Ford discussing closure of two Russian plants: sources

FILE PHOTO: A man walks past Ford cars at a showroom in Moscow, Russia, December 4, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev MOSCOW (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co is considering closing two major plants in Russia as part of its global plan to restructure operations in unprofitable regions, three industry sources told Reuters. Faced with fourth-quarter losses in… Continue reading Ford discussing closure of two Russian plants: sources

UPDATE 2-BMW could shift some UK engine, Mini output if no orderly Brexit

GENEVA (Reuters) – BMW could move some production of engines and its Mini model out of Britain if the country does not secure an orderly departure from the European Union, the German carmaker said on Tuesday, in the latest Brexit warning from the auto industry. Workers assemble cars at the plant for the Mini range… Continue reading UPDATE 2-BMW could shift some UK engine, Mini output if no orderly Brexit

ROLLS-ROYCE TO SHOWCASE FULL BESPOKE PORTFOLIO AT 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will return to the Geneva Motor Show and debut its full current product portfolio for the first time on an international stage. Representing the near-infinite Bespoke possibilities at the heart of its record-breaking success in 2018, the marque will present one of an extraordinary collection of 25 Phantoms alongside the first publicly-revealed… Continue reading ROLLS-ROYCE TO SHOWCASE FULL BESPOKE PORTFOLIO AT 2019 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

New plug-in hybrid models and further developed high-voltage batteries: BMW moves ahead consistently with electrification.

Munich. Premium automobile manufacturer BMW is consistently moving ahead with the electrification of its drive portfolio and now presents its latest plug-in hybrid models at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. At the same time, BMW also announces the market launch of an additional sports activity vehicle (SAV) with electric drive. The globally popular BMW X3… Continue reading New plug-in hybrid models and further developed high-voltage batteries: BMW moves ahead consistently with electrification.

McLaren poised to redefine the rules of Grand Touring

5 Mar 2019 McLaren announces intention to introduce a new Grand Tourer Announcement made by CEO, Mike Flewitt, during McLaren’s Geneva press conference Image released of a camouflaged car The fourth McLaren to be revealed under the Track25 Business Plan Revealed in a few months time; follow cars.mclaren.com/newrules  McLaren promises to redefine the rules of… Continue reading McLaren poised to redefine the rules of Grand Touring

Next 5 to 10 years could be ‘really tough’ for our competitors, VW chief says

picture alliance | picture alliance | Getty Images
The Audi Q4 e-tron concept is presented at the Geneva Motor Show on the first press day. The 89th Geneva Motor Show starts on 7 March and lasts until 17 March.

The transition towards the electrification of vehicles is a challenge for car industry and whoever manages it best will succeed, the CEO of German automaker Volkswagen Group told CNBC Tuesday.

“We are really getting into a transition period of the automotive industry and, reading between the lines of all the communications our competitors are doing, it will be tough times because we have to invest in new technology, not only electric drive trends but autonomous driving, connectivity,” Herbert Diess, chief executive of Volkswagen, told CNBC's Annette Weisbach at the Geneva Motor Show.

“So, this period of the next five to ten years will be very tough for all our competitors,” he said, adding: “I think the company that manages this transition best will succeed.”

Volkswagen showcased an all-electric dune buggy at the Swiss car show on Monday and announced last November that it will spend 44 billion euros ($50 billion) on new plants, electric cars, autonomous driving and mobility services between 2019 and 2023. VW has also said it is looking to partner with other manufacturers on electric vehicles in a bid to lower development and production costs.

Earlier this year, VW and Ford announced a plan to build commercial vans and medium-sized pickup trucks together as early as 2022. They also announced plans to work together on autonomous vehicle research.

VW Group is one of the world's largest automakers and comprises twelve brands including VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Porsche. In the last few years the company was wracked with the diesel emissions cheating scandal, however, and more recently has faced the threat of U.S. tariffs on European car imports and car parts. EU and U.S. officials are due to hold trade talks on Wednesday with Europe keen to avert the threat to its car industry. German-listed shares of Volkswagen have fallen 5 percent in the last six months reflecting investor concerns.

Diess said that all automakers were seeing their shares trading at a discount and said this was because of the transition taking place in the industry. Diess believed VW had the best chance of success in the transition towards electric vehicles but conceded that the group should be more efficient.

“We think we have the best story, we have to explain it probably a bit better maybe and for sure it's also about efficiency, we have still a lot of synergies in the group, it's big with all the different brands, but that takes time. But I think we're on the right way and I think once the market understands our story the share price will go up,” he said.

Volkswagen CEO: Brexit 'won't sink our company'
2 Hours Ago | 03:37

Commenting on the threat of U.S. sanctions on European car imports, Diess said VW had done everything it could to “convince the U.S. administration that we're really committed to investing further into the U.S.”

