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Category Archives: electric vehicles
McKinsey on EVs – China Most Advanced Region by Far
Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing market share, cars are becoming more connected, and autonomous vehicles are gradually starting to appear on more streets worldwide. However, the transition to new technologies has not been without challenges and kinks, especially with consumer sentiment in the EV sector, according to the Annual Mobility Survey by the respected McKinsey & Company consultancy. Respondents came from China, Europe, and the United States. The 2025 survey released today is ongoing. It will eventually include respondents from nine countries [an unknown number of which Trump wants to takeover – AutoCrat].
“After rising rapidly for years, EV sales growth has slowed in many regions. Meanwhile, new competitors, especially those from China, are entering the EV market and attracting attention by offering innovative and technologically-sophisticated vehicles that are often more affordable than offerings from incumbents,” according to the detailed, multi-sourced McKinsey analysis.* Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, McKinsey & Company, McKinsey’s Automotive & Assembly Practice, Patrick Hertzke, Patrick Schaufuss, Philipp Kampshoff, the California Air Resource Board, the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility, Timo Möller, Trump Administration, X @KenAutoinformed
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Hybrid-Electric Cars Dominate EU Car Sales
During Q1 2025, new EU car registrations declined by 1.9% compared to Q1 2024, with March 2025 figures showing a slight 0.2% year-on-year (YOY) decline according to registration data released today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, aka ACEA derived from its French name.* The battery-electric car market share stood at 15.2% market in Q1 2025, far from where it was expected to be by regulators and analysts. Hybrid electric models continue to grow in popularity, retaining their place as the most popular power type among buyers. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, news analysis, public health, results, sales
Tagged acea, ACEA European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Death of the diesel, eu march sales, hybrid-electric car sales, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Stellantis – Notable Progress in Solid State Batteries
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) and Factorial Energy today announced the successful validation of Factorial’s automotive-sized FEST® (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) solid-state battery cells. This feat claims to be a significant step forward on the path to bringing next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries to market.
“Reaching this level of performance reflects the strengths of our collaboration with Factorial,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. “This breakthrough puts us at the forefront of the solid-state revolution, but we are not stopping there. We continue working together to push the boundaries and deliver even more advanced solutions, bringing us closer to lighter, more efficient batteries that reduce costs for our customers.” Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Factorial Energy, Ken Zino, Ned Curic, Siyu Huang, X @KenAutoinformed
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New Toyota and Lexus Models Debut at Auto Shanghai
Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) announced at Auto Shanghai 2025 in China today that it will be expanding its battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup in China.
“China is a highly advanced market that leads the way in electrification, with BEVs accounting for a high proportion of new car sales. Toyota announced the new bZ7 BEV, which follows the bZ4X, bZ3, bZ3X, and bZ5, while Lexus announced the new ES BEV, which follows the UX and RZ BEVs, in order to further accelerate a multi-pathway approach while responding to the needs of local customers,” Toyota said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, Auto Shanghai 2025, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Guangzhou Automobile Group, Guangzhou Toyota Motor Company, Ken Zino, Kohei Chiashi, Lexus ES BEV, Toyota bZ7, X @KenAutoinformed
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Tesla Tanking as Musk Leaves DOGE
Tesla said late yesterday that 2025 profits during Q1 plunged from $1.39 billion to $409 million. This was a drastic drop from analyst guess-timates as the Elon Musk’s DOGE chainsaw kicked back on the company and slashed revenue from $21.3 billion to $19.3 billion. Amidst the carnage of lower customer deliveries, lower margins and lower profits, Elon Musk also claimed that he was leaving DOGE behind as his major work there was finished.
“So at Tesla, we’ve gone through many, many of crisis over the years and actually been through many near death experiences. Like, we probably were on the ragged edge of death at least on maybe a dozen times,” Musk claimed. “This is not one of those times.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, financial results, news analysis, quality, results, sales, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, DOGE, elon musk, Ken Zino, Tesla Q1 2025 Financial Results, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota to Make Next-Gen Hybrid Transaxles at West Virginia
Toyota’s North American subsidiary announced today an additional investment of $88 million in Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia to assemble the next generation of hybrid transaxles.
