Tesla car have branded as having the highest fatal crash rate of any car brand in the US, a new study claims.
Tesla has been rated as having the highest accident rate. (Image: Getty)
Tesla vehicles have the highest fatal crash rate of any car brand in the United States, according to a new car study.
The study, conducted by iSeeCars, analyzed data from the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System covering crashes between 2017 and 2022.
It comes at a bad time for Tesla, with California police struggling with ‘unusable’ Tesla patrol cars and the self-driving mode being described as stressful with a ‘false sense of complacency.’
According to the study, Tesla cars have a fatal crash rate of 5.6 per billion miles driven. That’s higher than Kia at 5.5 and Buick at 4.8.
The national average fatal crash rate for all cars in the U.S. is 2.8 per billion miles.
Hyundai’s Venue model was found to have the highest fatal crash rate, with 13.9 per billion miles.
The study’s authors emphasized that the results do not suggest that Tesla cars are unsafe.
“Tesla vehicles are loaded with safety technology,” the study noted.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2024 Tesla Model Y a Top Safety Pick+ award.
Awareness has not only prompted OEMs to make safer cars, but also motivated users to follow the safety protocols
Global NCAP had updated their safety assessment protocols in July 2022, which are valid up to December 2025. Under the new assessment protocols, cars have to comply with stricter safety norms. Only 9 cars in India currently have 5-star safety rating, as per the new Global NCAP safety assessment protocol.
India’s safest cars as per Adult Safety rating
Tata Safari / Harrier received 5-star rating, with a total of 33.05 / 34 points in Adult Safety. Global NCAP had tested Safari / Harrier in 2023, as per the new assessment protocol. The model tested had safety features such as front airbags, side head curtain airbag, side chest airbag, belt pretensioner, belt load limiter and seat belt reminder (SBR). Safari / Harrier also tested for ESC and GTR 9 – UN 127 Pedestrian protection.
Although Global NCAP has updated safety assessment protocols for India, advanced test criteria such as driver assistance systems are still optional. It includes features such as AEB pedestrian, AEB city, AEB inter-urban, speed assist system and lane assist system. These are likely to be included in the next update for the assessment protocols.
Talking about rankings, Tata Nexon is second in Adult Safety ratings. It has received a 5-star rating, with a total Adult Safety score of 32.22 / 34 points. Nexon was tested in 2018 and 2024. The latest 2024 results are an improvement over the model tested in 2018. The Nexon model tested in 2024 has safety features largely similar to that of Safari / Harrier.
Global NCAP Safety Ratings Nov 2024 – Ranking as per Child Safety stars / points scored Copyright (C) ‘RUSH LANE’ Read more at… https://www.rushlane.com/maruti-dzire-scored-more-adult-safety-points-than-virtus-slavia-verna-scorpio-n-12511201.html .
Dzire – Maruti’s safest car
India’s third safest car in terms of Adult Safety is the all new Maruti Dzire. It is a pleasant surprise and a significant milestone because Dzire is the first Maruti car to receive a 5-star safety rating. New Dzire scored 31.24 / 34 points in Adult Safety. For comparison, Global NCAP has also tested the old Dzire as per the new assessment protocol. The old model has received a 2-star rating in Adult Safety.
Global NCAP Safety Ratings Nov 2024 – Ranking as per Overall points scored
Dzire’s rival Honda Amaze has also been tested by Global NCAP. It has received a 2-star rating in Adult Safety. Other cars with 5-star rating in Adult Safety include Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Mahindra Scorpio N and Hyundai Verna.
India’s safest cars rated for Child Safety
Safari / Harrier tops the list with 5-star rating and a score of 45/49 in Child Safety. Other cars with 5-star rating in Child Safety include Taigun, Kushaq, Virtus, Slavia and Verna. Kia Carens also has 5-star Child Safety rating, although it gets only 3-star rating in Adult Safety.
LOCALS are furious at being kept all night by a car park of confused driverless AI taxis that continually beep at each other.
Residents captured the moment driverless cars began driving around in circles with their lights on in the middle of the night.
Randol White captured the moment the driverless cars began malfunctioningCredit: Randol White
The driverless taxis, operated by Waymo, have reportedly been causing disturbances throughout the day as well.
When the AI cars were first introduced to the neighborhood, locals were excited to see the new technology in practice.
But the novelty has quickly worn off for many residents who “don’t find it funny anymore”.
Randol White, resident, told the Los Angeles Times: “I was happy to see the Waymos coming in, but this aspect of it, I’m not a fan.”
The 57-year-old said he first noticed the disturbance two weeks ago when the AI cars began going off at 4am.
Despite reaching out to the company, he feels powerless to stop the disturbances.
The AI cars are left in the parking lot and residents have no one to speak to once the cars start malfunctioning.
“That’s the most frustrating thing, you’re just yelling into the void,'” Randol added.
Waymo has noted the problem and said they are working on a fix.
The company said: “We have identified the cause and are in the process of implementing a fix.”
Russel Pofsky, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said he’s never experienced anything like this.
The longtime resident claimed the loss of sleep has made him “more cranky” than ever before.
Other neighbors echo the sentiment.
Christopher Cherry, who was initially excited about the technology, now finds the constant beeping a major distraction, affecting both his work and sleep.
As residents wait for a fix, their patience is wearing thin, with many simply wishing the honking would stop.
Mahindra Thar Roxx is arguably one of the most awaited cars in India in 2024 and the homegrown auto major has finally launched the five-door SUV. Available at an introductory starting price of ₹12.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Thar Roxx commands a ₹1.64 lakh premium over its three-door sibling. The Mahindra Thar Roxx is available in both petrol and diesel engine options. While the petrol variants’ pricing starts at ₹12.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the diesel version of the SUV is available at an introductory starting price of ₹13.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
Bookings for the Mahindra Thar Roxx start from October 3rd, while deliveries for the SUV will commence from Dussehra. The test drives for the Thar Roxx will start from September 14. Here is the variant-wise ex-showroom price list and feature list for the Thar Roxx. However, it is important to note that the full price list has not been revealed as of now.
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Mahindra Thar Roxx MX1
Petrol MT RWD: 12.99 lakh
Diesel MT RWD: 13.99 lakh
The base variant of the Thar Roxx is called MX1 and it packs in a decent amount of features. It gets LED projector headlamps along and LED tail lamps. There are 18-inch steel wheels, electronic parking steering, a push button to start/stop the engine, rear AC vents and a USB C port for charging mobile devices. Mahindra is also offering a 26.03 cm touchscreen infotainment system and 60:40 split seats. For safety, there is Electronic Stability Control, 6 airbags and 3 point seatbelts for all occupants.
Mahindra Thar Roxx MX3
Petrol AT RWD: 14.99 lakh
Diesel MT RWD: 15.99 lakh
Then there is the MX3 trim which adds a rear armrest with cup holders, driving modes, Terrain modes, Adventure statistics and a rear parking camera. There is also wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, auto-dimming IRVM, wireless charger and a one-touch power window. For safety, this variant adds traction control, hill hold control, hill descent control and 4 disc brakes on the Petrol AT variant.
The IPO of Ola Electric includes a fresh share sale of up to Rs 5,500 crore and offer-for-sale of up to 8,49,41,997 shares by its promoters and existing shareholders amounting to Rs 645.56 crore.
The Bengaluru-based Ola Electric Mobility is an electric vehicle company that primarily manufactures electric vehicles and certain core components for electric vehicles.
