BMW backs up dual-rotor electric motor startup DeepDrive

March 22, 2023

BMW’s venture capital unit i Ventures has co-led a series A investment round for DeepDrive, a German start-up producing dual-rotor electric motors, which promise more range, less material use, and a lower production cost than current state-of-the-art motors. With the investment, DeepDrive wants to start a recruitment drive leading to mass production in 2026. Other […]

Citroën plans more affordable electric cars

March 22, 2023

Are affordable electric cars finally making their way into the market? A few days ago, we reported the wish of VW CEO Thomas Schäfer to have a sub € 20 000 BEV, the ID.1. In an interview with the British car magazine Autocar, car manufacturer Citroën’s chief designer Pierre Leclercq claims to be readying a […]

Kia Concept EV5: China First

March 22, 2023

Kia has unveiled a new concept car, the Concept EV5, which resembles the recently introduced electric SUV EV9. This more compact model previews a production model later this year, initially destined for the Chinese market. Kia seems to have found some confidence in its bold styling, first introduced with the EV6 and most recently with […]

Is retro-looking Morris JE van finally becoming reality?

March 22, 2023

Morris Commercial, the UK-based automotive engineering and manufacturing start-up, has completed a funding round, securing new investment for producing the Morris J-Type, a small van initially produced in the 1950s. The tiny ID. Buzz’s rival was to hit the road in 2021 but has yet to make it to production. The new launch date is […]

SsangYong Motor Company changes into KG Mobility

March 22, 2023

The Korean car manufacturer SsangYong Motor Company was saved from bankruptcy last year (September) by the Korean chemical-to-steel group KG. So today, the name of the new automotive KG daughter has changed to KG Mobility. The KG Group counts 19 companies, from a chemical business over steel, environment, and IT to media and training. KG […]

Polestar 3 launched €30.000 cheaper in China

March 21, 2023

Polestar has unveiled the Chinese version of its Polestar 3 SUV, which also gets a significantly lower price than what was first announced during the global model reveal. Meanwhile, the brand is launching a new sporty BST version of the Polestar 2. When the Polestar 3 was first revealed to the world, the Swedish-Chinese brand […]

EU car registrations up 11,5% in February

March 21, 2023

In February 2023, the EU passenger car market continued to perform well, growing by 11,5% to 802 763 units, according to the data of the European car manufacturers association ACEA. However, it is essential to note the low base of comparison due to the semiconductor shortage crisis at the beginning of 2022. Most EU markets […]

VW has plans for an ID.1 at less than €20.000

March 21, 2023

Volkswagen has just given the details of its ID. 2 with a base price of € 25 000; now it seems that it is planning an even smaller and, more importantly, cheaper car, the ID.1, starting at under € 20 000 and coming in 2027. The German specialized car magazine Automobilwoche spoke to VW brand […]

DAF rakes in order for 75 fully electric trucks for UK

March 20, 2023

DAF Trucks has raked in a significant order for 1 500 trucks, among which at least 75 fully electric LF and XD trucks, for the British truck rental and leasing company Asset Alliance Group (AAG). With the electric trucks besides the diesel versions, AAG wants to attract new customers in a fast-evolving market for e-trucks, […]

Mazda designates new top executives Masahiro Moro and Jeffrey Guyton

March 20, 2023

The Mazda Motor Corporation announced last Friday that its Board of Directors has proposed that Masahiro Moro will become President and CEO. He succeeds Akira Marumoto, who has led the global Mazda business since 2018. Jeffrey Guyton will be the new CFO. Moro (62) joined the company in 1983. Before he took over his current […]

Volkswagen wants to step into mining raw battery materials

March 20, 2023

According to a Reuters report, Volkswagen plan to invest in mining with its subsidiary PowerCo to ower EV battery costs. Many car makers have preferential contracts with raw material suppliers in their pockets. Still, the German carmaker wants to go one step further and go directly to the source by absorbing mining activities in its […]

Harley-Davidson launches LiveWire One in Europe for €25.000

March 20, 2023

Harley-Davidson has finally opened reservations for the One electric motorcycle from its LiveWire sub-brand. It will cost around €25 000 and will initially be available in Europe, with deliveries starting in April. The LiveWire One is initially launching in just four European countries: Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the UK. No Belgian pricing or launch […]

