Tesla and Rivian's battery technology dispute case is about to be settled, and Hyundai initiates a large-scale recall in the US | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
Four-Year Lawsuit Comes to an End: Tesla and Rivian Battery Technology Dispute to be Settled
Key Points:
The battery technology theft lawsuit between Tesla and Rivian is finally coming to an end. This legal dispute, which lasted for four years, began in 2020 when Tesla accused Rivian of stealing its trade secrets by poaching Tesla employees and encouraging them to bring documents. Rivian denied the accusation. Tesla claimed in the lawsuit that these employees brought documents containing highly sensitive trade secrets, confidential and proprietary engineering information to Rivian. A year later, Tesla further accused Rivian of "stealing its next-generation battery core technology". Initially, the two companies attempted an out-of-court settlement, but failed, and the lawsuit was then submitted to the court. More than a year later, Tesla informed the court that it expects to seek to dismiss the lawsuit after reaching a conditional agreement with Rivian. Although Tesla did not disclose the specific content of the settlement agreement, it said that if the terms of the agreement are satisfactorily fulfilled, it will seek to dismiss the case by December 24.
Currently, neither Tesla nor Rivian has commented on the reported settlement. Although Tesla claims that its patents are to some extent open source, the actual situation is not so. Tesla claims that as long as other companies do not sue them for patent rights, they can use its patented technology. In this case, Tesla specifically accused Rivian of stealing technology by hiring employees, and Rivian once again denied this accusation. Based on the timeline and the accusation of "next-generation battery", Tesla may be referring to its 4680 battery cell, or it may be a structural battery pack. Rivian is expected to use a higher-capacity 4695 battery provided by LG Energy Solution for its next-generation vehicles.
Tesla and other brand electric vehicles (Source: Tesla)
Opinion:
This battery technology theft lawsuit between Tesla and Rivian is not only a competition between two electric vehicle manufacturers, but also a test of intellectual property protection. With the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry, technological innovation and patent protection have become the key to enterprise competition. Tesla has been in a leading position in battery technology, and its strong awareness of technology protection is evident from its accusation against Rivian. However, settlement may be the wisest choice for both parties. Long-term litigation not only consumes a lot of time and resources, but also may damage the business reputation of both parties. Through settlement, the two companies can avoid further legal disputes and focus on technological innovation and market expansion.
In addition, the settlement also helps maintain the healthy development of the industry and avoid unnecessary market turmoil caused by litigation. For Tesla, the settlement may mean that its patented technology has been protected to a certain extent, and it may also obtain some form of supervision or access rights to Rivian's technology. For Rivian, the settlement may mean that it can continue to develop its own technology while avoiding possible huge compensation and negative public opinion.
Hyundai Recalls Over 145,000 Electric Vehicles in the US
Key Points:
Hyundai Motor Group has launched its second large-scale recall in the US this year, involving 145,235 electric vehicles and other "electrified" models, due to concerns that these vehicles may lose driving force. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced this news on Friday. NHTSA said the recall affects some 2022 - 2025 model year IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 electric vehicles, as well as certain luxury brand Genesis models, including GV60, GV70 and G80 electrified variants. There are reports that Kia models are also included in this recall, but it has not been confirmed as of the time of publication. The problem seems to stem from the "integrated charging control unit" of these vehicles, which may be damaged and unable to charge the 12-volt battery. NHTSA pointed out that this failure may lead to a complete loss of driving force, posing a safety risk to the driver. In March of this year, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis recalled 147,110 electric vehicles due to the problem that the integrated charging control unit was damaged and could not be charged.
Hyundai IONIQ6 (Source: Hyundai)
Opinion:
To solve this problem, the company's dealers will inspect and replace the charging unit and its fuse (if necessary), and at the same time update the software of the charging unit. Importantly, Hyundai reported that there have been no crash, injury, death or fire accidents caused by this problem in the US. This recall once again highlights the importance of electric vehicle safety issues, especially the reliability of key components such as the integrated charging control unit. As one of the world's major automotive manufacturers, Hyundai Motor Group's any recall actions in the field of electric vehicles will be closely watched, because this is not only related to the brand image, but also related to consumers' confidence in the safety of electric vehicles. With the continuous expansion of the electric vehicle market, manufacturers need to ensure that their products can meet the increasing safety and performance standards.
