Handelsblatt Auto summit: BMW sees itself well positioned with Elektrostrategie in the USA

BMW manager Oliver Zipse “You have to accept the primacy of politics.” (Photo: Uta Wagner for Handelsblatt) Wolfsburg is relaxed BMWProduction Manager Oliver Zipse on the Handelsblatt car summit, Because the manager knows: In the discussion about tariffs and added value with the US government has BMW good arguments. “Long before the issue of tariffs… Continue reading Handelsblatt Auto summit: BMW sees itself well positioned with Elektrostrategie in the USA

Handelsblatt Auto Summit: Volkswagen announces the end of the internal combustion engine

VW production director Michael Jost Energy balance for the entire life cycle of a vehicle. (Photo: Uta Wagner for Handelsblatt) Wolfsburg product strategy is nothing new for Michael Jost. Already ten years ago, the automanager joined Skoda taken care of. In 2015 he moved to Wolfsburg to do the same job for the brand there… Continue reading Handelsblatt Auto Summit: Volkswagen announces the end of the internal combustion engine

The future of the auto industry lies in car sharing, Chinese executives say

Dave Zhong/Getty Images for CNBC International
Freeman H. Shen, Founder, Chairman & CEO of WM Motor, speaks during Fireside Chat on Day 2 of CNBC East Tech West at LN Garden Hotel Nansha Guangzhou on November 28, 2018 in Nansha, Guangzhou, China.

Several Chinese auto and transportation industry leaders are preparing for a future in which people share cars, rather than own them individually.

“(The new generation), they're not interested in the ownership. They're probably more interested in accessibility,” Freeman Shen, founder and CEO of Chinese electric car company WM Motor, said last week at CNBC's East Tech West conference in the Nansha district of Guangzhou, China.

Technological advances in the last several years have aided the rise of multibillion-dollar ride-hailing giants such as Uber and Didi. They, in turn, have challenged the traditional taxi driver system and cultivated a habit of on-demand car services for tens of millions of users globally despite ongoing safety concerns. Traditional automakers, many already trying to navigate rising interest in the electric vehicle market, are paying close attention to the ride sharing trend. Notably, General Motors is testing the waters with its own rental program.

In China, Feng Xing Ya, general manager of Guangzhou-based automaker GAC, also said the future of the auto industry lies in car sharing.

“(It's) a challenge for the auto industry because people may buy fewer cars,” Feng said in Mandarin, according to a CNBC translation, during a Nov. 27 conference session.

Without giving much detail on a plan, Feng said he favored a strategy of entering — rather than avoiding — the car sharing economy, which he said can still generate a lot of income for a company.

However, such a rapid change in consumer tastes could give start-ups an advantage.

Shen, formerly a director at Fiat Chrysler and Chinese automaker Geely, said traditional automakers are too focused on selling cars rather than improving user experiences. He said his company's focus on software and newness to the market means he has everything to gain and little to lose from a shift to ride sharing.

Shen founded WM Motor — which stands for “world champion” in German — in 2015 and the company has received more than $1 billion in funding, according to Crunchbase.

The rise of car sharing may also lead to new kinds of living environments in China as Beijing tries to encourage technological and urban developments through “smart cities.”

“If we can allocate the seats instead of vehicles … then we can use the transportation system more efficiently,” Henry Liu, vice president, chief scientist of smart transportation at Didi, said during a conference session.

“If you think about the future city, I think the future city will have much less in terms of parking spaces, road spaces, because we don't really need that much of spaces for vehicles,” Liu said. “At that moment, I think we have an autonomous vehicle fleet. And they can serve the transportation demand.”

SEAT and Snam partner to support the implementation of natural gas and renewable gas infrastructure, research and development projects

SEAT and Snam partner to support the implementation of natural gas and renewable gas infrastructure, research and development projects

The strategic agreement aims at supporting the implementation of CNG and bio-CNG infrastructure and research and development projects
SEAT is the brand with the most comprehensive CNG vehicle lineup in Europe
Snam is a European leader in gas infrastructure and is developing new refuelling stations

MILAN, 27-Nov-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — SEAT President Luca de Meo and Snam CEO Marco Alverà today signed a strategic agreement in Milan to promote the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and renewable gas (biomethane) for sustainable mobility, as well as joint research and development projects in this scope. SEAT and Snam share strategic markets such as Italy, France and Austria, which will enable the creation of synergies to boost CNG and bio-CNG as a clean and competitive alternative to traditional fuels.

