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American EV automaker Rivian has begun informing certain 2022 R1T and R1S customers of a recall filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last week. The voluntary recall affects over 12,700 Rivian EVs and pertains to a sensor in passenger seatbelt system that may cause a reduced, or complete lack of deployment in the passenger airbag.

Rivian remains a relatively young EV automaker still looking to find its stride in scaled EV production. Although it slightly missed on revenue goals in 2022, the American automaker produced nearly 25,000 EVs, delivering over 20,000 to a customer base still very hungry for its R1T pickup and R1S SUV.

To a large extent, the Rivian models that have seen delivery have done quite well. In fact, the R1T was recently awarded the highest scoring premium model in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power, dethroning the Tesla Model 3.

On the other hand, early adoption is rarely without its fair share of kinks to work out. To date, Rivian has filed three recalls with the NHTSA, the most recent coming in October of 2022 pertaining to the EV’s steering knuckle separating from the control arm. Before that, Rivian recalled a couple hundred EVs due to an improperly secured seatbelt anchor.

Today, the automaker is informing its customers of a fourth recall – again involving a seatbelt, but with a greater risk of passenger injury, albeit will likely only affect a very small number of Rivian vehicles.

Rivian recall
Credit: NHTSA.gov

Rivian recalls 12,761 EVs but expects less than 100 affected

According to the filing with the NHTSA on February 22, 2023, the recall affects certain 2022 Rivian R1T and R1S EVs and pertains to a faulty automatic locking retractor (ALR) sensor in the front passenger seat belt system that may incorrectly report as “on” when it is actually “off.” The result is “suppression or improper deployment of the air bag.”

In the filing, Rivian says letters announcing the recall will go out to potentially affected EV owners on April 8, but it appears those notices are already going out via email. Forum member Tonicart shared their email on RivianForums.com:

We have initiated a voluntary recall that affects your vehicle. Certain model year 2022 R1S and R1T vehicles fail to conform with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 “Occupant Crash Protection.”This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN: x7xxx

What is the problem?
A sensor in the front passenger seat belt system may incorrectly report its status as “on” when, in fact, it is off. If a passenger is seated in the front passenger seat and this happens, the passenger air bag may not deploy as intended. In the event of a crash which is supposed to deploy the front passenger air bag, the occupant may have an increased risk of injury due to a reduced deployment or lack of deployment.

How many vehicles are affected?
The recall affects 12,716 vehicles, however we believe less than 1% of those vehicles – fewer than 100 vehicles – will require part replacement. While the number of vehicles impacted is very limited, we will always exercise caution when it comes to safety. As of February 27, 2023, we are not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

What will Rivian do?
Rivian will offer no appointment necessary visits to Rivian Service Centers and pop-up locations up to 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday, to inspect and replace, if necessary, passenger seat belt system components in the affected vehicles. If your vehicle is not brought in for inspection, we will inspect it for this issue at a future service appointment.

How long will the inspection and repair take?
Inspections are estimated to take less than 10 minutes. For the very small percentage where part replacement is necessary, the work can be completed in less than 30 minutes during the same visit. This service will be available at no cost to you.

What should you do?
Information about Rivian Service Centers and pop-up service locations offering expanded hours of operation and service without an appointment are listed on our website. Before your visit, please install the latest software update to your vehicle.If you have further questions, or if you prefer to schedule an appointment, please call Rivian Service at 1-855-748-4265. We are available 24/7/365.

Additional information will also be posted at NHTSA.gov/recalls.Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to resolving it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Noe Mejia
VP Service Operations

As you can see in the letter above, Rivian expects less than 100 of the 12,761 EVs in the recall to actually require a replacement part, but the abundance of caution is absolutely understandable given it affects a crucial safety component in the passenger airbag.

These letters should continue to go out to current Rivian owners at risk in the recall, and those individuals will be able to visit any Rivian Service Center free of charge.

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Here’s our first official look at the new Hyundai EV debuting next month [Images]

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Here's our first official look at the new Hyundai EV debuting next month [Images]

Is it the IONIQ 2 or 3? We are finally getting our first official look at the new Hyundai EV that will debut at next month’s Munich Motor Show. Take a look at the images below.

Hyundai offers a first look at its new EV

Rumors of a new entry-level Hyundai have been spreading like wildfire over the past few months. After a few prototypes have been spotted out in public testing, some claim it’s the IONIQ 2, while others say it will be called the IONIQ 2.

Either way, the new model is almost here, and it sounds like it could shake things up. Hyundai dropped the first official images of the new EV on Tuesday, offering a glimpse of what’s to come.

Although it’s just a teaser, the images reveal a few new design elements that will be showcased. The rear spoiler appears to be roughly the same shape and size as the updated IONIQ 6, which is likely to feature a full-length LED light bar.

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The teaser comes after several test vehicles have been spotted recently, displaying a similar, upright, more SUV-like style reminiscent of the Kia EV2 concept.

Like its other IONIQ models and the Kia EV series, Hyundai’s new concept is likely to be based on its advanced E-GMP platform. It’s expected to fill the gap between the Inster EV and Kona Electric in Hyundai’s electric car lineup.

The interior is expected to be a step up from Hyundai’s current vehicles with a new infotainment system. Powered by its advanced new Pleos OS, the system will feel more like a smartphone.

Hyundai IONIQ 2 or IONIQ 3 EV spotted testing in Europe (Source: CarSpyMedia)

Hyundai has yet to announce prices, range, and other final specs. However, since the Kona Electric starts at £34,995 ($47,000) in the UK, it will likely be priced closer to £25,000 ($33,700), like the Kia EV2.

