Author: James Bryant

Vietnamese automaker VinFast has recently introduced its latest addition to the electric vehicle market, the 2023 VinFast VF 3. Designed specifically for the domestic market, this battery-electric mini car offers a compact and efficient solution for urban commuting. Measuring a mere 3,114 millimeters in length, the VF 3 is approximately 365 millimeters shorter than the compact Suzuki Jimny. Despite its diminutive size, VinFast assures potential buyers that the VF 3 provides ample interior space to comfortably accommodate up to five passengers. The car’s compact yet tall body design ensures sufficient ground clearance and features 16-inch wheels for enhanced stability. The…

Keolis, a public transport operator in Northern Europe, has recently been awarded a prestigious ten-year contract by the Stockholm Regional Transport Authority, Trafikförvaltningen. The contract entails the operation and maintenance of bus routes in and around Stockholm, with a remarkable focus on sustainable transportation. Under this agreement, an impressive eighty percent of the distances covered by Keolis will be served by electric buses, while the remaining vehicles will run on biodiesel. With a total value exceeding 600 million euros, the contract marks a significant milestone for Keolis and reinforces its commitment to eco-friendly transportation solutions. The network is scheduled to…

The Austrian police force has launched a significant initiative to assess the viability of electric vehicles (EVs) for their operational needs. A total of 23 electric cars, including 20 VW ID.3 and ID.4 models in both marked and unmarked versions, have been distributed to police stations in Salzburg, Lower Austria, Vienna, and Tyrol. The pilot project, set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023, aims to evaluate the suitability of EVs for various police operations. Franz Ruf, the Director General for Public Safety, expressed the police force’s commitment to promoting sustainability and exploring emission-free alternatives. By adopting EVs, the…

Eve Energy, a Chinese lithium battery manufacturer, has announced plans to invest over $1 billion in a battery plant in Hungary, aiming to expand its presence in international markets. The board of directors has given the green light to its subsidiary, EVE Power Hungary Kft, to construct a large-scale cylindrical battery project for passenger cars in Debrecen, Hungary. The investment is expected to reach up to RMB 9.97 billion ($1.4 billion). The project is scheduled to take four years to complete and will contribute to enhancing Eve Energy’s global industrial footprint while facilitating its overseas operations. The company aims to…

Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot SAE Level 3 technology has been granted conditional certification in California, making it the second state in the US, after Nevada, to approve the use of the advanced driving system. The California regulators have given the green light for the system to be implemented in Mercedes-Benz’s EQS Sedan and S-Class vehicles, making the automaker the first to introduce a SAE Level 3 system in a production car for public freeway use in the state. Beginning in late 2023, customers will be able to receive the first vehicles equipped with Drive Pilot, with the option becoming available for…

Aerospace and Defense company BAE Systems has secured a significant contract to provide its Gen3 electric drive system to Nova Bus, a subsidiary of Volvo Group. The order encompasses an impressive 1,229 electric buses, making it the largest battery electric bus order in North America to date. The electric buses, equipped with BAE Systems’ advanced drive units, will be utilized by the 10 transit authorities affiliated with the Association du Transport Urbain du Quebec (ATUQ). These transit authorities represent a staggering 99 percent of public transportation in major urban centers across the province of Quebec, Canada. Nova Bus, responsible for…

Fisker  the American automaker, has announced its intention to enter the Chinese market by selling and potentially manufacturing its flagship Ocean SUV in the country. Executives from the company recently visited Shanghai to explore collaboration opportunities, resulting in plans to open a delivery center later this year and commence Ocean SUV deliveries in 2024. The introduction of the Ocean SUV has been a significant milestone for Fisker Inc. as it expands its global electric vehicle (EV) presence. Although US reservation holders are still awaiting their deliveries, European drivers have begun receiving their Ocean SUVs. With two more production models in…

Volkswagen, the German automaker, is undertaking a significant reorganization of its production operations in China. The company plans to create space for the production of electric vehicles (EVs) by consolidating its manufacturing processes. As part of this restructuring, the assembly of combustion models will be relocated from the Anting plant to other facilities. The German publication Handelsblatt, citing a company spokesperson, reported on these changes. While specific details about the reorganization remain limited, it is confirmed that SAIC Volkswagen’s main plant in Anting will be restructured from its current four-part setup to a three-part configuration. Volkswagen made these plans public…

Shenlan S7, the latest model from the Shenlan EV brand, has recently been unveiled at Changan’s factory in Nanjing, China. Following the successful launch of the Shenlan SL03, the S7 is set to be released in late June of this year. With a pre-sale price range of 169,900 – 239,900 yuan (approximately 23,900 – 33,800 USD), the Shenlan S7 will directly compete with other electric vehicles like the BYD Song Plus DM-i and Haval Xiaolong Max. The Shenlan EV brand is a collaborative effort between Changan, leading battery manufacturer CATL, and technology giant Huawei. The S7 offers consumers the choice…

In an exciting development, the highly anticipated Rimac Nevera hypercar has begun production in Zagreb, Croatia, with customers worldwide eagerly receiving their new vehicles. Among the lucky recipients is the first customer from the United Kingdom, who received their custom-built Nevera in February of this year. The delivery took place at H.R. Owen, the exclusive Rimac dealer partner in the UK. The distinguished owner of the Nevera collaborated closely with both H.R. Owen and the design team at Rimac Automobili in Croatia to create a truly unique vehicle. The car, featuring a striking bespoke shade named Nemesis Green, exudes a…

