Ford and China’s Geely have announced a major joint venture to build cars in Spain, securing the future of Ford’s Valencia factory. The partnership will produce a new multi-energy Ford crossover, an electric Geely SUV, and two additional Geely electric SUVs. The deal will involve the creation of a new joint venture, with Ford owning 66% and Geely owning 34%. The goal is to maximize the plant’s potential annual capacity of around 500,000 vehicles.
Toyota’s Electric Transition
Toyota has warned that it “cannot survive” without transitioning to electric vehicles. The company is pinning its future on the next-generation Corolla EV, which is set to be launched in the coming years. Toyota’s chairman, Akio Toyoda, stated that the Corolla is a “symbol of Toyota” and that the company’s future depends on its ability to adapt to changing market trends.
Source: Electrek
ENVO’s Modular Electric Vehicle
ENVO Drive Systems has unveiled its new Utility Personal Transporter (UPT), a modular electric vehicle platform that can be configured into 18 different vehicle types. The UPT is designed to be highly customizable, with a range of optional accessories and upgrades available. The vehicle is intended for a variety of applications, including low-speed vehicles, golf carts, cargo haulers, and industrial transport vehicles.
Source: Electrek
Ford’s Apple Maps Integration
Ford has announced that its upcoming electric vehicles will have Apple Maps built in, offering drivers turn-by-turn directions, EV routing, and more. The integration will be made possible through Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK, and will provide a “beautiful and easy-to-use navigation experience” for Ford’s UEV-based vehicles.
Source: Electrek