Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…

Lithium-Ion Battery Prices Fell 6% Last Year, But Trouble Is On The Horizon

The average battery price per kWh fell to $132 last year, down from $140 last year, says a report from BloombergNEF. The figures are an average of batteries used across a variety of applications, including buses and stationery projects. For electric cars, it was just $118. But the good news may not last, as Lithium prices have begun to rise, meaning that costs are set to soar next year. 

New Suzuki Alto Revealed For The Japanese Market

The latest Kei car from Suzuki, the Alto, has been revealed for the Japanese market, and it takes on a much boxier approach than its predecessor, but a largely familiar interior. The squarish design appears to be popular with Japanese consumers, with aptly-named N-Box and N-Wgn from Honda selling well in the smallest car class in Japan.

2022 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Is A Sleek And Practical Compact Wagon From Stellantis

Say hello to the Opel / Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, the long-roof variant of the latest Astra hatchback. The new car will be available with petrol and diesel engines, with plug-in hybrids also expected to be added later on. More details, including pricing, will be announced when order books open in early 2022.

Ferrari SF90 Stradale Prototype Wrecked In Crash In Germany

A prototype Ferrari SF90 Stradale was destroyed in a crash outside of Hoffenheim, Germany. The camouflaged car appeared to be running a bevy of testing equipment at the time of the crash, although it’s unclear what exactly happened. One thing’s for sure, though, we wouldn’t like to be the engineer behind the wheel having to explain it all.

Mitsubishi’s Ralliart Brand Returns With Some Hilarious Sticker Packs In Thailand

Excuse us if we had hoped for more from the triumphant return of the Ralliart brand, what with Mitsubishi’s storied performance car history. But six months after the comeback was announced, the red stickers and mudflaps that it amounted to were a bit of a letdown. Not all hope is lost, though: Mitsubishi also confirmed that it would be returning to motorsport, but it has failed to divulge what these plans will entail.

Aussies Get 2022 Genesis G70 Shooting Brake With A 2.0L Turbo And A AU$79,000 Starting Price

Sadly off-limits to U.S. customers, the Genesis G70 shooting brake has just launched in Australia. It will be available with just one engine option: a 2.0-liter 240 hp (179 kW) and 260 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

What Else Is Making The News

Testla Launches A New $50 Cybertruck Whistle 

Elon Musk announced the Cybertruck-inspired “Cyberwhistle,” and it’s already sold out. The trinket cost just $50 and already appears to have sold out. The company said on its website that the whistle is a “premium collectible” made from medical-grade stainless steel,

Meta Ordered To Sell Giphy

Facebook’s parent company, Meta, has been ordered to sell Gif-sharing search engine Giphy by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority. The purchase, which happened last year for a reported $315m has been ruled unfair to competing social media platforms.