12/26/23 - Nio ET9 Debuts As Electric Luxury SUV To Take On Mercedes-Maybach, GM pauses sales of Chevy Blazer EV over software issues, Finding Your Parked Car in Seconds Using Google Maps

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: 

  • Nio ET9 Debuts As Electric Luxury SUV To Take On Mercedes-Maybach

  • Toyota’s Electric Revival: 2024 RAV4 Prime And Prius Prime

  • Kia Launches ‘Horizon’ Special Editions for EV6 and Niro EV

• 🏭 Industry trend: GM pauses sales of Chevy Blazer EV over software issues

• 💡 Tips: Finding Your Parked Car in Seconds Using Google Maps

• 😄 Fun read: How Chrysler Worked Hard To Keep The Dodge Charger And Its LX-Platform Mates From Going Stale

Nio ET9 Debuts As Electric Luxury SUV To Take On Mercedes-Maybach (3 mins read)

Chinese carmaker Nio unveiled the ET9, its flagship electric coupe-crossover, set to release in 2025. Priced at RMB800,000 ($112,000), it features a luxurious four-seat cabin, 'landjet' silhouette, and unique 23-inch wheels. Boasting a 900-volt electric architecture, it achieves 600kW battery charging for 159 miles in 5 minutes. With 520 kW power, swappable 120kW battery, and advanced technologies, the ET9 introduces innovative design and performance in the electric car market.

Toyota’s Electric Revival: The 2024 RAV4 Prime And Prius Prime (3 mins read)

Toyota is set to re-enter the U.S. electric car market with the 2024 Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). Boasting over 40 miles of battery-only range, they target consumers with daily drives of around 40 miles. Toyota aims to capitalize on the PHEV market, especially in California, where it once dominated the green car revolution. Despite criticism, Toyota's focus on PHEVs aligns with global priorities, while its myopia led to Tesla's dominance in the electric car market.

Kia Launches ‘Horizon’ Special Editions for EV6 and Niro EV (3 mins read)

Kia UK introduces 'Horizon' special editions for EV6 and Niro EV, bridging the gap between entry-level and higher-end trims. These electric vehicles offer a blend of style, comfort, and technology. The EV6 'Horizon' boasts 225bhp RWD, 77.4kWh battery, and 328-mile range. The Niro EV 'Horizon' features a 64.8kWh battery, 150kW motor, and 285-mile range. Both models support Kia's global plan to launch 15 EVs by 2027, contributing to the UK's electric vehicle market with attractive specifications and pricing. Orders are open, and deliveries start in January 2024.

GM pauses sales of Chevy Blazer EV over software issues (3 mins read)

GM has halted sales of the new Chevy Blazer EV due to reported software issues, assuring customers that the problems are not safety-related. The pause is temporary, with a software update expected to resolve the concerns. The Blazer EV, part of GM's electric lineup, recently launched as a mass-market SUV. GM anticipates it will temporarily lose eligibility for a US electric vehicle tax credit from January 1, 2024, due to changes in Treasury Department rules.

Finding Your Parked Car in Seconds Using Google Maps? It Is Possible With These Hacks (3 mins read)

This article provides concise tips for using Google Maps to locate your parked car, emphasizing installation, saving the parking location, and efficient retrieval through the app. It also highlights considerations such as garage challenges and managing notifications, noting Google Maps' limitation of saving one parking location at a time.

How Chrysler Worked Hard To Keep The Dodge Charger And Its LX-Platform Mates From Going Stale (17 mins read)

This article discusses the remarkable 19-year legacy of the Chrysler LX platform, featuring iconic models like the Charger, Challenger, and Chrysler 300. It highlights their enduring popularity, design evolution, and performance upgrades, culminating in the farewell of the 2023 Chrysler 300C with 485 horsepower. The article reflects on the platform's impact, from its introduction in 2005 to the diverse range of high-powered variants, marking the end of an era in American muscle car history.