BRIEFLY: Ford, Mercedes GLC, XPeng X9 & more | 24 Oct 2025
About this episode
A quick roundup of the latest in the EV world, highlighting Ford's ongoing losses in their electric vehicle division, the launch of the Mercedes GLC electric with impressive range, and the debut of the XPeng X9 luxury MPV. Other notable mentions include BYD's affordable plug-in hybrid Ato2, Cherry Automobile's Tego 9 SUV, and GM's Cadillac Escalade IQ featuring LiDAR for advanced driving. Additionally, Italy introduces new EV incentives, while Tesla faces scrutiny over its Mad Max mode. Uber transitions to 'Uber electric' with incentives for drivers to switch to EVs.
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FORD Q3 EARNINGS AND MODEL E LOSSES https://evne.ws/47ru6UW
MERCEDES GLC ELECTRIC: UK PRICING AND SPECS https://evne.ws/4oBRR3y
ELECTRIVE SPOTS XPENG X9 SPOTTED CHARGING IN DENMARK https://evne.ws/4ht3R57
BYD ATTO 2 GAINS PHEV OPTION https://evne.ws/43AcBjW
CHANGAN TO EXPORT THAI-MADE EVS TO EUROPE https://evne.ws/3Jmharp
CHERY TIGGO 9: NEW SEVEN-SEAT PHEV https://evne.ws/4hwPtZA
GM TO ADD "EYES-FREE" SUPER CRUISE BY 2028 https://evne.ws/3WkYsn1
ITALY LAUNCHES STATE-BACKED EV INCENTIVES https://evne.ws/4o7AN5w
NHTSA CONTACTS TESLA OVER MAD MAX MODE https://evne.ws/4qtt2Ze
QUANTUMSCAPE DELIVERS QSE‑5 B1 SAMPLES TO PARTNERS https://evne.ws/4oFH1cN
UBER OFFERS $4,000 EV DRIVER REBATE https://evne.ws/3WUR1mB
UK ADOPTS CATASTRAP EV CABLE PROTECTION https://evne.ws/4oBS3ji
Ford
"Back on the podcast, Ford are still losing money on electric vehicles."
Ford is a well-known car company that makes many types of vehicles, including electric ones.
Ford is an American automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and electric vehicles.
Model E
"But by the way, posting more losses for their Model E division."
Model E is the name of Ford's electric car division that makes electric vehicles.
Model E refers to Ford's electric vehicle division, which focuses on developing and producing electric cars.
XPeng X9
"ElectriVe, the industry website, has spotted the X-Pong X9 charging in Denmark. That is the big 5.3-meter long, 3.16-meter wheelbase, 7-seater..."
The X-Pong X9 is a big electric family car with lots of space for people and luggage.
The X-Pong X9 is a large electric MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) designed for families, featuring a spacious interior and advanced technology.
X-Pong
"ElectriVe, the industry website, has spotted the X-Pong X9 charging in Denmark."
X-Pong is a car company from China that makes electric vehicles.
X-Pong is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer known for producing electric cars and SUVs, including the X9 model.
MPV
"...the big three-row luxury MPV from X-Pong charging over here, covered in camo."
MPV means a car that can carry many people and things, like a family van.
MPV stands for Multi-Purpose Vehicle, a type of vehicle designed to transport passengers and cargo, often with flexible seating arrangements.
Mercedes-Benz
"Well, could be coming. Mercedes-Benz putting the GLC electric on sale."
Mercedes-Benz is a famous car brand that makes luxury vehicles, including electric cars.
Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automotive brand known for its high-quality vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and electric models.
GLC electric
"Well, could be coming. Mercedes-Benz putting the GLC electric on sale."
The GLC electric is an electric version of a luxury SUV made by Mercedes-Benz.
The GLC electric is the electric version of Mercedes-Benz's GLC model, which is a luxury compact SUV designed for comfort and performance.
EV
"...Not many EVs can say that. Starts at £60,000 here in the UK."
EV means electric vehicle. It's a car that runs on electricity instead of gas, making it better for the environment and often cheaper to run.
EV stands for electric vehicle, which is a type of car that runs entirely on electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. They are known for being environmentally friendly and having lower operating costs compared to traditional vehicles.
BYD Ato2
"...BYD's Ato2 is a small SUV-ish vehicle here, and they're adding a plug-in hybrid to it."
The BYD Ato2 is a small SUV made by the Chinese company BYD. It's known for being affordable and having a good range for electric vehicles.
The BYD Ato2 is a small SUV that offers a practical option in the electric vehicle market. It is notable for its affordability and range, making it a competitive choice among electric SUVs.
Chang'an
"...Chang'an are going to export their time-made electric vehicles to the United Kingdom. First 1000, Deep Out SO5s are on the way."
Chang'an is a car company from China that makes different types of vehicles, including electric ones.
