July 2022

Nissan to scrap Leaf, the first affordable mass market EV



(July 15, 2022) Nissan is facing up to the fact that it struggled for more than a decade to sell a pioneering electric vehicle that the U.S. market was not ready for — and which, in the end, fell behind the competitors that followed it. Long before Tesla made EVs cool, Nissan attempted to spark the segment with the first affordable, mass-market electric car, launched in the U.S. in late 2010, according to Automotive News.

Jeep debuts two new Wrangler color options for 2023 model year



(July 14, 2022) AUBURN  HILLS, Mich. — Jeep continues to keep its color palette fresh, giving Jeep enthusiasts the ability to order a custom look straight from the factory with not one, but two new exterior production colors on the 2023 model-year Jeep Wrangler: Earl and limited-production Reign. First showcased on the Gladiator Farout concept in 2020, Earl, a standout shade of gray with hints of aquamarine, makes its debut as an available exterior production color on the Wrangler lineup for the first time for the 2023 model year.

Order books now open in Europe for VW ID.Buzz starting at £57,115




(July 14, 2022) The ID. Buzz is Volkswagen's first all-electric van and features a 77kWh lithium-ion battery, supplying 150kW to a rear-mounted electric motor that develops 310Nm of torque and is capable of an all-electric driving range of up to 258 miles. UK order books are now open. Market launch is locked-in for September with Germany the first to receive the new electric van.

New Mercedes-Benz GLC now available for order



(July 13, 2022) STUTTGART, Germany — The new Mercedes‑Benz GLC goes on sale immediately, with prices starting at 57,631 euros ($58,207). The completely newly developed model series impresses with modern design and technology, sporty performance and efficiency as well as comfort and agility. All GLC models have an electrified drive system. Whether on- or off-road, the GLC is at home on any terrain.

Triumph completes TE-1 motorcycle project with Helix electric powertrain



(July 13, 2022) MILTON KEYNES, UK —Triumph has announced the completion of its TE-1 electric motorcycle development project, powered by Scalable Integrated Modular Inverter (SIMI) technology from Helix. During rolling road and track trials, the TE-1’s electric powertrain delivered 130kW (177PS/175bhp) peak power, for a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and 0-100 mph in 6.2 seconds. It also achieved a 100-mile range, based on live testing and official projections.

Volkswagen and Redwood Materials to create supply chain for EV battery recycling




(July 13, 2022) Volkswagen Group of America and Redwood Materials have announced their collaboration to create a supply chain to recycle Volkswagen and Audi electric vehicle batteries in the United States, with the goal of providing accessible and more sustainable electric mobility for American drivers.

All-new Honda CR-V gets more advanced, sporty hybrid system



(July 13, 2022) America’s best-selling SUV of the past quarter century just raised the stakes, as the all-new 2023 Honda CR-V debuts with a rugged and sophisticated design, along with a new, more advanced 4th-generation hybrid-electric system for a fuel-efficient, sporty and more capable driving experience. CR-V hybrid models are positioned as the top of the CR-V lineup and will represent about 50 percent of sales for this 6th generation, a key step in the Honda electrification strategy. The 2023 CR-V is launching this summer, with the Hybrid model launching later in the year.

Rivian plans hundreds of layoffs to trim non-manufacturing workforce



(July 12, 2022) Rivian Automotive Inc. is planning hundreds of layoffs to trim its workforce in areas where the electric-vehicle maker has grown too quickly, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg The cuts will focus on non-manufacturing roles, including teams with duplicate functions, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. The actions could be announced in the coming weeks, the people said.