Author: Harding Greenwood

Toyota plans to manufacture two battery-electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) at its Kentucky plant in the United States and will end production of the Lexus ES sedan at the same site, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. The new U.S.-made electric vehicles will be based on the RAV4 and Land Cruiser models, while the next-generation Lexus ES sedan, expected next year, will be produced in Japan and exported to the United States, the source added. The changes are not related to U.S. import tariffs, the source said. Currently, Toyota manufactures Lexus ES sedans in Kentucky and Lexus TX…

Chinese automaker Changan has unveiled the Deepal S05 electric SUV in Europe, pricing the model from €38,990 as part of its plan to expand its Deepal lineup in the region. The announcement came during the IAA Mobility show in Munich. The S05 follows the larger Deepal S07, introduced in Europe in March, and marks a quicker product rollout as Changan targets eight electric vehicle launches in the region by 2027. The SUV, which first went on sale in China last October, features a 200 kW rear-wheel-drive system in its European base and mid-range models, offering a WLTP range of 485…

A major lithium mine operated by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) is expected to resume operations soon after a month-long suspension that helped push up lithium prices, Securities Times reported on Monday. A CATL subsidiary in Yichun, Jiangxi province, held a special meeting on the restart of the Jianxiawo mine, according to the Securities Times. The company is advancing applications for mining rights and operating permits, with production likely to resume shortly, the report said, citing a source. “This is faster than even the most optimistic market expectations,” the source was quoted as saying. The mine ceased output on…

Ford is introducing a new entry-level variant of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup, offering increased driving range without a higher price tag, the company said on Tuesday. The 2026 F-150 Lightning STX replaces the outgoing XLT model and comes equipped with dual electric motors delivering a combined 536 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. A larger 123 kWh battery pack provides an EPA-estimated 290 miles of range, up from 240 miles in the previous XLT model. Ford has also incorporated off-road enhancements from its F-150 Tremor line, including running boards, all-terrain tires, and new wheels. Exterior updates include a redesigned…

BYD will officially launch the 2026 Seal 07 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan on September 15, local media outlet Yiche reported on Monday. The automaker has not yet confirmed the date through its official channels. The model, first unveiled at the Chengdu auto show last month, introduces new features including an additional LiDAR sensor mounted on the roof, BYD’s DiSus-C body control system, and the company’s God’s Eye B smart driving system. At 4,995 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,495 mm high with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm, the 2026 Seal 07 DM-i is slightly larger than its current version.…

Sherbet, the UK’s largest operator of electric Hackney carriages, said on Monday it had secured £40 million in funding from Hoplon Investment Partners, the biggest investment to date in London’s licensed taxi industry. The company, founded in 2013 by former cab driver Asher Moses, operates a fleet of about 550 electric black cabs across the capital. The new funding will support its plans to increase that number to 3,000 over the next three years, as well as expand operations internationally. Sherbet said part of the investment will be used to enhance its digital platform, which integrates driver bookings, data insights,…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng plans to bring its budget-friendly Mona series to Europe in 2025 as part of its overseas expansion strategy, Chief Executive He Xiaopeng said on Monday. Speaking to CNBC at the IAA Mobility show, He said the Mona lineup would be introduced in Europe next year, with a wider rollout planned for 2026. “In 2026 you can expect a variety of Mona products launched into the Chinese and European markets, as well as in the rest of the world,” he said. “I believe by then, what we launch will be very proven and very excellent vehicles.”…

Swedish electric vehicle maker Polestar on Monday unveiled the production-ready version of its four-door performance grand tourer, the Polestar 5, at the IAA Mobility show in Munich and began taking orders for the model. The launch marks a key step in the company’s bid to strengthen its position in the premium electric segment, even as it weighs changes to its naming strategy and product portfolio. The Polestar 5 stems directly from the 2020 Precept concept, which the company described as a statement of its design and technology ambitions. Polestar said its team brought the concept into production with only minimal…

Volkswagen has unveiled its ID. Cross concept, a small electric SUV that expands the automaker’s lineup of front-wheel-drive MEB-based EVs. While the name draws a connection to the T-Cross combustion crossover, the ID. Cross represents a distinct electric design and engineering approach. The subcompact SUV rides on a 2,601 mm (102.4 inches) wheelbase, virtually identical to the ID. Polo, but its overall dimensions are larger, measuring 4,161 mm (163.8 inches) in length—108 mm longer—and 58 mm taller than the hatchback. Volkswagen has designed the ID. Cross with practicality in mind, offering 490 liters (17.3 cu.ft) of rear luggage space and…

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its new GLC with EQ Technology, an all-electric SUV that will enter production in the first half of 2026, taking over from the company’s struggling EQC model. The launch was previewed ahead of the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich. The electric GLC retains the familiar proportions of the internal combustion GLC but features a fresh design, including an illuminated front grille with 942 backlit dots and star-shaped LED daytime running lights. Mercedes said these design elements will become signature features across its EV lineup. “The tech-heavy design is highlighted by the new seamless MBUX Hyperscreen, measuring…

BMW has unveiled the second-generation iX3, the first production model built on its Neue Klasse platform, which the automaker says will shape the future of its electric lineup. The SUV introduces a new design language, a purpose-built EV platform, and four high-performance processors BMW calls its “superbrains.” The iX3 50 xDrive, the first version to reach showrooms, is due in mid-2026 with a starting price of about $60,000. It delivers 463 horsepower (345 kW) from dual motors with all-wheel drive and an estimated 400-mile (644 km) range on the U.S. EPA cycle. Charging speeds will reach up to 400 kW,…

Pos Malaysia has added 136 battery-electric Maxus eDeliver 3 vans to its fleet, expanding the company’s electric vehicle operations across the country. The new vehicles join 2,152 two-wheel and 264 four-wheel EVs already in service, making it the largest electric postal fleet in Malaysia. The vans are leased from Yinson GreenTech, the e-mobility subsidiary of Malaysian company Yinson Holdings, which will also provide ongoing maintenance and support, including fleet management tools such as telematics, route optimisation, and energy efficiency monitoring. Yinson GreenTech previously supplied 143 CAM EC35 electric vans to Pos Malaysia in 2024. Pos Malaysia Berhad group CEO Charles…