Author: EVAI

Volkswagen EV drivers in Europe will soon be able to play video games while they charge.

The automaker announced Monday that it will add the AirConsole gaming platform to certain models in some European countries starting in mid September. VW plans to expand availability to more European countries by the end of 2024 or early 2025, but did not discuss U.S. availability.

2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer

AirConsole, which is also available in the BMW i5, runs as an app on vehicle infotainment systems, but relies on users’ smartphones as controllers. Vehicles must be placed in park to use this feature, which includes single-player and multiplayer options.

The gaming feature launches on the VW ID.7 Tourer, the wagon version of the ID.7 hatchback. This model was never intended for the U.S., although the standard hatchback version was initially due to arrive in this market later this year, as a 2025 model. VW in May delayed the release of the U.S.-market ID.7, though, and hasn’t set a revised timeline for its arrival.

2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer

Along with the ID.7, VW plans to offer in-vehicle gaming on the ID.5, ID.4, and ID.3 EVs (only the ID.4 is sold in the U.S.), as well as the internal-combustion Golf, Passat, and Tiguan.

VW did not mention plans to offer AirConsole gaming in the ID.Buzz electric van, which is finally due to reach the U.S. dealers later this year with a base price of $61,545 and up to 234 miles of EPA range (those numbers aren’t for the same vehicle). While it’s also sold as a cargo van in Europe, the ID.Buzz is offered in the U.S. exclusively as a three-row passenger van—which would seem like a good application for built-in gaming.

General Motors and Samsung SDI finalized their partnership that will invest $3.5 billion in an EV battery plant in Indiana.

Hyundai will launch plug-in hybrid SUVs as a “bridge to electrification” in 2026, but still plans to launch 21 EVs globally by 2030.

Announced during the automaker’s 2024 CEO Investor Day presentation Wednesday, a new plug-in hybrid powertrain will use two electric motors to enable all-wheel drive, with a combustion engine acting primarily as a generator. This is similar to the defunct Chevrolet Volt, and distinct from the plug-in hybrids Hyundai has offered in the past.

Hyundai claims a combined range of up to 559 miles on both gasoline and electricity, with an “EV-like driving experience” the automaker claims will encourage customers to give all-electric models a try in the future.

2025 Genesis GV80

The powertrain will first appear in SUVs for both Hyundai and the Genesis luxury brand. The automaker is targeting annual North American sales of 80,000 units across both brands. Hyundai plans to start production by the end of 2026, with sales starting in 2027. 

The Genesis plug-in hybrid SUV may be just one of multiple hybrids augmenting what was to be an all-EV lineup. Genesis in 2021 laid out plans to sell only EVs or fuel-cell vehicles by 2030, but recently reversed course, citing customer demand. A report from The Korea Economic Daily earlier this year said Genesis was developing a hybrid powertrain based around a 2.5-liter engine, likely for use in the G80 sedan and GV70 SUV.

Hyundai is also planning updates to its existing hybrid system to improve fuel economy and performance—while targeting increased sales. The automaker aims to sell 1.3 million hybrids globally by 2028, and 690,000 in North America alone by 2030. The automaker is also expected to add production of hybrids alongside EVs at its new Georgia Metaplant scheduled to open later this year.

Hyundai Seven concept

EVs remain a priority for Hyundai, though. The automaker said it is researching new battery tech, including a new chemistry that it plans to introduce in 2030 alongside current nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) and cell-to-vehicle packaging that would see battery cells integrated directly with a vehicle’s body shell—going a step beyond even the cell-to-pack designs being touted by the likes of Chinese battery supplier CATL.

Hyundai is targeting 2 million global EV sales by 2030. Among the new models already slated for production is a three-row SUV debuting later this year—the Hyundai Ioniq 9, based on the Hyundai Seven concept first shown in 2021—as well as additional performance models in the vein of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

• Dealership sold after almost 50 years

• How Infiniti plans to regain share

• Toyota, BMW to upgrade fuel cell alliance

• CDK says data wasn’t compromised

• Court allows Tesla lawsuit in Louisiana

Polestar named Michael Lohschelle as its new CEO Michael Lohscheller’s resume includes Opel, Vinfast, and Nikola Volvo spun off Polestar Polestar has appointed Michael Lohscheller as its new CEO, replacing Thomas Ingenlath, who has led the EV brand since it was spun off from Volvo, following the latter’s resignation. The change takes effect Oct…

The PureSpeed is the first member of Mercedes’ Mythos series of low-volume specials Mercedes will build 250 examples of the PureSpeed, with help from Pininfarina Power will likely come from a twin-turbocharged V-8 without electrification Mercedes-Benz AMG is close to launching a limited-edition speedster based on the latest SL-Class. The car was…

In the second quarter of 2024, the percentage of consumers with negative equity was smaller than in 2019 and 2020. But compared with five years ago, the amount of negative equity that consumers have today is nearly $1,000 more.

F&I managers should make sure that each customer leaves knowing what the product is, how to file a claim and how they benefit.

Hyundai will expand its hybrid lineup to Genesis, and double its current hybrid lineup overall A new plug-in hybrid will be a midsize SUV that uses its gas engine to recharge its battery pack Its EV lineup will grow to 21 models by 2030, from seven now Hyundai on Wednesday unveiled plans to double its hybrid lineup, sell 21 electric vehicles by…

Samsung SDI on Wednesday said it had signed an agreement with General Motors for a joint EV battery factory in Indiana.

First reported by Reuters, the deal calls for the two companies to invest $3.5 billion in the factory, which targets annual production capacity of 27 gigawatt-hours of cells. Samsung reportedly expects the factory to begin mass production in 2027, and is leaving room for capacity to expand to 36 gigawatt-hours in annual volume.

General Motors Ultium batteries

The factory was announced in April 2023. At the time, GM and Samsung said it would cost around $3 billion, would aim for 30 gigawatt-hours of annual cell production, and would open in 2026. At the time, GM said the factory would produce both prismatic and cylindrical cells, highlighting the automaker’s flexibility on cell format.

Discussion of those formats means the Indiana factory could build cells that are markedly different than the very large-format pouch cells GM is having manufactured at battery plants under its Ultium Cells LLC joint venture with LG.

Possible electric Chevrolet Camaro in GM Ultium teaser video

Cylindrical cells could be much easier to integrate within lower-profile vehicles than those large-format pouch cells, making them prime candidates for low-slung electric performance cars like the electric Corvette GM has already confirmed, or aerodynamically efficient sedans such as the rumored all-electric replacement for the Chevy Camaro.

Indiana will also host two Samsung SDI joint-venture battery factories with Stellantis. The first, announced in May 2022, will be located in Kokomo and is due to ramp up in early 2025. The two companies announced a second battery factory for Indiana in July 2023, saying at the time that it would begin producing batteries in 2027.