Smart Cars
Tesla, BYD, Stellantis, and Volkswagen Face Italian Investigation for Potentially Deceptive EV Marketing
February 23, 2025 – The Italian Competition Authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, AGCM for short) has recently launched investigations into four automobile manufacturers: Tesla, BYD, Stellantis, and Volkswagen, accusing them of suspected unfair business practices. According to the AGCM, these four carmakers are charged with providing misleading information to consumers regarding the…
Stellantis Takes on Autonomous Driving with ‘Hands-Free, Eyes-Free’ AutoDrive L3+
February 21, 2025 – Stellantis, the automotive giant with a footprint spanning both Europe and America, has announced the launch of its first “hands-free, eyes-free” partial autonomous driving feature, dubbed STLA AutoDrive. This innovation promises to offer a reprieve to drivers yearning to “reclaim valuable time” amidst congested traffic. However, Stellantis has refrained from immediately…
Mercedes-Benz Moves Towards Unified Aesthetic, Bridging Gas and Electric Lines
February 21, 2025 – Mercedes-Benz is set to follow in the footsteps of BMW, unifying the design language of its internal combustion engine and electric vehicles. As reported by Motor 1 today, all Mercedes models will embrace a “unified design language” without any compromises: “Electric vehicles and electrified models will leverage their respective strengths while…
Tesla to Roll Out ‘Queuing System’ at Supercharger Stations to Tackle Congestion and Line-Cutting
February 20, 2025 – Tesla is introducing a new “queuing system” at select Supercharger stations, according to a report by Teslarati today. The initiative aims to address a rare but troublesome issue: confusion and even disputes among drivers over who should charge their electric vehicles first. In densely populated areas, congestion at Supercharger stations can…
Nikola Files for Bankruptcy, Marking the Fall of a Silicon Valley Darling
February 20, 2025 – Nikola Corp., the once-promising hydrogen electric truck startup, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, citing its inability to find a buyer or raise additional funds to sustain its operations. Nikola, which was once a darling of Silicon Valley, saw its valuation soar to $30 billion after going public…
Tesla’s ‘Made in India’ Journey Begins: Factory Site Selection in Progress
February 19, 2025 – Tesla is making steady progress in its plans to enter the Indian market, according to sources cited by the Economic Times of India. Following the recruitment of talent in the country, the electric vehicle giant has now begun searching for suitable land. Maharashtra is emerging as the top contender for Tesla’s…
Tesla Model S Endures: 400,000 Kilometers and Still Goes 327 Kilometers on the Highway
February 18, 2025 – A recent study has revealed that even a Tesla Model S with extremely high mileage can still maintain impressive battery performance, making it capable of handling long-distance trips. This conclusion was drawn from an actual test conducted by the Out of Spec Testing team, who put a 2019 Tesla Model S…
Audi Eyes Premium Market with New Luxurious A8, Q7 Replacements; Promises ‘Valuable’ Price Hikes
February 15, 2025 – According to a report by Auto Express on the 13th local time, Audi is further elevating its brand positioning by planning to introduce even more luxurious replacements for the A8 and Q7/Q8 SUVs, pushing the brand towards a higher-end market. The newly appointed head of Audi UK, José Miguel Aparicio, stated…
Porsche Responds to EV Sales Dip with 1,900 Job Cuts in Germany
February 14, 2025 – Porsche, facing a decline in electric vehicle sales, has announced plans to lay off 1,900 employees in Germany by 2029. The decision comes as the luxury carmaker revises its profit margin expectations downwards to between 10% and 12% for the current year, significantly below its long-term target of 20%. In response…
Jeep’s New Electric SUV, Recon, Set to Hit the Market as the ‘Electric Wrangler’
February 13, 2025 – Making a splashy appearance during the Super Bowl, Jeep’s new electric SUV, the Recon EV, marked its latest preview. Positioned as the second electric SUV from the brand, the Recon EV is targeted squarely at the American market. Jeep first teased this model in 2022, framing it as a key component…