Author: Harding Greenwood

In a significant development leading up to its ambitious transition to an all-electric brand by 2025, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced the impending discontinuation of the Jaguar I-Pace electric crossover. The move, confirmed by JLR CEO Adrian Mardell to Autocar, contrasts with previous indications that the I-Pace would receive ongoing enhancements and potentially even a second-generation model alongside the automaker’s upcoming electric offerings. Jaguar’s decision to phase out the I-Pace comes as part of its strategic realignment towards a comprehensive electric lineup. While the specific discontinuation date remains undisclosed, it is contingent upon the fine-tuning of Jaguar’s launch schedule…

In a strategic move to stimulate demand in the face of challenging market conditions, Tesla unveiled budget-friendly versions of its iconic Model S sedan and Model X SUV. The American electric vehicle manufacturer is striving to tap into a broader consumer base by offering vehicles with shorter driving ranges at more accessible price points. The decision to introduce these cost-effective variants follows a series of price reductions across Tesla’s lineup in various global markets, reflecting the company’s emphasis on expansion and market penetration over preserving profit margins. The move aligns with Tesla’s overarching strategy, which CEO Elon Musk has referred…

Polish bus manufacturer Solaris has recently entered into another substantial agreement with Ballard Power Systems, a leading provider of fuel cell solutions. The agreement involves the supply of multiple fuel cell modules, with a significant portion designated for an upcoming hydrogen bus project in Germany. Ballard Power Systems is scheduled to deliver a total of 96 new fuel cell modules to Solaris, with deliveries commencing towards the end of 2023 and the majority taking place throughout 2024. Within this allocation, 52 fuel cell modules are earmarked for integration into the hydrogen buses that Solaris will supply to Rebus Regionalbus Rostock.…

ICL has commenced the construction of a groundbreaking battery materials manufacturing plant in St. Louis. The facility, which is anticipated to be the first of its kind in the United States, will focus on producing lithium iron phosphate (LFP), a crucial component for batteries. With an estimated cost of $400 million, the plant is projected to be operational by 2025. The primary aim of this strategic move is to cater to the increasing demand from the energy storage, electric vehicle (EV), and clean-energy sectors, while bolstering the nation’s self-reliance on essential battery materials. ICL’s substantial investment in the construction of…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a special investigation into a recent incident involving a Tesla Model Y colliding with a heavy truck, tragically resulting in the death of the Tesla driver. The incident occurred on July 19 in Warrenton, Virginia, when the Model Y collided with a tractor-trailer truck while the truck was making a turn onto a highway from a nearby truck stop. The force of impact caused the car to slide underneath the trailer, leading to the unfortunate demise of the driver. The truck driver was issued a summons for reckless driving in connection…

General Motors (GM) is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) market as it unveils plans to broaden its Ultium-based EV lineup, introducing the possibility of electric coupes joining the roster. The automotive giant recently disclosed its intention to offer vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology across its entire Ultium-based EV range by the 2026 model year, and intriguingly mentioned that this feature would extend to “Ultium-based coupes.” While GM’s video announcement opens the door to speculation, the company has yet to divulge specific details about these anticipated EV coupes. This marks the first official acknowledgement of GM’s intent to produce Ultium-based coupes,…

Great Wall Motors (GWM), China’s SUV and pickup truck manufacturer, has demonstrated remarkable sales growth for new energy vehicles (NEVs), reporting a substantial increase of 163.1 percent year-on-year in July. According to the statistics released by the company, GWM, headquartered in Baoding, Hebei Province, achieved noteworthy success in the NEV market last month. The Ora brand played a pivotal role in driving GWM’s NEV sales, with deliveries of its electric vehicles reaching an impressive 10,116 units. Closely tailing Ora was Haval, another brand under the GWM umbrella, which recorded NEV sales of 10,105 units. This achievement marked the second consecutive…

In the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive industry, Jaguar’s recent sales figures paint a varied picture for the second quarter of 2023. The iconic brand reported a global retail car sales figure of 15,467, showcasing a modest increase of nearly two percent from the previous year. Meanwhile, its sibling brand, Land Rover, achieved a remarkable growth rate of 36 percent, propelling the broader Jaguar Land Rover group, a subsidiary of Tata Motors, to a notable rebound of 101,994 units – marking a significant 29 percent year-over-year surge. Sales Dynamics in Q2 2023 and Year-to-Date Jaguar’s individual sales figures for Q2…

Hong Kong’s blank-check company, Black Spade Acquisition (BSAQ.A), has received shareholder approval for its merger with Vietnam’s prominent electric automaker, VinFast. This crucial decision now sets the stage for VinFast’s anticipated entry into the U.S. market later this year. VinFast, which commenced its operations in 2019 and recently began delivering cars in California, has successfully navigated a two-year journey to gain approval for its U.S. public listing. The merger’s approval grants VinFast the green light it needed to proceed in its pursuit of becoming a competitive force in the U.S. automotive sector, aiming to establish its presence among both traditional…

In November 2022, the spy images of Zeekr 001 got revealed. However, it seems the company is working on another model of Zeekr 001. A few days before, the spy photos of the suspected Zeekr 001 facelifted model were exposed on the internet and quickly got viral. However, today, the Zeekr officially refuted all these rumors and said there is no plan to change the model of Zeekr 001. The revealed images belong to the Zeekr 001 FR, a more powerful version of the standard Zeekr 001. See also: Geely’s Zeekr Commences Production of Zeekr 001 for European Markets; Reveals…

In a notable development, Hyundai Mobis, a South Korean automotive supplier under the Hyundai Motor Group umbrella, has clinched a major contract with Volkswagen. The agreement involves the delivery of ‘Battery System Assembly (BSA)’ for Volkswagen’s forthcoming generation of electric vehicles. The exact magnitude of the order has not been disclosed by the partnering companies thus far. Nonetheless, Hyundai Mobis has revealed its intention to establish a dedicated manufacturing facility close to Volkswagen’s manufacturing plants in Spain later this year. This facility will cater to the production of battery systems, following the requisite board approvals. While Hyundai Mobis refrains from…

Rivian has made substantial strides early this year, indicating a promising trajectory for its future. With a modest but significant increase in its production projection for the year and a robust financial stance, the company is set on navigating potential supply chain challenges with confidence. On Tuesday, Rivian announced a minor adjustment to its estimated production figures, raising the bar from 50,000 units to 52,000 units for the current year. This incremental elevation of just four percent holds noteworthy implications, underlining Rivian’s commitment to its brand and vision. The EV industry has witnessed its fair share of production goal revisions…