General Motors announced Tuesday it’s appointing Jonathon McNeill, a former Tesla and Lyft executive, to join its board of directors. The new addition is significant as GM looks to become an all-electric brand and take on the current EV market leader Tesla.
Jonathon McNeill, former Tesla executive, appointed to GM’s board
A day after GM released record third quarter delivery results for its Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models, the Detroit-based automaker says it will add a new member to its board of directors.
Jonathon McNeill is a venture capital investor and CEO of DVx Ventures, a startup that aims to grow businesses “that will have a positive impact on the world.”
However, McNeill may be best known for his roles at Tesla and Lyft, driving “significant growth” for the companies during critical growth stages, according to GM. He joined Tesla as president of global sales, delivery, and service in 2015 and left to become the chief operating officer at Lyft in 2018.
Meanwhile, GM is preparing for an all-electric future as the company pushes its “EVs for everyone” strategy. The strategy includes offering affordable electric vehicles and an EV model for any driver.
Chevrolet electric vehicle lineup Source: Chevrolet
McNeill’s appointment to the board is particularly interesting as GM’s CEO Mary Barra has insisted the automaker will catch Tesla in EV sales by 2025.
GM’s leader Mary has high praise for the new board member, stating:
Jon’s passion for customers and track record driving growth in the transportation sector will be a tremendous asset to GM as we accelerate toward an all-electric future.
The automaker expects another record quarter in Q4 and into 2023 as GM scales its production capabilities with several notable releases, such as the Chevy Silverado EV, Chevy Blazer EV, and Chevy Equinox EV coming next year.
Mary believes McNeill’s experience can help them while they scale operations, claiming:
His experience driving constructive disruption to grow businesses and his commitment to making a positive impact on society will be invaluable as we reimagine how our customers and communities move through the world.
Electrek’s Take
Although the board of directors generally plays an insignificant role in day-to-day operations, McNeill did contribute in some way to the tremendous success of both Tesla and Lyft during crucial times. He is now being called upon to assist GM while it undergoes one of the most significant transformations in the company’s history.
At the same time, GM’s dream of catching and surpassing Tesla will be a tough one to achieve. Tesla just announced it delivered a record 343,000 EVs in the third quarter, compared to around 15,000 from GM.
GM will likely gain on the current EV leader with several highly-anticipated EV releases on deck. Still, Tesla continues building strong momentum as almost every other automaker looks to catch them.
Adding someone with experience to the board is wise on GM’s part, but I believe it will take a lot more to catch Tesla.
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Hyundai officially launched the new IONIQ 6 N in its home market this week. The IONIQ 6 N, Hyundai’s first electric sports sedan, packs a monstrous 650 horsepower, yet Hyundai insists it’s not all about the performance.
Hyundai’s first EV sports sedan hits Korea: The IONIQ 6 N
After unveiling the IONIQ 6 N at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, Hyundai promised the electric sports car “redefines the EV driving experience” with new vehicle control software, fun features, and plenty of power.
The IONIQ 6 N is Hyundai’s first EV sports sedan and second electric vehicle to receive the “N” treatment. Hyundai’s first, the IONIQ 5 N, has been one of the most awarded high-performance electric SUVs since its debut in 2023.
With the addition of the new IONIQ 6, Hyundai said its N brand is “once again redefining the boundaries of high-performance electrification.”
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Hyundai launched the IONIQ 6 N sports sedan in Korea on October 1, with prices starting at just 79.9 million won. That’s about $57,000 and doesn’t include government subsidies.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N launches in South Korea (Source: Hyundai)
Drawing power from a dual-motor AWD powertrain, Hyundai’s EV sports sedan delivers up to 609 horsepower (448 kW) and 740 Nm of torque.
However, if you really want to feel the power, there’s an added N Grin Boost function that bumps the output to 650 horsepower (478 kW) and 770 Nm of torque, enabling a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) sprint in just 3.2 seconds.
The interior of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
The IONIQ 6 N features an 84 kWh battery, good for 291 miles (469 km) WLTP range, but Hyundai fine-tuned it to optimize efficiency, power output, and temperature control.
With a new electronically controlled suspension (ECS), front Hydro G bushings, and rear dual-layer type bushings, the EV sports car offers “precise body control.” Like the IONIQ 5 N, Hyundai has added performance features such as N e-Shift, which simulates the sensation of shifting gears, and the N Active Sound + system, which replicates the sounds of a gas-powered engine.