Tesla applies officially to ramp up to one million cars in Berlin

March 17, 2023

Tesla is putting the bricks into place to ramp up production in its Grünheide facility, close to Berlin, to 1 million cars annually. An environmental application has been filed to double the permitted output of today. Currently, the German plant churns out 4 000 units of Model Y per week. But according to the original […]

Lithium de France raises €44 million for lithium extractions in Alsace

March 17, 2023

Lithium de France, a subsidiary of the French group Arverne, has raised 44 million in funds for the explorations to build its first well. The company, based in Bischwiller (Bas-Rhin), near Strasbourg, will develop two synergistic projects around geothermal heat and green lithium in northern Alsace. The two main investors in the fund Equinox Ventures, […]

Audi pairs good financial results with impressive product initiative

March 17, 2023

At Audi AG’s annual media conference, CEO Markus Duesmann and CFO Jürgen Rittersberger addressed the key financials for the 2022 fiscal year and focused on strategic decision-making, holistic sustainability, and the upcoming model initiative. Markus Duesmann: “Even here in Germany, we are feeling the impact of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine quite directly […]

BMW’s ‘New Class’ will generate six BEVs in the first two years

March 16, 2023

BMW plans at least six model launches within 24 months for the ‘New Class’ electric cars from 2025 onward. To this end, additional plants are to be converted for the production of these electric cars. More concrete information on the platform and the first models will be available in September. Electric cars based on the […]

VW’s ID.2 will be a sub €25k car, further electrification accelerated

March 16, 2023

Volkswagen has just presented the ID.2all concept. The long-expected low-cost ID.2 also previews VW’s new design language. The series ID.2. scheduled for 2025 will be “as spacious as a Golf, as inexpensive as a Polo”. The target price lies below €25 000. At the same time, VW announces it will further accelerate its electrification strategy. […]

BMW Panoramic Vision is HUD for the ‘Neue Klasse’

March 15, 2023

The new BMW head-up display is called BMW Panoramic Vision and represents the reinterpretation of the BMW driver orientation “eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” in the ‘Neue Klasse’. BMW is developing an entirely new technological platform for the ‘Neue Klasse’, whose name refers to the company’s pioneering models of the 1960s. This […]

Hyundai’s H2 ICE truck engine ready for mass production in 2025

March 15, 2023

Hyundai Doosan Infracore (HDI), the manufacturer of heavy machinery and construction equipment, has developed a hydrogen combustion engine. Not for passenger vehicle use but for commercial vehicles, construction equipment, and power generators. The 11-liter unit will be ready for mass production by 2025. HDI has completed the design of its hydrogen combustion engine for commercial […]

This is Kia’s all-electric super-SUV EV9

March 15, 2023

Kia is joining the category of luxurious seven-seater SUVs with the EV9, set to debut later this month. In the wake of the full release, the Korean carmaker shared the first model pictures and some info. Though Kia already has a few battery-powered models, like the Niro EV and the Soul EV, the EV9 is […]

Volkswagen Group invests €122 billion in electrification

March 15, 2023

In the next five years, two-thirds of VW Group’s investments will be turned to electric and connected cars. The Group foresees €122 billion in investments in electrification, 68% of its total investment portfolio of €180 billion. The latter is also heightened by 13% compared to earlier multi-annual plans of the Group. At the same time, […]

Porsche posts record profit and sees no signs of slowing down

March 14, 2023

Porsche’s performance grew by 13% last year. As the sports carmaker managed revenue of 37,6 billion euros, it saw figures rising to a record high thanks to increasing demand and a growing interest for more exclusive personalized models. As a result, profit came in at 6.,8 billion euros. Porsche sold 309 884 units last year. […]

Volta Zero gets European type approval and is ready for production

March 14, 2023

The 16-ton electric Volta Zero from Swedish start-up Volta Trucks has received its European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, which means it can be sold in Europe and that it’s finalized for production. Series production of the Volta Zero is expected to begin soon, with an “early Q2 2023” deadline set by the company. Volta Trucks […]

Mitsubishi to roll out 16 models including nine ‘xEVs’

March 14, 2023

Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi, the third partner in the Renault-Nissan Alliance, has presented its mid-term strategy, including the rollout of sixteen new models in the next five years, of which ni.’ ‘xEVs’. For Mitsubishi, the latter means a mix of BEVs, HEVs, and PHEVs with four fully battery-electric models in the pipeline. These four include an […]

