03/07/24 - BYD launches an EV with $9,700 starting price tag 🚗, BMW offers $1000 discount for non-BMW EV owners 🏭, Uber and Revel partner up to offer EV drivers charging discounts 🤖

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: 

  • BYD launches Seagull EV with $9,700 starting price tag

  • Aston Martin V12 Super-GT Spied As DBS Replacement Draws Near

• 🏭 Industry trend: New BMW Incentive Gives $1000 Discount For Users From Tesla or Other EVs, Senator Rubio Seeks to Boost Tariffs to Prevent Flood of Chinese Vehicle Imports

• 🤖 Auto Tech: Uber and Revel partner up to offer EV drivers charging discounts

• 😄 Fun read: I Flew To China And Visited The Craziest Electric Car Brand On Earth. It Blew My Mind

BYD launches cheaper Seagull EV with $9,700 starting price tag (4 mins read)

BYD intensifies price war with gas cars. Seagull EV Honor Edition starts at $9,700, 5% cheaper than previous. DM-i PHEV from $11,000, 74 mi NEDC range. Seagull EV expands overseas as Dolphin Mini, priced around $20,000 in Brazil. BYD also ventures into luxury and mid-size SUVs with $233,000 electric supercar and Sea Lion 07, Song L models. Read more.

Aston Martin V12 Super-GT Spied As DBS Replacement Draws Near (2 mins read)

Aston Martin is gearing up for the launch of the V12-powered DBS successor, possibly named Vanquish. The supercar, featuring a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12, could produce around 800 horsepower. It's expected to debut in the summer, showcasing enhanced suspension, braking, and aerodynamics. The car will sport distinct styling cues seen in the DB12 and Vantage, with a reveal anticipated during Monterey Car Week. Read more.

New BMW Incentive Gives $1000 Discount For Users Who Will Switch From Tesla or Other EVs (3 mins read)

BMW launches the 2024 BEV Conquest Program, offering $1,000 incentives to EV owners of select brands in western states until April 1, 2024. Eligible for BMW i4, i5, or iX models, the program allows stacking with other offers. Toyota focuses on hydrogen adoption, with CEO Ted Ogawa emphasizing hybrid models over EVs. Read more.

Senator Rubio Seeks to Boost Tariffs to Prevent Flood of Chinese Vehicle Imports (3 mins read)

Senator Marco Rubio proposes a $20,000 tariff increase on Chinese vehicle imports to safeguard the U.S. auto market and jobs. His plan extends tariffs to Chinese-made vehicles from other countries and limits EV subsidies to North American trade regulations. The move aligns with bipartisan efforts amid concerns over Chinese penetration of the American auto market. Read more.

Uber and Revel partner up to offer EV drivers charging discounts (4 mins read)

Uber partners with Revel to expand EV charging infrastructure, starting in NYC, with plans for other major US cities. Revel offers discounts to Uber drivers on its 54 fast chargers, expanding to 250. Uber provides financial support and data sharing to aid Revel's expansion. Discounts up to 25% apply based on Uber Pro status. Revel aims to extend infrastructure to airports and major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston. Read more.

I Flew To China And Visited The Craziest Electric Car Brand On Earth. It Blew My Mind (12 mins read)

This article discusses the emergence of HiPhi, a Chinese EV brand, presents avant-garde models: the X, Y, and Z. The Y, an over 5,000-pound SUV, boasts unique rear-door design and multiple screens. It offers up to 336 hp, 302 ft-lb, and two battery options. The Z, a sedan-coupe, features a striking design with suicide doors and a powerful 672 hp dual-motor setup. Meanwhile, the X, a large SUV-MPV, offers distinctive doors, up to 598 hp, and a range of up to 650 kilometers. HiPhi's complex history involves founder Ding Lei and production challenges, with recent reports suggesting financial difficulties, potentially jeopardizing the brand's future. Read more.