Honda Returns to CES with Two Electric Prototype Vehicles, While Ford's Electric Vehicle Predicament in Europe Worsens | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
Honda Motor Company Announces Return to CES 2025, Unveiling a New Chapter for 0 Series Electric Vehicles
Key Points:
Honda Motor Company has announced its return to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2025 to showcase the latest advancements of its highly anticipated 0 Series electric vehicles. At this global technology event, Honda plans to unveil two new electric vehicle prototypes based on last year's concept models, marking a crucial step for the 0 Series towards the market. These two models are expected to be officially launched in 2026, further strengthening Honda's leadership position in the global electric vehicle market.
Honda, as a well-known brand in the automotive and other powered vehicle sectors, is continuously expanding its influence in the electric vehicle field. Currently, the Honda Prologue EV sold is built on General Motors' Ultium platform, but the company has not yet provided a fully customized electric vehicle model for the US market. With the launch of the 0 Series all-electric vehicle lineup, this situation is about to change.
Honda Concept Vehicle (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
At CES 2024 in January this year, Honda first presented the design language of the 0 Series to the public, launching two concept models, "Saloon" and "Space-Hub". Honda stated that these two concept models indicate the design direction of the next-generation electric vehicles. In October last year, Honda showcased the Saloon concept model at its design center in Japan and provided a test drive experience of the new 0 Series electric vehicle platform. Although the platform was realized based on the Accord body, it has already allowed a glimpse of the style of future customized models.
Honda has clearly stated that the Saloon will become one of the two passenger electric vehicles in the 0 Series. With the transition from concept cars to prototypes, Honda revealed preview information about these two models on the eve of CES 2025. Although Honda has not disclosed more details about these two electric vehicle prototypes, they are clearly the further development of the Saloon and Space-Hub concept cars. These two customized BEVs are expected to be the first models in the 0 Series to enter the market, providing consumers with distinct design options.
Honda first introduced the 0 Series and its "Thin, Light, Smart" development concept at CES 2024. At the upcoming CES 2025, Honda will further elaborate on this concept, with a particular emphasis on the value of "Smart". Although the Honda team remains mysterious about the technical details to be showcased, we have learned that Honda's unique production and assembly technologies, including a 6,000-ton super-large casting machine and the proprietary Constant DC Chopper (CDC) welding technology, will help reduce the number of parts and the vehicle weight while enhancing passive safety performance.
Toyota Receives $4.5 Million from the US Government to Enhance the Sustainability of Electric Vehicle Batteries
Key Points:
Toyota Motor has received $4.5 million in funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to enhance the sustainability of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This funding comes from the ARPA-E's CIRCULAR project, which focuses on creating a sustainable US supply chain for EV batteries. The project led by Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA) aims to address one of the biggest challenges faced by the EV industry: how to handle used batteries. Currently, disassembling battery packs and determining which components can be reused or recycled is a slow, manual, and costly process.
Toyota USA (Source: Toyota)
Opinions:
Toyota is collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Baker Hughes' Waygate Technologies to change this situation. The project will focus on addressing the main bottlenecks in the battery supply chain cycle, including automated battery pack disassembly, data-driven battery classification, and solving the problem of battery cell degradation. This approach can extend the service life of valuable battery materials, reduce waste, and the need to mine new resources. The ultimate goal is to provide a blueprint for what Toyota calls the "3R Future Facility" - a place to reduce, reuse, and recycle batteries on an industrial scale. Nik Singh, the lead scientist at TRINA and the principal investigator of the project, said the project could change the industry's approach to battery recycling. The team's plans include: automating battery pack disassembly to speed up the recycling process, advanced diagnostic tools to assess the condition of battery cells and modules, and remanufacturing methods to convert used battery cells into new energy systems. The benefit is to reuse and refurbish batteries first - with recycling as the last option. Marm Dixit, the lead contributor from ORNL, pointed out the environmental benefits: "By extending the service life of battery components, we reduce their total emissions per mile. This is a significant matter for the role that EVs can play in the energy transition."
Ford's Electric Vehicle Woes in Europe Worsen
Key Points:
Ford is facing challenges in the European market and plans to restructure its overseas business through large-scale layoffs. Due to a decrease in orders and weak demand for electric vehicles, many are skeptical about Ford's future in the region. A new survey shows that people have strong doubts about the future viability of Ford in the European automotive market. Ford announced last month that it will cut another 4,000 European jobs by 2027 as part of the company's restructuring plan in the region.
Ford Explorer EV (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
Ford has suffered "significant losses" in the European market due to the "highly volatile" process of the market's transition to electric. The American automaker attributes the layoffs to lower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles and a weak economy. The planned layoffs mainly affect Germany, while other European markets will see a "minimal reduction". According to a new study by Berlin-based Civey for Automobilwoche, nearly half (45%) of the respondents expect a poor outcome, only 5% are "relatively optimistic", and another 37% are undecided. Christian Riedl, the customer success manager at Civey, explains that the survey results highlight the strong doubts about Ford's future viability in the European automotive market. Riedl says the widespread skepticism is partly due to Ford's electric vehicle strategy, or the lack thereof. In terms of electric vehicles and innovation, many expect Ford to take clear steps to position itself for the future. Riedl believes that the large number of undecided people "provides an opportunity for the brand". After the first Capri EV model rolled off the assembly line at its Cologne plant in July, Ford has slowed down production. The company is reducing the production of two electric vehicles based on the Volkswagen MEB platform - the Electric Explorer and Capri. Earlier this month, Ford launched the all-electric version of its best-selling model in Europe, the Puma Gen-E, to boost demand. Ford is facing fierce competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers such as BYD, which is gaining market share. A recent Bloomberg study notes that BYD is rapidly closing in on Ford in global deliveries. The Chinese electric vehicle leader could even surpass the American automaker by the end of this year. BYD's cheapest electric vehicle, the Seagull, once again became the best-selling model in China (including gasoline-powered vehicles) last month, surpassing Tesla's Model Y. With the arrival of a new wave of low-cost electric vehicles from China, BYD and other electric vehicle manufacturers are seeking overseas growth. The influx of Chinese electric vehicles is putting pressure on global automotive leaders, forcing them to take drastic measures.
