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Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights about the future of transportation.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares and I cover a lot of ground in a wide-ranging interview covering the company's previously revealed goals for electric vehicles, the threat posed by Chinese automakers, its deal with Amazon over software and whether the Ramcharger and Dodge The electric charger is still in operation. Path (they). Stay tuned for more coverage this coming week, BTW.
You may be surprised to learn that Stellantis is still intent on deploying self-driving commercial trucks through a partnership with Waymo. Tavares said they are working to “deepen” the relationship; You can read more about this topic here. Of course, as he spoke, I wondered if this was just wishful thinking or an attempt to show that the company is still part of the self-driving vehicle conversation? Any of my doubts can be cleared by this summer. Stay tuned.
This week's news also includes articles on Uber's entry into India into the ride-hailing and delivery space, boosting shared micromobility, a second chance for the defunct Nikola Badger minivan, and more!
Let's go!
Little birds
Here's an interesting one that combines high-end real estate and cars together. Last January, Mercedes-Benz made its real estate debut through a partnership with Binghatti Properties. The two companies have entered into a partnership in a $1 billion development project in Dubai that will include 150 apartments, with prices starting at $2.7 million per person.
A little birdie tells us that Mercedes will announce another 'Mercedes-Benz Places' development before the end of the month – this time in the US. What's your guess?
On the electric vehicle front, we got an interesting development with Cake, the Swedish e-bike startup that has entered bankruptcy protection. While Cake worked its way through the process, a man from Florida, who owned a retail store called Emoto, bought all of Cake's Makka and Ösa motorcycles shipped to the United States along with accessories and parts.
Watch our story that started with a tip!
Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or Sean O'Kane sean.okane@techcrunch.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, click here to contact us, which includes SecureDrop (instructions here) and several encrypted messaging apps.
Deal of the week
Just when it thought the micromobility industry couldn't consolidate anymore, Cooltra acquired Cityscoot, the Paris-based service known for its popular white-and-blue electric bikes that had been placed in court-ordered receivership several months ago.
As reporter Romain Delet notes, micromobility startups boomed in Europe when interest rates hovered around 0%. But the economic sky became cloudier when interest rates rose, making it difficult to raise financing rounds and secure the debt facilities needed to acquire new cars. A wave of bankruptcies and mergers followed.
Cityscoot has raised at least $75 million since its founding in 2014. After failing to secure a new funding round to keep the company afloat, it filed for bankruptcy and was later placed in court-ordered receivership. Cooltra's bid, which has been approved by the courts, focuses mostly on Cityscoot's assets, including its user base.
According to court documents, Cooltra is spending €400,000 ($430,000 at today's exchange rate) to acquire Cityscoot and plans to spend about €1.5 million ($1.6 million) over the next two years to finance the merger.
Other deals that caught my attention…
Haomo.ai, an autonomous driving startup backed by Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor, has raised 100 million yuan, or $14 million, in a Series B funding round led by Chengdu Wufa Private Equity Fund Management, an investment vehicle backed by the Chengdu government.
Not a deal, just a name change! Robotic Research Autonomous Industries (RRAI), a self-driving car company with a history of working with the Department of Defense, has changed its name to Forterra.
Notable Readings and Other Stories
Self-driving vehicles
Uber Eats plans to launch its Cartken curbside robot delivery service in Japan. The companies already have limited operations in Fairfax, Virginia and Miami.
Waymo's expansion plans in California have been slowed by delays at the California Public Utilities Commission. News of the discontinuation led some to view it as a major setback. While criticism and pressure have increased around bot regulations, I do not see them as harmful as some suggest. The CPUC said its decision to suspend the application for further review is “not unusual.” For me, the most interesting thing was learning that Waymo has updated its app to include parts of San Mateo County that would open a route to San Francisco International Airport.
Electric vehicles, batteries and charging
Arc, the electric boat startup, has unveiled a new battery-powered sport boat called Arc Sport.
Earnings showed – once again – that the appetite for expensive luxury electric cars may not be as great as we thought. Lucid Motors said it would make just 9,000 electric vehicles in 2024 after once forecasting it would charge 90,000; Rivian, which is laying off 10% of workers to cut costs, said it expects to build 57,000 electric vehicles in 2024; Mercedes will not meet its goal of converting 50% of its sales to electric cars (including hybrids) by 2025. The new target is now 2030.
Meanwhile, Ford has cut prices for its all-electric 2023 Mustang Mach-E by up to $8,100 in an attempt to clear inventory and compete with Tesla and its increasingly cheaper electric vehicles.
Technology inside the car
Hivemapper, a mapping startup, is launching a new camera later this year that its co-founder believes will accelerate efforts to wrest market share from Google. Yes Google!
Wheels this week
Image credits: Kirsten Korosek
I'm back in another Genesis, this time a G80 EV AWD. I've only spent a few days behind the wheel, but I already have a list of “likes” and “room for improvement.” The matte white model I drove is listed at $82,450.
Genesis fans may recognize the battery-electric G80 because it is nearly identical (except for the powertrain and other related parts) to the gas-powered G80 3.5T Sport. Taking a vehicle designed for an internal combustion engine and reworking it into an electric vehicle means some compromises. The power and torque are there – two 136-kilowatt electric motors deliver the equivalent of 182 hp each – and the finish is attractive. But stressing that 87.2 kilowatt-hour battery took up some trunk space. There's no front trunk or trunk either.
This electric car is quiet on the highway, but tends to be a little noisy off-road. The Advanced Driver Assistance System is easy to use and includes adaptive cruise control, which accelerates or brakes to maintain a set following distance from the vehicle ahead, lane keeping 'assist' (it won't steer for you) and safety alert features. Others, such as blind spot warning.
Image credits: Kirsten Korosek
So far, I've found interacting with the infotainment system frustrating at times, particularly using the large chrome dial on the center console that's very close to the other dial that shifts the gears (see above).
Moving the dial lights up different areas on the screen, which the user is then supposed to click on when they find what they want. It works, but it's not entirely smooth or intuitive. Add a little sun glare and it can be difficult to see what has been highlighted. I probably would have explained, “Damn, I didn't want that!” Several times during a recent drive.