“It is a critical situation for us,” Diess said, “because mostly our premium brands here in Germany are depending on the import market of the U.S. So, Audi and Porsche have significant market share there so this is a threat,” he said.

“We do what we can but at the end of the day it's a negotiation of tariffs which not only cover the automotive sector but also other entities so it's hard to predict what's the outcome,” he said.

Mercedes’ Concept EQV can transport 8 passengers with its 249 mile range

A single passenger EV is a good way to reduce your carbon footprint. But if you really want to make a difference, you go with a vehicle that transports a lot of humans around. That’s what Mercedes is doing with its Concept EQV. a high-end van for moving lots of folks at once. Gallery: Mercedes-Benz… Continue reading Mercedes’ Concept EQV can transport 8 passengers with its 249 mile range

World premiere of the Concept EQV: Concept EQV: Mercedes-Benz is providing

05.

March 2019

Stuttgart/Geneva

The world's first MPV in the premium segment to feature a purely battery-electric drive system Battery capacity of 100 kWh ensures a range of up to 400 kilometres Interior and exterior with the design idiom of the EQ product and technology brand World premiere of the series production version at this year’s Frankfurt Autoshow Stuttgart/Geneva – World premiere for the first purely battery-electric people mover in the premium segment: with the Concept EQV, Mercedes-Benz has combined locally emission-free mobility with impressive driving performance, maximum functionality and aesthetic design. The new concept vehicle will be presented for the first time at the Geneva International Motor Show from 7 to 17 March 2019. Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to release a series-production vehicle on the basis of the Concept EQV, which will be presented to the public at this year’s Frankfurt Autoshow.
Technical highlights of the vehicle include a range of up to 400 kilometres and rapid charging to enable a range of 100 kilometres within just 15 minutes. What's more, the vehicle offers the greatest possible level of comfort in its interior and maximum functionality, for example thanks to the diverse range of possible seating configurations.
Accordingly, the concept vehicle has a broad range of potential applications covered. For example, in the private sphere, families or sports enthusiasts benefit from its great functionality and variability. Meanwhile, for VIP transport tasks, the vehicle offers an impressivel comprehensive range of equipment and convinces with an especially pleasant ride comfort.
“Mercedes-Benz Vans is consistently advancing the electrification of its product portfolio. With the Concept EQV, we are now taking the next step. The concept offers all of the brand-typical attributes familiar from this segment which Mercedes-Benz customers have come to know, appreciate and also expect. As a family companion, a leisure-time adventurer or a shuttle vehicle with lounge ambience, the combination of these characteristics with a battery-electric drive mean the Concept EQV is a concept car with a future. And so we're particularly excited that we will soon be able to offer a series-production model on the basis of this concept”, explains Wilfried Porth, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG. Human Resources and Director of Labor Relations, Mercedes-Benz Vans.
The Concept EQV is representative of the consistent development of the “EQ” technology brand. Mercedes-Benz founded the technology brand in 2016, kicking off with the “Concept EQ”. At the 2017 IAA, the “Concept EQA” followed in the compact segment. In September 2018, the brand presented its first series-production vehicle: the EQC electric drive SUV. The Concept EQV will expand the model range by a premium MPV for up to eight occupants.
150 kW motor with 100 kWh capacity delivers a range of 400 kilometres
The Concept EQV features a compact electric drivetrain (eATS) on the front axle with an output of 150 kW. The electric motor, the transmission with fixed transmission ratios, the cooling system and the power electronics form a compact and integral unit.
Energy is supplied by a lithium-ion battery. Thanks to a capacity of 100 kWh, a maximum range of up to 400 kilometres is realistic. And with a top speed of 160 km/h, it ensures superior driving pleasure even out of town.
The concept vehicle can be conveniently charged at home using a Mercedes-Benz wallbox or a regular household plug socket. For even more flexibility in your daily routine, there is also a rapid charging function: within just fifteen minutes, the battery can be charged with sufficient energy for a range of around 100 kilometres.
No concessions when it comes to functionality
MPVs from Mercedes-Benz meet the highest of demands of functionality and variability. And in these areas, the fully electric variant makes no concessions either. By installing the battery in the vehicle's underfloor, the entire interior space is available without restriction.
Thus, when equipped with six individual seats, for example, the Concept EQV makes for a representative shuttle vehicle which fulfils all of the requirements of VIP transport. Further seating configurations make the vehicle a practical family companion about town as well as allowing for easy transport of sports and outdoor equipment. With the Concept EQV, Mercedes-Benz is offering an extremely flexible, fully-electric vehicle concept which can easily be converted to a 7 or even 8-seater with the addition of individual seats or seat benches.
“Our Concept EQV is the perfect vehicle to accommodate all forms of familiy and take plenty of gear for an emission-free ride. And it will not remain a concept for long: The series model will have its world premiere at this year’s IAA”, says Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
