Author: Harding Greenwood

Mercedes-Benz and Google Cloud are expanding their strategic collaboration to integrate advanced conversational features into the MBUX Virtual Assistant, utilizing Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent. This integration, powered by Gemini on Vertex AI, aims to elevate the in-car experience by offering more detailed, personalized conversational responses for navigation and points of interest. The enhanced MBUX Virtual Assistant will leverage the capabilities of Google Maps Platform, which provides real-time data about 250 million places worldwide, with over 100 million updates daily. Drivers can interact naturally with the assistant, asking questions such as, “Could you guide me to the nearest fine dining…

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City has confirmed the acquisition of 265 zero-emission solo buses as part of its ongoing efforts to transition to a fully electric fleet by 2040. While the supplier’s name was not disclosed in the announcement, the vehicles are expected to come from New Flyer, which has been a key partner in the MTA’s electric bus expansion. The new order builds on an earlier framework agreement signed in early 2024 between MTA and New Flyer for up to 1,420 electric buses to be delivered by 2029. The initial batch of 60 buses was…

Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles increased by 25.6% year-on-year in December, reaching a total of 17 million cars in 2024, according to data released on Tuesday. The surge was fueled by a strong performance in China and a stabilizing market in Europe, though growth showed signs of slowing toward the end of the year. In December alone, global sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids rose by 25.6%, totaling 1.9 million units. Despite this increase, sales in December showed a deceleration for the second consecutive month. Sales in China, the world’s largest EV market, saw a…

Tesla Cybertruck owners have reported receiving the latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) supervised software update, version 13.2.4, as part of the vehicle’s 2024.45.25.15 update. The new software introduces several refinements and improvements tailored for Tesla’s all-electric pickup truck. The update brings notable upgrades, including enhanced processing capabilities and new features aimed at improving navigation, safety, and driving accuracy. “FSD (Supervised) v13 upgrades every part of the end-to-end driving network,” according to the release notes. Key enhancements include full-resolution Al4 video inputs, dynamic routing around road closures, and better collision avoidance through improved reward predictions. FSD 13.2.4 rolling out now for Cybertruck!…

Urtopia has unveiled its latest innovation at CES 2025, the Titanium Zero, a groundbreaking electric bike that weighs just 10.8 kg (23.8 lb). The new model showcases a combination of cutting-edge technology and lightweight design, driven by the self-developed Quark DM 1.2 motor, which weighs only 1.2 kg and delivers up to 60 Nm of torque. This is paired with a titanium alloy frame weighing just 10 kg, ensuring superior strength and durability while maintaining a remarkably low overall weight. The Titanium Zero incorporates a solid-state battery with an energy density of up to 300 Wh/kg, significantly enhancing the bike’s…

Polestar, the Swedish-Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has reported a 15% decline in sales for 2024, with retail sales dropping from 52,796 vehicles in 2023 to 44,851. Despite the decline, the company remains optimistic about the future, pointing to signs of growth in its commercial operations, particularly in the final quarter of the year. The downturn in sales came amid a year of significant change at Polestar, including a new ownership structure and multiple leadership changes. Thomas Ingenlath, the company’s founding CEO, stepped down and was replaced by former Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller, who joined Polestar in October after holding key…

China’s vehicle exports are expected to increase by 5.8% to 6.2 million units in 2025, a sharp slowdown from the 19.3% growth seen in 2024, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) released on Monday. The anticipated decline in export growth contrasts with a slight uptick in domestic vehicle sales, with extended policy incentives expected to support the world’s largest auto market. The CAAM did not provide a breakdown of export estimates by engine type but noted that electric vehicle (EV) exports saw a 10.4% decline last year, while plug-in hybrid vehicle exports surged by 190%.…

Volkswagen’s Zwickau EV plant, once considered a cornerstone of the automaker’s electric vehicle strategy, faces new challenges as discussions arise about relocating production of the Audi Q4 e-tron to the company’s US plant in Chattanooga. This potential shift, reportedly under consideration for the first half of the 2030s, is seen as part of Volkswagen’s efforts to optimize production for the North American market. However, it raises concerns about the long-term future of the Zwickau plant, particularly as it prepares to downsize to a single production line and model by 2027. Currently, Zwickau manufactures five electric vehicle models across two production…

Fresh details about the Firefly EV, the first model under Nio’s new global electric car subsidiary Firefly, have surfaced from its registration application in China. The compact five-seater measures 4,003 mm in length, 1,781 mm in width, and 1,557 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,615 mm and a kerb weight of 1,492 kilograms. The vehicle’s electric motor, developed by Nio subsidiary XPT, delivers 105 kW of power, enabling a top speed of 150 km/h. The Firefly EV features a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery supplied by Sunwoda, marking the first collaboration between the two companies. While the exact…

Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun responded to Tesla’s launch of the refreshed Model Y in China with a cryptic remark, hinting that Xiaomi’s upcoming YU7 SUV may pose strong competition. Tesla unveiled its revamped Model Y in China, with promotional material implying unmatched superiority over competing models. In response, Lei Jun shared a screenshot of Tesla’s message on Weibo, commenting simply, “Ok.” While brief, Lei’s statement suggests confidence in the competitive edge of Xiaomi’s YU7, set to launch in mid-2025. The YU7, Xiaomi EV’s second electric vehicle model, follows the success of its SU7 sedan, which debuted in March…

