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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
February 27, 2023
BMW plans to build a large assembly plant for high-voltage batteries in Bavaria. The carmaker confirmed the plan but has not yet signed all the contracts. If all goes as planned, they can start building in 2024. An exact location for it has now finally been found. “All Bavarian plants, i.e., Munich, Regensburg, and Dingolfing, […]
February 24, 2023
Vincent Cobée, the current CEO of the Citroën brand, part of the Stellantis Group, will be replaced by Thierry Koskas as of March 1st. Cobée, recently cited in our articles, “has decided to pursue personal projects outside the company”, as it always sounds in official press releases. “In the light of the growing challenges related […]
February 24, 2023
Ford agreed to form a joint venture with LG Energy Solution and Koç Holding to build a large battery cell plant for commercial electric vehicles in Turkey. The plant in Turkey had originally been planned with SK On, but that deal was canceled some time ago. According to the three companies, the groundbreaking ceremony for […]
February 23, 2023
As part of the EU project CEVOLVER (Connected Electric Vehicle Optimized for Life, Value, Efficiency, and Range), Ford engineers have shown that heating surfaces can reduce energy consumption in the interior of an electric vehicle by 13%. This can improve the range of that vehicle by 5%. The test was conducted in an electric delivery […]
February 23, 2023
Despite having started expansion works for its Berlin factory, and already assembling battery components there, Tesla has announced it is pulling away from its initial building plans for the world’s biggest battery plant at its Grünheide factory in Berlin. Instead, it will refocus on local production in the United States because of subsidies. So the […]
February 23, 2023
For the second year in a row, Stellantis has registered a record benefit. The net profit for 2022 reached € 16,8 billion, 26% more than last year. The operating margin reached 13% of turnover in 2022, a figure almost as high as noticeable money-makers under the car manufacturers in 2022, like Mercedes-Benz and Tesla. In […]
February 23, 2023
Since its first fully electric trucks hit the road in 2019, Volvo Trucks has sold more than 4 300 electric trucks worldwide in 38 countries. It claims to be the European market leader in 2022, with a 32% share in the heavy electric truck market and an even greater share in the Americas (US and […]
February 22, 2023
Porsche is set to release an electric variant of the Cayenne in 2026, two years after the launch of the Macan EV. The current combustion-based model is to receive significant updates to extend its lifespan until after the launch of its electric counterpart. But software issues may still spoil the party. The arrival of the […]
February 22, 2023
For the first time since the European Union introduced the CO2 emission rights, the price of 100 euros per ton of CO2 was exceeded on Tuesday. The leading EU Allowance contract briefly peaked at 101,25 euros. A milestone reflecting the increased price factories and power plants have to pay when they pollute. The European Union […]
February 22, 2023
The BMW Group intends to source aluminum with significantly reduced CO2 emissions from Rio Tinto’s hydro-powered operations in Canada starting in 2024. It has signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect. Aluminum accounts for a quarter of the CO2 emissions in the supply chain of a medium-sized electrified car, and a manufacturer like BMW […]
February 22, 2023
According to the figures of the European Car Manufacturers Association ACEA, in January, the European Union passenger car market grew by 11,3% to 760 041 units, starting the new year on a positive note. However, one must consider that this was mainly due to an unusually modest comparison base in 2022 when the lowest January […]
February 21, 2023
Less than a week after opening reservations for the electric 1500 REV pickup truck, RAM has closed the books again, citing high demand. No reservation numbers are given, however, and many of the REV’s specifications remain unclear. RAM presented the production version of the 1500 REV in a Superbowl ad, which shows a pickup truck […]
February 21, 2023
In addition to the battery and the electric drive, Volkswagen Group Technology is now also developing the pulse inverter and the thermal management itself for its electric drives. This was announced at the company’s Tech Day 2023. As with other components, the VW developers have opted for a modular system. The first application will be […]
February 21, 2023
Ford is adding cheaper, more sustainable, and more durable LFP batteries to its EV line-up, starting with the Mustang Mach-E this year and expanding to the F-150 Lightning in 2024. The Blue Oval is also building a $3,5 billion LFP battery factory in Michigan by 2026 to reduce its dependence on external suppliers. Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, […]
February 21, 2023
In an interview with the British car magazine Autocar, Dacia Vice-President for Sales, Marketing, and Operations Xavier Martinet says that a much greater emphasis needs to be put on weight efficiency when designing (EV) cars. “If we’re serious about collectively reducing emissions, then excessive weight should not be acceptable.” Martinet made his statement when he […]
February 20, 2023