BMW and VW also lower prices of their EVs in China

March 14, 2023

BMW and Volkswagen have reduced the prices of their EVs in China significantly. This comes after several carmakers (Mercedes and Tesla among them) have started offering their electric cars for less to increase sales and reduce inventory in the country. The Volkwagen joint ventures FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen are lowering the prices of their ID. […]

Tidbits leaked of BMW’s beefed-up MINI Cooper Electric

March 10, 2023

Although nowhere to find in the official PR communication, some tech tidbits are leaking from BMW via British car magazine Autocar about a beefed-up MINI Cooper Electric, due in 2024. The MINI hatch, rebaptized Cooper, will get bigger batteries than the current 32.6 kWh to stretch the range beyond the somewhat limited 234 km (WLTP) […]

EU allows member states to subsidize green tech in reaction to US

March 10, 2023

The European Commission decided on Thursday that individual member states are temporarily allowed to support local industries developing green technologies. The move answers protectionist measures in the United States and China. Among other carmakers, the Volkswagen Group awaited this approval to decide on its battery plant in Poland. As Europe fears that its multinationals will […]

BMW Group scores solid financial results in 2022

March 10, 2023

The BMW Group met its forecasted financial targets for 2022 and delivered a solid operating performance in a difficult business environment. The premium manufacturer significantly increased Group EBT (€ 23,5 billion/ +46,4%) and net profit (€ 18,6 billion/ +49,1%) from the previous year, despite a decrease in sales (-4,8%). This positive development can be attributed […]

Almost 70% of Germans don’t want to ban combustion engine

March 09, 2023

A survey from RTL/N-TV is throwing more oil on the fire in Germany, as the country is currently obstructing the final vote on the de facto ban for combustion engines as of 2035. With only 14% in favor, national enthusiasm for the European deal is low. The probe unveiled that 68% of the German population […]

Vinfast parent steps into rental and taxi services

March 08, 2023

VinGroup, the owner of the Vietnamese EV brand Vinfast, has kickstarted a new subsidiary focusing on renting electric cars and e-scooters and offering taxi services. Giving its own twist to the hype of mobility users, the holding claims it will be the first multi-platform green transport rental and taxi service. VinGroup Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong […]

XPeng shows facelift version of P7 electric sedan

March 08, 2023

Chinese car manufacturer Xiaopeng has unveiled the facelift of the P7, its Tesla Model 3 competitor. The new version of the electric sedan will be called P7i in China, although the European name will remain unchanged. A LiDAR system, better performance, and faster charging are new for the facelift. The XPeng P7 was released in […]

First Belgian ship load of CO2 arrives in Denmark for undersea storage

March 08, 2023

In the port of Esbjerg, the first ship with captured CO2 from Belgium arrived to store the carbons in a depleted oil field in the Danish part of the North Sea. Called the Greensand project, this is considered the first cross-border offshore CO2 storage project in the world. With the incoming CO2 from the port […]

Egyptian MCV provides electric bus for German market

March 08, 2023

The Egyptian manufacturer, Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles (MCV), is entering the continental European market. The OEM has developed a bus specifically for clients in Germany and has already founded a subsidiary, MCV Deutschland GmbH, for sales, after-sales, and services. The official presentation of the integral, fully electric twelve-meter low-floor bus will take place in March at […]

Onsemi supplier of semiconductors for BMW Group

March 08, 2023

Automotive supplier Onsemi will also use its silicon carbide technology in BMW electric cars in the future. The US semiconductor manufacturer has signed a long-term supply agreement (LTSA) with BMW to use its EliteSiC silicon carbide power module in the manufacturer’s future electric cars. The US semiconductor specialist did not specify the exact number of […]

T&E: ‘two-thirds of planned European battery production is at risk’

March 07, 2023

More than two-thirds (68%) of lithium-ion battery production planned for Europe is at risk of being delayed, scaled down, or canceled, a new analysis of Transport & Environment (T&E) shows. Tesla in Berlin, Northvolt in northern Germany, and Italvolt near Turin are among the projects that stand to lose the greatest volumes of their slated […]

All-new Hyundai Kona introduced

March 07, 2023

On Monday, Hyundai Motor Company held a digital world premiere to unveil the all-new Kona, an upscaled multiplayer in the B-SUV segment, led by an all-electric variant (EV) that offers advanced safety and convenience features and class-leading range, according to the manufacturer. Potential customers can choose from EV (standard or long range), hybrid, internal combustion […]

