BYD Seagull EV puts global auto execs, politicians on edge

A BYD Seagull small electric car is on display during the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images LIVONIA, Mich. – A small electric vehicle is having a big impact on the global automotive industry. It’s not the EV itself … Read more

Doing business in China is growing tougher, more uncertain, European business group says

BEIJING — Uncertainty and “draconian regulations” have drastically raised risks for foreign businesses in China, a report by a European business group said Wednesday. The lengthy paper by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China urges China’s leaders to do more to address concerns that it says have “grown exponentially” in recent years. “This … Read more

Tesla-rival BYD pushes into emerging markets amid Western uncertainty

BYD electric cars waiting to be loaded onto a ship are seen stacked at the international container terminal of Taicang Port in Suzhou, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province on February 8, 2024. STR | AFP | Getty Images In the race against Tesla for the global electric car market, Chinese automaker BYD is pushing hard … Read more

Fisker Suspends Its EV Production

Following recent reports that Fisker has been preparing for a possible bankruptcy filing, today the embattled automaker announced that it is suspending all manufacture of its electric vehicles. “Fisker will pause production for six weeks starting the week of March 18, 2024, to align inventory levels and progress strategic and financing initiatives,” the company said … Read more

How Tesla became the top-selling car company in Norway

Norway has had massive success with EV adoption — 82% of new cars sold in the country in 2023 were electric, according to the Norwegian Road Federation. This high adoption rate can be attributed to the generous subsidies the Scandinavian country has offered to electric vehicle owners as well as its investment in charging infrastructure. … Read more

How Rivian Is Pulling Off Its $45,000 Electric SUV

Last week, the electric automaker Rivian unveiled the R2, its latest electric SUV. When the vehicle starts rolling off production lines—in the first half of 2026, Rivian says—the R2 will join the R1S SUV and the R1T pick-up truck in the automaker’s lineup. Critically, Rivian pledges its newest entry will be cheaper: At “around” $45,000, … Read more

Rad Power Bikes Has 4 New Models—and Safer Batteries

The Seattle ebike company Rad Power Bikes has announced four new ebike models, all of which have the very important distinction of being unlikely to have their batteries suddenly burst into flames. The company says its new Safe Shield Batteries—which come standard on all four new bikes—have been certified at UL-2271, an industry standard ranking … Read more

Rivian electric R2 SUV and R3 crossovers unveiled

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe reacts at an event to unveil a smaller R2 SUV in Laguna Beach, California, U.S., March 7, 2024. Mike Blake | Reuters Shares of Rivian Automotive surged 13% on Thursday as the EV maker unveiled three new vehicles and announced more than $2 billion in savings related to pausing construction on … Read more

Rivian R2, R3, R3X: Price, Specs, Release Date

Yes, things sure have changed—for Rivian and for the world—since the automaker debuted in the US in 2021 and recorded the largest IPO the stock market had seen in seven years. One big change is that interest rates are higher, which makes large purchases more expensive to finance, and makes buyers cagier about purchasing anything, … Read more

China’s exports and imports beat estimates for first 2 months, signaling improving demand

HONG KONG — China’s exports and imports for the first two months of the year beat estimates, an indication that demand may be improving as Beijing attempts to speed up its economic recovery. Exports in January-February grew 7.1% from a year earlier, according to customs data released Thursday, up from a 2.3% rise in December. … Read more