Author: EVAI

The UAW discovered that, like politics, all organizing is local, as workers at Mercedes-Benz reject the union’s promises and its win at Volkswagen Chattanooga plant.

• Toyota’s Ted Ogawa on UAW, EVs and more

• Tesla to deliver more electric Semis to PepsiCo

• Fiat cars seized over flag by Italian government

• Honda Civic adds 2 new 2025 hybrid variants

GM gets its plug-in hybrids ready for 2027 and considers an electric Camaro. The Civic Hybrid will be perky and provide nearly 50 mpg. And VW puts its ID.7 on hold for the U.S. This and more, here at Green Car Reports. 

The Volkswagen ID.7 EV has been delayed for the U.S., VW confirmed Wednesday. It provided no new timeline for the aero-savvy hatchback, but it verified that this decision doesn’t affect the arrival of the ID.Buzz electric Microbus, still due later this year in extended-length American form. 

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid lineup coming this summer will return nearly 50 mpg, the automaker revealed Tuesday, as well as pep and performance that may rival that of the sporty Si model. Civic hybrids, with a larger engine than what’s been used in past versions of this model and a choice of sedan or hatchback layouts, are aiming for 40% of Civic sales. 

GM is reportedly considering an affordable Chevy Camaro EV as part of its rollout of Ultium electric vehicles. In a different approach than what Ford has used for the Mustang Mach-E, the Camaro EV would be a car, not a crossover, according to a recent report citing GM president Mark Reuss. Is this related to the automaker’s plan for cylindrical batteries and, potentially, a lower-profile version of the platform?

On the other hand, GM is pushing ahead with plug-in hybrids. They’re due in 2027, executives recently confirmed, so as to help with stricter fuel efficiency and emissions standards. GM has already hinted that trucks may be first in this rollout, and GM hasn’t sold a U.S. PHEV since the Volt departed after 2019.

And wondering how much real-world range Teslas lose in the first several years? Data from thousands of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles shows that they don’t lose very much, but they don’t exactly start near the EPA ratings either.

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It appears there are plenty of buyers willing to drop a sum rivaling a mortgage on a new Mustang. Ford last month started the application process for its Mustang GTD first shown last summer, and the automaker on Wednesday said it received more than 7,500 applications from interested buyers across North America for the 2025 and 2026 model year…

Electric cars don’t require multiple gears, but they still have transmissions. And General Motors is working on a way to make them better. A patent filing from the automaker detailing a new type of clutch actuation for EV transmissions recently surfaced. It was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) May 16, 2024, and…

Mercedes-Benz in 2022 announced a new strategy of focusing on lower-volume but higher-margin vehicles like those offered through its AMG and Maybach sub-brands. The strategy will also include the launch of a new Mythos series offering highly bespoke limited-edition cars. The first of these is scheduled for launch next year, and Mercedes on…

Volkswagen announced Wednesday that it will delay the arrival of its ID.7 electric hatchback for the U.S. and Canada. 

VW didn’t provide a revised timeline for the ID.7’s arrival. It was originally due later this year, for the 2025 model year.

In a statement on the delay, it cited two reasons behind the change: changing market dynamics, and the stronger-than-anticipated demand for its Tourer variant in Europe. 

“After the introduction of the ID.7 Tourer, customer demand for the models is higher than expected, especially in Germany,” said Volkswagen of America. The ID.7 hatchback went on sale in Europe last year, while the ID.7 Tourer, a wagon version, is now being delivered there.

2025 Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer

The company confirmed to Green Car Reports that this doesn’t affect U.S. rollout timing for the ID.Buzz, which remains set for an arrival later in 2024. A refreshed 2024 VW ID.4 electric SUV is also arriving at dealerships, with some of the lineup getting an improved interface, more power, and range improvements. 

VW earlier this month revealed an initial U.S. feature set for its ID.Buzz electric van, which are set to arrive in the U.S. in a long-wheelbase form roughly two years after they arrived in Europe.

Volkswagen ID.7

In a preview drive of the 2025 VW ID.7, more than a year ago, Green Car Reports found that the ID.7 handled well and delivered loads of passenger space, in an aerodynamically savvy package that aimed to maximize range. But VW decided not to bring the ID.7 to the U.S. with the most driving range, in its largest and fastest-charging battery configuration. 

Generally, Volkswagen has chosen to launch its electric vehicle products in the U.S. later than in its home European market. However it’s working to add a series of affordable U.S.-built electric trucks from a new Scout EV brand. Those are set for first deliveries in the U.S. first, in 2026.

The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a lower court decision declaring a customer’s allegations of lease pricing deception at a Westland car dealership needed to be resolved through arbitration.

Coatings manufacturer PPG Industries plans to open its first new plant in the U.S. in 15 years as part of a $300 million investment in its North American footprint to support its automotive business.

Honda has revealed a few more details about its upcoming Civic hybrid lineup ahead of its arrival in June as a sedan and later this summer in hatchback form. The company appears set to position the hybrid version of the Civic as both the most efficient one in the lineup as well as one of the sportiest and most powerful models among the mainstream…