Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
President Joe Biden Attends GM’s Grand Opening Of Factory Zero EV Assembly Plant
President Joe Biden attended the opening of General Motors’ new Factory Zero EV plant. Also in attendance was the leadership of UAW, as well as GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. The facility, formerly known as the Detroit-Hamtramck plant, will build vehicles based on GM’s Ultium platform and has had an investment of over $2.2 billion put into it.
Fisker Debuts Production 2023 Ocean Electric SUV, Starts From $37,499
The Fisker Ocean will start production in 2022, with the first models expected to roll off the Austrian production line one year from now. Prices for the Ocean Sport will start at $37,499 before tax breaks, while the Ocean Ultra will begin at $49,999, and the Ocean Extreme will start at $68,999. The first 5,000 units produced will be called the Fisker Ocean One and will have a starting price of $68,999. The significant differences between trims will center around the battery chemistry, with lower-priced models getting lithium-ion while higher-priced models get batteries with nickel manganese cobalt cell technology.
Hyundai SEVEN Concept Is An Electric, Autonomous-Capable SUV That Previews The Ioniq 7
The Hyundai Seven Concept is here to show us what the Korean automaker’s full-size electric SUV could look like. The primary design language is expected to carry over to the forthcoming MY24 Ioniq 7. Although some of the concept’s flexible interior options and autonomous tech might not make it to production in the very near future, José Muñoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America, says that “The SEVEN concept demonstrates Hyundai’s creative vision and advanced technological development for our electrified mobility future.”
Kia EV9 Concept Prepares Us For New Electric 3-Row SUV The Size Of The Telluride
Riding on the same E-GMP architecture as the Hyundai SEVEN Concept is Kia’s EV9 Concept. The design previews what a future Telluride-sized all-electric SUV from Kia will look like when it debuts for the 2024 model year. The interior features multiple configurations with swiveling seats that can form a mini-meeting room or a makeshift viewing gallery with the rear tailgate open.
Mullen Five Electric Crossover Promises 325 Mile Range And 1.9 Second 0-60 MPH Time
Mullen has used the Los Angeles Auto Show to introduce their all-new Five. The base model of the EV crossover will have a 95 kWh battery with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. Its 0–60 mph (0–96 km/h) time is 3.2 seconds. An RS variant (no relation to Audi) will be offered with carbon components and can achieve 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 1.9 seconds before hitting a top speed in excess of 200 mph (322 km/h).
VinFast Unveils VF e35 And VF e36 Electric SUVs Coming To The U.S. Next Year
Vietnam’s VinFast will enter the U.S. market with two electric SUVs. The company plans to spend $200 million establishing a headquarters in the U.S., aided by a $25 million state tax credit. The VF e35 is said to be a rival for the Tesla Model Y, VW ID.4, and Hyundai Ioniq 5, and features LiDAR for autonomous driving. The VF e36 may not reference a BMW 3-series but is instead the size of a BMW X7, with a dual-motor setup with 402 hp, and a range of up to 422 miles (679 km).
BMW Concept XM Teased With Illuminated Nostrils Just In Case You Miss Them
With Mullen introducing an “RS,” and Vinfast making an e36, BMW is busy pinching a badge from another manufacturer with a preview of its Citroen-sounding “XM”. The teaser is a sketch of its standalone M model. It still reveals a massive and illuminated kidney grille sitting between two thin LED headlights —the central units could be hiding lower in the bumper. There are also additional roof-mounted LEDs which will be a first for BMW. Bet you didn’t think BMW’s grilles could get any bigger right? Well, the debut is scheduled for November 29th.
What Else Is Making The News
Apple Will Let People Fix Their Own Phones
Apple is finally letting their customers fix iPhones and Mac by themselves, as they plan to start selling parts and tools, eliminating the need to bring products into a physical store or third-party repair shop. Apple is calling the program “Self Service Repair,” and it’ll launch “early next year” in the US, while according to TechCrunch, it won’t void the device warranty.
Amazon To Pay $500,000 For Withholding Covid Data
Amazon has reached an agreement in California over misinformation surrounding Covid-19 cases in the workplace. They will not admit wrongdoing but will pay $500,000 in the settlement. The “right to know” legislation requires firms to promptly inform workers of potential Covid exposures at their worksites, tell them about pandemic-related protections, benefits, disinfection, and safety plans, and report cases to local health agencies. reports the BBC.