Let’s face it, GM already has most of the pickup market covered. Chevy for the everyman, GMC for those who like to remind their neighbors they’re a little better off, and the Hummer EV for people who enjoy vaporizing their wallets, and maybe the planet, too, considering the thing weighs as much as a small moon.

But what if GM decided to go all-in on absurdity and create a Cadillac pickup, a luxury flagship so over-the-top opulent it’d make a Rivian R1T and a Tesla Cybertruck look like something you’d pick up at the Hertz counter? Well, thanks to some overly ambitious renderings, we now have a glimpse of what such an exercise in unnecessary excess could look like.

Read: Our First Impressions Of Cadillac’s 2026 Vistiq With Blackwing Levels Of Electric Power

This digital fever dream comes courtesy of Kelsonik, a talented render artist who decided to take GM’s GMC Sierra EV and dip it in a vat of Cadillac styling cues. GM’s flagship brand has been out of the pickup game for quite some time but isn’t unfamiliar with building high-end trucks, having previously offered a pickup version of the Escalade known as the EXT.

Rather than grafting the current Escalade’s face onto the Sierra EV, this design borrows from the all-electric Lyriq instead. Since the Sierra EV’s front fascia is significantly larger than the Lyriq’s, the Cadillac elements had to be stretched, meaning the grille and those vertical LED daytime running lights now tower like skyscrapers. Strangely enough, it works. The whole look suits the bulk and shape of a pickup surprisingly well.

Illustrations Kelsonik

Few other changes have been made to the Sierra EV’s base design, though the Caddy’s wheels are a little larger and, mercifully, it ditches those ugly orange reflectors on the fenders (seriously, who signed off on those at GM?).

More: Everything We Know About The Jaguar Type 01 Electric Sedan

Perhaps the closest thing to a modern-day Cadillac pickup we’ve seen was brought to life by a customization shop in Miami three years ago. Doms Garage Miami started with a regular Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and then proceeded to graft on the front fascia of an Escalade. Remarkably, the finished result looked excellent.

So, what do you think? Should GM dive back into the luxury pickup market and give us the Cadillac truck we never asked for but now kind of want? Or is this best left as a render-fueled fantasy? Let us know how you’d design your dream luxury truck or if this idea belongs in the automotive hall of “what could’ve been.” Either way, we’re listening.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CAR DESIGN | RENDERINGS (@kelsonik)

We’re constantly hearing about an EV downturn and how automakers are changing their electrification strategies because consumers aren’t consuming. And sure, sales of electric cars are down in countries like Germany, but in the US people are still buying EVs, and they’re buying more of them than they did 12 months ago.

EV registrations climbed 5 percent in October versus the same month in 2023, topping out at 101,403, according to data from S&P Global Mobility. And it wasn’t Tesla driving that growth, but legacy automakers.

Related: Global EV Sales Shatter Records In November Thanks To China’s Unstoppable Growth

Chevrolet’s EV sales jumped 38 percent to 6,741 helped by demand for the Blazer and Equinox, while Cadillac Lyriq registrations grew threefold to 2,489 and the Hummer shifted 1,015 electric trucks, four times as many as it did last October. 

Like the Equinox, Honda’s Prologue, which is built on the same GM platform and in the same Mexican GM plant, wasn’t available in 2023, but made its presence felt this year. It found 4,168 homes, only 12 fewer than Chevy did of its version. Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 facelift also gave its sales numbers the desired nip and tuck, boosting registrations from 3,555 to 4,485.

Although the overall number of EV sales is up, the rate of growth has slowed and some models registered fewer deliveries than previously. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, for instance, was down from 3,949 to 3,479 according to S&P Global Mobility’s spreadsheet and Rivian R1S sales dropped by more than 500 to 2,456. There are also fears that the EV segment relies heavily on tax credit availability to boost demand, and public interest could wane if Trump pulls the plug on the incentives when he takes office.

BEST SELLING EVs USA

Tesla’s registration numbers actually fell by 1.8 percent, and if you remove Tesla from the equation, EV sales increased not by 5 percent, but by 11 percent. And this isn’t a blip for Tesla: the automaker’s numbers have fallen in seven of the first 10 months of 2024, Auto News reports, and that’s despite the facelifted Model 3 and Cybertruck being new for this year. While the Model 3 gained ground, the Model Y fell back, sales tumbling from more than 25,000 to under 22,000.

But before anyone gets the idea that Tesla is falling behind in the EV race, we should make clear that it still outperformed the second best-selling brand’s EV models six times over. Or every single brand in the 2nd to 12th spots combined.

EV REGISTRATIONS USA

In Western markets, Honda has lagged behind several competitors in the race to develop and launch compelling battery-electric vehicles. However, over in China, the automaker has been more agile in responding to shifting market trends. The Ye P7 marks the first of three new EVs Honda is rolling out locally, demonstrating a strategic push to reclaim its footing in the electric vehicle arena.

