BRIEFLY: Ford, Geely, Slate & more | 04 Feb 2026
About this episode
The episode dives into recent developments in the automotive industry, highlighting Ford's collaborations, Geely's tech sharing, and Slate's innovative electric truck designed for safety. X-Pong's new P7 Plus is making waves with its quick charging and extensive range, while Opel and Vauxhall aim to attract budget-conscious buyers with their refreshed Astra models. BMW's Neuer Classe IX3 sees price increases due to high demand, and California announces new EV incentives to boost electric vehicle adoption. The British electric motorcycle maker MAVING also secures funding to expand production.
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FORD, GEELY IN TALKS ON EUROPE EV PRODUCTION TIE-UP https://bit.ly/3LQ5crp
SLATE AIMS FOR GROWN-UP SAFETY IN A CHILD-SIZED EV https://bit.ly/4a2BqYc
XPENG P7+ STARTS EUROPE PUSH FROM GRAZ AND CHINA https://bit.ly/3O3QRYS
OPEL ASTRA EV TARGETS MASS-MARKET RANGE ANXIETY https://bit.ly/4aultvs
BMW LIFTS IX3 PRICE BEFORE CARS HIT SHOWROOMS https://bit.ly/4kdObnz
CALIFORNIA UNVEILS NEW $200M EV INCENTIVE PUSH https://bit.ly/3O2G1lV
MAEVING RAISES £11M TO TAKE MOTORBIKES ABROAD https://bit.ly/3ZjDwhB
Honda Element
"...g software and automated driving tech, but any US element would run into strict American rules on Chinese c..."
The Honda Element is a quirky, box-shaped SUV that has a lot of room inside and is great for carrying stuff. It's easy to clean and was made for people who like to go on adventures.
The Honda Element is a unique compact SUV that was produced from 2003 to 2011, known for its boxy shape and versatile interior. It gained popularity for its spaciousness, easy-to-clean materials, and practicality, making it ideal for active lifestyles.
Volkswagen Golf
"...ones and reinforced passenger cells rather than a golf cart style shortcut. A rough prototype was recent..."
The Volkswagen Golf is a small car that many people like because it's easy to drive and has a lot of space inside. It's been around for a long time and is known for being reliable and fun to use.
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car that has been a staple in the automotive market since its introduction in the 1970s. Known for its practicality, solid build quality, and enjoyable driving dynamics, the Golf is often discussed for its role in popularizing the hatchback segment and its continued evolution over the years.
XPeng P7 Plus
"...X-Pong has started overseas deliveries of the new P7 Plus, that's a saloon car made on European soil, in fa..."
The XPeng P7 is a new electric car from China that looks like a regular sedan but runs on electricity instead of gas. It's packed with cool tech features, like the ability to drive itself a little bit, and shows how car companies from China are making their mark in the world.
The XPeng P7 is an electric sedan produced by the Chinese automaker XPeng Motors, designed to compete with other electric vehicles in the market. It features advanced technology, including automated driving capabilities, and is significant for representing the growing presence of Chinese manufacturers in the global EV market.
X-Peng P7 Plus
"X-Pong has started overseas deliveries of the new P7 Plus, that's a saloon car made on European soil, in fact destined for 36 different markets."
The X-Peng P7 Plus is a new electric car that is designed for the European market. It's made to be safe and efficient, and it's part of a growing trend of electric vehicles.
The X-Peng P7 Plus is an electric saloon car designed to compete in the European market, featuring advanced technology and a focus on safety standards.
LFP pack
"This is a LFP pack with charges at 5C charges. Very quick, 80% charge in about 12 minutes."
LFP refers to a type of battery used in electric cars. It's known for being safe and stable, which makes it a popular choice for EVs.
LFP stands for Lithium Iron Phosphate, a type of battery chemistry known for its safety and thermal stability, commonly used in electric vehicles.
5C charging
"This is a LFP pack with charges at 5C charges. Very quick, 80% charge in about 12 minutes."
5C charging means the battery can charge really quickly, at a rate that's five times its normal capacity. This allows you to get a lot of power back in a short time.
5C charging refers to a charging rate where the battery can be charged at five times its capacity, allowing for very rapid charging times.
total range
"Total range around 530km or 330 miles, giving the European incumbents a bit of a headache."
Total range is how far an electric car can go before it needs to be charged again. It's an important number for people who want to buy an electric vehicle.
Total range refers to the maximum distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge, which is a critical factor for EV buyers.
Opel Astra
"Opel and Vauxhall has opened orders for the new refreshed Astra and the estate version, the Astra Sports Tourer."
The Opel Astra is a small car that's great for families. The latest version can run on electricity, which is good for saving money on fuel.
The Opel Astra is a compact car that has been popular in Europe for its practicality and efficiency. The new refreshed model offers an electric version aimed at family and fleet buyers.
electric vehicle
"...going electric no longer means sacrificing usable space or having to pay a big ticket price."
An electric vehicle is a type of car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. This can help save money on fuel and is better for the environment.
An electric vehicle (EV) is a car that is powered entirely or partially by electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and often offering lower operating costs.
BMW IX3
"BMW has got a hit on its hands with the Neuer Classe IX3, so much so it's able to raise the prices."
The BMW IX3 is an electric version of BMW's popular SUV, which means it runs on electricity and is designed to be more environmentally friendly.
The BMW IX3 is an electric SUV that combines the practicality of an SUV with the efficiency of electric power. It is part of BMW's push into the electric vehicle market.
70,000 euros
"...but then again it's not a bargain, is it 70,000 euros to get into one?"
70,000 euros is the amount of money you would need to buy the BMW IX3, which is quite expensive compared to many other cars.
70,000 euros refers to the price point for the BMW IX3, indicating it is positioned as a premium vehicle in the market.
XDrive 50
"The XDrive 50 just went up by 2,000 euros in list price, that's because it's sold out for this year."
The XDrive 50 is an electric SUV from BMW that has all-wheel drive, meaning it can send power to all four wheels for better traction.
The XDrive 50 is a model from BMW's electric vehicle lineup, specifically the BMW iX. It features all-wheel drive (AWD) technology, which is denoted by 'XDrive'.
800 volt architecture
"this 800 volt architecture 108kWh pack built in Hungary in Deveretsen..."
800 volt architecture means the car's electrical system uses 800 volts, which helps it charge faster and perform better than many other electric cars that use lower voltage.
800 volt architecture refers to the electrical system in electric vehicles that operates at 800 volts, allowing for faster charging and improved performance compared to the more common 400 volt systems.
108kWh pack
"this 800 volt architecture 108kWh pack built in Hungary..."
A 108kWh pack means the car's battery can hold 108 kilowatt-hours of energy, which helps determine how far the car can drive on a single charge.
The 108kWh pack refers to the battery capacity of the vehicle, indicating it can store 108 kilowatt-hours of energy, which affects the vehicle's range and performance.
EV incentives
"California plans to spend $200 million on fresh EV incentives..."
EV incentives are money or tax breaks offered by the government to help people buy electric cars, making them cheaper.
EV incentives are financial benefits provided by governments to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles, often in the form of tax credits or rebates.
MAVING
"...the British electric motorcycle maker MAVING, which again gets rave reviews"
MAVING is a company that makes electric motorcycles in Britain. They are praised for their eco-friendly bikes that are fun to ride.
MAVING is a British electric motorcycle manufacturer known for producing innovative electric bikes. The company has received positive feedback for its products, which focus on sustainability and performance.
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