe facility in Mexico. This announcement follows the successful production launch of the Blazer EV, the first electric SUV to roll off the assembly line at the Ramos Arizpe plant in June, with customer deliveries beginning in the third quarter. Garza expressed confidence in overcoming challenges faced this year and affirmed that the Equinox EV will be in production…

The European Union (EU) Commission has unveiled a proposal to delay the implementation of electric car tariffs between the United Kingdom and the EU by three years. This announcement follows the confirmation of an additional funding injection of up to three billion euros to support the expansion of the battery industry within the EU. As outlined in an official communication from the EU Commission, the proposed extension of the rules of origin for electric cars until 2027 is expected to be ratified with the support of member states. The majority of EU nations are reportedly in favor of this solution,…

The Nissan Leaf, presently one of the most affordable electric cars in the U.S. at a starting price of $28,140 before incentives, may undergo a pricing shift with the arrival of its next generation, according to a report by Automotive News. Sources suggest that Nissan plans to cease production of the budget-friendly hatchback EV at its Smyrna, Tennessee factory by mid-2025, with no immediate plans for a resumption of production in the United States. Earlier statements from the Japanese automaker indicated that the next-gen Leaf would be manufactured at its Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom from 2026 onward. However,…