All articles tagged with #evs
Toyota named CFO Kenta Kon its next chief executive, effective April 1, replacing Koji Sato who becomes vice chairman, as the company faces U.S. tariff pressures and rising Chinese competition while pursuing a software-driven strategy and a continued hybrid-and-EV mix; Sato will coordinate with government on supply chains and Akio Toyoda’s influence remains central, and the company lifted its full-year profit outlook.
California is weighing a $200 million electric-vehicle subsidy for first-time buyers, with price caps of $55,000 for cars and $80,000 for pickups/SUVs/vans (used EVs under $25k eligible too). If enacted, it could bolster Tesla after the loss of federal rebates, but TSLA shares fell modestly on the news and analysts largely view the stock as a Hold with an average target around $393.51, signaling limited upside until broader catalysts like a SpaceX/xAI merger and Starlink cash flow materialize.
China will ban retractable (pop-out) door handles on new cars starting in 2027 and require a recessed operating space plus mechanical door releases for emergencies, with existing designs given until 2029 to redesign; the rule, affecting brands from Tesla to BMW and several Chinese automakers, aims to improve safety and could influence global car design.
Earnings season is in full swing with Tesla, Microsoft and Meta among the Magnificent Seven leading a busy week of reports across tech, defense, telecoms and industrials. Benzinga lays out a dense calendar from Jan 26–30, noting premarket opens and after-hours closes, with UnitedHealth and UPS among names reporting before the open Tuesday, Apple after Thursday’s close, and Western Digital/SanDisk Thursday afternoon, plus a long list of other firms and the iPhone cycle, AI-driven cloud spending and margin dynamics shaping expectations.
Canada will reduce duties on Chinese electric vehicles from 100% to 6.1% and cap imports at 49,000 annually, easing Chinese competition in North America. In exchange, China will lower tariffs on Canadian canola. The move comes as U.S. EV tariffs remain at 100% and could push Chinese brands to expand into the U.S. market via Canada (and possibly Mexico), with Geely signaling a North American expansion and analysts noting Chinese automakers' broader push to grow globally despite protectionist hurdles.
Tesla will discontinue the $8,000 Full Self-Driving option and switch to a strictly monthly subscription after February 14, with pricing not yet revealed (current subscriptions are $99 per month or $999 per year). Elon Musk announced the move, which could offer buyers flexibility if they trade in or drop the feature, but FSD has long required driver supervision and has faced regulatory scrutiny over its advertised capabilities.
Governor Gavin Newsom's 2026–27 budget proposes a one-time $200 million light-duty zero-emission vehicle incentive program to maintain EV affordability in California. The plan's per-vehicle breakdown hasn't been disclosed, but reports describe an instant discount at purchase, with potential consideration of used-EV credits. The proposal must still clear the state Legislature, and California's momentum for EV adoption—about 30% of auto sales in Q3 2025—drives the initiative.
Two dividend stalwarts, Ford and General Mills, are highlighted as solid income plays. Ford combines a new Universal EV Platform and a planned affordable EV pickup for 2027 with an upgraded production system to accelerate EV output, yielding about 4.3%; General Mills relies on strong brands and growth bets like Blue Buffalo into fresh pet food to support a long dividend history and roughly 5.2% yield. Both face challenges from competition and shifting consumer tastes but offer steady income and potential long-term upside.
Scientists have developed a new form of graphene that significantly enhances supercapacitors' energy and power density, potentially enabling faster charging and higher capacity energy storage for electric vehicles, electronics, and household devices, overcoming previous limitations of space efficiency and charge speed.
Ford's initial investment in electric vehicles didn't meet expectations, leading the company to shift focus towards hybrids and energy storage solutions as part of its strategic pivot in the automotive industry.
Ford CEO Jim Farley was shocked by the internal components of Tesla and Chinese EVs, which prompted him to overhaul Ford's EV strategy, including spinning out a dedicated division and shifting focus towards more affordable models to compete globally, especially against China's rapidly advancing EV market.
The average new car price in the US surpassed $50,000 for the first time, driven by luxury models and electric vehicles (EVs), which now account for over 11% of sales. EV prices remain stable despite high incentives, with Tesla leading the market. The trend reflects ongoing inflation and shifting consumer preferences towards higher-end and electric vehicles, amid a market that is experiencing significant growth and disruption.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe discusses the company's focus on broadening its vehicle lineup beyond trucks, the upcoming R2 model at a starting price of $45,000, and their conviction in skipping CarPlay in favor of a seamless, integrated digital experience. He emphasizes Rivian's software and hardware innovations, their strategic sourcing and manufacturing in the US, and their advancements in autonomous driving technology, including AI-driven self-driving features expected by 2027. Despite industry challenges like tariffs and supply chain issues, Rivian remains confident in its growth and brand appeal.
Hyundai announced its most ambitious growth plan, focusing on expanding its lineup with new EVs, hybrids, a midsize pickup, and luxury vehicles, aiming to sell 5.55 million vehicles globally by 2030, with significant investments in US manufacturing and new models tailored for key markets.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe emphasizes that China's low-cost EVs are not due to any 'magic' but result from subsidized development, lower labor costs, and strategic trade advantages, while also highlighting the advanced technology of Chinese EVs and the importance of global trade in securing raw materials like nickel for batteries.