Tesla Cybertruck sales are sluggish, while global electric vehicle sales set a record in November | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
Global Electric Vehicle Sales Reach Record High of 1.8 Million in November
Key Points:
According to the latest data from the electric vehicle research company Rho Motion, global electric vehicle sales reached a record 1.8 million in November 2024, 100,000 more than the previous record set in October 2024. Among them, the Chinese market once again broke its previous month's record, with sales of nearly 1.3 million in November, an increase of more than 50,000 compared to October. So far this year, global electric vehicle sales have reached 15.2 million, a year-on-year increase of 25%. Specifically, the sales in the Chinese market reached 9.7 million, a year-on-year increase of 40%; the sales in the EU, the European Free Trade Association, and the UK market were 2.7 million, a year-on-year decrease of 3%; the sales in the US and Canadian markets were 1.6 million, a year-on-year increase of 10%; and the sales in other regions were 1.1 million, a year-on-year increase of 25%.
Charles Lester, the data manager of Rho Motion, commented: "With global electric vehicle sales continuously setting records, the global electric vehicle market has seen significant growth this quarter. However, the regional situation is not balanced. The European market has decreased by 3% so far this year, while the electric vehicle sales in the Chinese market in November accounted for more than two-thirds of the global total." In China, the sales growth in November almost entirely came from the increase in pure electric vehicle (BEV) sales, which increased by more than 70,000 compared to the previous month. This growth is mainly due to the increased monthly sales of Geely, Tesla, and Changan Automobile. However, in terms of cumulative sales from the beginning of the year to now, the sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) have almost doubled, while the sales of BEVs have increased by 18% year-on-year. In the US and Canada, the market continues to grow at a stable rate of 10%. It is expected that the market will continue to maintain strong growth before the end of the year. Part of the reason is that the reportedly incoming President Donald Trump plans to cancel the tax credit policy of the Biden administration, which may prompt consumers to make purchases in advance to enjoy tax benefits. In addition, VinFast has begun delivering its second electric vehicle, the VF 9, in the US, and Tesla Cybertruck has also begun delivering in Canada.
Global Electric Vehicle Sales in November 2024 (Source: ElectricCarsReport)
Toyota Launches Urban Cruiser Compact Electric SUV in Europe
Key Points:
Toyota Motor Corporation recently announced that it will launch the Urban Cruiser compact pure electric SUV to the European market, further expanding its product line in the electric field. This new model, developed based on the Urban SUV Concept, will help Toyota gain a foothold in the rapidly growing and highly competitive SUV market in Europe and strengthen its lineup of pure electric models.
Following the bZ4X, the Urban Cruiser is another important step in Toyota's multi-path electrification strategy in Europe. Toyota plans to have 15 zero-emission models in its product line by 2026, including six pure electric models using a dedicated platform. The expansion of Toyota's electric product line, combined with its extensive range of plug-in hybrid, full hybrid, and fuel cell electric models, will gradually reduce its emissions in Europe. The goal is to achieve a 100% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2035, helping Toyota Motor Europe to achieve the goal of complete carbon neutrality by 2040.
The design of the Urban Cruiser features a distinct SUV character, with a mature style under the "Urban Tech" theme, showing a bold appearance from every angle. The vehicle size is slightly larger than Toyota's full hybrid compact SUV Yaris Cross, with a longer wheelbase, providing passengers with a spacious and versatile interior space. The vehicle will offer two battery packs and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options, all using lithium iron phosphate battery technology to improve durability, safety, and reduce costs.
Toyota Urban Cruiser Compact Electric SUV (Source: ElectricCarsReport)
Opinion:
Toyota's launch of the Urban Cruiser electric SUV not only reflects its emphasis on the European market but also demonstrates its firm determination in the electrification transformation. In Europe, the electric SUV market is growing rapidly, and consumers' demand for environmentally friendly and high-performance electric SUVs is increasing. The launch of the Urban Cruiser will undoubtedly meet this market demand and also intensify the competition in this market segment.