Concluded within the framework of Snam’s Partners’ Day, the agreement provides that both companies explore business and commercial development opportunities aimed at corporate customers, dealers and consumers to promote the network of gas stations, as well as identify technological projects.

In addition, SEAT and Snam will collaborate in developing mobility services and creating new products, with the goal of offering added value to users of these kinds of vehicles. The strategic agreement, which could extend to other Volkswagen Group brands, also includes the technological development of biomethane, a renewable energy that helps reduce emissions even more.

SEAT President Luca de Meo highlighted that “the agreement with Snam enables us to take steps to democratising CNG. Italy is the leading market in the use of this energy and represents 55% of the sale of vehicles powered with this fuel in Europe this year. For SEAT, one out of every five vehicles sold in Italy uses CNG. With this agreement we aim to further enhance the development of compressed natural gas in Italy and export this success case to other countries.”

Snam CEO Marco Alverà said: “this partnership will strengthen the development of natural gas and biomethane-powered sustainable mobility, both in Italy and across Europe, combining Snam’s innovative infrastructure development, and SEAT’s expertise in rolling out new sustainable models. We believe that natural gas is the most immediate solution to improving air quality in our cities, in addition to having environmental sustainability, performance and economic advantages. The rapid spread of renewable gas has highlighted this. Sustainable mobility is one of the key areas of focus for our 200 million euro investment plan in energy transition businesses”.

CNG, a sustainable alternative

There is an upward trend in the use of compressed natural gas cars in Europe. Italy is the main market with a fleet of approximately 1 million vehicles and 1,300 refuelling stations. SEAT is committed to CNG as an efficient, profitable alternative. The brand currently offers compressed natural gas and petrol hybrid technology with the Mii, the Ibiza, the Leon and the Arona, the only CNG SUV in the world.

Snam has recently inaugurated its first L-CNG filling station in Pesaro, it has about 50 natural gas and biomethane refuelling plants currently in implementation and a pluriennal development plan of approximately 300 new distributors.

Driving with CNG emits 75% less nitrogen oxide compared to a diesel vehicle and 25% less CO2 than one that runs on petrol, and it does away with practically all particulate matter. Mobility with vehicular natural gas is considered environmentally friendly by the European Union, so the benefit of this kind of fuel includes the possibility of accessing European cities when there are traffic restrictions due to pollution. Besides contributing to the fight against climate change, natural gas also ensures significant economic advantages to consumers, as it enables savings of over 30% per kilometre compared to diesel and over 55% in the case of petrol.

SEAT is the only company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting 80% of its vehicles, and is present in over 80 countries on all five continents. In 2017, SEAT obtained an after tax profit of 281 million euros, sold close to 470,000 cars and achieved a record turnover of more than 9.5 billion euros.

The SEAT Group employs more than 15,000 professionals and has three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza, Arona and Leon. Additionally, the company produces the Ateca and the Toledo in the Czech Republic, the Tarraco in Germany, the Alhambra in Portugal and the Mii in Slovakia.

The multinational has a Technical Centre, which operates as a knowledge hub that brings together 1,000 engineers who are focussed on developing innovation for Spain’s largest industrial investor in R&D. SEAT already features the latest connectivity technology in its vehicle range and is currently engaged in the company’s global digitalisation process to promote the mobility of the future.

Snam is Europe’s leading gas utility. Founded in 1941 as “Società Nazionale Metanodotti”, it has been building and managing sustainable and technologically advanced infrastructure guaranteeing energy security for over 75 years. Snam operates in Italy and, through subsidiaries, Austria (TAG and GCA), France (Teréga) and the United Kingdom (Interconnector UK). It is one of the main shareholders of TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) and is the company most involved in projects for the creation of the Energy Union.