The initial public offering (IPO) of Ola Electric Mobility will open for bidding on Friday, August 2. The electric vehicle (EV) maker is offering its shares in the fixed price band of Rs 72-76 apiece. Interested investors can subscribe to the issue in a lot size of 195 equity shares and its multiples thereafter until Tuesday, August 6.
The Bengaluru-based Ola Electric Mobility, founded in 2017, is an electric vehicle company that primarily manufactures electric vehicles and certain core components for electric vehicles such as battery packs, motors, and vehicle frames at the Ola Futurefactory.
The IPO of Ola Electric includes a fresh share sale of up to Rs 5,500 crore and offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 8,49,41,997 equity shares by its promoters and existing shareholders amounting to Rs 645.56 crore at the upper end of the price. It is looking to raise Rs 6,145.55 crore via its initial stake sale.
Promoter Bhavish Aggarwal and promoter group’s Indus Trust, along with other shareholders including Alpha Wave Ventures, Alpine Opportunities Fund, Internet Funds III, MacRitchie Investment, Matrix Partners India Investments, SFV II Ostrich (DE), Ashna Advisors and Tekne Private Ventures XV will participate on OFS of the issue.
The net proceeds from the fresh issue shall be utilized towards capital expenditure to be incurred by its subsidiary, OCT for expansion of the capacity of its cell manufacturing plant; repayment or pre-payment, in full or part; investment into research and product development; expenditure to be incurred for organic growth initiatives; and general corporate purposes.
Even before the price band for the issue was officially announced, shares of Ola Electric Mobility were commanding a grey market premium of Rs 15 per share, which is about 20 per cent higher from the upper end of its official price band range.
Since August 2021, Ola Electric has launched seven new products and announced four. The Ola S1 Pro, the first EV model, was delivered in December 2021, followed by the Ola S1, Ola S1 Air, Ola S1 X and Ola S1 X+ in the following years. On August 15, 2023, the company announced new EV models and a range of motorcycles including Diamondhead, Adventure, Roadster, and Cruiser.
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 shares its underpinnings with the Himalayan 450. However, the Guerrilla 450 is more affordable.
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 uses the Sherpa 450 engine.
Royal Enfield has launched the new Guerrilla 450 in the Indian market after the success of the Himalayan 450 which was launched last year. It is important to note that the Himalayan is the donor model for the Guerrilla 450 so both motorcycles do share a few components. Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 has been priced at ₹2.39 lakh ex-showroom introductory. Bookings in India are open and test rides and retails would start from 1st August.
The Guerrilla 450 is offered in three variants – Analogue, Dash and Flash. Where the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is an adventure tourer, the Guerrilla 450 is a roadster that is meant to run around the city. So, it gets slightly aggressive ergonomics with a lower handlebar and a bit rear-set foot pegs.
There is a circular LED headlamp that we have seen on the new Royal Enfield motorcycles. The tail lamp and the exhaust unit have been carried over from the Himalayan 450. However, there is a difference in the seat. It is now a single-piece unit instead of a split setup. The fuel tank is also smaller because the Guerrilla will mostly be doing city duties.
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450: Specs
Powering the Guerrilla 450 is the Sherpa 450 engine that is doing on the Himalayan 450 as well. It is a 452 cc, single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that puts out 39.52 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 40 Nm of peak torque at 5,500 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch. However, it is expected that Royal Enfield will use a different engine map for the Guerrilla 450.
For years, automakers have been fussing over the sounds emitted by their electric vehicles, trying to tune them in a way that both presents as futuristic while also not alienating to people who are used to the rev of a four-cylinder engine.
They seem to have settled on a series of sounds that could best be described as somewhere in between a whir and a hum. Others would say it sounds like a flying saucer — and not always in a good way. But according to a new survey, most people may prefer something else entirely.
The online survey of 400 adults in the US found the top-rated sound was a “non-tonal” sound more closely resembling a gas-powered car than any of the inorganic sounds emitted by today’s electric vehicles. The survey — a joint effort by “sonic branding agency” Listen and behavioral science and neuromarketing research agency CloudArmy — asked participants to rank a series of sounds based on several criteria, including likability, noticeability, familiarity, and pleasantness. There were five tonal sounds and five non-tonal ones.
The two top-ranking sounds were both non-tonal and could best be described as white noise with slightly different pitches. The survey’s respondents preferred the non-tonal sounds over the tonal ones, which they perceived as being “alarming,” “ugly,” and “unappealing.” In contrast, people liked the non-tonal sounds because they sound more like white noise or “nature-derived.” Indeed, some respondents said they wanted sounds that most closely resembled a conventional car noise.
That could come as a shock to automakers, which so far have largely been over-indexing themselves on EV sounds. Several companies have announced high-profile projects to design unique sounds for their battery-electric models. BMW hired famed film composer Hans Zimmer to formulate soundscapes for its i4 electric sedans, while Mercedes-Benz is teaming up with Will.i.am to create an “interactive musical experience” for its cars. The Fiat 500e emits literal classical music at low speeds.
This IPO would be the first by an automaker in India in over 20 years since Maruti Suzuki went public in 2003. Hyundai is the country’s second-biggest carmaker after Maruti Suzuki India.
Hyundai has roped in investment banks such as Kotak Mahindra, Citibank, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, and HSBC to smoothen its entry into the public markets and make it successful.
In what could be India’s biggest-ever IPO, South Korea’s Hyundai Motor is looking to offload up to 17.5 percent stake in its initial public offering (IPO) of its India unit, according to draft papers filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on June 15. The carmaker aims to raise $2.5-3 billion via the initial share sale.
Hyundai Motor will offer up to 142 million shares for sale in the IPO from a total of 812 million, according to the filing with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Reuters reported.
Hyundai will not issue new shares in the IPO, which will involve its South Korean parent selling part of its stake in the wholly-owned unit to retail and other investors via a so-called “offer for sale” route, it added.
This IPO would be the first by an automaker in India in over 20 years since Maruti Suzuki went public in 2003. Hyundai is the country’s second-biggest carmaker after Maruti Suzuki India.
India is Hyundai’s third-largest revenue generator after the US and South Korea. It is opting for an IPO to capitalise on the growing market potential in India.
Hyundai has roped in investment banks such as Kotak Mahindra, Citibank, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, and HSBC to smoothen its entry into the public markets and make it successful.
In terms of sales, the auto company has reported 7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in total sales at 63,551 units in May as against 59,601 units in during the same period last year.
“We have maintained a healthy total sales volume in May 2024, despite a week-long routine bi-annual maintenance shutdown at our Sriperumbudur factory,” HMIL COO Tarun Garg said.
SUVs continue to be a growth driver for HMIL, accounting for more than 67 percent of domestic sales last month, he added.
In April this year, Hyundai Motor India announced plans to introduce five new electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030 bringing forward its “locally tailored” plans for the sector by two years. The company earlier planned to introduce five EVs by 2032. The automaker’s Chennai plant will roll out the company’s first electric SUV by 2024 end.
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based electronic toll collection system aims at putting an end to physical toll booths on highways.
State-owned NHAI has invited expressions of interest (EoIs) from around the world for implementation of GNSS-based (satellite-based) electronic toll collection to provide seamless and barrier-free tolling experience on National Highways users, an official statement said on Friday.
The move is aimed at putting an end to physical toll booths on highways.
