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Volkswagen of America today announced that its ID.4 and ID. Buzz owners will be able to access the Tesla Supercharger network of 25,000 NACS Partner DC fast chargers, beginning November 18th. To enable the ID.4 and ID. Buzz vehicles to use the network, customers must purchase a Volkswagen-approved NACS adapter that will allow compatible Volkswagen electric vehicles to charge using the North American Charging System (NACS) fast charger plug. [Volkswagen is late to the Supercharger party – AutoCrat]*
“This is great news for our EV owners,” said Petar Danilovic, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America. “They will now be able to access the more than 25,000 DC fast chargers on the Tesla Supercharger network across the United States, in addition to the more than 5,000 fast chargers on Electrify America’s grid. This makes life much more convenient, whether you are taking a road trip or you rely on public charging should home charging not be an option.” Continue reading
Trump Tariffs – Toyota to Invest ~$10 Billion In U.S. Ops
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Toyota Motor Corporation has announced an additional investment of up to $10 billion in the United States during the next five years. This will bring the company’s total U.S. investment to ~$60 billion since beginning operations in the U.S. about 70 years ago. [The cost of taxpayer subsidies via federal, state and local incentives was not disclosed. Nor was it clear if this is an announcement of a planned expansion that was in the works before Trump’s tariff chaos began – AutoCrat] Toyota yesterday held an opening ceremony for Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC). Now officially starting production, the facility was established in November 2021 as Toyota’s first in-house battery manufacturing company outside Japan. TBMNC is Toyota’s 11th manufacturing facility in the U.S., representing an investment of ~$14 billion and the creation of up to 5100 new jobs.
“Today’s launch of Toyota’s first U.S. battery plant and additional U.S. investment up to $10 billion marks a pivotal moment in our company’s history. Toyota is a pioneer in electrified vehicles, and the company’s significant manufacturing investment in the U.S. and North Carolina further solidifies our commitment to team members, customers, dealers, communities, and suppliers,” said Tetsuo Ogawa, president and chief executive officer, Toyota Motor North America. Continue reading →