Nissan’s luxury division Infiniti revealed a modern brand refresh on Friday amid a multi-year sales slump. The revamp includes a new logo and Apple-like stores complete with signature scents and sounds. One thing missing from these showrooms – is fully electric vehicles. Infiniti showed off its first EV at a recent dealer meeting, with dealers describing it as a Tesla Model-like electric sedan.
After car sales fell 46,619 in the US last year, down from 58,553 in 2021 and over 79,500 in 2020, Infiniti laid out a roadmap this week to get the luxury automaker back on track.
The comeback plan, according to Automotive News, involves more than doubling sales to 100K by mid-decade. Infiniti will rely on the brand’s overhaul to drive growth, which involves four new (or refreshed) models, including two fully electric vehicles, by the end of 2027.
At Infiniti’s dealer meeting this week in Los Angeles, dealers got a glimpse of the automaker’s Japanese-inspired redesigned showrooms with big glass windows and plenty of empty space (think Apple stores).
Also included will be “an invigorating new multisensory signature” experience, including signature Japanese forest scents and its own master track, “Moment of Tranquility.”
For the fourth time in the company’s history, Infiniti is introducing a new logo, emphasizing the “infinite road.”
Infiniti shows Tesla Model S-like sedan to dealers
“It’s a new dawn,” Craig Keeys, group vice president for Infiniti Americas, explained. Infiniti plans to advance software and technology to drive profits.
Meanwhile, Infiniti (and parent company Nissan) are getting left behind as the industry transitions to all-electric. One retailer, who wished to remain anonymous, said:
Nissan and Infiniti are about three years behind on product compared to other OEMs. By 2027, many competitors will be way ahead on technology and range.
Although some dealers wished it would be sooner, Infiniti doesn’t plan to release a fully electric car until the second half of the decade. Its first is expected to go on sale in late 2026.
Dealers, who were shown the Infiniti EV model, described it as similar to the Tesla Model S electric sedan in terms of proportion and design. It also had a “striking evolution” of the Q70.
The new Infiniti EV features a longer wheelbase with shorter overhangs, a new headlight and a taillight design, a single light strip across the width of the vehicle, and a sport Porsche-like rear.
Nissan will build the electric sedan at its factory in Canton, Miss, alongside a new midsize electric crossover. Dealers were also shown a picture of the midsize crossover EV, with one describing it as a “futuristic-looking Infiniti QX50.”
Electrek’s Take
Infiniti’s new electric model sounds exciting, but waiting until the second half of the decade to release them will feel like lightyears regarding EV battery, software, and tech development.
Tesla and several others will have improved second-gen, third-gen, etc. EV models that will be optimized from what’s on the roads today. Meanwhile, Infiniti will be just launching its first model.
After a multi-year sales slump, a brand refresh (with signature scents and sounds) alone likely won’t turn things around. The market is going all-electric, with many automakers already achieving double-digit and even 100% EV sales.
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But it looks like the design refresh is still a transitional in Tesla’s production as the automaker is still taking orders for the previous version:
For the launch in North America and Europe, Tesla has only added a new “trim” on the Model Y online configurator for a ‘Launch Series New Model Y’, which is the version unveiled in China earlier this month.
But in China, only this new version has been available for sale since the last two weeks.
Tesla estimates that the new version will have 320 miles of EPA range. Compared to 311 miles for the previous Model Y Long Range AWD, the only version of the new Model Y Launch Series available.
Here are all the other changes with the new Model Y compared to the previous version:
Feature
Model Y
New Model Y
Starting Price After Est. Savings
$31,490 Available Now
$46,490 Available Starting March
Trims
Long Range RWD Long Range AWD Performance AWD
Launch Series Long Range AWD
Range
277-337 miles (EPA est.)
303-320 miles (est.)
Seating
First row: power recline and heated Second row: manual fold and heated
First row: power recline, heated and ventilated Second row: power two-way folding and heated
8 exterior cameras (includes a new front-facing camera)
Audio
Long Range RWD: 7 speakers Long Range AWD: 13 speakers, 1 subwoofer Performance AWD: 13 speakers, 1 subwoofer
Launch Series Long Range AWD: 15 speakers, 1 subwoofer
Connectivity
First-generation hardware
Second-generation hardware
Trunk
Power open
Hands-free power open on approach
Interior
Footwell and door pocket ambient lighting Wooden detailing with black interior
Footwell and door pocket ambient lighting Wrap-around ambient lighting Aluminum detailing and premium textiles
Climate
Tinted and laminated safety glass Power-actuated first-row air vents Manual second-row air vents
Tinted and laminated safety glass with metallic infrared reflective coating Power-actuated first- and second-row air vents
For the Launch Series, Tesla is pricing the new Model Y Long Range AWD at $59,999 USD. That’s $12,000 more than the previous Model Y Long Range AWD, which is still available to order.
