Cars

The automaker started by offering nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries in its electric vehicles, and later added lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in 2023. “LMR is the answer to ‘what next?’” writes Charles Poon, Ford’s Global Director for Electrified Propulsion Engineering. LMR stands for “Lithium Manganese Rich,” which Poon says is safer, denser, and more cost-effective than other chemistries. And they’re coming close to fruition.

The restrictions on rare earth minerals and related magnets came in response to Trump’s escalating tariffs and we’re now seeing some direct impact. Tesla’s occasional CEO says his plan to build thousands of Optimus humanoid robots this year is contingent upon the availability of those magnets needed for the robot’s motors.

It looks much like the E Concept presented in Shanghai last year during the debut of Audi’s ringless, all-caps brand for the Chinese market. The E5 Sportback is built on an 800-volt “Advanced Digitized Platform” co-developed with China’s SAIC Motors and features a 100kWh battery capable of 478 miles of range per charge, 3.4 seconds 0-62 mph acceleration, a pillar-to-pillar 4K screen, and a lidar-based driver assistant.

Slate Auto, the secretive EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, dropped a bunch of concept versions of its $25,000 electric truck in California over the weekend to emphasize the vehicle’s “transformative” powers, TechCrunch reports. The company is planning an official reveal later this week.

The company is working on a cheaper Model Y that will initially be made in the US, codenamed E41, but the start of production has been delayed, Reuters reports. Tesla apparently wants to make 250,000 of these vehicles in the US in 2026.

Mercedes-Benz is building 460 limited edition G550 SUVs with retro styling that makes it look like an old-school G-Wagen. MotorTrend reports what’s up with the hilariously long name.

Tesla conducted an internal analysis last year that concluded its upcoming driverless Cybercab is shaping up to be another Cybertruck-level flop, The Information reports:

Tesla has stopped taking orders in China for new Model S and Model X EVs, which are manufactured exclusively in California and imported. With tariffs now at 125 percent on US imports, you can guess why.

Elon Musk’s new single-motor RWD political-statement-on-wheels starts at $69,900, making it the cheapest Cybertruck yet, according to Teslarati. With a range of 350 miles, it also bests the dual-motor AWD model by 25 miles. Range can be extended to 362 miles when opting for the $750 soft tonneau cover but swastikas might be added for free. US deliveries begin in June.

Sean O’Kane reported earlier this week that Amazon chairman Jeff Bezos is backing a new EV startup called Slate Auto, and now a user on Reddit posted a spy shot of what might be the company’s first vehicle.

Tesla is certainly sweetening the pot by offering the cheaper Long Range All-Wheel Drive version, which starts at $50,630 including destination and order fees. But given all the chaos swirling around Elon Musk and his company, I can’t recommend this purchase in good conscience. Sure, the Model Y is a very popular car — it was once the best selling car in the world, EV or otherwise — but there are now plenty of EVs you can buy that are not associated with controversial billionaires who make fascist salutes and brag about feeding humanitarian aid programs “into the wood chipper.“ Just saying.

We may found out soon enough, as TechCrunch senior reporter (and Verge alumni) Sean O’Kane discovered that Bezos is secretly funding an EV startup called Slate Auto. The company is connected to another Bezos venture, Re: Build Manufacturing, and is reportedly working on a two-door, sub-$25,000 electric pickup as its first EV. Slate is also planning a lineup of accessories for owners to customize their vehicles. Sounds interesting, but I don’t envy Bezos trying to launch a new EV company amid market chaos and a global trade war. To be sure, the guy loves competing with Elon Musk!

With 25 percent tariffs on all car imports now in effect, Jeep’s parent company is mulling ways help mitigate the negative effects of the new fees. So far, those plans have included employee discounts for customers and temporary layoffs of factory workers. Now Stellantis is considering a program in which its suppliers could apply for financial assistance in paying the new tariffs, Bloomberg reports. It’s unclear how much help Stellantis would provide, or even how long this help could last. But it’s an example of the lengths the auto industry is willing to go to avoid having to pass the full cost along to customers.