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15 Tesla vehicles were burned down at a car dealer in Frankfurt, Germany this week, and a radical group of environmentalists has claimed to be behind the act of arson.

With the incident alone, this gang of morons is probably responsible for more pollutant emissions than they can ever counter with their so-called activism.

IAA moved its car trade show from Frankfurt to Munich a few years ago, mainly due to environmentalist protests affecting the event.

I have been attending the show for the last two editions as it has transitioned into a “mobility show” with a lot of electric vehicles being featured.

There are still some protests in Munich, but nothing compared to Frankfurt.

I was there last week and only saw some cohorts on bikes with sign going around the city and giving speeches at some hot spots.

Greenpeace did this protest at the conference center, but I missed it. Although, I’m pretty sure that they heavily photoshopped this image because the artificial pond in front of the center is no more than one or two feet deep.

While the protests over IAA in Munich were mild, it looks like the group in Frankfurt hit again in a much more criminal way.

15 Tesla vehicles were burned down at a dealership in Frankfurt last night. 40 firefighters were involved in the attempt to extinguish the fire and over 500,000 euros of damage has been done.

Now a radical group has taken credit for the criminal attack.

They released a letter on the Germany version of the Indymedia website, which is often used by radical left-wing groups for communications.

In the letter, the anonymous writers reference the IAA protest and then claimed the arson in Frankfurt (translated from German):

That’s why we flambéed some new Teslas in Frankfurt tonight. As a greeting to the protests in Munich. As one attack among many on the destructive auto industry.

Their main problem with Tesla appears to be the mining of lithium and cobalt and the impact on indigenous communities (translated from German):

Tesla is one of our most prominent enemies. The company represents like no other the ideology of green capitalism and the ongoing global and colonial destruction. Electric motors are constantly presented as the clean alternative. That’s a cynical lie. Like other companies, Tesla exploits resources worldwide. The necessary raw materials for electric car batteries, such as lithium and cobalt, are mined under terrible conditions in Latin America and Africa. Despite the great green paint, fossil fuels are needed for transport and production. All of this always happens in connection with the oppression of indigenous communities, whose resistance must be a signal to us to act.

Furthermore, they take issue with Elon Musk and his “patriarchal fantasies”. They think that his efforts to colonize Mars is about creating a “vacation destination for the richest” and not making life multiplanatery.

Electrek’s Take

I think there’s value in bringing attention to ethical mining of resources, but that’s just not the way to do it.

First off, you are not a real environmentalist is you think it’s smart to burn down EVs that would have displaced literal tons of CO2 over their lifetime and could have been recycled at their end of life.

Instead, Tesla will get insurance money and build those cars again. It’s dumb.

As for ethical mining, the truth is that most mining companies have deals with local indigenous communities.

In the US and Canada, it is a must for any new project.

Now if it’s not the case for any specific project, then it needs to be addressed, and it’s important to bring attention to it, but big actions like that need to come with big proof.

Do they have clear examples of mining projects that Tesla benefits from that are being contested by indigenous communities? Because if they don’t, these idiots are just burning cars for the sake of burning cars. They are petty criminals and not unsung heroes.

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Acura unveils new RSX: reborn as a sleek electric SUV

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Acura unveils new RSX: reborn as a sleek electric SUV

Acura is bringing back the RSX, but you wouldn’t recognize it. It’s now a sporty electric SUV, and a fairly impressive one at that. It’s also the first electric vehicle built on Honda’s new Zero global EV platform.

Honda’s all-electric vehicle offering is quite limited – especially in North America.

It only sells the Prologue and Accura ZDX, which are based on GM’s Equinox EV. In Asia and Europe, the Japanese automaker has more electric models, but its efforts are still very much fragmented.

Now, it is preparing to launch a series of new EVs based on its in-house global EV platform: Zero.

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Today, Acura is unveiling what should become the first vehicle on the platform: the Acura RSX concept.

This is still only a concept, but Acura says that it’s a good preview for the final vehicle that will go into production at Honda’s new EV hub in Ohio during the second half of 2026.

It will be built on the same production line as the Acura Integra, which can get a bit confusing since the name RSX was also used for the Integra in some markets during the original run in the 90s.

But the name is about the only thing that the current Integra and the RSX concept share. You won’t confuse the sporty sedan with this all-electric performance SUV.

Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co, commented on the new concept:

“The dramatic styling of our Acura RSX Prototype demonstrates that it’s not just a new EV, but a compelling all-new Acura model. RSX will deliver on nearly four decades of Acura Precision Crafted Performance brand DNA with appealing design and cutting-edge technology.”

Acura took advantage of the freedom given by the new EV platform it’s based on and delivered a vehicle with a sleek yet aggressive design.

Yasutake Tsuchida, Acura Creative Director and vice president of American Honda R&D, said that the design aimed at “excellent aerodynamic” performance:

“The Acura RSX has a sporty coupe style that expresses the performance that comes from excellent aerodynamics. Starting from this all-new RSX we will redefine the Acura brand around timeless beauty and a high-tech feel that is essential for a performance and unique brand.”

For now, the design is the primary information available about the Acura RSX, as the company hasn’t shared specifications yet. I am with Acura at the Monterey Car Week for the next few days, and I’ll do my best to gather more details.

In the meantime, we know that it will be equipped with a potent dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, sport-tuned double wishbone front suspension, a low center-of-gravity and Brembo brakes, and Acura is talking about all this being standard in the new RSX.

