autoevolution
 

Cristian Agatie

Contributor
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As a child, he grew up among tractors and heavy machinery and was covered in grease from tip to toe most of the time. It was a tractor that he drove for the first time and when asked what he’d become, he candidly replied: “tractor operator”. Later on, he drove all kinds of vehicles, from heavy trucks to off-roaders, all outside of public roads until he got his driving license.

He did not become a tractor operator, as you can tell already. Instead, he got interested in journalism and pursued a career finding stories for local newspapers and radio stations. But the first love is never forgotten, so when presented with the chance, he seized it and became a motor journalist in 1995.

Having found the perfect job to mix his passion for cars and journalism, he couldn’t help exploring other areas, like science, computers, and mobile devices. He took stints working for a computer magazine for a couple of years, and it was then that he had his first contact with new media. But cars always remained his passion, so he returned to motor journalism when Auto Bild started its local branch. Later, he became an internet junkie, and moving online felt only natural.

In the meantime, he also became obsessed with technology, electric vehicles, batteries, and whatnot, so he writes a lot about those. He found autoevolution a fertile ground for exploration and so he discovered his passion for RVs and campers, but also solar panels and new energy solutions.
Poll: 2025 NACTOY Award Finalists vs. Our Picks – Cast Your Vote Here
Poll: 2025 NACTOY Award Finalists vs. Our Picks – Cast Your Vote Here

23 Nov 2024, 20:35 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Earlier this week, the 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) jury announced the three finalists in each category. I do not doubt the jurors have had a tough time picking the best candidates. However, I also think ...

 
Volvo Showed Jaguar How To Do Genius Advertising, the Brits Still Wanted To "Copy Nothing"
Volvo Showed Jaguar How To Do Genius Advertising, the Brits Still Wanted To "Copy Nothing"

22 Nov 2024, 22:18 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Jaguar shocked everyone with their "Copy Nothing" campaign, which no one understood and became the laugh of the internet. The failure was even more obvious after the internet discovered the emotional Volvo EX90 commercial shot by Hoyte Va...

 
Swedish Battery Company Northvolt Files for Bankruptcy in a Blow to European Carmakers
Swedish Battery Company Northvolt Files for Bankruptcy in a Blow to European Carmakers

22 Nov 2024, 13:44 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Northvolt was Europeans' best hope of having their own EV battery gigafactory, but it failed due to production problems and lack of funding. The Swedish company filed for US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and needs over $1 billion in new fun...

 
One of a Kind: Stellantis Unveils 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition
One of a Kind: Stellantis Unveils 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition

21 Nov 2024, 20:23 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Stellantis is the only Detroit Three carmaker that doesn't sell any made-in-the-US electric vehicle. The ones it planned to launch in 2024 have been delayed until the second half of 2025. This put it in the uncomfortable position of announcing...

 
Jury Announces 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year Finalists
Jury Announces 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year Finalists

21 Nov 2024, 18:11 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / People turned their backs to electric vehicles as the jury announced the finalists of the 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year. Only two finalists are powered by a battery pack, whereas the other seven models either offer...

 
Toyota Unveils Stylish All-Electric bZ7 Concept in China, No US Version Planned
Toyota Unveils Stylish All-Electric bZ7 Concept in China, No US Version Planned

21 Nov 2024, 16:51 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Toyota unveiled the concept of a new electric sedan at the Guangzhou Auto Show, increasing the number of all-electric models in China to five. The bZ7 Concept looks similar to the Comfortable Space Concept shown last year and will likely enter prod...

 
Tesla Launches Actually Smart Summon (ASS) Outside North America for the First Time
Tesla Launches Actually Smart Summon (ASS) Outside North America for the First Time

21 Nov 2024, 15:41 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla continues to refine its software experience with new updates, and the 2024.44.3 update provided a nice surprise. For the first time, Tesla rolled out Actually Smart Summon outside North America, with customers in Switzerland, UK, Norway, and ...

 
When Will Rivian Owners Get Google Cast Support, and What's Coming Next?
When Will Rivian Owners Get Google Cast Support, and What's Coming Next?

21 Nov 2024, 12:13 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / During the Google I/O event this Spring, Rivian promised to launch Google Cast support in 2024, but its owners are still waiting. The latest update on this highly requested feature was offered during a recent Q&A session. Rivian software chief ...

 
Refreshed Tesla Model 3 Gets Acceleration Boost in Certain Markets, US Still Waiting
Refreshed Tesla Model 3 Gets Acceleration Boost in Certain Markets, US Still Waiting

20 Nov 2024, 18:50 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla Model 3 owners rejoice as the EV carmaker offers the Acceleration Boost upgrade for the refreshed model in select markets. The Acceleration Boost is now available for the refreshed Model 3 Long Range AWD in certain markets in Asia and Austral...