As a member of the EQ family, the Concept EQV also benefits from the comprehensive scope of the technology brand's electromobility ecosystem. This starts with comprehensive advice and a range of services, right up to the charging infrastructure and even a modified navigation system which takes into account the charge level of the battery. There will also be apps which, for example, enable control of the pre-entry climate control or cash-less payments at public charging stations.
EQ design idiom makes for an unmistakable appearance
A connecting element on all EQ vehicles is their design. The EQ brand boasts an impressively avant-garde and independent set of aesthetics.
“The Concept EQV embodies our 'Progressive Luxury' approach by merging the analogue and digital worlds into a single entity. The EQ design idiom provides the vehicle with its unmistakeable appearance and has some impressively progressive shapes”, says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG. “And in the interior, too, the cool aesthetics of the exterior continue, being supplemented by warm accents, like those in rose gold, which underline the whole “Welcome Home” effect. The focus in the cockpit of our Concept EQV is on the new and intuitive MBUX system.”
The dynamic exterior design with its new electro-look emphasises the focus on the powerful electric drive system. At its heart is a radiator grille with chrome inserts and an LED band – typical characteristics of the EQ design idiom. The whole exterior is painted in high-tech silver while the bumper delivers an unmistakeable appearance thanks to large air inlets and two broad chrome inserts positioned towards the outer edges. LED headlamps underline the presence and sporty direction of the concept vehicle. This impression is enhanced thanks to the tidy profile as well as by the 19-inch light-alloy wheels which, even at a standstill, look dynamic.
Elegant, technoid cockpit with warm accents
The age of electromobility does not just shape the bodywork of the EQ concept vehicle. In the interior, too, the cool aesthetics of the exterior continue. In the elegantly technoid cockpit, the focus is on uncomplicated and intuitive operation. The basis of the interaction between man and machine is formed by the MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) which unites a self-learning voice control system with innovative connectivity features.
In keeping with the EQ brand design, the leather look of the dashboard in “Midnight Blue” is supplemented by the trend colour rose gold which is reminiscent of copper wires. This creates warm accents and underlines the “Welcome Home” effect of the interior. Particularly eye-catching are the coloured styling elements of the frame components. On the infotainment and sound system, rose gold exudes elegance and warmth, meanwhile the touchpad and light switch feature “dark chrome” surrounds and the air vents are encapsulated in “silver shadow”. Blue nappa leather covers the armrests, with rose gold topstitching creating an interesting contrast. The same effect is created by the topstitching along the seats. Furthermore, the use of black nappa leather on the seat cushions and dark-blue elements on the seat backrests sees different colour components being implemented. As a result, the whole interior offers a contrasting division: blue is the dominant design colour on the upper side of the dashboard while black is prevalent on its underside – not only is it elegant but it highlights the technological nature of the interior. In the areas above, along the line of sight from outside the vehicle, the blue design features of the seat backrests are an instant eye-catcher.
EQ – the electromobile ecosystem from the vehicle right up to the charging infrastructure
The EQ product and technology brand stands for a comprehensive electromobile ecosystem of products, services, technologies and innovations. The spectrum ranges from electric vehicles to wallboxes and even as far as charging services and charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, the name EQ stands for “Electric Intelligence” and is derived from the Mercedes-Benz brand values “Emotion and Intelligence”.
Amazement and fascination are as much a part of it as the holistic solutions themselves which offer the greatest possible benefit to customers through the use of the latest technology. The comprehensive electrification strategy being pursued in the product portfolio allows Mercedes-Benz to provide an even broader experience of the EQ product and technology brand to customers. This starts with the wide-ranging electrification of the modern combustion engine – also known as mild hybrids – which use the “EQ Boost” technology. A further and very important component is the continued plug-in hybrid offensive being pursued. Until 2022 the whole Mercedes-Benz Portfolio is planned to be electrified. This means that electrified variants will be offered in every segment – from the compact car to the large SUV.

Press Contact

Oliver Fenzl

Van Technology Communications – eDrive@Vans

oliver.fenzl@daimler.com

Tel: +49 (0)711 17-4 54 64

Fax: +49 (0)711 17-52030

Florian Hofmann

Van Technology Communications

florian.hofmann@daimler.com

Tel: +49 (0)711 17-46643

Fax: +49 (0)711 17-52030

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Mercedes-Benz’s EQV electric van has 200 horsepower and 249 miles of range

Mercedes-Benz is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial vans, especially at the high end, and the company is looking to protect that status in the future with an electric concept van announced Tuesday at the Geneva Motor Show. The EQV concept van, as it’s called, is supposedly capable of traveling up to 249… Continue reading Mercedes-Benz’s EQV electric van has 200 horsepower and 249 miles of range