From the design perspective, the Urban Cruiser retains the essence of Toyota's SUV models while integrating modern electric technology. This combination of retro and modern will undoubtedly attract young consumers who pursue individuality and environmental protection. In addition, Toyota's investment in electric technology, such as the use of lithium iron phosphate batteries, not only improves the vehicle's performance but also reduces costs, which is crucial for enhancing the market competitiveness of the product. Toyota's electrification strategy is comprehensive, including not only pure electric models but also plug-in hybrid, full hybrid, and fuel cell electric models. This diversified technology path can meet the needs of different consumers and also shows Toyota's sense of responsibility in responding to climate change and environmental challenges. In general, the launch of the Urban Cruiser is an important step in Toyota's electrification strategy. It will not only enrich Toyota's product line but also promote the entire industry to develop towards a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future. With the continuous growth of global demand for electric vehicles, this move by Toyota is expected to achieve significant market results in the next few years.
Tesla Cybertruck Faces Cold Sales: Basic Series Models Sold at Discounted Prices after De-identification
Key Points:
Recently, news has emerged that Tesla is taking a series of measures to address the sales challenges of the Cybertruck. As Tesla's highly anticipated electric pickup truck, the Cybertruck once held great expectations. When it was first launched, it quickly became a best-selling electric pickup truck in the US with its unique appearance and technological charm, and its initial outstanding performance attracted many fans to celebrate its success.
However, as time goes by, current signs indicate that the Cybertruck has passed the booking boom, and the demand bottleneck is gradually emerging. First, Tesla informed the employees of the Cybertruck production line at the Texas Gigafactory to take a vacation, and then it lowered the rental price and included the Cybertruck in the referral program for direct discount promotions, which shows the great sales pressure. In terms of inventory, a large number of Cybertruck ready-made vehicles are overstocked and waiting to be sold, including many basic series models. As the first batch of products produced and exclusively for booking users, this series has encountered sales obstacles due to a price that is $20,000 higher and bundled with many features and accessories. Therefore, Tesla plans to "de-identify" some basic series Cybertrucks, grinding off the laser-etched badges on the exterior of the vehicle body and the basic badges on the interior dashboard, and transforming them into regular models to be sold at a $20,000 discount. At the same time, more than 800 Cybertrucks will be modified to meet the standards of the Canadian market and be shipped to Canada. Tesla hopes to open up the market there and alleviate the inventory problem, but this undoubtedly brings a huge workload to the service and repair center staff, and the waiting time for vehicle owners to repair may further increase.
Tesla Cybertruck (Source: Electrek)
Opinion:
The sales twists and turns of the Tesla Cybertruck have sounded the alarm for the industry. In the current highly competitive new energy vehicle market, innovation and marketing are both indispensable. Although Tesla is famous for its technological innovation, the Cybertruck overly relied on the early demand accumulated from bookings, and the subsequent product strength and market fit did not meet expectations. From the perspective of product planning, the pricing and configuration strategy of the basic series may be lacking in consideration, resulting in the poor sales of high-priced models. And in terms of market promotion, after the initial heat, it failed to accurately explore the continuous demand and expand the diverse user group.
Looking at the industry, traditional car companies and new forces are accelerating their layout in the electric pickup truck track, and products are emerging one after another, intensifying market competition. If Tesla cannot accurately grasp the pain points of demand, optimize the marketing strategy, improve the cost performance and applicability of the product, and achieve the annual production target of 250,000 or even higher for the Cybertruck, it will be out of reach. Its top priority is to reshape the product value, focus on design optimization, cost control, and intelligent upgrade, use technology to break the deadlock, regain market favor, and consolidate its leading position in the electric pickup truck market. Otherwise, it may gradually lose its advantage in the competitive wave and be surpassed by latecomers.
"Big Events"
Southern California Edison Adds 280 Chevrolet Silverado EV Electric Pickup Trucks to Its Fleet
Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the largest electric utility companies in the United States, recently announced that it will add more than 280 Chevrolet Silverado EV electric work vehicles to its service fleet. This move not only demonstrates SCE's firm commitment to zero-emission vehicles but is also part of its strategy to transition to a 100% electric light-duty fleet.
The Silverado EV work vehicles deployed by SCE this time are all-electric work vehicles launched by Chevrolet, aiming to handle the toughest jobs without compromise and without relying on gasoline. The addition of the Silverado EV will help SCE reduce fleet emissions and lower ownership costs, further enhancing the company's leadership position in California's clean energy transition.
