Kia opened online reservations for its flagship EV9 electric SUV in Canada on Monday. Despite only allocating just over 500 EV9 models, the electric SUV received “notably high” reservations. So much so Kia plans to relaunch the program.
Kia launches a new flagship electric SUV
The South Korean automaker’s first three-row electric SUV is expected to serve as a symbol of what’s to come from Kia in the new electric era.
Kia officially introduced the EV9 to the world in March, claiming it’s bringing the three-row SUV into the EV era with available features that matter the most. These include ample interior space (for cargo and passengers), up to 5,000 lbs of towing capabilities, enhanced vehicle dynamics, and modern tech and software.
The electric SUV is based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s 800V E-GMP platform – the same one that powers the IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6, featuring fourth-gen battery tech and fast charging (10% to 80% in under 25 minutes).
At up to 5,015 mm (197 in) long, the EV9 is slightly longer than the Telluride with a similar height of 1,780 mm (70 in) and width of 1,980 mm (78 in). It also puts the electric SUV in the same category as the Ford Explorer at 199 inches long, 79 inches wide, and 70 inches tall.
Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia Canada)
The exterior features Kia’s new dynamic design with a new Tiger Face grill up front to replace the Kia “Tiger Nose” grill we have grown accustomed to.
Kia’s flagship electric SUV is essentially a mobile living room with the automaker’s most advanced interior yet.
Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia Canada)
This includes Kia’s next-gen ultramodern Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system, executive seats (for everyone, not just those up front) with included “Relaxation Mode,” and centrally mounted, hidden-until-lit haptic switches for key infotainment features that appear when the EV9 is turned on.
Kia EV9 interior (Source: Kia Canada)
It also includes an optional Digital Rearview Mirror to replace the traditional one, 14-speaker 708-watt Meridian Premium Audio, and LED lighting for the Kia logo on the steering wheel.
The Kia EV9 will feature the latest in-vehicle software and connectivity tech, which includes Kia’s most advanced Highway Driving Pilot, onboard power generator abilities (through V2L), and OTA updates.
Kia EV9 GT-line interior (Source: Kia)
Kia EV9’s strong sales start
Kia reportedly began EV9 deliveries in its home market on June 19, according to information from the Korea Economic Daily. After eight days on the market, the electric SUV gathered over 13,000 preorders.
The automaker sold 1,334 EV9 models during its first month on the market, nearly outselling the EV6 electric crossover. An official from the automaker said over 50% of preorders are from new customers.
Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)
Kia launched the EV9 in another big auto market in Canada Monday. In Canada, the EV9 is offered with a 99.8 kWh battery with a single motor configuration providing 298 mi (480 km) targeted range. Or, Kia is offering a dual-motor 379 hp (283 kW) AWD configuration with up to 516 lb-ft of torque.
After seeing buyers rushing in on social media, Electrek reached out to Kia to see how the first day of sales went.
According to Kia’s Canada website on Monday, there were only 527 vehicles available for sale (I was number 55,542 in the queue Monday afternoon before the site crashed). A Kia spokesperson tells Electrek:
The demand was notably high for EV9 reservations in Canada, so much so that it was higher traffic to the website than anticipated. We’ve temporarily paused reservations, as some requests were not processed.
Kia says it will relaunch the reservation program, and those interested should stay keep a lookout in their email, Kia.Ca, and on its social channels for more information.
Kia EV9 electric SUV models (Source: Kia)
Meanwhile, Kia plans to launch the EV9 in the US by the end of the year. The three-row electric SUV will come in two powertrain options, including a standard 76.1 kWh battery with a 215 hp (160 kW) motor. Buyers can opt for the optional 99.8 kWh battery detailed above.
The EV9 will be Kia’s first electric vehicle assembled in the US. Assembly is expected to begin at its West Point, Georgia facility, starting next year.
Kia has yet to release prices but based on prices in other markets, we expect the EV9 to start around $60K for the standard battery and upwards of $70K for the larger one.
Electrek’s Take
Obviously, 500 units is not a lot to allocate. However, as its flagship EV, it’s encouraging to see higher-than-expected demand in several markets so far.
By the looks of it, Kia may want to consider distributing more (and maybe a new website). Although many of the early units are being allocated in its home market, demand for electric SUVs is growing globally.
Perhaps Kia will have enough to meet the demand once production begins in Georgia next year. We’ll update you as the Kia EV9 rolls out across the US, Canada, and other key markets.
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Ford’s “From America, For America” deal, offering employee pricing for all, is helping drive sales. But, with Trump’s new tariffs, how long will the savings last?
A handshake with every American
The campaign was introduced a little over a month ago, but CEO Jim Farley said it’s already giving the company a lift.
Ford launched the “From America, For America” campaign on April 3, promoting its “American-made” vehicles with some serious savings opportunities.
The offer includes employee pricing across most 2024 and 2025 Ford and Lincoln models. According to Ford, it’s a “handshake deal with every American.”
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Ford is offering savings across all powertrains, including gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and electric vehicles. The only models excluded are Raptors, specialty Mustang and Bronco vehicles, the 2025 Expedition, Navigator, and Super Duty Trucks.
After seeing early success, the company extended the offer through the Fourth of July. Farley said the company has sold over 150,000 vehicles with employee pricing since April.
Customers are appreciating @Ford’s ‘From America, For America’ offer. We’ve sold 150,000+ vehicles w/ employee pricing since April. Grateful for our dealers and glad to be offering a good deal to our customers!
Like most of the auto industry, Ford is bracing for the impact of Trump’s new auto tariffs. However, it may be in a better position than other major automakers.
Since Ford builds a greater percentage of its vehicles in the US than any other major OEM, outside of Tesla, it isn’t expected to take as big of a hit.
