Environment

Tesla Model Y breaks record in Denmark on its way to being world’s best-selling car

Published

8 months ago

October 25, 2023

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Tesla Model Y has broken the record in Denmark for most sales ever in a year, and there are still two months to go.

Expect to see more records like that, as the electric SUV will likely be the world’s best-selling car this year.

Tesla Model Y is now undoubtedly the most successful electric vehicle of all time, and it is about to become the most successful vehicle, electric or otherwise, this year. The electric SUV is on track to become the best-selling passenger vehicle in the world this year, and that fact is starting to show in some markets.

Tesla’s official X account in Europe confirmed that Model Y has broken the record for the most-sold vehicle in a year in Denmark:

Model Y just broke the record for most sold car in a single year in Denmark, held since 2013! 🇩🇰

— Tesla Europe (@teslaeurope) October 25, 2023

That’s particularly impressive when you consider that there are still two months left in the year. It breaks a record held by the much cheaper VW Up, with 12,940 units sold in 2013. With two more months left in the year and Gigafactory Berlin cranking up more Model Ys in Europe, the vehicle will likely set a new record that will be hard to beat.

Last year, the Model Y already became the best-selling car in Europe, and this year, it is on track to become the best-selling vehicle in the world – becoming the first EV to do so.

Electrek’s Take

I think this is relevant amid headlines of “EV sales flattening” and “battery makers pull back on weaker demand for EVs.” It’s clear that the entire auto industry is weakening amid the economic situation and interest rates that are making many buyers reconsider buying new cars.

All auto sales are weakening; EVs are just included in that. However, it does look like some automakers are using this as a reason to slow down their EV programs. That’s a mistake.

Once an electric vehicle becomes the best-selling vehicle in the world, I think it’s clear there’s no coming back. I don’t see an EV not being the best-selling car in the world next year, the year after that, and so on.

It sends a clear message to the industry that electric vehicles are not “the future” anymore. They’re the present, and if you don’t have large call BEV programs, you are going to be left behind.

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Environment

Porsche to recall over 31,000 Taycan electric cars due to a brake malfunction

Published

3 hours ago

June 26, 2024

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Porsche to recall over 31,000 Taycan electric cars due to a brake malfunction

The all-electric Porsche Taycan was hit with another recall. Porsche is recalling certain 2020 to 2025 Taycan models over a faulty front brake hose.

Porsche issues new Taycan recall: What to know

Porsche introduced its first electric sports car, the Taycan, in 2019. Since then, Porsche has sold over 150,000 models globally.

Despite its early success, the Taycan has been hit by several minor recalls. Last December, over 41,000 Taycan models were recalled due to a faulty charging cable. Meanwhile, a few hundred models were recalled in March due to a potential short circuit within battery modules.

Porsche issued its latest Taycan recall for certain 2020 to 2025 models this week. The letter states the front hoses on these vehicles can crack over time and leak brake fluid.

According to Porsche’s letter to the NHTSA, the recall impacts 31,689 Taycan models. After receiving several reports about brake hose leakages, Porsche issued an investigation.

Although no accidents have been reported in the US, Porsche is issuing the recall out of an abundance of caution.

One accident was reported overseas, but the vehicle was traveling “significantly” over the speed limit. According to the report, the car was traveling about 120 km/h in a 30 km/h zone.

Porsche dealers will install a new front brake hose with increased flexibility to reduce the load, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to go out on July 3, 2024.

Porsche-2025-Taycan — 2025 Porsche Taycan interior (Source: Porsche)

Taycan owners can contact Porsche’s customer service at 1-800-767-7243. The recall number is ARB0. You can also visit the NHTSA website or call the hotline at 1-888-327-4236. The NHTSA campaign number is 24V-455.

Meanwhile, Porsche introduced the new 2025 Taycan model in February with more range, faster charging, and quicker acceleration than ever.

The following month, Porsche unveiled the Taycan Turbo GT, its fastest street-legal vehicle. The 1,092 hp electric sports car can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.1 seconds, rivaling the Tesla Model S.