The crossover, branded as the Ye P7, was initially previewed in April alongside the Ye S7 crossover and the Ye GT Concept, a sleek low-slung sedan. These newly released images showcase the Ye P7 in its production form for the first time. Thanks to the diligent disclosures from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, we now have access to additional technical specifications that shed light on this latest offering from Honda.

Read: Honda Takes On BYD With New Ye EV Brand, Shows SUVs And GT Concept

Honda plans to manufacture the Ye P7 in collaboration with its local joint venture partner, GAC. Measuring 4,750 mm (187 inches) in length, 1,930 mm (75.9 inches) in width, and standing 1,625 mm (63.9 inches) tall, the crossover boasts a long wheelbase of 2,930 mm (115.3 inches). The new electric model weighs in at 2,305 kg (5,081 lbs) and comes standard with imposing 21-inch wheels.

The battery pack is a lithium-ion unit sourced from CATL. While we don’t yet know the capacity of this battery, we do know it drives a 201 hp (150 kW) front-mounted motor and a 268 hp (200 kW) rear-mounted motor. That’s enough to send the Ye P7 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds, making it substantially quicker than a Civic Type R.

Visually, Honda seems to have taken at least some inspiration from higher-end crossover vehicles like the Ferrari Purosangue and Toyota Crown Sport with lobster claw-shaped LED headlights and a light bar. The hood is quite pronounced, complete with bumps on either side that flow neatly to the base of the A-pillars.

Adding to the somewhat rugged looks of the crossover are squared-off gloss black fenders and angular skirts. One surprising feature that has made its way through to production from the concept model is the rear-facing door cameras in the place of traditional wing mirrors. Door handles that sit flush with the bodywork are also standard.

Spin around to the rear and there are LED taillights that match up nicely with the headlights. There’s also a large Honda badge and plenty of gloss black elements.

These photos don’t show the interior of the Ye P7 but the concept’s cabin looked pretty close to production. It included a massive central touchscreen display housing all important settings, including the HVAC controls. It also featured a single wireless phone charging pad and a dedicated digital instrument cluster perched towards the top of the dashboard.  

Thew new Honda Ye P7 is expected to make its market launch in China later this year.

It’s been a lengthy 16 months since the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ first debuted, but only now has the automaker confirmed its full specs, including the electric SUV’s driving range. The Escalade IQ boasts an impressive GM-estimated range of 460 miles (740 km), setting a new standard for the Escalade lineup.

As anticipated, the electric SUV commands a premium price tag, starting at $130,000 ($129,990, to be exact) and topping out at $150,490 before factoring in a $2,290 destination and handling fee or optional add-ons. For perspective, this represents a considerable jump over the gas-powered Escalade, which starts at $89,950 for the base RWD model and maxes out at $121,890 for the long-wheelbase ESV Platinum trim. That said, the IQ still slots below the $164,990 V-Series ICE flagship.

More: EV Depreciation Shocker As Mercedes EQS Loses Almost Half Its Value In A Year

And that’s without factoring in the reality that, like most—if not all—EVs, the Escalade IQ is likely to experience significantly steeper depreciation compared to any other major vehicle types. This might be something worth considering for buyers weighing the commitment of a six-figure investment.

Four Trim Options

Cadillac is going to sell the Escalade IQ with a single powertrain option. The entry-level model is the Luxury 1 and comes standard with huge 24-inch polished wheels with black accents, an illuminated grille, basic LED headlights, and Galvano door handles.

Shoppers who want something that looks a little sportier can opt for the Sport 1, priced from $130,490. It has most of the same features as the Luxury 1 but sits on different 24-inch wheels with black center caps, features body-colored door handles, perimeter lighting, and Hudson Metallic nameplates.

Then we get to the two range-toppers, the Luxury 2 and the Sport 2, priced from $149,990 and $150,490, respectively. These models add trick new slim HED vertical headlights, better seats, a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system, power-adjustable second-row massage seats, and some extra standard safety features, including a wired trailer view camera. The Luxury 2 and Sport 2 can also be optioned with the Executive Second Row Seating Package.

2025 CADILLAC ESCALADE IQ MSRP

This option, priced at $7,500, adds an 8-inch rear screen, second-row executive seating with heating, and ventilation, a 10-point power massage function, dual wireless chargers, a custom rear floor console, tray tables, and a 40-speaker AKG audio system.

One Powertrain, Plenty of Power

As mentioned, regardless of trim, the Escalade IQ packs the same all-electric powertrain: a mammoth battery with over 200 kWh of capacity powering dual electric motors. Together, they produce 680 hp and 615 lb-ft (834 Nm) of torque. Enable the Velocity Max drive mode, and output spikes to 750 hp and 785 lb-ft (1,063 Nm), launching the luxury SUV from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in under five seconds.