First in Europe by transport network size (over 32,500 km in Italy, about 40,000 with international subsidiaries) and natural gas storage capacity (16.7 billion cubic meters in Italy, about 20 billion with international subsidiaries), Snam manages the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant built in Italy and is a shareholder of the country’s main terminal.

Snam’s business model is based on sustainable growth, transparency, nurturing talent, and development of local areas by dialoguing with communities. It fosters sustainable mobility, expands into energy efficiency, and invests in biomethane and innovative technologies to increase the use of renewable gas, a key resource of the green economy.

SEAT Communications
Cristina Vall-Llosada
Head of Corporate Communications
T/ +34 93 708 53 78
M/ +34 646 295 296
cristina.vall-llosada@seat.es
http://seat-mediacenter.com

Snam Communications
Salvatore Ricco
Head of Communications
T/ +39 02 3703 9505
M/ +39 335 7709861
salvatore.ricco@snam.it
www.snam.it

SOURCE: Snam SPA

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Mahindra launches the Alturas G4, a luxury SUV to redefine the high-end SUV segment

Mahindra launches the Alturas G4, a luxury SUV to redefine the high-end SUV segment

Attractive launch price starting at Rs. 26.95 lacs for 2WD (ex-showroom) across India

Synopsis

Bold & Imposing design with chrome front grille, HID headlamps with LED DRLs, 45.72 cm (18”) diamond cut alloy wheels, LED fog lamps with cornering lamps, LED tail lamps and dual tone roof rails
Luxurious tan and black interiors with quilted Nappa leather upholstery, award-winning ergonomic seat design, Easy Access Mode, Memory Profile for Driver seat & ORVM, Dual Zone Fully Automatic Temperature Control, Ambient Mood Lighting, Ventilated front seats and Electric Sunroof
Advanced high-tech features like 3D Around View Camera system, Smart Powered Tailgate, 20” Touchscreen Infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, a 7” 3-mode TFT LCD cluster, Electronic Parking Brake with auto-hold and auto-tilting ORVMs when in reverse.
Powerful 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder engine producing 133.1 kW (178 BHP) of power and 420 Nm of torque. It comes with the Mercedes-Benz 7- speed Automatic Transmission in both variants.
Unmatched safety with features like 9 Airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Active Rollover Protection (ARP), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Descent Control (HDC). High-strength steel quad frame structure which offers an added layer of protection.
Available in 2 variants – 2WD and 4WD, and 5 colours – Napoli Black, Pearl White, Dsat Silver, Regal Blue and Lakeside Brown
To be available in a separate high-end showroom within the Mahindra ‘World of SUVs’, and with exclusive Relationship Managers
Launch of Purple Club+, an exclusive loyalty program that would enable customers to earn and redeem points based on engagements with the Mahindra brand

November 24, 2018, Jaipur: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), a part of the US $20.7 billion Mahindra Group, today launched its eagerly awaited high-end SUV , the Alturas G4. From its imposing exteriors to its premium interiors, every detail in the Alturas G4 has been finely crafted. With advanced high-tech features and unmatched safety equipments, the Alturas G4 is all set to create a new benchmark in the high-end SUV segment. It will be available at Mahindra dealerships across India starting November 26, 2018 at an attractive launch price of Rs. 26.95 lacs (ex-showroom) for the 2WD variant.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd said, “The launch of the Alturas G4 is a significant moment in the automotive journey of Mahindra which will take the brand to the next level. With the Alturas G4, we have decided to adopt an endorsed brand strategy which will heighten brand desirability & aspiration. The product is the epitome of luxury in every sense. Therefore we believe the Alturas G4 aptly redefines royalty which is also its positioning.”

Rajan Wadhera, President – Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., mentioned, “The Alturas G4, with its excellent proposition of imposing design, exquisite interiors, state-of-the-art technology, exhilarating performance and unmatched safety, all at an attractive price point, is poised to redefine the high-end SUV segment. It is our most luxurious offering and comes with a host of technology & safety features such as the 3D Around View Camera system, Easy Access Mode, Ventilated Seats, many of which are not available in vehicles at a similar price range.”

