Smart Cars
German Antitrust Authority Gives Green Light to Volkswagen-Rivian Joint Venture
July 30, 2024 – The German antitrust regulatory authority, the Bundeskartellamt, announced on July 29 local time that it has approved the establishment of a 50%-50% joint venture between Volkswagen and the American automotive startup Rivian. The regulator also gave the nod for Volkswagen to acquire a minority stake in Rivian. Volkswagen had previously declared…
FSD Feature Expected to Be Available for Cybertruck in the Coming Month
July 29, 2024 – During the X Takeover live event, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, revealed that the latest version of FSD (Full Self-Driving, Supervised), v12.5, is expected to be available for the Cybertruck in mid-August. According to Musk, the new FSD update should be operational on the Cybertruck within the next two to…
Facing Profit Decline, Stellantis Considers Shutting Down or Selling Unprofitable Brands
July 29, 2024 – Following a significant drop in profits during the first half of this year, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has indicated a possible sale of the company’s underperforming brands. In an interview on the 26th, as reported by Autocar, Tavares warned, “If they are not profitable, we will shut them down. We cannot…
J.D. Power Study Reveals Tesla’s Dip in Consumer Satisfaction, While Traditional Carmakers Gain Ground
July 29, 2024 – According to the latest J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study, consumer satisfaction with Tesla has declined, while brands like Rivian, Porsche, and Jaguar have emerged at the forefront of the rankings. The study, based on surveys of 99,144 owners of 2024 model-year vehicles, evaluated consumer satisfaction…
Porsche’s Dual Strategy: Fuel and Hybrid Cayenne Models to Persist Post-2030
July 26, 2024 – Porsche has announced a strategic shift in its product lineup, revealing that its flagship SUV, the Cayenne, will continue to offer gasoline and hybrid variants beyond 2030. This decision underscores the company’s commitment to providing customers with a diverse range of powertrain options for the next decade. The German luxury automaker…
Stellantis CEO: We’re Ready to Take on Chinese Electric Vehicles in Europe
July 26, 2024 – Stellantis, the automotive giant, has declared its commitment to tackling the formidable impact of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) on the European market. At the opening ceremony of a new electric vehicle production line in Serbia, CEO Carlos Tavares stated, “We are poised to face the fierce challenge posed by Chinese automakers…
Musk Reaffirms: New Tesla Roadster to Enter Production Next Year After Seven-Year Wait
July 25, 2024 – After years of anticipation and multiple delays, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has finally provided an update on the long-awaited new Tesla Roadster, confirming that the electric sports car is set to enter production next year. The news comes as a relief to many who had begun to doubt the vehicle’s arrival,…
BMW Introduces First-of-its-Kind AI-Driven Magnetic Resonance Vehicle Inspection System with 5-Second Results
July 20, 2024 – BMW has set up the world’s first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system designed specifically for automobiles in Hawaii, USA, utilizing AI to assist in detecting potential safety hazards in vehicles. Magnetic resonance imaging, commonly known as MRI, is a medical imaging technique that employs magnetic fields and radio waves generated by…
UK Resists EU Move, Refuses to Impose High Tariffs on Chinese Electric Cars
July 20, 2024 – According to recent reports from British media, the UK’s Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has stated that the country will not follow the European Union’s lead in imposing high tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China. Reynolds, who is the newly appointed Labour minister, revealed that he had discussed the…
Tesla Raises Prices of Model S and Model X in the US by $2,000
July 20, 2024 – Tesla has recently announced an increase in the prices of its Model S and Model X vehicles in the United States, with both models experiencing a hike of 2,000.Therevisedpricingisasfollows:theTeslaModelSAll−WheelDriveversionisnowpricedat74,990, while the Model S Plaid edition stands at 89,990.Similarly,theModelXAll−WheelDrivevariantcosts79,990, and the Model X Plaid version is priced at $94,990. In addition to…