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GM’s luxury brand Cadillac has shared a multitude of new details surrounding the upcoming Celestiq sedan it has been teasing for over a year and a half now. Cadillac is describing the Celestiq as its most technologically advanced and most luxurious vehicle ever, and it just may be its most expensive as well. Here’s the latest.

When it eventually begins deliveries in 2024, the Cadillac Celestiq will be the second BEV to arrive under the Cadillac marque behind the Lyriq, which is just starting to reach early customers. Cadillac first shared news of this ultra-lux electric sedan back in early 2021, alongside an image showcasing a unique “smart glass” roof. From the get-go, Cadillac has been touting its second BEV model as a flagship vehicle clad with hand-crafted materials.

Cadillac didn’t really mention the Celestiq much after that. At least not until this past June when it unveiled new images of the EV, describing its design as “avant-garde,” built to challenge the ultra-luxury segment. Days later, we learned the Celestiq would not just feature handmade components, but will be an entirely hand-built EV – featuring over 100 3D-printed elements.

The American automaker said the EV itself is designed for low-volume production typical with hand-built, ultra-luxurious vehicles. We are still unsure what level of output “low volume” entails for Cadillac, but based on the technology in its design and its hand-built production, we had surmised that it was going to cost quite a bit more than the average EV.

When we saw the full images of the Celestiq in July, there were rumors it would cost around $300,000, but we could not verify that. Following today’s news, we can confirm that $300K is merely the starting price, and it can increase from there based on the customer’s “level of personalization,” according to Cadillac.

Cadillac Celestiq could be a work of art… for the ultra wealthy

As more and more automakers are utilizing advancements in EV platform and battery technology to help deliver lower-priced EVs, GM’s premium brand is going in the opposite direction and building an EV that could serve as an archetype for advanced technology and ultra-luxury.

Unfortunately, most people won’t be able to afford it, so we will provide as many details and images as we can, as we learn more about this upcoming EV. That way, we can all vicariously experience all it has to offer. Based upon the 5,000+ word press release from Cadillac today, there’s a lot to talk about surrounding the Celestiq, but here are some of the top-line features.

First off, each Celestiq will be personally commissioned, allowing customers the opportunity to work directly with a dealer of their choosing and Cadillac designers to create their own, one-of-a-kind version. This is a similar design approach to the Carmen from Hispano Suiza, in which no two EVs are alike. Per Cadillac’s global vice president Rory Harvey:

Celestiq is like no Cadillac before it and the client experience is equally exceptional. Each vehicle is a unique expression of its owner, leveraging leading-edge technologies that make the driving experience personal and rewarding. With an extremely low volume of hand-built vehicles to be offered globally each year and an exclusive declaration process, Celestiq will truly be a custom-commissioned one-of-one. Each client will experience a personalized journey to make their vehicle exactly the way they desire.

Alright, let’s dig into the actual design and performance. The Celestiq will arrive on GM’s Ultium platform powered by an 111 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor AWD propulsion system. GM estimates the EV will offer 600 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque, plus an estimated range of 300 miles (483 km) on a full charge.

Cadillac shared that although the Celestiq is not the first (or last) EV on the Ultium platform, it will still be a unique implementation due to its 11.59:1 front and 11.63:1 rear gear ratios, which have been specifically calibrated to optimize range and performance. The Celestiq is predicted to accelerate 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds.

In addition to the platform, Cadillac states the Celestiq comes equipped with the automaker’s most advanced suspension and performance systems ever, including features like magnetic ride control and an active rear spoiler to improve aerodynamics at varying speeds.

GM’s Ultium platform enables the luxury sedan to charge at rate up to 200 kW and garner an estimated 78 miles of range in 10 minutes on a DC fast charger. There is still so much to unfold here, especially in terms of the Celestiq’s “avant-garde” design.

Other unique design features

We can write another 1,000 words about all the design elements Cadillac shared this evening, but it’s probably just easier to read the full press release, or better yet, check out all the highlighted features we’ve compiled for you.