The Alturas G4 would be exclusively available through separate high-end showrooms within the existing Mahindra ‘World of SUVs’ dealerships. These outlets will be equipped with ultra-modern digital technology to provide an enhanced and immersive high-end experience for customers. All Alturas G4 customers will have access to exclusive Relationship Managers to cater to their requirements, which is another segment first.

With the Alturas G4, Mahindra will also introduce a new premium loyalty program, Purple Club+. This will be a first-in-category loyalty program that will enable customers to earn and redeem points, based on engagements with the Mahindra brand.

About the Alturas G4

Bold & Imposing Design: Rugged front lines combined with a dynamic character line along the sides provide the commanding appearance of an authentic SUV. The Alturas G4 emerges as an absolute head-turner with its

Best-in-class* width, height and wheelbase
Chrome Front Grille
HID Headlamps with LED DRLs
45.72 cm (18”) Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels
LED tail lamps
LED fog lamps with cornering lamps
Silver and black roof rails
Chrome window surrounds

Luxurious Tan and Black Interiors:

Quilted Nappa leather upholstery
First-in-class* Ventilated Front Seats
First-in-class* Easy Access Mode
8-way adjustable powered driver seat with memory profile
Dual Zone Fully Automatic Temperature Control (FATC)
Electric sunroof with Anti-pinch feature
Ambient Mood Lighting
Award Winning ergonomically designed seats (Grand Prize at the Ergonomic Design Awards 2017, Korea)

*Compared to high end SUVs between Rs. 26-35 lacs (ex-showroom price)

Exhilarating Performance:

The Alturas G4’s powerful 2.2 litre 4-cylinder engine produces 133.1 kW (178 BHP) power and 420 Nm of torque. Performance is maximized by the cutting-edge electrical variable geometry turbocharger (E-VGT). The Advanced Compressor Wheel lowers noise and maximises efficiency.

It comes with the Mercedes-Benz 7-Speed automatic transmission and is available in both 2WD and 4WD variants

State-of-the-art Technology Features:

First-in-class * 3D Around View Camera system: 4 cameras (front, rear, both ORVMs) for a 360 degree view
Smart Powered Tailgate that opens automatically provided the key is in your pocket and you stand behind the rear of the vehicle for just 3 seconds
17.78 cm (7”) TFT LCD Cluster with a 3-mode setting- Regular, Animation and RPM-Linked
20.32 cm (8”) infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth, AUX and USB connectivity
Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold feature
Cruise Control
Steering mounted controls with audio, cruise control and instrument cluster settings
Auto-Tilting ORVMs when in reverse gear
6-speaker audio system

Unmatched Safety:

The Alturas G4 offers a unique package of safety features

9 airbags including driver seat, passenger seat, driver’s knee protection, side airbags in 1st & 2nd rows, and curtain airbags
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with its top of the line features like Active Rollover Protection (ARP), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Traction Control System, ABS + EBD and Emergency Stop Signal
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Ultra-high strength steel quad frame structure
Side impact beams & front crumple zones
ISOFIX mounts for child seat
Immobilizer

Social Media Handles:

Please visit: https://www.alturasg4.com for more details and images.

Facebook: @AlturasG4
Twitter: @alturasg4
Instagram: @alturasg4
Official Hashtag: #AlturasG4
Other Hashtags: #RoyaltyRedefined

About Mahindra

The Mahindra Group is a USD 20.7 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world’s largest tractor company, by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness, aerospace, commercial vehicles, components, defense, logistics, real estate, renewable energy, speedboats and steel, amongst other businesses. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 2,40,000 people across 100 countries.

Learn more about Mahindra on www.mahindra.com / Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise

Media contact information

Mohan Nair
Vice President (Communications)
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
Landline – + 91 22 28468510
Email – nair.mohan@mahindra.com

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MONTUPET
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BP77 – 92112 Clichy cedex France
Telephone:+33 (0)1 47 56 47 56
Fax: +33 (0)1 47 39 77 93

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The Mercedes-Benz GLE campaign: The new GLE: “Every journey makes you stronger”

03.

