Author: Andy Williams

Chinese automaker BYD’s premium brand, Yangwang, has unveiled a groundbreaking electric concept car and a high-performance supercar platform at the Guangzhou Auto Show, showcasing some of its most advanced technologies. The concept car is based on BYD’s e⁴ technology, featuring an innovative approach with no traditional steering or brakes. The e⁴ integrates drive, brake, and steering functions, allowing the vehicle to brake and steer without relying on traditional mechanical systems. Yangwang emphasizes the safety redundancy provided by this quad-motor independent drive technology, ensuring basic driving capability even if only a single motor is operational. Each motor in the concept car…

Enthusiasts on Lucid Forum shared images of what appears to be a Lucid electric pickup truck, sparking speculation about the company’s possible foray into the truck segment. Lucid Motors, recognized for its groundbreaking electric vehicles, has faced typical startup challenges, including issues with sales, cash flow, and costs. The photographs reveal a clay model truck positioned alongside a vehicle believed to be the upcoming Gravity SUV, set to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Lucid, however, remains tight-lipped about the prospect of an electric pickup, with a spokesperson declining to comment on future products. https://twitter.com/Dean13151/status/1724078916015411222?s=20 The design of the…

Polestar has revised its delivery forecast for the current calendar year, lowering expectations to around 60,000 vehicles for 2023. This represents a reduction from the initial target of 80,000 sales set in May and a further adjustment from the range of 60,000 to 70,000 announced last month. The company disclosed this information alongside its third-quarter financial results, noting a slight decrease in deliveries compared to the second quarter. In Q3, Polestar delivered 13,976 vehicles, reflecting a 51% increase year-on-year but falling short of the 15,765 vehicles delivered in Q2. While the specifics behind the decline were not elaborated upon, it…

Lucid Group, Inc. has announced the appointment of Marc Winterhoff as its inaugural Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective December 4, 2023. In his new role, Winterhoff will report directly to Lucid’s CEO and CTO, Peter Rawlinson. Winterhoff, expressing his enthusiasm, stated, “I couldn’t be more excited to join Lucid and be part of such a stellar group. The incredible products Lucid has created and brought to market inspire technologists and car lovers everywhere, and I am honored to be part of the team.” Peter Rawlinson, the CEO and CTO of Lucid Group, welcomed Winterhoff, emphasizing his operational expertise and keen…

Talaria, a notable player in the electric trail bike segment, has made a bold move by introducing its latest model, the Talaria Dragon. This new addition signifies a notable departure from the recreational trail bike category and firmly plants the company in the realm of full-fledged electric dirt bikes. Recently showcased at the EICMA 2023 Milan Motorcycle Show, the Talaria Dragon has garnered significant attention, offering an impressive upgrade over its predecessor, the Talaria XXX. The Talaria XXX, renowned for its impressive specifications, featured a 6 kW peak motor and a top speed of nearly 50 mph (80 km/h). However,…

ChargePoint, a player in the electric vehicle (EV) charging space, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing one million quarterly active drivers. To celebrate this achievement and reward its customers, the company has introduced a comprehensive overhaul of its mobile app. Established in 2007 during the nascent days of the EV industry, ChargePoint ($CHPT) has evolved into one of the largest EV charging networks worldwide. With a track record of delivering over 145 million combined charging sessions to EV drivers across North America and Europe, ChargePoint remains a veteran in the field. While competitors like Tesla and Electrify America hold…

Hyundai is extending its enticing promotion, granting customers a complimentary EV charger when purchasing or leasing certain electric vehicle models. The offer encompasses the 2023 or 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, along with the 2023 Kona electric. Originally introduced by Hyundai in September, this promotion includes a free ChargePoint L2 Home Flex EV charger, valued at $549 MSRP, along with a substantial $600 installation credit through Hyundai Home. The incentive structure is comparable to General Motors’ $1,000 arrangement with Qmerit for the Chevy Bolt. However, Hyundai’s offer provides even more in terms of credit value, appealing to potential…

Lucid Motors recently unveiled its Q3 2023 earnings, signaling ongoing challenges as the company faces financial headwinds. Notably, the results failed to meet market expectations, adding to a series of setbacks throughout the year. The electric vehicle manufacturer also announced a second downward revision to its 2023 production targets. In the financial arena, Lucid’s Q3 revenue came in at $137.8 million, falling significantly short of Wall Street’s projected figure of $183.8 million. This figure marked a 29.5% decline from the revenue Lucid reported during the same quarter the previous year. On a more positive note, the company’s loss per share…

In October, new passenger car registrations in the United Kingdom saw a substantial year-over-year increase of 14 percent, reaching a total of 153,529 units. This surge marks the 15th consecutive month of growth for the UK automotive market. As of October, the year-to-date total number of new car registrations reached an impressive 1,605,437 units, reflecting a nearly 20 percent year-over-year increase. A significant contributor to this growth is the rapid expansion of plug-in electric cars, which have managed to slightly increase their market share. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 38,228 new plug-in cars…

General Motors’ recent decision to halt production of the Chevrolet Bolt, despite the model’s strong sales performance, has raised questions within the automotive industry. However, a swift reversal of that decision has GM eyeing a new, still-affordable Bolt, and the latest hints suggest that its production might be shifting to Fairfax, Kansas, instead of Michigan’s Orion Assembly. The United Auto Workers’ (UAW) tentative agreement with GM, recently posted on the UAW’s website, provides insights into the investment commitments secured during negotiations. Notably, the document includes a $391 million allocation for a “future electric vehicle” at the Fairfax Assembly plant in…

