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Triton Electric Vehicle inks MoU with BEL for development of EVs and ESS

NEW DELHI: US-based Triton Electric Vehicle has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for developing electric vehicles and energy storage systems. As per the MoU, BEL will be the exclusive manufacturing partner to Triton in India for identified products, while Triton will provide the know-how and technical documentation required for… Continue reading Triton Electric Vehicle inks MoU with BEL for development of EVs and ESS

40 lakh two-wheelers, 11 lakh cars in Karnataka are over 15 years old

BENGALURU: Around 63 lakh vehicles in Karnataka, including nearly 22 lakh in Bengaluru, are more than 15 years old, data with transport department reveals. The numbers assume significance in the backdrop of the Centre working on phasing out old and polluting vehicles under its vehicle-scrapping policy.According to the records (till March 2020), the 63 lakh… Continue reading 40 lakh two-wheelers, 11 lakh cars in Karnataka are over 15 years old

Scrappage policy to make India top auto hub in world: Gadkari

The minister emphasised that a policy has to be made to empower the poor. WARDHA: Supporting the scrappage policy announced in the Budget, Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said it would spur India to become the world’s number one automobile manufacturing hub in next five years. Interacting with the media in Wardha, the Nagpur… Continue reading Scrappage policy to make India top auto hub in world: Gadkari

Mercedes’ electric profits to match those for combustion models by end of decade

Group becomes first German luxury carmaker to provide precise target for turning point Go to Source

TikTok ecommerce, Cuba private business, green energy geopolitics

TikTok plans to expand into ecommerce in the US to compete with Facebook, Cuba has announced it will open most of the economy to private business, and Mercedes-Benz says by 2030 it will make as much from its electric cars as it does from its luxury combustion engine models. Plus, the FT’s environment and clean… Continue reading TikTok ecommerce, Cuba private business, green energy geopolitics

Bentley Continental GT Marks 80,000th Production Milestone

27 Jan 2021, 21:53 UTC ·
by

Mircea Panait

Home > News > Car Profile

After years of crippling losses under the control of the Vickers conglomerate, Volkswagen saved Bentley in 1998. The financial troubles didn’t go away immediately, but with the Continental GT introduction, the British automaker’s fortunes have changed for the better.
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2003 is when the first example of the breed rolled off the assembly line in Crewe, and since then, Bentley produced more than 80,000 units of the ultra-luxurious grand tourer with 2+2 seating and up to 12 cylinders. Over the course of 18 long years, the Continental GT's power ratings have improved by 27 percent while emissions have been reduced by 48 percent.
“I had the pleasure of launching the original,” said chief exec Adrian Hallmark. “Being here for the launch of the latest generation – and the iterations that have followed – has been a source of great pride for me.”
Redesigned from the ground up in 2018 on the MSB vehicle architecture, the Porsche Panamera’s cooler brother is available as a two-door coupe and convertible. The only transmission available is an eight-speed DCT borrowed from the German automaker, and engine options kick off with the twin-turbo V8 that you’ll also find under the hood of the Panamera Turbo.
542 horsepower and 569 pound-feet (770 Nm) of torque isn't too shabby, but the motor the Continental GT deserves is the twin-turbo W12 with 6.0 liters of displacement. The range-topping model belts out 626 horsepower and 664 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque from 1,350 to 4,500 rpm. In other words, Bentley promises blistering performance despite the generous curb weight of 5,322 pounds (2,414 kilograms) for the convertible body style.
At the time of reporting, the GT V8 Coupe is listed in the United States with a $202,500 starting price. Opt for the GT W12 Convertible, and you’re looking at $240,800 excluding destination charge and optional extras.
As for the competition, only three candidates come to mind. The achingly beautiful and tech-crazy Ferrari Roma is the most obvious, along with the V8-engined Aston Martin DB11 and V12-engined DBS Superleggera.

