Important Innovations

  Musk Talks of  "New Form Factors" in New Designs Source:  Tesla Tesla to Customize Models for International Markets Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is a notorious big tease, told an online European Conference on Batteries audience this week that he is excited about designing new electric cars that will have "new form factors".  Musk said that to attract top talent to Tesla, he must provide them the big opportunity that they crave - to work on new, original car model designs. Gigafactories in Berlin and Shanghai Musk says  he is really excited about new design concepts which will be originating from his gigafactories in Shanghai and Berlin.  In Berlin, he expects to develop a compact electric car model, likely a hatchback, to cater to the preferences of European drivers for smaller, green cars. Expanding Tesla's Lineup Expansion is clearly on Musk's mind.  Some of his targets include: Designing an original car in China for global distribution Designing a compact v

  Going for Global Investor Gold Source:  Ant Group $34.4 Billion IPO  Chinese financial technology giant Ant Financial Services Group is launching a dual listed IPO on the Shanghai and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.  The IPO is aiming to raise nearly $35 billion. That would be the world's largest share price offering in history. Investors are racing for a piece of the fast growing company.  Ant is Alibaba's financial affiliate. Alibaba is a giant China-based technology and e-commerce multinational company. Ant offers a suite of financial services, including the widely popular Alipay digital payment system, known as China's wallet. The IPO deal would value Ant at more than $313 billion.  That is more than the world's biggest bank by assets, The Industrial and  Commercial Bank of China. Regulatory and Trade Concerns Overshadowing the market debut is a threat by the US State Department to add the company to its trade blacklist.  There is also some concern over growing regulat

  Concept Designed by Buick & Shanghai based SAIC-GM                                                                                         Source:  Buick Range of 410 Miles on a Charge Buick just unveiled in China the new Buick Electra EV, an electric crossover concept car designed by Buick and its Shanghai-based partner SAIC-GM.  The vehicle has an advanced Ultium battery with a range of 410 miles on a single charge. The dual powertrain delivers 583 horsepower.  Automotive experts say the concept vehicle signals Buick's new design direction. Space Age Inspired With Unique Technology Buick says the vehicle's design is inspired by a space capsule.  It has four butterfly doors and a hidden floating skateboard under the rear bumper that provides another alternative green way to travel. What's Next For Electra? Buick says the Electra concept represents its goal to bring together zero emissions, beautiful styling and intelligent connectivity.  It's not clear if or when

  Tesla Rapidly Expanding Production in China                                             Source:  Tesla Shanghai Tesla Model Y and Model 3 Production Tesla Giga Shanghai facility is rapidly expanding production.  It is targeting the production of 200.000 Model Y's annually and 450,000 Model 3's  Those two vehicles will combine to produce 650,000 vehicles yearly by Tesla's new Giga Shanghai facility.  The Tesla Model Ys will begin production in November in Shanghai.  A fully  functional Model 3 factory has been built in record time at the Shanghai plant. And a second phase of construction is just about complete for the Model Y all-electric crossover production facility. What Does This Mean For Tesla in China? The stakes for Tesla expanding production in China are huge.  The Model Y production in the gigafactory could greatly expand Tesla's reach into the Chinese mainstream auto market. The Model 3 is the first vehicle that Tesla produced in China and it is very successf

China's Burgeoning Ride-Hailing Industry Source:  Didi RoboTaxis Industry Leader in China - Didi Chuxing China's ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing has launched a test program for its RoboTaxi services on the streets of Shanghai. The tests started this weekend after the company installed V2X or Vehicle to Everything hardware throughout the area.  V2X enables the robotaxis to communicate with their surroundings and provides an extra layer of safety.  Didi Chuxing is a ride-hailing giant with financial backing from SoftBank. Free, On Demand Rides As part of the test program, customers can hail a free, on demand ride on Didi's robotaxis within designated areas of Shanghai.  Along for the ride are human safety drivers, should there be an autonomous issue. Didi is using Volvo, Lincoln and BYD models retrofitted with Didi's autonomous driving system for the testing.  China's RoboTaxis Elsewhere in China, Baidu is offering robotaxi rides in Changsha. And WeRid

Global Record Turnaround for New $2Billion Tesla Plant in Shanghai Source:  Tesla's Gigafactory in Shanghai World's First China-Made Model 3 Electric Sedans Tesla today, as promised, started delivering its Model 3 electric sedans made in its brand new $2 billion Shanghai Gigafactory.  The turnaround time is amazing.  Tesla started construction on the plant less than a year ago.  Delivering finished cars so quickly is a world record for global automakers in China.  It's another great achievement for the American electric vehicle maker Tesla and for its founder/CEO Elon Musk. World's Biggest EV Market Tesla says it will start ramping up deliveries in January 2020.  The Chinese-made version of the Model 3 is priced at $50,000.  China is the world's biggest car market and the world's biggest electric vehicle market.  Tesla is clearly capitalizing on and investing in the market opportunity.  Tesla's Shanghai plant is China's first wholly foreign-ow