Author: Ivan Popov

Skoda Auto continues its longstanding sponsorship of the Tour de France for the 21st consecutive year, providing race organisers with a fleet of 205 vehicles, predominantly electric cars and plug-in hybrids. This year, Skoda’s sponsorship includes supplying alternative drive system vehicles to support the iconic cycling event. Most notably, Tour director Christian Prudhomme will lead the peloton in the all-electric Skoda Enyaq, dubbed as the ‘Red Car’ for the majority of stages. “The Tour de France is a symbol of endurance and innovation, and we are proud to support it with our sustainable vehicle lineup,” said a spokesperson from Skoda…

Neta Auto, a subsidiary of Hozon Auto, has unveiled the battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant of its Neta L SUV, following the earlier release of the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version two months ago. The Neta L BEV is offered in three configurations, priced from RMB 139,900 to RMB 162,900, with deliveries slated to commence in July. All variants are equipped with a 68 kWh Shenxing Battery pack based on lithium iron phosphate chemistry supplied by CATL, supporting a CLTC range of 510 km and 3C fast charging capability, enabling a 10% to 80% charge in 21 minutes. See also:…

Porsche has initiated a recall for certain 2020 to 2025 models of its Taycan electric sports car due to a defective front brake hose that could potentially leak brake fluid, Reuters reported based on information from the automaker. Introduced in 2019 as Porsche’s first all-electric sports car, the Taycan has garnered global sales exceeding 150,000 units. Despite its popularity, the model has faced several minor recalls in recent years. Previously, in December, over 41,000 Taycan vehicles were recalled due to faulty charging cables, followed by a recall in March involving a few hundred models due to possible battery module short…

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) is intensifying its efforts to electrify logistics operations across the United States, with logistics partner Salem Carriers set to deploy DTNA’s Freightliner eCascadia vehicles for daily inbound routes in North Carolina. Based in Charlotte, Salem Carriers plays a pivotal role in DTNA’s supply chain network across the Carolinas, connecting manufacturing sites and supply hubs. The exact number of electric trucks slated for deployment remains undisclosed. The charging infrastructure for these vehicles will be managed by Electrada, under their Charging as a Service (CaaS) offering. Electrada will provide comprehensive depot electrification at Salem’s Statesville depot and…

Celebrating four decades of automotive excellence, BMW M GmbH unveils the seventh generation of its iconic high-performance saloon, the BMW M5, now equipped with its first-ever electrified drive system. The model-specific M HYBRID system propels the new BMW M5 to unprecedented levels of power, boasting a maximum output of 727 hp and a peak torque of 1,000 Nm. “The new BMW M5 represents a significant milestone in our pursuit of exhilarating performance combined with cutting-edge technology,” said Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW M GmbH. Combining a high-revving V8 engine featuring M TwinPower Turbo technology with an electric motor integrated into…

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has garnered widespread acclaim among car enthusiasts, being hailed as the most driver-focused electric vehicle (EV) currently available. BMW’s M division has taken notice, with its CEO revealing plans to introduce emulated gear shifts and fake sounds for its future EVs, following in Hyundai’s footsteps. Rather than simply enhancing the power and performance of the regular Ioniq 5, Hyundai went above and beyond when developing the first EV to bear the N badge. The vehicle features various systems and features that contribute to its exceptional driving experience, including the ability to shift through gears of…

US semiconductor manufacturer Onsemi has revealed plans to invest up to two billion US dollars in building a silicon carbide production facility in the Czech Republic. The plant will focus on producing SiC power semiconductors for electric vehicles, among other applications. The investment is contingent upon final regulatory approval and the granting of subsidies by the Czech government. The new facility is slated to be constructed on a brownfield site. Onsemi already operates in the Czech Republic, with facilities in Brno and Rožnov pod Radhoštěm producing silicon crystals as well as silicon and silicon carbide wafers. See also: Onsemi Introduces Nine…

HW Vassen will assume the role of Chief Technology Officer and Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary PowerCo on 1 August 2024. He will succeed Soonho Ahn, who is set to leave his post at the end of July. Soonho Ahn’s appointment was regarded as a significant milestone for PowerCo, as he was recruited directly from Apple, where he served as the Global Head of Battery Development. His recruitment was seen as a major success, bringing a leading battery developer from Silicon Valley to develop battery cells for cars in Salzgitter. Ahn, born in 1960, brought…

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…