Ford has been busy with incremental updates to its popular Mustang Mach-E and they showed off the 2025 version to journalists this week. Here’s what we saw:
Ford invited us out to Monticello speedway in New York to see the 2025 Mustang Mach-E and drive the Mach-E Rally edition through the dirt (more on that later).
We didn’t get to drive the 2025 Mustang Mach-E but we did get a thorough walk around.
Smaller Frunk/Heat Pump
The biggest upgrade/downgrade here is that the Mach-E now has a heat pump instead of resistance heating. Depending on how well this is integrated into the vehicle’s heating and cooling systems, including batteries and passenger cabin, it should really help the vehicle’s range, especially in extreme temperature climates. Range wasn’t yet available for the 2025s but don’t expect a huge EPA bump here like last year.
Unfortunately, the heat pump system couldn’t be packaged under the existing Mach-E bonnet without taking up some of the frunk space. You’ll recall that Ford did take some pride in creating a 4.8-gallon/36 gallon frunk that could also be drained, allowing for tailgating and other options. Compare the much bigger previous frunk:
Ford told us that the Frunk wasn’t being used as much as they’d envisioned, and a significantly smaller Frunk wouldn’t be a big loss to the typical Mach-E customer.
I’m not sure if the ease of access or the Frunk in general was the issue with use. I know Ford F-150 Frunk is one of its biggest attributes and more convenient Frunks like Rivian and Tesla’s are quite popular with their owners.
I wonder if the packaging for the heat pump could have been done more elegantly to allow for the frunk to keep most of its size or, even better, allowed Ford to make an easier access Frunk that could carry groceries and expand on the drain feature with something like refrigeration options.
Other exterior improvements include a slightly redesigned front end, which you can see above, and new color options, including the grabber yellow, which was only previously available in the Rally edition. Other new colors are Velocity Blue, Desert Tan, and Magenta.
Interior improvements:
Maybe the biggest experience change is moving the gear shifter from the console to the steering column, freeing up some good space in the console and getting rid of the polarizing “dial a gear” interface. Immediately this seems like a big improvement.
On premium models, Ford touted the red stitching used throughout and sport pedals, which certainly dresses up the appearance. Vented seats will also make its way across all premium models.
Ford has also made some improvements to the charging interface which will also be available to previous versions of the Mach-E via software update.
New Ford Connectivity Package
The new Ford Connectivity package includes:
Wi-Fi® Hotspot: 5G Wi-Fi keeps drivers and their family online and connected while on the road. This can be used for up to 10 personal devices and can extend up to 50 feet from the vehicle, great for camping or tailgating.
Apps: Access apps via the in-vehicle screen to watch YouTube or sing along to in-vehicle karaoke while parked. Occupants can also stream their favorite audio entertainment apps via Alexa.
Maps: Access Connected Navigation to get where you need to go, including features such as EV Trip Planner, Predictive Destinations, and Route Guidance.
Finally, BlueCruise 1.5 will be available on 2025 Mustang Mach-Es which will include automatic lane changing. Ford said it will automate up to 50% of lane changing while in Blue Cruise.
The ‘one more thing’ is the starting price which will now be: $36,495 for a base model. Other prices have yet to be published.
Electrek’s take
I like every one of the updates here (except smaller frunk), but I have to wonder if Ford is iterating fast enough to keep up with the competition. Specifically, Tesla’s Model Y seems to be quite competitive, although now its starting price is $8000 more.
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If you haven’t noticed, Genesis is quickly making a name for itself in the US. The luxury automaker now has 60 sales outlets as it expands into new US states. With new EVs launching, Genesis is eyeing a bigger share of the US luxury market.
Hyundai Motor Group’s Genesis brand is quietly emerging as a powerhouse in the US luxury market. Genesis marked its entry into the luxury segment in 2008 as a Hyundai-branded model.
In 2015, Hyundai announced Genesis would become an independent luxury brand. Since launching its first vehicle in the US, the luxury brand’s sales have surged from 7,000 in 2016 to over 69,000 last year. It even outsold Nissan’s Infiniti.
According to Genesis, this is just the start. The Korean luxury brand wants an even bigger slice of the market as it eyes rivals like Porsche.
A big reason behind the brand’s confidence is its new lineup of stylishly electric models. Genesis sells three EVs in the US: The GV60, Electrified G80, and Electrified GV70.
After introducing the Electrified GV70 just last year, the electric SUV is already Genesis’ top-selling EV in the US. According to Kelley Blue Book, Genesis sold 2,343 electric GV70 models in the US through September.
Genesis eyes a bigger share of the US luxury market
Altogether, the luxury brand’s EV sales reached over 4,600 through the first nine months of 2024, topping Porsche (4,291) and Volvo (3,644).
Genesis made a statement at the LA Auto Show, unveiling the updated 2026 Electrified GV70. The luxury electric SUV now includes more range and an NACS port so drivers can charge at Tesla Superchargers. It will go on sale in the first half of 2025.