“To provide seamless and barrier-free tolling experience to National Highway users and enhance efficiency and transparency of toll operations, Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), a company promoted by NHAI has invited Global Expression of Interest (EOI) from innovative and qualified companies to develop and implement GNSS-based electronic toll collection system in India,” the statement said.
NHAI plans to implement the GNSS-based electronic toll collection (ETC) system within the existing FASTag ecosystem, initially using a hybrid model where both RFID-based ETC and GNSS-based ETC will operate simultaneously, the statement added.
According to the statement, dedicated GNSS lanes will be available at toll plazas, allowing vehicles using the GNSS-based ETC to pass through freely.
To leverage the advanced satellite technology, the EoI aims to identify experienced and capable companies that can deliver robust, scalable, and efficient toll charger software, which will serve as the backbone for the implementation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based electronic toll collection in India, the statement said.
Dongfeng Motors has incorporated Ubtech’s creation, the Walker S, at its factory. The humanoid stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall and boasts of 41 high-performance servo joints and a suite of advanced sensors, including force perception, vision, and hearing.
The face of auto manufacturing is changing. While robots have long been a fixture in production lines, a new generation of smarter, more complex machines are emerging. China’s Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motors, is at the forefront of this trend with the introduction of humanoid robots from Ubtech Technology.
Ubtech’s creation, the Walker S, stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall, mimicking human proportions. This humanoid robot won’t be replacing humans entirely, at least for now, the company stated. Instead, it will tackle a variety of tasks, including inspecting safety belts, testing door locks, assessing bodywork quality, and even refilling oil and applying labels.
Walker S boasts 41 high-performance servo joints and a suite of advanced sensors, including force perception, vision, and hearing. This allows the robot to navigate its surroundings and interact with both humans and other automated machinery for complex production scenarios. Additionally, “fusion control algorithms” enable real-time communication and data transfer with the factory’s central system.
Bugatti Bolide at the Milano Monza Motor show in Italy, June 2021. (Photo by MilanoPE on Shutterstock)
Buckle up, gearheads and speed demons! The need for speed is a primal human desire, and nowhere is it better satiated than in the world of hypercars. These are machines that push the boundaries of automotive engineering, blurring the lines between luxury and raw power. They’re capable of earth-shattering acceleration, mind-bending top speeds, and handling that defies physics. But with such power comes a hefty price tag and the knowledge that most of us will never experience these beasts on a public road. So, join us on a thrilling journey as we explore the world’s fastest cars – technological marvels that leave even the most seasoned drivers breathless. We’ll delve into the engineering feats that make these machines possible, and maybe even spark a daydream (or two) about what it would be like to get behind the wheel of one of these automotive titans. Here’s a look at the consensus fastest cars in the world, after reviewing 10 expert websites. Let us know which are your favorite supercars in the comments below!
The List: Top 7 Fastest Cars, According to Automotive Experts
1. Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – Top Speed: 330 mph
Broadly lauded as one of the world’s fastest cars, the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut has projected top speeds in excess of 300 mph. This marvel of engineering is an advanced prototype of the Jesko model. Move over, Bugatti, there’s a new contender in the fight for the speed crown. Top Speed tells us that Koenigsegg isn’t satisfied with just creating the phenomenal Jesko hypercar. Enter the Jesko Absolut, a stripped-down, aerodynamic marvel designed for one thing: pure, unadulterated speed. Unveiled in 2020, the Absolut is the result of Koenigsegg’s relentless pursuit of automotive excellence. They’ve meticulously sculpted the car’s shape, with features like an extended rear hood, covered rear wheels, and a lowered suspension, all working together to achieve a drag coefficient of just 0.278. In layman’s terms? This car cuts through the air like a butter knife through…well, butter.
Sixt describes the Absolut as a gravity-defying machine built to topple the Bugatti Chiron. And with a heart-stopping 1,600 horsepower, it packs a serious punch. That’s 100 more horses than its predecessor, the already impressive Jesko! Motor1.com reminds us that while the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ currently holds the official title of the world’s fastest car, Koenigsegg is confident the Absolut can surpass it. They haven’t proven it on the track yet, but with a monstrous twin-turbo V8 engine, a slippery body that defies drag, and downforce that keeps it glued to the road, the Absolut has all the makings of a record-breaker.
So, is the Absolut the new king of speed? Only time (and a future high-speed run) will tell. But one thing’s for sure: Koenigsegg isn’t done pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With the Absolut, they’ve thrown down the gauntlet, and the world of hypercars is eagerly waiting to see what Bugatti will do to respond. Fasten your seatbelts, gearheads, because the fight for ultimate speed is about to get even more thrilling!
2. Bugatti Bolide – Top Speed: 311 MPH
The Bugatti Bolide seems like speed given form. Even the body design looks like something out of a cyberpunk movie. Bugatti’s reputation for crafting automotive masterpieces precedes them, but their latest creation pushes the boundaries of what we thought possible. Motor1.com calls the Bugatti Bolide the “wildest creation” to ever emerge from their Molsheim workshop, and that’s saying something considering the Bugatti pedigree! This isn’t your everyday supercar; it’s a track-focused monster designed for one thing: shattering speed records.
Remember the Bugatti Veyron, the first production car to break the 250-mph barrier back in 2005? Hold onto your hats, because Bugatti has done it again. Hotcars reminds us that the Chiron Super Sport 300+ became the first production car to surpass the mind-blowing 300-mph mark in 2019. But Bugatti isn’t one to rest on its laurels. Enter the Bolide, a car with its sights set on even higher speeds.
So, what exactly makes the Bolide such a speed demon? Top Speed gives us a hint: it’s all about keeping things lightweight. The engineers at Bugatti went all out, incorporating the most advanced materials available to shed pounds wherever possible. The result? A featherweight marvel tipping the scales at a mere 2,734 pounds. Combine that with its track-optimized aerodynamics, and you have a recipe for a car that can break the sound barrier (almost!).
3. SP Automotive Chaos – Top Speed: 310+ MPH
This Greek Supercar is a chariot fit for the gods of Olympus. Rather than a design from a massive team of corporate engineers, Automotive Chaos is the passion project of an invested and dedicated team. This is a machine that blurs the lines between car and rocket ship. This isn’t your everyday ride; with a monstrous V10 engine pumping out enough horsepower to make your head spin, the Chaos can propel you down a quarter-mile drag strip in a mind-bending 8.1 seconds (Top Speed). That’s faster than most fighter jets can take off!
But the Chaos isn’t just about raw power. Motor1.com tells us it boasts a revolutionary twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V10 engine with a hybrid assist system, promising a staggering 3,000 horsepower. That’s enough muscle to leave even the most Bugatti-obsessed gearhead speechless. And while we haven’t seen these beasts hit the road yet, SP Automotive claims they’ll be able to crack the 310-mph barrier – a new record for production cars.
British supermodel Naomi Campbell with the BMW XM Mystique Allure commissioned exclusively for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival
BMW’s most powerful series-production model, the XM has received a special edition unveiled at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. The BMW XM Mystique Allure is a one-off model specially created for the high-profile annual festival and has been co-created with British supermodel Naomi Campbell. BMW is a sponsor at Cannes and the XM brings the world of ‘M’ precision with high fashion.
The BMW XM Mystique Allure is covered in purple velvet that dominates the exterior and interior of the performance SUV. The colour purple is said to be Campbell’s favourite, while the exterior uses exclusive materials from the world of haute couture, giving the model a special look. The velvet exterior is complemented by thousands of sequins plastered across the body and cabin, bringing a shimmering look to the imposing SUV.