 
Jaguar Bewilders Its Fans With Shocking Rebranding Campaign That No One Understands
Jaguar Bewilders Its Fans With Shocking Rebranding Campaign That No One Understands

20 Nov 2024, 16:12 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Jaguar is in the midst of an earth-shattering rebranding campaign that has left the internet confused about its message. Unlike previous campaigns, no car is shown in the visuals accompanying the new branding, prompting industry veterans and PR hea...

 
Stellantis Plays It Safe in the Upcoming Trump Era, Delays Ram 1500 REV Launch Again
Stellantis Plays It Safe in the Upcoming Trump Era, Delays Ram 1500 REV Launch Again

20 Nov 2024, 12:41 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Almost two years ago, Stellantis unveiled its first electric pickup truck, the Ram 1500 REV. Slated to enter production in 2024, the RAM pickup has been delayed until late in 2024 and then early 2025. Stellantis announced a new delay, with the Ram ...

 
CATL Announces Second-Generation Sodium-Ion Batteries That Work at Minus 40 Degrees
CATL Announces Second-Generation Sodium-Ion Batteries That Work at Minus 40 Degrees

19 Nov 2024, 11:37 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Battery market leader CATL announced the second generation of its sodium-ion batteries with improved specifications. The new batteries promise to maintain their performance even at temperatures of minus 40 degrees, which is identical on both Fahren...

 
Mercedes-Benz Reveals the Upcoming CLA's Secrets, Including Future Hybrid Powertrains
Mercedes-Benz Reveals the Upcoming CLA's Secrets, Including Future Hybrid Powertrains

18 Nov 2024, 19:33 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Mercedes-Benz offered a technology preview of the upcoming CLA, which should start production next year with electric and hybrid powertrains. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV aims to topple Lucid Air as the king of powertrain efficiency, with a target...

 
Elon Musk Agrees That Tesla Needs a Bigger SUV Than the Model X, Won't Make It Anyway
Elon Musk Agrees That Tesla Needs a Bigger SUV Than the Model X, Won't Make It Anyway

18 Nov 2024, 16:44 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / In reply to a Tesla fan disappointed that the Model X did not meet their needs, Elon Musk appeared to agree that a bigger Tesla might be possible. However, it's unlikely this will happen, considering that Tesla is now pursuing an autonomous dr...

 
Tesla Shares Jump After Trump Transition Team Hints at Easing US Self-Driving Car Rules
Tesla Shares Jump After Trump Transition Team Hints at Easing US Self-Driving Car Rules

18 Nov 2024, 13:41 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla is in a good position to monetize a change in autonomous driving regulations, which was announced by Donald Trump's transition team. The upcoming administration wants to establish a federal framework for fully self-driving vehicles. This...

 
The Most Anticipated Electric Crossovers and SUVs Launching in the US in 2025
The Most Anticipated Electric Crossovers and SUVs Launching in the US in 2025

16 Nov 2024, 22:18 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / This year has seen mixed results for the EV market segment, with many carmakers scaling back their EV plans as sales dwindled. However, there are still many model launches planned for 2025, despite rumors of the IRA tax credits being phased out by ...

 
The First Job Offers From Rivian-Volkswagen Joint Venture Show Intriguing Details
The First Job Offers From Rivian-Volkswagen Joint Venture Show Intriguing Details

15 Nov 2024, 22:18 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Rivian lured Volkswagen Group into a relationship of convenience that both companies need to move past their current problems. The Rivian-Volkswagen joint venture aims to develop the next-generation platforms for future EV models produced by both c...

 
Tesla Announces 800-Volt Superchargers, V4 Cabinets To Supply up to 1.2 MW for the Semi
Tesla Announces 800-Volt Superchargers, V4 Cabinets To Supply up to 1.2 MW for the Semi

15 Nov 2024, 15:36 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla finally unveiled its 800-volt Supercharger V4 cabinets, unlocking faster charging speeds for 800-1,000-volt EVs. Thanks to the new tech, the Cybertruck can charge at up to 500 kW, whereas the Semi could get 1.2 MW. However, it's unlikely...

 
Ford Shot Itself in the Foot With Capri and Explorer EV Based on Volkswagen's MEB Platform
Ford Shot Itself in the Foot With Capri and Explorer EV Based on Volkswagen's MEB Platform

14 Nov 2024, 18:39 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Ford is scaling back its EV plans in Europe, where it just launched the Explorer EV and Capri, both based on Volkswagen's MEB architecture. Who would've thought that recycling a failed EV platform would be a bad idea? The sadder thing is ...

 
Rivian Achieved in Three Months What Volkswagen Couldn't Do in Years of Spending Billions
Rivian Achieved in Three Months What Volkswagen Couldn't Do in Years of Spending Billions

14 Nov 2024, 15:22 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Rivian and Volkswagen announced their joint venture, but the bigger news is how the EV startup convinced the legacy carmaker to sign the partnership. Rivian reportedly needed only three months to equip an Audi Q6 e-tron prototype with its zonal arc...

 

Stories by Cristian Agatie