Nissan follows BYD by bringing DeepSeek tech to its new N7 EV
Nissan is the latest to adopt DeepSeek tech for its new EV in China, the N7. The N7 will be the first joint venture brand electric car to feature DeepSeek’s R1 as the Japanese automaker fights to turn things around in the world’s largest EV market.
Nissan N7 EV will challenge BYD with DeepSeek tech
Nissan’s Chinese joint venture, Dongfeng Nissan, has high hopes that its new N7 electric sedan can help charge up the brand.
The company announced on Wednesday that its new N7 EV is “The first real car of a joint venture car company connected to the DeepSeek R1 deep reasoning model.”
Dongfeng Nissan’s vice president, Zhou Feng, said the company has been “working hard to provide the best intelligent experience.” Ahead of the lantern festival, Nissan completed the N7 real car access to DeepSeek “at the fastest speed,” he added.
The move comes as Nissan looks to keep pace with EV leaders in China, like BYD, which also revealed plans to integrate DeepSeek into its EV models this week.
Nissan unveiled the N7 electric sedan at the Guangzhou Auto Show. It is widely viewed as an answer to Tesla’s Model 3.
At 4,930 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, 1,487 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,915 mm, the N7 is slightly longer than the Model 3 (4,720 mm long, 1,848 mm wide, 1,442 mm tall, 2,875 mm wheelbase).
The N7 is Nissan’s first dedicated EV underpinned by Dongfeng’s new modular platform, offering “a stress-free driving experience, superior comfort, and a suite of intelligent technology.”
Zhou Feng claimed the new Nissan N7 is “equipped with the industry’s first-tier high-end intelligent driving system.”
Nissan also uses Momenta’s “Navigate on Autopilot” for smart driving features, such as high-speed navigation, city memory navigation, and full-scenario intelligent parking.
DeepSeek’s R1 modeling enables the N7 to better understand the driver’s intent to provide a smoother, more human-machine interaction.
Nissan has yet to announce prices for the new N7 EV or an official launch date. Check back soon for more info.
Electrek’s Take
Like most foreign automakers, Nissan is struggling to stay afloat in China, where EV makers like BYD and XPeng are quickly gaining market share.
Japanese automakers have been some of the most brutal hit. Nissan’s sales fell another 15% in China last year after slumping 33% in 2023.
Meanwhile, BYD just upgraded 21 of its top-selling vehicles with its “Gods Eye” ADAS system for free as it expands into smart driving. Even its most affordable EVs, like the Seagull starting at under $10,000 (69,900 yuan) is getting the new tech.
Can the N7 help Nissan turn things around in China? Or will the Japanese automaker continue losing out to domestic EV leaders like BYD? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Tesla’s retro-futuristic diner with Superchargers and giant movie screens is ready to open, and I have to admit, it looks pretty sick.
This project has been in the works for a long time.
In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.” It was yet another “Is he joking?” kind of Elon Musk idea, but he wasn’t kidding.
A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations.
Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. In 2022, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.
In 2023, the automaker broke ground on the site of the diner.
7 years after being originally announced, the project appears now ready to open:
Musk said that he ate at the diner last night and claimed that it is “one of the coolest spots in LA.” He didn’t say when it will open, but Tesla vehicles have been spotted at Supercharger and people appear to be testing the dinning experience inside.
A Tesla Optimus Robot can be seen inside the diner on a test rack. It looks like Tesla might use one for some tasks inside the diner.
Earlier this year, Tesla integrated the diner into its mobile app – hinting at some interaction through the app – possibly ordering from it.
Electrek’s Take
I think it looks pretty cool. I am a fan of the design and concept.
However, considering the state of the Tesla community, I don’t think I’d like the vibes. That said, it looks like Tesla isn’t prominently pushing its branding on the diner.
You can come and charge there, but it looks like Tesla is also aiming to get a wider clientele just for dining.
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Hyundai’s electric minivan is finally out in the open. The Staria EV was caught without camo near Hyundai’s R&D center in Korea, giving us a closer look at the electric minivan undisguised.
Hyundai’s electric minivan drops camo ahead of debut
The Staria arrived in 2021 as the successor to the Starex, Hyundai’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Although the Staria has received several updates throughout the years, 2026 will be its biggest by far.
Hyundai will launch the Staria EV, its first electric minivan. Like the current model, the 2026 Staria will be available in several different configurations, including cargo, passenger, and even a camper version.
We’ve seen the Staria EV out in public a few times already. Last month, we got a glimpse of it while driving on public roads in Korea.
Despite the camouflage, new EV-like design elements were visible, including updated LED headlights and a full-length light bar. Although it’s still unclear, the electric version appears to be roughly the same size as the current Staria from the side, but slightly wider from the front.
New images posted on the South Korean forum Clien reveal a test car, expected to be Hyundai’s Staria electric minivan, without camo.
Like most Hyundai test cars, the prototype has a black front and a grey body. It still features a similar look to other prototypes we’ve seen, but you can clearly see the new facelift.
Earlier this year, a Staria EV was spotted in a parking lot in Korea, featuring a similar look. The electric version is nearly identical to the Staria Lounge, but with an added charge port and closed-off grille.
The Hyundai Staria EV is expected to make its global debut later this year. Technical details have yet to be revealed, but it’s expected to feature either a 76 kWh or 84 kWh battery, providing a range of around 350 km (217 miles) to 400 km (249 miles).
Hyundai’s electric SUV arrives after Kia introduced its first electric van, the PV5, which launched in Europe and Korea earlier this year.
In Europe, the Kia Passenger PV5 model is available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh, providing WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo version has a WLTP range of 181 miles or 247 miles.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, Clien
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