Moreover, the BMW XM Mystique Allure gets a unique soundtrack devised by celebrated film score composer Hans Zimmer. The cabin also gets extravagant treatment with new iridescent surfaces created with precise handcraftsmanship, which enhance the geometric forms of the car. The XM’s cabin is designed around the M Lounge and gets covered in purple velvet as well.
There are no mechanical changes though. The BMW XM Mystique Allure gets a 4.4-litre V8 engine combined with an electric motor. The plug-in hybrid offering belts out a combined output of 644 bhp and 800 Nm of peak torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels. The XM is a powerful offering with 0-100 kmph coming up in just 4.3 seconds. It is also extremely efficient for its size with an electric-only range of 80 km and a claimed fuel efficiency of 61.9 kmpl.
If you bought an electric vehicle years ago thinking you would be ahead of the gasoline curve, a new study has some bad news for you. It turns out older EV models are worth less today than their gas-powered counterparts. Despite that financial bummer for long-time EV drivers, researchers from George Washington University do have some good news: newer EVs are closing the gap on gas cars, making them affordable options on the resale market going forward.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, analyzed over nine million used vehicle listings from 2016 to 2019 across the United States. Researchers compared how different types of vehicles depreciated by looking at their listing prices versus the original manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) when new.
They found that while conventional gas-powered vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles tended to hold their value reasonably well over time, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – the cars powered solely by rechargeable batteries – had historically experienced much faster depreciation rates.
For example, the study estimates that the average BEV lost around 16 percent of its value per year over its first eight years. In contrast, the average gas vehicle only lost around 10 percent annually.
However, a promising trend emerged. The newest BEVs and PHEVs were bucking that trend and depreciating at rates much closer to their gas-powered counterparts.
The researchers found that each model year, BEVs and PHEVs were retaining around five to 10 percent more of their original value than the previous model year. This held true even after accounting for factors like vehicle mileage, time on the dealer lot, fuel efficiency, and subsidies or tax credits that lowered the new vehicle price.
What’s driving this improvement?
According to the study’s authors, one key factor is the increasing range of newer BEV models. Longer driving ranges help alleviate consumer “range anxiety” concerns about running out of battery before reaching the next charger.
The study found that for every extra 10 miles of electric range, BEVs retained around 5.6 percent more of their resale value on average. So, a BEV with a 300-mile range could be worth over 15 percent more at resale than an otherwise identical model with just a 200-mile range.
The lone exception was Tesla’s luxury BEV models. While retaining their value extremely well initially compared to other BEVs, Tesla’s older models saw their residual values sliding recently as more models entered the market and new versions were released.
Interestingly, the study also revealed that federal tax credits and rebates offered on new EVs were effectively providing a small indirect subsidy that lowered prices in the used market by around three percent.
So, what does this mean for EV buyers?
The improving residual values suggest that automakers are alleviating some of the concerns around battery degradation and uncertain long-term reliability that have historically plagued the secondhand EV market.
As newer EVs with more advanced battery technologies and longer ranges hit the used market, consumers have more affordable options to choose from without worrying about dramatic depreciation. A lower risk of rapid devaluation helps make the upfront cost of an EV a bit easier to swallow
Of course, the used EV market was disrupted along with the rest of the auto industry by pandemic-related supply chain issues and shortages over the past couple of years. The study found that from January 2020 to March 2022, used EV prices surged by around 39 percent in real terms.
However, as supply constraints ease, those elevated prices should normalize and the improving residual values will help keep used EVs more affordable. Wider adoption of EVs among more budget-conscious buyers could then accelerate as secondhand options become increasingly viable.
John Paul Helveston, an assistant professor of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering at George Washington University and the study’s corresponding author, calls this shift in EV value a “double-edged sword.”
Tesla’s long-delayed — and pricey — Cybertrucks are getting panned by furious owners for malfunctioning at an alarming rate just months after Elon Musk’s futuristic vehicle hit the road.
Tales of the stainless steel Cybertrucks dying after traveling just 1 mile, randomly hard-braking on a wide-open road and already showing rust spots, among other gripes, were shared in the Tesla Owners’ Club forum.
In a thread titled “Worst delivery in my life (truck died in 5 minutes),” a Southern California-based owner wrote that after taking his truck for a spin the same day it was delivered last month, the vehicle “made it 1 mile down road, started getting steering error, flashing red screen, pulled off side of highway now the truck is dead and I’m waiting for a tow truck.”
The Tesla Owners’ Club forum touts numerous tales of Cybertrucks malfunctioning, including this one, where a user said that the vehicle “made it 1 mile own road [before it] started getting steering error.” Cybertruck Owners Club“Dealer couldn’t do anything for me. It was great for 5 minutes. Tried everything, restarting, screen is stuck black and keeps beeping,” the user added in the thread, first reported on by automotive news site Jalopnik.
The owner received the vehicle, which starts at $80,000, one month after the highly-publicized trucks went on sale last December — two years behind schedule.
“Tesla really rushed these trucks out, what a nightmare,” the disappointed owner said.
Tesla representatives did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Another user on the thread shared a photo of their Cybertruck flashing a red screen that warned, “Pull over safely. Critical steering issue detected.”
“A lot of trucks are having high-voltage issues…which makes the trucks unusable,” the user added.
A separate thread featured a “WTF moment” in which the owner said his Cybertruck’s auto-pilot feature seemingly malfunctioned as another truck approached in the other lane while both were driving on a highway.
“My Cybertruck suddenly made a hard brake stop when we both have a clear wide enough space between us,” the user, who goes only by Andrew, wrote.
“Luckily there is no vehicle at the back as it would have been a definite collision.”
“Note: The auto-pilot is simply a glorified reactive cruise control,” Andrew concluded his post.
On another discussion board, Tesla Motors Club, a Cybertruck owner wrote a review so critical of Tesla’s supposedly highest-tech vehicle that the user was barred from the Cybertruck Owners’ Forum.
“But people need to hear the truth,” the Canada-based owner, JPinaJeep, wrote on Tesla Motors Club, per Jalopnik.
Tesla will send a team from the United States by late April to study sites for the plant. (Photo: Bleeping Computer)
Tesla, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, will send a team to India this month to scout locations for a proposed $2 billion to $3 billion (about Rs 16,700 crore-Rs 25,000 crore) electric car plant, UK’s Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
Last month, India reduced import taxes on certain electric vehicles produced by carmakers that commit to invest at least $500 million (over Rs 4,150 crore) and start domestic manufacturing within three years.
Tesla’s reported push into India comes at a time when EV demand is slowing and competition heats up in its main markets of the U.S. and China, causing the EV maker to report a drop in first-quarter deliveries and missing estimates.
The company will send a team from the United States by late April to study sites for the plant, with a focus on states that have automotive hubs such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
The EV maker’s CEO Elon Musk has been trying to enter the Indian market for years but New Delhi wanted a commitment to local manufacturing.
Tesla officials have been in talks with government officials over the last year, with Musk meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June.
The company said in July last year that it was interested in building a factory in India to produce an EV priced at $24,000. It also called for lower taxes on more expensive models it wants to sell in India, Reuters has reported.
