Volvo’s new UK boss has outlined a three-point plan focused on electric cars, boosting online sales and improving dealer profitability – while Brexit is lower down his priority list. In his first interview since taking over in June, Kristian Elvefors said his first big challenge is to launch Volvo’s first all-electric model, a variant of… Continue reading Volvo UK boss: focus is electric XC40 and online sales
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Jaguar Land Rover opens giant Advanced Production Creation Centre
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has unveiled a new Advanced Product Creation Centre at its Gaydon HQ, on an expanded site now equal in area to 480 football pitches. Widely known as the Gaydon Triangle because of its unusual layout, the £500 million centre will be a base for almost 13,000 engineers and becomes by far the… Continue reading Jaguar Land Rover opens giant Advanced Production Creation Centre
Mercedes-Benz could end discounts under new sales process
Mercedes-Benz is evaluating a radical overhaul of how it sells cars, potentially removing retailers’ freedom to offer discounts as it seeks to create a seamless sales process and grow online sales in the future. Talking at the Frankfurt motor show, Britta Seeger, head of sales and marketing, highlighted trials that have taken place in Sweden… Continue reading Mercedes-Benz could end discounts under new sales process
The reinvented Land Rover Defender that never was
Initially, the first LCV car – LCV1 – was, according to Peter, “an attempt to knock weight out of a Discovery just by substituting aluminium for steel. The problem was you needed to use heavier section aluminium to maintain the strength of the steel one, so it was a bit of a blind alley.” LCV2 was… Continue reading The reinvented Land Rover Defender that never was
Amazon orders 100,000 electric vans from start-up Rivian
Internet shopping giant Amazon has given a further boost to EV start-up Rivian by placing an order with the company for 100,000 electric delivery vehicles. The fledgling manufacturer is aiming to produce a range of go-anywhere 4×4 EVs built on its own bespoke platform, showcasing the R1 SUV and R1T pickup at last year’s Los… Continue reading Amazon orders 100,000 electric vans from start-up Rivian
New Mercedes-Benz EQB: electric compact SUV hits the road
Mercedes-Benz will launch an electric version of its new GLB compact SUV in 2021, named the EQB, and more production-like prototypes have now been seen testing. Previously only seen underneath hacked test mules, the EQB is shown in the new images with altered and disguised front and rear end and similar aerodynamically-optimised wheels as the larger EQC. In a move… Continue reading New Mercedes-Benz EQB: electric compact SUV hits the road
Williams reveals lighter yet longer-range EV battery module
Williams Advanced Engineering has developed a new type of lithium ion battery module that could make automotive battery packs up to 30% lighter and 37% more energy dense. The new module, unveiled at the annual Cenex low-carbon vehicle event in Bedfordshire, could have wide-reaching benefits if the tech is licensed to EV manufacturers. The innovation means a battery of… Continue reading Williams reveals lighter yet longer-range EV battery module
Volkswagen to launch new e-Up with longer range, lower price
Volkswagen will launch a new version of its e-Up electric city car, with an increased range of 161 miles and a reduced base price, at the Frankfurt motor show. The new model will switch the 18.7kWh lithium ion batteries from the current model, with a range of around 118 miles, for 32.3kWh batteries. VW says they will… Continue reading Volkswagen to launch new e-Up with longer range, lower price
Car industry encouraged by rising EV sales
UK new car sales dipped by just 1.6% in August, while sales of electric and hybrid cars continued to surge. In total, 92,573 cars were registered last month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 1521 fewer than in August 2018. While the decline is notably lower than the 3.4% average decline for… Continue reading Car industry encouraged by rising EV sales
Faraday Future appoints former BMW i boss as CEO
Faraday Future, the struggling Chinese-American electric vehicle start-up, has appointed the former head of BMW‘s i electric vehicle division to lead it out of its financial difficulties. Carsten Breitfeld, who played an integral role in BMW’s entry into the electric vehicle market with the all-electric i3 and plug-in hybrid i8, will take over as chief… Continue reading Faraday Future appoints former BMW i boss as CEO