
EXCLUSIVE Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki reveals truth about her 'secret love child' with Elon Musk amid claims he boasted about fathering baby with a Japanese singer
Elon Musk is convinced that civilization will crumble unless highly intelligent people – like him – start rapidly reproducing.
But a Japanese pop icon linked to Musk has made it clear she wants nothing to do with the Tesla CEO's one-man mission to stave off any looming population crisis, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal.
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Auto Blog
44 minutes ago
- Auto Blog
Tesla's Top Rival BYD Ignites EV Pricing War in China
BYD's newest price cuts in China may cause the country's average EV discount to reach a record high for the second month in a row. BYD set to move larger volumes with newest price cuts BYD has reignited China's electric vehicle (EV) price war after lowering the price of 22 all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by up to 34% through the end of June. Subsequently, shares of many Chinese EV makers, including BYD, tumbled. The Seal hybrid sedan saw the most significant price cut in BYD's lineup at 34%, lowering its starting cost to $15,000 or 102,800 yuan. 0:03 / 0:09 Nissan's revolutionary self-driving tech hits Japan's streets Watch More However, BYD's price changes don't impact its luxury inventory, which includes the Denza FangChengBao and Yangwang lines. China's IM Motors, Leapmotor, and Geely's Galaxy have also announced price cuts in response to BYD's move. Other key players, like XPeng, Nio, and Li Auto, haven't yet slashed any price tags. European automakers like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz will likely see further EV sales declines in China after BYD's bold move, given their reluctance to enter the country's new energy vehicle (NEV) price war. Tesla China registrations have also lagged in Q2. BYD Seal — Source: BYD Why BYD is one of the EV price war's largest players BYD has been considered a leader in China's EV price war with its in-house battery production and ability to get volume discounts from suppliers. The automaker is one of China's three profitable EV makers among the country's 50 or so electric car manufacturers. According to Investor's Business Daily, BYD introduced its latest price cuts in response to rising dealer inventories, causing some to wonder whether China's NEV push is losing steam. Chinese officials have also been investigating the possibility of zero-mileage car sales, where automakers pad their delivery numbers by reporting vehicles as sold that are being distributed to finance companies and used auto dealers, Clean Technica reports. In other words, Chinese automakers might be recording zero-mileage cars as sold when end users haven't purchased them. A slowdown in NEV sales would be a significant concern among Chinese officials regarding the country's economic goals and environmental sustainability. New price cuts from BYD also stem from the automaker's desire to reach 5.5 million sales this year, representing a 1.5 million increase from 2024. BYD's U.S. stocks declined 9.75% on Tuesday after the company's pricing announcement, while XPeng, Nio, and Li Auto's U.S. shares fell 3.8%, 4.1%, and 2.6%, respectively, according to Investor's Business Daily. Close to half of all China's new car sales are all-electric and PHEV, Electrek reports. By comparison, less than 10% of U.S. new vehicle sales are NEVs. Victor Sun, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, said he expects BYD to: 'Offset the impact [of its discounts] via larger sales scale and [its] battery cost staying low,' according to CNBC. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. BYD Seagull — Source: Getty Final thoughts Market reactions to BYD's discounts reflect how investors are nervous about an escalating EV price war in China and increased scrutiny from the country's regulators regarding sales numbers. In April, China's EV discounts reached a record high of 16.8%, and it appears this figure will climb higher in May. BYD, Seres, and Li Auto are the only three Chinese EV makers currently profitable, and an intensifying price war is setting the stage for an industry shakeout where smaller competitors will likely go under or get bought out by competitors. About the Author Cody Carlson View Profile


Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Shattered Rimac's Nurburgring Lap Record
The Chinese come out on top Chinese electric cars have been on the lips of Western automaking rivals for quite some time. The rise of companies like BYD, Zeekr, and NIO has put the auto market on watch in recent years for their low-priced cars loaded with extensive tech and luxury features. However, one company that stood out as the odd one was consumer electronics giant Xiaomi. The company, known for its smartphones and wearables, launched its first car in March 2024—a $30,000 supercar-styled electric sports sedan called the SU7. Throughout 2024, the SU7 became one of China's hot-selling vehicles, delivering more than 135,000 units last year, including one used by Ford CEO Jim Farley, who admitted he 'couldn't give it up' during an October 2024 podcast appearance. The success of the SU7 has led the tech giant to go all-in on a high-performance version called the Ultra. Last October, the company published a video showing a stripped-down, race-ready SU7 Ultra prototype lapping the Nürburgring in just 6 minutes and 46.8 seconds, faster than more expensive EVs like the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and even the multi-million dollar Rimac Nevera. This Xiaomi beats Porsches and Rimacs Although Xiaomi recorded 3,680 pre-orders in just 10 minutes when the website opened on October 29 last year, unfortunately, the SU7 Ultra that consumers got was far less racecar-like than the prototype that lapped the Ring. It featured Alcantara-trimmed seats and far less aggressive aerodynamics, including a prominent rear wing, a functional front splitter, and enlarged air intakes for the car's upgraded cooling package. However, in a new video released by Xiaomi on its social media channels, the consumer-grade, production version of the SU7 Ultra shattered Nurburgring lap records by securing the title of fastest production EV to lap the Green Hell, posting a verified lap time of 7:04.957. Xiaomi SU7 Ultra — Source: Getty Images Although the production SU7 Ultra's lap time is approximately 18 seconds slower than the stripped-down, race-ready prototype, it still outperformed some more prestigious and expensive rivals. The $74,000 SU7 Ultra's flying lap not only surpassed the $231,100 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, which recorded a time of 7:07.55, but it also beat the multi-million dollar Rimac Nevera, which previously held the production car lap record with a time of 7:05.298. