Author: Robin Cannon

Mercedes-Benz has announced the global rollout of its MBUX 2.6 software update, which will be delivered over-the-air to more than two million vehicles, including both electric and combustion engine models. The update introduces new functionalities aimed at enhancing the user experience across its infotainment systems, with particular improvements for electric vehicle owners. One of the key features of the update is the enhancement to the “Navigation with Electric Intelligence” system. The new ‘Alternative Live Routes’ function now allows electric vehicles to receive multiple intelligent route suggestions that include necessary charging stops. Previously, the system would offer only a single route,…

Vehicle orders at the 2025 Bangkok International Motor Show reached 77,379 units during the 14-day event, a 41.63% increase from the previous year, according to official figures released by the event’s organizers. BYD and its premium sub-brand Denza led the rankings with a combined total of 10,353 orders (BYD: 9,819 units; Denza: 534 units), followed by Toyota with 9,819 orders. Chinese automakers accounted for nearly half of the top 15 brands by order volume, with seven brands making the list. See also: IM Motors Launches LS6 Electric SUV in Thailand, Expands Global Footprint GAC Aion ranked third with 7,018 orders,…

Volvo Cars, the Swedish automaker controlled by Chinese company Geely, will require up to two years to scale up its U.S. production in response to U.S. import tariffs, CEO Hakan Samuelsson told the daily Dagens Nyheter (DN) on Friday. Volvo Cars, one of the automakers most affected by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported vehicles, currently imports most of its hybrid and electric models from Europe. The company is particularly vulnerable to the 27.5% tariff imposed on European-made cars. See also: Volvo Cars Reinstates Former CEO Hakan Samuelsson Following Leadership Shakeup Samuelsson explained that continuing to sell European-made cars…

China and the European Union held talks this week to explore ways to strengthen their economic and trade cooperation, with a focus on resuming negotiations on electric vehicle (EV) pricing commitments, China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. In a video call on Tuesday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao spoke with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic, with both sides exchanging views on trade relief measures and broader investment cooperation. The call came shortly before newly imposed tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump on Chinese goods began taking effect. See also: Carlos Tavares Defends Resignation, Warns Europe…

XCMG has introduced the XE215EV, a 25-ton electric crawler excavator, ahead of the bauma 2025 trade show in Munich. The new model is positioned for global markets in urban construction, mining operations, and material handling logistics, offering lower emissions and operating costs compared to conventional diesel-powered machines. Equipped with a high-capacity 400 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, the XE215EV is capable of delivering up to eight hours of continuous operation. The system supports both DC fast charging—allowing a full recharge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours—and battery swapping, which enables the machine to remain in use without leaving the job…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has officially entered the Swiss market, initially offering two battery-electric models – the Seal and Sealion 7 – as well as the plug-in hybrid Seal U DM-i. The company has opened its first retail showroom in Zurich and plans to establish 14 additional outlets by the end of 2025. The Swiss launch marks a different strategy for BYD in Europe, where it previously entered markets with models like the Atto 3, Han and Tang. “We’re very excited to be opening our network in Switzerland,” said Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD. “At BYD, our…

Wayne Griffiths, CEO of Seat and Cupra, will leave the company at his own request on March 31, 2025, to pursue new opportunities, Seat announced. Markus Haupt, Seat’s Chief Production Officer, will take over as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is named. Griffiths joined Seat as Head of Sales and Marketing in 2016 and assumed the CEO position in 2020, following Luca de Meo. Under his leadership, Cupra became one of Europe’s fastest-growing car brands, and the launch of the Cupra Born in 2021 marked the brand’s entry into the electric vehicle market. “Wayne Griffiths has done a great…

Ford Motor has applied for a patent for a new “Shifter Assembly for Electric Vehicles,” a system designed to mimic the operation of a traditional manual gear shift despite the absence of physical gears. The patent, filed on March 20, 2025, under the number 2025/0092947 with the US Patent Office, describes a system that electronically adjusts an electric vehicle’s power output, rather than mechanically shifting gears as in an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. See also: Ford Completes 140,000 Free NACS Adapter Deliveries, Now Selling for $200 Unlike conventional gear shifts, which physically alter transmission ratios in ICE cars, Ford’s…

Portsmouth City Council is planning to install 300 new on-street electric vehicle (EV) charge points across residential areas, in collaboration with charge point operator Zest. The initiative, supported by the UK government’s On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS), aims to significantly expand the city’s charging infrastructure. See also: Zest and Harworth Partner to Expand EV Charging at Riverdale Park, Doncaster The council is working with Zest to determine suitable locations, with initial sites identified based on resident requests. “Zest is supporting Portsmouth City Council to take significant action on carbon emissions and neighbourhood air quality,” said Robin Heap, CEO of Zest.…

The head of BP’s (BP.L) electric vehicle charging unit BP Pulse, Richard Bartlett, has left the company, a BP spokesperson said on Thursday, weeks after the energy giant revised its strategy to prioritize oil and gas investments. Bartlett, who also oversaw BP’s European fuels and convenience business, will be succeeded by Martin Thomsen, a two-decade BP veteran with experience in fuels and customer-focused operations, the spokesperson added. BP, which operates around 40,000 EV charging points, announced in February that it would reduce its annual investment in EV charging to below $500 million on average. The company said it would concentrate…

Mobilize, Renault Group’s sustainable mobility unit, has opened 25 fast-charging stations in France and aims to expand its network to 100 locations by the end of 2025. The company also plans to manage 650 electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs across western Europe by 2028, it said. Mobilize Fast Charge stations feature chargers capable of delivering up to 320kW, enabling compatible vehicles to gain approximately 400 kilometers of range in 15 minutes. The stations support the Plug & Charge service, allowing automatic authentication and payment without requiring a physical card. See also: Renault’s Mobilize and NW Partner to Launch Joint Venture…

Xpeng is preparing to introduce at least five extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) models, including sedans and SUVs, as the Chinese automaker broadens its lineup beyond battery electric vehicles (BEVs), local media outlet 36kr reported on Wednesday. The company’s first EREV model will be based on the X9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and is set to enter mass production in the second half of this year, according to the report. Future EREV models will be developed across Xpeng’s E, F, and H platforms, with launches expected in 2026 and 2027. A source cited by 36kr said that existing models like the P7…