Lamborghini has announced it is rolling out hybrid tech across all models in India by the end of 2024.
Automakers across the globe are racing to deploy hybrid vehicles as governments and companies try to address climate change. As one of the world’s largest economies and automotive centers, rolling out hybrid tech in India is an important step toward that goal.
While it’s not a major player in the Indian market, Lamborghini is nonetheless working to hybridize its lineup before the end of next year.
“The roadmap for us is that by the end of 2024 we are going to hybridise our entire model range. So this year we will have a first hybrid, the new V12, then in 2024 we will have the Urus hybrid and also a new V10 which is also going to be a hybrid,” Lamborghini India Head Sharad Agarwal told PTI.
The Ram 1500 REV electric truck appears to be a major hit, with reservations for the first shipment sold out in less than a week.
The 1500 REV represents Ram’s first all-electric pickup truck. The company showed it off in a Super Bowl ad and users could reserve one for a $100 deposit. The reservation program is called “Ram REV Insider+.” According to the company’s website, reservations are now closed:
Due to high demand, the Ram REV Insider+ membership is now closed. You can still be the first to know when the doors open up again.
The 1500 REV will not be available till 2024, so it’s unclear when reservations will open once again.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) just took a major hit, with the company recalling 362,758 vehicles.
FSD is Tesla’s attempt at autonomous driving, but the system has been plagued with controversies and has generally failed to live up to expectations. Tesla has now filed a recall notice with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over “the risk of a crash.”
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver’s adjustment of the vehicle’s speed to exceed posted speed limits.
Tesla says it will mail out owner notifications by April 15, 2023, and that an over-the-air update will address the problem.
Ford has paused production and shipment of the all-electric F-150 Lightning over undisclosed battery concerns.
Ford is working hard to become the top US electric vehicle maker, with the F-150 Lightning being a critical part of that strategy. According to TechCrunch, however, the company has some concerns regarding the batteries currently being used.
While Ford did not disclose what the specific concerns are, they were evidently serious enough for the company to take such a drastic step. Interestingly, dealers that have Lightning inventory can continue selling the EVs since there has been no incidents in the field.
Ford unveiled plans to build a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Michigan, a $3.5 billion investment that will create 2,500 new jobs.
LFP is a new battery chemistry for the automaker, one that offers a number of advantages over traditional nickel cobalt manganese (NCM). LFP batteries are more durable, can be charged faster, and use less high-demand materials in their construction.
Ford’s new Michigan-based plant, BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, will create both NCM and LFP batteries, initially employing 2,500 workers. The company will be able to ramp up beyond that initial number as demand increases.
“We are committed to leading the electric vehicle revolution in America, and that means investing in the technology and jobs that will keep us on the cutting edge of this global transformation in our industry,” said Bill Ford, Ford executive chair. “I am also proud that we chose our home state of Michigan for this critical battery production hub.”
Initial production at the new plant is slated for 2026, but the company plans to incorporate LFP batteries in the Mustang Mach-E as soon as this year, and in the F-150 Lightning in 2024.
“Ford’s electric vehicle lineup has generated huge demand. To get as many Ford EVs to customers as possible, we’re the first automaker to commit to build both NCM and LFP batteries in the United States,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “We’re delivering on our commitments as we scale LFP and NCM batteries and thousands, and soon millions, of customers will begin to reap the benefits of Ford EVs with cutting-edge, durable battery technologies that are growing more affordable over time.”
News of the investment was welcomed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer:
“Ford’s $3.5 billion investment creating 2,500 good-paying jobs in Marshall building electric vehicle batteries will build on Michigan’s economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s generational investment by an American icon will uplift local families, small businesses, and the entire community and help our state continue leading the future of mobility and electrification. Let’s continue bringing the supply chain of electric vehicles, chips, and batteries home while creating thousands of good-paying jobs and revitalizing every region of our state. Since I took office, we’ve secured over 30,000 auto jobs and landed multiple electric vehicle and chip-making factories. We’re on the move, so let’s keep our foot on the accelerator.”
