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

New Teslas No Longer Come With Charging Wires As Standard

In a move that mimics Apple and other phone makers’ decision to not include a charger with new phone sales, new Teslas no longer come with a charging cable as standard. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, confirmed the news on Twitter, claiming that “usage statistics were super low, so seemed wasteful.” A charging cable is available to purchase from the Tesla shop for $200, while Musk claims that the cable bundle will include more connectors. 

This Is The Facelifted 2023 Ford Explorer SUV For China

An update to the Ford Explorer was due to be revealed at the now-postponed Beijing Auto Show. Instead, fresh photos and specs have popped up, potentially previewing changes that could be applied to the U.S.-spec range. The grille is larger with a different pattern, while the LED headlights are narrower. In addition, the bumpers have been revised, resulting in slightly increased length. Changes to the cabin include a landscape screen replacing the previous portrait infotainment unit, ambient lighting, and slimmer air vents.

Volkswagen Must “Become Relevant In The U.S.” Says CEO Herbert Diess

VW Group CEO Herbert Diess says the brand needs more fans in the U.S. if it is to realize its ambition of becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of EVs. In an interview with 60 Minutes, Diess admits that the company does have internal discussions on how worthwhile it is to fight for American market share. However, despite VW losing money, Diess concludes that the U.S. is too important to ignore.

2019 Hyundai Nexo Can Leak Hydrogen And Catch Fire

Hyundai has issued a recall of 54 2019 Hyundai Nexos in the United States due to a possible hydrogen leak. The recall was triggered by a Nexo catching fire at a South Korean hydrogen filling station, which revealed that material from the fuel inlet receptacle filter detached shortly after fueling was completed. This allowed a leak to occur, which led to the fire.

FIA Defends Aston Martin Safety Car After Formula 1 Drivers Complain It’s Too Slow

Following criticism from some drivers, the FIA has released a statement on the speeds of the Aston Martin safety car. The organization says that the primary function of the safety car is not outright speed, but safety, and as such that the pace was dictated by Race Control. However, that somewhat contradicts what the safety car’s driver, Bernd Maylander, said. According to Maylander, he was “absolutely at the limit,” and “more was not possible with the best will in the world.”

Tesla “CYBERBACKPACK” Trademark Filing Hints At The Automaker Potentially Selling A Fan-Made Design

Tesla has filed for a trademark for something called the “CYBERBACKPACK,” said to cover the categories of book bags and school bags. It sounds remarkably similar to something created by a man named Riz, who has already developed a Tesla-inspired backpack. His version of the Cyberbackpack (not capitalized) is listed for $200, with an increase of $150, on the cards.

BMW M4 Driver Shows How Not To Leave A Car Show

Despite the plethora of evidence online that exuberantly leaving a car show is ill-advised, drivers who want to show off continue to do so. The latest exhibit is from the UK, where a black BMW M4 Convertible can be seen leaving a car meet. The problems start with the way the two back seat passengers are sitting: perched on the rear deck as opposed to being strapped in their seats. The results are predictable, with one of them falling off as the driver guns it.

What Else Is Making The News

Emirates To Launch Metaverse Experiences And NFTs

The United Arab Emirates airliner, Emirates, has announced that it’ll venture into the Metaverse world by offering experiences and NFTs. The move is said to align with Dubai and the UAE’s advancements in building a digital economy.

First Trailer For ‘Thor: Love And Thunder’ Drops

The trailer for the fourth entry in Marvel’s Thor franchise has been released and gives fans their first (albeit brief) look at Natalie Portman playing a version of Thor. The movie is set to release in cinemas on July 8, 2022.