Category: Design
Zeekr aims to rival Mercedes, BMW in Level 3 self-driving tech
The Geely subsidiary wants to offer hands- and eyes-off driving at speeds up to 130 kph in Europe.
5 stars of the 2024 Beijing auto show
Nearly every domestic and international brand attended the showcase event of the Chinese auto industry. Here are the hits (and a few misses) from the show, which featured more than 100 premieres.
Tesla’s freshened Model 3 Performance is a crazy fast, 510-hp bargain
Tesla adds adaptive suspension, improved sport seats and carbon-fiber interior accents. The performance trim is also the only Model 3 eligible for the $7,500 EV credit, making it a bargain.
VW to launch youth-focused EV brand for China
The ID UX subbrand is the automaker’s bid to recapture market share lost to local rivals such as BYD. VW also showed the ID Code crossover concept ahead of the Beijing auto show.
VW aims to maintain 15% share in China as domestic rivals gain turf
VW is betting on investments in a new Chinese research hub, and partnerships with Chinese EV makers and suppliers to develop more affordable EVs, more quickly.
Smart shows off the #5, its biggest model to date
The production #5 is due to be unveiled in the second half and will go on sale next year, joining the #1 and #3.
Smart to show midsize #5 concept at Beijing show
The midsize #5 will be Smart’s biggest model. It will launch in Europe in 2025.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2025 4Runner are similar — but different
The redesigned 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser goes on sale this spring with a higher price and lower volume expectations than the upcoming 2025 Toyota 4Runner, due late this year. Toyota admits there will be some overlap.
Chery to sign platform deal with premium European brand
Chery’s Chairman, Yin Tongyue, said two premium European marques want to use a platform from the Chinese automaker.
EPA’s push to eliminate ‘forever chemicals’ brings scrutiny to EV components
The EPA is moving to rid waterways of cancerous PFAS chemicals, but the auto industry still relies on some of them for crucial components and materials, including those used in EVs.