The larger three-row electric SUVs are rolling out. Hyundai’s upcoming IONIQ 7 was spotted and compared to the Kia EV9 ahead of its official debut.
Since 2020, Hyundai has been vowing to release the three-row IONIQ 7 to sit alongside its first dedicated EV, the IONIQ 5 and the IONIQ 6 electric sedan.
The South Korean automaker presented the IONIQ 7 (SEVEN) concept for the first time at Automobility LA, revealing a futuristic-looking, sleek, all-electric large SUV.
Hyundai says the SEVEN “goes way beyond the idea of just transporting you.” Instead, it features an open “premium lounge” interior that gives users more freedom than ever. The wheelbase has been pushed out as much as possible at a class-leading 3.2 meters.
In addition, the concept included a Vision Roof Display with a panoramic OLED screen that adjusts to passenger preference and even a mini fridge.
The IONIQ 7 is based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the same used to power the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6.
To optimize efficiency, the EV breaks the typical SUV mold with an “Aerodynamically Pure Form” featuring a low leading edge of the hood, single curvature streamlined roof, and extended wheelbase.
Hyundai IONIQ 7 three-row electric SUV spotted
Ahead of its debut next year, Hyundai’s IONIQ 7 was spotted and posted on social media (via The Korean Car Blog) Wednesday.
Hyundai IONIQ 7 spotted (Source: Jung Young Teak / The Korean Car Blog)
The video shows the IONIQ 7 mostly disguised, but you can still see the basic proportions and several prominent features.
One of the first noticeable features is the slim upper LED lights with unique lower ones (similar to the EV9’s Star Map with two light strips), active grille (which automatically opens when heated), and front center sensor.
According to the reporter who spotted the Hyundai IONIQ 7, the wheels are the same size as the EV9, while the suspension and body design are nearly identical.
However, the A-pillar is noticeably lower. You can see the differences when you look at the vehicles in a head-to-head comparison.
The IONIQ 7 appears to be slightly larger than the EV9, as the reporter notes it’s “very full” up front. Meanwhile, the Hyundai electric SUV’s A-pillar features a more sloped angle, making it slightly less boxy than the EV9.
A big difference is in the rear. You can see the IONIQ 7’s massive size as it overbears the EV9 as it’s parked side to side.
While the EV9’s top is mostly flat, the IONIQ 7’s hood peaks at the second row. Although it’s a test car, you can see Hyundai’s rear headlights connected all the way around like the concept.
Inside, the longer wheelbase allows the additional third-row seating. Although many extra features have been cut by comparison to the concept version (as expected), it still features a minimalist feel. The design handle, navigation, and instrument panel are nearly identical to the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, but it includes a unique digital cluster.
Although the EV9 and IONIQ 7 are based on the same platform and look similar, the reporter notes there are differences.
The IONIQ 7 is expected to be officially unveiled next year. Hyundai initially aimed for late 2024, but reports suggest the automaker is working to speed up the time, which could be in the first half of the year.
According to reports, the electric SUV is expected to pack a bigger battery thanks to the extended wheelbase, enabling up to nearly 400 miles of range (640 km).
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HOUSTON — The U.S. could reach an agreement with Canada that avoids tariffs on imports of oil, gas and other energy resources, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Monday.
Wright said such a scenario is “certainly is possible” but “it’s too early to say” in response to a question from CNBC during a press conference at the CERAWeek by S&P Global. The U.S. is in “active dialogue” with Canada and Mexico, the energy secretary said.
President Donald Trump has paused until April 2 tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports that are compliant with the agreement which governs trade in North America. Trump originally imposed broad 25% tariffs on goods from both countries as well as lesser 10% tariffs on energy imports from Canada.
It’s unclear, however, how much of the oil, gas and other energy that the U.S. imports from Canada is compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Wright declined to provide specifics when CNBC asked how much of those imports are USMCA compliant.
“I’m going to avoid the details for now,” Wright said. The energy secretary said, “We can get to no tariffs or very low tariffs but it’s got to be reciprocal” in an interview with CNBC’s Brian Sullivan.
Canada’s energy minister, Jonathan Wilkinson, warned last week that energy prices will rise in the U.S. if the tariffs on energy imports go into full effect.
