Apple Delays its Long Rumored Electric ‘Apple Car’ Until 2026, According to Sources

​The much-anticipated electric "Apple Car" from technology giant Apple Inc. won’t be here until at least 2026, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday citing sources familiar with the company's plans. It also appears that Apple is abandoning the Apple Car’s SAE Level-5 autonomous driving technology for a more simplified self-driving system for highways.

FutureCar Staff Dec 06, 2022 3:30 PM PT     

Tesla Sells 100,291 China-Built Vehicles in November, a Record High

Electric automaker Tesla had its biggest sales month ever in China during the month of November with sales of 100,291 vehicles, Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday. It’s the highest number of vehicles sold since Tesla’s Shanghai factory began assembling cars in late 2019. The record sales and production ramp up was made possible after improvements and upgrades were made at Tesla's Shanghai factory over the summer.

Eric WalzDec 05, 2022 11:15 AM PT    

Uber and its Technology Partner Aurora to Expand Autonomous Trucking Pilot in Texas

Uber Freight, which is the logistics business of ride hailing company Uber Technologies Inc., is expanding its autonomous freight delivery pilot in Texas ahead of the holiday rush. Uber has been testing its autonomous trucking technology in the state with its technology partner Aurora Innovation Inc. The two companies are expanding their autonomous pilot with a new 600-mile commercial freight lane between Fort Worth and El Paso.

Eric WalzDec 02, 2022 11:00 AM PT     

The World’s First Level-4 Automated Parking Feature Developed by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch is Approved for Commercial Use

Mercedes-Benz received approval for its advanced automated parking technology that it co-developed with Bosch from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). The SAE Level-4 automated parking technology is approved for use at a parking garage at Stuttgart Airport. It’s the world’s first Level-4 self-parking function to be approved for commercial use.

FutureCar Staff Dec 01, 2022 12:30 PM PT     

Electric Automaker XPeng and Bosch Join the ‘ELISA Project’ to Promote the Use of Linux in Safety-Critical Automotive Applications

Electric automaker and Tesla rival XPeng, along with leading automotive component supplier Bosch, have announce they have joined the ELISA Project to promote the use of the Linux open-source software in critical automotive safety applications of electric and connected vehicles. The ELISA Project was launched in Feb 2019 to create a shared set of tools and processes to help companies build and certify Linux-based, safety-critical applications.

Eric WalzNov 30, 2022 12:00 PM PT     

China's Tech Giant Baidu Plans to Rollout the World’s Largest Fully Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service by Next Year

China's internet technology giant Baidu Inc. held its “Apollo Day” live-streamed technology event on Monday where the company shared its latest progress on autonomous driving. Among the announcements at Apollo Day were Baidu’s plans to launch the world's largest fully-autonomous ride-hailing service aptly named “Apollo Go” by next year and become the world’s biggest robotaxi operator.

Eric WalzNov 29, 2022 3:00 PM PT       

Hyundai Motor Group Signs MoU with SK On Co. to Secure Batteries for EVs Built in the U.S.

Hyundai Motor Group is moving one step closer to securing the batteries its needs for future electric vehicles the automaker will build in North America. The automaker announced the signing of a MoU with battery maker SK On Co., Ltd to secure a supply of batteries for EV production in the U.S. The agreement is part of the automaker's plans to become one of the world's largest manufacturers of electric vehicles.

FutureCar Staff Nov 29, 2022 9:40 AM PT    

Vietnam-based Electric Vehicle Startup VinFast Ships its First Vehicles to the U.S.

Tesla and other automakers competing in the growing electric vehicle market in the U.S. are about to get some new competition from Vietnam-based electric carmaker VinFast. VinFast shipped its first batch of vehicles to the U.S. as the company eyes international expansion. The first shipment of electric cars included 999 VF 8 SUVs. VinFast says its entrance into the U.S. market is a milestone for Vietnam’s automotive industry.

Eric WalzNov 28, 2022 2:45 PM PT     

Tesla’s Model 3 is Reportedly Getting a Redesign to Make it More Appealing as Competition in the EV Segment Grows

The Tesla Model 3 is getting a big update that's aimed at cutting production costs, as well as making it more appealing to car shoppers. Tesla also aims to improve performance and reduce the number of components and complexity in the interior of the electric sedan. The Model 3 redesign project is codenamed “Highland" and is expected to enter production in the third quarter of 2023.

Eric WalzNov 28, 2022 10:30 AM PT   

Tesla May Build its Next Factory in South Korea, According to the Country’s Presidential Office

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Wednesday that South Korea was among its top candidates for a new factory. The plant would allow Tesla to tap into the growing electric vehicle market in South Korea, according to the country’s presidential office. Musk made the remarks in a video call with President Yoon Suk-yeol. Tesla also plans to step up cooperation with South Korea on supply chains for electric vehicle production in the country.