Specifically for the Launch Series, buyers get a bunch of special badging around the car:
But they also get things called “Premium Textil Trim” and “Vegan Suede for Black Interior”:
Currently, Tesla is only offering the new Model Y in Stealth Grey, Pearl White Multi-Coat, Ultra Red, and Quicksilver, but they are all included in the Launch Series price.
Tesla is talking about the first deliveries of this new version of the Model Y coming in March in North America.
Electrek’s Take
This came sooner than expected, as most expected the launch to be closer to March based on how Tesla launched the Model 3 refresh last year.
But this is also different since Tesla continues to take orders for the previous version.
Tesla was likely worried about the Osborne effect and this strategy of starting with this more expensive version of the Model Y, the Launch Series, is going to help sales of the much cheaper previous version.
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Rivian (RIVN) plans to launch a new Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) this year to enable hands-free driving. The new feature is expected to be similar to Tesla’s Full-Self Driving (FSD). In 2026, Rivian will up the ante with an “eyes-free” system.
Rivian plans hands-free driving in 2025, eyes-free in 2026
At the new Rivian Space opening in San Francisco on Thursday, CEO RJ Scaringe revealed a few exciting developments to look forward to.
According to the folks at RivianForums, Scaringe said during the event that the company plans to launch a hands-free ADAS feature in 2025. Next year, Rivian will follow it up with an “eyes-free” system.
The big question is, will current Rivian R1S and R1T owners gain access? It could depend on whether you drive a Gen 1 or Gen 2 model. All Rivian models built through 2024 are considered Gen 1, while models 2025 and newer are Gen 2.
Rivian introduced the second-generation R1S and R1T last summer. They were “completely reengineered” with hundreds of hardware improvements, fully redesigned software, and more.
The upgrades include its new in-house autonomy system, Rivian Autonomy Platform. It’s powered by 11 cameras, five radars, and predictive AI.
Rivian R1T (left) and R1S (right) electric vehicles (Source: Rivian)
Rivian said the new platform is “10 times more powerful” than the old system. It also features 360-degree visibility with 8X the number of camera pixels than the previous models. Gen 2 models already include features like Blind Spot Monitoring and Highway Assist.
With the premium version, drivers gain access to Lane Change, while Rivian said Enhanced Highway Assist and other features were coming soon.
Rivian R2 electric SUV (Source: Rivian)
Although all Rivian R1S and R1T EVs include OTA updates, some features may require additional hardware or software not included on Gen 1 models.
Rivian hands-free and attention-free autonomous highway driving will be available on the upcoming R2 model. The smaller electric SUV is due out in the first half of 2026, starting at around $45,000.
Electrek’s Take
As a Tesla Model 3 driver, I can tell you that Full-Self Driving (FSD) is fun and can be helpful at times. I’ve used it on longer trips, like through the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it makes driving or sitting in the car a little more enjoyable.
Although the system still requires you to pay attention, it enables the vehicle to drive itself almost anywhere with “minimal driver intervention.”
The new Actually Smart Summon feature is one of my favorites. Through the Tesla app, you can summon your vehicle to come to you in a parking lot. The vehicle will then move around other cars, people, and objects to find you.
Other functions, like Navigate on Autopilot, will take over while the vehicle is on the highway, changing lanes (with turn signals) and braking or accelerating as needed.
For Rivian owners, it would be like an upgraded system from Highway and Lane Change Assist. The “eyes-free” system coming next year will likely have a few regulatory hurdles to pass before it rolls out, so it should be interesting to see what that will consist of. Check back for more info soon. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
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The United Arab Emirates is building the world’s largest solar and battery storage project that will dispatch clean energy 24/7.
Emirati Renewable energy company Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) are developing the trailblazing solar and battery storage project. Once it’s online, will become the largest combined solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) in the world.
Located in Abu Dhabi, the project will feature a 5.2 GW solar PV plant coupled with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) BESS.
His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, minister of industry and advanced technology and chairman of Masdar, said:
For decades, the biggest barrier facing renewable energy has been intermittency – to be able to source uninterrupted clean power day and night.
In collaboration with EWEC and our partners, we will develop a renewable energy facility capable of providing clean energy round the clock.
For the first time ever, this will transform renewable energy into a world-leading 1 GW of reliable baseload energy every day on an unprecedented scale – a first step that could become a giant leap for the world.
Masdar announced China’s JA Solar and Jinko Solar, two of the world’s largest solar panel suppliers, and Chinese battery and BESS giant CATL as preferred suppliers. JA Solar and Jinko Solar will supply 2.6 GW of solar panels each. India’s Larsen & Toubro and POWERCHINA have been selected as preferred engineering, procurement, and construction contractors.
Masdar says the project will create 10,000 jobs and doesn’t yet indicate a projected completion date.
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