Chang'an is a major automotive manufacturer in China, known for producing a range of vehicles including electric and hybrid models.
Deepal S05
"...First 1000, Deep Out SO5s are on the way. Also, confirming that the launch has now happened of the Tego 9."
The Deep Out SO5 is an electric car made by Chang'an, which means it runs on electricity instead of gasoline.
The Deep Out SO5 is an electric vehicle produced by Chang'an, aimed at providing affordable electric mobility.
Chery Automobile
"...That's Cherry Automobile, big car maker in China. They make a big seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV."
Chery Automobile is a car company from China that makes many different types of vehicles, including larger cars for families.
Chery Automobile is a prominent Chinese car manufacturer known for producing a variety of vehicles, including SUVs and hybrids.
plug-in hybrid SUV
"...They make a big seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV."
A plug-in hybrid SUV is a car that can use both electricity and gasoline. You can charge it at home and drive it using just electricity for short trips.
A plug-in hybrid SUV is a type of vehicle that combines a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor, allowing it to be charged from an external power source and offering the flexibility of electric-only driving for short distances.
DC fast charging
"...But it is a plug-in hybrid with 71 kilowatts DC fast charging. So you're not going to be holding up too many people if you do stop..."
DC fast charging is a way to quickly charge electric cars. It uses a special type of electricity that can fill up the battery much faster than regular charging methods.
DC fast charging refers to a method of charging electric vehicles that uses direct current (DC) to deliver power quickly, significantly reducing charging time compared to standard AC charging. This is particularly useful for long trips where quick recharging is needed.
ambient lighting
"...massage functions on the seats and loads of ambient lighting, as you are going to get from the Chinese, right?"
Ambient lighting is soft lights inside the car that make it look nice and cozy. You can change the colors and brightness to create a mood you like.
Ambient lighting in a vehicle refers to the use of soft, indirect lighting to enhance the interior atmosphere and provide a more comfortable and luxurious feel. It can be adjusted in color and intensity to suit the driver's preferences.
spec
"...Incredible levels of spec, massage functions on the seats and loads of ambient lighting..."
'Spec' is short for specifications, which means the details about what features a car has. A car with high specs usually has more fancy options and technology.
In automotive terms, 'spec' refers to the specifications of a vehicle, detailing its features, options, and equipment. High spec vehicles typically offer more advanced technology and luxury features compared to lower spec models.
kilowatt hour
"So this is a large vehicle and a 35 kilowatt hour pack. That's going to be really interesting."
A kilowatt hour is a way to measure how much electricity a battery can store. The bigger the number, the more energy it can hold, which usually means you can drive further on electric power.
A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a unit of energy that measures how much electricity a device uses over time. In electric vehicles, it indicates the capacity of the battery; a higher kWh rating typically means a longer driving range.
Cadillac Escalade
"GM will add LiDAR to the Cadillac Escalade IQ. That'll be the first one that gets it."
The Cadillac Escalade IQ is a new version of the Cadillac Escalade that will have special technology to help with driving. It will be one of the first cars to use LiDAR, which helps the car 'see' its surroundings.
The Cadillac Escalade IQ is an upcoming model from Cadillac that is expected to feature advanced technology, including LiDAR, which is used for autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems.
level three
"For hands off, eyes off, driving, proper level three. Italy launching new state backed EV incentives..."
Level three is a type of self-driving technology where the car can drive itself most of the time, but the driver still needs to be ready to take control when needed. It's like having a very advanced autopilot.
Level three refers to a specific level of automation in driving, where the vehicle can handle most driving tasks but still requires human intervention in certain situations. This level allows for hands-off and eyes-off driving under certain conditions, meaning the driver can disengage from actively controlling the vehicle while it manages driving tasks.
EV incentives
"Italy launching new state backed EV incentives up to 11,000 euros of a new EV if you're a private buyer..."
EV incentives are discounts or money given by the government to help people buy electric cars. This makes it cheaper for you to get an electric vehicle.
EV incentives are financial benefits provided by governments to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs). These can include tax credits, rebates, or grants that reduce the overall cost of buying an EV, making them more accessible to consumers.
NHTSA
"The safety regulator in the US, NHTSA now looking at Tesla's latest Mad Max mode..."
NHTSA stands for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is a U.S. government group that makes sure cars are safe to drive. They check for problems and set rules for car safety.
The NHTSA, or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is a U.S. government agency responsible for ensuring the safety of motor vehicles and their equipment. It regulates vehicle performance standards and investigates safety defects.
full self driving
"...they just put it back along with sloth mode into full self driving supervised. Already people post on social media..."
Full self-driving is a feature in some cars that lets them drive themselves without needing help from the driver most of the time. However, the driver still needs to pay attention and be ready to take over if needed.
Full self-driving refers to an advanced driver-assistance system that enables a vehicle to navigate and drive itself without human intervention in most scenarios. This technology is still under development and often requires supervision from the driver.
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