Musk replaces laid-off Americans with foreign temporary workers, and a large-scale data leak occurs at a Volkswagen subsidiary. | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
New Member of Hyundai IONIQ Series Exposed, IONIQ 3 Electric Vehicle Expected to Debut in 2026
Key Points:
Hyundai has been making frequent moves recently, launching several new electric vehicle models in key global markets. The latest news shows that a mysterious Hyundai electric vehicle with the code name "OE" has surfaced again, and it is widely speculated that this could be the highly anticipated IONIQ 3. Previously, Hyundai has assigned code names such as "CE" and "NE" to electric vehicle models like IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6. Recently, the IONIQ 9 SUV made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show with the code name "ME".
Hyundai Casper (Source: Electrek)
According to "TheKoreanCarBlog", local rumors suggest that this new electric vehicle could be the IONIQ 3 or IONIQ 4. This mysterious new model is expected to be built on Hyundai's E-GMP platform, which is also the basis for the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, IONIQ 9, and Kia's electric vehicle series. The IONIQ 3 is expected to be slightly smaller than the IONIQ 5 and similar in size to Kia's newly launched EV3. The latest spy photos show that this new vehicle features design elements of the IONIQ series, including wheels, door handles, and some interior features.
It is expected that this new electric vehicle will offer single-motor and dual-motor powertrain options, as well as 62kWh or 84 kWh battery pack options. For reference, when the Kia EV3 is equipped with a larger battery (81.4 kWh), its WLTP range can reach 605 kilometers, while the smaller battery (58.3 kWh) provides a range of approximately 436 kilometers. In Europe, the starting price of the Kia EV3 is about 36,000 euros (approximately $38,300). In Korea, this low-cost electric vehicle is priced below $30,000 after subsidies. Hyundai's new electric vehicle is expected to make its first debut in China in early 2026, while the launch in the United States, Europe, and other overseas markets has not yet been determined.
Opinions:
Hyundai's layout in the electric vehicle field is becoming increasingly dense. From IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6 to IONIQ 9, and now to the possible IONIQ 3, it can be seen that Hyundai's ambition in the electric vehicle market. The exposure of IONIQ 3 further enriches Hyundai's electric vehicle product line and also shows Hyundai's ability to cover different market segments. The positioning of IONIQ 3 is likely to be between IONIQ 5 and Kia EV3. Such a layout helps Hyundai compete with competitors in the mid-to-high-end electric vehicle market. It is expected that IONIQ 3 will attract those electric vehicle consumers who are seeking a higher cost-performance ratio with its smaller size and possibly lower price.
In addition, the IONIQ 3 is built on the E-GMP platform, which means it will inherit Hyundai's advantages in electric vehicle technology, including long range and fast charging capabilities. This is crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of Hyundai's electric vehicles. Finally, Hyundai's layout in the global electric vehicle market shows its long-term strategic vision. With the addition of IONIQ 3, Hyundai is expected to gain a foothold in the global electric vehicle market, especially with its first debut in the Chinese market, which may have an important impact on the local electric vehicle market. For consumers, the launch of the Hyundai IONIQ 3 will undoubtedly provide more choices, and at the same time, it may also promote the entire industry to develop in a more environmentally friendly and economical direction.
Massive Data Leak at Volkswagen Subsidiary Cariad, Location Information of 800,000 Electric Vehicle Owners Exposed
Key Points:
Volkswagen's subsidiary Cariad recently experienced a serious data leak incident, resulting in the personal data of approximately 800,000 electric vehicle owners, including geographic location information, being exposed and accessible online for several months. According to the German magazine "Der Spiegel", this leak involves electric vehicle owners of Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, and Skoda brands, and their contact information and movement data have been leaked. It is even possible to see when the vehicles are parked at home, driving on the highway, or parked at certain sensitive locations.
