Author: Ivan Popov

The penetration rate of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China is expected to reach a new high of 49.1% in June, reflecting the market’s steady growth amidst increasing competition, according to an industry survey. The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), which covers all domestic passenger car manufacturers, reported that NEV manufacturers are optimistic about June, with retail sales projected to reach 860,000 units, a 6.9% increase compared to May. See also: Analyst Urges GM, Ford, and Stellantis to Exit Chinese Market Amid Declining Profitability Carmakers have engaged in various promotional and marketing activities to achieve their semi-annual targets, the CPCA noted,…

Tesla has removed the popular Atari games from its Tesla Arcade in a recent software update, disappointing old-school gamers who enjoyed playing them. The company also introduced an ‘Explicit Content Filter’ for TIDAL, its music streaming platform, to enhance safety for children and simplify parental controls. These changes are part of Software Update 2024.20.3 and were initially reported by Not a Tesla App. The update, primarily focused on bug fixes, included these two changes, which were labeled as “Undocumented.” Tesla’s Arcade previously featured several Atari titles, such as Gravitar, Tempest, Millipede, Missile Command, Lunar Lander, Super Breakout, and Asteroids. These…

Alphabet’s Waymo (GOOGL.O) is recalling 672 of its self-driving vehicles due to a software glitch that caused one of its autonomous cars to crash into a wooden utility pole in Phoenix last May. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated an investigation following 22 reports of Waymo robotaxis exhibiting behaviors that may violate traffic safety laws or demonstrate “other unexpected behavior,” including 17 crashes. The May incident in Arizona occurred during a low-speed pullover maneuver in an alleyway, according to Waymo. The vehicle was not carrying any passengers at the time, and there were no injuries to anyone in…

Turkey has announced plans to increase tariffs on all vehicle purchases from China by 40% in an effort to reduce imports and address the current account deficit. The new tariff, set at a minimum of $7,000, will come into effect following a 30-day period, according to a presidential decision published in the Official Gazette. This move comes amidst growing global pressure on China’s electric vehicle exports, which many countries allege are heavily subsidized by Beijing. The European Commission is expected to announce next week whether it will impose additional tariffs. Turkey had previously raised customs duties on Chinese electric vehicles…

Chevrolet’s 2025 Blazer EV is set to hit the market with lower starting prices, although this comes with some feature cuts. The all-electric SUV was initially introduced in 2022 but only became available in mid-2023. Following four months on the market, GM issued a stop-sale to address software issues. In March, the stop-sale was lifted, and the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV was reintroduced with lower prices. With the reintroduction, the electric Blazer became eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit, significantly reducing its starting price. The base Blazer EV 2LT AWD trim saw a price reduction of over $6,500,…

BASF, the chemical giant, has appointed Christine Grosse Lembeck to lead its global battery recycling business, aiming to enhance its solutions across the battery recycling value chain for battery producers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Grosse Lembeck’s appointment underscores BASF’s commitment to advancing battery recycling as a crucial element in the shift towards electromobility. “It is essential to keep critical battery raw materials, like lithium, nickel, or cobalt, in the regional battery value chain while significantly reducing the CO2 footprint of batteries,” she remarked. In Schwarzheide, Germany, BASF is advancing its efforts with plans to operate a cathode material factory…

is contemplating a second passenger car factory in Europe, even before its first factory in Hungary becomes operational. The company’s VP for Europe and the Americas, Stella Li, revealed that BYD is exploring potential locations for its new manufacturing facility, indicating a commitment to invest “when the time is ready.” BYD’s move comes as the European Union (EU) intensifies its focus on zero-emission vehicles, prompting Chinese automakers to accelerate EV launches in the region. The EU’s threat of increased tariffs on imports has further spurred efforts by these automakers to localize production within Europe. In December 2023, BYD announced plans…

Volkswagen Group has announced a strategic pivot, aiming to maintain a substantial presence in the combustion car sector alongside the industry’s electrification drive. This decision comes against a backdrop of evolving market dynamics, including a slowdown in demand for battery-electric vehicles (EVs). Contrary to its previous stance of fully embracing EVs, the VW Group now plans to allocate two-thirds of its €180 billion capital investment to electrification and digitalization, with the remaining third dedicated to keeping its combustion cars competitive, according to VW Group CFO and COO Arno Antlitz. Antlitz emphasized this balanced approach, stating, “The future is electric, but…

French retailer Carrefour has announced a collaboration with charging infrastructure provider Eleport to install over 70 charging stations at its store locations in Poland. The partnership aims to install a total of more than 170 charging points in 65 Polish cities by 2025. Eleport is currently engaged in administrative processes and preparing individual locations for the installation of the charging devices at Carrefour sites in Poland. Both companies are working to quickly put the charging stations into operation, with the first stations expected to be operational this year. Paweł Doleciński, Sales Manager at Eleport, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating,…

General Motors (GM) is reportedly reconsidering its plan to manufacture Ultium electric drive units (EDUs) at its St. Catharines plant in Ontario, Canada. The original plan was part of GM’s strategy to increase annual electric vehicle (EV) production in North America to 1 million units by 2025. According to a report by Canadian publication Welland Tribune, GM is reviewing the production schedule for Ultium EDUs at the St. Catharines plant. Natalie Nankil, GM’s director of corporate and internal communications in Canada, stated that the company is reassessing the timing of the move. The St. Catharines plant currently produces the fifth-generation…