Read: 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Is A $130k Flagship Electric SUV With 450 Mile Range

There’s no word on how long it takes to fully charge the massive battery, but Cadillac says the 800-volt electrical architecture means up to 100 miles (161 km) of range can be added in 10 minutes through a DC fast charger.

Chinese products have come a long way in design, tech, quality, and luxury over the past few decades. So much so that the latest brand to emerge from the People’s Republic—Maextro—thinks it can rival Europe’s most opulent brands, including Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Maybach. Its debut model, the S800, promises similar grandeur at a fraction of the price.

Far from being a plucky upstart (or heaven forbid, some bizarre reboot of the Austin Maestro), the newly formed Maextro brand is a joint venture between tech giant Huawei and Chinese automaker JAC. It’s also the fourth and most ambitious member of Huawei’s HIMA project, taking its place above the Stelato (Huawei/BAIC), Luxeed (Huawei/Chery), and AITO (Huawei/Seres) collaborations.

More: Huawei CEO Says New Ultra-Premium EV Brand Will Surpass Maybach And Rolls-Royce

As the debut model for the fledgling brand, the Maextro S800 was unveiled ahead of its spring 2025 market launch. The electric sedan sticks to a tried-and-tested luxury formula: a long hood, a bowed roofline flowing cleanly into the rear, and a wheelbase that stretches out like it has something to prove.

Derivative Styling

While China’s auto industry has arguably progressed in design over the years, the Maextro S800 stumbles into a familiar trap—derivative styling. Rather than forging a bold new identity, it borrows liberally (and not always successfully) from Europe’s luxury playbook.

The disc wheels are unmistakably Rolls-Royce-inspired, the chrome-accented lower bumper intake feels like a Bentley afterthought, and the bi-tone exterior treatment screams Maybach. As for the rear, its slightly hunched profile is uncomfortably reminiscent of a Porsche Panamera. To its credit, the S800 does manage a few original touches, including unique star-patterned door handles and intricately designed LED lighting, but these flourishes aren’t quite enough to shake its patchwork aesthetic.

Size Matters, Apparently

Yu Chengdong (also known as Richard Yu), the CEO of Huawei Technologies Consumer Business Group, couldn’t resist boasting that the Maextro S800 is bigger than 99.99% of the cars on Chinese roads. Measuring 5,480 mm (215.7 inches) in length, 2,000 mm (78.7 inches) in width, and 1,536 mm (60.5 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 3,370 mm (132.7 inches), the S800 certainly isn’t lacking in size.

This footprint is very similar to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which served as a benchmark for the Chinese model. However, it falls 65 mm (2.6 inches) shy of the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and if you’re aiming for Phantom EWB levels of grandeur, you’ll need an extra 502 mm (19.8 inches) to get there.

A Glimpse Inside

The interior, revealed through a single teaser photo, hints at opulence but leaves much to the imagination. The so-called “starry sky” roof, a feature borrowed from Rolls-Royce’s greatest hits, offers a celestial ambiance, while high-quality materials for the upholstery aim to enhance the cabin’s appeal.

The back seats suggest a four-seater layout, catering to those who prefer being chauffeured over driving themselves. And because this is a Huawei-backed venture, you can expect the latest tech, including an AI-powered assistance system and Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities.

Built on Huawei’s Tuling Intelligent Chassis, the Maextro S800 remains tight-lipped on its full electric powertrain specs. Those details are expected to drop closer to its market launch in spring 2025.

Pricing

However, one thing is already clear; this EV is priced to compete. Pre-orders in China are now open with a deposit of ¥20,000 ($2,800), and final pricing is anticipated to fall between ¥1-1.5 million ($137,800-$206,700). That slots the S800 directly against heavyweights like the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i7 in the luxury electric sedan segment.

Photos: Maextro, Chu Xiaomin, Wild 11 / Weibo

Depreciation is a fact of life, but what you buy has a big impact on resale values down the line. To help consumers, J.D. Power has released their 2025 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards which highlight the vehicles that are projected to hold the highest percentage of their manufacturer’s suggested retail price after three years of ownership.

The winners aren’t exactly a surprise as Honda and Lexus walked away with top honors for the fourth consecutive year. J.D. Power’s Danny Battaglia credited part of this success to Honda’s pricing discipline as well as Lexus’ restraint on incentives, which can negatively impact resale values of older vehicles.

More: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Starts At $59,595

Besides being named the best premium brand, Lexus picked up the most model-level awards. Class honors went to the IS, LS, NX, RX, and TX. Their mainstream counterpart, Toyota, also picked up awards for the Camry and GR Supra as well as the Tundra and Land Cruiser.

Japanese models dominated the rankings as Honda scored wins for the Civic, Passport and Odyssey, while Subaru picked up accolades for the Crosstrek, Forester, and WRX. Other awards went to the Acura Integra and Nissan Kicks.

American brands might have played second fiddle, but GM racked up five wins. The Chevrolet Corvette was named the best “midsize premium sporty car,” while the Cadillac Escalade was the best large premium SUV. GMC also picked up awards for the Sierra 3500 HD as well as the Hummer EV Pickup and SUV.