BYD Denies Rumors of Taking Over NIO
Key Points:
Recently, a rumor that BYD will take over NIO (NYSE: NIO) has been circulating on social media, causing widespread concern. The rumor was initially posted by a suspected BYD employee, but NIO has denied it. According to "CnEVPost", Ma Lin, the assistant vice president of brand and public relations of NIO, denied the rumor that BYD will take over the company last Friday.
Ma Lin posted a screenshot on social media, asking Li Yunfei, the general manager of BYD's brand public relations, whether the person who posted the false rumor is a BYD employee. Previously, the suspected employee claimed that BYD and NIO are establishing a joint venture, in which BYD will hold 51% of the shares, while NIO will hold the remaining 49%. Ma Lin said that if it is indeed done by a BYD employee, then Li Yunfei needs to issue an official statement and apologize. If not, they can report to the police together. Li Yunfei also denied the rumor, saying it is seriously untrue. This is not the first time that rumors of BYD taking over NIO have appeared, but due to the involvement of the suspected employee this time, the post has received more attention. BYD is recruiting on a large scale to increase production to meet higher demand. This electric vehicle giant now has more than 900,000 employees, making it the largest company listed on the A-share market in China.
After BYD's monthly sales exceeded 500,000 for the first time in October, its expansion momentum has become stronger, and it is expanding overseas to seek growth. October is BYD's fifth consecutive month of setting a sales record, and its global delivery is approaching that of automotive industry leaders such as Ford. NIO is also in a growth momentum, with sales exceeding 20,000 for the sixth consecutive month in October. With the increase in the production of its newly launched low-cost Onvo L60 electric SUV, NIO expects to continue to see higher demand. Ma Lin said last Friday that NIO is "doing quite well recently". The company's public relations director added, "The cash flow in the third quarter turned positive, the gross profit in October increased, and an additional 100 million yuan was earned. The Onvo (delivery volume) will exceed 10,000 in December." NIO plans to launch its third brand Firefly in the first half of 2025 and expects sales to double next year, while striving to achieve profitability in 2026.
BYD Ocean Series (Source: BYD)
Opinion:
The recent rumor about BYD taking over NIO has caused quite a stir on social media, but with the clear denial from the official of NIO, this untrue message has been promptly clarified. This incident reflects the high attention of the market to the dynamics of the giants in the electric vehicle industry and the sensitivity to industry integration. From an industry perspective, both BYD and NIO are important participants in the field of new energy vehicles in China, each with its own advantages and characteristics in different market segments and fields.
BYD has achieved significant growth in the global market with its advantages in battery technology and cost control. While NIO has won a certain market share with its high-end brand image and innovative user service model. Competition and cooperation in business between the two companies are normal phenomena in the industry development, but rumors in the market may cause unnecessary interference to the confidence of investors and consumers. Therefore, for such unsubstantiated messages, enterprises and industry regulatory agencies should promptly clarify to maintain the stability and healthy development of the market. At the same time, NIO's recent performance and future plans show its competitiveness and development potential in the field of new energy vehicles. With the launch of new models and brand expansion, NIO is expected to achieve greater breakthroughs in the coming years. For investors and consumers, it is more important to focus on the long-term development and fundamentals of the enterprise rather than short-term market rumors.
"Big Events"
Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 Electric Semi-Truck Goes into Production
The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric semi-truck, with its all-electric range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles), is designed for long-haul transportation and has officially started production at the Wörth plant in Bavaria, Germany. As part of Daimler Truck AG's electrification process for the Mercedes brand, the eActros 300 and 400 models are mainly responsible for terminal operations and short-haul transportation, while the eEconic plays a role in waste disposal and airport refueling. The addition of the 600 model expands this effort, providing a true solution for long-haul transportation and helping Mercedes' customers clean up their operations. Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck AG, said: "The start of production of the eActros 600 series further demonstrates our ambition to transform the industry.