  • Fixed smart glass roof
    • Features Suspended Particle Device Technology – an industry-first feature. Multi-color ambient lighting and choreography create an interplay between the exterior and the amount of light allowed into the cabin through four separate zones.
    • Tint levels for the zones range from less than 1% for the darkest level of opacity, to 20%, which is the standard tint level of a traditional sunroof.
  • Materials:
    • Carbon fiber is present in several areas of the exterior. The visible metallic surfaces are authentic metal, including the aluminum grille, header, rocker, taillamp and headlamp trim, brushed aluminum bodyside trim, aluminum eTrunk lining, and brushed metal lift gate openings.
  • Exterior lighting:
    • Every single point of light in the Celestiq’s animation is its own source rather than banks of lights like in other vehicles. There will be over 1,600 individual LEDs per EV (depending on the sales market). The Cadillac-first Digital Micro-mirror Device headlamps feature 1.3 million pixels per side.
  • Lighting choreography: 
    • The vehicle welcomes its owner when they are 15 feet away by illuminating the front Cadillac Crest. Light then moves from the middle of the black crystal shield grill to the headlamps, creating an impression the vehicle is powering up.
  • Immersive interior lighting:
    • Featuring more than 450 distinct LEDs, drivers can personalize their color selections for each interior zone or let the vehicle curate the lighting combinations to harmonize throughout. The Celestiq includes 18 different lighting animations.
  • Hand-finished metalwork and hand-wrapped leather
    • Many of the metal elements throughout Cadillac Celestiq require detail and finish work such as fine milling, anodization, and a final polishing by hand. The leather is hand-wrapped by artisans.
  • Unique color:
    • The customer is involved in every color decision pertaining to materials and finishes, and will have the opportunity to develop new colors or paint to match with the Cadillac design team. This also enables an infinite range of exterior and interior colors, materials, and finishes to design a truly bespoke vehicle.
  • Infotainment:
    • The centerpiece of the Cadillac Celestiq interior is a pillar-to-pillar, 55-inch diagonal HD display. It contains two separate screens under a single pane of glass. The driver’s side has pixel density comparable to an 8K screen, while the passenger side allows occupants to play media, use the internet, or connect their smartphones.
    • Rear passengers have their own 12.6-inch diagonal displays in front of them, mounted on the front seat backs.
  • Sound experience:
    • Celestiq offers 41-speakers, including three exterior speakers. A 38-speaker AKG Studio Reference Audio System in the cabin is custom tuned by professional audio engineers and utilizes three separate amplifiers to power 30 channels for complete audio immersion. The system features 3D surround, vehicle noise compensation, conversation enhancement, and phone zones.
    • The EV will also introduce a Cadillac-first Vehicle Exterior Sound System, which provides Cadillac curated propulsion sounds while driving.
  • Ultra Cruise:
    • Celestiq will arrive with the latest hands-free advanced driver assistance technologies with Ultra Cruise. It will be equipped with all of the necessary Ultra Cruise hardware to enable incremental growth in the future via over-the-air updates in 2024.

The Celestiqs will be constructed at GM’s Global Technical Center, in Warren, Michigan – the first vehicle to be built at that site since it opened 66 years ago and the automaker has invested $81 million to make it happen.

Once again, the Cadillac Celestiq will start at an MSRP over $300,000 and is currently available by waitlist only.

Production is expected to begin in December of 2023, and although Cadillac would not share the total vehicle output it has planned, its team did tell us that it expects to be producing only two EVs per day when assembly gets going. Low volume indeed.

It is sure to be an experience when we can see one of these unique EVs up close. Perhaps we can make our way to Warren, Michigan, and share some footage of them being hand-built. Until then, here’s a little teaser video of the Celestiq provided by Cadillac.

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Volvo announces world’s first A30 Electric articulated haul truck

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Volvo announces world's first A30 Electric articulated haul truck

Volvo CE arrived at bauma 2025 in Munich, Germany with a groundbreaking (Ha!) electric line of heavy equipment options that includes the new A30 Electric articulated haul truck – a world’s first from the Swedish equipment brand!

Volvo CE is calling its bauma display a milestone moment in sustainable innovation, raising the bar with its first-ever zero-emission only lineup at the Munich-based show.