Similar to the Kia EV3, Hyundai’s new electric car will likely be offered with 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery packs. The former provides a WLTP range of 260 miles, while the latter is rated with a range of 365 miles on a single charge.

Hyundai-new-EV-first-look
Hyundai’s next-gen infotainment system powered by Pleos (Source: Hyundai)

The new Hyundai EV will make its global debut at the Munich Motor Show in Germany, from September 9 through September 14.

Kia’s EV3 is already the most popular retail electric vehicle in the UK through the first half of 2025. Will Hyundai match it with the new model?

Hyundai will reveal two new sets of images over the next week, so be sure to check back for the latest updates.

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Tesla Model Y is already feeling the pressure of Xiaomi’s YU7

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Tesla Model Y is already feeling the pressure of Xiaomi's YU7

The Tesla Model Y has long been a dominant force in the EV world. It is the best-selling electric vehicle in the world, and it briefly became the best-selling car globally.

But it is being seriously challenged. In China, the Model Y is already feeling the impact of Xiaomi’s YU7.

Xiaomi wasn’t shy about positioning the YU7 against the Model Y when it unveiled the vehicle earlier this year.

The Chinese electronic giant turned EV manufacturer compared virtually every spec and price to Tesla’s best-selling EV, and it wasn’t surprising since the YU7 compares extremely favorably to Tesla’s refreshed Model Y.

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The company announced that it aims to outsell the Model Y, and it made a strong start with more than 200,000 pre-orders within minutes of unveiling the vehicle.

The impact of the YU7 has already been felt throughout the Chinese EV market, as many buyers are expected to wait more than a year for the vehicle due to the backlog of orders, and Xiaomi still needs to ramp up production.

Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s CEO, is so unworried about demand that he even recommended people order from competitors due to the size of the YU7 backlog.

Despite being only two months into the start of YU7 deliveries, the vehicle appears to already be putting pressure on the Model Y.

New insurance data shows Model Y versus YU7 deliveries over the last 3 months (via ThinkerCar):

The sheer volume of YU7 pre-orders disrupted the entire small EV SUV market in China, but it has settled back after it became clear that someone placing a new order wouldn’t get the vehicle until next year.

Nonetheless, as deliveries ramped up to over 3,000 units per week over the last two weeks, Tesla’s deliveries are going down and they are still far off their highs.

It is increasingly looking like the YU7 will have a similar impact on the Model Y as Xiaomi’s SU7 had on the Model 3.

Over the last year, the SU7, Xiaomi’s first EV, has been consistently outselling the Model 3. Earlier this month, there was hope that Model 3 was making a comeback, but it looks like it is already back to normal:

Tesla’s sales are down 6% year-to-date in China based on registration data.

Electrek’s Take

China is the most interesting EV market because it is by far the most competitive one. That’s because Chinese automakers are not penalized there like they are in other markets.

Furthermore, Tesla can’t complain since it basically got the same deal as Chinese automakers with its Gigafactory Shanghai in the free trade zone.

For the last 5 years, the American automaker enjoyed some dominance in the Chinese market, but now local companies have caught up and Xiaomi is one of the best examples.

The impact of the SU7 on Model 3 is undeniable.

It’s still early to see the impact of the YU7, but it appears to be happening already. It is also cannibalizing SU7 sales.

If this trend continues, it appears that YU7 will outsell Model Y by the end of the year – although I would expect Tesla to start cutting prices before then, likely with the new stripped-down Model Y, which should delay YU7 becoming the sales leader into next year.

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BYD’s Ferrari-slaying electric supercar shatters the EV speed record at nearly 300 mph

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BYD's Ferrari-slaying electric supercar shatters the EV speed record at nearly 300 mph

The Yangwang U9 is an EV powerhouse, packing four electric motors and a whopping 1,300 horsepower, but the new Track Edition model takes it to the next level. After reaching nearly 300 mph, BYD’s Yangwang U9 set a new global EV speed record.

BYD Yangwang U9 sets a new global EV speed record

BYD launched the U9 in February, its first electric supercar and the second vehicle under its ultra-luxury Yangwang brand.

The Yangwang U9 made an explosive debut, showcasing its dance moves, jumping capabilities, and sleek sports car design.

Earlier this month, we learned BYD was developing a new Yangwang U9 Track Edition model, packing a monstrous over 3,000 hp (2,20 kW). The standard U9 already features four advanced electric motors, providing a combined power of nearly 1,300 hp.

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The souped-up variant has already set a global record, and it’s not even out yet. BYD announced on Tuesday that a Yangwang U9 Track Edition test vehicle broke the world EV speed record after reaching a ridiculous 472.41 km/h, or about 293 mph.

BYD-EV-speed-record
BYD’s Yangwang U9 electric supercar at 2024 GoodwoodFOS (Source: Yangwang)

The achievement was certified at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany, beating the old EV speed record by over 20%.

BYD said that this “marks the first time a Chinese domestic brand has achieved a world record in this field.” Not only does it mark a massive leap forward for the Chinese auto industry, but it also marks a significant milestone for electric vehicles as a whole.

The Yangwang U9 starts at 1,680,000 yuan in China, or about $233,000. That’s around half the cost of a new Ferrari SF90 Stradale or Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.

BYD’s Yangwang U9 is faster and even more affordable than most internal combustion engine (ICE) supercars. And the interior features “the smartest supercar cockpit,” BYD claims, powered by its advanced DiLink infotainment system. Which one are you taking?

You can see how fast BYD’s electric supercar really goes in its record-setting run in the video above. We should learn more about the new Yangwang U9 Track Edition model soon. Check back for the latest.

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