Rapper Wyclef Jean launches the ‘lightest electric supercar’… again

March 07, 2023

Wyclef Jean, of Fugees fame, has launched the Attucks Apex AP-0 at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in Florida. The AP-0 is touted as the world’s lightest electric supercar, although it’s not the first time the car has been launched. Back in 2020, a new car company called Apex revealed the AP-0 concept EV sports […]

Fendt starts testing its first fuel cell hydrogen tractor

March 07, 2023

Agricultural machine specialist Fendt has presented a prototype of a field tractor equipped with hydrogen fuel cells at the German Hydrogen Summit in Straubing. Two units will be supplied for testing in the region of Lower Saxony as of next month. Fendt participates in the H2Agrar project, which researches the potential role of hydrogen in […]

IFO: German car industry pessimistic about demand

March 07, 2023

According to a survey of IFO, the German car industry fears a slowing domestic demand. The body, questioning both suppliers and manufacturers, says that these dimmed expectations are attributed to a cautious attitude from car buyers. In its monthly indicator, the  Leibniz Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (IFO) registers a changing business situation for the German automotive […]

Ford increases EV production

March 07, 2023

The Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit all enjoy high customer demand in the US. That’s why manufacturer Ford is now stepping on the… stream pedal to boost production of its electric (and in some cases non-electric) models. Ford will also offer its Mustang Mach-E electric model in Europe with LFP battery cells before the […]

Atsushi Osaki will become next CEO of Subaru

March 06, 2023

The Japanese car manufacturer Subaru announced a change in its top management last Friday at a Board of Directors meeting. Tomomi Nakamura, the Representative Director, President, and CEO will leave his position to Atsushi Nakamura, current EVP and Chief General Manager of the manufacturing division. Nakamura entered the presidency of the company in 2018. As […]

Germany passes landmark of 1 million EVs, growing with 68%

March 06, 2023

At the end of 2022, Germany’s national car fleet counted more than one million EVs. A meaningful milestone, but it’s still a far stretch to the 15 million full-electric vehicles that Germany eyes for 2030. In one year time, the German zero-emission fleet grew by 68%, so progress is encouraging. The KBA, or Kraftfahrt Bundesambt, […]

Mercedes starts construction of first battery recycling plant

March 06, 2023

Following its plan to start recycling electric vehicle lithium-ion battery systems this year, Mercedes has laid the first brick of its dedicated plant in Kuppenheim. If the works keep to the schedule, the first packs from its electrified vehicles, so plug-ins included, will be dismantled by the end of 2023. “This foundation symbolizes the decisive […]

Fisker releases more info on $29 900 Pear

March 06, 2023

Fisker has announced its 2022 fiscal year results, reflecting on a productive year and offering a taste of what’s to come with additional images and info about the upcoming Pear, a sub-$30 000 electric crossover. Meanwhile, prospective Ocean customers can now configure their car, pricing included. Fisker closed its fiscal year 2022 with a lower-than-anticipated […]

Volkswagen launches revised ID.3 (Update)

March 06, 2023

Volkswagen has now officially unveiled the revised ID.3, in which the quality of the interior, in particular, is to be significantly improved. The powertrains remain unchanged (for the time being). Already in December, VW changed the configurator of its compact electric car and added a note that the delivery deadline had already been extended into […]

Tesla teases but fails to excite at Investor Day

March 03, 2023

“Tesla to show 25 000 dollar car.” “Musk will ready a hydrogen model as of this year.” Before this year’s Investor Day, rumors were plenty of what the famous EV maker would unveil. But news hunters came back with not much more than some souvenir photos for their social media, as Elon Musk kept himself […]

Polestar is confirming its success as an EV manufacturer

March 03, 2023

A growing number of companies is producing EVs, but not all are comparably successful. You have the start-ups, and you have the more traditional car companies trying to catch up. Among the start-ups, Geely-daughter Polestar seems to be heading for success. Others, like Nio, are accumulating sales but also losses. Polestar strengthened its financial position […]

BMW CEO: ‘Openness to all technologies is best for climate’

March 03, 2023

During a round table, BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse told car magazine Motor.at and others about his view on hydrogen and the plans to ban ICE cars in the EU by 2035. In his view, “hydrogen-fueled cars don’t stand a chance against BEVs except for customers who do not have access to charging infrastructure or […]