Acura is also talking about having “the brand’s top-of-class driver assistive technologies.”

The RSX is also set to be the first vehicle equipped with Honda’s new ASIMO operating system.

Acura said about ASIMO:

With the ability to run various applications on the Acura RSX, similar to operating systems found on smartphones, ASIMO OS will offer a personalized experience that will enhance the joy of driving and the ownership experience. ASIMO OS will utilize OTA updates to bring new customizable features and services to the RSX to enhance the ownership experience.

It will also have machine learning capabilities, enabling it to learn about how you like to use your car and personalize to your specifications.

Last but not least, Acura has already confirmed that the RSX will be capable of bi-directional charging. The details are not available yet, but the automaker is talking about powering devices from the vehicle (V2X) and providing back power to your home (V2H).

The prototype is at Pebble Beach this week if you want to check it out. We certainly will, and we will report back with more.

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Lucid (LCID) shuts down rumors that it sold just 9 Gravity SUVs this year

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Lucid (LCID) shuts down rumors that it sold just 9 Gravity SUVs this year

A new report claimed that Lucid Motors’ (LCID) new Gravity SUV had just nine registrations in its first six months. Lucid denied the rumors, telling us Gravity deliveries are “well into the 3-digit range.”

Lucid denies rumors of slow Gravity SUV sales

There’s no denying that the Gravity is an impressive electric SUV. It can drive up to 450 miles on a single charge and has more interior space than a Ford Explorer. With up to 828 hp, it’s also faster than most sports cars.

However, a new Automotive News report claimed the Gravity only managed to secure nine registrations in its first six months on the market, citing S&P Global Mobility data.

Nick Twork, Lucid’s head of communications, confirmed in an email to Electrek that the claim is “completely inaccurate.”

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Twork added that “a quick review of social media postings from our customers shows that those numbers are simply not credible.” Although Lucid doesn’t provide a breakdown, Gravity deliveries are “well into the 3-digit range,” he said.

Lucid-Gravity-rumors
Lucid Gravity Grand Touring (Source: Lucid)

In the second half of the year, Lucid expects the Gravity SUV to account for the majority of production and deliveries.

The EV maker anticipates a significant ramp-up in production during the second half of the year. On the company’s second-quarter earnings call, interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said that after overcoming most of the supply chain issues, including the industry-wide magnet shortage, the company was “beginning to ramp up Lucid Gravity production.”

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Lucid Gravity electric SUV at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Lucid Motors)

Winterhoff added that “our daily order rate has nearly doubled” since introducing Gravity models in its studios and offering test drives.

If it weren’t for Lucid’s quick actions, the company would have had to halt production in the second quarter. Instead, Lucid produced just over 6,000 vehicles in the second quarter.

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Lucid Air (left) and Gravity (right) Source: Lucid

During an interview with CNBC the following day, Lucid’s CEO stated that the company now has the raw materials, earth magnets, and licensing for the remainder of the year.

Lucid has reduced its production goal for 2025 from 20,000 to between 18,000 and 20,000 units. The company cited a changing market as the reason for the updated range.

The EV maker also scored a partnership with Uber and Nuro to launch 20,000 Gravity robotaxis over the next six years. Uber is investing $300 million into Lucid as part of the deal.

Meanwhile, Lucid’s Air remained the best-selling luxury electric sedan in the US. The Air outsold the Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan, and even most gas models in its segment in the first half of 2025.

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Ford’s $30,000 EV pickup signals the end of these popular gas SUVs

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Ford's ,000 EV pickup signals the end of these popular gas SUVs

Ford’s next “Model T” is a midsize electric pickup that will start at around $30,000. The new model will be the first of a family of affordable electric vehicles based on the new Ford Universal EV Platform. As Ford shifts to lower-cost EVs, a few popular SUVs you may recognize are getting axed.

Ford’s new $30,000 EV pickup will replace gas SUVs

At its Louisville, Kentucky, plant on Monday (see our recap of the event), Ford revealed plans to build a new midsize EV pickup, claiming it will have a lower cost of ownership than a Tesla Model Y.

It will also have more interior space, thanks to its new “Ford Universal EV Platform,” which was also unveiled during the event.

The platform will underpin a series of new affordable electric cars that Ford promises will compete with the best. Ford is set to begin production of the new midsize EV pickup in 2027 at the Louisville Assembly plant, meaning it will need to clear room.

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Ford currently builds the Escape and Lincoln Corsair at the facility, both of which will be retired. The Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair will officially be discontinued after the 2026 model year.

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CEO Jim Farley presents the Ford Universal EV Platform in Kentucky (Source: Ford)

The announcement came as a shock to some, as the Escape is Ford’s second-best-selling SUV, behind the Explorer. It even outsold the Bronco Sport in the first half of the year (82,589 vs 72,438).

The Corsair is the second-best-selling Lincoln brand model through June, behind the Nautilus, with 13,096 units sold.

Ford-Universal-EV-platform
Ford Universal EV Platform (Source: Ford)

Although production is slated to end later this year, Ford confirmed the SUVs will continue to be sold well into 2026.

Ford has invested around $5 billion in its Louisville Assembly Complex, creating nearly 4,000 jobs, as it prepares for its next generation of electric vehicles. It will begin with Ford’s new midsize EV pickup, which is expected to launch in 2027 with a starting price of around $30,000.

Source: Car and Driver, Ford

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