“We will see higher gasoline prices as a function of energy, higher electricity prices from hydroelectricity from Canada, higher home heating prices associated with natural gas that comes from Canada and higher automobile prices,” Wilkinson told CNBC’s Megan Cassella in an interview.
The U.S. has been the largest producer of crude oil and natural gas in the world for years. But many refiners in the U.S. are dependent on heavy crude imported from Canada. The U.S. imported 6.6 million barrels of crude oil per day on average in December, more than 60% of which came from Canada, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Wright acknowledged that the tariffs are creating uncertainty in energy markets as negotiations continue.
“We’re in the middle of negotiations for where things are going to go with tariffs, so that feels frightening and gripping right now but this time will pass,” Wright said. “Deals will be made, we’ll get certainty and we’ll have a positive economic environment for Americans going forward.”
U.S. crude oil fell more than 1% Monday to close at $66.03 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent closed at $69.28 per barrel. Crude oil futures have pulled back substantially as Trump’s trade policy creates uncertainty and OPEC+ has confirmed that it plans to gradually bring back 2.2 million barrels per day of production beginning next month.
Apple is rolling out a notable update to Apple Maps EV Routing for Ford drivers. Starting today, Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning drivers can use Apple Maps EV Routing via CarPlay to plan road trips that include Tesla Superchargers – or any station that uses the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector.
As I’ve explained before, Ford began shipping adapters CCS to NACS adapters that allow Mach-E and Lightning drivers to charge at Tesla Superchargers last year. Until today, however, Apple Maps was unaware of this change. This meant Apple Maps EV Routing would only route Mach-E and Lightning drivers to CCS charging stations, even though a route with Tesla Superchargers might’ve been more efficient.
With today’s change, Apple Maps via CarPlay will now include NACS fast charging stations, such as compatible Tesla Superchargers, in recommended route planning recommendations.
Apple Maps EV Routing in CarPlay allows drivers to input their route and can view the estimated battery level they will have when they get to a destination, as well as suggested charging stations along the way if charging is needed. Previously, Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning drivers would have to manually open another app, then enter a NACS fast charger as a destination to have it added to their route. Now, with the Apple Maps EV Routing and NACS fast charger integration, the experience will be more seamless.
How to Use Apple Maps EV Routing in CarPlay:
Connect your Apple iPhone to CarPlay.
Open Apple Maps, go to Settings, and confirm your preferred charging network(s) – make sure you select a NACS fast charging station, such as Tesla Supercharger. You only have to do this once.
Enter a destination.
Apple Maps will then calculate the estimated state of charge you will have when you get to a destination.
If a charge is required, depending on the fastest route, it will automatically route you to a NACS fast charging station.*
This is a significant update to the Apple Maps EV Routing experience for Ford drivers. Next up on my wishlist is support for battery preconditioning when using Apple Maps EV Routing. Android Auto added this feature last October.
The new feature is available now to iPhone users running iOS 17 or later. No software update is required for your car.
James Murdoch, a Tesla board member and friend of CEO Elon Musk, has confirmed that he sold about $13 million in stock today as the stock (TSLA) crashed.
There has been a lot of insider trading at Tesla lately, and by trading, we mean selling – cause no insider is ever buying at Tesla.
Now, it’s James Murdoch’s turn. The Tesla board member just confirmed, through a required SEC filing, that he sold 54,776 Tesla shares for just over $13 million today:
He sold as Tesla’s stock crashed 15% today. It is now down more than 50% from its all-time high just a few months ago.
He is better known as the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the former CEO of 21st Century Fox from 2015 to 2019.
Murdoch was one of the Tesla board directors who was forced to return almost $1 billion in cash and stock options to Tesla as part of a settlement for over-compensation.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla insiders are unloading, and those are just the ones we know about. Public companies only have to report insider trading for board directors and listed top executives.
For the latter, Tesla purposefully only lists 3 people: Elon, Vaibhav Taneja, Tesla’s CFO, and Tom Zhu, whose role at Tesla has bit quite fluid in recent years.
Therefore, we don’t know about the dozens of other top executives potentially selling their shares right now amid a giant correction.
It’s really suspicious because there are clear top leaders at Tesla who are often on Tesla’s earnings calls, and they are not even listed, like Lars Moravy, for example.
But it’s par for the course at Tesla, which has some of the worst corporate governance I have ever seen. It’s truly shameful.
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