Author: Todd Gilbert

A report by research and advisory firm Gartner has raised concerns that several car factories in Europe and North America may be closed or sold this year as automakers deal with overcapacity and heightened price competition. According to the report, production cuts are expected in 2025 as companies face challenges such as emissions regulations, tariffs, and increasing competition from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, who have a technological edge in software and electrification. Pedro Pacheco, VP Analyst at Gartner, noted that closures or sales are more likely in higher-cost countries where “political and societal pressure will be offset by mounting…

German startup Circunomics has raised over €8 million in a Series A funding round led by GET Fund and Schaeffler Invest GmbH, a subsidiary of the German automotive supplier Schaeffler. Existing investors, including Poland’s Orlen Group and Germany-based GG Rise, also participated in the financing. The Mainz-based company plans to use the capital to accelerate its international expansion and enhance its product offerings with new digital services. Circunomics provides a battery lifecycle management platform that includes a digital marketplace and AI-powered analytics. The solution facilitates B2B trading of used and surplus batteries, modules, and cells while enabling the transfer of…

Tesla maintained its dominant position in the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market in 2024, despite a drop in overall sales. According to Cox Automotive data, Tesla’s U.S. sales decreased by over 37,000 units compared to the previous year, but the company still secured a commanding share of the market with an estimated 633,000 units sold. The Model Y crossover and Model 3 sedan were the key contributors to Tesla’s success, together accounting for over 40% of all electric vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2024. Despite facing challenges such as its premium price and a limited-edition “Foundation Series” run for…

Tesla has once again been excluded from receiving funding for the construction of an electric vehicle (EV) charging corridor on the West Coast designed for EV semi-trucks. This marks the second time the Biden Administration has denied Tesla’s request for funding under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program, a key component of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed in 2021. Tesla, in collaboration with California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), had applied for funding to support the development of the corridor, which would span from Fremont, California, to Laredo, Texas. The proposed project included nine charging stops, with…

BMW Korea has announced the completion of its ‘Charging Next’ project, significantly expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging network across South Korea. As of December 2024, the automaker has successfully installed 2,125 EV chargers nationwide, marking a major milestone in its commitment to supporting the growth of electric mobility. The initiative, which began in 2023, aimed to accelerate the development of charging infrastructure to meet the growing demand from EV drivers. BMW Korea had previously built a network of 500 chargers by 2021, doubling that number to 1,000 by 2023. With over 1,000 additional chargers installed in 2024, the ‘Charging…

Hypnos Beds, a UK-based manufacturer of mattresses and beds, has introduced two Volvo FM Electric trucks to replace its diesel vehicles, marking a significant step toward sustainable logistics. Operated by logistics partner DFDS, the electric trucks will deliver Hypnos Beds’ luxury mattresses and bed furniture to retail outlets, hotels, and distribution centers in London and Milton Keynes. The Volvo FM Electric trucks boast a power output of up to 490 kW and offer a range of up to 300 kilometers per charge. The rigid curtainside unit is equipped with five batteries, while the tractor unit carries the maximum of six.…

Nissan’s Oliver Rowland claimed his first victory of the season in the second round of the Formula E championship in Mexico City on Saturday, delivering an impressive performance to secure the Japanese manufacturer’s 20th win in the series. Starting from fourth on the grid, Rowland fought hard to take the lead after a pivotal yellow flag with five laps remaining, overtaking Andretti’s Jake Dennis. Rowland expressed his emotion after the race, saying, “This one was tough, but I have no regrets. It was very emotional for me. You put in a lot of work and this is a once-in-a-lifetime win…

Tesla’s Cybertruck production team has reportedly experienced disruptions, with some workers placed on furlough in December 2024 due to declining demand for the electric pickup. The temporary halt, which lasted only three days, followed a survey asking production staff about their preferences and informing them of the potential transition to the Model Y assembly line. Sources close to the situation told Business Insider that Tesla plans to scale back Cybertruck production, which has faced challenges including inconsistent output and supply chain issues, particularly related to battery availability. Despite the start of Cybertruck production in November 2023, reports of unsold vehicles…

Chinese automaker BYD has introduced its compact electric SUV, the Atto 2, at the Brussels Motor Show, positioning it as an “affordable SUV” tailored for the European market. Sales are slated to begin in March 2025, with pricing details expected to be announced soon. The Atto 2, measuring 4.31 meters in length, 1.83 meters in width, and 1.68 meters in height, is smaller than its sibling, the Atto 3. Based on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, the vehicle incorporates advanced cell-to-body (CTB) technology, which integrates the battery into the chassis for enhanced interior space and body rigidity. Initially, it will feature a…

Dutch semiconductor company NXP announced Tuesday its plans to acquire TTTech Auto, an Austrian firm specializing in safety software for autonomous vehicles, in an all-cash transaction valued at $625 million. The acquisition aims to bolster NXP’s position in the growing market for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from TTTech Group, TTTech Auto has been a key player in the automotive industry’s push toward semi- and full-automation. The company develops MotionWise, a middleware platform that ensures seamless data flow between a vehicle’s various control systems, such as cameras, radars, and actuators. MotionWise is designed to meet safety…

Cox Automotive’s latest Car Buyer Journey study shows that overall satisfaction with the vehicle shopping experience has reached new heights, with 75% of buyers reporting satisfaction. Key factors driving this improvement include better incentives, more inventory availability, and the integration of digital tools. However, satisfaction levels vary across different vehicle types. New electric vehicle (EV) buyers reported the highest satisfaction at 82%, outpacing hybrid (76%) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle buyers (75%). The study attributes much of this difference to the increased use of digital tools, with 76% of EV buyers utilizing online resources compared to 42% of ICE…

Toyota revealed at CES 2025 that its upcoming vehicles will be equipped with autonomous driving features, powered by Nvidia’s Drive AGX Orin supercomputer and DriveOS, an advanced safety-focused operating system. DriveOS will enable real-time AI processing for Toyota’s autonomous vehicles, integrating advanced driving functions with cockpit features. The system is part of Nvidia’s end-to-end autonomous driving platform, which also includes the Nvidia DGX supercomputer for AI model training and the Omniverse platform for AV software testing and simulation. This marks a continuation of Toyota’s long-standing partnership with Nvidia, which began in 2019 when the Toyota Research Institute started using Nvidia’s…