Author: Robin Cannon

BYD’s premium brand Denza has launched the N9 hybrid SUV, marking its latest push into China’s high-end automotive market. The large luxury SUV, unveiled at an event in Shenzhen, will be available in two variants priced at RMB 389,800 ($53,770) and RMB 449,800, significantly undercutting the pre-sale range of RMB 450,000 to RMB 550,000 announced in February. See also: BYD’s Denza Begins Pre-Sales for N9 SUV, Pricing Starts at $62,100 The Denza N9, a six-seat flagship SUV, measures 5,258 mm in length, 2,030 mm in width, and 1,830 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,125 mm. It is positioned…

Volvo has provided a first look at what appears to be its next electric vehicle, the EX60, during the reveal of its ES90 model. The brief teaser suggests the EX60 will be positioned between the EX30 and EX90 in the automaker’s EV lineup. During the YouTube-streamed event on Wednesday, a clay model labeled “EX60” was briefly visible, showcasing a split-taillight design similar to other recent Volvo EVs. Based on scale, the EX60 appears to be sized between the compact EX30 and the three-row EX90. See also: Volvo Unveils ES90 Electric Saloon with 800V Charging and Up to 700 km Range…

Tesla’s facelifted Model Y has reportedly secured strong initial demand in China, with local media outlet 36kr citing Tesla sales staff as saying the vehicle has amassed 200,000 orders nationwide since pre-sales began on January 10. “From the opening of pre-orders until today, each store in Beijing has been able to add nearly 100 new orders per day,” Tesla salespeople told 36kr. However, a significant portion of these are refundable orders, the report noted. Prior to the start of deliveries, Tesla’s pre-order page indicated a “refundable deposit,” a label that was removed after deliveries commenced on February 26. See also:…

Australian logistics provider Centurion has integrated 20 battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 300 trucks into its fleet, the company announced. The deployment follows 15.8 million AUD (€9.26 million) in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to support the purchase of electric trucks and charging infrastructure. See also: Australia Invests $21.8M in Electric Mobility Projects The eActros trucks, supplied by Daimler Truck, will operate on metro routes in Perth, Western Australia, as Centurion aims to cut emissions in its freight operations. The company has also installed off-grid solar power and battery storage at its Hazelmere depot to support the new fleet.…

A majority of automotive manufacturing leaders expect electric vehicle (EV) production to increase in 2025, but doubts remain over the feasibility of meeting full EV production deadlines set for 2030-2040, according to ABB Robotics’ third Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The survey, conducted with Automotive Manufacturing Solutions, found that 75% of respondents anticipate EV production growth next year. However, 31% believe achieving 100% EV production within the next decade or two is unrealistic, citing external challenges such as consumer demand and charging infrastructure limitations. See also: Chinese Automakers Command 76% of Global EV Market, Expanding Beyond U.S. “This year’s survey found…

UK-based battery recycling specialist Altilium has signed a letter of intent with Australian battery materials company Talga Group to supply up to 16,000 metric tons of recycled graphite over a three-year period starting in 2026. The partnership supports Talga’s development of anode products using recycled graphite for its planned refinery in Sweden. Altilium will initially provide 2,000 metric tons of recycled graphite in 2025 to support pre-commercial customer sample production for Talga’s Talnode-C Recycled Series. The material will be sourced from end-of-life batteries, a key initiative as graphite constitutes 25-30% of lithium-ion batteries and is classified as a critical raw…

Audi will cease production at its Brussels plant on Feb. 28, closing a facility that has operated for 76 years and built more than eight million vehicles. The last Q8 e-tron will roll off the assembly line, symbolizing broader changes in the European automotive sector ahead of the EU Commission’s upcoming action plan. The closure, first announced last year, will result in the loss of 3,000 jobs. A social plan was negotiated, but tensions between the company and trade unions over severance terms led to temporary production halts. Audi briefly restarted operations, but only for final production runs before shutting…

AstraZeneca has completed the transition to an all-electric vehicle fleet in Switzerland, with approximately 100 electric cars now in operation. The British pharmaceutical company, known for its COVID-19 vaccine, stated that the Swiss market is among the first within the group to achieve full electrification ahead of schedule. Globally, AstraZeneca has deployed over 10,000 electric vehicles. The transition included supporting employees with home charging infrastructure. “Knowing that the switch to electric cars poses challenges, we have supported our employees in installing wallboxes in their homes,” said Ioana Crisan, Chief Financial Officer of AstraZeneca Switzerland. The company also revised local guidelines…

Silicon Valley-based autonomous technology firm Pronto has signed a global agreement with Heidelberg Materials to deploy more than 100 autonomous haul trucks across multiple sites worldwide over the next three years. The partnership follows successful pilot programs in North America, where Pronto’s Autonomous Haulage System (Pronto AHS) was integrated into mixed OEM fleets. Under the deal, Pronto will also become Heidelberg Materials’ exclusive provider of autonomous technologies in North America. See also: Heidelberg Materials and Volvo Group Collaborate to Test Electric Vehicles, Aiming to Reduce CO2 Emissions “Implementing industry-leading technologies across our global footprint is an important driver of operational…

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) has opened its first Afeela Studio in Los Angeles, offering the public an early look at its upcoming electric vehicle ahead of its scheduled California release in 2026. The studio, located at the Westfield Century City mall, will be open for six months, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the Afeela EV’s design, technology, and digital features. See also: Sony Honda Mobility Partners with Tesla to Adopt North American Charging Standard for Afeela EVs The grand opening ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting led by Shugo Yamaguchi, President and CEO of Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc.…

Rivian has introduced the Upfit Program, a new initiative aimed at making it easier for fleet managers to customize and deploy its electric vehicles for commercial use. The program, launched in partnership with industry leaders such as Ranger Design, Sortimo of North America, Bush Specialty Vehicles, Holman, LEGEND, and EV Sportline, provides a streamlined process for businesses transitioning to electric fleets. See also: Rivian to Launch Hands-Off Driver Assistance System, Eyes-Off Version by 2026 “Upfitting is the process of customizing a vehicle in order to meet fleet, business, or individual consumer needs to tackle the job at hand,” Rivian stated.…

British battery technology firm Integrals Power has disclosed new performance data on its lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode material, highlighting superior energy density over lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells while remaining more cost-effective than nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry. Integrals Power’s latest breakthrough involves increasing manganese content to 80%, enabling a 20% boost in energy density compared to LFP. See also: Integrals Power Begins Distribution of LFP and LMFP Cathode Materials for Automotive and Energy Storage Sectors The company reports that its proprietary material technology and patented manufacturing process mitigate the typical decline in specific capacity associated with higher…