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In a new high watermark for Canadian electric scooter company Apollo, the brand’s new flagship electric scooter has begun shipping in North America. With speeds topping 50 MPH (80 km/h) in the highest power version, the Phantom 2.0 is set to push Apollo into even more premium scooter territory.

First announced late last year, the Apollo Phantom 2.0 has been eagerly awaited by high-performance scooter enthusiasts. Apollo developed the design from the ground up, following a brand strategy that has long sought to distance itself from cookie-cutter, catalog-sourced e-scooters common to many scooter companies in the industry.

The Phantom 2.0 comes in two variants: The lower performance (yet still fairly extreme) version is the Phantom 2.0 52V, which is equipped with dual 1,750W motors. This model achieves a top speed of up to 44 mph (70 km/h).

The even higher performance model is the Phantom 2.0 Stellar 60V, which features dual 3,350W motors. This model reaches speeds of up to 53 mph (85 km/h).

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Both scooters use premium-grade 21700 battery cells, with the former sporting a 27 Ah (1.4 kWh) battery and the latter with a larger 30 Ah (1.8 kWh) battery. That gives maximum range estimates of 50 miles (80 km) and 56 miles (90 km), respectively.

For suspension, the 52V scooter uses dual spring suspension while the 60V model has upgraded DNM dual hydraulic suspension. Both models use 11×4-inch puncture-resistant tubeless tires for durability, helping to resist flat tires that could cut a ride painfully short.

Both models also come with the Apollo DOT 2 display, a simplistic dot matrix display that is easily readable at high speeds, as well as a QuadLock mount compatible with QuadLock phone cases that allows riders to use the Apollo phone app as a more detailed display.

Additional features include NFC connectivity and compatibility with the Apollo App and Apple Find My, offering enhanced security and customization options.

For safety, the 52V model is equipped with dual mechanical disc brakes while the 60V version features dual hydraulic disc brakes. Both are certified for UL2271 and UL2272 covering the battery and system electronics, and are IP66-rated, meaning they can survive everything from pummeling rain to sand storms.

The scooters also feature 360-degree lighting for ultimate visibility from any angle, including a fully-wrapped LED deck strip and turn signals mounted in the bar ends.

The Apollo Phantom 2.0 52V scooter is priced at US $2,399 as part of a promotion marking it down from its MSRP of US $2,999, and has been set to start deliveries early this month.

The more powerful Apollo Phantom Stellar 60V is a bit pricier at US $3,499, marked down from an MSRP of US $3,999. That model won’t start shipping until this summer, likely in either June or July.

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Lucid (LCID) plans to double EV production this year, even with tariffs

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Lucid (LCID) plans to double EV production this year, even with tariffs

Lucid Motors (LCID) reported first-quarter earnings on Tuesday, reaffirming its plans to more than double EV production in 2025. Despite the threat of new tariffs, the EV maker expects to continue building momentum after another record quarter.

Lucid stands by 20,000 EV production goal for 2025

In the first three months of 2025, Lucid delivered 3,109 vehicles, setting its fifth straight quarterly record. The company’s production is also picking up, with 2,213 vehicles built at its Casa Grande plant in Arizona. Another 600 were in transit to Saudi Arabia, where they will be assembled at Lucid’s new AMP-2 plant.

At this rate, Lucid is on track to deliver around 12,500 vehicles, easily topping the 10,200 vehicles it delivered in 2024.

With its first electric SUV, the Gravity, now rolling out, Lucid is poised to see even more demand throughout the year.

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Lucid reported first-quarter revenue of $235 million, up slightly from the $234.5 million in Q4 2024 and an increase of 35% from Q1 2024.

Despite higher sales, the EV maker cut its net loss to $366 million from over $680 million in the first quarter of 2024. Lucid also improved gross margins by 37 pts year-over-year (YOY) to -97%.

Lucid-EV-production-2025
Lucid Q1 2025 financial earnings results (Source: Lucid Group)

Even with the added tariffs, Lucid still expects to produce around 20,000 vehicles in 2025, more than double the roughly 9,000 cars it made last year.

Like most automakers, Lucid is preparing for a shakeup under the Trump administration, including possibly ending the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Earlier today, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said there’s “a better chance we kill it than save it” during an interview.

Lucid-EV-production-2025
Lucid Gravity electric SUV at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Lucid Motors)

The company said, “A thorough analysis of tariffs, supply chain, and related macroeconomic uncertainties is ongoing.”

Lucid ended the first quarter with around $5.76 billion in total liquidity, which the company said is enough to fund it into the second half of 2026, when it plans to launch its midsize platform.

Lucid-midsize-EV-SUV
Lucid midsize electric SUV teaser image (Source: Lucid)

Former CEO Peter Rawlinson said earlier this year that Lucid’s midsize platform is “finally when we compete directly with Tesla.” The first two vehicles are expected to be an electric SUV and sedan, starting at around $50,000, which could rival Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3.

But first, it will focus on its new electric SUV. The Lucid Gravity Grand Touring is available to order starting at $94,900 with up to 450 miles of range. Later this year, Lucid will launch the lower-priced Touring trim, starting at $79,900.

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Audi may build EVs in the US to dodge Trump’s new tariffs

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Audi may build EVs in the US to dodge Trump’s new tariffs

Audi is looking to dodge new US tariffs by manufacturing its electric vehicles on American soil.

