The US Department of Defense adds CATL to the blacklist. Zeekr collaborates with NVIDIA for 25 years to launch a customized vehicle model for Waymo. | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
Lucid Gravity SUV to Use New Panasonic EV Battery, Achieving Over 700 Kilometers of Range
Key Points:
The new model Gravity SUV of Lucid will be equipped with high-performance electric vehicle batteries from Panasonic, providing an EPA-estimated range of over 700 kilometers. This SUV is described as a "groundbreaking new SUV category", with its battery pack volume reduced by 40%, significantly enhancing the vehicle's range and interior space.
The Lucid Gravity SUV offers the interior space and practicality of a full-size SUV, including up to 120 cubic feet of cargo space, far exceeding the 85.5 cubic feet of competitors such as the 2025 Ford Explorer. Additionally, Panasonic's new 2170 cylindrical lithium-ion battery cell has an energy density of over 800 Wh/L, which is a significant achievement in the industry. The Lucid Gravity will be one of the first vehicles to use this new battery cell on a large scale.
Lucid Gravity SUV (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
The collaboration between Lucid and Panasonic focuses on designing battery cells to achieve maximum range, safety, performance, and durability. CEO Peter Rawlinson emphasizes that the Lucid Gravity is the first SUV that "doesn't force customers to compromise", meaning it achieves a perfect balance between performance and practicality. This innovation not only enhances the market competitiveness of the Lucid Gravity SUV but also may have a profound impact on the entire electric vehicle industry, driving other manufacturers to innovate in battery technology and vehicle design.
Sony's AFEELA 1 EV Goes on Sale with a Pre-sale Price of $90,000 (Nearly 600,000 RMB)
Key Points:
Sony Honda Mobility launched the AFEELA 1 electric vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which is the first model after its collaboration with Honda. It is expected to be available in California in 2026. Reservations for the AFEELA 1 are now open, with a reservation fee of $200. The model offers two versions: the base "Origin" version is priced at $89,900, while the "Signature" version is priced at $102,900. The Signature version not only provides more color options, rear-seat screens, camera mirrors, and larger wheels, but also will be available in the middle of 2026 in advance, while the Origin version will be available in 2027.
Sony's AFEELA 1 EV (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
The launch of the AFEELA 1 marks a substantial progress for Sony in the field of electric vehicles. Since the first presentation of the VISION-S project in 2020, the collaboration between Sony and Honda has deepened, eventually forming the AFEELA brand. Although there are not many specific technical details about the vehicle in this CES presentation, the announcement of its pricing and launch time provides important purchase information for consumers. The market positioning and pricing strategy of the AFEELA 1 show Sony's emphasis on the high-end electric vehicle market, as well as its flexibility in technological innovation and market strategy.
Honda's New Electric Vehicle Models Debut at CES 2025, Expected to Start Production in 2026
Key Points:
Honda showcased two models from its new 0 series electric vehicles at CES 2025, which are expected to be produced at the "EV Hub" factory in Ohio, USA in 2026. These models will be equipped with the ASIMO vehicle operating system developed by Honda, which continuously upgrades the in-car software through over-the-air (OTA) updates to provide a personalized driving experience. In addition, the 0 series will also adopt a Level 3 autonomous driving assistance system (ADAS) to further enhance driving convenience and safety. The launch of the 0 series marks a significant progress for Honda in the field of electric vehicles, and its design is based on the concept of "light, thin, and intelligent", aiming to break the bulky image of traditional electric vehicles.
Honda plans to avoid potential tariff issues by manufacturing these models in the United States and utilize its experience in F1 and robotics to drive innovation in electric vehicles. This strategy not only shows Honda's emphasis on the US market but also reflects its competitiveness in the global electric vehicle market.
2026 Honda 0 SUV (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
Honda's 0 series electric vehicles demonstrate its ambition in technological innovation through innovations in the vehicle operating system and autonomous driving technology. Extending the ASIMO brand to the vehicle operating system not only continues its tradition in the field of artificial intelligence but also brings new possibilities to electric mobility, enhancing the intelligence level of the vehicle and providing a more personalized and convenient driving experience for consumers. In addition, Honda's choice to manufacture the 0 series electric vehicles in the United States not only helps it better adapt to the needs of the US market but also shows its investment in local manufacturing and commitment to sustainable development. In the current context of fierce competition in the global electric vehicle market, this strategy not only positions Honda favorably in the market but also provides a useful reference for other automakers, promoting innovation and development in the entire industry.
"Big Events"
Tesla Is Under Investigation for Crash Accidents Caused by "Smart Summon"
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Tesla's "Actually Smart Summon" system, which allows Tesla vehicles to navigate autonomously in parking lots without a driver.
