Hyundai launches the cheapest electric vehicle in Japan, while Tesla recalls over 200,000 vehicles due to autopilot computer malfunction | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
Hyundai Launches Cheapest Electric Vehicle in Japan, Starting at Just $18,000
Key Points:
Hyundai's cheapest electric vehicle, the Inster EV, is now available in Japan with a starting price of just $18,000, making it the most affordable electric vehicle in this segment, even cheaper than BYD's Dolphin. Since returning to the Japanese market in early 2022, Hyundai has introduced several models, including the IONIQ 5, Kona Electric, and Nexo FCEV.
The Inster EV is Hyundai's fourth electric vehicle and is expected to be its biggest hit so far. The Inster EV starts at 2,849,000 yen (approximately $18,000) in Japan and offers two battery options: 42 kWh and 49 kWh. Japanese buyers can choose from three configurations, with prices ranging from 2,849,000 yen ($18,000) to 3,575,000 yen ($22,700). The Inster EV with a 49 kWh battery has a range of 195 miles (315 kilometers) in Korea and 221 miles (355 kilometers) in Europe under the WLTP cycle. The Inster EV measures 3,830 mm in length, 1,610 mm in width, 1,615 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,580 mm, slightly smaller than the BYD Dolphin.
Hyundai Inster EV (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
The launch of the Inster EV demonstrates Hyundai's competitiveness in the electric vehicle market, especially in the price-sensitive segment. Its low price and reasonable range make it an ideal choice for consumers with limited budgets. Hyundai's launch of the Inster EV in multiple markets showcases its global market layout strategy.
The Inster EV is not only available in Japan but also in Europe and South Korea, indicating Hyundai's attention and adaptability to different markets. The launch of the Inster EV further enriches Hyundai's electric vehicle product line, providing more options to meet the needs of different consumers. Its compact size and flexible configuration give it an advantage in urban environments, especially in areas with limited parking space. The success of the Inster EV is expected to enhance Hyundai's brand influence in the Japanese market, especially in the electric vehicle field. Its combination of low price and high performance may attract more first-time car buyers and young consumers, further expanding Hyundai's market share.
Tesla Recalls Over 200,000 Vehicles Due to Autopilot Computer Malfunction
Key Points:
Tesla has officially recalled over 200,000 vehicles in the United States due to a short circuit and failure in the vehicle's autopilot computer. This problem can be traced back to July and has a wide range of impacts, occurring from a few miles of driving a new vehicle to after driving several thousand miles. After the computer fails, many vehicle functions stop working, including active safety features, automatic wipers, automatic high beams, cameras, and even GPS, navigation, and range estimation.
Tesla's solution is to completely replace the computer and provide a temporary software fix to restore some functions. The recall involves 239,382 vehicles, including the 2024 - 2025 Model 3, 2023 - 2025 Model Y, 2024 - 2025 Model S, and 2023 - 2025 Model X, which are equipped with a specific automotive computer and run software versions prior to 2024.44.25.3 or 2024.45.25.6.
Vehicles affected may experience reverse current when starting, causing a short circuit in the automotive computer board and loss of the rearview camera function, which does not comply with the regulations of FMVSS 111, S5.5 and S6.2. As of December 30, 2024, Tesla has identified 887 warranty claims related to this problem. Tesla will push a software update to all affected vehicles to change the vehicle startup sequence to prevent short circuit faults. For vehicles that have installed software version 2024.44.25.3, 2024.45.25.6 or higher and have not experienced a short circuit fault, no further action is required. For vehicles that have experienced a short circuit fault or may cause a short circuit fault before installing these software versions, Tesla will replace the automotive computer for free.
Tesla Autopilot Computer Motherboard (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
Tesla's autopilot computer problem highlights the challenges that may be encountered in the rapid development of electric vehicle technology. This recall event indicates that the complexity and reliability of the technology still need to be further improved. The recall may have an impact on customer trust, especially in the case where the autopilot function is crucial for vehicle safety. Tesla needs to restore customer trust through effective communication and quick solutions. This event also reminds the entire automotive industry that the reliability and safety of autonomous driving technology are the keys to consumer acceptance and trust.
Other automakers should learn from this and strengthen technology research and development and quality control to ensure the stability and safety of autonomous driving systems. Tesla's recall action shows that regulatory agencies such as NHTSA play an important role in ensuring automotive safety and compliance. Automakers must strictly abide by safety standards and promptly address potential safety issues to avoid legal and market risks.
BYD Launches Ultra-Compact SUV Yuan 2 with Blade Battery in UK and Europe
Key Points:
BYD (Build Your Dreams) officially launched its new electric SUV, the Yuan 2, to the European market at the Brussels Motor Show. This model is known as the BYD Yuan UP in the domestic market and is an ultra-affordable compact SUV that made its debut in China in February 2024. The Yuan 2 is positioned lower than the Yuan 3 and is a smaller and more affordable electric SUV, suitable for the European market, especially urban commuters and young families.
The Yuan 2 measures 4,310 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, 1,675 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,620 mm, which is smaller than the Yuan 3. The design continues BYD's signature "Dragon Face" family-style design with smooth body lines, a compact and dynamic overall shape. The interior design is simple and equipped with a 12.8-inch rotatable central control screen that supports multi-angle adjustment and is suitable for multiple scenarios such as navigation, entertainment, and driving assistance. It is also equipped with an 8.8-inch liquid crystal instrument panel, a wireless phone charging panel, a crystal ball-shaped shift lever, and other configurations.
