Author: Harding Greenwood

LG Energy Solution said on Tuesday it remains hopeful about progress in U.S.–South Korea talks over visa approvals for its workers, after a raid by U.S. authorities at its joint-venture battery plant with Hyundai in Georgia led to hundreds of arrests. “We’re cautiously optimistic that this type of thing will not happen again,” Robert Lee, president of LG Energy Solution’s North American business, told reporters at an automotive conference in Detroit. Earlier this month, U.S. authorities detained about 475 workers, disrupting operations at the plant and delaying its timeline by at least two to three months, Hyundai’s CEO said last…

Ford Motor said it views lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries as a long-term component of its electric vehicle strategy, with production set to begin in 2026 at its BlueOval Battery Park Michigan facility. The company plans to use technology licensed from China’s CATL for the new plant, which will supply packs for a range of vehicles including a mid-size pickup. Ford already fits LFP batteries into the standard-range Mustang Mach-E crossover. “And I do think LFP will be – it’ll be a bedrock,” Lisa Drake, Ford vice president, told the 2025 Jefferies Industrials Conference. “If you look globally at where LFP…

The Toyota bZ7, developed through the GAC-Toyota joint venture, is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated electric sedans in the automaker’s lineup. Official images of the car were released on September 10, with its market debut expected later this year. The new model stretches more than 5.1 meters in length, positioning it as a medium-to-large electric sedan, and introduces several firsts for Toyota’s growing bZ family. At 5130 mm long, 1965 mm wide, and 1506 mm high, with a 3020 mm wheelbase, the bZ7 sits above the bZ3X and bZ4X in the lineup. It adopts a fastback…

Fortescue is stepping up its decarbonisation strategy by investing heavily in zero-emission mining equipment, with executives and analysts pointing to both environmental and financial benefits. The Australian miner is saving between $300 million and $400 million annually in fuel costs as it replaces diesel machines across its global operations. The company has signed multi-billion-dollar deals with global equipment suppliers to support its plan to eliminate Scope 1 and 2 terrestrial emissions by 2030. These include a $4 billion order for 360 Liebherr T264 battery-electric haul trucks, as well as more than $400 million worth of equipment from Chinese manufacturer XCMG.…

MG’s newly launched MG4 electric vehicle has received more than 26,000 orders within 15 days of its market debut in China, surpassing the company’s previously estimated monthly production capacity of 15,000 units. To meet the stronger-than-expected demand, SAIC Passenger Vehicle has expanded operations at its production base to a three-shift schedule. The company said the ramp-up will be carried out with an emphasis on maintaining product quality. See also: MG Motor Starts Pre-Sales of Redesigned MG4 in China With Steep Price Cut MG has also introduced a “Peace-of-mind delivery commitment,” under which customers will be compensated if their vehicle is…

Nissan and energy platform ChargeScape have launched a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot in Silicon Valley, designed to ease strain on California’s power system as energy demand climbs with the growth of AI-focused data centers. Backed by the California Energy Commission’s Demand Side Grid Support program, the pilot is taking place in Silicon Valley Power territory. At Nissan’s Advanced Technology Center, electric vehicle batteries will feed stored energy back into the grid during peak hours using bidirectional chargers from Fermata Energy. ChargeScape will coordinate with virtual power plant builder Leap to manage the discharges. “Through this collaboration, we’re showcasing how electric vehicles…

oyota has further lowered the monthly lease price of its 2025 bZ4X electric SUV, reducing the cost by another $20 and making it cheaper to lease than a Corolla. The automaker announced that the bZ4X XLE trim is now available for as little as $179 per month on a 36-month contract, provided customers sign up before the end of September. The company is offering the promotion through Toyota Financial Services, supported by a significant $12,750 lease subvention cash incentive. “The monthly cost is now $20 less expensive than the price reported here. However, customers must take advantage of the current…

Chinese automaker BYD has disputed comments attributed to Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa suggesting that Leapmotor outsold it in Germany, though Stellantis has since clarified the remarks were specific to August sales of certain models. BYD pointed to sales data showing it remained ahead of Leapmotor on a year-to-date basis. Between January and August 2025, BYD sold 8,610 vehicles in Germany, including 5,852 battery-electric cars and 2,757 plug-in hybrids, compared with 3,536 sales for Leapmotor, comprising 3,088 BEVs and 448 PHEVs. Figures from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) show similar results, with 8,563 BYD registrations against 3,531 for Leapmotor during…

Volvo’s chief executive Hakan Samuelsson has returned to lead the Swedish automaker on a two-year contract, warning that the rapid shift to electrification will leave some Western car brands unable to survive. Samuelsson, who previously ran Volvo from 2012 to 2022 and guided it through a successful public offering, told Bloomberg this week that the company remains committed to electrification despite broader industry pullbacks. See also: Volvo Begins Production of Fully Electric ES90 Sedan in Europe “The industry will be electric — there’s no turning back. It may take a bit longer in some regions, but the direction is clear.…

General Motors’ Chevrolet brand is offering new discounts and lease deals across its electric vehicle lineup this month, including the Equinox EV, Blazer EV and Silverado EV, as the U.S. automaker looks to sustain record sales momentum ahead of the federal tax credit deadline. Chevy is promoting the Equinox EV as “America’s most affordable 315+ mile range EV.” The model, which starts at $34,995 for the LT trim, has become one of the fastest-growing electric vehicles in the U.S. market, with GM expecting it to rank as the third top-selling EV this year behind Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3.…