Serve Robotics has raised $80 million through a direct offering of 4.2 million shares of common stock, securing additional capital to support its growth plans through 2026. This funding will help the company scale its fleet of delivery robots, with the goal of expanding from the 100 robots currently operating in Los Angeles to 2,000 robots across multiple U.S. cities by the end of 2025. “We’re not taking more money to just burn through it in the next year,” said Serve CFO Brian Read in an interview with TechCrunch. “This is the long-term coffer to help us as we get…

Global auto suppliers are evaluating strategies to mitigate potential tariffs proposed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, with many considering shifting production closer to the United States. Industry leaders discussed these challenges during the CES tech conference in Las Vegas, highlighting how new trade policies could reshape automotive supply chains. Trump has pledged to impose a blanket 10% tariff on all global imports and a 60% tariff on goods from China, with additional measures targeting imports from Canada and Mexico. Paul Thomas, North American president for Bosch, the world’s largest auto parts supplier, said the company has already started exploring alternatives,…

Uber and NVIDIA have formed a partnership to enhance the development of autonomous driving technologies, combining Uber’s extensive data with NVIDIA’s advanced AI platforms. The collaboration will focus on leveraging NVIDIA’s Cosmos platform and DGX Cloud to improve the safety, scalability, and efficiency of autonomous mobility. The Cosmos platform, designed specifically for developing physical AI systems like autonomous vehicles, will be used to accelerate data processing and enable the development of advanced generative world models. Additionally, the DGX Cloud offers a high-performance, fully managed AI environment, providing the flexibility and resources necessary for developing AI models across multi-cloud environments. Uber’s…

Zeekr, the electric vehicle (EV) maker under Geely Automobile Holdings, has shared the first official images of its upcoming Zeekr 007 GT. The shooting brake-style model, which was first teased yesterday, has now been shown in full in images released today on Weibo. The Zeekr 007 GT, which is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2025, is designed for long-distance touring. The company noted that the “GT” designation stands for Grand Tour. Following its introduction in China, the Zeekr 007 GT will be marketed as the Zeekr 7 GT in international markets. It will be the second shooting…

ohn Deere presented a range of autonomous and electric machines at CES 2025, highlighting innovations aimed at improving efficiency in the landscaping and agriculture industries. The showcased products, including an electric robot lawnmower, focus on addressing labor shortages and automating tasks in these sectors. The electric robot lawnmower, powered by a 21.4 kWh battery, offers up to 10 hours of operation on a single charge. Equipped with four pairs of stereo cameras for 360-degree vision, the mower can function autonomously. Additionally, it operates more quietly compared to traditional gas-powered mowers, which could allow for earlier start times without disrupting nearby…

Rolls-Royce has announced its 2024 sales results, revealing a slight decline in units sold compared to the previous two years, alongside a significant £300 million ($373 million) investment to expand its Bespoke and Coachbuilt divisions at the Goodwood facilities. The luxury automaker confirmed that its second electric vehicle (EV) model will be launched in 2025, following the success of its fully electric Spectre. In 2024, Rolls-Royce sold 5,712 vehicles, making it the brand’s third most successful year after 2023 (6,032 units) and 2022 (6,021 units). The decline in sales is attributed to model changes, as 2024 marked the debut of…

Hesai Group, a Chinese LiDAR manufacturer, unveiled its groundbreaking AT1440 LiDAR at the Consumer Electronics Show 2025 (CES 2025), claiming it as the world’s highest-channel automotive LiDAR. Powered by Hesai’s fourth-generation technology platform, the AT1440 offers an angular resolution of 0.02° and delivers ultra-high-definition point clouds, achieving more than 30 times the resolution of mainstream automotive LiDARs. The company has positioned the AT1440 as a “gamechanger” for autonomous driving, promising precise 3D imaging capabilities. Just hours before Hesai’s announcement, RoboSense Technology, another major Chinese LiDAR producer, launched the EM4, which boasts up to 1,080 channels. RoboSense also claims that its…

Tesla’s expansion of its Supercharger network in Sweden has been halted due to an ongoing dispute with the Swedish workers’ union IF Metall, which has kept over 100 new chargers offline. The disagreement stems from the lack of a collective agreement between Tesla and its workers, with IF Metall staging sympathy strikes in an effort to bring Tesla back to the negotiation table. The standoff has resulted in significant congestion at the remaining operational Superchargers, with some users reporting waiting times of up to 100 meters. Tesla Charging Director Max de Zegher criticized the strikes, highlighting the impact on Swedish…

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has allocated $122.9 million to California to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. The funding, which supports medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles alongside passenger EVs, is part of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant Program. The grant will fund six projects across the state, with $55.9 million dedicated to the commercial vehicle sector. This includes the installation of 21 public charging sites equipped with over 130 high-powered zero-emission vehicle charger ports along heavily trafficked routes within California and between California and Nevada. The allocation also includes the development of a…

The first charging stations funded under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program are now operational in Wisconsin. A total of twelve chargers have been installed at Kwik Trip locations in Ashland, Chippewa Falls, and Menominee. These communities are located along key highway corridors frequently used by travelers, according to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. The stations are part of Kwik Trip’s Kwik Charge program and provide DC fast charging with CCS and J3400 connectors. Each charger offers up to 150 kW, meeting the NEVI program’s requirements. The initiative aims to address gaps in EV charging infrastructure in…