The star of the show, hoever, is the game-changing reveal of the never-before-seen A30 Electric articulated hauler, representing the first vehicle of its kind in what is both a key industrial segment for Volvo and a world’s first for a series production BEV in its class.

“This zero-emission lineup is a marker of our commitment to drive change,” explains Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE. “Together with our pioneering service, solutions and updated portfolio of conventional machine variants, we show that we stand alongside our customers to support them across every stage of their journey. We show that we are committed to our ambitions, not just because we can, but because it is the right thing to do.”

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The articulated hauler segment is especially meaningful to the engineers at Volvo CE, as the company invented the class with the launch of “Gravel Charlie,” the industry’s first articulated haul truck back in 1966.

60-years since Volvo revolutionised the construction industry with the launch of Gravel Charlie, the world’s first articulated hauler, Volvo now brings its latest game-changing articulated hauler solution to the market: the A30 Electric – the world’s first battery powered articulated hauler in its class. Fully electric and zero-emissions – contributing to a significant reduction in energy costs and maintenance – the A30 Electric delivers all the unrivalled off-road performance, operator comfort and durability you expect from Volvo, ready to bring electrified hauling to a range of segments including quarrying, mining and construction.

VOLVO CE

The new Volvo A30 Electric offers a 64,000 lb. (32 ton)/23.3 cubic yard payload capacity and “full day” operation thanks to its 245 kWh li-ion battery.

In addition to the new A30 Electric haul truck, Volvo CE brought a number of new or updated models to the show. All of the equipment assets, as well as Volvo’s brand-agnostic telematics and fleet management solution, Site Operarions, can be experienced at Volvo CE’s interactive Solutions Bar all this week at bauma Munich.

Volvo CE at bauma 2025

Volvo EWR150 Electric wheeled excavator; via Volvo CE.
  • a revamped EC230 Electric excavator, which now provides a full day of operation
  • an updated compact electric range, ensuring customers are more empowered to drive down emissions while elevating business opportunities 
  • the recently upgraded PU500 Power Unit to enable rapid mobile charging of both Volvo and non-Volvo electric machines, trucks and tools
  • the newly launched EWR150 Electric, the company’s first battery-powered wheeled excavator
  • the EW240 Electric Material Handler grid-connected excavator

Electrek’s Take

We love learning more about big electric machines and the massive amounts of emissions that they don’t spit out into the places we live, work, and play in. Back in October, we interviewed Sylvie Binder from the New York City Mayor’s Office about a similar effort in NYC backed by the newly launched North American Electric Construction Coalition (NAECC) is committed to decarbonizing the construction industry.

You can check out that interview, above, then let us know what you think of Volvo’s role in decarbonizing the world’s job sites in the comments.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo CE.

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Tesla stops taking Model S and Model X orders in China amid new tariffs

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Tesla stops taking Model S and Model X orders in China amid new tariffs

Tesla has stopped taking orders for its Model S and Model X flagship electric vehicles in China – seemingly in reaction to new tariffs.

In China, Tesla produces Model 3 and Model Y vehicles locally at Gigafactory Shanghai for the domestic market and some exports.

Model S and Model X are exclusively produced in the US at Tesla’s Fremont factory in California. The automaker imported the vehicles from the US into China.

Amid President Trump’s new trade wars, the US is now imposing 145% tariffs on all Chinese goods, and China responded by implementing 84% tariffs on US goods, including vehicles.

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This would almost double the cost of US vehicles imported in China, including Tesla’s Model S and Model X.

In the middle of the night, Tesla shut down its Model S and Model X online configurations in China – meaning that Chinese customers can’t place new orders for the electric vehicles.

This isn’t expected to significantly impact Tesla’s business, considering the automaker delivered just over 2,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in China in 2024.

Tesla is still selling what it has in inventory already in China. Still, after a quick inventory check, it appears to have very low new Model S inventory and virtually no Model X.

Electrek’s Take

One of the first victims of the trade war in the EV space. It kills a relatively small market of about 2,000 vehicles for Tesla in China, but those are profitable vehicles, which is not the case for most vehicles Tesla sells in the country these days.