“Production is set to begin in late 2026, with plans to incorporate the drivetrain component into future Toyota and Lexus models, TNA said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, hybrid transaxles, Ken Zino, Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, Toyota North American West Virginia assembly plant, X @KenAutoinformed
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Kia EV4 Sedan Debuts in New York
Kia America has unwrapped the all-new 2026 EV4 sedan at the New York International Auto Show. The compact EV4 is Kia’s first global EV sedan. It’s based on a 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which underpins multiple EV models from Kia. How a sedan performs in an EV market dominated by CUVs and SUVs remains to be seen. The U.S. launch of Kia EV4 expected early 2026. Trim Levels, options and pricing among other variables are subject to the unpredictable whims of Trump tariff decrees of course.
“The EV4 makes all-electric ownership accessible for those customers who are seeking a more practical and affordable option on the EV landscape while still desiring an advanced, technology-driven in-car experience,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged ADAS systems, Advanced Driver Assistance Technology, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, E-GMP, Ken Zino, Kia Connect, Kia EV4 Sedan, New York International Auto Show, Steven Center, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW Members OK Strike at General Dynamics Electric Boat
UAW President Shawn Fain and Local 571 President Bill Louis yesterday with more than a thousand union members announced a “major escalation” in the ongoing labor dispute at General Dynamics Electric Boat. The marine drafters, a highly skilled workforce responsible for designing the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet, have voted to authorize a strike against their employer. The decision underlines growing frustration with the defense contractor, which has reported massive profits even as the workers behind a foundation of the nation’s nuclear deterrence fight for a contract that delivers on their priorities: fair pay, retirement security for all, and dignity on the job. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, labor issues, manufacturing, news, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, General Dynamics Electric Boat, JoAnna McClenathan, Ken Zino, Local 571 President Bill Louis, UAW President Shawn Fain, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW Group Posts Slight Q1 2025 Sales Drop
BMW Group (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG ADR BMWYY) said today that global automotive deliveries were basically flat at 586,149. Compared to the previous year this represented a drop of -1.4%. China. was largely the problem, as it is for all non-native automakers. During the first three months of 2025, the BMW Group saw growth in Europe ( 241,867 for +6.2%) and the US (94,591 for +4.0%). This gives U.S. bragging rights to BMW since MBUSA (Mercedes-Benz Group AG MBGAF) sold 75,100 vehicles in the quarter. Outside of China, BMW growth was +5.9%. year-over-year. Continue reading
Mercedes-AMG Hybrid Wagon Coming to the U.S.
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) said today that its first performance hybrid wagon from Mercedes-AMG will be offered in U.S. later in the 2025 calendar year. There will be 12 exterior paint colors, including four MANUFAKTUR hues, along with the optional AMG Night Package, AMG Night Package Plus and AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package. Standard are 20-inch AMG 5-Twin Spoke wheels with 20-inch AMG 10-Twin Spoke and 21-inch AMG Forged Cross-Spoke wheels in several finishes are optionally available. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged AMG E 53 HYBRID wagon, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, MANUFAKTUR customization, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz USA, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW North America Recalls 2025 xDrive Models
BMW of North America is recalling more than 4000 model year 2025 330i, 330i xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive) and X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The electrical connection between the Chinese-made starter-generator and battery may come loose. The supplier is Shanghai Valeo Auto-Elec System Company.
“This safety recall involves the power connector component of the starter- generator which may not have been produced by the supplier according to specifications. During the supplier production process, a gap could form at the connector location. If a gap exists, this could cause a loose connection between the connector and the positive battery cable (or wiring harness). As a result, resistive heating could start to occur,” BMW said in the required safety defect recall filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW of North America recalls, BMW xDrive recalls, Ken Zino, NHTSA 25V-202 or 25V202, Shanghai Valeo Auto-Elec System Company recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Look – Gen 2 Citroën C5 Aircross
Citroën unveiled today the second-generation C5 Aircross SUV, which is the first Citroën built from the new Stellantis STLA Medium platform. It has a range of electrified powertrains – hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric.
“The New C5 Aircross offers greater peace of mind by incorporating driving aids that make life easier, such as the Citroën Matrix Leds or Pack drive Assist 2.0, and by offering a choice of several electrified energies to suit different needs, setting new standards in terms of freedom of movement: more than 100 km in electric mode in the plug-in hybrid version for everyday journeys in town, up to 680 km (WLTP combined cycle) in the electric version, and more than 950 km in the hybrid version (WLTP combined cycle),” Citroën said. Continue reading →