Busways, in collaboration with Transport for New South Wales (NSW), is embarking on a groundbreaking project to create a purpose-built battery electric bus depot in Macquarie Park, one of Sydney’s busiest centers. The initiative aims to transform a former factory site into a state-of-the-art facility for 165 electric buses, representing an investment of AUD 115 million. Construction is scheduled to commence early next year, with completion expected by the end of 2027. Busways, a major bus services provider in Western Sydney, North Shore, and West, currently operates bus service contracts that include Transport for NSW. The company is actively involved…

Hongqi, the car brand owned by Chinese state-owned company FAW, is set to introduce its EH7 electric saloon to the European market this year. Sales partner Hedin has announced plans for the EH7’s sales launch in the third quarter, with first deliveries expected in the fourth quarter. The move follows Hongqi’s announcement at the Beijing motor show in April, where the company revealed its intentions to export its electric cars to global markets in the coming years. Targeting the premium segment, Hongqi aims to compete with established brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. The EH7 electric saloon, measuring five meters…

Volvo Penta, in partnership with port equipment experts MOL, has unveiled an innovative 4×4 electric RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) truck at the Port of Ghent. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in sustainable port operations and highlights the potential of electric vehicles in heavy-duty applications. RoRo trucks, also known as yard dogs or terminal trucks, are crucial for handling heavy payloads in shipping terminals, logistics centers, and rail yards. They are designed to withstand high g-forces and operate in all weather conditions. The new electric RoRo truck developed by MOL and Volvo Penta features a 4WD powertrain, providing enhanced traction…

Aito, the new energy-vehicle (NEV) brand supported by Chinese tech giant Huawei, has launched the Ultra range for its M7 SUV, achieving this milestone less than a year after a major update to the model. The M7 Ultra was unveiled at a recent launch event, offering customers two five-seat options and two six-seat options at starting prices ranging from RMB 289,800 to RMB 329,800 ($40,020 to $45,610). The M7 Ultra is set to begin deliveries on June 2, with Aito targeting 20,000 units in June alone. This ambitious goal is expected to propel the Aito brand to 40,000 units delivered…

French company Blue Solutions, a unit of Bollore, is set to construct a gigafactory in eastern France costing around 2 billion euros ($2.17 billion) to produce a new solid-state battery with a 20-minute charging time, CEO Richard Bouveret revealed. Solid-state batteries are highly anticipated for electric vehicles (EVs), promising longer driving ranges and shorter charging times than traditional lithium-ion packs. Blue Solutions already produces solid-state batteries for Daimler electric buses and aims to commercialize its new smaller battery for cars, which targets a 1,000 km (621 miles) range and boasts an energy density 30%-40% higher than the top lithium-ion cells.…

French automaker Renault and Chinese partner Geely announced a new joint venture on Friday aimed at developing more efficient gasoline engines and hybrid systems, bolstering their legacy auto business. The venture, named HORSE Powertrain, will focus on creating advanced combustion and hybrid engines to enhance competitiveness in the evolving automotive landscape. This move comes as rival automakers increase investment in low-emission powertrains due to a slowdown in electric vehicle sales. “A combination of various powertrain technologies is necessary … to achieve a successful decarbonization in a world where more than half of vehicles produced are expected to still rely on…

Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors (GM), reaffirmed the company’s dedication to developing autonomous vehicles during a Detroit Economic Club event. Barra’s remarks align with the industry trend of enhancing vehicle features to improve safety compared to human-driven cars, despite facing increased regulatory scrutiny following accidents involving self-driving vehicles. Barra highlighted the potential of autonomous vehicles, stating, “If you think about autonomous vehicles, that’s the ultimate in artificial intelligence, coupled with machine learning. That really leads to a world where we’re going to be safer because 90% of accidents that happen on the roads today… were caused by human error.”…

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has announced plans for a substantial investment in a new electric vehicle engineering facility at its Swan Island headquarters in Portland, Oregon, totaling more than $40 million. The new 110,000-square-foot engineering facility aims to consolidate multiple research projects, focusing on both battery electric and hydrogen-fuel cell electric vehicles, into a single location. This strategic investment is projected to create approximately 150 new, high-wage jobs in the area. “We are proud to call Portland, Oregon our home,” stated John O’Leary, President and CEO of DTNA. “We appreciate the City and State’s support of our expansion plans…

Ford has filed a patent for a novel feature in its electric F-150 Lightning truck—a large projector screen that can be housed within the front trunk, or “frunk,” of the vehicle. This innovative addition could potentially enhance overnight adventures or tailgate parties, providing a unique entertainment experience. Discovered by Motorauthority, the patent outlines a large screen that extends from a case located towards the rear of the frunk. Additionally, a small projector could be mounted under the pickup’s front grille, projecting onto the screen. While Ford’s projector screen is estimated to be less than 40 inches in size, rival Rivian…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has provided new insights into the performance of the upcoming next-generation Roadster, dismissing the idea of its performance being similar to the larger and heavier Tesla Model S Plaid. Musk’s comments came in response to a post by Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt, who highlighted inaccuracies in a report by The Information. Contrary to The Information’s report, Musk reiterated that it would be illogical for Tesla to release a next-generation Roadster with performance comparable to the Model S Plaid. Musk previously stated in May 2021 that the Roadster should achieve a 0-60 mph time of about 1.1…