EV maker Rivian beat its second quarter earnings estimates, but more importantly predicted it would be in the black for the first time ever in the final quarter of 2024. A series of cost cutting measures and changes to the way the company sells vehicles combined to make the second quarter a good one. Find out more at Headlight.News.
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First Drive: 2025 Ram ProMaster EV
Online retailing will generate over $1.2 billion in revenues this year. And whether you’re buying from Amazon, WalMart, Target or countless other Internet retailers your package is likely to will make it to your doorstep in a delivery van. Increasingly, those vans are going electric as fleet operators seek low-cost solutions. Now, Ram is getting into the game with the new ProMaster EV. Headlight.News had a chance to take the rig for a run – without having to make any delivery stops.
Tesla’s Trade Secret Lawsuit Against Rivian Heading to Court
It will be up to a California court to determine the outcome of a long-running suit pitting two EV manufacturers, Tesla and Rivian. The bigger of the two has accused its rival of stealing trade secrets and a judge has ruled the case will have to go to trial after Rivian filed to get it dismissed earlier this week.
EVs Are Twice as Energy-Efficient as Gas Vehicles
Battery-electric vehicles use half as much energy to run a given distance as do vehicles powered by gasoline, according to a new study by Yale University. And the cleaner and more efficient the source of electricity used to charge a vehicle the better the equation gets.
Foreign Brands Now Produce More Vehicles in the U.S. than Detroit’s Big Three
It’s been four decades since Honda started building Accords at a new plant in Marysville, Ohio. Today, foreign-owned manufacturers are producing more vehicles in the U.S. than Detroit’s Big Three. And the gap is only expected to widen, in part due to local production mandates covering battery-electric vehicles, reports Headlight.News.
Fisker’s Woes Continue – Rivian Gets a Bailout – Everyone Is Going Hybrid – JD Power IQS Study – Mercedes CLE Review – This Week In Automotive History
This week's edition of the Headlight.News podcast focuses on Fisker's ongoing woes while rival EV maker Rivian got a bailout from Volkswagen. We also talk about the recent surge in hybrid models, the J.D Power IQS study, and even go for a spin in the 2024 Mercedes CLE...
Rivian Gets $5B Investment from Volkswagen
Larger automakers just can’t seem to stay away from EV startup Rivian. Ford Motor Co. once held a large, multi-billion dollar stake in the company and now Volkswagen plans to invest $5 billion in company. What does it mean? Go to Headlight.News for the story.
No CarPlay or Android Auto? No Sale, A Third of Car Buyers Say
Today’s cars are designed to pair up with personal devices, such as smartphones, typically through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But some automakers, notably General Motors, are dropping those features in favor of “native,” or built-in, systems. They do so at their own peril, according to a new survey showing a third of new vehicle buyers won’t buy such vehicles.
Jeep Wagoneer S Trailhawk Concept Ushers in Era of Off-Road EVs
The Jeep Wagoneer S Trailhawk Concept is a more rugged version of the all-electric Wagoneer S the automaker revealed in New York on Thursday. Capable of rock-crawling and deep-water fording, it’s designed to take on the same sort of challenges as gas-powered Trailhawk models do today. A production version is likely, Jeep officials said. But it’s by no means the only automaker exploring a potentially big market for off-road-ready EVs.
VinFast May Delay, Even Cancel, U.S. Assembly Plant
With its all-electric SUV winning harsh criticism and low demand, Vietnamese automaker VinFast appears to be rethinking its commitment to set up a $4 billion U.S. assembly complex. There’s growing concern the North Carolina facility will be delayed, even cancelled.
Lucid Trimming Jobs – And More Cuts Are Coming in the EV Sector
Struggling battery-electric start-up Lucid Group will cut 400 jobs as it tries to slash mounting financial woes. It’s far from the only EV manufacturer responding to slowing sales growth by trimming its workforce, however. And still more cuts are expected to follow in the months ahead.
First Drive: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST First Edition
After an unexpectedly long wait, Chevrolet finally brings the retail version of its new, all-electric pickup to market with the arrival of the 2024 Silverado EV RST. The initial First Edition package is loaded with an array of features that should grab potential buyers’ attention. It’s now the longest-range EV pickup on the market at up to 440 miles per charge, and delivers up to 750 hp in WOW mode. It’s also targeted at those with deep pockets – until later, more affordable trims arrive. Here’s our review of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST First Edition.