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Auto Blog
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Ford Bronco EV debuts for Chinese market
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. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. View post: Aston Martin Valhalla: This Is What a $1M Hypercar Should Look Like View post: Tesla's New Model 3+ Promises More Power and Nearly 500 Miles of Range Forbidden Fruit Model Shows Potential Of An Electric Bronco For The U.S. Ford has built out the Bronco nameplate into a family of models encompassing the traditional version and the smaller Bronco Sport—but all with gasoline powertrains. But the Bronco and Bronco Sport are about to be joined by an electric model. You just won't be able to get it in the United States. It's the Ford Bronco New Energy, which will be sold with all-electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains, in China, according to the country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). It's a joint effort between Ford and Jiangling Motors, with batteries supplied by BYD. 'New Energy' is as good a name as any for an electric Bronco, as 'new energy vehicle' is how China refers to EVs, extended-range plug-in hybrids, and other low-emission powertrain technologies. Not Much In Common With U.S.-Spec Broncos The Bronco New Energy measures 77.0 inches wide and 197.0 inches long, with a 116.1-inch wheelbase, making it 1.1 inches wider than a base U.S.-market Bronco (the Bronco Raptor is a bit wider thanks to its expanded track and fender flares). The American Bronco has the same wheelbase, but it's 7.6 inches shorter overall. Like the smaller Bronco Sport, the Bronco New Energy is a unibody vehicle. The all-electric version is rated at 271 horsepower and uses a 105.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack to achieve 404 miles of range on China's CLTC testing cycle. The plug-in hybrid version has a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and 43.7-kWh pack, good for 241 hp and an estimated 137 miles of electric range. Those battery packs make the Bronco New Energy heavier than its internal-combustion counterparts. The plug-in hybrid version tips the scales at 5,535 pounds, while the all-electric version weighs 5,800 pounds. For comparison, a Bronco Raptor—heaviest of the breed—weighs 4,945 pounds. 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. Ford's U.S. EV Strategy Still In Flux The Bronco New Energy is expected to go on sale in China later this year with a base price of 300,000 to 400,000 yuan. That's about $42,000 to $55,000 at current exchange rates. Whether the U.S. will ever see an equivalent model remains unclear. While Ford remains committed to EVs in the U.S., including moving ahead with plans to manufacture batteries here, the automaker has been vague on future product plans. Last year Ford canceled a three-row electric SUV and delayed production of a next-generation pickup codenamed T3, ostensibly to focus on hybrids and less-expensive EVs. But it still hasn't detailed any new models, leaving the Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit van as its only offerings in this market. About the Author Stephen Edelstein View Profile
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Electric vehicle expo CEO has blunt words on future, Elon Musk
The electric vehicle show Electrify Expo appeared at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash. on July 12-13. I had the opportunity to navigate the park and some roads around town in a Tesla Model 3 self-driving car, a Cybertruck and a Porsche Taycan. Of all those car-driving experiences, the Tesla self-driving Model 3 grabbed my attention the most. I was focused on attending to the matter of driving a car on a sunny hot Pacific Northwest day with a photographer and an event worker watching my every move. Then, kicking back and watching the car drive itself gave me the chance to relax and check things out around me, suddenly paying no attention at all to the car's technological intricacies. After the event, I received some intriguing comments from Electrify Expo CEO BJ Birtwell about the future of the electric vehicle industry, including bluntly stated thoughts about Elon Musk and Tesla (TSLA) . Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Through an email exchange, asked about the the future of EVs, Birtwell made a strong statement. "EV adoption is following the traditional S curve trajectory of any transformative technology," he wrote. "Early adopters came first, the early majority is happening now, and full market normalization will follow." Related: Dave Ramsey has blunt words for Americans buying a car "I'm talking broadly about electrification," he futher clarified. "Battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and hybrids. EVs won't be for everyone, but I do expect them to become the dominant form of passenger car transportation in the next 10 years, overtaking gas cars in new sales." "That said, gas cars won't go away in the U.S., nor should they. Consumers should have a choice on what they want to buy." Birtwell emphasized the point that there is a move in the works. "It's undeniable that virtually every major automaker has committed to electrification in some form," he wrote. "The shift is happening. It's just a question of how fast the infrastructure can catch up because the technology is outpacing the infrastructure now." "Infrastructure needs to catch up, and the politics need to get out of the way," Birtwell added. More on cars: Dave Ramsey