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. According to Xiaomi, the SU7 Ultra is powered by a trio of electric motors producing 1,526 horsepower. The automaker claims that the SU7 Ultra can go from 0 to 60 in just 1.98 seconds and has a top speed of 217 miles per hour. In the video of the record lap, the SU7 is shown reaching 345 km/h, or 214 mph, on the long straight before the final corner of the Nordschleife. Xiaomi SU7 Ultra — Source: Xiaomi In a translated post on Weibo, Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun noted that the car used in the video was piloted by Vincent Radermecker and used the optional 'professional track package.' According to the Xiaomi website, the optional package includes a smattering of racing-grade goodies from a lion's den of aftermarket suppliers, including Bilstein EVO R coilover shock absorbers specially developed for the Ultra, ENDLESS high-performance brake pads, Pirelli P ZERO fifth-generation high-performance tires, an additional set of Pirelli P ZERO TROFEO RS semi-slick tires, as well as 21-inch U-shaped forged wheel hubs, carbon fiber rear wheel arches, and a carbon fiber roof. In his post on Chinese social media, the Xiaomi figurehead noted that this won't be the last time the SU7 Ultra will post a Ring time. 'I believe that this record will be broken in the near future,' Jun said, translated from Chinese. 'We will stay in the Nürburgring for a long time, and make progress together with the world's top peers in the pinnacle of the global automotive industry!' Xiaomi SU7 Ultra — Source: Xiaomi Final thoughts Although Xiaomi's time is a far cry from the Mercedes-AMG One's record for the fastest production vehicle of 6 minutes and 29 seconds, it really shows that a country that has been written off as making low-quality, disposable things in general has the capability to disrupt, and as what we seen so far, they are doing more than just knocking down doors and walls; they're building a new house on the old lot. It will be very interesting to see if a rebuttal in the form of a potentially faster car will emerge from any of the Western 'old guard.' Tesla, Porsche, Rimac, the ball is in your court. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile


Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Nissan Drops Can't-Miss Leaf Lease Deal for June
The 2025 Nissan Leaf holds its own as an affordable EV, and it gets even better with a snazzy June lease deal. Electrified affordability in hatchback form The Nissan Leaf was one of the first of its kind, and while it hasn't quite kept up with its latest competitors in terms of tech, it does manage to undercut many of them in price. The 2025 Leaf is one of the few EVs available for under $30,000, making it one of the most affordable models around. With Nissan's latest June lease deal, you can get into a new Leaf for as little as $179 per month, depending on location. That specific lease deal spans a 36-month term and requires a $2,599 down payment. Nissan Leaf brings just enough juice The 2025 Nissan Leaf doesn't exactly stand out from the crowd. In fact, with its simplistic styling, one could argue it was purposefully designed to blend in. The Japanese EV carries over with no major changes for the 2025 model year, and Nissan has already confirmed that the current Leaf will be leaving soon. Notably, however, the automaker plans to revive the nameplate in the future, but there's no set timeline on that just yet. The Nissan Leaf is available in two trim levels, with battery size being the primary difference between the two. The base S trim comes with a 40 kWh battery capable of powering the all-electric hatchback for up to 149 miles. While that might give some commuters range anxiety, those only traveling a handful of miles – or through tight city streets – might find the Leaf fits their needs to a T. The SV Plus features a 60 kWh battery that boosts range to 212 miles. While you won't get the latest tech and premium comfort amenities, the budget-friendly Leaf does feature a few highlights worth noting. An eight-inch touchscreen display comes standard, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Both trim levels feature four USB ports, along with a seven-inch LCD instrument cluster. In terms of space, the Nissan Leaf boasts up to 23.6 cu ft. of cargo space with the rear seats in their upright position. If you want an EV geared toward comfort, the SV Plus comes with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, among other niceties. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. As far as performance goes, the Nissan Leaf is a compact EV that's ideal for urban travel. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and there's no all-wheel drive upgrade available. The Leaf's electric powertrain is capable of producing a respectable 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque when paired with the 40 kWh battery. Upgrading to the 60 kWh battery increases performance to a sportier 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Nissan Leaf deals for June 2025 Nissan has never been one to play favorites, and, for the most part, that remains true regarding Leaf lease deals. Most of the United States sees the same lease offer on a new Leaf S with a 40 kWh battery: $289 per month with $2,239 due at signing. That deal is valid for most major hubs, including Seattle, Detroit, Miami, and Los Angeles, as well as Honolulu and Anchorage. Residents of New York City can get that same Leaf model for $269 per month, with a $2,249 down payment. Denver residents seem to get the best lease deal, though, with a $179 monthly payment and $2,599 due at signing. All lease offers run through June 30th, are based on a 36-month term, and include a 10,000-mile allowance. Final thoughts No one is arguing that the Nissan Leaf is the best of the best, but if you want a brand-new EV at an affordable price, there's no beating it. With a starting price of $28,140, the 2025 Leaf undercuts most, if not all, other EVs on the market. Add in Nissan's rather enticing June lease deal, especially for those living in the Denver area, and a new Leaf just looks better and better. Don't forget that time is a factor here, so if you want to get into a new Leaf, act before the end of June! Source: Nissan Lease offers may vary based on region, market conditions, vehicle configuration, and are subject to credit approval. Advertised monthly payments may not include taxes, title, registration, or other fees. To learn more about this 2025 Nissan Leaf lease offer, visit the official Nissan website and enter your zip code. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. About the Author Joseph Pudlewski View Profile