Thanks for catching the latest issue of the EV Canada Newsletter!

It has been over 1 year since I started writing the EV Canada Newsletter. I had 2 goals when I started this newsletter (and still ongoing today):

1. Learn more about EVs.: I didn’t know much about electric vehicles when I started this newsletter. I didn’t know the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 charging, the three main types of cells used in lithium-ion batteries (prismatic, cylindrical and pouch cells) etc.

2. To help others learn about EVs and stay up to date on the latest “going ons” in the EV industry. There’s not doubt that EVs are the present and future and whether you’re an experienced EV’er or just starting your EV journey, I hope that you can learn something and stay up to date with the EV Canada Newsletter.

Thank you for your support over the past year!

Canada

2023 AutoTrader Awards:Finalists Revealed for Canada’s Most Trusted Automotive Awards

Discover the best cars on the market with the 2023 AutoTrader Awards. Their team of over 20 experienced automotive journalists from across Canada have voted on the top vehicles in more than 30 segments to help you make an informed decision when purchasing your next car. The finalists for this year's awards have been announced, featuring only the best in terms of automotive excellence. Every car available for purchase in Canada is eligible for an award, but these finalists have received the most votes from the AutoTrader.

Below is just the “overall” vehicle segment (special attention to the “Green Car” section). For the entire list, check it out HERE.

Overall Car

• BMW i4

• Genesis G80 / Electrified G80

• Honda Civic / Civic Hatchback

• Honda Civic Type R

• Toyota Sienna

 Overall SUV

• Genesis GV70

• Kia Telluride

• Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

• Subaru Crosstrek

• Subaru Outback

 Overall Truck

• Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra

• Ford F-150

• Ford Maverick

• GMC Hummer EV Pickup

• Toyota Tundra / Tundra Hybrid

 Overall Green Car

• BMW i4

• Ford F-150 Hybrid / F-150 Lightning

• Ford Maverick

• Hyundai Ioniq 5

• Toyota RAV4 Prime

VinFast Consolidates Canadian and US Operations into VinFast North America for Greater Efficiency and Performance in the EV Market.

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast has announced the consolidation of its Canadian and US operations into a single unit, to be called VinFast North America. The move is intended to increase efficiency and improve the company's operational and financial performance, as part of VinFast's long-term strategy to succeed in the competitive automotive industry.

VinFast North America will be based in Los Angeles and will oversee key strategic business and management operations, with VinFast Canada becoming a member company responsible for sales, service, and distribution in Canada. The consolidation will streamline operations and enhance the delivery of EVs to customers, while also reducing expenses. VinFast North America will be led by CEO Nguyen Thi Van Anh, who will also retain her role as CEO of VinFast US Manufacturing. This consolidation will not impact VinFast's commitment to delivering quality products and high service standards in Canada and the US.

Here is a snapshot of the Vinfast models shown on the Vinfast Canada website:

EV Around the World 🌏

Hyundai launches national marketing campaign for IONIQ 6 EV.

Hyundai aims to make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) easier for consumers with its latest marketing campaign for the all-new IONIQ 6. Starring Kevin Bacon and his daughter Sosie Bacon, the campaign's theme "It's Time to Go Electric" will showcase the convenience and accessibility of the IONIQ 6 through broadcast and social media commercials. The 60- and 30-second ads, titled "Your Dad Is Going Electric," humorously show Kevin Bacon as an early adopter of EVs who is excited to share the innovation and capabilities of his IONIQ 6.

The ads also address consumers' concerns about charging times and driving range. The ads will run through March, when the IONIQ 6 goes on sale. The campaign was developed in collaboration with Hyundai's agency of record, INNOCEAN USA and media agency, Canvas.

Audi is venturing into the rugged 4x4 market with an all-electric off-road SUV.

The vehicle, which will compete with the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQG and Defender EV, is expected to be launched in 2027. The SUV is expected to be based on the next-generation EV platform that will underpin the first models of the resurrected Scout brand, acquired by Volkswagen Group in 2021. The platform was created to launch two electric off-roaders under the dormant American brand to rival Rivian.

The reason for this probable move by Audi is due to the delay of Volkswagen Group's next-generation Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) until 2028, which will replace the current Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB). The debut of Audi's Activesphere concept also hints at the brand's intentions, as it features an all-electric drive system, complete with all-wheel drive, height-adjustable air suspension, and a rear end that can transform into a pickup bed for carrying e-bikes or sports equipment.