has blunt words for Americans buying a carAlphabet's Waymo flexes on Tesla Robotaxi with latest updateTesla faces its most serious court battle in years Shifting to Tesla and Elon Musk, Birtwell made a key statement. "Tesla is more than one person," he wrote. "It's over 140,000 hardworking engineers, factory workers, service techs, and designers - people who aren't political operatives. They're builders. They're problem-solvers." "And in my experience, Tesla employees are some of the most tenacious, loyal, and mission-driven people I've ever met," Birtwell continued. "They have an insane level of grit and a commitment to advancing sustainable transportation." Related: Alphabet's Waymo flexes on Tesla Robotaxi with latest update Birtwell says he does not agree with everything Tesla founder Elon Musk says or does. And he makes his view clear. "Whether you love him or can't stand him, removing Tesla from the EV conversation isn't just unrealistic - it's revisionist," he wrote. "He's the Steve Jobs of the auto industry. He innovated to a point that forced nearly all other manufacturers to expand their product mix," Birtwell continued. "That said, EVs have now reached a point where the movement is bigger than any one person or company. Even if Tesla disappeared tomorrow, electrification would still continue - and that's a good thing." Birtwell adds additional statements on Tesla and how he envisions the future - and his mission. "Let's be clear," he said. "This conversation wouldn't be happening if not for Tesla. Love Elon Musk or hate him, he changed the trajectory of the auto industry. That's just a reality." Political and public policy tension has roiled Tesla, Elon Musk and the electric vehicle industry. Birtwell addresses that fact. "Recently, a large national protest group asked us to remove Tesla from our events," he wrote. "We won't. Choice matters. Access matters. And Electrify Expo will continue to stand for that." Related: Tesla faces its most serious court battle in years The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
How good is Tesla's self-driving feature? Watch it avoid an alligator
Tesla Full-Self Driving (Supervised) brakes for alligators. What would your first reaction be if you saw an alligator cross the road while driving? Imagine this scenario while the car is driving itself. Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature was put to the test when a Tesla driver encountered a huge alligator strutting across lanes. Full-Self Driving (Supervised) is a semi-autonomous driving feature that can stop, go, and steer without interactions from a driver as long as the user is attentive. This feature is far from infallible, but some Tesla owners are posting videos of it skillfully avoiding collisions. Tesla brakes for alligator while in Full-Self Driving (Supervised) mode Tesla's FSD (Supervised) feature uses cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors to brake when it detects an obstacle in its path, protecting both occupants and pedestrians. Tesla took to X to ask drivers to post their own experiences using the feature to avoid accidents on July 15 and the ensuing videos in response to the post are surprising. In the clip above, a Tesla comes to a dead stop when an alligator crosses its path while in FSD (Supervised) mode. Thankfully, the EV detected the gator and neither its occupants or the scaly creature were hurt. The clip demonstrates that even an animal with as unique of a body shape as an alligator is detectable via Tesla's semi-autonomous driving mode. This clip was far from the only video posted in response to Tesla's request for dashcam footage. Another Tesla driver posted a clip of a Tesla Cybertruck coming to a complete stop, yielding to jaywalking pedestrians and ignoring a green light. Additionally, another video shows an EV stopping for a hopping bunny rabbit using the semi-autonomous driving mode. The Tesla X post has over 800 comments and Tesla drivers posted hundreds of videos in response to the company's request. While many of these videos show how safe FSD (Supervised) can be, others displayed major issues with the feature. Not all Tesla drivers have positive semi-autonomous driving experiences Some Tesla drivers have responded to Tesla's X post with videos of the EV's semi-autonomous driving feature causing unnecessary mishaps. One clip shows a Tesla backing up into a poll while self-parking. The video above shows a near miss as a Tesla almost drives straight into a gated HOV lane. A lawsuit against Tesla involving the semi-autonomous driving tech is going to trial in Florida, according to NPR. Elon Musk responded to criticism of the feature saying "the only people who are skeptical are those who have not tried it" in a Tesla Q4 2024 shareholder meeting. Is Tesla's Full-Self Driving (Supervised) feature safe? The Tesla Model 3 electric sedan's owner's manual notes that "Full-Self Driving (Supervised) is a hands-on feature" meaning that drivers should not allow the EV to drive without constantly monitoring it. The manual also notes that a failure to follow all warnings and instructions can "result in property damage, serious injury or death". The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Tesla's FSD software after four reports of crashes, according to Reuters. So, Tesla's FSD feature isn't definitively unsafe, but it's under investigation and some drivers have experienced crashes while using the feature.
Euronews
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Euronews
Is this the world's fastest e-scooter ?