Formula 1 CEO and ex-Scuderia Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has responded to the EU banning combustion cars from 2035 onward, saying that his sport will never go fully electric. But how will the sport become sustainable and stay relevant, having justified its existence in the past as an R&D activity for future road car […]
February 20, 2023
Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, the world’s largest, will offer decisive price reductions for its battery packs. But only the domestic brands benefit. Tesla, the supplier’s biggest customer, isn’t included in the deal. So are the international trade frictions between the US and China also showing up in the automotive industry? EV carmakers Nio, Zeekr, Huawei, […]
February 20, 2023
Mercedes-Benz sold some 2 million vehicles last year, a 5% increase compared to 2021. Turnover increased by 12% and reached € 150 billion, while the benefice was more than a third higher, landing at almost € 15 billion. For 2023, anticipations are a bit subdued, due to delivery shortages, higher costs and an unsure overall […]
February 17, 2023
After identifying malfunctions in its driver assistance software, Tesla was forced to recall 362 758 cars in the United States. Models equipped with the Level 2 software of Full Self-Driving (FSD) can act in a potentially dangerous manner at intersections. In Europe, Tesla only tests FSD in the company cars of its staff. According to […]
February 17, 2023
Yesterday, Renault published its financial results for last year. The French car manufacturer revived in 2022, compensating for serious sales regress and the costly Russian retreat with significant price hikes and a very profitable Dacia. The turnover of Renault Group has progressed by 11,4% to € 46,4 billion, and the operating margin has doubled to […]
February 17, 2023
VW’s main plant in Wolfsburg has been awarded the contract for an additional electric model from 2026. The vehicle is to be an electric SUV model the size of a Tiguan. The new electric model will bridge the gap until the future core model Trinity is ready for launch. The planning of the Trinity was […]
February 16, 2023
The Netherlands’ only car plant with +4 000 employees, VDL Nedcar, announced it would build the modular electric XBUS and the Evetta microcar for German start-up ElectricBrands. Earlier negotiations with American Canoo and Rivian turned out to be a damp squib. VDL Nedcar, in Born, near the Belgian border, is a contract manufacturer for BMW […]
February 16, 2023
New Volkswagen management has never been very pleased with the concept version of the ID 2. The study, announcing the most affordable and smallest member in the ID. family, was sent back to the drawing board. Insiders have revealed that the overhaul might imply that the car will be badged as Golf when it appears […]
February 16, 2023
The Italian Transport Minister Matteo Salvini (Lega Nord) is vehemently opposed to the decision of the European Parliament to ban the sales of new cars with an internal combustion engine in 2035. Salvini calls it a ‘folly’ and a ‘bad intended choice’ to which Rome will oppose itself. The member states already agreed with the […]
February 15, 2023
Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco has shared figures from its record year 2022, which saw the launch of the Ebusco 3.0 and an explosive growth to 1 474 e-buses ordered. Ebusco’s workforce also doubled in 2022, but supply chain issues still hinder the company’s revenue. Ahead of presenting its full-year 2022 revenue figures, Ebusco has […]
February 15, 2023
Shoichiro Toyoda, the honorary chairman of Toyota Motor Corp. who transformed the Japanese automaker into a leading global brand, died of heart failure on Tuesday, the company announced. He was 97. Shoichiro was a third-generation scion of the founding family. He is credited with establishing a culture of quality control that helped Toyota evolve into […]
February 15, 2023
Following the positive feedback on the unique specimen presented in the summer of 2022, Mini is now going ahead with a small series of the all-electric Cooper SE Convertible. From April 2023, the car will be available to open-air lovers in Europe in a limited number of 999 vehicles. “Three years ago, we launched the […]
February 15, 2023
It is now officially confirmed that Ford Motor Company is again planning to cut thousands of jobs. Some 3 800 across Europe before 2025, but the biggest part of it will be in Germany (2 300) and the UK (1 300). The proving grounds in Belgian Lommel also seem to be threatened. The American number […]
February 14, 2023
Shortly after agreeing on the future of the Alliance, Renault and Nissan have announced a renewed commitment to India with a $600 million investment that will support the development and production of six new models, some of which also meant for the international market. Just a week after announcing the new, more balanced approach to […]
February 14, 2023
Data from the Californian New Car Dealer Association (CNCDA) unveil that sales of electric cars have boomed by a staggering 62% last year in the county. This has led to a market share of 17% in the Sunshine State. However, the biggest winner is Tesla, which exploits a plant in Freemont locally. The growth of […]
February 14, 2023
Belgian battery materials specialist Umicore announces it will start industrial production of cheaper manganese-rich HLM battery materials to be used in electric vehicles from 2026, next to its ‘premium’ NMC battery materials. It believes “HLM is gaining traction with car and battery cell manufacturers as a differentiating lower-cost, high energy-density, and sustainable battery technology”. Umicore […]
