Briefly | 10 July 2023

It’s EV News Briefly for Monday 10th July. I’ll be back as usual at 5pm UK time, that’s Midday Eastern, for the full podcast.  Patreon supporters get the episodes as soon as they’re ready AND ad free. You can be like them by clicking here.

Reviews are out of the new Lotus Eletre, the brand's first electric SUV. The interior has a 15” central touchscreen, and a range of up to 373 miles from the 112kWh battery.  It comes with a dual motor drivetrain, and three versions: base, S, and R, with increasing power outputs. Starts from £105,000, weighs from 2,520kg which makes some people say it’s not a pure Lotus. 0-62mph in 2.9seconds.

Audi is considering purchasing an electric car platform from a Chinese competitor due to delays with its own SSP platform. The move aims to continue delivering electric vehicles while waiting for VW's Trinity platform. Audi is in talks with manufacturers, although no specific details are mentioned.

Audi's has also emphasised the need for faster localization in the Chinese market. While Audi focuses on local research, development, and market understanding, speeding up the localization process is necessary to keep up with the rapidly changing market conditions.

Tesla sold a record 93,680 vehicles made in China in June 2023. The Model Y was the best performer, with 63,043 units sold. Tesla also exported 19,468 vehicles made in Shanghai to overseas markets. In the first half of the year, Tesla sold a total of 476,539 vehicles made in China, a significant increase from the previous year.

Tesla has updated its US referral program to increase sales of the Model 3 and Model Y. Referred buyers now receive a $500 discount and three months of free Full-Self Driving (FSD). Referrers earn Tesla credit points for Supercharging or accessories. The update aims to sell "old" Model 3 and Model Y units before the release of facelifted versions.

Fisker has experienced a slow production ramp-up of its Ocean electric SUV due to supplier issues. In Q2 2023, only 1,022 Oceans were produced, and deliveries started six months later than planned. Fisker is working with suppliers to increase volumes and plans to invest in additional battery-pack capacity.

SAIC Motor, China's largest automaker, is planning to build an EV factory in Europe as part of its overseas expansion strategy. The company is seeking a site in Europe but hasn't provided specific details. SAIC sold 530,000 vehicles overseas in Q1 2023, a 40% increase from the previous year.

French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire is hopeful about Tesla making a significant investment in France. France has created favorable conditions for investment, and the government has been actively pursuing opportunities with Tesla. France aims to offer viable land with sufficient power infrastructure for a potential Tesla factory.

The China Association of Auto Manufacturers (CAAM) has withdrawn a pricing pledge among 16 automakers, ending a temporary ceasefire in the EV price war in China. The pledge was seen as a violation of antitrust law. Automakers have been cutting prices to stimulate demand, and the pricing war is expected to continue as the EV market grows.

General Motors (GM) has reduced the starting price of the Cadillac Lyriq EV in China by nearly 14% following price cuts by Volkswagen. The Lyriq is based on GM's Ultium EV architecture and is now priced at 379,700 yuan. GM hopes to increase sales of the Lyriq in China.

The Little Car Company in the UK is creating a full-sized, drivable version of the Tamiya Wild One RC car from the 1980s. Named the Wild One Max, it can reach speeds of up to 62 mph and will be street legal in Europe. It will weigh approximately 1100 pounds and be priced around $45,000.

Renault's Global Production Engineering Center in France operates a prototype plant to develop representative prototypes of future Renault models. The facility is currently producing prototypes of the all-electric Renault 5, starting with "mules" tested in Lapland. It allows for testing, validation, and refinement of the design with support from Technocentre experts.