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- 🙌 Fisker’s SEC Drama, GM’s Hands-Off Driving, Toyota’s Electric SUV Gamble, and More
🙌 Fisker’s SEC Drama, GM’s Hands-Off Driving, Toyota’s Electric SUV Gamble, and More
Chris Reeves
October 07, 2024
TL;DR
Fisker’s getting deeper into bankruptcy drama with the SEC breathing down their neck. GM wants you to drive without paying attention, but not too soon. Stellantis is hoping the new Jeep Compass can save Italy’s factories. Toyota and Subaru are releasing yet another electric SUV (yawn). IONNA is finally fixing our EV charging nightmares in NC. Tesla's Robotaxi Day is coming—will it live up to the hype? And BYD just delivered 100 electric buses to Uruguay, leading Latin America's EV revolution.
This Digest
🔍️ Fisker’s Messy Liquidation and the SEC’s Watchful Eye
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Fisker’s Messy Liquidation and the SEC’s Watchful Eye
Fisker’s bankruptcy is getting messier, as the SEC steps in with concerns over settlement transparency and missing records, putting more scrutiny on the troubled EV company.
What's going on with Fisker now?
Oh, just a little SEC investigation while they navigate bankruptcy. The SEC’s main beef? Fisker’s “opt-out” approach to settlements and some sketchy record-keeping. Not exactly the cleanest exit strategy.
So, what's the SEC afraid of?
That Fisker might conveniently “lose” some documents as they shuffle through bankruptcy. You know, the kind of paperwork you’d need for an ongoing securities investigation. Stay tuned for more subpoenas!
⚡️ GM's Eyes-Off Driving Future
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GM is moving fast on an “eyes-off” Level 3 system, setting its sights on overtaking Tesla’s Autopilot with more autonomous highway cruising capabilities.
GM is pushing beyond hands-free driving with an “eyes-off” Level 3 system.
They want you to cruise without looking at the road, taking the tech beyond Tesla’s Autopilot.
Super Cruise may soon upgrade, meaning drivers on highways could be in for a fully hands-off experience.
GM isn't giving any dates, but they're working aggressively to make this reality.
But don’t relax too much—it’s still not a fully self-driving car.
🧠Stellantis’ Jeep Compass: A Revived Production Plan
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Stellantis Revives Output in Italy
The Compass will roll off the assembly line in Italy next year, with a new model aimed at boosting Stellantis' sagging output. Italy has seen a major production slump, but the new Compass, built on Stellantis’ Medium platform, could be their savior.
Flexibility for All Powertrains
The new Compass will feature a flexible design to handle everything from combustion engines to hybrid and fully electric versions. Talk about keeping your options open. Stellantis clearly wants to be a player in all markets—gas guzzlers included.
Italian Manufacturing Woes
Production in Italy has taken a nosedive, with output falling by over 30% this year. Melfi, the plant that will produce the new Compass, has been hit particularly hard, seeing a 62% decline in output. Will the new Compass be enough to turn things around? Time will tell.
👯‍♂️ Toyota and Subaru’s Latest Electric Gamble: Another SUV
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Toyota and Subaru are at it again, doubling down on the electric SUV market with a new model borrowing tech from their current EVs.
What's the new Toyota-Subaru collab?
Oh, another electric SUV. Because the world definitely needs more of those, right?
Why another SUV?
SUVs print money. And if it’s electric, they’re hoping to cash in on the growing EV market.
Is it anything new?
Not really. They’re borrowing tech from the bZ4X and Solterra. Expect something that looks and drives very much like their current EVs.
⛽️ IONNA’s First Rechargery: A Real EV Charging Revolution?
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IONNA is shaking up EV charging with its first ultra-fast station in North Carolina, offering not just charging but lounges, WiFi, and a full experience.
IONNA is building its first “Rechargery” in Apex, NC, featuring ultra-fast EV chargers.
Backed by major automakers like BMW, GM, and Toyota, this station is set to be the model for 30,000 more across the U.S. by 2030.
The Apex site is more than a charger—think lounge, WiFi, and even pet-friendly spaces.
It’s a long-overdue upgrade to the patchy EV charging network we’ve had to deal with for years.
🤖 Tesla’s Robotaxi Event: For Real or Just Stock Hype?
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Tesla’s Robotaxi Day is coming up, and naturally, Wall Street is buzzing. Investors are betting big on Elon Musk’s promises of fully autonomous driving, but the truth is murkier. With multiple crashes under investigation and no truly self-driving car on the market yet, the pressure’s on for Tesla to deliver something beyond hype.
Critics wonder whether Tesla’s Robotaxi service will be anything more than an investor pump-and-dump scheme. While competitors like Waymo have miles of driverless data and actual robotaxis in action, Tesla has mostly just teased. Will Robotaxi Day break the mold or just disappoint? We’ll find out soon.
🇺🇾 BYD Delivers 100 Electric Buses to Uruguay
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BYD continues its Latin American EV takeover, delivering 100 electric buses to Uruguay’s largest transit operator. The fully electric K9UD buses are a big step toward green public transportation in the region, joining countries like Brazil and Chile in cutting down on diesel emissions. With a range of 280 miles, these buses are set to make clean energy transportation a reality.
Sure, somedays the news is quiet, but most days we serve up a few plates of the good, the bad, and the ugly so you are always informed. Sign up for more.
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