Rivian is making an unusual sidestep from its electric automobile business, reportedly working on an e-bike.
According to Bloomberg, by way of Engadget, Rivian has tasked a “small group” of engineers to begin work on an e-bike, although it it’s unclear whether it was an electric bicycle or motorcycle. The company does, however, hold patents for bicycle components.
As Engadget points out, the move could make a lot of sense for the automaker. E-bikes outsell electric vehicles and are much cheaper to make. The move could put the company on the fast-track to profitability.
General Motors is investing $650 million in Lithium Americas to help develop the Thacker Pass lithium mine in Nevada.
As automakers transition to electric vehicles, the lithium needed for battery production is quickly becoming one of the most important elements to the automotive supply chain. GM wants to ensure it has access to all the supplies it will need and is willing to invest in Lithium Americas to make that happen.
“GM has secured all the battery material we need to build more than 1 million EVs annually in North America in 2025 and our future production will increasingly draw from domestic resources like the site in Nevada we’re developing with Lithium Americas,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “Direct sourcing critical EV raw materials and components from suppliers in North America and free-trade-agreement countries helps make our supply chain more secure, helps us manage cell costs, and creates jobs.”
“The agreement with GM is a major milestone in moving Thacker Pass toward production, while setting a foundation for the separation of our U.S. and Argentine businesses,” said Lithium Americas President and CEO Jonathan Evans. “This relationship underscores our commitment to develop a sustainable domestic lithium supply chain for electric vehicles. We are pleased to have GM as our largest investor, and we look forward to working together to accelerate the energy transition while spurring job creation and economic growth in America.”
GM has imposed certain conditions to its investment, however, including court approval for the mining operation to move forward, as well as a reorganization of Lithium Americas.
GM’s investment will be split between two tranches. The funds for the first tranche will be held in escrow until certain conditions are met, including the outcome of the Record of Decision ruling currently pending in U.S. District Court. If those conditions are met, the funds will be released and GM will become a shareholder in Lithium Americas. The escrow release is expected to occur no later than the end of 2023. The second tranche investment is expected to be made into Lithium Americas’ U.S.-focused lithium business following the separation of its U.S. and Argentina businesses and is contingent on similar conditions, including Lithium Americas securing sufficient capital to fund the development expenditures to support Thacker Pass.
GM’s investment will likely be followed by similar measures from other automakers as demand for lithium continues to skyrocket.
Tesla is being investigated by the Department of Justice over the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot claims.
Tesla has been in the news on multiple occasions for its self-driving tech, and often not in a good way. There have been numerous instances of individuals relying on FSD and Autopilot too much, believing the tech is more capable than it is. This has predictably led to crashes and near-crashes. The state of California has even banned Tesla from using the term “Full Self-Driving” to describe its driver assist system.
According to an SEC filing, it appears the DOJ is investigating the company’s claims. While acknowledging it had previously been investigated over CEO Elon Musk’s threatening to take the company private, Telsa revealed the current investigation:
Separately, the company has received requests from the DOJ for documents related to Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD features. To our knowledge no government agency in any ongoing investigation has concluded that any wrongdoing occurred. We cannot predict the outcome or impact of any ongoing matters. Should the government decide to pursue an enforcement action, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on our business, results of operation, prospects, cash flows and financial position.
We will continue to follow developments and update as more information becomes available.
General Motors has finally begun production of the Hummer SUV, over a year after production of the Hummer pickup began.
Once the poster child for excess fuel consumption and…well…just excess, GM relaunched the Hummer as an electric vehicle. In many ways the platform was the ideal option for an EV, since the size of the vehicle provides plenty of room for batteries.
While the pickup version of the new EV began production in late 2021, The Detroit News is reporting that the SUV variant has just begun production, with the first orders slated for delivery at the end of the first quarter.
“This is just, I think, the most sought-after vehicle in the world right now,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president of GMC and Buick. “It really is a super truck as we positioned it.”