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Environment

Ford trims EU leadership as it struggles to keep pace in the shift to EVs

Published

4 hours ago

June 26, 2024

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Ford trims EU leadership as it struggles to keep pace in the shift to EVs

Ford is cutting its EU leadership team as the automaker struggles to keep up with the market’s shift to EVs. After losing its European boss to Volkswagen, Ford is reorganizing its business to get the brand back on track.

Ford’s European top executive, Martin Sander, left the company earlier this month to join Volkswagen. Sander joined the VW brand as its new head of sales and market.

The loss is significant as Sander played a key role in launching Ford’s first EV build in the EU, the electric Ford Explorer.

Ford began Explorer EV production earlier this month at its new dedicated EV center in Cologne, Germany. The electric Explorer is the first EV spawned from a 2020 partnership with VW to use its MEB platform.

Sander’s position will be eliminated as Ford reduces its headcount at its European headquarters in Cologne.

Ford said the changes were part of a broader “transformation of its European business.” Starting July 1, 2024, Ford will have four directors in Cologne, down from nine.

Ford downsized EU leadership amid struggles

The downsizing “simplifies” its management structure, according to Kieran Cahill, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ford-Werke GmbH. Cahill explained the move “gives us more speed of action” as Ford looks to turn around its European business.

According to German auto news outlet Automobilwoche, Ford’s EU leadership changes come as the automaker struggles to stay afloat.

The report claims the new electric Explorer must drive sales. Otherwise, “Ford could completely abandon its car business in Europe in the medium term.”

With roughly 98% of profits coming from the US, Ford is moving cautiously in the EU. Its second EV based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform is expected to be revealed shortly. Ford plans to begin production on its second MEB-based EV, following the Explorer, later this year.

In the US, Ford was the second best-selling EV brand (excluding combined Hyundai and Kia sales) through the first five months of 2024. The Mustang Mach-E is the third top-selling electric car behind Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3.

Meanwhile, the F-150 Lightning is still America’s best-selling electric pickup. However, Tesla Cybertruck sales are climbing while new EV trucks are hitting the market.

Ford-F-150-Lightning — 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Flash (Source: Ford)

Earlier this month, Ford cut Mustang Mach-E lease prices by up to 400% to maintain momentum.

If you’re in the market for a new EV, now may be the perfect time to start shopping at some of the lowest prices yet. You can use our links to find deals on Ford’s electric vehicles at a dealer near you.

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Environment

Here’s how big of a difference tires can make on Tesla Model 3

Published

6 hours ago

June 26, 2024

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Here's how big of a difference tires can make on Tesla Model 3

A fascinating new test highlights the impressive difference EV-specific tires can make on the efficiency of a Tesla Model 3 – though it would also apply to other vehicles.

Electric vehicles have had an interesting impact on the tire industry. Like many other aspects of cars, electric vehicles have pushed tires toward efficiency optimizations.

Several tire manufacturers have been releasing tires optimized for the weight and efficiency needs of electric cars.

Tire Rack, an online tire retailer, has decided to put those tires to the test in a Tesla Model 3 on a 100-mile loop.

The results were really interesting as they highlight how big of a difference on efficiency tires can make.

Here are the results:

Hankook iON evo AS: 263 Wh/mile
Goodyear EcoReady: 269 Wh/mile
Continental ProContact RX (T1): 272 Wh/mile
Goodyear ElectricDrive 2: 274 Wh/mile
Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV A/S: 274 Wh/mile
Pirelli P Zero (PZ4): 274 Wh/mile
Bridgestone Turanza EV: 276 Wh/mile
Michelin Pilot Sports 4S: 290 Wh/mile
Michelin Pilot Sports All Season 4: 292 Wh/mile

They were all tested on the Model 3 with 18″ wheels except for the EcoReady, which was tested on 19″ and certainly negatively affected the results.

Regardless, this shows a 29 Wh per mile difference in efficiency between the most efficient and less efficient EV-optimised tires. That’s very interesting.

However, efficiency is not everything. Tires are also about performance, safety and longevity.

Tire Rack also tested them on the track, both dry and wet, and did some stopping tests.

Here our the rankings based on the track results (score out of 10):