90% of the vehicles Tesla delivers in China are Model 3 and Model Y RWD, which are low-margin vehicles that Tesla has to subsidize 0% financing on to move. It results in the automaker making little to no profit on those vehicles.

In the case of Model S/X in China, we are only talking about roughly $170 million in potential lost revenue for Tesla, but at least the company was making some profits on those.

As we previously reported, Tesla’s biggest concerns amid this trade war are the tariffs on Chinese battery cells entering the US, which support its Megapack and Powerwall energy business, and Chinese buyers turning away from American brands.

If the trade war with China escalates even more, Tesla could even start worrying about the status of its factory in Shanghai, which is a rare auto factory wholly owned by a foreign automaker in China.

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Lucid acquires Nikola’s factory, some assets, and offer jobs to workers

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Lucid acquires Nikola's factory, some assets, and offer jobs to workers

Lucid Motors has announced that it acquired some of Nikola Motor’s assets out of its bankruptcy, including its factory, and it will offer jobs to over 300 of its employees.

Nikola, a manufacturer of electric and hydrogen trucks, went bankrupt earlier this year after several tumultuous years.

Now, Lucid Motors, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced that it purchased some of Nikola’s assets out of a bankruptcy auction.

The company wrote in a press release:

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Lucid Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: LCID), maker of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles, today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire select facilities and assets in Arizona previously belonging to Nikola Corporation, subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The transaction does not include the acquisition of Nikola’s business, customer base, or technology related to Nikola’s hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks.

In Arizona, Lucid’s Casa Grande factory, where it produces the Air and Gravity EVs, is only about 25 minutes away from Nikola’s Coolidge factory, where it used to assemble its trucks.

Lucid confirmed that it is taking over this facility and Nikola’s headquarters in nearby Phoenix:

As part of the agreement, Lucid will take over Nikola’s former Coolidge manufacturing facility (680 E Houser Rd, Coolidge, AZ), as well as the Phoenix facility (4141 E Broadway Rd, Phoenix, AZ) previously used as Nikola’s headquarters and product development center. These buildings collectively add more than 884,000 square feet to Lucid’s Arizona footprint. Most of this space is comprised of state-of-the-art manufacturing and warehousing buildings, which executes against Lucid’s prior planned expansion in Arizona. These facilities also include development equipment with extensive battery and environmental testing chambers, a full-size chassis dynamometer, machining equipment, and more.

The deal is valued at $30 million in cash and non-cash considerations.

As it takes over those facilities, Lucid plans to offer “more than 300 former Nikola employees” jobs in Arizona:

Additionally, Lucid plans to offer employment to more than 300 former Nikola employees in roles across Lucid’s Arizona facilities. These offers will encompass various technical salaried and hourly positions including manufacturing engineering, software, assembly, vehicle testing, and warehouse support as Lucid welcomes employees with strong backgrounds in EV technology and further supports its local community.

Marc Winterhoff, Interim CEO at Lucid, commented on the announcement and hinted that the new facilities and workforce would help Lucid toward bringing its next vehicle platform to production:

“As we continue our production ramp of Lucid Gravity and prepare for our upcoming midsize platform vehicles, acquiring these assets is an opportunity to strategically expand our manufacturing, warehousing, testing, and development facilities while supporting our local Arizona community. We are delighted to extend employment offers to more than 300 former employees, who bring valuable industry experience, and together with our outstanding teams, will continue powering Lucid’s industry-leading innovation.”

Lucid is mainly known for the Air, a super-efficient and long-range electric luxury sedan, and it recently launched the Gravity, an SUV based on the same platform.

Now, it plans to develop a new vehicle platform to deliver smaller and cheaper vehicles.

Electrek’s Take

This makes sense. While Lucid has a lot of operations in California, they were neighbors in Arizona when it came to manufacturing operations.

It may be able to utilize some of Nikola’s manufacturing equipment and quickly put the former Nikola workers to work, reducing the bankruptcy’s impact on local employment.

Lucid has its own financial problems as it’s not yet profitable and relies on raising more capital, but it is undoubtedly in a much more solid financial situation than Nikola has been over the last few years.

Also, $30 million in cash and non-cash considerations is pretty cheap.

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