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- 🔋 Volkswagen Buzz Unveiled!
🔋 Volkswagen Buzz Unveiled!
PLUS: Faraday Future FF91 Finally Here?
Sup. This is Plugged In. We’re like Flintstone vitamins for your recommend daily intake of EV nutrients. Yabadabadoo.
Here’s what we’ve got for you today:
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Unveiled
Faraday Future’s FF91 is Finally Here?
BYD Seagull’s Impressive Launch
A New EV Supercar?

VOLKSWAGEN ID. BUZZ UNVEILED

Oh boy, buckle up, 'cause the reincarnated flower child of the auto industry is back. Volkswagen just pulled the sheets off the ID. Buzz LWB (long wheelbase) – it's like the Microbus has gone on a spa retreat and come back as an electric vehicle extraordinaire. Two decades without it were tough, North America, but brace yourself for a 2024 reunion.
Unveiled not in some boring old convention center, but at Huntington Beach (cue the surfer dudes), as part of the biggest VW Bus fest in the US, this beast is flaunting its size like it's going out of fashion. VW's calling it one of the most spacious EVs out there. Nice to see some honesty in advertising for once.
Aesthetically, it's like the standard model but somehow more... proportionate? The width and height are the same old, same old, though, but who needs more when you're already a rolling giant? The drag coefficient stands at 0.29, which, according to VW, is pretty darn good for a minivan. Plus, they've slapped an illuminated logo on the front for North American models. So much for subtlety.
Let's talk cargo space. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie with paragliding equipment or a bike enthusiast with boards to boot, the ID. Buzz LWB can handle it all – providing up to a whopping 87.2 cubic feet of space when the seats are folded.
And what's under the hood, you ask? A choice of two battery sizes and a 282-horsepower rear motor, that's what. With an upgraded drive unit, it hits 100 mph and gets you from 0-62 mph in just 7.9 seconds. And if that's too slow for you speed demons, hang in there. The GTX all-wheel-drive version is coming later in 2024 with even more horses.
So, when can you park this beast in your garage? In 2024, if you live in the US. For pricing and specifics, though, you'll have to wait. But trust us, it's worth it. After all, the Microbus is back, baby, and it's electric.

FARADAY FUTURE’S FF91 FINALLY HERE

After what can only be called a Dickensian serial of delays, the epic saga of the Faraday Future FF91 electric vehicle (EV) is seemingly about to end… or at least move to its next chapter. We're talking about a company that once promised us a 1,050 horsepower car with a 130 kWh battery, offering a 381-mile range and a 0-60 time faster than a bat out of hell. Those specs made it sound like Faraday was cooking up an automotive unicorn, but the only mystical thing here is the disappearing act it's been performing for the past five years.
Now, in a fit of spectacular optimism or sheer delusion, Faraday took to the internet, promising that the vehicle is on the precipice of production. They even unveiled a "FF 91 Final Launch & Faraday Future 2.0" livestream. The title’s either a sign that Faraday has an unfortunate penchant for overstatement or that it's really serious this time. It’s 50/50.
Their livestream showcased a vision so grandiose it's almost admirable. It painted a picture of a vehicle that combines the best of sedans, sports cars, and SUVs. On top of that, they threw around the word 'AI' so much it would make any Silicon Valley exec blush. Apparently, their vehicle will have a level of self-awareness that rivals a teen discovering existentialism for the first time, claiming the car will "know you better than you know yourself." And, it comes equipped with a permanent onboard camera to watch your every move. Sounds delightfully intrusive, doesn’t it?
The founder of Faraday, YT Jia, has positioned the FF91 as a rival to Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, and Maybach. Talk about shooting for the stars while wearing lead boots. Despite the lofty comparisons, he also noted that Faraday would avoid the luxurious materials synonymous with these brands, instead focusing on “silicon-based” luxury, which I guess means more screens and fewer cow hides?
And now, we've arrived at the pièce de résistance, the price. The FF91 2.0 Futurist Alliance limited edition will set you back a staggering $309K, while the slightly less flashy FF 91 2.0 Futurist will still run you $249K. For those looking for the standard 2.0 edition's price, we'd recommend you take a seat and maybe grab a stress ball, because we still don’t have that one yet.
Not only is Faraday selling a car, but they're also offering a lesson in financial optimism. They've guaranteed a 60% trade-in price after three years. So, despite the car's luxury price tag, it'll only cost you $41,200 per year to own this technological marvel. But, the real cherry on top of this surreal sundae? Jia's claim that the car will have "irreplaceable collectible value." Well, I suppose that's one way to spin it.