Western policy on decarbonisation seems to be driven more by emotion and boosterism than by what is technologically feasible
CREDIT: Joe Raedle/Getty
Never was the old adage “don’t buy the prototype, buy the redesign” more appropriate. Motorists who bought an electric vehicle in the belief that it would hold its value better than a petrol or diesel must be feeling a little sore. According to the AA, the secondhand values of the 20 most popular electric and hybrid cars was down 12 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared with the first quarter of 2023. That is the drop in value of like-for-like cars, not what buyers can expect to lose in depreciation over the first year.
In some cases the fall has been far greater. According to a recent survey by Cap Hpi, the value of a one year old Peugeot e-2008 with 10,000 miles on the clock fell 38.7 per cent between January and December 2023.
The tide has turned for Tesla, too, as it runs out of well-off, eco-conscious motorists interested in buying its vehicles. In the three months to March it sold 386,810 vehicles, down from 422,875 in the same period in 2023. Tesla shares plunged seven per cent on the news – although given that the company’s market valuation is still nearly twice that of the world’s second most valuable carmaker, Toyota, no one should be confident of a rebound any time soon.
I have nothing against electric cars, which have already found a niche as city cars for people with the good fortune to have private driveways. If battery technology develops to the point at which electric cars can travel 500 miles on a single charge and take 10 minutes to recharge they will start to sell themselves, without motorists being forced to buy them through government mandates.
Indeed, that will be the point at which I will happily dump my diesel and go pure electric. But the promotion of electric cars over the past few years has been a triumph of hype over reality – which not even Elon Musk has been able to overcome.
The SU7 is technology giant Xiaomi’s first electric car
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has launched its first electric vehicle (EV) and started taking orders.
At the event the technology giant’s chief executive Lei Jun said the standard SU7 model would be priced at 215,900 yuan ($29,872; £23,663) and the Max version would cost 299,900 yuan.
The firm says it got over 50,000 orders within the first 27 minutes of sales.
Xiaomi’s entry into the electric car market comes as sales growth has slowed globally, triggering a price war.
The move sees the technology giant taking on EV rivals including Tesla and BYD. The starting price in China for Tesla’s Model 3 is 245,900 yuan.
Mr Lei also said the SU7, which has drawn comparisons with Porsche’s Taycan and Panamera models, would have a minimum range of 700km (435 miles), beating the Tesla Model 3’s 567km.
The firm is hoping that the SU7’s shared operating system with its phones, laptops and other devices will appeal to existing customers.
Xiaomi is the third-largest seller of smartphones worldwide with a market share of about 12%, according to research firm Counterpoint.
The SU7, which Xiaomi has been teasing since last year, has drawn comparisons to Porsche’s Taycan and Panamera sports car models.
It will be made by a unit of state-owned car manufacturer BAIC Group at a plant in Beijing that can produce as many as 200,000 vehicles a year.
“While getting this far is itself quite an achievement, the ultimate achievement would be to demonstrate that there is a consumer market for Xiaomi as a smart EVs brand,” Bill Russo of Automobility told the BBC.
In an indication of the challenges facing technology firms who want to make electric cars, iPhone maker Apple last month reportedly cancelled its plans to build an EV.
Mr Russo added that Xiaomi’s entry into the car market reflected its confidence “in the relevancy for their brand” in China while Apple did not see enough potential in the EV market outside of China.
Xiaomi has said it will invest $10bn (£7.9bn) in its vehicles business over the next 10 years.
“The Chinese EV market is very mature and creates a very stable ecosystem for the EV manufacturers,” said Abhishek Murali from research firm Rystad Energy.
“For example, the battery supply chain is very strong, and the charging network in the country is also growing to meet the growing EV feed.”
The launch of Xiaomi’s first car comes as a price war in China’s EV market has been intensifying.
Tesla, which is headed by multi-billionaire Elon Musk, has cut the cost of its cars in China by thousands of dollars in recent months as local rivals like the world’s top-selling EV maker BYD have slashed prices.
The world’s biggest car market is already crowded so Xiaomi is one of the few new prospective entrants to gain approval from authorities as officials try to curb a flood of new players.
Earlier this week, BYD posted record annual profits but said growth had slowed towards the end of last year.
BYD Seal EV will be offered in three variants and two battery pack options.
BYD India has finally launched the Seal electric vehicle in the Indian market. The electric sedan was first showcased in India at Auto Expo 2023 but the launch got delayed. Now, that it is finally here, BYD will be selling it with two battery pack options. There is 61.44 kWh which will be offered only with the Dynamic Range variant and then there is an 82.56 kWh battery pack that will be offered in two variants – Premium Range and Performance. The bookings are open for a token amount of ₹1.25 lakh.
The Dynamic Range and Premium Range variants will be offered with a rear-wheel drive powertrain whereas the Performance variant comes with an all-wheel drive powertrain. All three variants produce different levels of power outputs. They are priced at ₹41 lakh, ₹45.55 lakh and ₹53 lakh respectively. All prices are ex-showroom.
Fifteen to 20 teams carried out raids across five states, metaphorically shaking down every tobacco leaf linked to Banshidhar Tobacco Company.
A fleet of luxury cars were recovered from Shivam Mishra’s Delhi home.
A Rolls Royce, a Porsche, a Lamborghini – all bear ‘4018’ on the licence plates and in front of them poses a man with the flamboyance of Hrithik Roshan’s character in a hit song from ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’. He is Shivam Mishra, the scion of a tobacco company at the centre of multi-state raids by the income tax department.
The Income Tax department executed a series of raids on Banshidhar Tobacco Company, unearthing a complex web of financial manipulations that extend across various states and even overseas. The raids, spanning 20 locations including Kanpur, Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat, have exposed alleged discrepancies in the company’s reported turnover, with sources revealing a staggering difference between the declared income and the actual turnover.
Fifteen to 20 teams carried out raids across five states, metaphorically shaking down every tobacco leaf linked to Banshidhar Tobacco Company, to stumble upon a treasure trove of luxury cars worth a staggering ₹ 50 crore; among them, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, priced at a cool ₹ 16 crore, found at Shivam Mishra’s home in Delhi’s Vasant Vihar.
Other luxury cars recovered from Shivam Mishra’s home were a McLaren, a Porsche, and a Lamborghini. The IT teams have reportedly confiscated ₹ 4.5 crores in cash during the raids, along with several documents.
November 16, 2017—that’s when Tesla unveiled the second-generation Roadster. Fast forward to February 28, 2024, the electric sports car is still a no-show. But if we’re to believe Tesla supremo Elon Musk, the wait is almost over. The controversial CEO took to his X (formerly Twitter) social media platform to talk about the long overdue performance EV.
If there’s one executive in the automotive business who knows how to hype up a product, it’s certainly Musk. He made some rather bold statements to advertise the new Roadster, saying “there will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car.” Tesla’s head honcho also noted, “I think it has a shot at being the most mind-blowing product demo of all time.”
Oh, and apparently it will hit 60 mph in less than one second.
Tonight, we radically increased the design goals for the new Tesla Roadster.
There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car.
Tesla’s top brass went on to mention the design has been finalized and we’ll get to see the production model near the end of the year. The goal is to kick off customer deliveries at some point in 2025, but knowing the company’s modus operandi, one can never be too sure.
Considering roughly six and a half years have passed since the Roadster concept debuted, it’s time to revisit the technical specifications promised by Tesla. It was originally claimed to reach 60 mph in 1.9 seconds and do 0-100 mph in 4.2 seconds, with a quarter mile time of 8.8 seconds. The all-wheel-drive machine with four seats promises to exceed 250 mph and cover 620 miles on a single charge.