FutureCar Staff Nov 23, 2022 9:25 AM PT    

Mazda Outlines Plans to Invest $10.6 Billion in Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Development Through 2030

A changing auto industry and pressure from governments to reduce carbon emissions has prompted Mazda to revamp its strategic roadmap through 2030, which include a significant investment for developing new electric vehicles. Mazda’s aims for electric vehicles to be up to 40% of its total global sales by 2030.

FutureCar Staff Nov 22, 2022 12:30 PM PT   

LG Chem is Investing $3.2 Billion to Build a Cathode Manufacturing Facility for Electric Vehicle Batteries in Tennessee

Electric vehicle battery manufacturer LG Chem announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the state of Tennessee to establish a new cathode manufacturing facility for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in the city of Clarksville. The new plant will be the largest of its kind in the U.S. and will produce enough cathode materials to power 1.2 million EVs once fully operational.

Eric WalzNov 22, 2022 10:00 AM PT     

Mercedes-Benz is Offering a Performance Upgrade as a Yearly Subscription on its EQ Electric Vehicles

For the new EQ family of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles, the automaker announced it’s offering a performance upgrade as a yearly rental plan rather than a monthly subscription. It is one of the first plans of its kind in the auto industry. For $1,200 a year, customers can opt to increase the torque and maximum output of their Mercedes-EQ vehicles, including faster 0-60 mph acceleration times.

Eric WalzNov 21, 2022 12:40 PM PT     

Audi Rebrands its Premium Car Rental Service to ‘Audi on demand’

​Luxury automaker Audi of America announced the rebranding of its “Silvercar by Audi” premium car rental service to “Audi on demand”, which will also offer U.S. customers new long-term rental options for Audi vehicles. The service was expanded to include the new fully-electric Audi e-tron Sportback, making Audi the first and only company to offer the premium SUV as a rental vehicle.

FutureCar Staff Nov 21, 2022 9:00 AM PT    

Waymo Reveals its New Robotaxi Built by New Premium Electric Vehicle Brand Zeekr

​Alphabet's autonomous driving unit Waymo, which spun out of Google's self-driving car project, unveiled its latest autonomous passenger vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. The company’s next generation electric robotaxi is being built by Chinese premium electric automaker Zeekr and represents the future of mobility for Waymo customers.

Eric WalzNov 18, 2022 10:50 AM PT      

General Motors Announces a Key North American Nickel Supply Deal for Electric Vehicle Batteries

General Motors announced the signing of a term sheet with Vale Canada Limited, a subsidiary of Brazilian mining company Vale S.A., for a long-term supply of battery grade nickel sulfate. The nickel for GM's Ultium batteries will come from Vale’s proposed processing plant in the city of Bécancour, Québec, Canada. Vale is North America’s largest producer of finished nickel.

FutureCar Staff Nov 17, 2022 2:00 PM PT      

Stellantis Acquires Autonomous Driving Software Startup aiMotive

Stellantis, the parent company of the Jeep and Chrysler brands, is acquiring autonomous driving software startup aiMotive as the automaker looks to expand the autonomous driving and connectivity capabilities of its future vehicles. aiMotive is Budapest, Hungary-based developer of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving software technology.

Eric WalzNov 17, 2022 10:40 AM PT     

BorgWarner Invests $500 Million in Wolfspeed Inc, a Developer of Semiconductors and Silicon Carbide Devices for Electric Vehicles

Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc., which is one of the world’s biggest parts suppliers to the auto industry, announced a $500 million investment in Wolfspeed Inc., a developer and manufacturer of semiconductors and silicon carbide devices. Wolfspeed's family of products include Silicon Carbide (SiC) materials for applications such as electric vehicle powertrains, fast charging, 5G, renewable energy and energy storage devices.

Eric WalzNov 16, 2022 10:00 AM PT       

Here’s How Waymo Uses Hyper-Local Weather Data to Improve the Capabilities of its Self-Driving Vehicles

A self-driving vehicle relies on perception sensors, similar to how a human driver uses their eyes and ears to safely navigate. However, poor weather can be challenging for both humans and autonomous driving systems. In a recent blog post, Alphabet's autonomous driving unit Waymo shared some of the ways its robotaxis will deal with rain, fog and other poor weather conditions.

Eric WalzNov 15, 2022 3:25 PM PT    

Electric Automaker Lucid Group Unveils the Lower Priced Air Pure and Air Touring Models

Luxury electric automaker Lucid Group unveiled two lower priced versions of its Lucid Air sedan, the Air Pure and Air Touring. The Air Touring features a 620-horsepower dual-motor all wheel-drive electric powertrain with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds. It has an EPA estimated range of 425 miles, which edges out the 405-mile range of the dual-motor all-wheel-drive Tesla Model S.

FutureCar Staff Nov 15, 2022 9:30 AM PT