With a range of 500 kilometers on a single battery charge, our eActros 600 is addressing the challenges in the European long-haul transportation sector, which accounts for two-thirds of heavy-duty road freight carbon emissions. Therefore, our pure electric long-haul trucks will truly make an impact." The new features of the eActros 600 include greater range and being the first electric Mercedes semi-trailer to be manufactured on a single production line (the eActros 300/400 and eEconic leave the standard production line and the electric drive components are installed at the Mercedes-Benz Future Truck Center in Wörth).
Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 Electric Semi-Truck (Source: Electrek)
Andreas Bachhofer, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks Wörth plant, said: "With the start of production of the eActros 600 series, we are expanding our Wörth product portfolio with a vehicle that is important for the future. This first purely electric truck to be manufactured in Wörth will be fully integrated into the existing assembly workshop and run in parallel with the production of internal combustion engine trucks with flexibility. This means that we are fully capable of producing larger quantities. Our production team is ready for continuous growth in the coming months."
This new electric semi-truck is equipped with a 600 + kWh battery (hence the name eActros 600), which powers the new, highly efficient electric drive axle developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz, sufficient to "travel more than 1,000 kilometers per day. This is achieved by intermediate charging during the legally required driver breaks - even without megawatt charging." The company claims that the huge 600 kWh battery in the eActros can be charged from 20% to 80% at a megawatt charging station in approximately 30 minutes, and such charging stations will soon be widespread across Europe. The first deliveries of the new 600 series Mercedes electric semi-trucks are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025, after which production will accelerate to full speed.
Underground Charging Breakthrough: Kempower and Proviridis Collaborate on Electric Truck Charging Station
Kempower and Proviridis Collaboration Truck Charging Station (Source: Electrek)
French infrastructure specialist Proviridis has collaborated with electric vehicle charging equipment manufacturer Kempower to launch a novel underground charging solution designed specifically for electric semi-trucks, aiming to be easily integrated into existing truck parking lots. By installing high-power charging cabinets underground and integrating the charging cables into sturdy metal tubes, Kempower and Proviridis have successfully created space for high-power charging points in existing truck parking lots where there was not enough space to install traditional electric vehicle charging equipment or overhead "drip lines". In the pilot project, the metal tubes are painted in a bright yellow color to make them more visible during parking lot operations and to protect the charging equipment more effectively than traditional concrete piles. The 600-kilowatt power cabinet is located a few yards away - a typical space-saving solution from Kempower - and is connected to the charging point via underground cables. Olivier Verdu, Technical Director of Proviridis, explains: "The product is durable in a wide range of temperatures and conditions, requires minimal ventilation, and can meet a wide range of customer needs. These features make Kempower's solution very suitable for this type of charging configuration in a logistics environment.
Genesis New Electric Model Enters the US Luxury Car Market
Genesis is rapidly emerging in the US market. This luxury car manufacturer currently has 60 sales outlets in the US and is expanding into new states. With the launch of new electric models, Genesis is seeking to gain a larger share in the US luxury car market. As a brand under Hyundai Motor Group, Genesis entered the luxury car market as a Hyundai brand model in 2008. In 2015, Hyundai announced that Genesis would become an independent luxury brand. Since the launch of its first vehicle in the US, the brand's sales have soared from 7,000 in 2016 to more than 69,000 last year, even surpassing Nissan's Infiniti.
Genesis says this is just the beginning. This Korean luxury brand hopes to gain a larger share in the market and sees brands such as Porsche as competitors. Behind the brand's confidence is its newly launched series of stylish electric models. Genesis sells three electric vehicles in the US: GV60, Electrified G80 and Electrified GV70. The Electrified GV70 electric SUV has become Genesis' best-selling electric model in the US since its launch last year. According to data from Kelley Blue Book, as of September, Genesis sold 2,343 electric GV70 models in the US. Overall, the luxury brand's electric vehicle sales exceeded 4,600 in the first nine months of 2024, surpassing Porsche (4,29).