Production design complete and unveil end of year, aiming to ship next yea
The next Tesla Roadster is supposed to have a removable glass roof that goes into the trunk when not in use. An old tweet—er, post by Musk in June 2018 talked about a SpaceX option with “10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around car. These rocket engines dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering. Maybe they will even allow a Tesla to fly.” In May 2021, Musk claimed the car would do 0 to 60 mph in an unbelievable 1.1 seconds.
Because that wasn’t crazy enough, Musk now says it’ll do it in less than 1 second. We’re rather skeptical about this claim. The bonkers McMurtry Speirling can do it in 1.4 seconds with Avon slick tires and it’s not even road-legal whereas the Roadster will have a license plate. The Spéirling also weighs nothing, at 2,200 pounds, surely a lot less than whatever the much larger Roadster will weigh.
Apple has decided to shut down its electric vehicle project after working on it since 2014. Rising costs and other factors are reportedly behind its decision to call off Project Titan. (Photo courtesy: YouTube)
Apple has decided to call off its electric car development project after a decade, transferring some employees to the artificial intelligence department. According to a Bloomberg report, the decision comes after challenges in the automotive industry and market demand changes have put pressure on project development. The electric car project, known as Project Titan, was one of the most ambitious projects in the history of the Silicon Valley–based tech giant known for its products like iPhone.
According to reports, the decision was shared among Apple’s Project Titan employees discreetly by some of the executives. At the time of the decision, the Apple electric car project employed around 2,000 people. CEO Jeff Williams and Kevin Lynch, vice president in charge of the project shared the decision on Tuesday, according to the Bloomberg report. They informed the employees that the project will shut down and several members of the Apple electric car team will be shifted to focus on generative AI projects. The tech giant has not shared any official statement on the decision yet.
The American carmaker has reportedly patented the new SUV design, currently not offered in any global markets and may compete in Hyundai Creta segment.
Ford Motor may be keen to collaborate with a local manufacturing partner for its return.
Two years after it left India, global auto major Ford Motor is reportedly working on a comeback with multiple new products, including a compact SUV.
The company, according to a Hindu Businessline report, may use its manufacturing facility in Chennai for producing hybrid and electric vehicles.
The American carmaker has reportedly patented the new SUV design, currently not offered in any global markets and may compete in Hyundai Creta segment.
Ford Motor may be keen to collaborate with a local manufacturing partner for its return.
The report claims the company is in talks with Tata Group for a possible joint venture. Business Today could not independently verify the report.
Ford’s Chennai plant had a capacity to manufacture 200,000 vehicles and 340,000 engines a year.
Under its current CEO, Jim Farley, Ford is focused on the electrification and digital transformation of core segments in which it is a leader, namely trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles, and performance cars.
Chinese automaker BYD this weekend unveiled a new electric supercar that can hit speeds similar to high-end models by industry giants like Ferrari.
The U9 will be released as part of BYD’s luxury brand Yangwang, which was introduced last year.
BYD is a key competitor for Tesla as competition in the global electrical vehicle market runs hot.
Chinese automaker BYD this weekend unveiled a new electric supercar that it says can hit speeds similar to high-end models produced by industry giants like Ferrari.
The U9 supercar will be part of BYD’s luxury brand Yangwang, which was only introduced last year and has launched two other vehicles.
According to BYD, the U9 will be able to reach a top speed of 309.19 kph, or 192.12 mph. It will also be able to accelerate to 100 kph within 2.36 seconds.
This is comparable to supercars produced by long-established brands like Ferrari, whose hybrid SF90 Stradale model can accelerate to 100 kph in 2.5 seconds, according to the company’s website.
Prices for the U9 will start from 1.68 million yuan ($233,424) and deliveries are due to begin this summer, BYD said in a press release.
BYD Co. Yangwang U9 electric vehicles in Shenzhen, China, on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. BYD debuted its most expensive car on Sunday, a 1.68 million yuan ($233,450) high-performance fully-electric supercar pitted against luxury gas-guzzling options offered by rivals such as Ferrari NV and Lamborghini. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The U9 will be powered by the so-called e4 Platform, as well as the BYD-developed DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System, according to the company.
As with previous BYD cars, the U9 will have a lithium iron phosphate battery, also known as an LFP — these types of power units have become increasingly popular among electric vehicle makers, as they do not require expensive metals like cobalt, making them cheaper. China is a key market for LFP production.
BYD in 2023 produced just over 3 million new-energy vehicles, it said earlier this year. Just more than half of these, or 1.6 million, were battery-only passenger cars, while 1.4. million were hybrid vehicles. A large proportion of BYD’s cars sat in a lower price range, with some of the company’s most popular cars starting as low as 73,800 yuan.
While BYD’s main production and sales focus lies in China, the company has set its sights on global expansion. Last year it said it would open its first factory in Europe, and the Hungarian government confirmed Monday that Prime Minister Viktor Orban had met with BYD leaders over the weekend to discuss plans for a production plant.
Questions remain over the scope for international expansion, as the European Union and the U.S. government want to boost their local electrical vehicle sectors.
PayTM FASTags are all set to stop working amid the PayTm Payments Bank crisis. The RBI has hinted that its earlier order against the PayTm Payments Bank is unlikely to be reviewed.
PayTm FASTag owners will soon be required to issue new tags from other banks as last chance to turn around RBI’s order against PayTm Payments Bank is also gone. The central bank today has literally refused to review its order to stop PayTm Payments Bank from February 29. The RBI had ordered the payments bank subsidiary of One 97 Communications to stop accepting fresh deposits in its accounts from March this year. Among other things, the PayTm Payments Bank also issues FASTags to vehicle owners.
Shaktikanta Das, RBI Governor, has ruled out reviewing its action against PayTm on Monday. Speaking to reporters, Das said the central bank has ‘hardly any room’ to review its earlier order due to the digital payment app’s persistent non-compliance with RBI’s guidelines. This means that PayTm FASTag users will not be able to add money to the wallet to continue with its service. However, the PayTm FASTags will continue to work if it has sufficient balance and its KYC is completed.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier issued a deadline to complete KYC details of FASTag accounts. NHAI had said FASTags with valid balances but with incomplete KYC will be deactivated after the deadline as part of its One Vehicle, One FASTag initiative. It aims to discourage use of same FASTag for multiple vehicles. The last date to update KYC of FASTags is February 29.
Here are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions regarding PayTm FASTags and its future:
Will PayTm FASTags work after February 29?
The answer is both yes and no. Yes for those who have sufficient balance in their PayTm FASTag accounts. The restrictions on PayTm Payments Bank will mean you will not be able to recharge PayTm FASTags after February 29 deadline. The RBI has said that one will not be able to top up or recharge FASTags or PayTm wallets from March this year.
Nitin Gadkari revealed that the Indian government aims to match the country’s national highway road network with the US by the end of this year. (Representational image)
India’s national highway network will be equivalent to the road network of the USA by the end of 2024, claims Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, reported ANI. Speaking about the infrastructure development of the country, the minister said that if India needs capital investment and development in the industry, the country should have good infrastructure. He also reiterated that the central government is giving the infrastructure development highest priority.
While speaking about the development strategy for the national highway road network of India, the minister said that the government aims to match the scale of the road network of the US by the end of this year. “At the end of 2024 our National Highway Road network will be equivalent to the road network of USA,” Gadkari added.
Kimbal Musk has provided a more conservative estimate on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving release.
