Latest news with #electricSUV
France 24
an hour ago
- Automotive
- France 24
Volvo Cars swings into loss on electric vehicles, tariffs
The net loss of 8.1 billion kronor ($830 million) was due to a 11.4-billion-kronor writedown in the value of its EX90 electric SUV and ES90 electric sedan due to production delays, higher development costs than planned and now US tariffs making sales there unprofitable. "Demand remains under pressure from the macroeconomic environment, tariff-related uncertainties and tougher competition," chief executive Hakan Samuelsson said in the quarterly earnings report. The Sweden-based manufacturer owned by China's Geely also took a 1.4-billion-kronor restructuring charge, having announced 3,000 job cuts in May. The group had booked a net profit of 5.7 billion kronor in the same quarter last year. Excluding exceptional items, it estimated its quarterly operating profit at 2.9 billion kronor, down from 8.0 billion last year. Retail sales of cars dropped by 12 percent by volume, while revenue fell by eight percent to 93.5 billion kronor due to lower volumes and the higher value of the Swedish kronor. That beat the analyst consensus of 88.2 billion kronor compiled by Bloomberg. Shares in Volvo Cars shot more than seven percent higher as trading got underway on the Stockholm stock exchange. Volvo Cars announced in April an 18-billion-kronor cost-cutting plan, part of efforts to navigate a car market buffeted by US tariffs and a costly switch to electric vehicles. It said then it would adapt to the increasing regionalisation in trade. And on Wednesday it announced it would begin building its XC60 SUV in the United States next year to avoid the 25-percent US tariffs applied to its vehicles. The company said it would no longer provide financial guidance for 2025 and 2026 due to "external developments and increased uncertainties".
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Another Chinese car giant is launching in UK this summer with new range of EVs including 7-seater to rival Hyundai & Kia
A LEADING Chinese car brand is launching a new electric SUV in the UK as it aims to rival Hyundai and Kia. 3 3 Chery, the largest exporter of cars from China for the past 22 years, will enter the British market this summer. The Chinese manufacturing giant exported 1.14 million vehicles globally in 2024 alone. And it is now introducing its Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid to the UK buyers. The newest model was presented at Goodwood Festival of Speed over the weekend. Tiggo 8 is the first 7-seater from Chery to be sold in Britain. MODEL SPECIFICATIONS The hybrid vehicle combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 201bhp and 269lb ft of torque. According to Chery, it can travel up to 765 miles on combined power sources, with an 18.4kWh battery providing an additional 56 miles of EV range. The sophisticated interior is enhanced by chrome grills and a rear that has a slight resemblance of the Kia Sportage. The interior sports a dual screen, and standard specifications include a panoramic sunroof, a 12-speaker Sony sound system, and adaptive cruise control. Chery UK country director, Farrell Hsu, said: "Goodwood is one of the most prestigious stages in the automotive world – so there's no better place to reveal Chery's most versatile and refined hybrid SUV to a UK audience. "The Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid is a perfect expression of what Chery stands for: smart technology, generous space and electrified efficiency without compromise. "It's designed to make people happy, knowing they've made the smart choice for their next SUV." New EV from China that's 'over £5,000 cheaper than Tesla' coming to the UK in weeks MORE CHINESE CAR BRANDS Geely, which owns LEVC, Lotus, Polestar, and Volvo, will soon be launching in the UK. British showrooms will see the Geely EX5 in the final quarter of the year. And the brand will open its own standalone dealership network in the UK. The model is an electric crossover designed to rival the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV3, and Renault Megane. Geely said the EX5 has been assessed by Lotus Engineering to evaluate whether it requires retuning for European roads. Meanwhile, Solihull 's International Motors has started importing Xpeng's new G6 car which could undercut the Tesla Model Y. Chinese firm Xpeng's new motor has been designed by the world-renowned JuanMa Lopez who was responsible for leading on the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Despite the market becoming saturated with various EVs in recent years, the G6 looks to be a contender against the Tesla model for a fraction of the price.
The Independent
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
What Makes the Genesis GV70 Electrified So Special?
The Genesis GV70 EV might just be the most underrated premium SUV on the market. Steve Fowler takes it for a spin — and finds a lot to like. In this Drive Smart review, The Independent 's EV Editor Steve Fowler tests the Genesis GV70 — a sleek, all-electric luxury SUV from a brand that's quietly becoming one to watch. With a smooth ride, high-end finish, and strong performance, the GV70 could be the surprise hit of the year. But is it enough to win over UK buyers?
Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
I Drove the 2025 Honda Prologue & 2025 Acura ZDX, Which One is Best? Here's My Brutally Honest Review
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. Two sides of the same coin By this point, we all know that Acura is Honda's luxury division. When both companies debuted their first fully electric SUVs, they didn't hide the fact that their partnership with General Motors resulted in the Honda Prologue and the Acura ZDX, as they're both built on GM's Ultium platform. Other EVs on the same platform include the Chevy Blazer EV and the Cadillac Lyriq. The main difference, however, is that Acura and Honda allow their EVs to have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, whereas GM forces its media software on its customers. Of course, styling is unique to the two brands, with the Prologue resembling Honda's simple, subtle lines and curves, and the Acura adopting the same luxurious yet sporty language as the other SUVs the brand sells. Source: Kristen Brown Since they both come from automakers known for their reliability and options, I expected great things, even if the battery technology, body, charging setup, and wiring came from General Motors. I'll tell you, after driving both back-to-back, I can earnestly say they were both excellent EVs in their own ways. I loved the Acura's styling and sporty performance elements, but I also adore the Honda's ease-of-use and golden retriever-esque personality. Is there a better of the two? Well, for two different drivers, yes. Let me explain. Both are easy to get used to and very fun to drive The first of the two EVs I drove was the Acura ZDX Type S. I was immediately drawn to the bright blue paired with the vibrant silver under trim, big, glossy black wheels, and the humongous yellow brake calipers. The styling, low and wide stance, the bright coloring, aero-friendly body design, and the fat summer tires told me one thing: this EV was built for speed and handling. Source: Kristen Brown Black leather was the interior theme, and because it's an Acura, that makes sense. The ZDX uses a Google-based user interface, so everything was very familiar and easy to become acquainted with. The one-pedal driving is easy to adjust (or turn off), the driving modes and fun and engaging, and even the 'Normal' mode brought a smile to my face (but Sport+ definitely put all 499 horses to work, let me tell you–being in a small mountain town with lots of backroads made for a very fun week). 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. Since it's a dual-motor all-wheel drive, the estimated range was 290, but while I had it, the actual range was 310, which is impressive for a performance-oriented sport-luxury EV SUV. Around Bend, I had zero complaints. The sport-tuned suspension handled the extra weight beautifully, and the lack of a transmission tunnel resulted in a spacious and comfortable interior, featuring large rear windows, a gargantuan panoramic sunroof, and a very spacious trunk. The center console had plenty of storage for my purse, camera, and filming gear when the time came, making it incredibly versatile and lovable for daily driving. This EV, by the way, was the first EV I'd driven with my in-laws, and my mother-in-law said the ZDX was the most comfortable car she'd ever been in. The interior design and layout in the Honda Prologue were exactly the same as the ZDX Type S. However, instead of all black, the Prologue's interior was black and tan, which I felt made it look more premium than black-on-black. It felt friendly and approachable, and had all the same features, minus the sporty bits, like horsepower. The Honda Prologue AWD Elite has 288 horsepower, while the Acura has 499. Since it was designed for a more domesticated life, it was always slow on takeoff (even in Sport mode), but the range was around the same. While I had it, the range at full charge was 283. It wasn't as spry as the Acura, but unless you're buying a Civic Type R, no one's buying a Prologue for speed. Since the interior layout was the same as the Acura's, it also had the same benefits. They're cut from the same cloth, but attract very different audiences I was able to determine the ZDX Type S's buyer within the first 10 seconds after it was parked in my driveway. The type of person who willingly spends the extra $15,945 for 211 more horsepower, adaptive air suspension over a multi-link suspension setup, an 18-speaker Bang & Olufson sound system over a 12-speaker Bose system, and beefy brakes wants one thing while they're driving: an experience. Acura did an amazing job making the ZDX fit two hats perfectly. If you need it to be tame, it could do that without much effort at all. On the way home from Whole Foods, you can put 'er into Sport+ mode and enjoy nearly 500 ponies with the same level of ease. It's versatile, sleek, and very fast, without sacrificing cargo space and family-friendliness. Source: Kristen Brown Honda's intention with the Prologue was much more defined and simple: it's meant to fit into most normal families. It can haul the dog, the kids, and everyone's luggage for the family's annual camping trip with ease. It's uncomplicated, which makes it easy for most people to gravitate toward it. I felt that, aside from the Mustang Mach-E, it was one of the easiest EVs for those who feel intimidated by the transition from a gas-only car to an EV. The simple interior layout, simplistic design, and NACS compatibility make it feel as close to a gas car as an EV could be. It would make EV ownership feel seamless, and that's the goal with the Prologue. It looks, feels, and drives like a normal car, while the ZDX takes full advantage of the sporty potential of all-electric power. Aside from horsepower, the biggest difference was the price The Acura, shocking to no one, is the more expensive of the two. The one I drove was the top of the line, so the MSRP with all the extras was $74,850. The Honda Prologue, though, was $58,905. That's still a little expensive for a commuter EV from Honda, but it's much friendlier than nearly $80,000. However, if you're looking to buy an EV for the breakneck speeds that come with 100% torque at 0 mph, you'll be very disappointed in the Honda. If you're buying it for the commute-friendly range and emissions-free ego boost, you'll love it. Thankfully, the brand's partnership with GM on these two means they both qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit, though. For as long as it's around, anyway. Source: Kristen Brown Then there's knowing that both of the EVs are GM-heavy. It made it a little hard for me to rationalize the cost of the Acura, knowing how many of GM's fingers were in the pot. However, Acura was very careful about putting just enough of its influence into the EV to make it feel like a purebred Acura. For the Honda, the pricing felt a little more on par. It's more of a draft horse than a racehorse, and thankfully, there are plenty of people eager to put a draft horse to work over being the fastest at the track. Final thoughts In my opinion, the one I was most happy to drive was the Acura. It had soul and power, tastefully blended with sensibility. The Honda was also an excellent EV, but it didn't have the same pizazz as the Acura did. If I had unlimited funds and a place to charge it, the Acura ZDX Type S would be the EV I'd buy every time. The Honda's still a little pricey for what it is. Even with the starting price for the single-motor being $47,700, you have to REALLY want the Honda Prologue to pass up all the other options from Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, and Ford. Even a 3-row Honda Pilot costs around the same with AWD. At least with the Acura's price tag, you're getting a lot more. About the Author Kristen Brown View Profile
The Independent
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Skoda Elroq Review: Affordable Electric SUV with Space and Style
Showing now | Drive Smart 09:54 Steve Fowler Discover the all-new Skoda Elroq, Skoda's latest compact electric SUV that combines affordability, comfort, and modern design. Steve Fowler highlights the Elroq's spacious interior, user-friendly features, and the brand's new 'Modern Solid' design language. Learn how the Elroq stands out in the competitive EV market, offering a compelling alternative to its larger sibling, the Enyaq, and other electric SUVs. Watch more from Drive Smart on Independent TV.
