Author: Miguel Garcia

Xpeng is encountering difficulties with its shift to a more dealer-dependent sales model, with its sales team undergoing new staffing adjustments, according to a recent report. Former Xpeng vice president Gu Yuanqin has assumed the role of head of sales, taking over from Wang Tong, the previous head of sales, as reported by local media outlet Jiemian, citing multiple sources. Gu, 63, previously contributed to the development of Xpeng’s lane-level navigation and positioning system at his prior company. Wang Tong, who previously oversaw key account sales operations, took on the role of head of sales when Xpeng merged its direct…

Tesla has informed vehicle owners that new models will no longer support Steam Gaming, a feature that was launched with the Model S and Model X in December 2022 as part of the annual Holiday Update. Steam, a popular gaming platform known for its extensive library of games, was integrated into Tesla vehicles nearly two years ago, a move that CEO Elon Musk highlighted as a significant development in the Summer of 2022. Despite its initial introduction, Tesla has now notified owners that their vehicles will lose Steam capability. In a communication prior to delivery, an owner of a new…

The U.S. Department of Commerce intends to issue proposed rules this autumn regarding Chinese connected vehicles, citing national security risks to Americans’ data. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the seriousness of these risks, noting that connected cars have onboard integrated network hardware that allows internet access, potentially sharing sensitive data with entities both inside and outside the vehicle. Raimondo stated, “The national security risks are quite significant… We decided to take action because this is really serious stuff.” She highlighted that Chinese-made cars, with software controlled from Beijing, could collect data on drivers’ whereabouts, driving patterns, and even conversations within…

Chinese automaker BYD made a significant move into the North American market with the unveiling of its new mid-size hybrid-electric pickup truck, the Shark, in Mexico on Tuesday. This launch marks the first time the world’s largest electric-vehicle (EV) maker has introduced a new product outside of China. Stella Li, Chief of Americas at BYD, highlighted Mexico’s rapid growth in pickup truck demand as a key factor in selecting the country for the Shark’s debut. She emphasized that the Shark addresses common drawbacks of traditional pickups, such as high fuel consumption, poor handling, and control. The Shark, exclusively available in…

In a recent study commissioned by Ideal Power, concerning insights have emerged regarding the experiences of electric vehicle (EV) owners, shedding light on lingering concerns despite the technological advancements in EV range capabilities. One striking finding reveals that 16% of EV owners have experienced completely depleting their battery charge, underscoring the persistence of range anxiety among users. Additionally, the study found that 44% of EV owners reported that range anxiety had a negative impact on their overall satisfaction with owning an electric vehicle. The availability of charging stations also emerged as a significant concern, with 75% of EV owners reporting…

Motional, a self-driving technology company, announced on Tuesday a temporary halt to its robotaxi deployments with ride-hailing firms Uber Technologies and Lyft. This decision is part of a broader restructuring process aimed at intensifying focus on technology development. Motional’s move coincides with the impending unveiling of Tesla’s robotaxi, the “Cybercab,” on August 8, and reflects a broader trend among legacy automakers to trim spending on expensive autonomous driving technology amidst regulatory and safety challenges. CEO Karl Iagnemma stressed the deliberate pace of driverless vehicle deployment, stating, “Large-scale driverless deployment will not happen overnight. Driverless vehicles will enter the market when…

Lithium producer Rock Tech Lithium’s hopes for federal funding to support its lithium converter project in Guben, Germany, have been dashed, according to a report from Handelsblatt. The company, a German-Canadian venture headquartered in Vancouver, is now turning to the state of Brandenburg for financial assistance. CEO Dirk Harbecke revealed that Rock Tech received an unexpected rejection notice from the Federal Ministry of Economics on Monday. The company had been banking on funding from the ‘Resilience and Sustainability of the Battery Cell Production Ecosystem’ initiative, part of the ‘Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework’ by the EU Commission. Rock Tech’s Guben…

Lucid Motors reported a net loss of $684.7 million in the first quarter, a slight improvement from the previous year’s $779.5 million loss, despite achieving a turnover of $172.7 million with 1,967 electric cars delivered. The company anticipates investing $1.5 billion in 2024, up from $910.6 million in 2023, largely due to the planned production start-up of its two-model Gravity. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, a key investor in Lucid, injected an additional $1 billion into the company. This investment, along with Lucid’s sales momentum and focus on cost reduction, has bolstered the company’s cash reserves, which stood at…

Tesla has announced the launch of two new customization options for its Cybertruck, allowing customers to further personalize the interior and wheels of the highly anticipated electric vehicle. The Cybertruck, known for its distinctive design, has been limited in customization options during its early deliveries, with a focus on streamlining the manufacturing process. However, as production ramps up, Tesla is now offering customers more choices to tailor their vehicles. These new options are available for the Foundation Series, which is the initial trim level of the Cybertruck as Tesla continues its first year of deliveries. https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1787655202591412657 One of the new…

Luxury carmaker Porsche is ramping up its commitment to sustainability by introducing seven new electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) at its Zuffenhausen, Weissach, and Leipzig sites. The move underscores Porsche’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and embracing alternative energy solutions. The new electric trucks, sourced from Scania, another member of the Volkswagen Group, as well as two other manufacturers, are part of Porsche’s broader strategy to decarbonize its operations. These vehicles will join the existing fleet of 22 biogas-fueled HGVs, furthering the company’s efforts to incorporate eco-friendly transport solutions. Albrecht Reimold, a member of Porsche’s Executive Board for Production…

The Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) in Long Beach, California, has secured a substantial $34.9 million grant from the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to advance its electrification efforts. This grant, part of a series totaling over $46 million from the FHWA, will facilitate the replacement of 155 on-site commercial trucks and buses with zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) at LBCT. Anthony Otto, CEO of LBCT, highlighted the grant’s significance, stating, “Our vehicle electrification project, coupled with previous investments, enables LBCT to achieve a unique status that is reframing the way the world views sustainable goods movement, enhancing community quality of life…

Lectron, a leading manufacturer of charging adapters, has initiated a recall affecting 1,624 Vortex Tesla Supercharger to Combined Charging System (CCS) adapters. This move comes in response to concerns raised by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding potential safety issues. According to the NHTSA, the affected adapters may not securely latch to the charger, posing a risk of the charger becoming disconnected without shutting off the power. This could increase the risk of injury from an electrical shock. The Safety Recall Report revealed that the adapters, manufactured between March 14 and April 8, have a latch pin that…