Author: Harding Greenwood

Tesla reported a decline in sales of its China-made vehicles in January, reflecting the impact of the Chinese New Year holiday, which affected production and deliveries across the industry. The U.S. electric vehicle maker sold 63,238 vehicles from its Shanghai plant last month, including domestic sales and exports, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Tuesday. This marked an 11.49% drop from 71,447 units sold in January 2023 and a 32.56% decrease from 93,766 vehicles in December. See also: Tesla’s Shanghai Megafactory Set to Begin Production of Energy Storage Products The Chinese New Year holiday,…

Kia has confirmed that the EV5 will be exclusively launched in Canada in North America, excluding the US and Mexico from its rollout. The model, first unveiled at the 2023 Chengdu Motor Show and released in China later that year, has now been officially confirmed for a Canadian debut, with no clear explanation for why the model will not be available in other North American markets. See also: Kia Ships NACS Adapters, but Supercharger Access Delayed Until Later This Quarter The EV5 will offer customers a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, featuring two battery options: a 60.3 kWh…

Tesla has introduced a limited-time financing offer for Canadian customers interested in purchasing a Model 3, with rates as low as 0.99% APR. This promotion applies to new orders placed by March 7, with delivery required by March 31, 2025. The financing offer provides competitive interest rates depending on the loan term. The available rates include: 0.99% APR for 36- and 48-month terms 1.99% APR for 60- and 72-month terms 2.99% APR for an 84-month term 3.49% APR for a 96-month term The 0.99% APR option, available for 36 and 48 months, offers a significant reduction in borrowing costs compared…

Zoox has unveiled its first commercial titled “A Robotaxi from the Future, Made for Riders of Today,” which introduces the company’s autonomous vehicle in a futuristic setting. The 60-second ad highlights Zoox’s vehicle design and technology, focusing on the concept of riders reclaiming their time through autonomous transportation. See also: Zoox Expands Autonomous Robotaxi Testing to San Francisco, Eyes Future Commercial Operations The commercial presents three individuals dressed in a sci-fi-inspired fashion, waiting on a city street that evokes a futuristic atmosphere. The twist reveals these figures as humans from 2025 heading to a convention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tq0RFAgrUc The ad emphasizes Zoox’s…

Uber and Waymo have introduced an “interest list” for customers in Austin, marking a step toward launching an autonomous ride-hailing service in the city later this year. The initiative is part of a broader partnership between the companies to deploy Waymo robotaxis in Austin and Atlanta in early 2025. The feature, which became available on Uber’s app on Wednesday, allows users to signal interest in hailing a Waymo robotaxi, though rides are not yet available. The companies have not disclosed a launch date, but service is expected to begin soon in Austin. See also: Waymo to Test Autonomous Vehicles in…

Volvo Cars  will not make any payment to Northvolt for acquiring its 50% stake in their Novo Energy battery joint venture, the Swedish automaker said in its quarterly report on Thursday. “The purchase consideration rounds to 0 m SEK. The purchase amount has been negotiated as part of a larger settlement with Northvolt, taking many factors into account,” a Volvo spokesperson said. See also: Volvo Cars to Acquire Northvolt’s Stake in Battery Joint Venture NOVO Energy The deal, announced last week, gives Volvo full ownership of Novo Energy, which includes a planned battery cell factory in Gothenburg. Northvolt, once seen…

General Motors (GM) has completed its acquisition of autonomous vehicle subsidiary Cruise, retaining approximately 1,000 employees while laying off nearly half of the workforce. The move comes as GM transitions Cruise’s technology into its advanced driver assistance systems, including Super Cruise, the automaker’s hands-free driving feature. Cruise confirmed the job cuts in a statement, saying, “Cruise shared the difficult decision to part ways with approximately 50% of its workforce. We are grateful for their passion and contributions to help us reach this stage, and our focus is on supporting them into their next chapter with severance packages and career support.”…

Ford Motor started the year with strong electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States, recording a 21.2% increase in January compared to the same period last year. The automaker sold 5,666 EVs last month, setting new records for both overall electric vehicle sales and Mustang Mach-E deliveries. The Mustang Mach-E electric crossover led the charge, with sales surging 173% year-over-year to 3,529 units—its best-ever January performance. The Mach-E was the second-best-selling electric SUV in the U.S., trailing only Tesla’s Model Y. See also: Ford Reveals High-Powered Electric NASCAR Prototype, Eyes Future of EV Racing Sales of the F-150 Lightning…

BYD reported a drop in vehicle sales in January, reflecting a seasonal slowdown seen across China’s auto market. The company sold 300,538 new energy vehicles (NEVs) last month, a 49.16% increase from 201,493 units a year earlier but a 41.62% decline from December’s 514,809 units, according to company data. China’s auto market is traditionally cyclical, with sales dipping at the start of the year, particularly around the Chinese New Year holiday, and peaking towards year-end. This year’s holiday falls between January 28 and February 4. “Most other EV makers saw a dip in January deliveries,” BYD noted in its report.…

Cupra’s highly anticipated DarkRebel, initially presented as a show car in 2023, could be set for production by the end of this decade, according to reports from Spain. The vehicle, which generated significant excitement for its bold design and sporty characteristics, was originally seen as a one-off concept with no plans for mass production. However, new information suggests that the two-seater electric sports car will eventually make its way to the market, with technical support from Porsche. The DarkRebel will not be developed solely by Cupra but will be based on the advanced technology of Porsche’s upcoming electric Boxster and…