Kimbal Musk is a board member at Tesla (Image: YouTube:@GrahamBensinger)
Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal, who sits on Tesla’s board, has estimated the electric vehicle company won’t offer a finished version of its Full Self-Driving program for possibly five years — conflicting with his sibling’s target of a completed release this year.
It’s another blow to Musk, who was left red-faced when it emerged most Americans don’t trust Tesla after a slew of dangerous safety recalls.
Despite its name, Full Self-Driving currently sits at Level 2 autonomous capability — meaning a user must monitor all of the software’s tasks to regain control in an emergency. Tesla is working to get Full Self-Driving (FSD) to Level 4 or 5 autonomy, where a vehicle performs all tasks for a user.
Kimbal said during his interview with Graham Besinger: “I would say maybe five years.
“Definitely, in this decade. I think we might come out with the robotaxi before that, and it would have no steering wheel at all [stowable wheel].
The Hunter 350 is currently one of the most affordable Royal Enfield bikes that is on sale.
Royal Enfield has launched the Hunter 350 in the Indian market at a starting price of ₹1.50 lakh for the Retro variant. The higher-spec Metro Dapper variant costs ₹1.64 lakh and the top-end variant is called Metro Rebel and it is priced at ₹1.68 lakh (all prices are ex-showroom). The Hunter 350 was one of the most awaited products from the manufacturer.
The Hunter 350 uses the same engine as the Classic 350 and the Meteor 350. The 349 cc, air-oil cooled engine produces 20.2 bhp of max power and 27 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Royal Enfield has retuned the fuel and ignition map of the engine to suit the characteristics of the Hunter 350. The top speed of the motorcycle is 114 kmph. The fuel tank measures 13 litres and the motorcycle weighs 181 kgs.
Tiago NRG is a more rugged version of the Tiago. It comes with a host of cosmetic changes to the exterior.
Tata Motors has teased a new variant of the Tiago NRG. It is expected that the new variant will be the XT variant. As of now, the Tiago NRG is only offered with the top-spec XZ. The upcoming XT variant of Tiago NRG will be more affordable than the top-spec variant and will sit below it. We are expecting Tata Motors to launch the Tiago NRG in the coming weeks.
The NRG version of the Tiago gets only cosmetic changes. The additional body cladding does give a rugged stance to the Tiago NRG. When compared, the Tiago NRG is 37 mm longer than the regular Tiago. There are no changes to the underpinnings, the additional length comes from the added body cladding in the front and back.
This first-ever series comprises four NFTs that will be put up for sale via an auction starting from March 29 on Tech Mahindra’s NFT marketplace, M&M said.
Automobile manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on March 25 announced its entry into the realm of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), with its first-ever tranche of tokens to be based on Thar – the company’s premium sports utility vehicle.
The NFTs will be released in collaboration with Tech Mahindra, the IT arm of Mahindra Group.
“This first-ever series comprises four NFTs that will be put up for sale via an auction starting the 29th of March 2022, on Tech Mahindra’s NFT marketplace christened ‘Mahindra Gallery’,” a press release stated.
All proceeds from the auction will go towards Project ‘Nanhi Kali’, to support the education of underprivileged girls in India, M&M said.
“The winners of the auction will be invited to the Mahindra Adventure’s off-road Driver Training Academy (Igatpuri, Maharashtra) or to the new state-of-the-art Mahindra SUV Proving Track (MSPT, Chennai), to experience the thrill of 4×4 motoring,” it added.
Cryptocurrency Prices Today March 25: Bitcoin rises, Ethereum biggest gainer
Notably, NFTs are at the forefront of blockchain technology and have captured the interest of a significant digitally savvy audience.
According to Veejay Nakra, CEO of Automotive Division of M&M, the launch of NFTs is another step for the company to “leverage the next frontier of digital marketing”.
“With our entry into the NFT space, we are all set to harness the countless possibilities of interacting and adding to the Mahindra brand and all our nameplates, and there is no better brand for this debut than the Thar,” Nakra said.
The Mahindra Gallery, where the NFTs will be launched, “is a one-stop-digital assets and collectibles marketplace for all patrons of the Mahindra Group”, Tech Mahindra CEO CP Gurnani said.
“This platform-of-the-future will emerge as a key lever to showcase the rich archives and history of the Group that everyone can own in the form of NFTs, ushering in the next wave of digital ownership,” he added.
Check out our list of the top upcoming new car launches in the month of April!
We take a look at all the upcoming car launches in April 2022.
The month of March saw quite a number of car launches in the country. We got the Skoda Slavia, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Glanza, BMW X4, Lexus NX and a whole lot more. In that regard, the month of April also promises to come with quite a number of launches, as the Indian auto industry slowly climbs its way back to normalcy. So, is it wise to buy a new car right now or wait for the right car? Well, that’s the reason we’ve compiled a list of the top five most exciting car launches coming up next month. Hopefully, these upcoming top new car launches should help in answering that question!
Maruti Suzuki XL6
A number of spy shots have already surfaced on the internet, which points to a number of design-based updates to the updated XL6 MPV. We could also see a revision of the features list, just like the Baleno, with a whole host of segment-first features, to combat the threat posed by the Kia Carens. Although it won’t be as heavy an update as the Baleno, there will certainly be a number of distinguishing features. One major change expected on the XL6 has to be the addition of the six-speed torque converter unit instead of the outdated four-speed one.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
Just like the XL6, the Ertiga, too, will come with a number of cosmetic changes. Again, the six-speed torque converter could make its way to the Ertiga as well. In terms of differences between the upcoming XL6 and Ertiga, there’s the usual body cladding on the former, that should be carried forward, while the rear-end could be pretty much the same on both models. However, the front-end, like the current-generation models, could be unique to each. One other area where the Ertiga will set itself apart is the CNG department.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Trusted online sources report that the XC40 Recharge as already been listed on Volvo’s India website. In case you’re wondering, it’s priced at Rs 75 lakh, which is quite a tidy sum of money, given that this the all-electric version of Volvo’s entry-level SUV. However, do note that these prices have not been confirmed yet by the Swedish automaker. It’s expected to come with a 78kWh battery pack, 400-odd kilometres of range and 408hp of peak power.
Maserati has unveiled the Grecale SUV. Developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab in Modena, the new SUV is produced at the Cassino plant. Grecale is a range within the range, the Trident brand’s fullest ever. The company is offering a range of engines including conventional internal combustion, hybrid and, in a year’s time, Grecale will also be the first full-electric SUV in Maserati history.
Three versions will be rolled out at launch including a GT, powered by a four-cylinder mild-hybrid engine capable of delivering 300 hp; Modena, with a four-cylinder 330-hp mild-hybrid engine; and the powerful Trofeo, equipped with a high-performance 3.0L 530-hp petrol V6 based on the Nettuno engine fitted to the MC20. At launch, the Grecale is also available in the PrimaSerie Launch Edition, a limited edition featuring exclusive content.
To complete the range, the Grecale Folgore, the 100% electric version with 400V technology. It comes with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds – on the Trofeo, top speed 285 km/h – again on the Trofeo, sound quality and extensive use of fine materials such as wood, carbon fibre and leather.