Electric vehicle startup Arrival has undergone a major shakeup, appointing a new CEO and announcing layoffs of 50% of its staff.
Arrival has a deal with UPS to provide 10,000 electric delivery vans through 2024. Despite the high-profile contract, the company has struggled financially and is now announcing its second round of layoffs in a year.
Following a detailed review of its operations and its markets, Arrival is now announcing immediate actions to further reduce its operating costs and to optimize the deployment of its current cash resources. This includes the difficult decision to reduce its global workforce by approximately 50% to 800 employees. When combined with other cost reductions in real estate and third-party spending, the company expects to halve the ongoing cash cost of operating the business to approximately $30 million per quarter.
Simultaneously, the company also announced a new CEO, Igor Torgov. Torgov has a long history in the tech industry, with stints at Microsoft, Bitfury, Columbus A/S, and Yota. Most recently, before serving as Arrival’s EVP of Digital, Torgov served as CEO of Atol.
“Accepting this important role at a critical point in Arrival’s journey is a significant responsibility,” said Torgov. “Arrival has developed unique technologies in a market that has huge growth potential and can play a key role in addressing climate change. To unlock these opportunities, we need to make difficult decisions and to take swift action. Following a detailed evaluation of Arrival and the wider EV market during the past two months, the leadership team and the Board have taken decisive action to ensure the most effective use of our current resources and optimize the efficiency of the business. The actions support our journey to become a champion in innovative products and new, more efficient methods of vehicle production, particularly in the important US market for commercial electric vehicles. We are keenly aware that these decisions, while necessary, will have a profound impact on a significant number of our colleagues. We are 100% committed to supporting our employees during this difficult process.”
Ford is cutting prices across the board for the Mustang Mach-E in an effort to remain competitive following similar price cuts from Tesla.
The Mustang Mach-E has emerged as one of Tesla’s main competitors, even topping Tesla in Consumer Reports rankings. In mid-January, Tesla announced major price cuts across its lineup, and Ford is now following suit.
“We are not going to cede ground to anyone. We are producing more EVs to reduce customer wait times, offering competitive pricing and working to create an ownership experience that is second to none,” said Marin Gjaja, Chief Customer Officer, Ford Model e. “Our customers are at the center of everything we do – as we continue to build thrilling and exciting electric vehicles, we will continue to push the boundaries to make EVs more accessible for everybody.”
The price drops are fairly substantial, with GT Extended Range models seeing as much as a $5,900 reduction.
Ford Mustang Mach-E Price Drop – Credit Ford
Customers who purchased after January 1, 2023, or those still awaiting delivery, will automatically receive the adjusted price.
“Part of our mission at Ford is to treat customers like family,” said Gjaja. “We want our customers to know they made the right decision by choosing a Mustang Mach-E, and we’ll continue to play a proactive role in doing the right thing for those joining the Ford family.”
Ford is clearly going all out in its efforts to take the EV crown from Tesla, and these price reductions will certainly help.
Potential Tesla buyers are in for some good news, with multiple models seeing some major price cuts in the US and Europe.
According to Engadget, Tesla has lowered prices by thousands:
The least expensive EV, the Model 3 RWD, has dropped from $46,990 to $43,990, while the 5-seat Model Y Long Range fell 20 percent from $65,990 to $52,990. That means the latter model now qualifies for the $7,500 US Federal Tax credit, so the final price drop will be $20,500 — over 30 percent.
It’s unclear why Tesla is lowering the price as much as it is, but the largest price cut is a limited-time deal.
As Engadget points out, consumers will need to purchase a vehicle by mid-March in order to gain the full $7,500 rebate. After that, the rebate will likely be cut in half.
In the meantime, this is an excellent time to buy a new Tesla.
Tesla has been fined $2.2 million for not disclosing conditions in which the range of Tesla EVs may be less than advertised.
According to Reuters, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has leveled the fine against Tesla for exaggerating the “driving ranges of its cars on a single charge, their fuel cost-effectiveness compared to gasoline vehicles as well as the performance of its Superchargers.”
