Author: Harding Greenwood

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…

General Motors’ (GM.N) robotaxi unit, Cruise, announced on Tuesday that it has appointed Marc Whitten, a former founding engineer of Xbox, as its new CEO, effective July 16. This move comes as the U.S. automaker’s self-driving vehicle company grapples with regulatory scrutiny and operational challenges. Cruise has been led by two co-presidents since former CEO Kyle Vogt resigned last year following an incident involving one of its driverless vehicles in California. Both co-presidents will continue in their roles at Cruise. See also: California Regulator Fines GM’s Cruise for Delayed Accident Disclosure Whitten, who played a crucial role in the development of…

Chinese executives have been meeting with top Malaysian officials to seek assurances that they can avoid U.S. tariffs if they relocate their battery, medical devices, and semiconductor manufacturing to Malaysia, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. The companies have requested Malaysian ministers and senior government officials to lobby against the U.S. imposing tariffs on products made or assembled in Malaysia by Chinese groups, according to three people familiar with the matter. See also: U.S. Special Tariffs on Chinese EVs Set to Take Effect in August 2024 These efforts follow the Biden administration’s announcement last month of significant tariff increases on a…

Berkshire Hathaway, led by renowned US investor Warren Buffett, has continued to trim its holdings in Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, reducing its latest stake to less than 6 percent. According to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Berkshire further reduced its holdings in BYD H-shares on June 19, dropping its stake from 6.18 percent to 5.99 percent. The company sold 2,017,500 BYD shares in its latest move at an average price of HK$234.57, cashing out HK$470 million ($60 million). See also: BYD Expands Car Insurance Business in China, Targeting 7 Major Provinces This marks the second time this…

Tesla announced on Tuesday that it is recalling most Cybertrucks in the United States due to problems with their windshield wipers and exterior trim. The recall affects more than 11,000 vehicles and represents another setback for the futuristic truck, whose mass production is slated to begin next year. Tesla has not disclosed how many Cybertrucks it has delivered to consumers in its quarterly deliveries and production report. See also: Tesla Introduces Customization Options for Cybertruck Interior and Wheels The Blade Runner-inspired truck, which Tesla began delivering in November 2023 after years of delay and production challenges, is now facing issues with…