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Ford Mustang Mach-E Goes for “Made in China” Signature Just for the Local Market

28 Jan 2021, 10:26 UTC ·
by

Aurel Niculescu

Home > News > Car Profile

The Blue Oval company’s recent move is entirely logical since China continues to reign supreme as the world’s largest car market even under the stressful conditions of 2020. It really should come as no surprise that Ford decided so quickly to localize production of its battery-electric SUV.
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New energy vehicles (NEV – a.k.a. plug-in electrified vehicles) continue to represent a major draw for all automakers involved with the Chinese local market, so the Mustang Mach-E strikes all the right cords. The U.S. automaker recently announced its global SUV (built on a heavily reworked version of the C2 architecture) will be manufactured in China by the Changan Ford joint venture.
It’s set to arrive at Chinese dealerships later this year, and Ford promises the Mustang Mach-E will set new standards in style and performance in China's high-end EV market. There are no hints about pricing, but we can imagine the company will have its work cut out for it as the competition is quite strong in the premium EV field. Yes, we’re of course talking about the Tesla Model Y.
The Mustang Mach-E produced locally for the Chinese market will have an estimated range of more than 600 km (373 miles, based on the “CLTC-estimated range calculation methodology”) and slightly adjusted dimensions of 4,739/1,881/1,623 mm in terms of length, width, and height (187/74/ 64 inches), along with a wheelbase of 2,984 mm (117 in). Yes, the latter is longer, but only by 12 mm (0.5 in).
Ford touts all the latest technologies to be available with the Chinese-spec Mustang Mach-E as well, including the latest version of the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance technologies, SYNC+ infotainment system, along with L2+ “automatic driving assistance functions, enabling Mach-E drivers to operate their vehicles hands-free on prequalified sections of divided highways.”
It’s also heralded as the first series-production vehicle that brings cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology on China’s roads, while OTA (over-the-air) software updates will “freshen the driving experience with improvements and new features.”
Interestingly, Ford has revealed it will produce in China not just the standard Mustang Mach-E but also the Mustang Mach-E GT high-performance version. The latter is said to join the “3-second club” when sprinting to 62 mph (100 kph) thanks to its front and rear dual-motor setup.

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2021 Chevrolet Corvette Production Halted One Week Over Parts Shortage

29 Jan 2021, 16:19 UTC ·
by

Mircea Panait

Home > News > Industry

The mid-engine Corvette may be selling like hotcakes, but the bean counters and execs at General Motors aren’t exactly on top of production. In addition to health crisis-related shutdowns of the Bowling Green assembly plant, the supply chain leaves much to be desired.
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An undisclosed shortage is why the Kentucky-based factory will stop production for the week of February 1st, which is pretty unfortunate for expecting customers. Putting down more than $60,000 of your hard-earned money and waiting a year for the delivery of a Chevy is one thing, but GM still doesn’t appear to have any backups lined up in case of a parts shortage.
The truth of the matter is General Motors isn’t the only automaker in a pinch. The entire industry is slowing down production over a shortage of semiconductors, which range from the chip that governs the engine control unit in the ‘Vette to the 5G capability in your latest-generation smartphone.
According to Corvette Blogger, the plant currently produces 92 to 94 cars per shift over two shifts per day. That works out to approximately 940 vehicles per week, and it’s very far behind demand. Right-hand-drive markets are also looking forward to the mid-engined American sports car. Japanese customers, for example, bought well over 300 units in 60 hours.
If you’re not scared of dealers marking up the suggested retail price or waiting a helluva lot for delivery, then prepare to pony up $59,995 for the lowest specification available. The hard-topped convertible is $7,500 more than the coupe, and the Z51 Performance Package adds $5,995 to the tally.
The sweet spot of the range is the 2LT Coupe Z51, which can be had from $73,290, including the destination charge. As much criticism as General Motors deserves, I cannot think of a better sports car in terms of bang for the buck.
On a related note, word has it the Z06 with its screamin’ flat-plane crankshaft V8 will be revealed in July for the 2022 model year.

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Hyundai and Kia downplay Apple car rumors

After weeks of speculation, Hyundai and subsidiary Kia have again sought to downplay rumors and reporting that they are working with Apple on an autonomous electric car project. The companies say they are no longer in talks, according to Reuters and Bloomberg, though that doesn’t mean the discussions won’t reopen later. Hyundai’s comments as reported… Continue reading Hyundai and Kia downplay Apple car rumors

CEOs of LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK Innovation Set to Face Each Other for the First Time at a Board Meeting of the Korea Battery Industry Association

CEOs of LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK Innovation, which are the three companies that represent South Korea’s battery industry, are set to gather together at a periodical board meeting held by the Korea Battery Industry Association (KBIA). This will be the first time that they will be meeting together since LG Energy Solution… Continue reading CEOs of LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK Innovation Set to Face Each Other for the First Time at a Board Meeting of the Korea Battery Industry Association