In particular, the KFTC says Tesla EVs’ range can drop by 50.5% in cold weather, something that was not disclosed in the company’s advertising.
The fine is the latest setback for the US-based EV company, amid falling stock prices over concerns about Musk’s leadership.
Tesla can no longer use “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) to describe its self-driving software in California, following the passage of a new law.
Tesla has repeatedly come under fire for its FSD, with the software falling short of customers’ expectations. Despite Tesla’s best efforts, FSD is still a ways off from being fully autonomous and California wants to make sure customers understand that.
According to Teslarati, California passed a law specifically to ensure Tesla’s description of its software is more realistic, after the Department of Motor Vehicles accused Tesla of “false advertising.”
Below is an excerpt from the legislation, provided by Teslarati:
“A dealer or manufacturer shall not sell any new passenger vehicle that is equipped with any partial driving automation feature or provide any software update or other vehicle upgrade that adds any partial driving automation feature, without, at the time of delivering or upgrading the vehicle, providing the buyer or owner with a distinct notice that provides the name of the feature and clearly describes the functions and limitations of the feature.”
“A manufacturer or dealer shall not name any partial driving automation feature, or describe any partial driving automation feature in marketing materials, using language that implies or would otherwise lead a reasonable person to believe, that the feature allows the vehicle to function as an autonomous vehicle, as defined in Section 38750, or otherwise has functionality not actually included in the feature. A violation of this subdivision shall be considered a misleading advertisement for the purposes of Section 11713.”
Canada is one step step closer to phasing out fossil fuel vehicles, requiring 20% of vehicles to be zero emission by 2026.
Governments around the world are beginning to take steps to address climate change, with a transition to electric vehicles being one of the biggest measures. According to Engadget, Canada is moving aggressively to spur such a transformation, requiring 20% of all vehicles sold to be zero emission by 2026.
“We’re moving forward with a regulated sales target that requires at least 20 percent of new vehicles sold by 2026 to be zero emission, increasing that to 60 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035,” said Julie Dabrusin, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
The move is one of the more aggressive moves by any country, with many others targeting 2030 and beyond for such an ambitious goal.
A major Tesla shareholder is calling for a new CEO, saying Elon Musk has “abandoned Tesla” over his obsession with Twitter.
Musk wears many hats, serving as CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter. Since his acquisition of Twitter, however, the social media company has been taking much of his time.
One of Tesla’s largest individual shareholders, KoGuan Leo, has had enough and is calling Musk out for not focusing on Tesla enough. Leo says the company needs someone more operations-oriented, much like Apple’s Tim Cook.
Elon abandoned Tesla and Tesla has no working CEO
Tesla needs and deserves to have working full time CEO
What Tesla BOD should do, do nothing? Elon will find his own successor under BOD independent supervision https://t.co/AJSvij9ncP
Only time will tell if Leo’s call to action is successful, but the longer Musk’s attention remains on Twitter ― no to mention the longer his erratic leadership of Twitter is on display — the greater the chance other shareholders will join in calling for Musk’s ouster.
T-Mobile has scored a big win, with electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast choosing the magenta carrier as its exclusive wireless partner.
Automakers are increasingly including wireless connectivity in their vehicles, with EV makers leading the way. VinFast has reached a multi-year, multi-million agreement to use T-Mobile as the exclusive wireless carrier for its smart vehicles in both North America and Europe.
The partnership will see VinFast’s vehicles offer remote services, streaming media and gaming, WiFi hotspot data, live traffic info, and over-the-air firmware and software updates.
“VinFast’s goal is to turn our smart electric vehicles into a platform that connects every aspect of life,” said Mdm. Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup and Chairwoman of VinFast. “Through our partnership with world-leading partners like T-Mobile, we’re delivering advanced features and functionality designed to make the journey safe, efficient and more enjoyable.”