Hike in car sales seems to continue

March 02, 2023

Like January, February was the best second month of the year for the last three years in Belgium and Luxembourg. 39 883 cars were registered, 23,9% more than last year. Growth was registered in the company car market (+30,8%) and in the individual buyers market (+13,5%). For the first two months of the year, the […]

T&E: leasing companies overcharge EVs by up to €8.370 in 36 months

March 02, 2023

The ten biggest leasing companies in Europe, managing today a fleet of 12 million vehicles, are ‘overcharging’ electric cars systematically on average by 57% or €233 per month, and €8 370 over 36 months, compared to a similar vehicle on gasoline. They claim lower resale values based on uncertainty on battery degradation, among others. Still, […]

BMW prepares production of the all-electric Mini Countryman in Leipzig

March 01, 2023

In 2023, the new Mini Countryman production will begin at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig. The crossover model will be offered with pure electric drive and combustion engines. Preparations for the start of production of the first Mini ‘Made in Germany’ are already in full swing. According to BMW, Leipzig is one of the […]

More sustainable materials for Volkswagen ID family

February 28, 2023

Volkswagen’s ID. Family is becoming more circular as the German car maker transfers some of its ecological materials used in the ID. Buzz. The latter was the most sustainable of the electric family and will now serve as a technology donor. The additional recycling materials will be introduced on ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.7, but […]

Tesla pulls back on full self-driving, gears up for Investor Day

February 28, 2023

Some buzz ahead of Investor Day, a keynote held by Tesla CEO Elon Musk on the 1st of March 2023, has American media reporting on a cheap electric model and maybe even a hydrogen version. That’s quite a U-turn for Musk, who depicted fuel cells in the past as ‘fool cells’ because of their lack […]

Stellantis pushes to 2 000 ‘voluntary redundancies’ in Italy

February 28, 2023

Stellantis, the parent company of 14 automotive brands with Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel -Vauxhall, Chrysler, Jeep, and Fiat as its most prominent names, wants to cut 2 000 jobs in Italy this year, some 4,3% of total Italian workforce of 47 000. The reorganization is linked to the transition to electric car production. It […]

Nissan aims for 27 new electrified vehicles by 2030, 19 fully electric

February 28, 2023

Nissan is accelerating its electrification strategy again. The Japanese automaker will launch 27 new electrified models by fiscal 2030, including 19 purely electric ones. That is four more pure electric vehicles than announced with the last strategic plan in November 2021. Nissan’s electrification mix worldwide is expected to increase to more than 55% by 2030, […]

VW: no new factories in Europe, but at least one in the US for Scout

February 28, 2023

There will be no new VW plant in Europe in the foreseeable future. VW CFO Arno Antlitz confirmed in an internal interview that the Trinity production version would be built in Wolfsburg. In the US, however, VW will build a new factory for its new EV brand Scout. The carmaker had considered a new factory […]

Audi CEO: ‘Building a US plant for EVs has become highly attractive’

February 27, 2023

Audi CEO Markus Duesmann recently uttered that building a new EV plant in the US becomes highly attractive given the new IRA subvention plan for electric vehicles issued by the Biden administration. He added that it is not clear whether Audi will build its own plant or whether it will be part of the Volkswagen […]

Geely launches Galaxy, another premium PHEV and EV sub-brand

February 27, 2023

Over the next two years, Chinese car manufacturer Geely wants to launch seven new premium electric cars under its new sub-brand Galaxy. That includes four long-range hybrids and three battery-electric vehicles. The first three models will hit the road this year. The new Geely Galaxy series will have two model lines – L for plug-in […]

Delorean halves production slots for Alpha 5

February 27, 2023

In a mail to potential customers, Delorean Motor Company urges to secure reservations as its production slots have been slashed in half. Supply chain bottlenecks have affected the original output of 9 351 units, reducing them to no more than 4 000. With much fewer building slots available, the resurgence of the sports car, made famous […]

Sono Motors finaly pulls the plug on Sion solar car

February 27, 2023

While the Dutch still struggle to keep their Lightyear solar car project on life support, Sion, the affordable German solar electric vehicle (SEV), is dead. Sono Motors decided to pull the plug on the Sion program just before entering pre-series production. It couldn’t convince new investors despite 45 000 reservations from potential clients. However, the […]