BYD once collaborated with Apple to build vehicles, and Honda's first global electric vehicle factory is located in Wuhan | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
Apple and BYD's Cooperation on Electric Vehicle Batteries Ends in Cancellation
Key Points:
Recently, it was reported that Apple had collaborated with Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD (BYD) in its electric vehicle project to develop lithium iron phosphate batteries. This battery technology, with its high endurance and safety, attracted Apple and was expected to improve the performance and market competitiveness of electric vehicles. Since 2017, the two sides have been cooperating around this technology. BYD's "blade battery" also left a deep impression on Apple and became a key factor in its choice of cooperation. However, despite the in-depth cooperation between the two sides in battery development, Apple ultimately canceled the automotive project. It is reported that this Apple car project, code-named "Titan", which was launched in 2014, had attracted the participation of several companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Tesla. Nevertheless, due to the high technical difficulty of developing autonomous driving vehicles, coupled with the huge project budget, Apple gradually reduced its ambition and finally decided to suspend the project.
Hypothetical diagram of Apple's vehicle system (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
The cooperation between Apple and BYD shows the potential for technological innovation in the field of electric vehicles for both. As a leading enterprise in the global electric vehicle field, BYD's "blade battery" technology has been widely recognized in the market for its advantages in safety and performance. For Apple, getting involved in the electric vehicle market is part of expanding its hardware ecosystem, and battery technology is a crucial component in electric vehicles. Choosing a partner like BYD is a manifestation of Apple's hope to achieve technological breakthroughs and competitive advantages in the electric vehicle market. However, Apple's eventual cancellation of this ambitious project reflects the complexity of the electric vehicle industry. Although Apple has a strong technical reserve and innovation ability, automobile manufacturing is fundamentally different from its traditional electronic product research and development, involving more manufacturing, supply chain management, and safety issues. Compared to electronic products such as mobile phones and computers, the automotive field requires a higher degree of integration and mature technical accumulation.
Volkswagen's Most Advanced Electric Vehicle Factory on the Verge of Shutting Down
Key Points:
Volkswagen's Brussels factory is facing a closure crisis. This modern electric vehicle factory, which originally planned to produce the Audi Q8 E-Tron, is currently considering halting production due to poor sales and high production costs. The factory produced only 37,400 electric vehicles last year, and this year's sales have dropped to 23,900. The 3,000 workers at the factory are facing the threat of unemployment. Volkswagen is currently unable to find a new solution, and the union is dissatisfied, accusing the company of not considering sufficient alternative plans. In addition, the factory's geographical location also brings limitations on expansion, and the lack of a body plant means it must rely on external supply of components, further increasing costs. Volkswagen may eventually sell the factory, and the union plans to express their demands through protests and strikes, emphasizing the company's reliance on large-scale luxury electric SUVs, ignoring the needs of the general consumer, leading to the current market predicament.
Production of Audi Q8 e-tron at the Brussels factory (Source: Audi AG)
Opinions:
The predicament of Volkswagen's Brussels electric vehicle factory reveals a core problem in the European electric vehicle market, that is, manufacturers' excessive reliance on large-scale, luxury models during the transition period, while ignoring the needs of ordinary consumers. This strategy, although aimed at improving profit margins, has encountered obstacles in actual operation because many consumers still find it difficult to afford the high prices. The challenges faced by companies like Volkswagen are not only at the technical level but also involve adjustments in brand positioning, pricing strategies, and production structure. The closure of the Brussels factory is not only a sign of overproduction faced by the company but also reflects the imbalance in the demand for the electric vehicle market.
Ferrari F80 Supercar Unveiled with Powerful Hybrid System
Key Points:
Ferrari F80, as the brand's latest flagship supercar, has made a formal debut, and its powerful hybrid system has attracted widespread attention in the industry. This supercar will be equipped with a high-performance 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged engine and three electric motors, with a total output power of 1183 horsepower, making it the most powerful road vehicle in Ferrari's history. The F80 can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 2.15 seconds and has a top speed of 350 kilometers per hour, fully demonstrating its excellent power performance and outstanding aerodynamic design. In addition to the astonishing power performance, the F80's hybrid system also shows excellent performance in environmental protection and energy saving. Through the collaborative work of the electric motor and the fuel engine, the F80 not only improves the acceleration performance but also significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions. Ferrari plans to produce a limited number of 799 F80s, with an expected price of $3.9 million.
Ferrari F80 (Source: Ferrari)
Opinions:
The Ferrari F80 model has a 12V and 48V electrical system, but it does not have a 48V battery like the Tesla Cybertruck. Instead, Ferrari installed a DC/DC converter to deliver the electrical energy from the 2.3kWh high-voltage battery to the 48V adaptive suspension, electric motors, and windshield defroster, as well as the 12V accessories typically found in fuel vehicles. The inverter on the front axle converts direct current into alternating current for the electric motor to use, and it can also send electrical energy back from the motor to the battery during regenerative braking. The rear axle uses another bidirectional inverter, which also serves as the starter for the V6 engine. Although this may not be to the liking of some pure fuel vehicle enthusiasts, it indicates the future development direction of Ferrari. Ferrari is developing its first pure electric vehicle and plans to unveil it sometime next year, with an expected price of over $500,000.