The MOU was signed on March 19, 2022 at India-Japan Economic Forum held in New Delhi, India, in the presence of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) has signed an MOU with the State of Gujarat, India to invest approximately 150 billion yen (approximately 104.4 billion rupees) for local manufacturing of electric vehicles (BEV) and BEV batteries. Suzuki will build a new electric vehicle production line in India. India has set itself a goal of making 30 per cent of newly-sold cars to be electric by 2030. Now, to achieve that, the government has offered incentives to purchasers of EVs worth $1.3 billion over a three-year period, starting in 2019. The announcement then, comes at the right time where, Suzuki looks to manufacture both electric cars and electric batteries locally. This will of course mean that the EVs will be affordable, however, there is no word on this just yet. carandbike reached out to Maruti Suzuki for a statement regarding the timelines with regards to the new factory but the company said that this was a global decision and it will not comment on the development just yet.
The WagonR electric car has been spotted testing in India on many occasions
Lamborghini is in the fast lane the world over with the US, China and Germany continuing to power bulk of the sales.The success of Lamborghini Urus SUV continues to help prospects.
Lamborghini is in the fast lane and how. The makers of some of the most iconic supercar models in the world recently reported an all-time high turnover of 1.95 billion euros, a 19% increase over 2020, with 8.405 cars delivered the world over. This is a 13% rise over delivery figures in 2020 with the most noticeable rise coming in from America and Asia-Pacific regions.
Ola S1 Pro is the first electric scooter from Ola Electric and the company follows a direct-to-home delivery model with sales entirely online.
Ola S1 and S1 Pro electric scooter variants are priced upwards of ₹1 lakh (ex showroom and ex incentives)
Ola S1 Pro electric scooter is selling like hotcakes and while Ola Electric may have had to deal with delivery-related issues in the past few months, the company has announced that the next purchase window for Ola S1 Pro will reopen on March 17 who have already reserved a unit, and March 18 for everyone else.
It’s safe to say that Russia’s economy is in tatters due to its invasion of Ukraine. The imposition of economic sanctions and the departure of Western corporations has triggered a downward spiral. The Russian government is now moving to seize foreign-owned assets to keep the county’s economy somewhat afloat. One of the largest companies under threat is Mercedes-Benz.
United Russia, the political party ruling Russia and led by Vladimir Putin, has put out a statement claiming that a government commission approved a bill to nationalize assets within the country’s borders from corporate entities that are more than 25 per cent foreign-owned. If the bill passes into law, the companies affected would be put into a temporary three-month administration.
To avoid being put into administration, the company would have to resume business operations in Russia or sell its assets in Russia. If three months pass and no action is taken, the nationalized assets would be formed into a new company and its shares auctioned off.
This week, Mercedes-Benz in its annual report stated that the manufacturer’s operations were at risk by the invasion of Ukraine. Apart from supply issues, the German company noted that $US2.2 ($3) billion in assets held by its Russian subsidiaries could be “expropriated.” The German automaker has a production facility in Russia, 40 km northwest of Moscow. Mercedes-Benz ceased production at the factory as well as stopped vehicle exports into Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The supercar from the British manufacturer will return for one final generation. It is going to be powered by a 5.2-litre engine that can produce around 700 hp of maximum power.
British supercar manufacturer Aston Martin is preparing to launch the 2022 V12 Vantage next week. The carmaker has announced that the global premiere of what will be the last V12-powered Vantage will take place on March 16. The British carmaker has already shared several details about the car and has tested it on the ground almost without camouflage ahead of its global launch.
Aston Martin has shared a latest teaser, which allows one to hear the roar of the V12 engine. The carmaker said the ‘V12 Vantage, crafted with unapologetic power and luxury, overtakes the senses through its unmistakable and deafening V12 Aston Martin roar’.
The Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro is a special motorcycle that has been created to pay homage to the history of the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, which was first introduced on a Ducati motorcycle in 1971, with the Ducati 750 GT.
The Ducati Scrambler Tribute 1100 Pro features a unique “Giallo Ocra” livery
Ducati India has launched the 2022 Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro in the country, priced at ₹ 12.89 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro is a special motorcycle that has been created to pay homage to the history of the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, which was first introduced on a Ducati motorcycle in 1971, with the Ducati 750 GT. This special variant of the Scrambler 1100 Pro features a unique “Giallo Ocra” livery with a black frame and sub-frame along with a brown seat. It is the first product launch from the Italian marque in India for 2022.
Commenting on the launch, Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India said, “The Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro stays true to the Scrambler DNA while also paying homage to the history of the Borgo Panigale through the unique “Giallo Ocra” livery. Our first launch this year, the Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro is a distinctive offering celebrating the iconic air-cooled L-Twin engine and it’s great that Ducatisti from India can also get their hands on this exclusive edition.”
Ducati says that the special colour it has chosen for the Scrambler Tribute 1100 Pro was particularly in vogue in the 1970s and the Borgo Panigale company had also used it on the twin-cylinder 450 Desmo Mono and 750 Sport of 1972. This tribute also recalls the 750 Supersport used by the Spaggiari team since 1975, which accompanied the start of the epic period of another great Ducati rider – Franco Uncini. In addition to the special livery, the new Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro also comes with the iconic 1970s Ducati logo, designed by Giugiaro, black spoked wheels, circular rear-view mirrors, and a brown seat with dedicated stitching.
The bookings for the all-new Kia Carens opened on 14th January 2022, and since then it has racked up over 50,000 bookings, solidifying Kia as the fastest-growing carmaker in the country.
Kia Carens MPV has crossed the 50,000 bookings mark in less than 2 months
The all-new Kia Carens was launched in India on February 15, 2022, and Kia stunned the market with the MPV’s aggressive pricing. The carmaker had opened the bookings for the MPV on January 14, 2022, and since then it has racked up over 50,000 bookings for the vehicle, solidifying its place as the fastest-growing carmaker in the country. Despite the global semiconductor shortage, Kia managed to sell 5,300 units in the month of February, within just 13 days of its launch. Of these 50,000 bookings, almost 60 per cent of the bookings were from Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
Upon reaching this milestone, Myung-Sik Sohn, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India said “This response for the Carens has created a never before excitement in family mover segment and it matches the excitement that our other SUVs have generated, and it is very encouraging.” He further added, “The Indian automotive industry is going through a tough phase as we face an acute shortage of semiconductors, hampering our production and hence the supply to the market”.
The BMW X4 facelift SUV will be the German carmaker’s second major launch this year after it drove in the 2022 X3 facelift SUV earlier.
2022 BMW X4 facelift SUV will be launched in India today. The German carmaker announced the date of the official launch through its social media handled on Tuesday. BMW India had earlier opened the pre-launch bookings for the 2022 X4 SUV, which will be manufactured locally at the carmaker’s India facility, at a token amount of ₹50,000.
Customers can book the facelift version of the X4 SUV through the company’s official dealerships.
Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) has signed an MOU with the State of Gujarat, India to invest approximately 150 billion yen (approximately 104.4 billion rupees) for local manufacturing of electric vehicles (BEV) and BEV batteries. Suzuki will build a new electric vehicle production line in India. India has set itself a goal of making 30 per cent of newly-sold cars to be electric by 2030. Now, to achieve that, the government has offered incentives to purchasers of EVs worth $1.3 billion over a three-year period, starting in 2019. The announcement then, comes at the right time where, Suzuki looks to manufacture both electric cars and electric batteries locally. This will of course mean that the EVs will be affordable, however, there is no word on this just yet. carandbike reached out to Maruti Suzuki for a statement regarding the timelines with regards to the new factory but the company said that this was a global decision and it will not comment on the development just yet.