December 2018

Stuttgart

“In the long run” can be watched on YouTube at: http://mb4.me/GLE-TVC-Story
Stuttgart. The market launch of the new Mercedes-Benz GLE is accompanied by an international communications campaign. At the heart of the campaign is the nearly five-minute film “In the long run”. It shows a modern family story about a strong woman and mother who is training hard for her dream: taking part in her first ever triathlon. With support from her husband she fights to the limit of her physical and mental capabilities and finally manages to participate in the race. But despite all this success there is an event from her past which is always with her like a dark shadow. The film reveals what this is. The Olympic triathlon champion and two-time winner of Ironman Hawaii, Mercedes-Benz Brand Ambassador Jan Frodeno, has a guest appearance.
From 3 December 2018 “In the long run” will be available on YouTube. The talented Swedish film maker Niclas Larsson directed the film, and Oscar winner Linus Sandgren was behind the camera. Filming took place in Austria. The title track “Cold Little Heart” was composed by the British soul singer Michael Kiwanuka and is taken from his album “Love & Hate”. In addition to the long version, 30-seconders are also being used on TV as ads. Different cut variants can also be seen on social media.
“The GLE campaign is going live on air today, on the “ International Day of People with Disabilities”. In a short film Mercedes-Benz tells an authentic and emotional story depicting various aspects of strength. Far removed from a typical SUV ad, we are showcasing the GLE as a modern family car and strong companion in all circumstances”, says Natanael Sijanta, Head of Marketing Communication Mercedes-Benz Cars. “As a responsible, approachable brand we are using the GLE campaign to present our new premium SUV with all its’ strengths – and at the same time we want to send out a powerful message on inclusion in everyday life.”
The campaign: the GLE campaign is the first element in the new overarching communication strategy for the Mercedes-Benz SUVs. With the claim “All kind of strength” it focusses on human characteristics which match the respective SUV model. A new element of the campaign is also the cross-media approach. The visual worlds produced unfold their charm in all formats and serve the markets' specific requirements.
Further features of the campaign: the campaign is complemented by a web special and a series of print motifs. The webspecial at: http://mb4.me/gle-special encompasses a campaign page which puts the spotlight on the cinematic imagery of the new GLE.
The print motifs show the GLE on a road trip in realistic situations. The focus is on various features and their authentic use. The motifs were photographed by Uwe Düttmann. The award-winning photographer has been working for Mercedes-Benz for years and has also accompanied among others national and international productions like Stern, Rolling Stone, Vogue and Elle magazine.
Credits: the idea and concept for and implementation of the campaign were devised by antoni garage, the European creative lead agency for Mercedes-Benz.
The new GLE: The new Mercedes-Benz GLE is not only exceptionally dynamic and more comfortable on the road, it is also more competent off the beaten track than ever before. Its exterior design exudes strength and charisma and at the same time sets a new aerodynamic best in its segment with a cd value from 0.29. The interior is even more spacious, the second row of seats is electrically adjustable as an option and a third seat row is available on request. The GLE impresses with innovations such as E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL. The fully networked hydropneumatic active suspension on a 48 V basis is available for the first time in combination with the air suspension, also newly developed. The new driver assistance systems further increase the level of active safety. The infotainment system has larger screens, and optionally comes with a full-colour head-up display with a resolution of 720 x 240 pixels and the MBUX interior assistant, which can recognise hand and arm movements and supports the driver's and front passenger's operating intentions.
The GLE is also more capable off-road than ever: available for the first time for models with six and eight-cylinder engines and the plug-in hybrid, fully variable all-wheel drive (Torque on Demand, TonD) controls the torque distribution between the front and rear axle from 0‑100 % depending on the selected driving mode. The new Mercedes-Benz GLE will be launched with two engine line-ups and will be delivered to customers from the beginning of 2019. You can find more information under: http://mb4.me/the-new-gle-product.
Diversity and inclusion at Daimler and Mercedes-Benz
The company very consciously values the differences in employees and uses their variety of experiences, perspectives and expertise. People with restrictions are an important part of the teams and firmly integrated into the staff membership. Every employee has special skills which she/he uses successfully in the company. In total there are currently more than 9,800 severely handicapped employees at Daimler in Germany.