Move away, Tesla – there's a new speed demon with half the number of wheels. With preliminary testing results of speed exceeding 160km/h, the 'Turbo' is aiming to be the fastest e-scooter in the world. The UK-based scooter start-up, Bo, adapted the chassis from its flagship urban scooter into a high-performance prototype to demonstrate the extreme capabilities of electric propulsion on two wheels. 'We want to do something which everyone can get excited about. And for us, that means pushing the limit as to how fast these vehicles can go,' Oscar Morgan, Bo's CEO and co-founder, told Euronews Next. He says the start-up aims to break the speed record for an e-scooter this year. 'The initial aim is to get it over 100 kilometres an hour with the Guinness World Record moderators watching,' Morgan said. 'And my personal aim is I would love to see it go past 200 kilometres an hour,' he added. He also adds that the Turbo is designed purely for record-setting and is 'not made for riding to the supermarket or gym'. 'We're not expecting many people to ride the turbo. It's terrifying, and it's not very safe. But what it does do is it gives people an opportunity to think about these things and to look at what maybe these vehicles are capable of'. Acceleration close to a Tesla The company says the electric scooter is so powerful that it could outrun some of the world's fastest cars from a standstill. 'One of the things that completely caught us out when we were first taking the turbo on track was just how fast it accelerates,' Morgan said. A Tesla Model 3 Performance can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about 3.1 seconds, according to Tesla. Most regular scooters struggle to hit less than 10 seconds. The shakedown tests are not official records, however, they were carried out by a professional scooter racer, the company says. 'We've done quite extensive testing now. The turbo has been put through its paces, and it hasn't missed a beat. So we're really confident the engineering behind it is top grade,' Morgan said. With a higher power-to-weight ratio than a Bugatti Veyron, the Turbo has a 1,800Wh battery to travel up to 240km on a single charge. That's enough energy to fast-charge around 1,500 smartphones at once, Bo says. The Turbo wasn't meant for sale, but Bo is building a small number for approved collectors or riders with a strong use case, with a starting price of €27,500. The first delivery is already scheduled for 2026, where Madrid's inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place. While the Turbo is designed for record-setting, Bo's road-ready version, the 'Model-M,' will hit the market in August 2025, starting in the United States. For more on this story, watch the video in the media player above.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Euronews
Tesla opens first showroom in India, but too expensive for locals
Tesla opened its first showroom in India on Tuesday, marking the electric vehicle maker's long-anticipated debut in the world's third-biggest automotive market. Located in the Bandra-Kurla Complex, an upscale business centre in the financial capital of Mumbai, the showroom will serve as Tesla's flagship retail and experience outlet as the company introduces its EV lineup to Indian customers. Tesla's entry to India comes after years of delays and policy friction, marking a pivotal expansion in a fast-growing consumer base while global sales are plunging and the company faces challenges in its two core markets, China and the United States. Sales of Tesla electric cars fell sharply from April to June as boycotts continued over CEO Elon Musk's political views, keeping buyers away. For India, Tesla's entry signals rising investor confidence and strengthens its move towards clean mobility, although Tesla's higher pricing is likely to make its cars unaffordable for most Indians. The country's nascent electric vehicle market made up a little more than 2 per cent of total car sales last year. But the government wants to change that and increase the electric vehicle share to 30 per cent by 2030. Tesla will begin by importing and selling its popular Y model cars in India. The base price would be 6.78 million rupees (€68,000) for the long-range, rear-wheel drive vehicle, according to a presentation by the company during the showroom launch on Tuesday. Delivery is expected to start from the third quarter, Tesla officials said. By comparison, the price tag is around $44,990 (€37,000) in the US without a federal tax credit. Tesla will compete mostly with German luxury carmakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and not budget Indian players like Tata Motors Ltd. and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. The luxury car market makes up just about 1 per cent of total vehicle sales. Wooing Tesla The debut by American EV giant, however, would bring in world class technology to the country, auto analyst Gaurav Vangaal said. 'With deeper local investments, Tesla can accelerate India's EV ecosystem, drive innovation, and support the government's goal of higher EV penetration,' said Vangaal, an associate director with S&P Global Mobility. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has wooed Tesla for years for its global brand value and to boost the country's clean energy endeavours. Musk invited Indians in April 2016 to preorder the upcoming Tesla Model 3. Several customers placed an order, but the cars never arrived and the bookings had to be refunded. Despite his earlier enthusiasm, in 2019 Musk expressed concern in a post on his social media platform X that import taxes could double prices of Tesla cars, making them 'unaffordable'. Tesla pressed Indian authorities to cut import taxes on EVs, which were up to 100 per cent, to be able to test the local market. New Delhi, however, wanted Tesla to set up manufacturing facilities so a comprehensive policy could benefit all the players in the sector. The dynamics changed after Modi and Musk met in the US in February during a state visit by Modi. Barely a month later, India rolled out a new policy to woo the likes of Tesla, reducing import taxes to 15 per cent from 70 per cent to 100 per cent for EVs priced cheaper than $35,000 (€29,900), as long the automaker committed to building a factory in the country within three years. Soon after, Musk announced he would visit India in April to meet Modi. It was widely expected he would unveil Tesla's plans to set up manufacturing facilities and commit billions of dollars in investments. But Musk cancelled the visit, citing 'very heavy Tesla obligations,' and travelled to China instead. Since then, Tesla has conveyed it does not have an immediate interest in manufacturing in India. US President Donald Trump has said it would be 'unfair' to the US if Tesla builds a factory in India to circumvent that country's tariffs. Besides bringing Tesla to India, Musk's goal has been to launch Starlink's commercial internet services there. The plan got a boost recently after the company secured regulatory clearances. Starlink now needs to secure telecommunications airwaves from the government, which may take at least a couple of months, before the services are formally launched.
