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

LG To Invest $1.4 Billion In New Battery Cell Plant In Arizona

LG will commission a new battery factory in Arizona, which will go into service by 2024, as the company looks at ways of catering to North American demand. Construction will commence in Q2 2022, with the plant able to turn out 11 gigawatt-hours of battery cells each year, and with capacity for further growth. The new battery factory will be LG’s first in the United States to use cylindrical cells, with plans to supply the likes of Tesla, Lucid, and Proterra.

Oh, Yes, Toyota Confirms New GR Corolla For North America, World Debut On March 31

It’s finally official — although with the number of hints and teasers that were dropped, hardly surprising. We now have a date for the launch of the GR Corolla, with Toyota introducing their latest Gazoo Racing hot hatch on March 31 at 9:30 EDT. From the teaser, we can see that the hatchback has been given an aggressive makeover, including wider fenders, lightweight wheels, a high-performance braking system with red calipers, and aerodynamic side skirts with “GR-FOUR” lettering.

Bugatti Centodieci Enters Production After 31,000 Miles Of Rigorous Testing

Bugatti’s latest special edition pays homage to the quad-turbocharged EB110. But despite only 10 Centodiecis being put into production, the hypercar maker has subjected the prototype to 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles) of grueling testing. Every aspect of the Centodieci is assessed by expert test drivers who have mastered the vehicle and its functions and are able to perceive even the smallest variance in the steering, braking, acceleration, or suspension.

Review: The 2023 Mazda CX-50 Is A Gateway To The Great Outdoors

We get behind the wheel of the new Mazda CX-50 SUV, which has been designed with the North American market in mind. We found it to be a triumph of interior design, despite some quibbles with the front seats. Mazda has succeeded in making the CX-50 a good crossover to drive on the road but things don’t fall apart when the pavement stops, which is probably the biggest surprise.

Mercedes To Unveil Compact, Affordable T-Class Van On April 26

Mercedes will be unveiling an all-new T-Class, which has been developed in conjunction with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. The T-Class will likely aim to be a more luxurious version of the Citan, as the V-Class is to the Vito. Keep an eye out here for more information about the van, and check in on April 26 at 8:00 AM EST (2:00 PM CEST) for full details on the new T-Class.

Hyundai Grand Creta Is A New Three-Row SUV For South Africa

Hyundai has launched the Grand Creta, a brand-new three-row SUV for the South African market. It’s based on the underpinnings of the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Venue and features a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder with 156 hp or a 1.5-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder that produces 113 hp. The Grand Creta is 200 mm (7.8 inches) longer than the regular Creta, featuring a 150 mm (5.9 inches) longer wheelbase.

Teens Steal Pizza Delivery Honda Civic, Police Quickly Give Chase And Arrest Them

Officers from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Florida have arrested two teenagers who stole the vehicle of a pizza delivery driver. 16-year-old Keishawn Jelks refused to pull over when Deputy Karr from Marion County attempted a routine traffic stop. A chase ensued before the Deputy was able to perform a PIT maneuver on the Honda, spinning it around and leaving it stranded in a grass ditch.

What Else Is Making The News

Will Smith Apologizes For Oscars Incident 

 

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Will Smith has publically apologized for slapping Chris Rock. The actor said his behavior was “unacceptable and inexcusable.” In addition to directly apologizing to Rock, Smith also apologized to the Academy and the Williams family.

Flytrex Expands Drone Delivery To texas

Israeli firm Flytex is expanding its drone delivery service outside of North Carolina, and into Granbury, Texas. The inhabitants of the town (approximately 10,000) will be able to have food delivered to their front or back yard in around five minutes.