Author: Harding Greenwood

Ford has unveiled its latest electric model, resurrecting the legendary Capri name in a modern incarnation that merges classic design cues with cutting-edge Volkswagen MEB technology under the hood. “We are paying homage to our tradition while reinventing our future – with a vehicle that only Ford can build. The legend is back,” said Ford Europe Design Director Amko Leenarts at the world premiere of the new Capri. The electric Capri, showcased at the Cologne Electric Vehicle Centre alongside the Ford Explorer, introduces a “sportily designed SUV coupé” that aims to capture the spirit of its iconic predecessor, first introduced…

Tesla has increased prices for its Model 3 cars in several European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, by approximately 1,500 euros ($1,622), the U.S. automaker announced on Wednesday. The price hike comes in response to tariffs imposed by the European Union on electric vehicles manufactured in China, where Tesla produces its Model 3 vehicles in Shanghai. Tesla, a major exporter of EVs from China, had previously indicated potential price adjustments due to these tariffs, which were enacted on July 4 by the European Commission. The Commission’s tariffs, ranging up to 37.6% based on the carmaker, aim to counter…

The Canadian government has earmarked 76 million Canadian dollars (51.5 million euros) to facilitate the purchase of 180 electric buses for York Region in Ontario, underscoring efforts to enhance sustainable public transport infrastructure. “Canadians need to get to work with less traffic, more comfort, and clean air – that’s what public transit is all about,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “With today’s announcement, York Region will soon have 180 new zero-emission buses and the chargers to go with it.” Funded through Canada’s Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF), the initiative aims to support communities in transitioning to zero-emission public transport…

Tesla is poised to commence construction on its anticipated Semi truck factory in Nevada, evident from substantial steel deliveries recently observed at the site. Drone footage shared by user HinrichsZane on Sunday captures the expansive scale of the upcoming Semi factory, part of Tesla’s expansion plans at its Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada. The footage highlights a significant influx of steel deliveries, signaling imminent commencement of construction for the long-awaited facility. https://twitter.com/HinrichsZane/status/1809999871203741756 HinrichsZane plans to release extended aerial footage soon, promising further insights into the ongoing developments at the site. Tesla initiated groundwork for expansions at Giga Nevada earlier this year,…

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s recent crash test involving a Tesla Model 3 and thrie-beam guardrails has underscored concerns about the safety of roadside infrastructure amid the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). Thrie-beam guardrails, designed with three corrugation waves for enhanced strength, were unable to contain the impact of the Tesla Model 3 under standard safety criteria, according to the institute’s findings. The crash test, conducted at a 25-degree angle and speeds of 62 miles per hour, revealed significant structural challenges as the Model 3 tore through the guardrail, resulting in front-end damage, shattered windshield, and deployed airbags. Roger Bligh,…

BYD has launched the 2025 Dolphin, its latest compact electric vehicle (EV), featuring upgraded range capabilities while maintaining unchanged pricing across its lineup. The new model, introduced today, follows closely on the heels of the Dolphin Glory Edition, continuing BYD’s tradition of rapid updates to meet market demands. The 2025 Dolphin, available in four variants priced between RMB 99,800 ($13,730) and RMB 129,800, represents BYD’s commitment to delivering affordable electric mobility solutions without compromising on performance. Initially introduced in August 2021, the Dolphin remains a cornerstone of BYD’s innovative e-Platform 3.0 and Ocean lineup, designed to appeal to a youthful…

General Motors (GM) has been ordered by U.S. regulators to pay a penalty of $145.8 million following a multi-year investigation revealing that certain model year vehicles emitted approximately 10 percent more carbon dioxide than initially reported. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disclosed on Wednesday that GM agreed to surrender 50 million metric tons of carbon allowances previously claimed, as part of the investigation into emissions discrepancies from 2012 to 2018 vehicles. In a parallel announcement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) imposed the financial penalty on GM for inaccuracies in reporting fuel economy compliance data. The regulator also revoked…

Volvo Cars announced a robust 8% increase in global sales for June, totaling 71,514 vehicles, driven by strong performances in Europe and Latin America. The company attributed much of this growth to the rising popularity of its fully electric EX30 SUV. Electrified models, encompassing fully electric and plug-in hybrids, saw a remarkable 41% surge compared to the previous year, comprising 48% of total sales for June. In Europe, Volvo Cars sold 36,474 units, marking a substantial 34% increase year-over-year. Electrified models dominated this market, constituting 66% of total sales, with a notable 54% rise within this category. The fully electric…

Volkswagen has officially revealed the Volkswagen ID.UNYX, the inaugural model in its ID.UX series of smart electric compact coupe SUVs. The car, set for a mid-July launch, offers consumers a choice between two trim levels, each boasting impressive cruising ranges of 621 km and 565 km. Underlining its significance, ID.UX embodies Volkswagen’s motto of “Make Every Moment Gold.” The German automaker plans to introduce five smart electric vehicles under the ID.UX series by 2027. Production for the ID.UNYX is handled by Volkswagen Anhui, established in 2017 as Volkswagen’s third vehicle joint venture in China. Formerly known as JAC Volkswagen, the…

During the global debut of Xpeng’s Mona M03, Chairman He Xiaopeng candidly discussed his views on the automotive industry’s current priorities, stating, “Integrating technology quickly can lead to success, but it lacks the joy of true innovation. It feels more like a business than a passion.” He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that combines learning from others with a deep commitment to technological innovation. The Mona M03, a new compact pure electric vehicle under the Xpeng brand, measures 4780/1896/1445 mm with a wheelbase of 2815 mm and features a generous 621-liter trunk, comparable to mid-size SUVs. A significant…

