Hyundai, Foxconn, CATL, Mahindra, Italian Volt, Tesla, Fisker.

Hyundai dedicates to EVs: The South Korean carmaker is working on a platform for electric vehicles only, Reuters reports quoting Lee Ki-sang, who leads Hyundai-Kia’s eco car operations. Lee named Tesla’s success and stricter regulations as reason for Hyundai to build the new architecture that will allow for batteries situated in car floors. While the dedicated EVs will take some time, both Hyundai as well as Kia plan to launch compact electric SUVs next year, namely the Kia Niro and an unknown Hyundai model.
reuters.com

Foxconn funds CATL with 1.4bn USD: Market leading ambitions of Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) have just received new fuel from iPhone maker Foxconn, that invested 1.4bn dollars in the firm, which overtook LG Chem in battery production last year. CATL already delivers powerpacks for the BMW X1 xDrive25Le and has opened new offices in both Berlin and Munich. Internationally, it counts PSA and NEVS to its customers and also holds shares of Finnish Valmet Automotive. Reportedly, CATL seeks to expand annual production capacity to 50GWh by 2020 and Foxconn considers its latest investment “long-term.”
taiwannews.com.tw (Foxconn), automobilwoche.de (Germany, in German)

Indian high-end EVs for export: Mahindra and its South Korean business side SsangYong plan to build “High End” electric cars on a new shared platform. The EV are destined for sale in China and the States starting from 2019 and the companies earmarked a billion dollars for their joint development.
yonhapnews.co.kr

Italian Volt(s): Milanese motorcycle maker Italian Volt has come out with a customisable electric bike thanks to 3D-printed parts. The Lacama’s 70kW propel it from zero to 100 kph in 4.2 seconds but more importantly, the e-motorcycle can be charged to 80% in just 40 minutes for 180 km in eco mode. Pre-orders will open in autumn but prices may be as high as 35,000 euros.
3ders.org, flatoutmag.co.uk

Autosteer at 130 kph: Tesla is rolling out software update 8.1 around the world for Model S and X with Autopilot 2.0 hardware. Respectively, the update focuses on autonomous driving functionality like raising the speed limit for Autosteer to 130 kph (80mph) up from 80 kph (55mph).
electrek.co, teslarati.com (with video)

Fisker outsources service: The Hybrid Shop is specialised in hybrid and electric vehicles and is now Fisker’s chosen customer service partner. The partnership will expand a network of 36 existing service centres in North America to more than 300 in the States and the rest of the world by 2019.
businessinsider.de