"Big Events"
Tesla Shanghai to Start Mass Production of the Updated Model Y in January Next Year
It is reported that the new Model Y, codenamed "Juniper", is expected to begin mass production in China next month, with features similar to the updated "Highland" Model 3. The new Model Y will start mass production in January. The new Model Y is expected to incorporate many of the improvements from the 2023 Model 3 update, including a new front fascia design, higher efficiency, and a quieter cabin. In addition, there are many interior improvements (as well as a significant drawback, the removal of the steering column stalk). Due to many recent sightings and leaks (including a 2-second video shot in San Jose last week), we know that the new Model Y is coming soon.
Hypothetical Image of the New Model Y (Source: Electrek)
In October, Chinese social media claimed that the updated version was about to enter the trial production stage, and a few days later, we saw photos of the new Model Y outside the Shanghai factory. Therefore, it is not surprising that information about the upcoming production has leaked again. The report also suggests that the rumored 6-seat Model Y will begin production in Shanghai in the fourth quarter of 2025, so there is still a considerable amount of time. As for the delivery time, the report does not specify. But it may take some time to wait, especially in the US. When the updated Model 3 was first launched, it began deliveries overseas first, and then in the US about 5 months later. If the Model Y follows the same schedule, it may not be seen in the US until the middle of the year. As for Tesla's official comment, all we have heard is that there will be no Model Y update this year, but with only two weeks left in the year, the Model Y could enter the market at any time.
Stellantis Delays the Launch of Its First Pure Electric Pickup, Prioritizing the Extended-Range Ramcharger
Stellantis Group recently announced that it will delay the launch of its first pure electric light-duty pickup, the Ram 1500 REV, and instead prioritize the launch of the extended-range electric pickup, the Ramcharger. The Ram 1500 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), which was originally planned to be launched in the first half of 2025, will be postponed to enable the quicker launch of the Ramcharger. Stellantis stated in a press release that the decision to delay the listing of pure electric vehicles is based on "overwhelming consumer interest, maintaining a technological competitive advantage, and slowing the industry's demand for half-ton BEV pickups". The new Ramcharger will open for consumer reservations in the first half of 2025, followed by the Ram 1500 REV in 2026.
Ram 1500 REV (Source: Electrek)
The Ramcharger is a battery-powered plug-in hybrid vehicle that also comes with a gasoline engine as a generator to charge the battery while driving, with a target range of up to 690 miles. The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger is equipped with a 92 kWh battery pack and a 130 kW on-board generator, powering a 250 kW front electric drive module (EDM) and a 238 kW rear electric drive module. The Ram 1500 Ramcharger supports bi-directional charging for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-home, allowing it to charge another BEV or supply power to the grid. Performance parameters include a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.4 seconds, 663 horsepower, more than 615 lb-ft of torque, a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds, and the best-in-class 2,625-pound maximum payload capacity.
The extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) has become an intermediate zone for automakers to attract consumers who are hesitant about pure electric vehicles. They are between pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, helping to break the concern of running out of battery. Stellantis' decision may put the company further behind in the competition with rivals such as Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ford F-150 Lightning. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has previously been criticized for issues such as inflated inventory and declining sales in the US market, and the company's market share in North America has dropped from 10% to 8.2%. Nevertheless, Stellantis' delay in the launch of BEV may put the company at a disadvantage in the fierce market competition.
New California Regulation: New Residential Units Must Be Equipped with EV Charging Facilities Starting in 2026
The upcoming new building code in California will bring significant progress in the popularization of electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities. Starting in 2026, most new overnight parking spaces in California will be required to be equipped with EV chargers, a measure that is expected to significantly solve the problem of EV charging. One of the main advantages of EVs is their convenience. Owners do not need to go out specifically to refuel. They just need to park their cars in the parking spaces at home, which is usually where the vehicle stays for at least 8 hours a day, and they can start with a full battery every day when leaving home. However, this convenience only applies to those who have a stable parking space and can easily install a charging facility, such as those who have a garage or driveway, or those whose workplace has a charging facility. For car owners living in apartment buildings, charging can sometimes become complicated.
EV Charging Facilities in California (Source: Electrek)
Although some states have passed "charging rights" laws to provide solutions for apartment residents for home charging, so far, apartment charging remains a patchwork solution. California's new building code will change this situation. The new regulation requires that in most cases, at least one charger should be equipped for each unit. For any multi-family development project (apartment/condominium) with parking spaces, at least one parking space must be in an "EV-ready" state. An EV-ready space is defined as having at least one 240V/20A socket or charger for EV charging, which can be a standardized socket (NEMA 6-20, 14-30, or 14-50) or a J1772 or J3400 (NACS) charger.
In addition, EV-ready spaces allow for power sharing among them, as long as the system can provide at least 3.3kW of power to each unit simultaneously. If the parking space is owned by the unit, the new regulation states that it should be wired separately on the circuit of that unit as much as possible. If it is a shared space