While the Activesphere concept sits on the brand's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, the upcoming rugged 4x4 will have a ladder-frame chassis with batteries nestled between the frame rails, similar to the Mercedes EQG. The first-ever series production electric Defender is also reportedly in the works and will have been revealed by 2027, making Audi's job even harder in creating a model that will have to convince potential customers it's better than its competitors.

Audi has a history of competing in rallying, but it has never made a full-stop off-road production SUV. However, the German brand's lead designer, Marc Lichte, believes there is room in the market for another player in this segment and promises that the vehicle will not look like a G-Class or Defender. "It will be something else," he said.

Nissan is set to reveal a new electric vehicle (EV) concept, the Max-Out.

Nissan will unveil a new EV tomorrow night, February 1 at 8 PM EST. The automaker has already teased the vehicle in a video that highlights its features and design. According to Nissan, the Max-Out represents what happens "when virtual becomes physical."

The Max-Out was first presented in November 2021 and is being touted as a two-seater electric roadster. It features an "ultra-lightweight" construction, all-wheel drive, and a low center of gravity. Nissan has also included an Advanced e-4ORCE setup in the vehicle, which is a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup. The hardware was initially presented in October 2019 on a Leaf prototype, which had a combined output of 304 horsepower and 680 Newton-meters of torque.

Although Nissan is set to showcase the Max-Out, it is unlikely that the vehicle will enter production. Convertibles have lost popularity in recent years and Nissan is more likely to focus on its other vehicle segments, such as SUVs and trucks. The company is also working on turning the Leaf into a crossover for a 2025 launch.

Honda has announced that all Acura-branded electric vehicles (EVs) will be sold exclusively online, starting with the ZDX SUV. 

The luxury and performance brand will start taking reservations for the ZDX and ZDX Type S later this year. The auto industry has been slow to adopt online sales, with traditional dealers remaining the most typical entry point for buyers. However, Honda is restructuring its business as it looks ahead to achieving 100 percent electric vehicle sales by 2040 and is positioning Acura as the “tip of the spear” in its shift to EVs, which includes improved software services and e-commerce.

Honda’s senior VP Mamadou Diallo, who was recently promoted to oversee all sales for American Honda, said that Honda’s network of dealers will remain part of the process. “What we see is providing clients [and] consumers the convenience of transacting where they wish to transact,” Diallo said. He added that the purchasing process could start in the customer’s living room or at the dealership, but information will have to be inputted regardless.

Honda’s EV strategy so far has been defined by its partnerships with other manufacturers. Both of its initial EVs, the Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue, will be built on General Motors’ Ultium electric architecture. Meanwhile, Honda is helping launch Sony’s first vehicle brand Afeela, the first of which is expected to go on sale in North America in 2026. The company, which was caught off guard by the rapid rise in demand for EVs, has been struggling to catch up to its rivals in Europe and North America. As such, Honda has created a new division called the Electrification Business Development Operations to consolidate all its offerings, including EVs, electric motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, and battery-swapping technology.

Honda says it will release 30 hybrid battery-electric fuel-cell vehicles by 2030 and is targeting aggressive sales of its first EVs, including 60,000 Prologue SUVs in the US in 2024, 70,000 units in 2025, and 300,000 in 2026. More broadly, the company says it wants 40 percent of its sales to be comprised of battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles by 2030, 80 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2040. To support this, Honda recently announced it would build a $4.4 billion battery factory with South Korea’s LG Chem in Ohio.

QuickEV

• Audi coming out with more than 20 new cars by 2026.

• Mercedes-Benz is the first to bring Level 3 automated driving to the US.

• [VIDEO] Munro Live checks out the super-efficient Mercedes EQXX.

• Peugeot confirms it will launch 5 new EVs by 2025.

• Tesla updates Cybertruck production timeline: Temper your expectations.

• [VIDEO] All-New 2023 Range Rover PHEV review.

• 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class debuts: new 400e PHEV Model.

• GM & Lithium Americas Ssrike $650 Million investment agreement.

• [VIDEO] Mazda CX-90 Unboxed — The Reveal.

• Ford reduces Mustang Mach-E Prices, production to increase in 2023.

• 2024 GMC Hummer SUV enters production as customers anticipate deliveries.

EV Tweet of the Week

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