Honda is planning to establish a dedicated electric motorcycle plant in India as part of its strategy to expand in the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market, a company executive said. The new facility will be located “around Bengaluru” in the southern state of Karnataka, Daiki Mihara, Head of the Motorcycle and Power Products Electrification Business Unit, said. However, he did not disclose the exact location or the investment details. See also: Honda Plans Sub-$30,000 Electric Vehicle for North America by 2026 Honda currently manufactures its first electric two-wheelers, the Activa e: and QC1, at its existing factory in the…

The arrival of Chinese automakers and a surge in local electric vehicle (EV) production are transforming Thailand’s auto sector, intensifying competition and putting pressure on long-dominant Japanese brands such as Toyota. Thailand, the largest EV market in Southeast Asia, is projected to see a 40% rise in EV sales in 2024, surpassing 100,000 units, reversing an 8% decline last year, according to Suroj Sangsnit, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT). “We expect the Thai EV market to grow significantly this year, driven by strong government incentives and increasing local production,” Suroj said. See also: Thailand Adjusts EV…

Lucid Motors, the California-based electric vehicle manufacturer, has started accepting orders for the Grand Touring variant of its Gravity SUV in Saudi Arabia, with prices beginning at SAR 487,715 ($130,035). The move follows the company’s launch of orders in the U.S. and Canada, with plans to open orders in the UAE in the coming weeks. The Grand Touring trim is available for immediate purchase in Saudi Arabia, while a lower-priced Touring variant will be “available to order soon,” Lucid said. The company notes that the SAR 487,715 starting price is based on configurations expected in June 2025, cautioning that some…

California-based electric vehicle startup Mullen Automotive said on Thursday it had acquired a high-volume standard battery chemistry production line and an electro-dynamic shaker system from Nikola, the Phoenix-based truck manufacturer exploring strategic options. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The purchase follows Mullen’s acquisition in September 2023 of battery production assets from Nikola’s subsidiary, Romeo Power, for about $3.5 million. That transaction included equipment, inventory, and intellectual property for EV battery pack and module production. Mullen said the newly acquired equipment would be integrated into its Fullerton, California, facility, which manufactures battery packs, modules, and solid-state polymer technology.…

Volkswagen Group is considering establishing production facilities in the United States for its premium brands, Audi and Porsche, in response to potential tariffs on car imports proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Currently, both brands manufacture their vehicles outside the U.S., with Audi operating a plant in Mexico and Porsche producing exclusively in Europe. The proposed tariffs could impact imports from neighboring countries, potentially affecting models like Audi’s Q5 and the upcoming Q8 e-tron, as well as Porsche’s European-manufactured vehicles. According to sources cited by Handelsblatt, the group is exploring several options to mitigate these potential challenges. One proposal involves…

Rightech has expanded its lineup of battery-electric vehicles with the introduction of two new buses designed for urban transport: the Rightech RB9 and Rightech RB6. These models bring sustainable mobility solutions with advanced battery technology and impressive range capabilities, catering to both short and medium-distance transit needs. The Rightech RB9 is a nine-meter-long battery-electric bus built to accommodate urban transit demands efficiently. It is powered by a 282 kWh LFP battery supplied by CATL, offering a driving range of up to 300 kilometers on a full charge. The RB9 supports fast charging at 150 kW, allowing it to recharge from…

Ford has introduced an electric NASCAR prototype based on the Mustang Mach-E, continuing its push to make electric vehicles more thrilling for motorsports audiences. The prototype follows NASCAR’s own electric concept, unveiled in 2024, which delivered over 1,300 horsepower with a tri-motor setup. See also: Ford Confident in EV Strategy Despite Potential Policy Revisions Ford has not disclosed power figures for its latest prototype, but industry analysts suggest it could exceed 1,500 horsepower, given the automaker’s previous high-performance EV demonstrators. The vehicle retains key components from Ford’s current NASCAR Cup car, including suspension, brakes, and wheels, while integrating a 78.0-kWh…

Polestar has introduced a trio of one-off electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its “Arctic Circle” collection, designed to demonstrate the brand’s performance capabilities in extreme winter conditions. The modified Polestar 2, 3, and 4 models, featuring rally-inspired upgrades, underwent testing in the Arctic before their public showcase at the 2025 FAT Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, on February 1. The Arctic Circle EVs are not production models but design exercises highlighting Polestar’s engineering focus on cold-weather performance. Key modifications include raised ride heights, 3-way adjustable Öhlins dampers, Pirelli studded winter tires, and OZ Racing wheels. Additional features…

The Port of Long Beach will test wireless charging technology for electric cargo-handling vehicles under a state-funded project. International Transportation Service, LLC (ITS), a terminal operator at the port, secured a $3.3 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to install inductive charging systems developed by InductEV, a Pennsylvania-based company. The initiative involves deploying ground-embedded wireless charging pads to power five battery-electric cargo vehicles. InductEV’s system, capable of delivering up to 450 kW, uses inductive technology to transfer energy without physical cables. This marks the company’s first installation at a West Coast port, following a similar project at APM…

Nissan has been using its all-electric Ariya SUV as part of the security fleet at its Arizona Testing Center (ATC) in the Sonoran Desert since fall 2023, replacing gasoline-powered vehicles. Over the past year, the vehicles have accumulated approximately 30,000 miles while patrolling the 3,000-acre facility, where temperatures often surpass 115°F (46°C). The Ariya models deployed at ATC are equipped with e-4ORCE all-wheel drive, a system designed to manage traction on uneven terrain. See also: Nissan Expands Charging Options for Ariya Owners with Tesla Supercharger Access According to Nissan, the vehicles have been driven on dirt roads, gravel paths, and…