Germany, known for its precision engineering, is witnessing Volkswagen – one of its legendary automotive brands – shifting gears in its electric vehicle strategy. Let’s break down the recent moves and what they could mean for the EV market. Volkswagen has officially confirmed that its iconic Golf hatchback will be making the electric transition, and it will be assembled right at the brand’s home base in Wolfsburg, Germany. This electric Golf will be joining hands with other models that are based on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). If you’re thinking, “So, a family reunion at home?” –… More…

Electric vehicle traction is seeing a powerful surge worldwide, and the Middle East, traditionally an oil stronghold, isn’t one to be left in the dust. Geely’s premium EV subsidiary, Zeekr, has taken a major step forward, announcing new partnerships in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. This move isn’t just about business; it speaks volumes about the shifting energy landscape and the region’s plans to diversify from fossil fuels. Zeekr’s Middle Eastern foray follows recent expansion into several European countries, including Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Furthermore, the… More…

Skoda is bringin significant updates to its Enyaq. The upgrades for the 2024 models include a design tweak aligning with Skoda’s new brand identity, and yes, the iV is no longer part of the name. However, it’s still visible under the hood. More excitingly, we get enhanced electric motors, improved battery management, and – best of all – extended ranges. The Enyaq 85, replaces the Enyaq 80 as the base model. It promises an impressive 565 km on a single charge under the WLTP cycle and boasts a zippy DC charging time of 28 minutes from 10% to 80%. Speed junkies, too, have reason to… More…

BMW is navigating the road to electric ubiquity with a €100 million investment in a novel battery testing center at its Wackersdorf site in Upper Palatinate, Germany. Scheduled for integration into the existing structures, the facility is slated for operation commencement by mid-2024. The investment earmarked for the project is designated primarily towards test bench technology and upgrades to the existing infrastructure. Structural modifications are already in the pipeline, including the installation of a new floor slab for the building. Once operational, the center will host an… More…

In a marketplace as dynamic as the automotive industry, shake-ups and surprises are part of the landscape. Yet, the recent ascent of Chinese automaker BYD is a narrative that warrants attention. Surpassing American giant Ford, BYD clinched the fourth spot in global car sales in August, as per TrendForce statistics. In August, the global car sales in 37 principal markets hit 5.55 million units. Amidst this, BYD exhibited resilience with a 5% month-on-month increment in car sales, despite a softened demand in China’s auto sector. The company was nipping at the heels of third-place Honda,… More…

Honda, the automotive giant known for its hybrid ventures since the late 1990s, finally jumped into the electric SUV bandwagon with the unveiling of the 2024 Honda Prologue for the US market. The Passport-sized crossover comes with an estimated 483 km range, an Ultium platform, and a starting price in the upper-$40k range, launching Honda into the competitive electric vehicle market. The Prologue, sharing its Ultium platform and battery with GM counterparts like the Chevrolet Blazer EV, makes a bold statement in the EV realm. Honda accentuates its distinctive suspension tuning, styling,… More…

The Chinese EV market is the most booming in the world, there’s no doubt about that, and Nio has been one of the most well received brands in its home market. Recently we’ve seen VW making moves in China – investing in XPeng, using a Chinese EV platform for the Jetta brand, and Audi partnering with Chinese auto maker SAIC. Could Mercedes be only the latest German car brand to go the same (or a similar) route? A new report from Reuters today says that’s a distinct possibility, as apparently Mercedes and Nio have been engaged in exploratory talks about a partnership of their own. This… More…

XPeng is making inroads into the Swedish market with its flagship G9 SUV, scheduled to start deliveries on September 29. This venture was proudly disclosed by XPeng’s founder, He Xiaopeng, who is currently in Sweden to commemorate this pivotal move. Sweden, a fast-growing hub for electric vehicles, has seen EVs conquer over 40% of the local market as of August 2023. The electrified roads of this Scandinavian country have, until now, mostly felt the tread of BYD vehicles – the lone Chinese brand boasting notable sales figures in the region. XPeng, with its eyes set on increasing its… More…

Apple’s much-talked-about upcoming car has reportedly faced yet another setback. Reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a new note, saying the development has lost direction and a major reorganization might be needed to get it back on track. Codenamed Project Titan, Apple’s aspiration to create an electric vehicle may not lead to a result in the next years, the analyst believes. Yes, that’s plural. Kuo further suggests Tim Cook needs to splurge on a series of acquisitions that will give him the missing pieces to get the whole thing back on track. The development of the Apple Car seems… More…