The interior of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
Although it packs a punch, Hyundai said the electric sports sedan is designed for both the track and as a daily driver.
“Hyundai Motor Company’s first high-performance sedan EV, the IONIQ 6 N, offers a comfortable ride during everyday driving and predictable performance,” a company official said.
Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
At 4,935 mm long, 1,940 mm wide, and 1,495 mm tall, the IONIQ 6 N is about the size of the Porsche Taycan, but it’s about half the cost.
Following its home market, Hyundai will launch the IONIQ 6 N in Europe by the end of the year and in the US in early 2026. We will learn prices closer to launch, but given the IONIQ 5 N starts at $66,200, it’s expected to arrive at a slightly lower price.
Hyundai announced the 2026 IONIQ 5 will start at under $35,000 in the US after cutting prices across all trims. It also plans to continue offering the $7,500 federal tax credit on 2025 models. The IONIQ 6 could be next in line.
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The $7,500 tax credit may be gone, but that isn’t stopping BMW. The Ultimate Deal Machine is rolling into the Brave New World of EVs this October with a $7,500 purchase credit off MSRP across the board (and that’s just the beginning).
The sitting administration killed off the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit abruptly after September 30th, leading many casual industry watchers to proclaim that the age of the great EV deal was over. And, while many argued that view was too cynical, it turns out it wasn’t too cynical enough with OEMs like Ford and GM turning to tricky accounting and others like Hyundai simply cutting prices to keep demand for its EVs high.
German performance brand BMW is also getting in the mix, offering a “$7,500 purchase credit off MSRP” across its electric and electrified vehicle lineup. And, while it may sound like a 1:1 sort of replacement for the Federal tax credit, there’s a few significant reasons to believe that this deal might actually be better than the one that went away.
Everyone gets the money
Electric vehicle offers; via BMW website.
The EV tax credit was (advertised as) a great tool to help people overcome the higher up-front cost of EVs, but vehicles with starting price tags over $80,000 and income caps at $150,000 for individual filers meant that many Americans who were interested in a new EV were never benefitting to begin with. At the same time, Americans who didn’t have a $7,500 tax burden may have wondered how or if the tax credit would work for them.
If that take isn’t quite cynical enough, consider this: the rebate probably convinced more OEMs to artificially jack up the prices of their US-bound EVs by $7,500 (give or take) than it did to reduce any supposed barriers to entry.
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Urban Arrow, a Dutch brand best known for its front-loading cargo box bikes (or bakfiets), has just expanded into new territory with the launch of the Urban Arrow Breeze, the company’s first-ever longtail electric cargo bike. In addition to bringing a new form factor to the brand, it also offers a more affordable price.
Long recognized for their high-quality electric family and commercial cargo bikes that feature massive front boxes, Urban Arrow is now jumping into the more compact and versatile longtail category, putting them head-to-head with several of the biggest longtail cargo bike competitors. And true to form, they’re not cutting corners, just complications.
Longtail cargo bikes are generally more streamlined to produce due to simpler steering and more conventional frames, allowing the Breeze to look and feel more like a typical urban bike, while still offering plenty of cargo goodness.
The Breeze is designed to carry serious loads without taking up as much space. With a wheelbase comparable to a standard city bike, the Breeze can still handle up to two child seats on the rear rack while keeping a nimble footprint. Total carrying capacity tops out at 200 kg (440 lb), and the rear rack is fully MIK-compatible, allowing for fast, tool-free swaps of baskets, bags, and child seats. Both the front and rear racks are included with the bike.
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Powering the Breeze is the Bosch Cargo Line motor, a popular choice among heavy-hauling e-bikes thanks to its torque-rich, low-speed performance. Riders can choose from 400 Wh up to 800 Wh of battery capacity via the online configurator. The front end features a beefy Suntour Mobie 34 suspension fork, and the bike rolls on 26” wheels with wide tires for extra comfort and stability.
Priced at €5,499 in Europe, the Breeze undercuts Urban Arrow’s other pricier models, yet still offers family vehicle performance. The model also comes standard with a double kickstand for easy loading, and Urban Arrow is offering a wide range of accessories at launch, including everything from panniers and cushions to protective side rails.
Available now in black or green, the Urban Arrow Breeze marks a significant step for a brand that helped define the modern e-cargo bike, and now looks ready to expand its offering by showing what an Urban Arrow longtail can do.
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