After releasing first-quarter earnings last week, Ford warned that Trump’s tariffs could cost the company up to $2.5 billion in 2025. Crosstown rival GM estimated the extra tariffs could add an extra $4 billion to $5 billion in costs this year.
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)
Ford made around 2 million vehicles in the US last year, according to S&P Global Mobility. With another 391,000 built in Mexico and 54,000 in Canada, Ford imported around 21% of its vehicles sold in the US. GM, on the other hand, imports around 46%.
Last week, a spokesperson confirmed with Electrek that Ford will raise prices on vehicles built in Mexico, including the Mustang Mach-E, Maverick pickup, and Bronco Sport.
The move is part of Ford’s “usual mid-year pricing actions combined with some tariffs we are facing,” the spokesperson told Electrek.
2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E (Source: Ford)
It will not impact vehicle prices at the dealership or in transit. The higher prices will affect imported cars from May 2, which are expected to arrive at dealerships in late June. By how much? Although full prices were not revealed, the spokesperson said the Bronco Sport Heritage saw a $600 increase, while the Maverick XLT AWD’s price increased by $700.
Ford’s employee pricing is still available on these vehicles through July 4. For EV buyers, Ford is offering a few extra savings opportunities.
Through its “Power Promise,” Ford is offering a free Level 2 home charger on any new EV lease or purchase. The company is sweetening the deal with some extra perks, including 24/7 live EV support, proactive roadside assistance, and an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.
Looking to score some savings while they are still here? We’ve got you covered. You can use our links below to find deals on new Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E models in your area.
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The bitcoin mining company backed by President Donald Trump‘s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., is set to go public on the Nasdaq through an all-stock merger with Gryphon Digital Mining.
Shares of Gryphon were up more than 300% Monday.
The combined company, American Bitcoin, will trade under the ticker symbol “ABTC,” with the transaction expected to close as early as the third quarter of 2025.
Existing stockholders of American Bitcoin, including the president’s two eldest sons, will own about 98% of the new entity.
It is the latest high-profile move from the Trump family’s growing crypto empire, which already includes the controversial $TRUMP meme coin that is offering a private dinner with the president to top holders of the coin.
Eric Trump, who is a co-founder and chief strategy officer of the mining firm, framed the move as part of a broader strategy to cement the country’s leadership in the global bitcoin mining race.
“Every single sophisticated country is using their excess power to mine bitcoin,” Trump previously told CNBC.
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He distanced himself from any direct involvement with his father’s administration but made clear his belief that the U.S. must maintain a competitive edge in the crypto sector.
“We won the space race. We better win the crypto race,” he said.
On the campaign trail, the president repeatedly promised to support U.S.-based bitcoin miners, including telling executives at a closed-door event in Mar-a-Lago that he wants all future bitcoin should be minted on American soil.
The crypto market showed little reaction. Bitcoin is trading at around $104,000, roughly flat over the past 24 hours.
A young marine electrification specialist called E-Dolphin is… making waves… with its flagship product – a 160-horsepower electric watercraft called the S300. Aside from a futuristic design with 90s-style neon green speckled flair, this vessel supports DC fast charging and can reach speeds over 55 mph.
E-Dolphin evolved from a sobering moment for its founder, Nicolas Florès, who grew up on the southern coast of France and realized that local dolphins were being exposed to pollutants (fuel, exhaust, and noise) expelled from traditional combustion watercraft.
In 2018, Florès took his knowledge from working in the EV industry and initiated an intensive R&D phase to electrify personal watercraft. This entailed creating an entirely custom powertrain system, including batteries and specialized motors.
After several prototype builds, E-Dolphin patented its first powertrain in 2020. That technology was implemented in the company’s first market-ready electric watercraft, the S300. The company has begun taking pre-orders for the personal watercraft before deliveries start later this year.
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The S300 / Source: E-Dolphin
You can pre-order the S300 electric watercraft now
As you can see from the images above, E-Dolphin’s S300 electric watercraft blends sleek, modern styling with nostalgic flair, reminiscent of its Kawasaki and Yamaha predecessors from the 80s and 90s. While its neon spots might nod to the past, everything else in this vessel is highly modern.
The electric watercraft features a lightweight carbon fiber hull and an ergonomic seat for two. E-Dolphin also boasts that its vessels have an average lifespan double that of traditional personal watercraft. At the core of its performance (literally and figuratively) sits E-Dolphin’s proprietary powertrain, which delivers 160 horsepower and a top speed of 50 knots (57.5 mph).
The front features a 50-liter storage compartment below its handlebars, which features a full-color HD screen riders can use to monitor their speed, battery life, and navigation in real time. E-Dolphin is not sharing the chemistry of the 30 kWh battery pack in its electric watercraft but says it can navigate the waters for up to two hours on a single charge.
Another impressive feature is that the S300 electric watercraft supports CCS DC fast charging and can be replenished in under 30 minutes, making it easier to get back out to rip some aquatic donuts.
Standard charging : 8 hours with monophase (220V)
Fast charging : 2 hour 30 mins with monophase AC (220V) & Type 2
Ultra Fast Charging : less than 30 mins with triphase DC (380V) & CCS
E-Dolphin has begun pre-orders for its S300, available with a €1,000 ($1,112) deposit. The entire electric watercraft costs €39,990 plus VAT ($44,500), and E-Dolphin plans 50 initial builds. Each early purchase comes with a lifetime warranty on the S300 electric watercraft.
After that, E-Dolphin targets scaled production to approximately 1,000 units per year in the next five years, with plans to expand availability to North America and Asia after European deliveries are steady.
First deliveries are expected to begin in Europe during Q3 of 2025.
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