Genesis at the 2024 LA Auto Show (Source: Hyundai Motor Group)
Meanwhile, Genesis showcased its new GV60 Magma Concept at the event, its first dedicated high-performance EV. The brand sees its Magma performance brand rivaling that of Geman luxury brands like Mercedes AMG, BMW M, and Audi RS.
The Genesis GV60 Magma EV will launch next year, spearheading the brand’s “expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.”
Genesis GV60 Magma EV concept global debut at Goodwood (Source: Genesis)
Genesis enhanced the battery and motor while fine-tuning the chassis, thermodynamics, and profile for more power and efficiency.
It also features an aggressive new design, sitting much lower and wider than the current GV60 model. Genesis added a Magma-exclusive sound system to give it a sports car-like feel in the cockpit.
Genesis G80 EV Magma Concept (Source: Genesis)
In April, we got our first look at the G80 EV Magma concept, which could be a potential challenger to Tesla’s Model S Plaid and the Porsche Taycan GT Turbo.
The luxury brand is expected to launch its flagship electric three-row SUV next year, the GV90. Genesis previewed the ultra-luxury EV in March after unveiling the Neolun concept.
Genesis now has 60 sales bases in the US, with new stores in Washington, Minnesota, New York, and Florida. It’s also building 30 in Canada as it expands its presence in the North American luxury market.
The luxury brand is opening a new dedicated design center in California. The “Genesis Design California” will open in the first half of 2025 as it builds out its US network.
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A rumor spreading like wildfire on social media claims BYD will be taking over NIO (NYSE: NIO) as the EV giant gobbles up market share in China. The rumor was posted by a suspected BYD employee, but NIO is denying the claim.
BYD acquiring NIO would be a massive move as China’s leading EV maker continues to dominate the market. But that’s not going to happen.
According to CnEVPost, NIO’s assistant vice president for branding and communications, Ma Lin, denied the rumors that BYD is taking over the company on Friday.
Ma posted a screenshot on social media asking BYD’s general manager of branding and PR, Li Yunfei if the person who posted the fake rumor was an employee.
Earlier today, the suspected employee claimed BYD and NIO were setting up a joint venture. In a Weibo post, the suspect said BYD would have majority control of the partnership with a 51% share while NIO would get the remaining 49% ownership.
Ma told Li that if it was, in fact, a BYD employee, he needed to issue an official clarification and apologize. If not, they can get the police involved together. Li also denied the rumors, saying the claim was seriously untrue.
NIO Onvo L60 electric SUV at the 2024 Guangzhou International Auto Show (Source: NIO Onvo)
NIO denies rumors that BYD is taking over the company
This is not the first time rumors surfaced that BYD will be taking over NIO, but because it is a suspected employee, the post has garnered more attention.
BYD is on a major hiring spree as it ramps up production to meet the higher demand. The EV giant now has over 900,000 employees, making it by far the largest A-share listed company in China.
BYD Dolphin (left) and Atto 3 (right) Source: BYD
After selling over 500,000 vehicles for the first time in a single month in October, BYD’s surge is heating up as the EV giant expands overseas for growth.
October was BYD’s fifth consecutive record sales month as it closes in on auto leaders like Ford in global deliveries.
Onvo L60 electric SUV models (Source: NIO Onvo)
NIO is also gaining momentum, with sales topping the 20,000 mark for the sixth straight month in October. With output of its new lower-priced Onvo L60 electric SUV ramping up, NIO expects to continue seeing higher demand.
Ma said on Friday that NIO’s “recent situation is quite good.” The company’s head of PR added, “Cash flow turned positive in the third quarter, gross profit improved in October, earning an extra RMB 100 million, and Onvo (deliveries) will exceed 10,000 in December.”
NIO is launching its third brand, Firefly, with deliveries kicking off in the first half of 2025. The company expects sales to double next year as it works to become profitable by 2026.
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Hyundai Motors is recalling 145,235 EVs and other “electrified” vehicles in the US, citing concerns about a loss of driving power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday.
The NHTSA announced this morning that the recall affects selected IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 EVs, as well as certain luxury Genesis models, including the GV60, GV70, and G80 electrified variants, from the 2022-2025 model years, Reuters reported.
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)
It looks like the issue stems from “the integrated charging control units in these vehicles, which may become damaged and fail to charge the 12-volt battery. This malfunction could lead to a complete loss of drive power, posing safety risks for drivers,” the NHTSA stated.
If you’re an owner of one of these Hyundai models dating 2022-2025, stay tuned. Hyundai has not yet provided a timeline as to when affected vehicles will be repaired.
To make that happen, the company’s dealers will inspect and replace the charging unit and its fuse if necessary, NHTSA said. Free of charge, of course.
Importantly, no crashes, injuries, fatalities, or fires due to this issue have been reported in the US, Hyundai reported.
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