A woodworking master from Vietnam has taken the world by storm by completing a functioning wooden replica of the Tesla Cybertruck. This astounding creation, showcased on the YouTube channel “ND – Woodworking Art,” has garnered the admiration of 2.62 million subscribers who are captivated by the intricate wooden vehicles this artisan produces. While the official reason behind these wooden wonders is ostensibly for the craftsman’s son, one can’t help but wonder if it’s also a clever strategy to navigate the algorithms of YouTube, which tend to favor repetitive content. The wooden Cybertruck, an exceptional addition to the artisan’s portfolio, stands…

Natalie Knight, the Chief Financial Officer of Stellantis, has announced that the eagerly awaited next-generation Peugeot 5008 is scheduled to make its debut in August 2024, with an electric version included in its lineup. This revelation follows Peugeot’s earlier confirmation of its plans to introduce an electric version of the 5008 earlier this year. The upcoming 5008 has been making headlines, with our spy photographers capturing glimpses of the vehicle undergoing testing, both in its internal combustion engine (ICE) guise in August and in electric prototype form in September. Just like its smaller sibling, the Peugeot 3008, the new 5008…

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has unveiled further details regarding its tentative agreement with automotive giant Stellantis. The agreement is packed with future product plans and a substantial $3 billion investment, promising to reshape the landscape of the American automotive industry. The standout revelation is the resurrection of the Belvidere assembly plant, formerly idled but now set to receive a $1.5 billion infusion. This revitalized facility is poised to become a production hub for mid-size trucks in 2027. Among these trucks, industry insiders anticipate the arrival of a successor to the Ram Dakota. The plant’s annual production target is…

Subaru has recently entered into an agreement with Tesla to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its upcoming battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This strategic move by Subaru is aligned with the broader industry trend of major automakers, including Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and many others, embracing the NACS as a standard for their future EV models. Under this agreement, Subaru will begin implementing NACS charging ports in its Subaru-branded BEVs set to debut in the North American market from 2025 onward. While Subaru will still offer BEVs equipped with the CCS (Combined Charging System), they will also incorporate adapters…

A brief video clip featuring the Tesla Cybertruck’s powered front trunk lid has surfaced on the X platform, shedding light on a previously elusive aspect of the vehicle. The clip, posted by the user @gx47006YT, provides a glimpse of how the front trunk lid can be closed without any physical contact. While rumors and photos of a powered mechanism for the Cybertruck’s frunk lid have circulated online in the past, this video marks the first visual confirmation of the system in action. It’s important to note that the GIF shared on X captures only a few seconds of the trunk…

Aachen-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Next.e.GO Mobile has unveiled plans to build three new microfactories in Europe and the U.S. over the next few years. This expansion comes ahead of the company’s listing on the Nasdaq exchange on Friday. CEO Ali Vezvaei revealed the plans, stating that in addition to a planned facility in North Macedonia slated for 2024, the company aims to construct another European plant and one in the U.S., to benefit from the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act’s subsidies. Each microfactory, costing around $60 million, is designed to be highly automated and capable of producing approximately 30,000 EVs…

Engineering and development service provider, FEV, has unveiled its latest venture aimed at advancing battery cell testing. The company has inaugurated a new battery cell laboratory at its Aachen site, with operations set to commence before the close of 2023. The primary focus of this state-of-the-art facility will be the thorough analysis and benchmarking of battery cells, with a keen emphasis on performance, longevity, and safety characteristics. Additionally, the laboratory will facilitate cell development initiatives, as indicated in a statement by the company. Operations are expected to kick off later this year. FEV’s on-site team will be responsible for disassembling…

Kia Motors has announced an expansion of its 2024 EV6 lineup in the United States, introducing two new trim levels in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (e-AWD) configurations. These additions come as Kia aims to cement its presence in the growing electric vehicle (EV) market. The first among the new offerings is the 2024 EV6 Light Long Range RWD, featuring 225 horsepower and a 77.4 kWh battery. This model is positioned between the Light and Wind trims within the EV6 lineup and is priced at $45,950, excluding a $1,325 destination fee. The vehicle’s range is estimated at 310…

Mazda Motor Corporation is refocusing its efforts on electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States, with new models slated for launch as early as 2025, according to a report from Japan’s Nikkei. The automaker recently discontinued its sole EV, the MX-30, in the American market to concentrate on its hybrid and plug-in hybrid offerings like the CX-50 Hybrid, CX-70 PHEV, and CX-90 PHEV. “In a pivot from a previous strategy, the company will produce these upcoming EVs in Japan and export them to the United States,” the report states. The decision is risky because these Japan-made EVs may not qualify…

Toyota Motor and LG Energy Solution have inked a significant supply agreement for lithium-ion batteries, set to power Toyota’s U.S.-manufactured electric vehicles starting in 2025. This partnership marks a strategic move to tap into the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market, propelled by legislative incentives, most notably the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Under the terms of the agreement, LG Energy Solution will channel a substantial $3 billion investment into its Holland, Michigan battery facility, dedicated to supplying Toyota’s Kentucky plant with cutting-edge battery technology. This investment will fuel dedicated production lines, ensuring the seamless integration of advanced batteries into Toyota’s…