Interestingly, the soon to be launched Dodge Charger Daytona was named the best electric car. While it remains to be seen what resale values will look like three years from now, electric coupes are virtually unheard of in America so the Charger Daytona doesn’t really have any competition.

Sticking with EVs, the Tesla Model 3 was dubbed the best premium electric car. The Hyundai Kona EV, on the other hand, was named best electric SUV.

Awards were also given to the BMW X1 and 5-Series, Jeep Gladiator and Wagoneer, and Kia Telluride. Mercedes’ only win was for the Sprinter, which took the commercial van class.

Cleantech Group has been committed to global cleantech innovation, believing great solutions can come from anywhere and knowing that we need to achieve...

The post Postcard Perspectives from the Asia-Pacific Region appeared first on Cleantech Group.

Cleantech Group’s new quarterly ‘Companies to Watch’ feature will shine a light on innovation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for our international audiences....

The post 8 Cleantech Companies to Watch from the Asia-Pacific Region appeared first on Cleantech Group.

GAC has shared the first photos of its Aion UT on social media, ahead of its official debut at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show on November 15. The Chinese hatchback is being marketed as a “global strategic model” and will feature a fully electric powertrain, with dimensions similar to the VW ID.3.

The GAC Aion UT adopts a friendly look, with plenty of curves, a grille-less front end and sleek LED headlights. Overall, the styling language is reminiscent of the recently revealed Geome Xingyuan by the rival Geely brand. The interior is typical of Chinese EVs with a large Tesla-like infotainment screen, a two-spoke steering wheel, a floating center console, and colorful inserts.

More: Does The New Aion V Electric SUV Remind You Of A T-Rex? GAC Thinks So

According to data from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the GAC Aion UT measures 4,270 mm (168.1 inches) in length, 1,850 mm (72.8 inches) in width, and 1,575 mm (62 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm (108.3 inches). These dimensions are comparable to other electric hatchbacks, including the VW ID.3, the MG4, and the global-spec BYD Dolphin.

Power comes from a single electric motor producing 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS). Energy is sourced in a lithium iron phosphate battery pack of unknown capacity. The official sketches suggest the EV will offer over 600 km (373 miles) of range, though the larger GAC Aion RT electric sedan, with its 68.1 kWh battery, is rated for up to 650 km (400 miles) of CLTC range.

Car News China reports that the GAC Aion UT will be priced from under ¥100,000 ($13,800) in the People’s Republic, matching the starting price of the BYD Dolphin (¥99,800 / $13,800). More importantly, the GAC Aion UT will undercut both the MG4 (¥115,800 / $16,000) and the VW ID.3 (¥129,900 / $18,000) in China.

GAC Aion is the best-selling sub-brand of the GAC Group, specializing in fully electric vehicles. Besides China, the marque currently operates in Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The brand’s three “global strategic models” include the Aion V SUV, the Aion RT sedan, and the Aion UT hatchback.

GAC Aion / Weibo

Update 12/18: Cadillac has revealed full pricing details for the upcoming electric Vistiq, months ahead of its planned Spring 2025 market launch, as discovered by Car&Driver. While we already knew the base Luxury trim would start at $77,395 (or $78,790 including destination), we now have a clearer picture of the entire lineup. The available trims include the Sport, Premium Luxury, and the range-topping Platinum that starts at $97,890.

And yes, checking enough option boxes means this three-row EV can easily push past the $100,000 mark. It seems six-figure price tags are becoming more common in Cadillac’s electric lineup, as evidenced by the recently introduced Escalade IQ, which starts at $130,000.

2026 CADILLAC VISTIQ PRICING

Cadillac’s electric vehicle lineup continues to expand, and we recently had the opportunity to go hands-on with the 2026 Vistiq. It’s a three-row luxury crossover that slots neatly between the Lyriq and Escalade IQ, and is designed to appeal to active families, offering a blend of technology, luxury, and space.

Set to go into production early next year, the Vistiq follows in the footsteps of the Lyriq and adopts split lighting units as well as an expansive black crystal shield grille. The latter has unique patterns that help to distinguish the various trims as Luxury variants have a linear motif, while Sport versions wear a mesh-like design.

Imposing Exterior Design

Michael Gauthier / Carscoops

The profile is striking for a crossover and exterior designer Zhou Fang told us it was partially influenced by the CTS Sport Wagon. Besides that cool touch, there’s streamlined bodywork, flush-mounted door handles, and angular rear pillars. They’re joined by unique third quarter glass sporting a Cadillac Mondrian graphic. This will likely prove divisive, but the company claimed it provides additional privacy for rear seat passengers.

Elsewhere, there are 21-inch wheels with three-dimensional center caps. 22- and 23-inchers will also be available as an option. Buyers will also find eight exterior colors ranging from Polar White and Argent Silver to Opulent Blue and Radiant Red.