This sensitive information was exposed for several months in an unprotected and misconfigured Amazon cloud storage system, and the problem has now been fixed. The hacker group Chaos Computer Club (CCC) first discovered this vulnerability and was tipped off by an anonymous hacker. Although Volkswagen's data was wide open, fortunately, there is currently no evidence that anyone has actually accessed this data. If someone had accessed it, they could have obtained your whereabouts and potentially connected to your personal credentials through Volkswagen's online services.
Among the 800,000 vehicles involved, the location data of approximately 466,000 vehicles is so precise that anyone can track the daily activities of the drivers. It is reported that the list of vehicle owners includes German politicians, entrepreneurs, the entire electric vehicle fleet of the Hamburg police, and even suspected intelligence service personnel. Although no actual incidents have occurred so far, the situation could have been much more serious. The Chaos Computer Club issued a warning to Volkswagen on November 26 and contacted the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and state police, who gave Volkswagen and Cariad 30 days to solve the problem before making it public. Cariad told "Der Spiegel" that no sensitive data was exposed and said that customers "do not need to take any action as no sensitive information such as passwords or payment data has been affected".
Opinions:
The data leak incident at Volkswagen's subsidiary Cariad has once again sounded the alarm for data security and privacy protection. In the digital age, the security of personal data has become particularly important. Especially for large enterprises like automakers, protecting customer data is not only a legal responsibility but also the cornerstone of corporate reputation and customer trust. In this incident, the sensitive data of 800,000 electric vehicle owners, including precise location information, has been exposed, which not only violates the privacy rights of vehicle owners but also brings potential security risks. If this data falls into the hands of criminals, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, Volkswagen must take more strict data protection measures to ensure that similar incidents do not occur again.
In addition, this incident also exposes the loopholes in Volkswagen's data management and security configuration. Enterprises need to strengthen data security training for employees, raise awareness of data leakage risks, and conduct regular security audits to identify and fix potential security vulnerabilities. For affected vehicle owners, especially public figures such as politicians and entrepreneurs, the leakage of their privacy may bring additional pressure and distress. This requires Volkswagen not only to fix the technical problems but also to properly handle the follow-up issues of affected vehicle owners, including providing necessary support and compensation.
Tesla Accused of Replacing Laid-off American Workers with H-1B Visa Holders, Musk Pushes for More Such Visas
Key Points:
Recently, Tesla has been exposed to using H-1B visas to bring in foreign workers to replace some of the laid-off American employees after a large-scale layoff. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is currently actively promoting an increase in the number of H-1B visas. The H-1B visa is a visa used by the United States to introduce "professional occupations" of foreign workers, with a validity period of three years, which can be extended to six years, and then needs to be re-applied. Foreign workers holding H-1B visas must maintain their employment status at the visa-sponsoring company to retain the work visa. If the employment ends, the workers must leave the United States. This visa system has been criticized for giving employers great power and potentially leading to a modern form of indentured servitude.
Although the introduction of skilled workers has obvious benefits for the United States, due to the fact that these workers often have lower salaries than American workers, putting downward pressure on wages, especially in the technology industry, and the ethical issues involved in foreign worker visas, people have different views on this matter. The US Congress stipulates that the annual cap for H-1B visas is 65,000, and an additional 20,000 slots are reserved for foreign nationals who graduated from US universities. Tesla is a major user of H-1B visas, and Musk is using his political influence to push for an increase in the H-1B visa cap.
According to "Electrek", Tesla laid off approximately 15,000 employees around April 2024, involving various departments, mainly in Texas and California. It is alleged that many laid-off American employees have been replaced by foreign workers with H-1B visas. Data from the US Department of Labor shows that Tesla applied for more than 2,000 H-1B visas during the layoff period. Tesla employees said that many of the laid-off employees were senior engineers with higher salaries, who were replaced by junior foreign engineers with lower salaries.
Tesla (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
Tesla's behavior of using H-1B visas to replace American employees has sparked widespread discussions on the visa system and its impact on the labor market. On the one hand, the H-1B visa brings global technical talents to the United States, promoting innovation and economic growth; on the other hand, this visa system may lead to the exploitation of foreign workers and affect the employment and wages of American workers. Musk's push to increase the H-1B visa may be based on Tesla's demand for highly skilled workers. However, this also exposes his pursuit of labor cost control and his neglect of workers' rights.
