Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
Ford’s Sale Of 8 Million Rivian Shares Sends EV Startup’s Stock Plunging
After news broke that Ford had sold around 8 million shares in Rivian (approximately eight percent of its holdings in the company), stocks in the EV startup fell by 13 percent. CNBC also reported that JPMorgan Chase plans to offload another 13–15 million shares. Ford’s sold shares were estimated to be worth a little more than a total of $215 million, while the bank’s 13 to 15 million shares would be worth between $349 and $403.5 million.
Mercedes Teases New Vision AMG Concept That Looks Like A Performance EQXX
Mercedes’ chief design officer, Gorden Wagener, teased an all-new Vision AMG concept on Instagram. The outline looks reminiscent of the Mercedes EQXX with a streamlined body that will likely focus on aerodynamic efficiency. The EQXX was designed as a “research vehicle,” with many of its innovations said to find their way onto future models. The Vision AMG will be revealed on May 19.
2023 Ford E-Transit Custom Is An Electric Van With A Futuristic Face And 236-Mile Range
The latest step in electrification for the blue oval is the launch of the all-new 2023 Ford E-Transit Custom. Although the specification has so far been kept under wraps, the van rides on a “no-compromise all-electric architecture” and is targeted to have a range of up to 236 miles (380 km). Meanwhile, the face of the E-Transit features a studded grille, complete with an illuminated bar that connects the two LED headlights. There’s an integrated charge port on the front, with a sculpted bumper complementing the relatively soft and flowing design. It will also have a DC fast-charging capability, the ability to tow, and ProPower Onboard technology, just like the F-150 Lightning.
If I die under mysterious circumstances, it’s been nice knowin ya
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2022
“If I die under mysterious circumstances, it’s been nice knowin ya,” the Tesla CEO wrote shortly after sharing a message from Rogozin who accused Musk of being “involved in supplying the fascist forces in Ukraine with military communication equipment” adding that “for this, Elon, you will be held accountable like an adult – no matter how much you’ll play the fool.”
Hertz Teases New Mustang Shelby GT500 Special That You Can Rent Like You Stole It
Tomorrow, get a first glimpse of the new American driving icon. Are you ready? Let's go! #Hertz #HertzLetsGo #TheNewAmericanDrive #AmericanRoadTrip #EnjoyTheRide pic.twitter.com/gnqZH6MeMW
— Hertz (@Hertz) May 9, 2022
Hertz has teased its collaboration with Shelby, which will likely tie in with the brand’s history of renting out high-performance models. The teaser video tells us to “Drive an American Icon” and shows a Shelby snake logo and some shots of a hood with many slats in it, suggesting that it will be a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.
2023 Dodge Hornet Spied On The Road Looking Like Your Affordable Alfa Romeo Tonale Clone
The Dodge Hornet is coming, with Stellantis opting to use the Alfa Romeo Tonale as the basis for the new small crossover. Spied here, the 2023 Dodge Hornet looks like a rebadged Alfa, with most of the styling differences applied to the front end. Earlier this month, Dodge boss Tim Kuniskis confirmed that bar any surprise delays, the new 2023 Hornet will be officially unveiled in August 2022. Sources suggest the small crossover will be produced in Italy alongside its Alfa Romeo-badged twin.
Raven GT Is A Sexy V12-Powered Concept That Only Exists As NFT
While rendered concepts are nothing new, the idea of a concept car that exists only as an NFT is. Raven Cars are trying to accelerate NFT adoption and claims that its design process is identical to that of an actual car manufacturer — that is until it comes to making the car. The company has even given the car “potential” specs. When it goes on sale is unknown, but the company is already planning its next model.
What Else Is Making The News
Nvidia Fined $5 Million For Failing To Disclose Cryptomining Customers
Nvidia has been fined $5.5 million by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for failing to disclose how much cryptocurrency had impacted sales of its gaming GPU business. However, for the company that made $26.91 billion last year, the fine is seen by many to be a slap on the wrist, reports PC Gamer.
Game Of Thrones Prequel “House Of The Dragon” Trailer Drops
HBO released the first trailer for the highly-anticipated Game Of Thrones prequel series. The series will focus on House Targaryen and is set 300 years before the events of Game Of Thrones.