Smart Cars
UK April Car Production Plunges to 70-Year Low with Just 59,203 Units
June 6, 2025 – British automotive production has plummeted to its lowest level in seven decades this April, largely due to holiday scheduling conflicts and uncertainties surrounding tariffs, as reported by motor1 today. According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK produced a mere 59,203 vehicles last month, marking…
Stellantis Shifts Smart Cockpit to Android After Failed Amazon ‘Home-Car Ecosystem’ Venture
May 30 2025 – In a recent development, the collaboration between Stellantis and Amazon for the SmartCockpit initiative has officially concluded, although both companies will maintain their partnership in other areas. Stellantis has confirmed it will continue utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) and will retain Alexa functionality in some of its current vehicle models. Sources…
Stellantis Appoints New Chief After Six-Month Search to Fill Top Auto Leadership Role
May 29 2025 – After a rigorous six-month search process, European automotive giant Stellantis Group has finally found its new leader. The company announced in Amsterdam on May 28 local time that Antonio Filosa, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the Americas region (covering both North and South America) and the Group’s Chief…
Volvo Cars Slashes 3,000 Jobs to Tackle Cost Pressures and Trade Tariff Woes
May 27 2025 – Volvo Cars, the Swedish automaker under the ownership of China’s Geely Holding Group, unveiled on Monday a significant workforce reduction as part of a restructuring initiative announced last month. The company plans to slash 3,000 jobs, predominantly affecting white-collar positions, amidst a backdrop of escalating costs, sluggish demand for electric vehicles,…
Trek Unveils First Throttle-Equipped E-Bike: Boasts 80km Range & 45km/h Top Speed
May 27 2025 – Trek has unveiled its first-ever electric bicycle equipped with a throttle, the FX+ 1, marking a departure from its traditional focus on pedal-assist models. Priced at $1,999, the FX+ 1 is designed as a versatile e-bike suitable for urban commuting, casual rides, and light off-road adventures. Powered by a 500W Hyena…
Volvo Issues Warning: LiDAR Beams Can Permanently Damage Phone Sensors; Maintain Safe Distance for Photography
May 26 2025 – A Reddit user, Jeguetelli, recently took to the platform to share an unusual incident involving their iPhone 16 Pro Max and a newly purchased Volvo EX90. According to the post, the car’s built-in LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system emitted a beam that allegedly caused irreversible damage to the phone’s CMOS…
Giamaro Automobili Unveils Beastly 4-Turbo V12 Hypercar with 2100HP Surge
May 24 2025 – Italian hypercar manufacturer Giamaro Automobili has burst onto the scene with its latest flagship model, the Katla, making a bold statement in an era dominated by electric vehicles. This supercar, powered entirely by Giamaro’s in-house-developed 7.0-liter quad-turbocharged V12 engine, stands out as a refreshing alternative in the market. The Katla is…
Farewell to Combustion: Boxster/Cayman Exit in October as 718 Lineup Embraces Full Electrification
May 23 2025 – According to Motor1, following their discontinuation in Europe last year, Porsche’s current 718 Boxster (convertible) and Cayman (coupe) models are set to be phased out in other regions globally later this year. Frank Wiesmann, Porsche’s head of product communications for North America, confirmed that production of the fourth-generation Boxster and Cayman…
Musk Confirms Tesla Autonomous Taxi Rollout by June-End: Fleet to Expand to Thousands if Trial Succeeds
May 21 2025 – Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed, as reported by CNBC, that the company is set to deploy its autonomous taxis on the streets of Austin, Texas, by the end of June. However, the safety concerns surrounding Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system are currently under investigation by U.S. regulators. During an interview…
Toyota Execs Swiftly Approach Nissan for Alliance Talks After Failed Honda-Nissan Merger
May 20 2025 – Rumors have surfaced indicating that a senior executive from Toyota Motor Corporation reached out to Nissan Motor Co. to explore potential collaborative frameworks, though the latter has declined to comment on the matter. Toyota, in response, confirmed it is reviewing the reports but has yet to issue an official statement. As…