At least one automaker will avoid cutting EV prices to compete with Tesla. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares took aim at Tesla, saying EV price cuts could lead to a “bloodbath,” and the brand is avoiding a race to the bottom.
Stellantis will avoid EV price cuts, takes aim at Tesla
After unveiling Stellantis’ second EV platform Friday, which will underpin the first Jeep and Dodge electric models in the US, Tavares said the brand must avoid price cuts that could pressure profits.
It could even lead to several automakers being takeover targets, Tavares said. The group’s leader claims the brand was better protected from pricing pressure that could put some rivals “in trouble” with widening losses.
“If you go and cut pricing disregarding the reality of your costs, you will have a bloodbath,” Tavares warned Friday, according to Reuters.
He added, “I know a company that has brutally cut pricing and their profitability has brutally collapsed,” taking aim at Tesla.
Tesla slashed prices throughout 2023, dropping prices on its best-selling Model Y in Europe days ago. The news comes after Tesla lowered prices in China earlier this month, the largest EV market globally.
The 2024 Model Y
(Source: Tesla)
Stellantis knows a thing or two about merging companies after it was formed through a Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group business combination in 2021.
Although Stellantis is one of the largest EV sellers in Europe, the automaker is launching its first all-electric models in the US this year.
Jeep Avenger, the brands first EV in Europe (Source: Stellantis)
New EVs launching in the US
Ram launched its first EV, the Ram ProMaster electric van, that will compete with Ford’s E-Transit and Rivian’s commercial electric van.
Jeep Wagoneer S (Source: Stellantis)
Jeep is next up. The rugged off-road brand’s electric Wagoneer S is going on sale this fall. The electic SUV will feature 600 horsepower and up to 400 miles range. It can also sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 secs.
Jeep is also launching the Recon, inspired by its iconic Wrangler. The new “rugged and fully capable electric SUV” will be able to cross the Rubicon Trail.
2024 electric Jeep Recon (Source: Stellantis)
To keep the Wrangler’s spirit alive, the Recon will include features like removable doors and windows.
Dodge’s first EV is also set to hit the market later this year. It will be an all-electric version of its iconic Charger.
The new Dodge Charger EV was spotted testing earlier this week near Chrysler’s HQ suggesting the EV is coming soon. Although Stellantis has yet to confirm specs, rumors suggest the top variant could feature around 900 horsepower.
(Source: Dodge)
Electrek’s Take
It’s easy for Stellantis to take a jab at Tesla over price cuts when it doesn’t sell any EVs in the US yet.
With the new EVs launching, Stellantis is set to double its all-electric lineup. It will be interesting to see how pricing impacts the first Jeep, Dodge, and Ram EVs as they roll out.
Tavares comments come after Ford announced plans to cut F-150 Lightning production Friday, citing “slower than expected” demand.
Although Ford and GM have slowed EV output, overseas rivals like Volvo and Hyundai are doubling down.
Both automakers have unique EV offerings in key segments. With Volvo launching the EX30, starting at $35,000, CEO Jim Rowan expects “tremendous growth” for its EVs.
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Tesla is teasing a new product release on Friday, August 29th, coming to Europe and the Middle East. It’s likely going to be the Model Y Performance.
On X today, Tesla has teased an upcoming product release coming this friday.
The post is cryptic. It only mentions ‘spoiler alert’ and the date August 29 with what looks like a close up of a vehicle with what appears to be a spoil – hence the “spoiler alert” reference:
There are main suspect is the Model Y Performance due to the spoiler reference.
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Since the Model Y refresh in January, Tesla stopped selling the Model Y Performance. It is due to launch the top performance version under the new design.
When Tesla released the Model 3 refresh in 2024, it took about 4 months for Tesla to launch the new performance version.
Electrek’s Take
The only thing that I find strange with this likely being the Model Y Performance is the fact that they tweeted this from the Europe and Middle East account.
It would be strange for the Model Y Performance to launch there first, but who knows. Maybe Tesla started production at Gigafactory Berlin first.
I don’t think this will have a major impact on Tesla’s business. The Model Y Performance is the least popular version of the best-selling Model Y.
