Author: Andy Williams

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…

Hyundai Motor America announced robust sales figures for the month of September, showcasing a notable uptick in its performance in the United States automotive market. The company reported a total of 68,961 vehicle sales for the month, marking a substantial 16 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Furthermore, the year-to-date results displayed a commendable 13 percent year-over-year growth, totaling 595,147 units. One of the highlights of Hyundai’s success story is its strong performance in the electric vehicle (EV) segment. The Korean automaker’s EV offerings, based on the Hyundai E-GMP platform, notably the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6,…

Toyota, in alignment with its heightened focus on electrification, is reportedly working on an upcoming ‘baby’ SUV in collaboration with Suzuki. While specific details remain limited, this electric vehicle (EV) is rumored to make its debut in 2025 and may potentially be based on the Toyota bZ Small Crossover Concept, a part of Toyota’s broader electrification strategy. The close partnership between Toyota and Suzuki has involved mutual vehicle rebadging and technology sharing to meet market demands across the globe. Numerous collaborative projects between the two automakers are already available in regions spanning Europe, India, South Africa, and Southeast Asia. According…

Tesla, the pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer, has released its production and delivery figures for the third quarter of 2023, revealing that it fell short of setting a new quarterly record by approximately 20,000 deliveries. With a total of 435,059 global deliveries encompassing the Model Y, Model 3, Model S, and Model X, Tesla’s performance in Q3 raised eyebrows, especially following its record-breaking Q2 2023, when it achieved 466,140 car deliveries. Breaking down the Q3 2023 figures, Tesla reported 419,074 deliveries for the Model 3 and Model Y, while the combined deliveries for the Model S and Model X reached just…

Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) industry leader, has embarked on a strategic collaboration with JD.com, a prominent e-commerce platform in China. This move signals a significant shift in Tesla’s sales strategy, as it seeks to tap into the potential of direct car sales through online channels. The partnership represents a new approach by Tesla in expanding its customer reach in the Chinese market. Tesla’s venture into online car sales traces back to 2014 when the company initiated its flagship store on Tmall, offering direct purchase options for its Model S vehicles. However, this initial endeavor was short-lived, marred by internal…