China and the European Union are the world’s number one and two car markets. Together they account for half of all passenger cars sold and built around the world. Moreover, the two regions are emerging as the major global regulatory powers, setting ambitious standards and targets for tomorrow’s vehicles. That is why we at ACEA… Continue reading News – Why Chinese and European auto manufacturers need to work more closely together
Tag: Manufacturing
Ford Restructures Russian Joint Venture to Grow Commercial Vehicle Business; Exiting Passenger Vehicle Market in Russia
Supporting Ford’s global redesign strategy to strengthen its leadership in commercial vehicles and growth in Europe, Ford and its partner, Sollers PJSC, confirm the restructuring of their Russian joint venture A restructured Ford Sollers will build on Ford Transit strength as Russia’s top-selling, non-domestic commercial vehicle nameplate and maintains a strong brand presence in the… Continue reading Ford Restructures Russian Joint Venture to Grow Commercial Vehicle Business; Exiting Passenger Vehicle Market in Russia
Sony and DOCOMO to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam
Sony Corporation and NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced that they will jointly trial Sony’s conceptual driverless vehicle, the New Concept Cart SC-1, which leverages 5G mobile technologies for various remotely controlled functions. The test will be conducted using the trial network in DOCOMO 5G Open Lab GUAM, which will provide test facilities and an outdoor verification… Continue reading Sony and DOCOMO to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam
Alibaba, Tencent and other major names form $1.45B ride-hailing venture
For the last two years, Didi has been the dominant car-hailing force in China and its success has spawned a handful of competitors initiated by both internet firms and old-school carmakers. Just last week, another notable challenger has stepped up. T3, which is short for “top 3”, officially launched after a dozen entities, including three… Continue reading Alibaba, Tencent and other major names form $1.45B ride-hailing venture
The new BMW 1 Series: final test phase in Miramas.
Munich. Camouflaged pre-series vehicles of the third-generation BMW 1 Series are currently still undergoing extensive test drives at the BMW proving ground in Miramas, Southern France. The facility’s diverse handling tracks offer the optimal conditions for refining agility and dynamics of the new BMW 1 Series. This was preceded by five years of intensive development… Continue reading The new BMW 1 Series: final test phase in Miramas.
South America resists electric vehicles as local fuels remain in favor
SAO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brazil (Reuters) – Meeting in Brazil this week, auto executives from Toyota to GM talked up traditional fuel sources like ethanol, natural gas and diesel, underlining how South America’s protected auto market is likely to resist a broader global move toward electric vehicles for years to come. FILE PHOTO: A man… Continue reading South America resists electric vehicles as local fuels remain in favor
Nissan panel to propose bigger role for external directors in Ghosn scandal’s wake
TOKYO (Reuters) – A committee tasked with revamping corporate governance at Nissan Motor Co is expected to recommend on Wednesday a bigger role for external directors in overseeing the Japanese automaker following Carlos Ghosn’s arrest and ouster as chairman. FILE PHOTO: Former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn sits inside the car as he leaves his… Continue reading Nissan panel to propose bigger role for external directors in Ghosn scandal’s wake
Volvo Cars issues new EUR bond
VOLVO CAR AB STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 26 March 2019 at 17:20 CET Volvo Cars issues new EUR bond Volvo Cars has today successfully issued a EUR 600m bond under its Euro Medium Term Note programme. The bond matures in April 2024 and pays a fixed coupon of 2.125%. The issue price was 99.625,… Continue reading Volvo Cars issues new EUR bond
Volvo to boost plug-in hybrid production to 25 percent of fleet
2020 Volvo XC90
While other automakers are moving away from plug-in hybrids to electric powertrains, Volvo is finding unexpected success with its lineup of plug-in hybrids.
At a recent roundtable with journalists in Sweden, Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson said the company is disappointed that it underestimated demand for its plug-in hybrids.
DON'T MISS: Volvo XC90, XC60 T8 plug-in hybrids add electric miles for 2020
“We are not happy because we could sell more [plug-in hybrids],” he said, according to Automotive News (subscription required.) “We underestimated the demand.” He said the company did not have a big enough supply of batteries, motors, and other electrical components to build more of its plug-in hybrids, which sell for about 30 percent more than non-hybrid versions of the cars.
Samuelsson said the company will boost its capacity for those plug-in hybrid components for 2019, from its current 10 or 15 percent worldwide, up to 25 percent of its sales.
READ THIS: Audi plans new plug-in hybrid Q5, A6, A7, and A8 for Geneva reveal
Last year in the U.S., Volvo sold a little less than 1,500 XC90 T8 PHEVs, a little more than 2,100 XC60 T8 PHEVs, and fewer than 500 S90 T8 sedans, but it sold almost 27,000 plug-in hybrids in Europe, combined.
At the same time, the company announced an upgrade to upcoming XC60 and XC90 T8 hybrids to boost their plug-in range by about 15 percent.
CHECK OUT: Fiat Chrysler lays groundwork to build electrified Jeep models
The new models haven't been rated by the EPA, but current models have an estimated 17 miles of electric range, which would put the new ones up around 20 miles. The Volvos use a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and an 8-speed automatic transmission to drive the front wheels, and an electric motor to provide another 87 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels.
Volvo also announced a new B5 line of mild-hybrid SUVs for Europe.
Other automakers, such as Audi, BMW, and Jeep have also announced plans to boost their lineups of plug-in hybrid SUVs, earlier this month at the Geneva auto show, so the new Volvos will have plenty of competition.
China Evergrande says diversification complete, eyes top electric vehicle spot
Minister for IT, Rohan Khaunte, on Saturday said that the ministry planned to formulate dedicated policies for ESDM and electric vehicles which could see the light of day in the coming year. By Clare Jim HONG KONG: China Evergrande Group wants to be a big player in the electric vehicle industry because of its potential… Continue reading China Evergrande says diversification complete, eyes top electric vehicle spot