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Elon Musk says Tesla will pay customers if late deliveries lead to a smaller electric vehicle tax credit

Tesla Inc chief executive Elon Musk said the electric car company will reimburse customers if delays to car deliveries cause them to miss out on a significant tax credit. Under a major tax overhaul passed by the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress late last year, incentives in the way of tax credits that lower the cost of… Continue reading Elon Musk says Tesla will pay customers if late deliveries lead to a smaller electric vehicle tax credit

Tesla slashed its prices in China yet again — now Chinese customers can snag a Model 3 for a starting price of $72,000 (TSLA)

BEIJING (Reuters) — Tesla Inc has slashed prices on its Model 3 electric car in China. According to the California-based electric carmaker’s Chinese website, prices of certain Model 3 cars were cut by up to 7.6 percent. The starting price for a Model 3 in China now is 499,000 yuan ($72,000). It was the third… Continue reading Tesla slashed its prices in China yet again — now Chinese customers can snag a Model 3 for a starting price of $72,000 (TSLA)

Advik Hi-Tech to set up new plant in Pune

All auto tariff options still on table, says Wilbur Ross

US finalising report on whether imported cars represent threat to national security Go to Source

South Korea to file complaint against BMW for ‘delayed’ response to engine fires

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s transport ministry said it would file a complaint against German luxury carmaker BMW (BMWG.DE) with prosecutors for allegedly delaying recalls and concealing defects that led to several engine fires in the country this year. The BMW logo is seen on a vehicle at the New York Auto Show in the… Continue reading South Korea to file complaint against BMW for ‘delayed’ response to engine fires

Tesla Seeking To Construct Factory In China To Build Global Presence, Avoid Tariffs

Tesla Inc. is reportedly carrying out preparations for the construction of their first Chinese factory in Shanghai, reported Business Insider. According to sources and documents divulged by Reuters, bidding has already begun on the Shanghai Gigafactory and preparations are nearly complete.

The company made the decision to open a factory in China after foreign sales took a hit when China imposed U.S.-built car tariffs during President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war. No longer one of the few companies manufacturing electric vehicles, Tesla began facing rising competition in China and was forced to search for alternative options in order to increase their presence in the world’s biggest auto market.

The company already has plans to begin producing the Model 3 mass-market car as soon as the second half of 2019.

Tesla, headed by Chief Executive Elon Musk, has been searching for construction bidders to build the plant and has reportedly already received a bid from state-owned Shanghai Construction Group Co. Ltd. The names of several other firms involved in the bidding were not released.

Shanghai Baoye Group Co. Ltd., a China Minmetals subsidiary, has also confirmed involvement in the project and is preparing for a shipment of concrete pipe piles and steel pile tips before the end of the year. The plant’s 860,000-square-meter site already has the external fence and groundwork nearly completed.

The Gigafactory would be the first car plant in China to be owned by a foreign company. The move is seen as progress in terms of U.S.-Sino relations and China’s willingness to expand their markets.

In an official statement, Shanghai’s Mayor Ying Yong commented that construction work on the factory would start soon and encouraged the builders to work quickly in order to begin production by the end of 2019.

He added that “it is necessary to further promote the ‘four new economy,’ intelligent manufacturing, industrial innovation, industrial strength, quality improvement and other series of projects to accelerate the development of Shanghai’s real economy.”

“It is [also] necessary to focus on the country’s major development strategy, fully support the construction of major projects in the strategic emerging industries, and strive to achieve early results. The industrial park should do a good job in regional overall planning, ensure good project access, and improve land use efficiency.”

The Chinese market is crucial for the electric vehicle industry, making Tesla’s decision to open a plant in China incredibly promising.

Ford’s Ranger rides again. But will it win in a crowded truck market?

Ford
2019 Ford Ranger

Just weeks before Ford rolls out its new Ranger pickup, the automaker finds itself in a strange position: playing catch up on trucks.

After eight years of ignoring the midsize truck market while Toyota and General Motors racked up strong sales, Ford believes it's not too late for the new Ranger to make a splash.

“Ford is a huge truck seller,” said Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Cox Automotive. “They have built up a huge loyal truck buyer audience, and this group will look at the Ranger as another great Ford pickup truck.”

With pickup buyers wanting trucks that have greater capability and more technology, Ford has packed the Ranger with plenty of features, including a 10-speed transmission and towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. Both will be tops in the midsize category. And with a base model starting at just over $25,000, Ford believes the Ranger will have no problem attracting customers.

Ford's fight to remain an American auto icon
6:01 PM ET Thu, 6 Dec 2018 | 08:36

“We expect the buyers to come from new customers who want an open bed and a truck small enough to garage, but who also want to get out on the weekend,” said Brian Bell, marketing manager for Ford.

There's no doubt Americans have rediscovered smaller pickups. A decade ago Toyota's Tacoma defined the midsize truck category as Ford, GM and Fiat Chrysler's Ram focused on building bigger, more capable and more expensive full-size pickups. In 2011, with the country recovering from a recession and auto sales still lagging, Ford dropped the Ranger and said it would concentrate on its top-selling F-Series lineup of trucks. At the time, few argued with Ford's strategy.

