Author: Thomas Schmidt

Hyundai Motor Co and its affiliate Kia have announced a strategic agreement with Chinese tech giant Baidu to jointly develop technologies for connected cars, focusing on autonomous software, artificial intelligence (AI), and other innovations. Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Hyundai and Baidu, the two companies aim to collaborate on the development of connected car technologies. The partnership will focus on enhancing connectivity, advancing self-driving software, and integrating smart cloud computing technology. Additionally, the collaboration will explore new business models leveraging artificial intelligence technologies. “Through the strategic collaboration with Baidu, we will make efforts to establish the ecosystem for…

Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco has secured a new order from Métropole Rouen Normandie for 15 Ebusco 3.0 electric buses, each 18 meters in length. These buses are scheduled to be deployed in and around Rouen starting in 2025. The order, facilitated by the public purchasing union UGAP (Union des Groupements d’Achats Publics), will increase the total number of Ebusco electric buses in Rouen to over 100, according to Ebusco. The new articulated electric buses will feature four double doors and a battery pack with a capacity of more than 500 kWh, allowing them to navigate steep roads and accommodate…

Tesla is gearing up to commence customer deliveries of upgraded Model 3 sedans that were ordered with a black and white interior, according to hints dropped by Tesla watchers and Model 3 buyers online. Recent posts on various online platforms, including X, Facebook, and the Tesla Motors Club, suggest that customers have begun receiving Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) for their white interior vehicles. Screenshots shared online indicate that some buyers who received their VINs today had placed orders for their white interior new Model 3s as far back as January. https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1781340798077845801 While this development may seem minor, it could significantly…

The EU Council has adopted the Euro 7 regulation, marking the final step in the decision-making process for defining emission standards and battery durability rules for on-road vehicles. Once signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the EU Council, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force 20 days after publication. The exact timeline for signing the regulation is not yet known, but it is expected to be a swift process. The regulation defines three categories for the application of the new standards: 30 months…

Zeekr is set to challenge perceptions of the humble minivan with the introduction of the 009 Grand, a four-seat marvel of luxury and innovation. This new model, slated for unveiling on April 19, promises to revolutionize the minivan segment, traditionally associated with soccer moms, by offering a blend of opulence and functionality. Details are scant, but Zeekr has teased some key features of the 009 Grand. The exterior boasts subtle enhancements, including additional chrome trim and striking 20-inch “forged disc” wheels with black center caps and an “enchanting laser-etched finish.” https://twitter.com/ZEEKRGlobal/status/1778345820708114642 The real magic happens inside, where the 009 Grand…

Swedish electric vehicle (EV) maker Polestar reported a 40% decrease in first-quarter deliveries, reflecting the broader struggles of the sector with slowing demand, the company said on Thursday. While automakers and suppliers continue to invest in capacity and technology development for EVs, sales growth has slowed, putting pressure on companies to cut costs. Polestar delivered 7,200 vehicles in the first quarter, down from 12,076 in the same period a year earlier. CEO Thomas Ingenlath noted that a ramp-up in deliveries of its Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 luxury SUVs will contribute to revenue in the latter part of the year.…

A new report from the European Commission reveals that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) produce significantly more emissions in real-world conditions than previously believed, by an average of 3.5 times more than lab tests indicate. PHEVs are designed to offer the advantages of both electric and gasoline-powered vehicles, with a battery for short trips and a combustion engine for longer journeys or when charging is unavailable. Despite being considered a transitional technology towards fully electric vehicles, PHEVs often fail to operate as expected. Studies conducted in Europe and California have shown that PHEVs emit higher levels of pollutants due to…

Peugeot has unveiled the new e-5008, an electric seven-seater SUV that promises an impressive range of up to 660 kilometers on a single charge. The e-5008 shares the Stellantis STLA Medium platform with the smaller e-3008 and boasts a host of features aimed at providing a comfortable and efficient driving experience. While Peugeot has not explicitly stated the exact size of the e-5008’s battery, it is believed to be similar to the 98 kWh battery used in the e-3008 Long Range variant. This battery is produced by the Automotive Cells Company (ACC), a joint venture of Stellantis, Total, and Mercedes-Benz,…

Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany, known for producing the Ford Focus, has come to a standstill since Friday due to a strike at five nearby suppliers, causing significant financial losses for the automaker. The Saarlouis facility typically produces around 600 Focus models daily. However, Ford has already announced plans to cease Focus production at the plant as it transitions to manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe. See also: Ford Transit Celebrates a Decade in Market with Enhancements to E-Transit Range and New Charging Solutions An Automotive News Europe report last month indicated that Ford intends to end Focus production in Saarlouis…

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks has handed over an all-electric refuelling vehicle, based on the Mercedes-Benz eEconic, to service provider Skytanking at Stuttgart Airport. The vehicle will be used to fill the tanks of airplanes with kerosene, marking a significant step towards sustainable ground handling operations. The manufacturer collaborated with tank body specialist Esterer to design the vehicle, which features a 40,000-litre refuelling tank. The energy for the refuelling pump is sourced directly from the vehicle’s batteries, providing an environmentally friendly refuelling solution. “The development of a high-performance commercial vehicle with a total weight of over 50 tons was a special challenge…

Audi has announced that its new entry-level electric model, first announced approximately a year ago, will be produced at its headquarters in Ingolstadt. Gernot Döllner, Head of Audi, revealed this information during a staff meeting at the main plant. This new electric vehicle (EV) will be positioned below the Q4 e-tron in Audi’s electric lineup. The Q6 e-tron, the first model based on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), is already in production at the main plant and is set to be unveiled on March 18. Additionally, the A6 e-tron, Audi’s first electric saloon, will also be produced in Ingolstadt on…

Nio has announced that its NOP+ (Navigate on Pilot Plus) feature now covers 99 percent of the cities in mainland China, totaling 726 cities. This marks an increase of 120 cities since February, according to a statement released today on Weibo by the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. The company stated that NOP+ has completed over 1 million kilometers of road verification to date. Harry Wong, Nio’s head of intelligent driving products and experience, clarified in a retweet that the 726 cities refer to those where road verification has been completed, excluding “Unlimited Mode.” See also: Nio Expands NOP+ Driving Feature to…