Chinese manufacturer Sany will introduce its e263 long-haul electric truck to the European market in early 2026, as the heavy equipment maker expands its presence beyond construction machinery into commercial vehicles. The 4×2 tractor unit, unveiled under the Sany eTrucks division, is designed for long-haul transport with a claimed range of more than 500 kilometres. It will be powered by a dual-motor electric axle delivering 420 kW continuous output and up to 730 kW peak power, with torque figures of 1,000 Nm and 1,760 Nm respectively. The truck will run on an 800-volt system architecture and draw energy from a…

ZF Friedrichshafen, Germany’s second-largest automotive supplier, has reshuffled its top management during ongoing restructuring talks, appointing Mathias Miedreich as chief executive while announcing the departures of current CEO Holger Klein and commercial vehicle chief Peter Laier. The supervisory board said on Friday it had agreed with Klein to end his mandate effective September 30, with Miedreich, head of the group’s Electrified Drive Technologies division, stepping into the role on October 1. Laier, responsible for commercial vehicles, industrial technology and procurement, will also leave the company at the end of the month following what ZF described as “differing views on the…

A battery plant in Georgia co-owned by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution is facing a delay of at least two to three months before starting operations, Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz said, following a large-scale U.S. immigration enforcement action last week. The plant, part of a $7.6 billion complex intended to supply batteries for Hyundai’s electric vehicles, was at the center of the largest single-site operation in U.S. Department of Homeland Security history. About 475 workers, including more than 300 South Koreans, were arrested over alleged visa and immigration violations, U.S. officials said. Munoz, speaking at an automotive conference in…

Amazon is evaluating General Motors’s BrightDrop electric vans as part of its ongoing efforts to electrify its delivery fleet, the e-commerce company confirmed. “We’re committed to having 100,000 electric delivery vehicles on the road by 2030, and we regularly test various vehicle options — including a small number of Chevrolet BrightDrops in our fleet,” said Steve Kelly, an Amazon spokesperson, in an emailed statement to Bloomberg. The pilot program involves a modest number of BrightDrop vans, estimated at around 12 vehicles. They join a fleet that includes models from Rivian Automotive Inc., Ford Motor Co., Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and Stellantis…

Engwe has introduced the Engine Pro 3.0 Boost, a foldable electric bicycle designed for off-road riding, featuring wide four-inch tires, dual suspension and a removable 720 Wh battery. The official retail price has not been disclosed on the company’s website, but source code on the product page indicates €1,699. At 34.7 kilograms, the model is heavier than many foldable bikes, but comes with a hub motor delivering up to 90 Nm of torque managed by a torque sensor. The Engine Pro 3.0 Boost also incorporates features uncommon in this segment, including an IoT module with a cellular modem, Bluetooth and…

As electric vehicle adoption grows, attention is turning to the environmental impact of tyre wear, which may represent a significant and underappreciated source of pollution from in-use vehicles, according to Nick Molden, CEO of Emissions Analytics and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London. Speaking in a recent interview on Emissions Analytics’ YouTube channel, Molden said: “Tyres are the great unappreciated source of vehicle pollution, threatening soil, water and air quality.” His comments follow extensive analysis of emissions from over 500 tyre types and real-world testing of hundreds of vehicles globally. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILc9GGEgCl4 The research highlights that while electrification reduces…

IM Motors, the electric vehicle (EV) unit of SAIC Motor, has introduced an updated version of its LS6 SUV, now featuring extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants alongside existing battery-electric options. The updated LS6, unveiled on September 10, is the first model to use IM Motors’ Hengxing EREV system, equipped with CATL’s Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery. The system is designed to deliver extended range through a larger battery than conventional EREVs. Shortly after launch, IM Motors reported on Weibo that the updated LS6 received more than 10,000 orders within 27 minutes. The SUV measures 4,937 mm in length, 1,988 mm in…

The 2025 Smart #5, a five-door large SUV, has achieved strong safety scores in the latest Euro NCAP crash tests, with standout results for child occupant protection and active safety systems. According to Euro NCAP, the Smart #5 scored 88% for adult occupant protection, 93% for child occupants, 84% for vulnerable road users, and 92% for safety assist technologies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKSiS9h7fKI&ab_channel=EuroNCAP The test results showed the passenger compartment remained stable during the frontal offset crash, offering good protection to the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger. While chest protection for the driver and rear passenger was rated as…

Ferrari has introduced the 849 Testarossa, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) supercar that replaces the SF90 Stradale at the top of the marque’s range. The vehicle was unveiled to international press and clients in Milan and will also be offered in a retractable-top “spider” variant. The 849 Testarossa combines a mid-rear twin-turbo V8 engine producing 830 horsepower with three electric motors delivering 220 hp, for a total output of 1,050 hp—50 hp more than the SF90 Stradale. Ferrari said the car features on-demand four-wheel drive, torque vectoring, and a revised hybrid system for improved performance and driving comfort. The car’s battery…

Xpeng  has filed for an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variant of its G7 SUV, a move that expands the company’s portfolio in the hybrid vehicle segment. The filing appeared in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) latest catalog of vehicles pending approval for sale, with public comments open from Sept. 11 to 17. Inclusion in the catalog is typically the last major regulatory step before commercial sales. The G7 EREV, listed under model number NHQ6490SHEVMA and produced at Xpeng’s Guangzhou plant, is a five-seat SUV measuring 4,918 mm in length, 1,925 mm in width, and 1,655 mm in…