Audi, the renowned German automaker, has recently sealed a deal with its dealer network, announcing a shift towards a direct sales model for all its electric vehicles (EVs) in Germany. Commencing on January 1st, 2024, Audi’s EVs will be exclusively sold through dealers on behalf of the automaker, with fixed prices replacing the traditional system where dealers purchased vehicles from Audi and earned profits on the back end. This decision comes as Audi faces mounting pressure from direct-sales competitors such as Tesla. As reported by Automobilwoche, the agreement guarantees dealers a fixed commission of six percent on sales, accompanied by…

Elon Musk’s admiration for the employees of Giga Shanghai was made abundantly clear during his recent visit as he addressed them in a heartfelt speech. A video capturing Musk’s words has since been shared online, showcasing his appreciation for the dedicated workforce. Before concluding his trip to China, the CEO of Tesla made a special stop at Gigafactory Shanghai. Musk, accompanied by Tesla executives Grace Tao and Tom Zhu, appeared to arrive slightly behind schedule, yet photos circulating on Chinese social media platform Weibo indicated that the factory was already abuzz with activity upon their arrival. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1664330035530964996 In the recorded…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), now known as JLR, is undergoing a corporate rebranding, dividing into four distinct sub-brands as part of its new strategy. The four sub-brands are Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar, and this move aligns with the automaker’s commitment to an electric future, accompanied by a fresh logo. The aim of the rebranding and logo redesign is to unlock the full potential of each brand, embodying qualities such as elegance, modernity, and forward-thinking that define the company. This rebranding initiative is a significant step in JLR’s Reimagine strategy, which was unveiled in 2021. Central to this strategy…

In a significant move, Tesla is set to establish its presence in Thailand by unveiling a flagship showroom in the vibrant capital, Bangkok. This development comes as Tesla continues its global expansion and focuses on capturing the growing electric vehicle (EV) market in Southeast Asia. According to reliable sources cited by Nikkei Asia, Tesla has opted to renovate a prominent former Toyota showroom in the city to serve as its base of operations. The chosen site is a remarkable five-floor facility that will not only house a range of Tesla vehicles but also feature essential amenities such as Tesla Superchargers,…

Tesla has recently announced an expansion of its discount offers for several vehicle models, including the popular Model 3 and Model Y. This move comes as Tesla faces economic uncertainties, heightened competition, and prepares for the upcoming redesign of its flagship Model 3. In an effort to entice buyers and address the prevailing market challenges, Tesla has doubled the discounts on select pre-made Model 3 electric cars. For instance, a specific Model 3 variant available in Tesla’s U.S. inventory was recently priced at $42,060, reflecting a substantial discount of $2,680 when compared to the cost of newly ordered vehicles. Notably,…

Geely, a Chinese automaker, is reportedly in the early stages of planning its entry into Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) market. According to reliable sources familiar with the matter, Geely is currently considering various models for importation and local manufacturing. Sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Geely is deliberating the possibility of introducing an entry-level electric car in Thailand, as well as an electric pickup truck under its new Radar brand. However, a representative from Geely’s media department declined to comment on these discussions and provided no further details regarding any potential investments in the country. In…

In a captivating turn of events, Scout Motors has taken a significant stride forward in the electric era. The company recently announced the appointment of Chris Benjamin, a prominent designer known for his work on the interior style of various Jeep and Ram models under the Stellantis umbrella. Benjamin will now assume the role of Chief Design Officer at Scout, tasked with leading the design efforts for their robust, multi-purpose electric truck and SUV. As the steward of the iconic Scout design, Benjamin will oversee the development of both interior and exterior designs, concept ideation, user experience considerations, and the…

UK-based autonomous vehicle software developer Oxbotica has undergone a rebranding and is now known as Oxa. This strategic move signifies the company’s progression into the next phase of its growth, as it aims to expand its presence in North America and Europe. Oxa specializes in providing businesses with comprehensive tools to deploy autonomy in their operations safely, securely, and efficiently. Its offerings encompass the software that drives the vehicles, proprietary generative AI tools that accelerate deployment through Oxa MetaDriver, and cloud-based solutions for fleet management with Oxa Hub. The versatility of Oxa’s platform allows it to cater to various industries,…

Volkswagen (VW) is set to make a grand entrance with its highly anticipated long-wheelbase model of the ID. Buzz, specifically designed for the North American market. The official unveiling is scheduled for June 2, and as a final teaser, the company has released an image showcasing the vehicle’s front. While the teaser doesn’t reveal much, it confirms that the design remains similar to the existing ID. Buzz model with a slightly shorter wheelbase, which has already been launched in other regions. This aligns with the rumors circulating about the extended wheelbase version. Essentially, it is expected to resemble the shorter-wheelbase…

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) has taken another step towards sustainable public transportation by ordering seven hydrogen fuel cell buses from New Flyer, a subsidiary of NFI Group. The procurement is supported by funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and includes an option for up to 100 more buses under a five-year contract. The new H2 buses, the Xcelsior Charge FC in the 18-metre version, will be used on the Maryland Parkway, a 13-mile bus rapid transit route in Las Vegas. This route is designed to expand bus service, reduce air pollution, and enhance passengers’ comfort,…