We don’t have the full mix of sales, but I wouldn’t be suprised if it represents less than 10% of Tesla’s Model Y deliveries.
The Model 3 Performance is probably a more popular option within the Model 3 lineup as it is a lot more fun to drive.
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The GV60 Magma will have a distinct look and feel compared to other Genesis vehicles. As the first EV from its new performance sub-brand, the Genesis GV60 Magma will debut with enhanced power, advanced suspension, a sporty new design, and more. For the first time, it was caught on video racing around the Nürburgring, giving us our closest look yet.
Genesis GV60 Magma EV flexes new style at Nürburgring
Magma is “the brand’s expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles,” Genesis boasted. Among the first vehicles to earn a Magma upgrade is the GV60.
Genesis fine-tuned the electric crossover SUV, giving it a wider and lower stance for improved control. The larger lower air intake contributes to the aggressive new look, while also serving to cool the batteries and motor, both of which have been upgraded for enhanced performance.
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Earlier this year, we got a good look at the GV60 Magma during winter testing in Europe. Although you could see a few new design features, it was mostly covered in camo.
Genesis GV60 Magma testing with other Magma vehicles (Source: Genesis)
After it was recently spotted with less camo at the Nürburgring race track in Germany, we are getting an even better idea of what to expect when it arrives.
The video from CarSpyMedia shows the Genesis GV60 Magma EV with a production body and minimal camouflage.
You can see the high-performance vehicle flexing its power and handling as it rips around the track. Like other Hyundai Motor performance EVs, including the new IONIQ 6 N, you can expect the Genesis GV60 Magma to deliver over 600 horsepower, if not closer to 700.
The current Genesis GV60 Performance delivers up to 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3.7 seconds.
Horsepower
0 to 60 mph (seconds)
Starting Price
Genesis GV60 Performance
429
3.7
$69,900
Genesis GV60 Magma
?
?
?
Porsche Taycan
402
4.5
$99,400
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (with Weissach Package)
1,092
2.1
$230,000
Tesla Model S Plaid
1,020
1.99
$89,990
Genesis GV60 Magma vs Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S Plaid
Genesis will launch the GV60 Magma EV later this year in Korea, followed by the US, Europe, and other global markets. We will learn prices and final specs closer to launch, but given the Performance models start at $69,900, you can expect a higher starting price tag, likely closer to $75,000.
At that it would be significantly less than the Porsche Taycan Turbo and Tesla Model S Plaid. Will it match the performance?
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Colorado is about to see the US’s first floating solar tracker project hit the water.
Noria Energy has started construction on Aurea Solar, a 50 kW floating solar pilot in Golden, Colorado, that will use trackers. The project will power local water utility operations at the Fairmount Reservoir, which is owned and operated by the Consolidated Mutual Water Company (CMWC).
The system is built with Noria’s new floating solar tracker technology, AquaPhi. Unlike conventional floating solar arrays, which are static, AquaPhi rotates the solar islands so the panels follow the sun. That tracking ability boosts energy output by 10-20%. AquaPhi can be added to new projects or retrofitted onto existing floating solar sites to improve performance.
Floating solar is gaining attention as a cost-effective way to generate renewable energy while saving space. For water utilities, the benefits are twofold: generating clean power on existing reservoirs and reducing water loss through evaporation.
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The Golden pilot is the first in the US to use high-performance solar tracking on water, giving a glimpse of how reservoirs nationwide could double as energy producers. At Fairmount Reservoir, the array will power onsite pumps that regulate water supply for the utility’s customers.
“[This project is an exciting opportunity to] not only produce and conserve energy, but also to improve our water supply by reducing how much is lost to evaporation,” said Jarod Roberts, CMWC’s chief of water resources.
Noria is working with GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit that provides renewable energy access and workforce training, and Hazelett Marine, which supplies mooring solutions for floating solar systems.
The 50 kW project is scheduled to come online in September 2025, when it will support CMWC’s mission to deliver clean, safe, and reliable water to more than 100,000 customers in the greater Denver area, while demonstrating the potential for floating solar tracking across the country.
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