More: 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Is A $130k Flagship Electric SUV With 450 Mile Range

In terms of size, the Vistiq measures 205.6 inches (5,222 mm) long, 86.7 inches (2,203 mm) wide, and 71 inches (1,804 mm) tall, with a wheelbase that spans 121.8 inches (3,094 mm). That means the model is 7.1 inches (180 mm) longer than the XT6 and has an extra 9.1 inches (231 mm) between the wheels.

A Spacious And Luxurious Interior

Michael Gauthier / Carscoops

The Lyriq-like styling continues in the cabin, which sports a “stately and architectural” aura. It’s dominated by a familiar 33-inch display, but this isn’t a simple rehash as the Vistiq has a unique dashboard as well as a floating center console. The latter houses an 8-inch Command Center as well as a dual wireless smartphone charger.

More: 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Is Caddy’s First EV-V

Speaking of equipment, the crossover sports heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, a five-zone climate control system, and a 23-speaker AKG Studio audio system. They’re joined by an ambient lighting system, unique speaker grilles with a herringbone pattern, and a panoramic sunroof which is accompanied by a second glass panel over the third-row.

Given this is an EV, there are a handful of eco-minded touches. Among them are a leather-free steering wheel and fabrics created from 100% recycled materials.

Cadillac officials billed the cabin as being closer to the Escalade IQ than the Lyriq, although it felt like an elevated version of the latter. There’s nothing wrong with that and customers will find real metal accents as well as carbon fiber, black ash, or lumen open pore wood trim.

The front seats are unsurprisingly comfortable and spacious, while the same can be said about the second row as they offer 40.2 inches (1,021 mm) of legroom. Occupants will find the usual range of adjustments as well as an 8-inch Command Center of their own.

The third row is the Vistiq’s raison d’être and this 6’ 2” reviewer found plenty of headroom as well as enough legroom to be comfortable on short trips. While the spec sheet lists foot space at a mere 30.6 inches (777 mm), second-row passengers can slide forward to make things slightly less cramped. It’s also worth noting that entry and egress is decent, but unremarkable.

While adults won’t want to spend much time in the third-row, Cadillac doesn’t treat occupants as third-class citizens. Quite the opposite as they’ll find padded armrests, air vents, cup holders, and USB-C charging ports. There’s even some brightwork back there, which is a nice touch.

When it comes time to haul cargo, owners will find 15.2 cubic feet (430 liters) of room behind the third row. That increases to 43 cubic feet (1,218 liters) by folding the third-row seats down and 80.2 cubic feet (2,271 liters) by putting both rows flat.

615 HP And 300 Miles Of Range

Motivation is provided by a 102 kWh lithium-ion battery, which feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 615 hp (459 kW / 624 PS) and 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque. That’s almost as much as the CT5-V Blackwing and it means the 6,326 lb (2,870 kg) crossover can rocket from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds with Velocity Max mode enabled.

Besides being fast and powerful, the Vistiq can go the distance as Cadillac is expecting a range of approximately 300 miles (483 km). While that’s a considerable distance, it trails the Lucid Gravity as well as the Mercedes EQS SUV. On the bright side, the model can tow up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg).

When it comes time to charge, owners can party like it’s 2011 as the crossover uses the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard. That’s a surprise as GM announced plans to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) in the summer of 2023 and GM vehicles gained access to Tesla’s Supercharger network in September.

Fast Charging

While the lack of an NACS port is disappointing, Cadillac said a DC fast charger can deliver up to 79 miles (127 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes. At home, a 240V 11.5 kW AC charger can deliver up to 28.5 miles (45.9 km) of range for every hour of charging. With the available 19.2 kW charger, owners can expect up to 46.7 miles (75.2 km) of range per hour.

On the topic of charging, the Vistiq has a bidirectional vehicle-to-home capability. Cadillac didn’t go into many details, but mentioned an available GM Energy V2H Bundle, which will allow owners to transfer power from the vehicle to their home during a blackout.

Charging aside, the crossover has a multi-link front and five-link rear suspension with semi-active dampers. Premium Luxury variants add an Air Ride Adaptive suspension, which features 3 inches (76 mm) of adjustment as well as an aero mode that automatically works to reduce drag on the highway.

Customers will also find an available Active Rear Steer system, which enables the rear wheels to turn for improved maneuverability. Cadillac didn’t share full numbers, but the system enables the crossover to have a turning diameter as little as 38.2 feet (11.6 meters). That’s tighter than the XT5 and XT6, and isn’t much wider than the XT4.

Pricing And Trims

We’ll learn full equipment details closer to launch, but Cadillac said the Vistiq will come standard with Super Cruise, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Forward Collision Alert, and Side Bicyclist Alert. The model will also be offered with a Night Vision system that uses an infrared camera to show pedestrians or animals that might be ‘hidden’ by darkness.

