Author: James Bryant

Zoox co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Jesse Levinson cast doubt on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, questioning its readiness for unsupervised driving during an interview at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference. Levinson’s comments come as Zoox, an Amazon-owned company, initiates its first driverless ride-hailing services in two U.S. cities. Levinson suggested that Tesla lacks the necessary technology for fully autonomous driving without human intervention. “The more fundamental issue is they don’t have technology that works,” Levinson remarked. “By works, I want to differentiate between a driver assistance system that drives most of the time — except when it doesn’t, and then…

Mazda is on pace to reach a record-breaking 400,000 vehicle sales in the United States this year, buoyed by strong demand for its SUV lineup, and is optimistic that this growth trajectory will extend into 2025, despite tempering its sales projections. This milestone would mark a significant achievement for Mazda, whose U.S. sales surged 23% last year to 363,354 units. The automaker delivered 313,452 vehicles through September, a 15% increase over the same period in 2023, driven largely by its new CX-70 and CX-90 SUVs and increased production of the CX-50 at its Alabama plant, a joint venture with Toyota.…

Hyundai  is set to enhance its presence in Japan, a market that has historically posed challenges for the South Korean automaker, by focusing on small electric vehicles (EVs). Chief Executive Chang Jae-hoon announced this strategy on Monday, revealing plans to launch an electric model of the Casper, Hyundai’s smallest sport utility vehicle, in the first half of this year, primarily through online sales channels. “It’s not easy to penetrate the Japanese market, but we’ll continue to sell high-quality electric vehicles online,” Chang stated during a presentation at the Global Management Dialogue 2024 forum, hosted by Nikkei and Swiss business school…

Lucid Motors’ 2025 Air electric sedan has been awarded the highest possible safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), according to a press release issued Tuesday. The luxury EV achieved a five-star rating in the agency’s New Car Assessment Program, which assessed crashworthiness and advanced safety features on approximately 87 percent of new models, including 37 vehicles with eight being electric or hybrid. The NHTSA evaluation included extensive tests on frontal, side, and rollover crash performance, along with selected advanced driver assistance systems. Eric Bach, Lucid’s Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer, highlighted the company’s…

Mitsubishi is set to expand its European lineup with the introduction of two new compact SUVs, which will be locally manufactured by Groupe Renault. According to the company, one model will be an electric vehicle (EV), while the other will feature internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid powertrain options. Both models are slated for launch in 2025. In a recent teaser image, the two SUVs were shown alongside Mitsubishi’s existing European lineup, with speculation suggesting that the model on the left may be the Mitsubishi equivalent of the Renault Symbioz. This vehicle shares many design elements with the Mitsubishi ASX…

Freyr Battery has announced that it will receive a grant of €122 million from the European Union Innovation Fund (EUIF) to support a potential joint venture for the production of cathode material in Vaasa, Finland. The proposed project aims to establish an industrial-scale lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material plant with an initial nominal capacity of 30,000 tonnes per year. Freyr’s CEO, Tom Einar Jensen, expressed gratitude for the grant, stating, “We are very grateful to be selected for this grant award from the EU Innovation Fund, which demonstrates the EU’s continued support for Freyr’s ongoing industrialization efforts of sustainable…

Navier, a Bay Area startup specializing in maritime electrification, has reached a significant milestone by commencing commercial production of its flagship electric hydrofoiling boat, the N30. The company has successfully delivered its first model, the N30 Pioneer Edition, to a customer in California, marking a swift accomplishment just 2.5 years after unveiling its initial prototype. Founded by two MIT alumni, Navier aims to revolutionize watercraft design by integrating hydrofoils, electrification, advanced composites, and intelligent software to create a sustainable vessel that drastically reduces running costs by up to 90%. The N30 is recognized as the first all-electric hydrofoiling boat in…

Canoo  has secured Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) certificates for its Right-Hand Drive (RHD) electric delivery vans in the UK, enabling the company to move forward with pilot testing of its LDV 130 and LDV 190 models with a prominent fleet partner. This certification confirms that Canoo’s vehicles meet UK safety and environmental standards, allowing them to be legally registered for operation in the country. The IVA certification process was completed in three months, requiring less than 2% modification to the original U.S.-certified Bill of Materials (BoM). This streamlined approval reflects Canoo’s flexible engineering, as most modified parts are shared between…

Stellantis, the multinational automotive group, has launched its new subsidiary, Free2Move Charge, which offers access to over 800,000 charging stations across 29 European countries. The service, known as ‘Free2Move Charge Go,’ is part of Stellantis’s broader strategy to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and energy management. This new initiative follows the announcement of the Free2Move Charge ecosystem last year, which encompasses home, business, and public charging solutions. With the introduction of Free2Move Charge Go, Stellantis has rolled out the second of its three strategic pillars, alongside ‘Free2Move Charge Home’ and the upcoming ‘Free2Move Charge Business.’ Free2Move Charge Go provides…

Stellantis has announced a significant investment of $29.5 million to upgrade its wind tunnel at the Auburn Hills research and technical center by incorporating Moving Ground Plane (MGP) technology. This enhancement aims to reduce drag and improve the aerodynamics of electric vehicles (EVs), ultimately enhancing their driving range and efficiency. The MGP technology allows for the simulation of real-world travel conditions, making aerodynamic testing more precise and expediting the development process of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The upgraded wind tunnel, equipped with MGP technology, will enhance the ability to measure and minimize airflow resistance, particularly from wheels and tires, which…