Press Contact

Michael Allner

Manager Communications S-Class, SL, SLC, Guard & Maybach

michael.allner@daimler.com

Tel: +49 711 17-75846

Fax: +49 711 17-98646

Ina Schultz

Lifestyle and Brand Communications

ina.schultz@daimler.com

Tel: +49 711 17-76876

Fax: +49 711 17790-62116

Artur Demirci

Manager Lifestyle-, Brand- and Social Media Communications

artur.demirci@daimler.com

Tel: +49 (0) 711 17-77368

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World Debut of the New TRITON/L200Start of sales in Thailand November 17 to Rollout to 150 Countries

Bangkok, November 9, 2018 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation(MMC) today announces the world premiere of the new TRITON/L200 1-ton pickup truck in Bangkok, and is to start sales in Thailand on November 17.   The New TRITON/L200 is the latest version of a model which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, and is produced at… Continue reading World Debut of the New TRITON/L200Start of sales in Thailand November 17 to Rollout to 150 Countries

Here’s why Kia Soul EV and Kia Niro EV both get big 64-kwh battery packs

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2020 Kia Soul EV
One key specification in the 2020 Kia Soul EV that was revealed at the LA Auto Show this week was a bit unexpected: its inclusion of a large, 64-kwh battery pack.

That leaves two vehicles—the Soul EV and the 2019 Kia Niro EV—with the same big battery. And both will be arriving at U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2019.

Based on earlier hints, we expected Kia to fit the more city-focused, lease-oriented Soul EV with the company’s 39-kwh pack. So we asked Kia why it decided to go big on battery for both of these high-utility hatchbacks.

Simply put, according to Kia, it’s what existing Soul EV drivers want. And the Soul EV and Niro EV don’t really compete with each other.

DON’T MISS: 2019 Kia Niro EV rated at 239 miles, on sale soon

“The plan all along was to maximize range, because that’s what our customers want,” said Steve Kosowski, the manager of long-range strategy and planning at Kia Motors America.

2020 Kia Soul EV

When, in late 2015, the company surveyed its customers about what range they wanted in a next vehicle, they were a bit surprised about how high the range they wanted was. “The median range was 208 miles,” said Kosowski. “So from this we learned that 200 miles is sort of a magical number.

CHECK OUT: 2020 Kia Soul EV has more punch, faster charging, and a lot more battery

The 39-kwh pack couldn’t meet that, so it was ruled out at that point in the development process. “It was very telling, we got a lot of very valuable information from that survey,” said Kosowski. “One of the engineers asked, why do you want to carry all this weight around if you only use a portion of the battery most of the time; but I think the industry has shown, and consumers have shown, that 200 is the new floor.”

That happens to be quite close to what Honda describes as the process in deciding why it didn’t need significantly more range in its Clarity Electric, versus its former Fit EV (by surveying owners). Honda settled on just 25.5 kwh and an EPA-rated 89 miles of range. So apparently not everyone agrees.

READ MORE: 2019 Kia Soul EV drops most affordable trim

Kia says that, despite the similarities, very few if any shoppers will consider both the Soul EV and the Niro EV. Soul EV customers want the car to be more vibrant and youthful—thus the brighter color palette—with the capability to take along a bike, surfboard, or dogs, Kosowski said, while Niro EV buyers are more understated and more likely to have kids.

2019 Kia Niro EV

The Niro is the flagship eco-car for Kia, so it will be the somewhat higher-priced, more premium offering in the lineup than the Soul EV.

At a current estimated cost, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, of more than $200 per kilowatt-hour, including manufacturing costs and ancillary pieces like the pack case and cooling system, the 64-kwh battery pack could cost several thousand dollars more than the 39-kwh one, even when considering the economies of scale. But if more existing owners re-up for the new model because of it, and Kia is able to sell more Soul EVs rather than unload them via lease deals, the range bump may pay off handsomely.

Volkswagen Group China, JAC and SEAT sign new deal, driving forward e-mobility in China

SEAT today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Volkswagen Group China and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp., Ltd (JAC). The agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG Dr. Herbert Diess, JAC President An Jin and SEAT President Luca de Meo, in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jingping… Continue reading Volkswagen Group China, JAC and SEAT sign new deal, driving forward e-mobility in China