The Yuan 2 is equipped with a 45.1 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery with a WLTP range of 312 kilometers (194 miles). A larger battery version will be launched in the coming months to provide a longer range. The expected price of the Atto 2 will be between the BYD Dolphin and the Yuan 3, whose prices in the UK are £26,140 (approximately $32,157) and £37,140 (approximately $45,689), respectively.
BYD Yuan 2 (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
The launch of the Yuan 2 shows BYD's competitiveness in the European market, especially in the price-sensitive segment. Its low price and reasonable range make it an ideal choice for consumers with limited budgets. The Yuan 2 is based on BYD's e-Platform 3.0 and is the first vehicle in this segment to adopt the CTB battery body integration architecture, fully integrating the battery into the vehicle chassis, optimizing the space and improving the overall rigidity of the vehicle. The launch of the Yuan 2 further enriches BYD's electric vehicle product line, providing more options to meet the needs of different consumers. Its compact size and flexible configuration give it an advantage in urban environments, especially in areas with limited parking space.
This event also reminds the entire automotive industry that the reliability and safety of electric vehicles are the keys to consumer acceptance and trust. Other automakers should learn from this and strengthen technology research and development and quality control to ensure the stability and safety of autonomous driving systems. BYD's recall action shows that regulatory agencies such as NHTSA play an important role in ensuring automotive safety and compliance. Automakers must strictly abide by safety standards and promptly address potential safety issues to avoid legal and market risks.
"Big Events"
Kia Claims to Have Found a Way to Deal with Low-Cost Chinese Electric Vehicle Manufacturers (such as BYD).
Kia's compact electric SUV EV5 has achieved remarkable results in China, the world's largest electric vehicle market. Last year, the sales of EV5 soared by nearly 50%, helping Kia break the 200,000 sales mark in the Chinese market for the first time in four years, with the growth rate ranking first among joint-venture brands. With the continuous rise in sales of new energy vehicles in China, including pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, 1.38 million units were sold in December 2024, breaking the one million mark for the fifth consecutive month.
Kia EV5 (Source: Electrek)
According to data from the China Passenger Car Association, the sales of new energy vehicles in China approached 11 million units in 2024, an increase of 42% compared to 2023, accounting for almost half of the 22.88 million retail passenger vehicle sales nationwide last year. Domestic electric vehicle manufacturers such as BYD are squeezing traditional automakers out of the market with ultra-low-cost electric vehicles, such as the Seagull with a price of less than $10,000. Facing the predicament of competitors such as Volkswagen and Toyota, Kia caught up by launching the all-new compact electric SUV EV5 with a starting price of approximately $20,000 in China at the end of 2023, driving Kia to achieve its best sales performance since 2020.
Volkswagen ID.BUZZ Named 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year
Volkswagen ID. Buzz has been named the 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, as announced by Volkswagen of America on Friday at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show. The ID. Buzz is Volkswagen's modern reinterpretation of its iconic Microbus and received the top honor in the Utility Vehicle category, showcasing its innovative design, cutting-edge technology, and all-electric powertrain. Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said, "The ID. Buzz is a unique vehicle in the North American market as it is the only electric people mover on the market. We are delighted that the experts on the jury appreciated the combination of its style, space, and refinement, all packaged in a zero-emission vehicle. And it does so while bringing a smile to anyone who sees it driving down the street."
Volkswagen ID Buzz (Source: ElectricCarsReport)
The 2025 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle (NACTOY) Awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in the automotive industry, recognizing vehicles that set benchmarks in innovation, design, safety, handling, driving satisfaction, user experience, and value. The ID. Buzz was evaluated by a jury of 50 distinguished automotive journalists from the United States and Canada and emerged as the winner among the three finalists in the Utility Vehicle category. The ID. Buzz showcases a retro-inspired styling, including a bold Volkswagen logo and vibrant two-tone exterior paint options, complemented by a spacious interior.
The three available interior color themes - Moonlight, Dune, and Copper - add to its charm. Standard features include a 12.9-inch infotainment display, 30-color ambient lighting, IQ.DRIVE Level 2-ready driver assistance technology, and electric sliding doors and tailgate. The rear-wheel-drive ID. Buzz Pro model has 282 horsepower and an EPA-estimated range of 234 miles, while the 4Motion all-wheel-drive model has 335 horsepower and an EPA-estimated range of 231 miles (370 kilometers).
Renault 5 E-Tech and Alpine A290 Named 2025 European Car of the Year
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric version and the Alpine A290 have been named the 2025 Car of the Year. This result was announced at a ceremony organized by the European Car of the Year jury at the Brussels Motor Show in Belgium. The award highlights the relevance of the electrification strategies of the Renault and Alpine brands and the quality of the new model ranges, which were developed as part of the Renaulution plan. The unique AmpR Small platform enables these two models to offer high value to customers while allowing each brand to express its positioning in terms of design, development, on-board technology, and customer experience.
In the first round of voting last November, the Renault 5 E-Tech electric version was nominated as one of the seven finalists along with the Alpine A290, competing with the Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën ë-C3/C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, and Kia EV3. The winning combination was selected by 60 automotive journalists from 23 countries.
Renault 5 E-Tech and Alpine A290 (Source: Electrek)
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric version and the Alpine A290 scored 353 points to take the first place. Renault's new electric pop icon becomes the eighth brand model to receive this prestigious Car of the Year award after the Renault 16 (1966), Renault 9 (1982), Clio I (1991), Scenic (1997), Megane (2003),