The Vistiq will be available in Luxury, Sport, and Premium Luxury trims at launch, with prices beginning at $78,790, including destination charges. This marks an $18,175 increase over the Lyriq, yet it’s still a whopping $51,200 less than the Escalade IQ.

Cadillac is killing off its smallest and cheapest SUV, the XT4, which starts at just under $38,000. Production will officially grind to a halt at GM’s Fairfax plant in Kansas come January 2025, marking the end of the line for the first – and only – generation of the crossover after seven years on sale. This decision leaves buyers with two options: upgrade to the larger, pricier XT5 – which starts at nearly $44,000 – or take their business to rival brands.

The reality is they’re already shopping elsewhere and Cadillac knows it. XT4 sales are down 12 percent this year despite the model receiving a makeover for the 2024 season that brought sharper styling and a Lyriq-style dashboard featuring a curved infotainment display and Google integration.

Related: 2025 Cadillac XT4 Drops Base Trim, Adds Safety Features

The Fairfax facility was due to build both the XT4 and Chevy’s new Bolt EV – scheduled to begin production in late 2025 – next year, but parent company GM says the plant will now only be used to make the Bolt. Fairfax currently also builds the Chevrolet Malibu sedan, but production of the mid-size sedan ends this month.

GM had already announced in September that almost 1,700 jobs would be lost at the site while it underwent a $390 million transformation into a modern EV center. The layoffs begin on November 18 when 686 full-time workers and 250 temporary staff are shown the door, followed by another 759 job cuts on January 12, Reuters reported.

The automaker does intend to get the workers back on site later in 2025 for the start of Bolt production, but that’s a long time to wait without a paycheck.

Cadillac cut like-for-like XT4 prices by between $400-700 for 2025, but it also dropped the base model, effectively bumping the minimum spend from $39,090 to $41,990. The latest versions offset that burden by coming equipped with the Active safety package – adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, surround-view camera – that was previously a $1,825 option.

The XT4 only lasted a single generation, having made its debut in 2018 as Cadillac’s take on the Chevrolet Equinox. It’s also built in Shanghai, China, where production is expected to continue.

Source: Reuters

A billboard featuring the picture of Steve Clark, part of a campaign by Republican Voters Against Trump. (Photo courtesy of RVAT)

Starting Friday morning, commuters driving in and out of Milwaukee will see a barrage of billboards with the faces of men and women who previously voted for Donald Trump but won’t in the 2024 election.

The “billboard takeover” is the capstone project of a $40 million campaign throughout the long election cycle by Republicans and conservatives who oppose returning Trump to the Oval Office.

With just five days to go until Election Day, Republican Voters Against Trump has purchased the time for the mass billboard project in the principal metro areas of three swing states that have been labeled the “Blue Wall” essential for a Democratic victory: Detroit in Michigan and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, along with Milwaukee in Wisconsin. More than 150 electronic billboards in the three states will feature the messages.

Republican Voters Against Trump is a project of a superPAC called the Republican Accountability Project. 

The billboards bear the faces of people who identify as previous Trump voters and who have disavowed the 45th president and GOP nominee for 2024.

Some declare they are voting for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee. Others state only that they are not voting for Trump. Participants in the campaign include four people from Michigan and two each from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

“There is a critical mass of Americans who cast votes for Trump in the past and are supporting Harris this time around,” said Sarah Longwell, executive director of Republican Voters Against Trump. “These are the strongest possible messengers for reaching persuadable, conservative-leaning swing voters in the Blue Wall. We couldn’t think of a better closing message.”

One of the Wisconsin participants in the campaign, Steve Clark, a retired University of Wisconsin-Madison immunology professor, said he didn’t vote for Trump in 2016, writing in the name of his running mate that year, Mike Pence, instead.

But during his four years in office, “Trump did a fairly good job. I’d give him a C-plus,” Clark said, and so in 2020 he voted for Trump for reelection.

Trump’s refusal to accept he lost that year, and his response to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters who sought to stop the certification of Joe Biden as the next U.S. president, turned Clark against Trump.  

Clark said he doesn’t blame the former president for instigating the Capitol attack, but “he certainly did not do anything to quell it.”

He also opposes Trump’s foreign policy stances, his advocacy of tariffs and his isolationism in international affairs.

“A lot of what Trump is doing is not conservative,” said Clark, who admires Ronald Reagan. “He stood up to tyranny” in the old Soviet Union, he said of Reagan.

“I think the world is too dangerous right now for someone like Trump to lead the country,” Clark said.

While at least some of the campaign’s participants are affirmatively lining up to support Harris, however, Clark is an exception. He plans to vote for Republicans down the ballot and write in the name of Nikki Haley for president.

Clark supported Haley, the former UN ambassador under Trump, in her primary campaign against Trump earlier this year, when she criticized the former president harshly.

After running a distant second, however, Haley went on to endorse Trump when he had secured the Republican nomination.

“That was disappointing,” Clark said. “She’s loyal to her party, and so I understand.”