After the Trump administration slapped a 25% tariff on EVs imported from outside North America starting May 3, Audi is eyeing three possible production sites in the US to avoid the hefty fees. Right now, the automaker imports most of its US-sold vehicles from Europe and Mexico, but that’s now a lot more expensive.

Sources told Germany’s Automobilwoche (via its sister publication Automotive News Europe) that Audi may tap into its parent company Volkswagen Group’s US facilities to make the move. One option is to build the Q4 E-tron or its future version at VW’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant. That factory already builds the VW ID.4, which rides on the same MEB electric platform as the Q4 E-tron.

Audi is also reportedly considering the under-construction Scout Motors factory in Columbia, South Carolina, for the Q8 E-tron. The midsize electric SUV was initially slated for production in Mexico, but South Carolina could be a more cost-effective bet now in light of Trump’s tariffs.

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For its third electric SUV, the upcoming Q6 E-tron, Audi is said to still be hunting for a US production site.

So far, nothing is official. But Audi isn’t hiding the fact that it’s ramping up efforts to expand its US presence. A spokesperson told Automotive News Europe: “We are currently examining various scenarios. We are confident that we will be able to decide on the specific details in consultation with the Group before the end of this year.”

On a May 5 earnings call, Audi CFO Jürgen Rittersberger confirmed that the company plans to launch 10 models in the US and will lock in production locations before the end of 2025.

Read more: Facing pressure, Trump scales back tariffs for US automakers


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Rivian’s (RIVN) Q1 2025 report details highest gross profits to date, R2 validations underway

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Rivian's (RIVN) Q1 2025 report details highest gross profits to date, R2 validations underway

American EV automaker Rivian has shared its full financial report and shareholder letter for Q1 2025. The quarterly update details continued gross profits and a growing interest in the company’s two flagship BEVs. Rivian is also making headway in developing its second model, R2.

Rivian ($RIVN) continues to roll along as a prominent shaker in the American EV space, especially as legacy competitors scramble to adapt to the ever-evolving threat to their assembly lines due to proposed tariffs and an ongoing trade war with other global superpowers like China.

Ahead of today’s full Q1 2025 report, Rivian has shared its delivery numbers for the first three months of the year, shipping out 8,640 R1S and R1T models to customers. This was to be expected, as Rivian CFO Claire McDonough said during the Q4 earnings call that the automaker anticipated the dip in deliveries, citing a “supply shortage of a component in our Enduro motor system” that began in Q3 2024.

Despite the notable drop in EV deliveries compared to previous quarters, Rivian relayed that it remained on track to deliver between 46,000 and 51,000 EVs in 2025. This afternoon, Rivian adjusted that target alongside financial updates pertaining to Q1 2025.

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Rivian Q1 2025
Source: Rivian

Rivian’s Q1 2025 report by the numbers

The main headline of Rivian’s Q1 2025 was its gross profit of $206 million. That marks the American automaker’s second consecutive quarter of reporting gross profit as well as its highest to date. Rivian shared that of that $206 million mark, $92 million came from the automotive segment and $114 million came from its software and services segment.

Rivian also achieved an 85% increase in cash flow from operating activities in Q1 2025 compared to a year prior. As we spoke about earlier this week with a teaser image of Rivian’s new Maximus drive unit posted by CEO RJ Scaringe, reducing the cost-per-unit of its BEV components while increasing production efficiency – a key goal of the company at the moment.

According to the automaker, it has achieved a $22,600 reduction in automotive cost of goods sold per vehicle delivered in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024.

Rivian also looks to bolster its balance sheet very soon, thanks to a previously announced joint venture with Volkswagen Group worthy of an investment of up to $5.8 billion. According to Rivian’s Q1 2025 report, its gross profit milestone has unlocked $1 billion from VW Group through said joint venture and is expected to be finalized by June 30, 2025.

While Rivian said its delivery targets were on track a month ago, the American automaker has since revised its annual numbers, citing the current economic trade environment around the world:

While Rivian has 100% US vehicle manufacturing and a majority of its bill of materials (excluding cells) coming from the U.S. or USMCA-qualified, Rivian is not immune to the impacts of the global trade and economic environment. The company’s guidance represents management’s current view on evolving trade regulation, policies, tariffs and the overall impact these items may have on consumer sentiment and demand. As a result of these impacts, Rivian has revised its delivery outlook to 40,000 to 46,000 vehicles.

That’s not a huge slide, and if Rivian hits the top end of that target, it would still equal the lower end of its previous goal for 2025. Looking ahead, Rivian said it is maintaining its outlook range for adjusted EBITDA of a $1.7 billion loss to a $1.9 billion loss. Rivian also relayed an expectation to achieve “modest positive gross profit for the full 2025 fiscal year. Lastly, Rivian is raising its capital expenditure guidance to between $1.8 billion and $1.9 billion, citing an expected impact from tariffs.

Other Rivian updates

Aside from the numbers, Rivian’s Q1 2025 shareholder letter included several progress updates, particularly regarding its highly anticipated R2 EVs. According to the company, it has commenced design validation builds on its R2 prototype line using production tooling.

The new 1.1 million-square-foot manufacturing expansion at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois, production facility, where the general assembly line for the R2 will be, is progressing on schedule and will “allow for additional manufacturing efficiency gains.” That new building will also house a new body shop.

This week, we learned that the new expansion will also be joined by a supplier park supported by a $16 million incentive package from Illinois.

Following today’s Q1 2025 report, Rivian will host an audio webcast to discuss the details above at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET today. Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

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