The unveiling of the 2024 Kia EV9, a three-row electric SUV, promises to bring a fresh wave of excitement to electric vehicle enthusiasts. Slated to hit US dealerships in the fourth quarter, the starting MSRP stands at a competitive $54,900, excluding the yet-to-be-announced mandatory destination charge. With the anticipated shipping fee hovering around $1,320, based the Kia EV6 charges, the EV9’s total starting cost is likely to be just over $56,000. The base model of this Korean marvel, dubbed the EV9 Light RWD, showcases a single-motor rear-wheel-drive powertrain. It flexes its muscles… More…

Despite Volkswagen’s concerted efforts to be a frontrunner in the electric vehicle race, the automaker finds itself hitting a speed bump. In an unforeseen turn of events, the German automotive giant has announced a temporary halt in the production of its electric ID.3 and Cupra Born models for the first two weeks of October. Why, you ask? The answer, though somewhat surprising considering the global shift towards EVs, is declining demand for electric VWs. Volkswagen disclosed that the Zwickau factory, responsible for assembling both the ID.3 and the Cupra Born, would cease production… More…

Mercedes announced its Level 3 drive assistance called Drive Pilot earlier this year and even takes legal responsibility if you crash with Drive Pilot active in Germany. And in May, the service was fully operational in Germany and now the company is bringing Drive Pilot to the US as well. But just like in Germany, some conditions apply. Drive Pilot in the US will debut in California and Nevada and in addition to the highways, the drive assistance will be available in major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay area, Sacramento, San Diego and Las Vegas. The first EQS and… More…

Fisker has recently celebrated the production of its 5,000th Ocean electric SUV at Magna Steyr’s manufacturing plant located in Graz, Austria. This highlights the company’s aggressive ramp-up in production since its initiation in November 2022, a noteworthy feat considering the escalating demand for electric SUVs in the market. In a short span of three weeks, Fisker has rolled out almost 2,000 Ocean SUVs, an uptick from the 3,123 vehicles that were assembled by the beginning of September. Aiming to satiate the growing consumer appetite for their electric SUV, Fisker anticipates escalating… More…

SAIC Motor-owned MG has officially thrown open the doors for customer reservations of its eagerly awaited electric roadster, the MG Cyberster, in China. Making its initial appearance at the Shanghai Auto Show two years ago, this two-seater electric sports car promises a mix of performance and innovation. Featuring three distinct versions, including two single-motor models and a top-of-the-range dual-motor variant, the Cyberster showcases a blend of speed and endurance. The dual-motor version boasts the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 3.2 seconds, while one of the… More…

Changan Automobile, a forerunner in the Chinese auto industry, has recently launched a new sub-brand, Qiyuan, which now brought its first model, the A07 in extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery-electric vehicle (BEV) versions. This dual-model approach, a diversification in offerings, seems to resonate with local EV makers as a more efficacious strategy to boost sales than solely offering BEVs. The A07 was officially introduced to the market at an event, showcasing five different versions of the model, including three EREV and two BEV variants. For the potential buyer, the… More…

Well – AI is pretty much everywhere these days. We have AI-driven apps, services, and toasters and soon enough anything we can think will have been touched by the “magic” of AI. BMW Group, not to be left in the dust, takes a leap in revolutionizing customer service with the introduction of Proactive Care. This AI and data-centric platform promises a plethora of cutting-edge services, offering customers tailored solutions based on their vehicle’s needs and their preferences, thereby – apparently – redefining the realms of connected vehicles and customer service. Proactive Care is touted… More…

Honda is is set to unveil a range of concepts at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 in Tokyo, including a mysterious Specialty Sports Concept, a sustainable small hatchback named Sustaina-C, and the CI-MEV, an autonomous-ready heavy quadricycle. We didn’t even have a photo for the Specialty Sports Concept, but an NSX-style sketch found in the “Honda Dream Loop” illustration might be a good indication of what to expect. This concept is fully electric, but obviously we’ll have to wait a while to learn anything about its specs or performance. Next in line is the Sustaina-C Concept,… More…

Polestar 3 is going to be the company’s first SUV scheduled for a Q1 2024 production. The car manufacturer now announced it has successfully completed hot weather testing in the United Arab Emirates. Polestar 3 The vehicle had to go through rigorous testing around Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the surrounding deserts in toasty 50°C weather. Polestar’s team of engineers was on site to fine-tune the climate systems so they can handle extreme weather conditions. Polestar is quick to remind that this is just one of the many tests before releasing a car. Polestar 3 It looks like… More…