Category: News Site

A GM worker’s story: Transfer from Lordstown one in a series of hard choices

CLOSE UAW worker Matt Moorhead on strike talks about his journey from the GM Youngstown plant to being on strike at GM Lansing Daniel Mears, The Detroit News Lansing — Matt Moorhead used to start his day with a latte made by his wife, Alyson. Now Moorhead, 47, no longer wakes up to that sweet gesture. He… Continue reading A GM worker’s story: Transfer from Lordstown one in a series of hard choices

Dealers stay up to date with online technology to drive motor finance

Technology is becoming increasingly important in motor finance as the customer journey goes online. A report from Cox Automotive recently revealed that 60% of dealers will have online purchasing services up and running in the next two years, making the ability to secure finance easily online a must. Chris Jones, COO of Blue Motor Finance,… Continue reading Dealers stay up to date with online technology to drive motor finance

Wheel Reinvented – REE Holds European Debut for World’s First Truly Flat and Modular Skateboard Chassis at IAA, Frankfurt

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Today, REE held its European debut for its revolutionary flat and modular platform which fundamentally changes the way electric vehicles are built to power widespread vehicle electrification. The launch takes place at IAA in Frankfurt alongside strategic partners, Musashi Seimitsu, a global Japanese Tier 1 with 34 manufacturing… Continue reading Wheel Reinvented – REE Holds European Debut for World’s First Truly Flat and Modular Skateboard Chassis at IAA, Frankfurt

Electric Renault Twingo Confirmed By Product Planning Boss

Renault Twingo Z.E. is now expected in 2020 according to Renault’s Executive Vice President, Product Planning and Programs. An all-electric Renault Twingo (a city car smaller than ZOE) has been expected for years and it seems that it will be finally introduced! This summer we saw a leaked calendar of new model launches by Renault,… Continue reading Electric Renault Twingo Confirmed By Product Planning Boss

Fiat Chrysler faces $79 million U.S. penalty for fuel economy shortfall

A Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) sign is seen at its U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. May 25, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCHA.MI) faces a $79 million U.S. civil penalty for failing to meet 2017 fuel economy requirements, the automaker confirmed Wednesday. The Italian-American automaker paid $77.3 million… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler faces $79 million U.S. penalty for fuel economy shortfall

Renault, ADA Launch Paris EV Carsharing

The number of vehicles put into service will increase to follow the customer demand. Photo via Max Pexels.  Groupe Renault and ADA are launching the Moov’In.Paris mobile app, which will provide access to their free-floating carsharing service for electric vehicles. Through the Moov’in.Paris app, 100 Renault ZOE and twenty Renault Twizy will be put into service… Continue reading Renault, ADA Launch Paris EV Carsharing

Classic Morris marque returns with a futuristic commercial EV concept

When Morris introduced the J-type van in 1948, it took Europe by storm, becoming one of the most ubiquitous delivery vehicles east of the Atlantic Ocean. In 2019, the newly reconstituted Morris Commercial wants to do it again, only with a twist.

This is the Morris JE, and as its name suggests, it's a new take on the classic commercial van. This time around, it's an all-electric, lithium-powered, carbon-fiber-constructed, future-proofed technology showcase; but Morris Commercial promises that it will still pack all the charm of the vehicle that inspired it.

“The JE successfully takes the essence of the original, iconic design, and reimagines it as an all-new, sustainable vehicle for the 21st century,” says the new company. “With modern styling cues and cutting-edge technology, the company is committed to delivering products with outstanding design at their core and with sustainability firmly at the top of the agenda through its commitment to full electrification.”

In fact, Morris Commercial has taken the “big” little van concept to heart with this tribute. Not only is it small, sustainable and packaged ideally for cargo, it's also, the company claims, the least-heavy commercial vehicle of its type in existence. That's down to the aforementioned carbon-fiber body construction and what the company describes as a “lightweight” chassis.

“As a business we are committed to environmental sustainability and we are trailblazing a new approach to the production of appealing, fully electric commercial vehicles,” said Morris Commercial CEO and founder Qu Li.

The announcement goes on to call the JE “fun” and “funky,” which is all well and good, but we're not entirely certain how it will fit into the marketplace in terms of initial cost, let alone upkeep. Commercial vehicles need to take a beating, and a carbon-fiber body sounds like a magnet for repair woes.

We hope Morris Commercial finds its niche, even if it's just selling to mobile marketing and retail brands with deep pockets and green ambitions.

Crowdfunded Aptera super-efficiency EV will use in-wheel motors

Aptera, self-proclaimed builder of the world's most efficient passenger vehicle, is partnering with Elaphe Propulsion to bring in-wheel motor technology to its 1,000-mile electric two-seater.

If Aptera rings a bell but you can't quite place it, it was a company that was seeking funding to build a hyper-efficient, three-wheel electric car way back in 2009. The concept looked more like a college engineering project than a conventional automobile, and while the two may have had next to nothing in common, Aptera ended up folding in 2011, after it was unable to secure low-interest loans to keep the program going.

But it's back. Thanks to crowdfunding, the project has a fresh tailwind. In the intervening years, Aptera's original co-founders quietly bought up the IP associated with the original concept and moved forward with refining the design into something more production-ready. It still has the private-plane-on-wheels looks, but underlying tech is ready for prime time.

This latest partnership is the next step toward proving that out. With in-wheel motor technology, Aptera can bypass the need for a traditional steering rack and simply use power-vectoring directional control instead.

“Elaphe is a perfect match for Aptera,” said Elaphe CEO, Gorazd Lampič. “We provide the packaging versatility and turning needed to enable Aptera’s industry-best efficiencies.”

Aptera is not the first EV hopeful to jump on the motor-in-wheel bandwagon. NEVS, which is working on an autonomous taxi pod, recently purchased the company behind a similar motor setup and hopes to implement it in a way that allows for 360-degree steering for optimum maneuverability and versatility in urban environments.

Not all automakers agree about whether in-wheel motor technology has matured to the level of durability expected for production cars, but its adoption is expected to accelerate as demand for urban mobility solutions increases.

Uber integrates electric moped service Cityscoot in Paris

Uber wants to become a super app by providing multiple services in a single app. That’s why the company is announcing an integration with French startup Cityscoot. Cityscoot is a free-floating electric scooter service (moped scooters). Just like other free-floating mobility services, you can open an app, locate the nearest vehicle around you, unlock it… Continue reading Uber integrates electric moped service Cityscoot in Paris