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Honda claimed a “surge is about to break out” after previewing its next-gen electric SUV, the S7. The S7 will kick off Honda’s new series of dedicated EVs aimed at top sellers like the Tesla Model Y.

Last April, we got our first look at the S7 at the Beijing Auto Show. Honda unveiled the electric SUV as part of its new “Ye Series,” a dedicated EV brand in China.

The S7 concept was showcased alongside the P7 SUV and the GT Concept. Honda said the new lineup is designed to help accelerate its transformation in China, “where the EV shift is proceeding rapidly.” The lineup will wear a new “H Mark” exclusively available on Honda’s next-gen lineup.

Honda designed the new models specifically for the Chinese market with a dedicated EV platform, improved styling, and advanced tech, including a new driver assistance system (ADAS).

The S7 and P7 will be the first models to launch. Although essentially the same vehicle, they will be built by two different joint venture partners in China. Dongfeng-Honda will launch the S7, while the P7 will be built by Honda’s JV with GAC.

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From left to right Honda S7, GT, and P7 next-gen EV concepts (Source: Honda)

Check out Honda’s new S7 electric SUV for China

Ahead of its official launch, Dongfeng-Honda previewed the S7, boasting it will be “a new benchmark for double first-class strength.”

The automaker added, “The surge is about to break out,” while giving us a sneak peek at the interior and exterior design.

It will be the first next-gen model to ride on its new “W” EV platform with single and dual-motor (AWD) powertrain configurations. As regulatory filings (via CarNewsChina) in China revealed, the S7 is a mid-size five-seater.

At 4,750 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall, Honda’s new electric SUV is about the size of a Tesla Model Y (4,797 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,624 mm tall).

Powered by an 89.8 kWh CATL battery pack, the S7 has CLTC range of up to 620 km (385 miles). The AWD model has 150 kW front and 200 kW rear electric motors, while the AWD configuration drops the front motor.

According to local reports, Honda will use Huwei’s advanced assisted driving software in its new EV lineup. Although Honda has its own ADAS, the company will offer both options in China.

Inside, the S7 is loaded with screens and physical buttons. A massive 22.8″ infotainment sits at the center, which is actually two separate 10″ and 12.8″ screens. There are also digital side and rearview mirrors. Although no details are offered, you can also see a smaller driver display.

We will learn prices closer to launch, but the S7 is expected to start at over 200,000 yuan ($27,500). In comparison, the new Tesla Model Y RWD first edition starts at 263,500 yuan (36,200) and has a CLTC range of up to 593 km.

The new model will be one of ten new Honda-branded EV models that will launch in China by 2027. By 2035, Honda aims for EVs to account for 100% of vehicle sales.

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Honda Ye S7 (Source: Honda)

Like most global OEMs, Honda has struggled to keep up in the world’s largest EV market as domestic leaders like BYD continue gaining market share. Last year, Honda’s sales fell 30%, dropping below the 1 million market for the first time in nine years.

Can Honda’s new S7 electric SUV compete in China? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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The electric Jeep Compass may be a pipe dream after all

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The electric Jeep Compass may be a pipe dream after all

Jeep is reconsidering plans to launch an electric Compass in North America. The next-gen Jeep Compass is officially on pause after Stellantis temporarily halted operations at its Brampton Assembly Plant, where the current SUV is built, to take a closer look at its strategy in North America.

Is Jeep canceling the electric Compass in the US?

Stellantis froze all activities at the Brampton plant on Thursday, including work on the next-gen Jeep Compass. The company said the sudden halt was over “today’s dynamic environment.”

In an email to Ontario newspaper Windsor Star, Stellantis’s head of communications for Canada, Lou Ann Gosselin, said, “As we navigate today’s dynamic environment, Stellantis continues to reassess its product strategy in North America.”

Gosselin added that Stellantis’s decision is “to ensure it is offering customers a range of vehicles with flexible powertrain options to best meet their needs.”

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The pause is temporary, and the decision will not impact operations at the Windsor facility. The Brampton plant has been down since December 2023 for retooling as part of Stellantis plans to build EVs, including an electric Jeep Compass.

Stellantis confirmed in October that the next-gen Jeep Compass will be available with electric, hybrid, and gas-powered powertrains as part of its “Freedom of Choice” strategy.

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Jeep teases the electric Compass for the first time (Source: Stellantis)

The Compass is Jeep’s “most globally available model,” according to Gosselin. Later this year, the next-gen model will still debut in Europe, with production slated to begin in Melfi, Italy. Stellantis previously said production would expand to North America and around the world.

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Jeep Wagoneer S (Source: Stellantis)

Stellantis initially planned to begin building the next-gen Jeep Compass, including an electric version for North America, in the fourth quarter of 2025. Mass production was slated for 2026.

Lana Payne, Unfor national president, the union behind workers at the plant, said the “timing of this announcement raises very serious concerns.” Payne added:

The chaos and uncertainty plaguing the North American auto industry, which is under the constant threat of tariffs and a dismantling of EV regulations from the United States, are having real-time impacts on workers and corporate decisions.

Although Stellantis didn’t mention US President Trump or tariffs as a factor, Unifor Local 444 president James Stewart told the Windsor Star, “There’s no doubt the Trump administration’s EV policies are having an effect.”