Chevrolet Silverado EV Electric Pickup Truck (Source: ElectricCarsReport)
Todd Carlson, the chief manager of the SCE Fleet Department, said: "This deployment is a crucial step in SCE's commitment to an electrified fleet and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are dedicated to setting an example in California's clean energy transition. Collaborations with partners like Chevrolet enable us to integrate high-performance electric vehicles while improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Southern California."
Sandor Piszar, vice president of GM Envolve, said: "We are pleased to assist innovative customers like Southern California Edison in achieving their electrification goals through the Chevrolet Silverado EV work vehicle as part of their fleet transformation. The Silverado EV work vehicle combines the performance and reliability that commercial customers expect with the advantages and low cost of ownership of an electric propulsion system."
This deployment not only reflects SCE's commitment to environmental protection but also showcases its active actions in promoting electrification and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By introducing high-performance electric work vehicles, SCE is contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future. With the advancement of electric vehicle technology and the improvement of cost-effectiveness, it is expected that more enterprises and utility companies will follow SCE's example and accelerate the transition to electrification in the future.
Renault 5 Turbo 3E Reborn as a Production Model, Electric Retro-Futuristic Design Attracts Attention
After experiencing a crisis in the early 2020s, the Renault Group successfully reversed the situation through a transformation roadmap called "Renaulution". This roadmap is unique in the automotive industry and is regarded as Renault's last chance plan. Starting from December 13, the documentary series "Anatomy of a Comeback" launched on Prime Video tells how the Renault Group overcame an unprecedented crisis. The documentary not only showcases Renault's manufacturing secrets and new model designs but also takes the audience into the paddock of the Alpine Formula One Team, providing exclusive revelations about new models such as the Renault 5.
In this documentary, the Renault Group globally unveiled a new production model, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, for the first time through the film. At the end of the fourth episode, the audience follows Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo, Renault brand CEO Fabrice Cambolive, and Renault Design Vice President Gilles Vidal to visit the design department, witnessing the debut of the future Renault 5 Turbo 3E, and confirmed by Luca de Meo as a production model to be put into production soon.
Renault 5 Turbo 3E (Source: ElectricCarsReport)
46 years after the Renault 5 Turbo made its debut in 1978, Renault will shock car enthusiasts by reviving this ultimate sports icon. Revealing the model in a documentary is an unusual idea but very suitable for this truly unique model. In 2025, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E will further unveil its mystery through a series of exclusive events.
The documentary also reveals more information about the future production model. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a modern interpretation of the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2, which was previously showcased as a concept car at the 2022 Paris Motor Show. It is full of performance and vitality, paying tribute to the racing world. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is an electric hot hatchback with a retro-futuristic design. One of the rear air intakes is equipped with a modern charging socket, reminiscent of the style of the original "Turbo". The carbon fiber superstructure is both lightweight and extremely strong, two characteristics that are crucial for a truly "pocket rocket" and its heritage.
Like its iconic predecessor, the Renault 5 Turbo 3E will feature a rear-wheel drive layout. Two electric motors in the rear wheels will provide instant power to each wheel, with a total output of more than 500 horsepower. Drivers will experience ultimate driving pleasure and lightning-fast acceleration. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E will accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.5 seconds, with performance comparable to that of a supercar or even a hypercar.
Indonesia's Charging Network Expands Significantly: V-GREEN and Prime Group Collaborate to Build 100,000 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Recently, V-GREEN and Prime Group signed a cooperation agreement to develop a charging station network for VinFast electric vehicles in Indonesia. This cooperation marks that the two sides will jointly explore and develop cooperation opportunities for building charging stations in Indonesia. It is expected that within the next three years, approximately 100,000 VinFast charging stations will be developed in Indonesia, with a total investment of up to 1.2 billion US dollars.
V-GREEN will first develop VinFast charging stations in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali and its surrounding areas, and plans to expand to other regions in Indonesia in the subsequent stages. With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, these areas have become the strategic focus of V-GREEN's expansion in the Indonesian market, taking advantage of VinFast's diverse urban electric