01/10/24 - 2024 Toyota bZ4X: Engineered for Electrifying Exhilaration, Honda debuts global EV series | Honda Zero, coming in 2026 🚗, Mercedes-Benz unveils next-gen cars and tech at CES 2024 🤖

GM. Rev up your day with the latest automotive news and insights delivered to your inbox in our exclusive newsletter! What we cover in today’s edition:

• 🚗 Car reveal/review: 

  • 2024 Toyota bZ4X: Engineered for Electrifying Exhilaration

  • Honda debuts global EV series, Honda Zero, coming in 2026

  • VinFast unveils 'Wild' EV pickup concept, will sell VF 3 in US

  • XPeng AeroHT's 'flying car' will see mass production, Q4 pre-orders

• 🤖 Auto Tech: Mercedes-Benz unveils next-gen cars and tech at CES 2024, Google Maps will now give EV drivers real-time battery range info starting with Ford, HERE launches "Advanced Traffic Patterns" for precise truck delivery ETAs.

• 💡 Tips: The Unseen Factors: How Pre-Existing Conditions Impact Car Accident Injury Claims

2024 Toyota bZ4X: Engineered for Electrifying Exhilaration (12 mins read)

The 2024 Toyota bZ4X, a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), comes in XLE and Limited grades, with enhanced charging features. Priced at $43,070 (XLE) and $47,180 (Limited), it arrives in January 2024. Unique design, compact SUV size, spacious interior, and electrified powertrain with 0-60 times of 7.1s (FWD) and 6.5s (AWD). Customers get one year of complimentary EVgo charging. Read more.

Honda debuts new global EV series, Honda Zero, coming in 2026 (5 mins read)

Honda unveils global EV series, Honda Zero, starting with Saloon in North America by 2026. Emphasizes a "thin" and "light" approach, introduces Space-Hub concept. Both Saloon and Space-Hub will be partially and fully autonomous, featuring Formula 1-inspired designs and e-Axles for battery efficiency. Aims for 30 new EVs by 2030, Prologue SUV launching this year in North America. Read more.

VinFast unleashes 'Wild' EV pickup concept, will sell VF 3 in US (5 mins read)

Vietnamese automaker VinFast announces global sales of its VF 3 mini SUV, originally intended for Vietnam. The compact EV, measuring L125.6 x W66.1 x H63.8 inches, offers 125 miles of range and features a 10-inch infotainment screen. Early reservations begin in 2024, with pricing and delivery details to follow. VinFast also unveils VF Wild, a mid-size electric pickup concept with an expandable bed. Read more.

XPeng AeroHT's 'flying car' will see mass production, Q4 pre-orders (3 mins read)

XPeng AeroHT plans mass production of its "Land Aircraft Carrier" in 2025, with pre-orders starting Q4 2024. The EV/eVTOL combo, undergoing successful R&D tests, lacks final pricing but is estimated at around RMB 1 million ($140,500). A live CES demo showcased the flying supercar's successful vertical takeoff and landing. The original sixth-gen flying car, expected in 2024, might be delayed as focus shifts to the Land Aircraft Carrier. Read more.

Mercedes-Benz Shows Off Next-Generation Cars And Tech At CES 2024 (3 mins read)

At CES, Mercedes-Benz unveils updates for next-gen vehicles and MBUX infotainment systems, featuring AI-powered MBUX Virtual Assistant, MB.OS architecture, and Amazon/Audible for podcasts. The Concept CLA-Class, riding on modular architecture, boasts "more than 466 miles" range. The 2024 EQS and S-Class offer SAE Level 3 automated driving. The Drive Pilot software is retroactively available and deliveries start early this year, initially legal in California and Nevada. Read more.

Google Maps will now give EV drivers real-time battery range info, starting with Ford (3 mins read)

Google unveils a feature for Android Auto, providing real-time EV battery info in Google Maps. The feature, rolling out soon on Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, estimates battery levels on arrival, suggests charging stops, and predicts charging duration. Google also adds trip planning, Chrome browser, and Weather Channel app to Google built-in, embedded in vehicles with Android Automotive OS, with Porsche expected to launch in the future. Read more.

HERE introduces “Advanced Traffic Patterns” to improve truck delivery arrival calculations (3 mins read)

HERE Technologies introduces "Advanced Traffic Patterns" for accurate commercial vehicle estimated time of arrival (ETA). Utilizing trillions of data points from sensors, telematics, and mobile devices, it customizes traffic speed info for trucks globally. In initial tests in Germany, ETA for heavy trucks was up to 15 minutes more accurate over a 100km segment. The solution enhances planning, improving delivery accuracy for logistics globally. Read more.

The Unseen Factors: How Pre-Existing Conditions Impact Car Accident Injury Claims (4 mins read)

This article discusses the impact of pre-existing medical conditions on car accident injury claims. Pre-existing conditions complicate assessments, requiring a detailed medical evaluation to establish a causal relationship and determine compensation amounts. Specialized law firms play a crucial role in navigating complexities involving gathering robust evidence and negotiating assertively with insurance companies for fair compensation. Read more.