Stewart explained the pause comes as Stellantis reassesses what powertrain options to offer for the next-gen Compass.

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Jeep Recon EV (Source: Stellantis)

Stellantis still plans to return to a three-shift operation, aiming to start operations early next year. The plant was once home to iconic models, like the Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Chrysler 300, all of which are now discontinued. The electric Dodge Charger Daytona is made at its Windsor plant.

Jeep launched its first electric SUV in North America, the Wagoneer S, last year and will introduce the more rugged, Wrangler-like Recon EV later this year. As for an electric Jeep Compass, those of us in the US and Canada will have to wait to hear more.

Electrek’s Take

Stellantis is already struggling in North America. Sales fell another 15% last year to just over 1.3 million, with every brand, except for Fiat, selling significantly fewer vehicles.

Jeep brand sales fell 9% in the US, Ram sales fell 19%, Dodge sales fell 29%, Alfa Romeo sales fell 19%, and Chrysler sales were down 7% in 2024.

Although Trump’s tariffs threats are likely one of the biggest reasons behind Stellantis’s decision, it will likely only put it back further in the long run. The industry will still progress toward electric vehicles, while automakers stalling now will get left behind with more advanced, software-driven models from China, South Korea, etc.

Behind the Cherokee and Wrangler, the Compass was Jeep’s third best-selling vehicle in the US last year. Sales were up 16% to nearly 111,700, but Jeep will need an answer soon with new electric options hitting the market over the next few years.

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Tesla deliveries expected to go down to levels not seen in more than 2 years

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Tesla deliveries expected to go down to levels not seen in more than 2 years

Tesla deliveries are expected to decrease this quarter to levels not seen in more than two years. We have to go back to 2022 to see the delivery volume the automaker is expected to deliver.

Time to worry for Tesla shareholders?

Prediction markets are entering the game of setting expectations for Tesla’s quarterly deliveries.

These markets use financial incentives, similar to betting, to predict specific outcomes. They became extremely popular during the latest US elections and have since expanded to predict a lot more outcomes ranging from sports to business to virtually anything.

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Kalshi, one of the biggest prediction markets, has been running markets to predict Tesla’s quarterly deliveries that already gathered half a million in volumes.

It currently predicts that Tesla will deliver 359,000 vehicles in Q1 2025:

This would be down 7% year-over-year and a massive 27% down quarter-over-quarter.

In fact, you have to go back more than two years, Q3 2022, to get a quarter when Tesla delivered fewer vehicles than what is expected this quarter:

As we previously reported, Tesla’s sales are crashing in Europe this quarter – down by as much as 50%.

In China, Tesla’s most important market, sales are down slightly year-over-year.

The US is the most opaque market, and it will be the difference maker this quarter.

Electrek’s Take

This quarter would finally be the time to prove to Tesla shareholders that Elon is bad for Tesla. Unfortunately, they will blame the poor performance on the Model Y changeover, which will definitely impact Tesla negatively, but nowhere near that level.

I think it’s clear that the Elon effect is also working its magic here.

We know it since it’s not the first time Tesla has done a changeover. Now, it’s true that it’s the first time for a Model Y, which is Tesla’s best-selling vehicle, but the impact is more significant than when Tesla had factory shutdowns and supply chain issues last year.

The earnings are going to be even worse, but they will blame that on the new Model Y too.

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Rivian is recalling over 17,000 R1S and R1T vehicles due to faulty headlights

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Rivian is recalling over 17,000 R1S and R1T vehicles due to faulty headlights

Rivian issued a recall for over 17,000 vehicles on Friday due to a headlight issue that only occurs in cold weather. The recall impacts certain 2025 R1S SUV and R1T electric pickup models. Luckily, it should be an easy fix.

Rivian issues a recall for 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles

In a letter sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Rivian said it planned to recall 17,260 R1S and R1T vehicles.

The safety notice comes after the company found the headlights on certain 2025 models did not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

In cold weather, the headlight low beams might not illuminate once the vehicle is started. A message on the driver display will pop up, saying, “Low beam lights not working.” The issue only occurred in colder climates.

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Rivian said it’s unaware of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to the recall. The 2025 R1S and R1T models were built with incorrectly figured parts from its supplier between April 29, 2024, and February 03, 2025.

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Rivian R1T (left) and R1S (right) electric vehicles (Source: Rivian)

For those impacted, Rivian will replace the headlight control module free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out on March 28, 2025.

If you have questions, you can contact Rivian’s customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian’s recall number is FSAM-1612. You can also contact the NHTSA hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit NHTSA.gov for more information.

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Production at Rivian’s Normal, IL plant (Source: Rivian)

The recall comes after Rivian posted its first positive gross profit in the fourth quarter, a big milestone as the EV maker aims to hit its next growth stage.

Rivian delivered 51,579 vehicles in 2024, but as it prepares to introduce its mass-market R2 electric SUV, the company expects a slight dip in 2025, forecasting between 46,000 and 51,000. A big part of this is due to plans to retool its Normal, IL manufacturing plant to prepare for the R2, which will launch in the first half of 2026. The midsize electric SUV will start at around $45,000, or almost half the R1S ($77,700) and R1T ($71,700).

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