Author: Ryan Fisher

Stellantis (STLA.MI) has confirmed plans to shut down its Luton van plant in the second quarter of 2025, abandoning previous commitments to manufacture electric vans at the facility. The decision, first reported by British media outlets Autocar and the BBC, will result in the loss of 1,100 jobs. The closure follows Stellantis’ concerns over the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires automakers to meet rising electric vehicle sales quotas or face financial penalties. In 2024, manufacturers must ensure 22% of new car sales and 10% of new van sales are electric, with targets increasing in 2025. The company…

Hyundai Motor Co. plans to suspend production of its Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric models at its Ulsan plant in South Korea from February 24 to 28, according to reports from South Korean media outlets citing industry insiders. The move comes in response to declining demand for these electric vehicles (EVs). An internal memo from Hyundai, as reported by The Korea Herald, states: “Sales volume and backorders [for the two car models] are declining. […] The second Trump administration’s reversal of [US] EV policies could prolong the demand slowdown for electric cars.” See also: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Takes on…

Tesla has raised the prices of its flagship Model X in both Canada and the United States, with significant increases particularly affecting U.S. buyers. Notably, the price hikes result in the Model X no longer qualifying for the U.S. federal tax credit. In Canada, both variants of the Model X have seen a price increase of C$7,000. The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version is now priced at C$121,990, while the Model X Plaid is listed at C$142,990. See also: Tesla to Upgrade HW3 Self-Driving Computers for FSD Owners This marks the second price hike in less than a week, following a…

Tesla has further reduced its production costs per electric vehicle (EV) as it gears up to manufacture the updated Model Y, Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja said. “Our journey on cost reduction continues, and we were able to get our overall cost per car down below $35,000, driven primarily by material costs,” Taneja stated. See also: Tesla to Upgrade HW3 Self-Driving Computers for FSD Owners The company has significantly cut production expenses over the years. In 2017, it cost Tesla around $84,000 to produce a single vehicle. By 2024, that figure had dropped to approximately $36,000, marking a substantial decline,…

Alfa Romeo has abandoned its initial plan to become an all-electric carmaker by 2027, opting instead for a multi-energy approach. This shift comes as the Stellantis brand responds to evolving market conditions, particularly in North America. Alfa Romeo’s North American head, Chris Feuell, confirmed the change in direction, which includes the introduction of a petrol-only version of the Tonale SUV in the U.S. Feuell, who assumed leadership of Alfa Romeo North America in December, stated in an interview with Automotive News that the move from a battery-electric vehicle (BEV)-only strategy to a multi-energy roadmap reflects the challenges faced by U.S.…

Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto (STCP), the largest bus operator in the greater Porto area, has initiated a public tender for 30 electric buses and 15 charging stations, aiming for deployment by mid-2026. The procurement, valued at 12 million euros for the buses and an additional 900,000 euros for the charging infrastructure, is part of STCP’s broader commitment to sustainable transportation. “We aim to lead the transition to more sustainable and efficient public transport,” said Cristina Pimentel, Chair of the Board of Directors. Currently, STCP operates a fleet of 446 vehicles, with 75% powered by natural gas, 10% by…

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle technology company owned by Alphabet, is expanding its testing of driverless robotaxis to Los Angeles’ freeway system. Starting Tuesday, the company announced it would begin deploying its fleet of robotaxis on major freeways, including Interstates 10, 110, 405, and 90. See also: Waymo to Launch First Robotaxi Service Outside the U.S. in Tokyo, Starting 2025 Unlike previous tests, these robotaxis will operate without a human safety driver. Following the same path it has used in other cities, Waymo will initially offer access to the driverless vehicles to its employees, with plans to eventually open it up…

Rivian has introduced a new promotional offer for its R1S and R1T electric vehicle (EV) models, providing up to $6,000 in incentives for customers upgrading their vehicles. The program, launched on January 21, is available to current R1T or R1S owners or lessees in the U.S. and Canada and runs through March 31, 2025. The incentive amounts vary by configuration, with customers upgrading to the Tri Motor with Max battery eligible for a $6,000 discount, while those choosing the Dual Motor with Max battery and Performance upgrade can receive $4,500. A $3,000 discount is offered for the Dual Motor with…

Netradyne, a California-based startup specializing in AI-enabled dashcams for commercial fleets, has secured $90 million in Series D funding at a pre-money valuation of $1.35 billion. The funding round was led by Point72 Private Investments, with participation from Qualcomm Ventures and Pavilion Capital. The new capital will be used to expand Netradyne’s presence in global markets, including Ireland and Japan, while advancing the development of its safety technology. Netradyne provides fleet owners, including major companies such as Amazon, with AI-powered dashcams that help reduce accidents by around 50%. The devices offer both inward- and outward-facing cameras, utilizing edge computing to…

Li Auto has opened its first overseas research and development (R&D) center in Munich, Germany, as part of its efforts to expand its global footprint. The facility, announced on January 17, will focus on advancing next-generation automotive technologies. The German R&D center will collaborate with Li Auto’s existing teams in Beijing and Shanghai to drive research in areas such as power semiconductors, intelligent chassis systems, electric drives, and vehicle design. The company has developed its first generation of silicon carbide (SiC) power modules in China and plans to further this work with contributions from the Munich team. The center will…

EV solutions provider ChargePoint has unveiled two new security measures designed to tackle vandalism at its charging stations: cut-resistant charging cables and an alarm system called ChargePoint Protect. These solutions aim to reduce repair costs for station owners and enhance reliability for EV drivers. The company’s new cut-resistant cables, developed in-house, are intended to mitigate issues related to charging cable theft and vandalism. ChargePoint explained, “We leveraged our more than fifteen-year history of product innovation and charger design expertise to address the critical, industry-wide customer satisfaction issues related to charging cable theft and vandalism.” The cables are made from materials…

Leapmotor International, the joint venture between Stellantis and Leapmotor, is reportedly exploring the possibility of manufacturing the Leapmotor B10 at its Stellantis plant in Zaragoza, Spain, following uncertainty surrounding production at the Polish plant in Tychy. Although the initial plan was to build the electric vehicle at the Polish facility, the Polish government’s support for the EU’s special tariffs on China-made EVs has prompted the company to seek alternatives. While Leapmotor International is majority-owned by Stellantis, with a 51 percent stake, the Chinese partner appears to have considerable influence over critical decisions. Industry sources, including La Tribuna de Automoción, indicate…