An incident involving a Waymo self-driving taxi in Phoenix has underscored the complexities faced by law enforcement when encountering unmanned vehicles on public roads. The incident, captured on bodycam footage and reported by AZCentral.com, involved a Waymo autonomous Jaguar I-Pace SUV that drew attention after reportedly driving into oncoming lanes of traffic. The officer, perplexed by the absence of a driver, initiated a traffic stop near Seventh Avenue and West Osborn Road. According to police dispatch records, the vehicle also allegedly ran a red light, prompting the officer to engage with Waymo’s remote support hub to resolve the situation. Waymo…

Germany has embarked on a new initiative to establish a comprehensive fast-charging network for heavy-duty vehicles nationwide, as part of its ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality in the transport sector by 2045. Despite achieving the lowest greenhouse gas emissions levels in 70 years in 2023, Germany’s transport sector continues to face challenges in meeting its climate targets. “Power to the Road,” as the initiative is called, plans to deploy 350 fast-charging sites along approximately 95% of Germany’s federal highways. This effort is complemented by plans to expand the country’s electricity grid to accommodate more renewable energy sources. “Our goal…

Xpeng announced today that it delivered 10,668 vehicles in June, marking a 23.76% increase compared to the same period last year and a 5.14% rise from May’s figures, according to data released by the electric vehicle (EV) maker. The X9 MPV, a multi-purpose vehicle introduced earlier this year, contributed 1,687 units to June’s deliveries, bringing its cumulative total to 13,143 units since launch. See also: Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng Impressed by Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Software In the second quarter, Xpeng delivered 30,207 vehicles, reflecting a 30.17% year-on-year growth and a 38.43% increase from the first quarter. The company’s quarterly deliveries were…

Polestar marked a significant milestone with the commencement of deliveries for the Polestar 3, as the first customers received their crossovers in a special ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath emphasized the occasion, stating, “This is an important milestone – first deliveries of Polestar 3 to our customers.” He highlighted Polestar’s expanding global presence, describing it as “becoming a global player with the most attractive electric product range.” See also: Polestar Introduces New Entry-Level Option with Long Range Single Motor Variant in Polestar 3 Line-Up Following the initial deliveries in Sweden, further rollouts are scheduled…

Ford is restructuring its European leadership team as it grapples with the automotive market’s shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), Reuters reported, citing recent developments within the automaker. The reorganization follows the departure of Ford’s European chief, Martin Sander, who left earlier this month to join Volkswagen as head of sales and marketing for the VW brand. Sander’s exit is seen as a setback, considering his instrumental role in launching Ford’s first EV production in the EU, the electric Ford Explorer. See also: Ford CEO Jim Farley: Level 3 Autonomous Driving for Passenger EVs Expected in Two Years Production of the electric…

Ford Motor Company has announced Long Beach as the site for its new Advanced Electric Vehicle Development Center, where its innovative “Skunkworks” team will spearhead the development of the next generation of affordable electric vehicles, Reuters reported based on company disclosures. CEO Jim Farley unveiled Ford’s covert efforts on a low-cost EV platform during a recent investor call, highlighting the involvement of a specialized “skunkworks” team comprising top-tier EV engineers. See also: Ford CEO Jim Farley: Level 3 Autonomous Driving for Passenger EVs Expected in Two Years Alan Clarke, with a tenure of 12 years at Tesla, leads the project, supported…

Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary, PowerCo, remains on track for series production of its unified cell as it completes the first production block at its Salzgitter factory in Germany. The company is installing production line systems with plans to commence pre-series production this year, preceding full-scale production in 2025. According to a report by Automobilwoche, Group Chief Technology Officer Thomas Schmall affirmed that the timelines for the Salzgitter facility, as well as upcoming sites in Spain and Canada, are being met. “We remain convinced that our overall battery strategy is the right way forward,” Schmall stated, emphasizing Volkswagen’s dual approach of in-house…

Geely unit London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) has introduced an all-electric Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) in China, targeting a niche market segment. The MPV, named the L380, was officially launched at an event yesterday. The name draws inspiration from the Airbus A380, emphasizing the vehicle’s spacious interior. LEVC, renowned for manufacturing London’s iconic black cabs, is part of Geely’s portfolio, which also includes brands like Lotus, Zeekr, Volvo, and Polestar. See also: Geely to Collaborate with STMicroelectronics on Silicon Carbide Power Chip Supply The L380 is the first model built on LEVC’s Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) and comes in four variants: Air,…

Volkswagen shares fell on Wednesday as investors voiced concerns over the cost and uncertainties of a joint venture with U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker Rivian. The partnership aims to bolster Europe’s largest automaker’s position in the EV market. The German automaker announced on Tuesday it would invest up to $5 billion in Rivian as part of a collaboration to share EV platforms and software. This move marks a departure from Volkswagen’s previous go-it-alone strategy, opting instead to bring in expertise through partnerships in key areas such as batteries, EV platforms, and software. See also: Volkswagen and Rivian to Form Joint Venture…

Recent spy shots of the Zeekr CX1E have emerged, revealing the SUV shedding its heavy camouflage ahead of its anticipated debut later this year. While internally referred to as the CX1E, reports suggest it might adopt the name Zeekr Ark upon launch. Designed as a mid-size SUV, the CX1E is positioned as a flagship in the Zeekr lineup, sharing a platform and design elements with the Zeekr 007. The vehicle features the distinctive Hidden Energy design language, characterized by a sleek, modern silhouette. Spy shots indicate slender LED daytime running lights and a lighting cluster similar to the smart light…