Tesla Smart Summon (Source: Electrek)
Although Tesla CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly promised to launch this feature, its release has been delayed. This feature is very useful in some scenarios, such as in narrow parking spaces where it is difficult to open the car door, and the owner can remotely move the vehicle. However, due to its slow speed and low efficiency, this feature is also often used in commercial parking lots, where the owner can have the vehicle automatically come when they come out of the store. At the end of last year, with the release of the version that only uses the vision system, many people tried this feature for the first time, resulting in multiple accidents. The NHTSA is investigating 16 accidents involving Actually Smart Summon and points out that Tesla has not reported any of these accidents.
The NHTSA's investigation will evaluate the maximum speed that the vehicle can reach when Actually Smart Summon is enabled, the design limitations for use on public roads, and the line of sight requirements. The investigation will include a review of remote vehicle control at different distances and lines of sight, including an increase in the parking distance due to application connection delays, and the ability to use Actually Smart Summon in road environments or operating conditions for which the current system is neither intended nor designed. This investigation reflects the regulatory agency's concern and cautious attitude towards emerging driverless technologies, and also serves as a warning to the entire automotive industry, urging automakers to pay more attention to the safety and reliability of the system to ensure that the application of the technology does not pose a threat to public safety.
Zeekr Will Launch Multiple NVIDIA Thor-powered Electric Vehicles in 2025, Including Waymo Customized Models
Zeekr Waymo Autonomous Taxi (Source: Electrek)
Zeekr showcased its latest electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies at CES 2025, participating for the third consecutive year. The company plans to launch at least three new electric vehicle models in 2025, some of which will be equipped with an intelligent driving domain controller based on NVIDIA DRIVE Thor. In addition, Zeekr also plans to launch an NVIDIA DRIVE Thor electric vehicle named "RT" in the United States for use by autonomous taxi developer Waymo. Zeekr CEO An Conghui said that the three new models to be launched in 2025 have internal codes "EX", "DX" and "CC", and the RT model is undergoing real-road tests and is expected to become the world's first mass-produced autonomous taxi-specific model.
The US Department of Defense Designates CATL as a "Chinese Military Company" and Adds It to the Blacklist
The US Department of Defense designates the world's largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer CATL as a "Chinese military company" and adds it to the blacklist.
CATL (Source: Electrek)
CATL supplies batteries to many automakers such as Tesla, BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, accounting for nearly 37% of the global electric vehicle battery market in the first 11 months of 2024. CATL states that it has never engaged in any business or activities related to the military, considers the blacklisting by the US Department of Defense as a mistake, and will cooperate with the Department of Defense to resolve this incorrect designation, including taking legal actions to protect the interests of the company and its shareholders. Although this designation only restricts CATL's business dealings with the Department of Defense, it may have a certain impact on the company's reputation. After the news was released, CATL's stock price dropped by about 3%.
Tesla's 5% Sales Decline in the US Raises Investor Concerns
Despite offering record discounts and incentives in 2024 and launching the Cybertruck, Tesla's sales in the US still decreased by 5% compared to the previous year. The market is still digesting Tesla's production and delivery results for the fourth quarter of 2024 and the full year. Tesla is one of the least transparent automakers in terms of information, not breaking down delivery results by model or region, so it needs to rely on third-party data and analysis. Analyst TroyTeslike's data shows that Tesla's sales in Europe decreased by about 10%, increased by 8% in China, but the growth rate has slowed significantly, while in the US it decreased by 5%.
Tesla Sales Distribution Map (Source: Electrek)
2024 is the first full production year of the Cybertruck, which at least added more than 30,000 deliveries for Tesla in the US despite demand issues. However, Tesla's total sales in the US still decreased by more than 34,000 vehicles. Troy believes that Tesla reduced production at its US factory in 2024 to match lower demand and reduced inventory at the end of the year.
Tesla's sales decline in the US is a cause for concern, especially in the context of the overall growth of the electric vehicle market. Despite macroeconomic issues, Tesla has responded with discounts and financing incentives. Without the Cybertruck's sales, Tesla's sales decline in the US would have exceeded 60,000 vehicles. The sales performance of the Cybertruck is also disappointing, indicating that Tesla needs to have a deeper understanding of market demand and consumer preferences. At the same time, it may need to consider the negative impact of CEO Elon Musk's actions on sales in the US market. Brand image and consumer trust are crucial for car sales, and Tesla needs to achieve a better balance between product innovation and brand management to drive sales growth.
"Cool Products"
BMW M5
The new BMW M5 is a plug-in hybrid super sedan equipped with an 18.6 kWh battery, providing a nearly 70-kilometer pure electric range. The M5 is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which has been slightly modified to provide a total system output of 727 horsepower and 737 pound-feet in combination with an electric motor.
BMW M5 (Source: TopGear)
Despite an increase in weight to 2,435 kilograms, the M5 still has a powerful acceleration performance, with a 0-100 kilometers per hour acceleration time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour (304 kilometers per hour with the M Driver Package).
BMW M5 (Source: TopGear)