“Both T-Mobile and VinFast are driven by a customer-first mindset, so it’s inspiring and motivating to support their innovation and the needs of their customers,” said Callie Field, President, T-Mobile Business Group. “Electric vehicles are rapidly evolving from a mere mode of transportation to a companion that offers productivity, entertainment and safety features throughout the journey — and we can’t wait to help VinFast customers experience this, no matter where the road takes them.”
Ford has moved into second place among electric vehicle (EV) makers, passing Hyundai to take its place behind Tesla.
Ford has been transitioning to EVs like many automakers in the industry. The company has been aggressively restructuring, laying off thousands to better focus on EV development.
According to CNBC, Ford’s efforts seem to be paying off with the company selling 53,752 all-electric vehicles in the US through November. This gives the company a 7.4% share of the market, up from 5.7% the previous year.
While Ford’s move into the second spot is impressive, it’s still a far cry from Tesla, which sold 908,000 EVs worldwide through the third quarter. Nonetheless, the news is promising for Ford and illustrates the challenges Tesla will have maintaining its lead going forward.
Mercedes is the latest automaker to jump on the most deplorable trend in the industry, charging $1,200 annually for faster acceleration.
Automakers looking for ways to nickel and dime their customers have turned to subscriptions as their method of choice, locking access to existing features unless customers pay the subscription price. Mercedes is the latest to adopt this practice, with plans to charge $1,200 for customers that want faster acceleration.
Mercedes EQ electric vehicles (EVs) will come with reduced horsepower and torque, which will be increased if customers pony up the extra cash annually. The overall performance of the vehicle will increase as well.
“Fine tuning of the electric motors increases the maximum motor output (kW) of your Mercedes-EQ by 20 to 24%, depending on the original output from factory,” Mercedes explains on its website. “The torque is also increased, enabling your vehicle to accelerate noticeably faster and more powerfully. This shortens the time it takes to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH by around 0.8 to 0.9 seconds. This additional output is available in all DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs.”
Mercedes’ move follows similar ones by other automakers. For example, BMW announced plans to charge $18 per month to unlock the heated seats already present in the vehicle.
The problem has become so bad that New Jersey lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ban automakers from charging a subscription for features that are already built into a vehicle.
As we have stated before, it is completely understandable to charge a subscription fee for services that require ongoing updates, such as GPS mapping services. It is certainly understandable to charge for other subscription services, such as satellite radio.
On the other hand, it is nothing but unmitigated greed and absurdity to charge customers to use features that are already included in the vehicle and that do not cost the automaker anything. If a user purchases a vehicle with a certain set of features, ALL of those features should be available and unlocked.
General Motors (GM) is recalling two of its electric vehicles EVs) over an issue with their batteries.
GM relaunched the Hummer as an EV in 2021. The SUV’s size — one of the things that led to it originally becoming the quintessential gas-guzzler — made it the ideal platform to host the necessary batteries that power all EVs.
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2022 model year BrightDrop EV600 and 2022 to 2023 model year GMC Hummer vehicles. The high-voltage battery pack enclosure in some of these vehicles may not have been properly sealed. If the pack enclosure is not sealed, water can enter the pack.
The report states that GM is aware of at least three instances of water entering the battery packs. In two such cases, the vehicles failed to start, while the third lost power while driving. The company is not aware of any accidents or injuries as a result of the issue.
Owner notification is scheduled to begin next month.
Dealers will be notified on October 13, 2022. Owner interim notification is estimated to begin on November 28, 2022. GM will provide an estimate for owner remedy notification when one is available.
Hyundai broke ground on a new plant near Savannah, Georgia and plans to begin production as soon as 2024.
Automakers are investing in new factories, as well as re-tasking existing ones, in an effort to ramp up EV production. According to Reuters, Hyundai’s upcoming Georgia plant will build 300,000 vehicles annually.
Hyundai global chief operating officer Jose Munoz held out the possibility of eventually hitting an even larger annual target.
“This plant is ready to get up to 500,000 if the demand is there,” Munoz said.
The news follows an announcement by BMW that it would invest $1.7 billion in US-based EV production.