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

SUBSCRIBE

AC Cars is headed stateside to unveil a fully electric Ace Classic at the SEMA Show. The model follows hot on the heels of the Ace and Ace Bristol, which were introduced earlier this month.

Full details will be revealed on November 5, but the model features retro-inspired carbon fiber bodywork as well as a traditional grille. They’re joined by wire wheels and classic brightwork.

More: AC Cars Will Sell You A New Ace With A 300 HP EcoBoost Engine For $228,000

Despite the old school appearance, the roadster has a modernized design with “graceful rolling flanks and wheel arches” that stand in contrast to the “flat-sided original.” We can also see LED headlights that appear to have circular daytime running lights.

AC Cars didn’t say much about the hand-finished interior, but there’s a wood rimmed steering wheel as well as old school gauges from Speedhut. The model also appears to have a minimalist rotary shifter.

Motivation is provided by an e-crate system from Tremec Electric GT. It sees the model outfitted with a 72 kWh battery pack and an electric motor developing 302 hp (225 kW / 306 PS). AC Cars didn’t provide many other details, but said the roadster weighs less than 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) and will have more than 200 miles (322 km) of range.

U.S. pricing will start at $275,000 before taxes and deliveries are slated to begin next year. Only a “limited number” of cars will be offered stateside and they’ll have left hand drive on this side of the Atlantic. American models will also be shipped partially assembled as the powertrain will be installed by Tremec.

Cadillac’s Lyriq is getting a high-performance Lyriq-V spinoff for the 2026 model year. GM’s fanciest brand confirmed today that the SUV would be the first Cadillac EV to get a hot variant, and says it will debut early next year.

The announcement offered nothing in the way of spec details, but two images and a short teaser video drop a few clues about what the BMW iX M60 rival will offer. Although the exterior makeover is subtle, the Lyriq V looks tangibly meaner than the stock EV thanks to its more aggressive bumpers and color-coded bodykit.

Related: The Lyriq Is Cadillac’s Second Best Seller This Year As Other Models Struggle

Brembo brake calipers are visible behind fat multispoke alloy wheels and the body looks noticeably closer to the ground in V form. And just in case those cues aren’t obvious enough, there are V badges on the nose and tail and one at the base of each rear door.

A driver in the video can be seen pressing a V button on the Lyriq‘s steering wheel to engage a performance driving mode, and although we don’t know what that does to the power and handling, Cadillac does promise every electric V will offer “exceptional performance, competitive range, and standard all-wheel drive.”

All-wheel drive versions of the regular Lyriq come with 500 hp (507 PS / 373 kW) and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque, but we can expect the V model to deliver far more of both. Chevy’s Blazer EV, which uses the same GM Ultium platform as the Lyriq, already offers 595 hp (603 PS / 444 kW) in SS trim.

The 2026 Lyriq-V doesn’t only have its sights set on stealing sales from the likes of BMW, Tesla, and Audi in the US, but right across the globe. Cadillac says it will build the SUV in both left- and right-hand drive and sell it initially in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, with availability in other markets coming later in 2025.

Green Party candidate Jill Stein, seen here in 2016.(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Republican-connected Badger Values PAC is spending in Wisconsin to boost Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, according to a report from the Washington Post. 

The spending is a sign that some think third party presidential candidates in Wisconsin, a key battleground state, could influence the outcome of the contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Three third-party candidates — Stein, Robert F. Kennedy and Cornel West — will appear on Wisconsin ballots, though Kennedy, who has been seen as a potential spoiler for Trump, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to get his name removed since he dropped out and endorsed Trump, filing his appeal after early voting started in the state.

Stein, who remained on the ballot in Wisconsin after the state Supreme Court decided not to hear a challenge brought by Democrats, is seen as a potential spoiler for Harris. 

Wisconsin’s election results are known for being close with the last two presidential elections decided by about 20,000 votes. A recent Marquette University Law School poll released on Oct. 16 found that the presidential race nationally remains extremely tight, with Harris being the choice for 48% of likely voters and Republican former President Donald Trump is the choice of 47% among likely voters.

Mailers sent by Badger Values PAC this year in Wisconsin have been attacking Vice President Kamala Harris, while speaking favorably of Stein. 

“As President, JILL STEIN Would End Pollution in Our Great Lakes and Rivers,” one mailer stated. “Kamala Harris and Co. Don’t Care About Our Environment. VOTE FOR JILL STEIN by November 5th.”

The independent group registered with the FEC on Sept. 24 to spend on federal elections, and has the same address and treasurer as a group by the same name that registered in Wisconsin in July 2022. Badger Values PAC spent $407,483 during the 2022 Wisconsin attorney general race, including $137,000 on television ads to support Adam Jarchow, a former state representative, during the Republican primary. During that campaign, Jarchow described himself as “pro-life,” saying that an 1849 criminal law should be enforced to ban abortion in the state.

