The iconic Volkswagen brand is facing major problems that make it “no longer competitive,” the automaker told its staff on Monday, and that has triggered a 10 billion euro, or $10.9 billion, cost saving program that will include job cuts. More from Headlight.News.
EVs and batteries
Magna Steyr Tapped to Develop Scout EV
Volkswagen dug deep into the past to create a new all-electric vehicle brand, Scout, a couple of years ago. However, the progress has been slow — until now. When it’s become clear what company will help VW develop the new brand: Magna Steyr. Get details at Headlight.News.
Ford Slashing Investment, Hiring Plans for Michigan EV Battery Plant
Ford will cut its projected investment in a new EV battery plant in Marshall, Michigan by $1 billion while also cutting back on the number of workers it expects to hire, the automaker confirmed Tuesday. The plant will roll out barely half as many batteries as originally expected, reports Headlight.News.
A Quarter of Americans Want to Buy a New EV — Still
Electric vehicle sales have been on the rise for much of 2023, although they’ve leveled off in the past few months. A new study reveals that cool down mirrors that of Americans wanting to buy new EVs at about 25%, which is about the same as last year. Details at Headlight.News.
Headlight News for the Week of 11-20-23 – LA Auto Show – Hyundai Ties up with Amazon – This Week in Auto History
Headlight News for the Week of 11-20-23 – LA Auto Show – Hyundai Ties up with Amazon – This Week in Auto History
Kia EV3, EV4 Concepts Likely to Go Into Production
They’re just concept vehicles. For now, at least, but Headlight.News has confirmed that Kia is all but certain to put into production the two prototypes it revealed at the LA Auto Show, the EV3 crossover and EV4 sedan. Both will help the South Korean carmaker appeal to a more budget-constrained mainstream audience than the current Kia EV6 SUV. More from Headlight.News
Cadillac Teasers its Fourth EV, the Optiq
General Motors CEO Mary Barra likes to say the carmaker is “on a path to an all-electric future,” and no GM brand is moving faster than Cadillac. It’s already building the Lyriq, and is getting ready to roll out both the Escalade IQ and the exotic halo car, the Celestiq. Next, it seems is a downsized electric SUV, the Optiq, and these are the first teaser images. Headlight.News checks out the new EV and has insight on what it will offer.
Lucid Is Hoping Gravity Will Keep it Afloat — the New Gravity SUV, That Is
It’s been a tough year for Lucid, the startup’s Air sedan falling short of sales goals, and weak revenues requiring a $3 billion bailout to keep things going. But the California-based EV maker is betting that it can get the boost from its second product line, the all-new Gravity SUV debuting at the LA Auto Show. Roomy, stylish and sporty, it will also offer, at 440 miles per charge, industry-leading range. Headlight.News was on hand for the debut of the 2025 Lucid Gravity.
NACTOY Names Car, Truck, Utility Vehicle of the Year Finalists
From 52 down to nine. Jurors for NACTOY, the most prestigious vehicle awards program in North America, have announced the nine finalists for Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle-of-the-Year, three in each category. And battery power clearly has the 50 U.S. and Canadian journalists who make up the jury charged up. Headlight.News checks out the nominees.
Honda Surprises with Prelude Appearance at LA Auto Show
Everyone ready for their first look all-new Honda Prologue in Los Angeles got a very welcome surprise … the Honda Prelude concept. The company’s hybrid electric concept was a big hit at the Japan Mobility Show last month and now it’s at the LA Auto Show. Get the story at Headlight.News.
Look Quick: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is An Electric Rocket for the Masses
Whatever you might think about EVs, electric motors make massive amounts of torque. And that’s what Hyundai is set to take advantage of with the 2025 Ioniq 5 N. The high-performance version of the automaker’s all-electric SUV could make traditional muscle car fans weep. Get the details at Headlight.News.
Mercedes-Benz Launches Branded High-Performance Luxury Charging Network
The race to not only produce desirable EVs, but get a portion of the charging revenue just got a little more competitive today. Mercedes-Benz cut the ribbon on the first of scores of new Mercedes-branded charging stations coming across the southern U.S. Read the whole story at Headlight.News.