A few years later, General Motors made a bigger push for midsize trucks with all-new versions of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, two models that hit showrooms just as Americans started buying more SUV's and trucks.

The timing was fortuitous. Since 2013, midsize pickup sales have doubled and are expected to top a half million vehicles this year, according to the auto website Edmunds.

Did Ford miss the boat by failing to bring back the Ranger sooner?

Brauer calls ignoring the midsize truck market a mistake.

“I think it is one of the reasons possibly why Mark Fields isn't at the helm [at Ford] anymore because this was seen as a miss,” Brauer said.

Instead of rehashing past decisions, Ford executives are looking to the future and predicting the Ranger model will hit the sweet spot of a hot segment. Sales of midsize pickups have jumped 22 percent this year, but the Ranger will face stuff competition. In addition to the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, the new Jeep Gladiator will hit showrooms next spring. Given the popularity of the Fiat Chrysler's Jeep brand and the Gladiator's bold look, industry analysts will not be surprised if the new truck attracts people who otherwise would consider buying a traditional looking pickup.

It will be one of the story lines the auto industry will be watching closely next year. Ford, a company that has lead the full-size pickup market for more than 40 years thanks to the long-standing popularity of F-Series, will soon find out if the Ranger rides high with Americans who want a smaller truck.

— CNBC's Meghan Reeder contributed to this article.

Questions? Comments? BehindTheWheel@cnbc.com.

Meghan Reeder | CNBC
2019 Ford Ranger pickup

WATCH: How automakers sell a $71,000 version of a $27,000 car

How automakers sell a $71,000 version of a $27,000 car
10:40 AM ET Thu, 28 June 2018 | 02:46

Keto to invest $10 million for manufacturing e-auto in India

Tesla Model 3 Topping Ford Mustang & BMW 3 Series … Model 3 Operational Savings … Jordan Peterson — #CleanTechnica Top 20

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Published on December 23rd, 2018 |

by Zachary Shahan

Tesla Model 3 Topping Ford Mustang & BMW 3 Series … Model 3 Operational Savings … Jordan Peterson — #CleanTechnica Top 20

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December 23rd, 2018 by Zachary Shahan

The most popular stories of the past week here on CleanTechnica included 7 Tesla Model 3 stories, 3 other Tesla stories, 3 other electric car stories, a story about an electric tractor, a climate science story, a couple of renewable energy news pieces, and a bit more. Read on for details and to read any of the hot cleantech stories you missed.

Tesla Model 3 Embarrassing Ford Mustang & BMW 3/4 Series — 8 Charts
Could The Tesla Model 3 Cut Your Car Costs By A Third?
Jordan B. Peterson: Climate Change Denier & Faux Lover Of Science
Tesla Model 3 Comfortable For Nearly 7 Foot Tall NBA Player — #CleanTechnica Interview
John Deere Unveils An Autonomous, Electric Tractor…With A Really Long Extension Cord
How Canadians Open Tesla Model 3 Door Handles When They Freeze Shut
Jay Leno Wonders Why More People Don’t Celebrate Tesla
Now It Can Be Told! Hyundai Kona Electric To Start At $36,450
Tesla Domination Budding, Toyota & Honda Getting Hit By EV Rise In USA — Conquest Sales Charts & Data
1st Chinese Exotic Electric Car — Qiantu K50 — To Hit US Roads
NIO Officially Launches NIO ES8 Battery At NIO Day 2018 — CleanTechnica Report & Pictures
How To Opt Out Of Animal Agriculture & Live Plant Based
NASA Tests Record-Setting Alta Devices Solar Cell On Space Station
A Week Of FUD — #Pravduh About #Tesla Report 15
Investment Firm Newly Covering Tesla: “One of the most dynamic technology innovators over the last 30 years”
Video: How To Remove The Tesla Model 3 Battery Pack
Tesla Model 3 vs. Losing Luxury Gasmobiles … Tesla Model 3 Easter Egg Fun … How To Best Charge A Tesla — #CleanTechnica Top 20
15-Year-Old Greta Thunberg Speaks Truth To Power In Katowice
4 More Reasons That Electric Trucks Are Better Than Diesel Trucks
Renewables Are The Cleanest & The Cheapest

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About the Author

Zachary Shahan Zach is tryin' to help society help itself (and other species). He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director and chief editor. He's also the president of Important Media and the director/founder of EV Obsession and Solar Love. Zach is recognized globally as an electric vehicle, solar energy, and energy storage expert. He has presented about cleantech at conferences in India, the UAE, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, and Canada.

Zach has long-term investments in TSLA, FSLR, SPWR, SEDG, & ABB — after years of covering solar and EVs, he simply has a lot of faith in these particular companies and feels like they are good cleantech companies to invest in. But he offers no professional investment advice and would rather not be responsible for you losing money, so don't jump to conclusions.

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Rivian R1T all-electric pickup revealed – WJAC Johnstown

With the Rivian R1T pickup revealed this morning, just ahead of the Los Angeles auto show, and the R1S SUV expected to be shown here this week, a Michigan-based electric-vehicle startup called Rivian might have something that’s been a long time coming: the first widely available fully electric light-duty pickup. Along with that, it might… Continue reading Rivian R1T all-electric pickup revealed – WJAC Johnstown