Author: Robin Cannon

For years, car enthusiasts have been eagerly speculating about the future of the iconic Toyota Supra. Now, the latest buzz out of Japan suggests that the sports car may be going electric and could arrive in showrooms as early as 2026. While rumors should always be taken with a grain of salt, a report from BestCarWeb claims that the current Supra will continue production until 2025, when it will be retired in style with a special GRMN variant featuring a twin-turbocharged BMW-sourced 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, tuned to produce a staggering 542 horsepower. This version is said to be the last…

Hyundai is inching closer to achieving Level 3 self-driving capabilities, according to the company’s Global Chief Safety Officer, Brian Latouf. In an interview with Automotive News Canada, Latouf confirmed that the South Korean automaker is “intensely focused” on achieving this goal and wants to ensure it does so correctly. So far, Mercedes-Benz is the only automaker to have successfully achieved Level 3 capability. It recently received approval from the state of Nevada for its Drive Pilot semi-autonomous driving technology, and additional states like California are expected to follow suit soon. See also: IONIQ 5 robotaxi using more than 30 advanced…

Dacia’s VP of sales, marketing, and operations, Xavier Martinet, has spoken out about his concerns regarding the excessive weight of many electric vehicles (EVs) and how it negatively impacts the environment. Martinet argues that if the goal is to collectively reduce emissions, then the industry needs to prioritize reducing weight in EVs. In 2021, Romanian automaker Dacia launched its first EV, the Spring, in mainland Europe. This compact crossover is available exclusively in Europe and weighs only 2138 lbs, which is four times lighter than a GMC Hummer EV. The reason for the Spring’s light weight is due to its…

Brakes has taken a significant step towards reducing its carbon footprint by testing all-electric refrigerated transport solutions. The company aims to dramatically decrease emissions by incorporating zero-emission vehicles into its primary fleet and multi-drop operation. Brakes has started deliveries with two temperature-controlled electric 19-tonne Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), featuring Frigoblock EK25 and FK2 refrigeration units. The vehicles have been in operation since late 2022, serving customers in the Midlands and from Brake’s Reading depot near London since January 2023. The refrigeration units used by Brakes are vital to maintaining the cold chain in conjunction with the vehicle, ensuring zero direct…

Deutsche Bahn has announced a landmark deal to purchase 60 hydrogen buses for its DB Regio Bus division. The German operator has signed a framework agreement with CaetanoBus, a Portuguese bus manufacturer, to provide the H2.City Gold model. These buses will be delivered by 2026, with the first seven vehicles, worth €40m, expected to arrive later this year. The initial batch will be used in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein from early 2024. The H2.City Gold model measures 12 metres in length and features Toyota fuel cells. CaetanoBus has a pre-existing partnership with Toyota, which has resulted in the Toyota logo…

LG Chem, the South Korean chemical company, has recently secured a new source of lithium from North America. The company has signed a series of agreements with Piedmont Lithium, a mining company that will supply 200,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate (SC6) over four years, starting in the third quarter of 2023. In addition, LG Chem has taken a financial stake in Piedmont. The North American Lithium (NAL) mine in Quebec, in which Piedmont holds a 25 per cent stake, is currently the only lithium mine in North America that is mining commercially. This source of battery materials is becoming…

VinFast recalled 2,781 of its sports utility model VF8 sold in the domestic market due to a potential issue with the bolt connecting the front brake caliper to the knuckle. The company has stated that the bolt may loosen during operation, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the front brake. VinFast has assured customers that it has not received any complaints or reports of breakdowns due to the issue. VinFast, which began its operations in 2019, is currently preparing to expand its reach to the United States, where it aims to compete with established automakers. The company began shipping its first…

Dance, a German e-mobility startup, has secured €12 million in additional funding from a combination of equity and debt capital. The funding round was led by existing investors HV Capital, Eurazeo and BlueYard. The company plans to use the proceeds to further its mission of offering sustainable mobility solutions in its five operating cities: Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Vienna. Dance’s business model involves offering electric bikes and mopeds on a monthly subscription basis, and it has already attracted thousands of customers. Upon booking, the company delivers an ebike or moped ready to ride, with services including repairs and theft…

Kia’s electric vehicle (EV) is making waves in the automotive industry with its latest achievement. The 2022 Kia EV6 was recently awarded “Best of the Year” in the 41st annual MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards, and also won the title of “Best EV” alongside three other top electric vehicles. This accolade is an important milestone for Kia, reflecting the automaker’s commitment to its “Plan S” global electrification strategy. Steven Center, COO and EVP of Kia America, expressed his excitement at the recognition the EV6 has received, saying, “The EV6 represents an important step toward Kia’s transformative ‘Plan S’ global electrification strategy,…

Tesla, the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has been in the limelight for its pricing strategy, which has received criticism from Renault CEO Luca de Meo. De Meo stated that Tesla’s approach to pricing could harm customer confidence in the value of their electric vehicles. While Tesla is different from other car manufacturers in the market, it is known for its fluctuating vehicle prices. Last year, Tesla raised its prices, and earlier this year, the company implemented price cuts on its entire vehicle lineup. However, de Meo raised concerns about Tesla’s pricing strategy, stating that it is damaging value for…

Nissan has partnered with Trimble to use Trimble RTX® technology for high-accuracy positioning in its ProPILOT Assist 2.0 driver assistance system. This technology will be utilized in the 2023 Nissan Ariya, allowing for hands-off and guided freeway driving capabilities. While standard Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals can drift up to 10 meters (25 feet), Trimble RTX technology provides higher accuracy, resulting in consistent lane determination for driving applications. Lane-level accuracy is a key enabler for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and is increasingly used on freeways as we move towards fully autonomous solutions. See also: Renesas and Fixstars to…

Tesla has reportedly not received any government subsidies for its EV factory, Giga Berlin, which has been operational for nearly a year. According to a recent report by Teslarati, the state and federal governments of Germany have typically supported companies building new factories by providing incentives of up to 45% of the factory’s costs. Despite Tesla’s application for funding made over two years ago, the company has not received any financial assistance from the government. The application for funding is an ongoing process, according to Brandenburg’s Ministry of Economic Affairs. The decision of whether to approve Tesla’s funding request depends…