BYD SEAGULL’S IMPRESSIVE LAUNCH

In what can only be described as a surge of seagull activity not seen since the French fry cart at the beach opened up, BYD is celebrating a tenfold increase in sales for their feathered friend, the Seagull. The fledgling EV sold 14,300 units in May, a skyward leap from the modest 1,500 sold in its April debut. To put that in perspective, BYD moved a whopping 119,603 pure EVs last month, with this chippy avian carving out a tidy 12% of the action.
What makes the Seagull soar, you ask? This compact charmer comes in three trims, priced from a mere 73,800 yuan (around $10,400) to 89,800 yuan ($12,600). All models feature a humble 74 HP front motor, topping out at a perfectly adequate 130 km/h. Where things get interesting is in the battery department, with the higher-tiered Seagull nesting a 38.88 kWh battery that flaps its wings for a 405-kilometer range. The other two trims nestle a 30.08 kWh battery pack, good for a slightly more modest 305 kilometers.
And let's not forget the fast-charging capabilities. With support for 30-40 kW charging, these Seagulls can go from peckish (30% charge) to gluttonous (80% charge) in just 30 minutes. No birdseed required.
The Seagull officially took flight at the Shanghai Auto Show, with a pre-sale event that saw 10,000 orders swoop in within the first 24 hours. With its budget-friendly price tag, the Seagull is currently the cheapest chick in the BYD nest.
Sticking to the bird theme, the Seagull is a compact hatch that squawks loudly in the face of its rivals. And who exactly are these rivals? First up, we have the Wuling Bingo, the result of GM’s dalliance with SGMW in China. Priced at a rather appealing 59,800 yuan ($8,400), the Bingo boasts a 50-kilowatt electric motor and a 333-kilometer range under the CLTC standard.
So, will the Seagull continue to ride the thermals of success or get knocked off course by its competition? Only time will tell. But for now, the beach appears to be wide open for this bird to fly.
Sorry, we were really enjoying the bird jokes.

A NEW EV SUPERCAR?

Here comes AEHRA, the self-declared "Italian redefinition of electric mobility", strutting onto the EV runway and tossing its high-powered hair. With poached talent from Lamborghini and Ferrari in their styling and engineering departments, AEHRA is hellbent on giving the car industry a classic Italian dressing-down.
Hazim Nada, founder and CEO, brought AEHRA to life last June. This prodigal son, birthed in the US but raised in Italy, has his sights set on conquering the ultra-premium EV sphere with what he calls the "very latest engineering, battery, and manufacturing technologies". Sounds like he's on a first-name basis with the future.
Before giving birth to AEHRA, Nada was playing with wind at Aero Gravity, where he was responsible for Europe’s largest vertical wind tunnel. Taking his knowledge of aerodynamics, he's now set his sights on shaking up the premium auto industry. According to Nada, he saw a gap in the market: carmakers weren't fully embracing EV architecture to elevate aerodynamics, cabin space, comfort, and the overall human journey experience. Instead, they were sticking to the tired script of designing EVs like their gas-guzzling cousins.
AEHRA revealed the first images of their premium all-electric SUV last year, followed by a teaser of their supercar sedan. The new sedan is all about "exquisitely beautiful flowing lines and exceptionally strong organic, muscular proportions". It seems AEHRA has created a Frankenstein's monster of aesthetics and aerodynamics, which according to Perini, will look virtually identical when it finally struts its stuff at the Milano Monza Moving Motor Show on June 16th.
This electric supercar sedan plans to be a green machine, featuring recyclable carbon fiber composite material, and promising an unique all-electric driving experience. Production will begin in 2025, with deliveries set for 2026. The company's ambitious goal is at least 800 km (497 miles) range for both vehicles.
To cut down on catwalk changes, the sedan will share 70% of its parts with the SUV, including a 3m-long monobody chassis and a 120 kWh battery. It will also likely strut its stuff with two or three motors for an output of up to 794 bhp.
AEHRA's plan is to produce 25,000 of each model, starting their global rollout in 2026 across North America, Europe, China, and the Gulf States. Will this ultra-premium EV brand prove to be a fashion statement or a faux pas in the auto industry? Only time will tell.

THE JUICE 🔋
Jaguar recalls all I-PACE EVs. Another battery risk with LG Batteries being the supplier... Yikes.
The Best EV Brands for 2023. According to PCMag. TLDR: Tesla
BYD vs CATL Batteries. Tesla’s new friendship. What’s the advantage?
Lucid raises $3B. That’s Billion with a B.

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DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.Tesl
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