Author: Michael Khan

Kia, the South Korean automaker, has reported impressive growth in its global vehicle sales in February 2023, with a year-over-year increase of almost 15 percent to 254,027 units. The company’s total vehicle sales this year have also seen significant growth, with over 485,000 vehicles sold, representing a nearly 12 percent increase over the same period last year. In addition to strong overall sales, Kia has also seen an expansion in sales of its E-GMP-based all-electric cars. The all-electric Kia EV6, in particular, has seen a significant increase in wholesale sales, with 8,824 units sold last month. This represents a 30…

The Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) has embarked on a groundbreaking new project, EMPOWER, to develop two zero-emission 40-ton trucks in collaboration with 13 partners across Europe. The €18 million project, which stands for Eco-operated, Modular, and Flexible Multi-POWERtrain for Long-Haul Heavy-Duty Vehicles, was launched at AIT’s headquarters in Vienna, with representatives from all partners in attendance. EMPOWER’s goal is to create two heavy-duty electric vehicles with a range of 750 km powered by hydrogen and a range of 400 km powered solely by a battery. These vehicles will be tested in five long-haul and regional distribution use cases, including…

South Korean automaker SsangYong Motor has released the first official images of its highly-anticipated electric SUV, the Torres EVX. The vehicle is set to debut at the upcoming 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, alongside a plethora of other concept and production vehicles. Previously known as the U100 project, the Torres EVX’s name is a combination of “EV” (electric vehicle) and “X” (extreme), emphasizing the model’s adventurous character. The EVX boasts a redesigned front end, featuring a slim LED daytime running light bar in place of the traditional grille found on its combustion engine-powered counterpart. See also: SsangYong solves the financial problem,…

Luxury automaker Genesis has announced that its entire electric vehicle lineup will be sold at all Genesis dealerships. The company aims to achieve this goal well before it goes completely battery-electric by 2030. The statement was made during the launch of the brand’s first all-electric vehicle, the Genesis Electrified GV70. Jarred Pellat, Senior Manager for PR and Communications of Genesis North America, stated that the expansion of Genesis’ EV sales is carefully planned to ensure product availability. The company is making sure that dealers are fully onboard and going through the EV certification process. Pellat confirmed that Genesis EVs will…

Volvo Trucks has announced the launch of three heavy battery electric trucks for sale in South Korea, making it the first global manufacturer to offer such vehicles in the country. The move aligns with South Korea’s national plan to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with a focus on electrifying road transport to cut CO2 emissions. Per-Erik Lindström, Senior Vice President of Volvo Trucks International, stated that the company’s decision to sell heavy electric trucks in South Korea is based on the country’s 22% market share for heavy-duty trucks, and the company’s role in lowering the transport…

The Quebec government has made a significant move towards a greener future with its announcement of a $60 million investment to install 367 new DC fast charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs). This will bring the total number of charging stations in the province to over 1,200. As per the Environment Minister Benoit Charette, the 367 new charging stations will have a capacity of 100 kilowatts (kW) or more, and will be added to Hydro-Québec’s Circuit électrique network at 131 locations across the province. The move is in line with the government’s Plan for a Green Economy 2030 (PEV 2030),…

Mercedes-Benz, the luxury car manufacturer, has disclosed further details of its plans to build its own High Performance Computing (HPC) network across North America, Europe, and China. The development is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2023 in the United States, Germany, and France. According to Franz Reiner, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Mobility, the first 20 charging parks, each equipped with multiple charging points, are set to be installed in the US this year. However, no precise figures were given for Europe. It remains unclear whether Europe will have more or fewer charging parks than the US. Mercedes-Benz announced…

Tesla has recently unveiled its latest addition to the Model S vehicles: a high-visibility glass roof, which has been introduced alongside a discreet update to the Model S and Model X. While Tesla’s new hardware 4.0 Autopilot and Self-Driving sensors and computer integration is believed to be the primary reason for the discreet refresh, the automaker has also included a few additional features in the new models. See also: Upcoming Tesla Cybertruck Electric Pickup Come With Hardware 4 Tesla’s email to its customers announcing the updates highlighted several changes, including the introduction of a “high-visibility glass roof” to the Model…

Lucid Motors has chosen Orange Business as its preferred European partner for its next-generation in-vehicle connectivity and digital expertise. This announcement follows Lucid’s plans to expand its operations in Europe, offering infotainment and telematics connectivity to consumers, with Orange Business providing seamless pan-European IoT and internet connectivity for Lucid’s software-defined vehicles. Orange Business has helped Lucid to orchestrate the customer journey in Europe, simplifying and navigating complex regulatory requirements. In addition, the company is now directly integrated into Lucid’s manufacturing supply chain and helped them adapt connectivity test procedures for vehicles delivered into Europe. See also: Orange EV Brings Electric…

Scout Motors, the off-road brand owned by Volkswagen Group, announced on Friday that it will invest $2 billion to construct a manufacturing facility for trucks and SUVs in Columbia, South Carolina. This move is in line with VW’s plan to reintroduce the Scout brand in the United States, offering new electric pickup and SUV models. The investment is expected to create over 4,000 permanent jobs, with the facility having the capacity to produce more than 200,000 Scout vehicles annually. Groundbreaking is scheduled for mid-2023, and production is projected to begin by the end of 2026. At present, Scout is an…

Volkswagen (VW) is reportedly planning to reduce the base list price of its revised ID.3 below the 40,000 euro threshold, according to German media. The ID.3 is currently available in Germany starting from 43,995 euros, but VW’s aim is to bring the cost down. The price increase was introduced in December, following a streamlining of the ID.3 range and announcement of a revised version. The new edition was recently launched, but the price remains undisclosed. The starting price for ID.3 Pro with a 58 kWh battery currently stands at 43,995 euros. Reports suggest that VW wants to lower the price…

Daimler Buses, a division of Daimler Truck AG, has announced that its plant in Mannheim, Germany, will be transformed into a centre of competence for e-city buses, with a focus on producing electrically powered city buses and component production starting in 2024. The move is part of an agreement between the company’s management and the works council of EvoBus GmbH on the future of the German locations. The plant currently produces the Citaro and the electric eCitaro version. Daimler Buses plans to invest around €150 million in its two German plants by the end of the decade. The Neu-Ulm site…