Today I learned BMW charges extra for a ‘don’t blind other people’ software update

When you typically think of luxury car features, do you envision rich leather seating and extravagant trim? Advanced cruise control and intelligent self-parking? Whatever you’re imagining, I’m betting “dim my headlights so I don’t blind other people” isn’t it. But not only has BMW used its “High Beam Assistant” as an upsell for well over… Continue reading Today I learned BMW charges extra for a ‘don’t blind other people’ software update

@Honda: Honda: Agreement Reached to Standardize Swappable Batteries for Electric Motorcycles

TOKYO, Mar 29, 2021 – (JCN Newswire) – The Swappable Battery Consortium for Electric Motorcycles (Consortium) has reached an agreement to standardize swappable batteries and replacement systems, allowing battery sharing and paving the way for increased adoption of electric motorcycles in Japan. The Consortium was established by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.,… Continue reading @Honda: Honda: Agreement Reached to Standardize Swappable Batteries for Electric Motorcycles

Tesla CEO Musk’s anti-union tweet from 2018 must be deleted: U.S. labor board

By Reuters Staff 3 Min Read (Reuters) – Tesla Inc Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s 2018 tweet threatening employees would lose their stock options if they formed a union was illegal and should be deleted, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board said on Thursday. FILE PHOTO: SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks during… Continue reading Tesla CEO Musk’s anti-union tweet from 2018 must be deleted: U.S. labor board

Made-in-Thailand compact EVs bound for consumers in Japan

TOKYO — Japanese electric vehicle startup Fomm will roll out its first domestic compact car for the general public in May. Headquartered in Kawasaki near Tokyo, Fomm started to manufacture and sell electric vehicles in Thailand in 2019. It now plans to sell a modified version in Japan. The move by the startup ahead of… Continue reading Made-in-Thailand compact EVs bound for consumers in Japan

Electric batteries: at Northvolt, the dream is already coming true

Four years ago, it was still just a crazy gamble. Today, in Skelleftea in northern Sweden, the dream is coming true. In a few months, by the end of 2021, the Northvolt plant near the Arctic Circle will start delivering its first batteries for electric cars. A small feat: the former Swedish “start-up”, which employs… Continue reading Electric batteries: at Northvolt, the dream is already coming true

Auto supplier BorgWarner expects EVs to account for almost 50% of revenue by 2030

The CEO of auto supplier BorgWarner told CNBC on Friday the company hopes to have nearly 50% of its revenues be tied to electric vehicles within the next decade. Currently, less than 3% of the Michigan-based firm’s sales are related to EVs. “Our assumption is that 30% of the vehicle will be battery electric in… Continue reading Auto supplier BorgWarner expects EVs to account for almost 50% of revenue by 2030

Indonesian state companies set up EV battery developer

JAKARTA — Indonesia has an ambitious plan: to establish itself as a major player in the global supply chain for electric vehicles. In five years, the archipelago wants to have an integrated industry encompassing everything from upstream development — mining raw materials for use in EV batteries — to downstream — the manufacturing of batteries… Continue reading Indonesian state companies set up EV battery developer

As Tesla gears up to release ‘Full Self-Driving’ to thousands more drivers, videos continue to show its flaws (TSLA)

Tesla is eyeing next month for a wider release of its “Full Self-Driving” beta software.  The system is still buggy and sometimes gets drivers into dangerous situations, videos show.  Neither the software nor Tesla’s Autopilot make its cars fully autonomous, despite the company’s marketing.  See more stories on Insider’s business page. When Tesla beamed out… Continue reading As Tesla gears up to release ‘Full Self-Driving’ to thousands more drivers, videos continue to show its flaws (TSLA)

China Tech Digest: Zhihu Listed On New York Exchange; Xiaomi Denies Making Cars

Priced at US$9.5, Zhihu will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange Zhihu will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange on March 26th, U.S. time. The stock code is “ZH”. The IPO price is set at US$9.5 per ADS. Zhihu is seeking to raise a total of US$850 million through the IPO… Continue reading China Tech Digest: Zhihu Listed On New York Exchange; Xiaomi Denies Making Cars