"Big Events "
Dongfeng Honda's New Energy Vehicle Factory Officially Goes into Operation in Wuhan, China
Dongfeng Honda Wuhan Factory (Source: Dongfeng Honda)
Dongfeng Honda recently announced that its new energy vehicle (NEV) production factory in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, has officially been put into use. This is Honda's first factory worldwide dedicated to the production of electric vehicles, featuring an efficient automated production line and a multi-layer automated warehouse, and completely eliminating the need for manual logistics in the stamping process. The factory also introduces environmentally friendly and energy-saving designs, such as using natural light and the heat generated during the production process to reduce overall energy consumption, and optimizing electricity usage by real-time monitoring of the energy consumption of each production link. Dongfeng Honda plans to launch 10 electric vehicles in China by 2027, with the goal of achieving 100% electric vehicle sales by 2035.
Mercedes-Benz Charging Network Expands Rapidly: Global Charging Network Reaches 2 Million Charging Points
Mercedes-Benz EQS vehicle system (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
As of October 2024, Mercedes-Benz announced that its Mercedes me Charge charging network has expanded to more than 1,600 different charging operators worldwide, providing more than 2 million charging points, making it one of the largest charging networks in the world. With the network expanding to Australia and New Zealand, customers in 32 countries across four continents can enjoy this convenient charging service. In Europe, users can cross-border charge at more than 750,000 charging points with just one Mercedes me Charge contract. The network meets the key needs of customers for public charging with its ease of operation, cost transparency, and extensive charging network. Among the 2 million charging points, more than 250,000 are high-power fast charging points of at least 150kW. The Mercedes me Charge network is also one of the fastest-growing charging networks: in 2024, an average of 55,000 new charging points are added each month, setting a new historical high. Since the beginning of 2024, the share of high-power fast charging stations has increased by 55%, while the number of AC/DC charging stations less than 150kW has increased by 31%.
Lucid CEO Says Despite Lower-than-Expected Electric Vehicle Market, It Outperforms Luxury Competitors
Lucid Air and Gravity SUV (Source: Lucid)
Despite the challenges in the market, Lucid's CEO Peter Rawlinson says Lucid is outperforming its competitors. In the third quarter, Lucid delivered nearly 2,800 vehicles, marking the company's third consecutive quarterly record-breaking delivery this year. However, although deliveries are increasing, production at its Casa Grande factory in Arizona is declining. In the third quarter, 1,805 electric vehicles were produced, lower than the 2,110 in the second quarter. Two years ago, Lucid expected to produce 90,000 vehicles by 2024, but now its production target is 9,000, meaning Lucid needs to produce an additional 3,359 vehicles in the fourth quarter to meet its goal. Rawlinson acknowledges that the market is tough, but he adds that the actual number of electric vehicle sales is increasing, just not at the rate they expected.
Tesla Supercharger Network Reaches Impressive Milestone of 60,000 Chargers
Tesla Supercharging Network (Source: Electrek)
Tesla's Supercharger network has reached an impressive new milestone with 60,000 charging stations deployed globally. Although the deployment speed of the Supercharger network has slowed down this year, the usage rate has soared as Tesla increasingly opens the network to non-Tesla electric vehicles. This is related to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's impulsive decision to disband the entire charging team earlier this year and then having to rehire many team members. Nevertheless, the Supercharger network is still growing, and Tesla has just announced the milestone of deploying 60,000 Supercharger stations.
"Cool Products"
2025 Citroën AMI
Citroën Ami (Source: Topgear)
The 2025 Citroën Ami has been unveiled, and the appearance of this four-wheel mini vehicle has been updated to make it look more friendly and humanized. The front face has added a "smile-like" design, the two headlights have been raised and outlined in black, the side lights have been moved down, and the new logo is located in the center of the sharper and more inclined front end. Colorful squares have been added to the decorative wheels, not only providing additional protection but also adding a toy car appearance. Citroën says that the Ami is inspired by the 2CV, and the colorful side panel graphics and molded V-shaped patterns give the second-generation Ami a unique charm.
Citroën Ami (Source: Topgear)
The Citroën Ami has been updated in 2025. Although the internal changes are not significant, the appearance has been updated, from cute to more friendly. The front face has added a "smile-like" design, the headlights have been raised and outlined in black, the side lights have been moved down, and the new logo is located in the center of the sharper and more inclined front end, presenting a more humanized appearance overall. Colorful squares have been added to the