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Xiaomi’s YU7 Electric Crossover SUV to Compete with Tesla’s Model Y

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Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant, is set to launch its first electric crossover SUV, YU7, with a driving range of up to 770 kilometers (478 miles), according to a government document released on Thursday. The YU7 is expected to hit the market this summer, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model Y.

The YU7 will feature a battery-powered drivetrain combined with traditional crossover SUV characteristics. Along with the 770 km variant, Xiaomi will also offer shorter-range versions with 675 km and 760 km ranges. The vehicle has been added to a list of models that qualify for purchase tax breaks, as indicated in an industry ministry notice.

Tesla, which began deliveries of its refreshed Model Y in February, offers a long-range variant with a 719 km driving range per charge, up from 688 km in the previous version. Its rear-drive variant now offers a range of 593 km, a significant increase from its previous 554 km range.

French Battery Maker ACC Welcomes EU Auto Sector Support, but Expresses Concern Over Timeliness

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Automotive Cells Company (ACC), a French battery manufacturer, expressed its support for the European Union’s action plan to bolster the auto sector, but also voiced concerns that the measures may arrive too late to address current challenges.

The European Commission recently introduced an action plan aimed at helping the auto industry achieve zero carbon emissions from cars and vans by 2035. A key element of this plan is the allocation of 1.8 billion euros ($1.94 billion) to help secure the supply chains for battery raw materials.

While ACC, a joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes, and TotalEnergies, welcomed the medium-term support outlined in the plan, the company raised concerns about the urgency of the situation. In a LinkedIn post, ACC noted, “Nevertheless, we fear that the urgency of the situation we are currently going through is not being considered. To benefit from it, we will have to have managed to survive until then.”

ACC has been forced to scale back its battery production ambitions amid uncertainties surrounding electric vehicle demand in Europe and the rise of more affordable battery technologies. The company initially planned to build nine production blocks by 2030 across France, Germany, and Italy, supported by a 7.3 billion euro investment. However, the projects in Germany and Italy have been put on hold, and currently, only one block in France is operational, producing batteries for Stellantis. A second block is expected to begin operations by the end of the year.

Avride Partners with Hyundai to Expand Robotaxi Fleet

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Self-driving technology startup Avride has announced a strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Co to expand its fleet of robotaxis. Under the deal, Avride will incorporate 100 Hyundai IONIQ 5 cars into its fleet this year, with plans to grow further by 2026 as the company seeks to enhance its autonomous vehicle services and expand into new regions.

Avride, based in Texas, is joining a growing group of companies advancing autonomous vehicle technology and expanding their fleet of robotaxis. This includes Tesla, which is preparing to launch its own autonomous ride-hailing service in California and Texas, and Alphabet’s Waymo, which recently rolled out its robotaxi service on Uber’s platform in Austin.

As part of the partnership, Avride’s IONIQ 5 cars will be retrofitted with the company’s self-driving technology and used exclusively on Uber’s platform in Dallas, Texas. These vehicles will be manufactured at Hyundai’s Metaplant facility in Georgia, and the two companies also aim to explore autonomous delivery services using Avride’s technology.

Avride’s connection with Hyundai is not new, as the startup was previously part of Russian company Yandex’s self-driving division and has collaborated with Hyundai’s automotive supply unit in the past to develop systems for autonomous vehicles.