Electric Cars

Ford has recently unveiled plans to reduce its workforce by an additional 1,000 positions at its electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Cologne, Germany. This decision is attributed to a perceived slowdown in the European electric vehicle market, impacting the company's production strategy. This latest announcement adds to a broader restructuring initiative by Ford, which aims to cut approximately 4,000 jobs across Europe by the year 2027, primarily affecting operations in Germany and the UK. The company intends to shift its Cologne plant from a two-shift to a single-shift operation starting in January, in response to these market dynamics. This development follows a period of significant investment by Ford in upgrading the Cologne facility for EV production and a notable worker strike earlier this year.

Rivian's venture into electric two-wheelers, spearheaded by its secretive micromobility division ALSO, has kept the tech and automotive world guessing. For years, following Rivian's recruitment of top e-bike talent, anticipation has mounted regarding their in-house electric vehicle. However, instead of clear announcements, ALSO has opted for a series of perplexing and cryptic teasers across its social media platforms, offering fragmented glimpses of components and designs. These snippets, ranging from motor stators and control boards to rider imagery, have fueled intense speculation, painting a conflicting picture of whether the final product will be a conventional electric bicycle, a more powerful moped, or even a light electric motorcycle. The strategic ambiguity has successfully generated significant buzz, leaving observers eagerly awaiting the official unveiling scheduled for October 22.

Since 2022, when Rivian began attracting leading experts from the electric bicycle industry, the expectation for their entry into the micromobility market has been high. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe's comments in 2023 further cemented the idea that an electric bicycle was in the works. However, the exact nature of this vehicle, developed under the ALSO startup, remains a closely guarded secret. The company's social media strategy involves releasing isolated images and videos of various components, often without context, compelling enthusiasts and analysts to piece together the puzzle.

One notable teaser showcased the intricate copper windings of two distinct motor stators, implying the potential for a dual-motor system. While dual motors are not unheard of in the e-bike world, they typically feature in more powerful, 'out-of-class' electric bikes that blur the lines with light electric motorcycles. This particular detail suggests a product with more power than a typical street-legal electric bicycle. Another visual hint presented a surprisingly large control board with connections for two motor phase wires, further supporting the dual-motor theory. The sheer size of this component indicates a need for substantial housing, possibly within a fully enclosed frame, a design seen in more robust electric two-wheelers.

Further teasers introduced more elements into this complex equation. A glimpse through a control board's window revealed bicycle-sized wheels, a conventional fork, and a disc brake rotor, pointing towards a traditional bicycle form factor. Yet, an engineer was seen working on what appeared to be a rear swing arm, suggesting the inclusion of rear suspension – a feature common in more advanced e-bikes and motorcycles. Contradictory clues also emerged, such as individuals miming pedaling actions on 'invisible bikes,' hinting at functional pedals and a belt-drive system, reinforcing the electric bicycle concept. However, another blurred image of a rider gripping handlebars unusually close to their waist, coupled with protective armor, suggested a stance more akin to a standing electric scooter or even a light motorcycle, although the rider's helmet indicated a cycling context.

The battery pack, another component teased, featured cylindrical cells arranged in a tightly packed configuration for voltage increase. While the camera angle obscured the overall size, the cell count suggested a battery capacity more in line with electric bicycles than larger motorcycles, though the possibility of multiple packs was not ruled out. The inclusion of a sophisticated LED lighting system with high/low beam capabilities, a common feature in automotive-grade vehicles, further complicated the categorization, aligning more with seated electric scooters or motorbikes than typical e-bikes. This feature likely benefits from Rivian's extensive automotive supply chain and component expertise.

Adding to the mystery, a censored image showed two people, one with a child in a safety seat, on the bike, hinting at a utility or cargo bike design. These technical snippets are interspersed with eclectic, artistic visuals, from kinetic wind art to penguin furries, making it challenging to discern meaningful clues from mere artistic expression. Ultimately, these numerous, often contradictory, teasers have done little to clarify the nature of ALSO's electric two-wheeler, confirming only that a personal electric vehicle is indeed under development. The industry eagerly awaits October 22, hoping for a definitive reveal that could either revolutionize the e-bike market or follow the path of other automotive companies that have struggled to penetrate this specialized sector. This drawn-out and unconventional launch strategy has certainly captivated attention, marking it as one of the most peculiar lead-ups to a product unveiling in the electric vehicle industry.

The continued secrecy surrounding Rivian's new electric two-wheeler, spearheaded by its ALSO division, has created an intriguing puzzle for the industry and consumers alike. Despite the steady stream of fragmented clues, the exact nature of the vehicle remains elusive, leaving ample room for speculation. Whether it will be a cutting-edge electric bicycle, a versatile moped, or a compact electric motorcycle, the numerous teasers have successfully built anticipation for the official announcement. The integration of advanced features, possibly leveraging Rivian's automotive expertise, suggests a product with significant potential, though its success will ultimately depend on its final form and market appeal. The forthcoming reveal is poised to clarify whether ALSO's creation will be a groundbreaking innovation or another cautionary tale for automotive companies venturing into micromobility.