Anthro Energy has been awarded a $24.9 million grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to enhance the domestic battery supply chain, marking a key step toward bolstering US electric vehicle (EV) production and clean energy efforts. The funding, granted through the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, is part of the Biden administration’s broader initiative under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize infrastructure and foster clean energy innovation. With this grant, Anthro Energy will repurpose an existing site in Louisville, Kentucky, to create the nation’s first large-scale, US-owned advanced electrolyte production facility. Advanced electrolytes play a crucial…

Mercedes-Benz and BMW have launched the initial phase of a fast-charging network across China through their joint venture, Ionchi, with the first seven fast-charging stations now operational. By the end of 2026, the companies plan to establish 1,000 charging parks across 100 Chinese cities, amounting to a total of 7,000 charging points. Following regulatory approval from European competition authorities in early 2024, Mercedes-Benz Group China and BMW Brilliance Automotive formed Ionchi, a 50-50 joint venture. The initial fast-charging stations are located in Beijing, Qingdao, and Nanjing, each offering liquid-cooled chargers with a capacity of up to 600 kW, supporting a…

The Chinese government has reportedly advised domestic automakers to temporarily halt expansion efforts in Europe due to the European Union’s planned import tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) made in China. Sources close to the matter indicate that automakers have been encouraged to delay seeking European production sites and refrain from signing new agreements, while adopting a low-profile stance as Beijing negotiates with the EU on the tariff issue. The guidance, described as non-mandatory, comes after the European Commission announced plans to raise tariffs on Chinese-made EVs by up to 45%, on top of the existing 10% rate, following support from…

General Motors (GM) has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding reports of poor phone call quality in its recently launched all-electric Chevy Blazer EV. The issue, which affects Bluetooth-connected calls, could impact all 2024 and 2025 models. According to the GM memo, some drivers have reported that while sound quality is adequate for the person inside the vehicle, it can be muted or muffled for the call’s recipient. GM attributes the issue to a potential backward installation of the microphone, which may prevent sound from properly reaching the device due to misaligned microphone holes. Owners experiencing this…

The 2025 model year Ford E-Transit electric van has officially entered the U.S. market, offering competitive pricing and several incentives for buyers, including a $2,000 rebate for charging infrastructure. The new E-Transit models are priced at approximately $51,000, aligning closely with the cost of gas-powered Transit models. Additionally, these electric vans qualify for a federal tax credit of $7,500 designated for commercial vehicles. Ford’s electric van lineup also includes the 2025 E-Transit Chassis Cab and Cutaway models, priced at $46,200 and $47,700, respectively. To enhance functionality, the Ford E-Transit vehicles offer several optional packages tailored to various trades. The $4,370…

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast announced on Tuesday that it delivered 21,912 EVs in the third quarter of 2024, marking a 66% increase from the previous quarter. The surge in deliveries was largely driven by strong domestic sales, with over 9,300 EVs delivered in Vietnam during September, the company’s highest monthly delivery record in the country. Despite the strong growth, VinFast has faced financial challenges amid its overseas expansion efforts. Last month, the company reported a larger second-quarter loss, attributing it to rising costs linked to international expansion and impairment charges. However, its revenue rose during the period. VinFast has…

Stellantis has partnered with energy software company Kaluza to offer direct-to-vehicle smart charging solutions across its electric vehicle (EV) lineup. This collaboration enables Stellantis EV owners to benefit from managed charging services that optimize energy usage, reduce costs, and alleviate pressure on the energy grid, without the need for additional hardware. Kaluza’s platform integrates directly with Stellantis vehicles, offering drivers more affordable and environmentally friendly charging options. The partnership allows Stellantis drivers to charge their vehicles during periods when energy is greener and less expensive, reducing the cost of EV ownership. Kaluza’s telematics expertise ensures seamless integration, eliminating the need…

Hyundai has introduced a new leasing option for its popular Ioniq 5 electric vehicle (EV), presenting a compelling offer that surpasses Tesla’s current 0% APR financing for the Model Y. The new 13-month close-end lease, designed for flexibility and convenience, allows customers to upgrade their vehicle annually, similar to the phone upgrade models used by carriers. The Ioniq 5 lease deal is notable for its affordability. With no down payment required, drivers can lease the SE RWD trim, offering 303 miles of range, for $399 per month. The lease lasts 13 months, with zero security deposit, and $399 due at…

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), a subsidiary of the South Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group, has successfully completed its listing on the Indian stock market. The initial public offering (IPO), held on October 22 at the Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai, raised 4.5 trillion won, making it the largest IPO in India’s stock market history. The listing ceremony attracted around 250 attendees, including key figures such as Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, Hyundai Motor President Jang Jae-hoon, Vice President of India and Middle East Operations Kim Eun-soo, and India COO Tarun Garg. Priced at 1,960 rupees per share…

Tesla is introducing a feature that allows owners to transfer their Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities from a previous vehicle to the upcoming Cybertruck. This development enables customers who have purchased FSD for an existing Tesla vehicle to apply that investment toward the all-electric pickup, potentially saving them thousands of dollars. Previously, Tesla required owners to buy the Full Self-Driving suite outright when purchasing a new vehicle, which met with dissatisfaction from those who had already invested up to $15,000 in the semi-autonomous technology. In response to customer feedback, Tesla began offering the option to transfer FSD between vehicles last year,…