Author: News Desk

Tesla is integrating DeepSeek and Doubao AI into its in-car voice assistant system in Chinese vehicles to enhance the user experience and compete with local rivals offering similar capabilities. According to reports, Tesla’s new Model Y L will feature the integrated AI system from DeepSeek and Doubao, with both hosted on ByteDance’s Volcano Engine cloud service. The update will allow Tesla drivers to control various vehicle functions, such as in-car entertainment, cabin temperature, and real-time news updates. ByteDance’s Doubao AI will manage routine tasks like navigation, media, and climate control, while DeepSeek (DeepSeek Chat) will facilitate more complex conversational interactions,…

Waymo has received official approval to begin testing its autonomous vehicles on the streets of New York City. On Friday, Mayor Eric Adams revealed that the company has been granted the city’s first permit for self-driving car trials, marking the start of such testing within the city this year. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, will begin testing up to eight vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn until late September, with the possibility of extending the program. In accordance with New York State regulations, each vehicle must have a safety driver present behind the wheel during operations. Under…

Mercedes-Benz is in discussions with BMW to source BMW engines for its upcoming lineup, as the automaker reevaluates its internal combustion engine strategy due to weaker-than-anticipated demand for EVs. According to Autocar, citing Manager Magazin, BMW is expected to supply a new generation of petrol engines for a wide array of future Mercedes vehicles—including the CLA, GLA, GLB, C-Class, E-Class, GLC, and the forthcoming ‘Little G’ SUV. The collaboration would provide Mercedes with access to Euro 7-compliant powertrains, a key factor in sustaining its internal combustion engine lineup. It would also allow the brand to broaden its plug-in hybrid portfolio…

Kia has begun manufacturing its first fully electric vehicle (EV) specifically developed for the European market, the EV4 hatchback, at its production facility in Slovakia. Situated in Zilina, Kia AutoLand Slovakia has seen major enhancements to its production infrastructure to support the assembly of the EV4. The company reported a €108 million investment for the enhancement of the plant, incorporating advanced technologies such as a dedicated conveyor system for EV batteries. The EV4 marks Kia’s debut in the electric hatchback segment and stands as the first electric vehicle to be produced in Europe. It comes with a choice of two…

Honda Motor and U.S.-based autonomous driving AI firm Helm(dot)ai have reached an agreement to advance the development of Honda’s next-generation self-driving technologies, with a particular focus on enhancing its Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) system. The multi-year collaboration will concentrate on improving advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for consumer vehicles. The partnership relies on Helm(dot)ai’s advanced real-time AI software, backed by its autolabelling and generative simulation foundation models, to strengthen development and validation efforts. “This joint development supports Honda’s goal of realizing safe and affordable automated driving technologies for our global customers. Through our collaboration with Helm(dot)ai, we are advancing the…

China’s Xiaomi Corporation has declared plans to enter the European electric vehicle (EV) market by 2027, following the company’s recent entry into the EV industry in China, where it has experienced notable growth over the past year. According to Bloomberg, Xiaomi is aiming for significant growth in its electric vehicle operations. The company’s President, Lu Weibing, shared more details about the expansion following a 31% rise in quarterly revenue, driven by the successful launch of its second EV earlier this summer. Xiaomi made its debut in the automotive industry in 2023 with the launch of its first electric sedan, the…

BlueOval SK, a joint venture between Korea’s SK On and U.S. automaker Ford, officially launched commercial production of EV batteries at its new Kentucky facility in Glendale on Tuesday. Established in July 2022, the equally owned joint venture has committed to invest $11.4 billion in three EV battery facilities across the U.S.—two in Kentucky and one in Tennessee. “The start of production is a significant milestone that strengthens our position in the EV battery market. BlueOval SK is creating good-paying American jobs, strengthening the domestic supply chain, and driving the transition to zero-emissions transportation,” said BlueOval SK CEO Michael Adams.…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio has revealed its global expansion strategy for 2025 and 2026, with plans to enter the markets of Uzbekistan, Singapore, and Costa Rica. Nio, recognized for its innovative battery charging and swapping technology, is set to enter the Singapore market in the first quarter of 2026 through a multi-brand dealership group, Wearnes Automotive. Singapore will mark Nio’s debut in Southeast Asia, with the compact electric hatchback, Firefly, as its first model to hit the market. The company says the move will expand Nio’s international footprint and meet the rising demand among local consumers for sustainable and…

Audi has commenced mass production of the fully electric E5 Sportback, the inaugural model of its newly formed, China-only AUDI brand, at the SAIC-Volkswagen plant in Anting, Shanghai. The vehicle marks the debut of a new line of intelligent electric models under the Audi brand, developed through a strategic collaboration with Chinese automaker SAIC. Pre-sales for the electric fastback are underway, with initial deliveries scheduled for September 2025. Unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, the AUDI E5 Sportback is the first model built on the brand’s newly developed Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP). It is available in several variants,…

Tesla has significantly cut leasing costs for several of its top-selling models in the UK, slashing prices by nearly half following a sharp drop in summer sales. In response to a 60% year-on-year decline in July registrations, down to just 987 vehicles from 2,462 the previous year, the company is now offering discounts of up to 40% to car leasing firms in an effort to stimulate demand and clear inventory. According to industry experts, Tesla’s recent leasing discounts aren’t just a reaction to declining market share. Limited storage capacity for unsold vehicles in the UK has also pushed the company…