Lucid Announces Midsize EV Platform, Says Profitability Lies with SUVs
Lucid unveiled a new midsize electric‑vehicle platform designed to underpin three upcoming SUVs priced below $50,000, marking a strategic push into the high‑volume midsize SUV segment. The first two models, the Earth and Cosmos, will offer distinct size and sportiness cues while a third, more off‑road‑oriented vehicle remains unnamed. Central to the platform is the Atlas drive unit, which reduces parts count by 30%, weight by 23% and material costs by 37%, enabling an efficiency target of 4.5 mi/kWh. Lucid also introduced the Lunar two‑seat robotaxi, leveraging the same platform to expand its autonomous‑mobility services.
Facing Heavy Losses, Honda Cancels Its Three US-Made Electric Vehicles
Honda announced the cancellation of its three U.S.-made electric vehicles—the Honda 0 SUV, Honda 0 sedan, and Acura RSX EV—after projecting losses of $5.1 billion to $7 billion for the fiscal year. The decision stems from a mix of trade‑war tariffs, the end of the...
These New Winter Tires Have Studs that Retract as It Warms Up
Nokian Tires unveiled the Hakkapeliitta 01, a studded winter tire that automatically retracts its 220 studs as temperatures rise. The tire uses a three‑layer construction—renewable rubber tread, an adaptive base that stiffens in cold and softens when warm, and robot‑installed studs...
The First Cars Bold Enough to Drive Themselves
The quest for driverless cars began over a century ago, when Leonardo Torres Quevedo’s 1904 Telekino remotely steered a three‑wheeled vehicle. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s American inventors demonstrated radio‑controlled cars, and General Motors showcased infrastructure‑based autonomy at the 1939 World’s...
What Happens to a Car when the Company Behind Its Software Goes Under?
Modern vehicles increasingly rely on cloud‑based software to operate core functions, making them vulnerable if the underlying service provider collapses. Recent bankruptcies of Fisker and Better Place left owners with bricked cars and no recourse, highlighting a new failure mode...
What if Riders Don't Close a Robotaxi Door After a Ride? Try DoorDash.
Waymo has launched a pilot in Atlanta that enlists DoorDash couriers to close robotaxi doors left ajar, preventing vehicles from moving. The program coincides with Waymo’s rollout of its sixth‑generation driver on Zeekr Ojai minivans, supplementing its existing Jaguar I‑Pace...