Les Williamson, the group’s treasurer, has worked for Republican groups in the past, including working for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and serving as treasurer to other super PACs that supported Republicans in races in New Hampshire and this year’s Montana Senate race. 

As of Oct. 25, the group has spent about $982,900 on 2024 federal elections, including about $307,000 for Stein. 

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) said in a statement responding to news of the spending that Stein has no chance of winning, but Republicans think she could deliver a win for Trump. The DNC has also recently launched ads in Wisconsin, as well as other swing states, against Stein. 

“That’s why Republicans are spending heavily in battleground states like Wisconsin to prop up her spoiler candidacy and manipulate voters,” DNC Communications Advisor Lis Smith said. “Republican operatives like Badger Values PAC couldn’t make it any clearer — a vote for Stein is a vote for Trump.”

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

SUBSCRIBE

Plug-in hybrids are often billed as a stepping stone to electric vehicles as they usually offer a modest electric-only range of around 30 to 40 miles. That’s enough to cover short commutes, but not much else. Beyond that, they rely on traditional engines, leaving much to be desired for those seeking true electric freedom.

However, it’s time to rethink plug-in hybrids as CATL has unveiled their new Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery, which promises to give PHEVs a range in excess of 249 miles (400 km). That’s presumably an optimistic CLTC figure, but that range matches the EPA estimate of the Audi e-tron GT and bests some versions of the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW i4. It also trounces EPA figures for the Fiat 500e as well as variants of the Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.

More: CATL’s New LFP Battery Unlocks 373-Mile Range With 10-Minute Charge

Besides providing a significant increase in range, CATL says the battery supports 4C superfast charging. This means a quick 10 minute stop could deliver over 174 miles (280 km) of range, “dispelling range anxiety for EREV and PHEV owners.”

The magic behind Freevoy lies in advanced materials and cutting-edge chemistry. According to CATL, the battery’s design incorporates “surface modification technology for the cathode material, coupled with an innovative high-voltage electrolyte formulation, to create a nano protective layer. This effectively minimizes side reactions within the active layer.”

As CATL explains it, the inclusion of “high-activity, excited-state particles into the cathode material significantly enhances transport efficiency of lithium ions within the material. Supported by the SOC full-scene high-precision model developed by CATL, and the upgrade of BMS intelligent algorithm and hardware, the SOC control accuracy of Freevoy has been increased by 40%, and the overall pure electric utilization rate has increased by more than 10%, achieving a pure electric range of more than 249 miles (400 km).”

The company went on to say the Freevoy incorporates their sodium-ion battery technology as well as a multi-gradient layered electrode design. Of course, what really matters is the jaw-dropping range and CATL effectively said each improvement helped to add a few miles, combining to create a huge jump over traditional PHEV batteries.

Looking ahead, 30 hybrid models are set to roll out next year equipped with the Freevoy battery. Among the first to adopt it will be brands like Chery, GAC, Geely, and VOYAH, setting the stage for a new era of hybrids that might actually make going fully electric seem, well, not so urgent after all.

The Cadillac Lyriq’s electric drivetrain and sharp styling haven’t only won it new fans in America – it’s also earned the SUV a chance of victory in the prestigious German Car Of The Year (GCOTY) competition.

Forty judges assessing entries for GCOTY 2025 named the Lyriq the best luxury vehicle over €70,000 ($76,000), making it the only US car to be in with a shot at the overall title. The result will be announced on November 13 when the 2024 winner, VW’s ID.7 electric sedan will have to vacate its throne.

Related: Nearly Half Of The 2025 NACTOY Semifinalists Are EVs

But the Lyriq has its work cut out if it’s to take the outright win. The victors in the other four categories are the Citroen e-C3/C3, which took best compact vehicle under €35k ($38k), the BMW 5-Series/i5 which was awarded best premium car under €70k, the Audi Q6/SQ6 e-tron, GCOTY’s best new energy vehicle, and the Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid, which scooped best performance car.

You might have noticed that each one of those cars bar the Lyriq hails from Europe, and three are German. And maybe you’re not surprised by that, assuming that proud Germans might favor their own industry. But a glance at the list of previous winners shows that the judges are open-minded when it comes to new cars.

Though the ID.7 won in 2024, the MG3, Kia EV9, and Hyundai Ioniq 6 were victorious in the compact, luxury, and new energy categories, and the Genesis GV60, Range Rover, and Ferrari 296 won rounds in 2023, the year the VW ID.Buzz took home gold. The two overall winners in 2022 and 2021 were both from the Far East: Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Honda’s E.

The Lyric was shortlisted for the utility category in the 2023 North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) competition alongside the Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6 but lost out to the Kia in the final reckoning.

In 2023 we observed APAC-based cleantech innovators – especially Chinese solar and energy storage companies – take a quantum leap in manufacturing and...

The post APAC’s Cleantech Frontier: How 2024’s Innovations are Shaping Global Trends appeared first on Cleantech Group.