Tesla is known for its high-pressure working environment and long working hours. The reliance on H-1B visas may further exacerbate this situation, as foreign workers may be more likely to accept unfavorable working conditions in order to retain their visas and achieve their immigration dreams. In addition, Tesla's behavior also reflects the shortage of talents in certain technical fields in the United States. This suggests that the United States needs to increase the cultivation of local talents, especially in the STEM fields, to reduce the reliance on foreign workers and protect the employment opportunities of American workers. Overall, Tesla's behavior has triggered a re-examination of the H-1B visa system and in-depth thinking about the changes in the labor market in the context of globalization. This is not only a problem about the flow of technical talents, but also a complex issue about fairness, ethics, and national competitiveness.
"Big Events"
Toyota to Launch Its First Electric MPV: The Rebirth of the Classic Egg-shaped Previa Electric Version
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that it will revive its iconic egg-shaped MPV - Previa and launch it as the brand's first electric MPV. This decision marks Toyota's further expansion in the electric vehicle field. According to the Japanese authoritative automotive magazine "Best Car", the Toyota Previa Electric Version is expected to be available in 2026. The Previa, with its unique egg-shaped design, was sold in the US and overseas markets in the early 1990s. However, due to fierce competition from models such as Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan, the Previa was discontinued in 1997. In its last year of sales, the Previa sold only 3,780 units, far lower than the peak of approximately 52,000 units in 1991.
Toyota Electric MPV Concept Vehicle (Source: Electrek)
The Toyota Previa Electric Version is expected to adopt the GA-K platform, which is currently used to produce models such as Crown, Camry, and RAV4. The new vehicle will offer both pure electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain options. Like the previous generation models, the electric Previa is also expected to adopt a similar egg-shaped design to optimize aerodynamic performance.
Initially, the Previa Electric Version was developed as a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV), but due to insufficient demand and limitations of charging facilities, Toyota changed its plan. The FCEV model was previously showcased in 2017 in the form of the "Fine-Comfort Ride" concept vehicle. The sales of Toyota's first electric model, bZ4X, have fallen short of expectations, partly due to early recalls and intense competition in the medium-sized electric SUV market. Toyota is known for its hybrid models such as Prius, so it is not surprising that it offers a PHEV version of the Previa. However, without a dedicated electric vehicle platform, the electric Previa may encounter the same fate as the bZ4X, with fewer range and configuration options.
Meanwhile, competitors such as Hyundai are also about to launch their first electric MPV. Hyundai plans to start production of the Staria Electric electric MPV next year and expects to launch it in Korea next year, followed by the European market in the first half of 2026. European-made models will be imported to key overseas markets of Toyota such as Australia and Thailand. Recently, there are reports that Toyota will abandon the bZ4X (bZ) naming system, so the appearance of the electric Previa MPV makes sense. Toyota also hinted at reviving other electric models, including the electric Land Cruiser and Supra models, and has just launched the Urban Cruiser electric SUV in Europe. For more information on Toyota's first electric MPV, please stay tuned for follow-up reports.
Kia Recalls Nearly 23,000 EV9 SUVs Due to Potential Missing Seat Bolts
Kia Motors recently announced that it will recall nearly 23,000 EV9 electric SUVs in the United States due to a potential safety hazard of missing seat bolts. Despite the estimate that only about 1% of the electric SUVs have this defect, Kia, out of caution, has decided to recall specific batches of the 2024 and 2025 model year EV9 vehicles. The recalled EV9 models were produced at the Kia Motors' Gwangmyeong Assembly Plant in Korea from September 25, 2023, to October 12, 2024. Kia stated that this defect was caused by an operational error by factory workers. In November 2024, Kia randomly inspected 990 EV9 models in stock and found no missing or loose seat bolts.
Kia EV9 (Source: Electrek)