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Race for Tesla plant heats up as four northern towns join forces

Four towns in the northern Netherlands – Hardenberg, Emmen, Coevorden and Hoogeveen – have joined forces in an effort to attract a new Tesla car production plant.Hardenberg mayor Peter Snijders told the Financieele Dagblad that neighbouring German towns may also join the group which has raised €12m for the campaign.
However there is a lot of competition for the car plant. Groningen is preparing a bid book for the venture, while Tilburg in the south is interested in having Tesla build a battery plant for the plug-in car there.
Tesla already has an assembly plant in Tilburg which is a centre for car components manufacture. And VDL Nedcar in Limburg is also seeking partnership with Tesla, the FD says.
Eastern Europe
There is heavy compeition throughout Europe for a long-awaited Tesla plant. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer of CAR-Center Automotive Research in Duisburg Germany argues that eastern Europe has the most to offer the California-based car maker. ‘Germany has the highest energy prices in the world and southern Europe has very rigid labour laws,’ he said
Dudenhöffer reckons eastern Europe has the best chance of attracting Tesla. The region has low energy costs, low corporation tax and low labour costs, the Financieele Dagblad quoted him as saying.

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Audi, Airbus and Italdesign test Flying Taxi Concept

At Drone Week in Amsterdam Audi, Airbus and Italdesign are presenting for the first time a flying and driving prototype of “Pop.Up Next”.This innovative concept for a flying taxi combines a self-driving electric car with a passenger drone. In the first public test flight, the flight module accurately placed a passenger capsule on the ground… Continue reading Audi, Airbus and Italdesign test Flying Taxi Concept

UPDATE 2-Mitsubishi Motors says Nissan-Renault alliance can survive turmoil

OKAZAKI, Japan (Reuters) – A senior executive at Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T) said on Tuesday its alliance with Nissan Motor (7201.T) and Renault SA (RENA.PA) can survive management upheaval, a day after it fired Carlos Ghosn as chairman over financial misconduct allegations. FILE PHOTO: Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, speaks at… Continue reading UPDATE 2-Mitsubishi Motors says Nissan-Renault alliance can survive turmoil

TrustFord network review continues with sale of three dealerships

TrustFord has disposed of three dealerships to Pentagon as part of its ongoing review of its property portfolio. The Ford businesses at Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn will be rebranded as Pentagon Ford. The Pentagon deal follows the disposal in January of four dealerships in London to Gates. Stuart Foulds, chairman and CEO of TrustFord,… Continue reading TrustFord network review continues with sale of three dealerships

Mitsubishi Motors executive says Nissan-Renault alliance can survive turmoil

OKAZAKI, Japan (Reuters) – A senior executive at Mitsubishi Motors Corp said on Tuesday its alliance with Nissan Motor and Renault SA can survive management upheaval, a day after it fired Carlos Ghosn as chairman citing financial misconduct. FILE PHOTO: Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, speaks at the Tomorrow In Motion… Continue reading Mitsubishi Motors executive says Nissan-Renault alliance can survive turmoil

VDL Nedcar plant to roll out new BMW series

German carmaker BMW has confirmed it will begin production of its BMW XI sports utility vehicle at the VDL Nedcar plant in Born in the southern province of Limburg.
BMW chief Harald Krüger said in an interview with the Automotive News Europe website that the SUV would be produced alongside the Mini Hatchback, Cabrio and Countryman models in the Dutch plant.
The increase in production capacity at Nedcar is relatively simple because the BMW XI uses the same platform as the Mini Countryman. The extra production capacity in Born is needed because BMW’s capacity at its main plant in Regensburg cannot be further expanded despite adding another shift.
The work at Born will create hundreds of jobs at the plant which was threatened with closure four years ago when it was owned by Mitsubishi, The plant started up operations again in 2014 after being acquired by the VDL Groep two years earlier.

Volkswagen Touareg is the 30 millionth Volkswagen brand delivery milestone in China

The Volkswagen brand has sold 30 million vehicles in China – the jubilee model is a Touareg

Volkswagen Brand sets record in China, with 30 millionth delivery this November – a Touareg
Stephan Wöllenstein: “This is a unique occasion, and a unique vote of confidence from all our Chinese customers over the years.”
Volkswagen’s product offensive to continue with introduction of 5 new models in 2019 alone; NEV offering to double

GUANGZHOU, China, 20-Nov-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — Volkswagen is speeding up its activities in China, re-energizing the brand under its Move Forward initiative. The brand’s product portfolio was strengthened with no less than 9 new models in 2018. Speaking at Auto Guangzhou 2018, Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Brand China, said, “We reached a fantastic milestone this November, as we delivered the 30 millionth Volkswagen – a Touareg – to a customer in China. And to remain the number one choice for Chinese car buyers, as we have been for many years, our product offensive will continue in 2019.”

As one of the pioneering automotive brands in China, Volkswagen delivered some 2,000 cars to Chinese customers in 1985, in a market that totalled 5,100 vehicles. By 1992, cumulative Volkswagen China deliveries had reached 100,000, and in 1997 Volkswagen’s total number of customers exceeded one million. The 5 and 10 millionth customers were greeted in 2006 and 2011, respectively, while in 2015 the 20 millionth Volkswagen found its way to China’s roads. Just three years later, in 2018, another 10 million Volkswagen vehicles have been delivered: in November, the 30 millionth Chinese car buyer chose a Volkswagen. “This is a unique occasion, and a unique vote of confidence from all our Chinese customers over the years,” said Wöllenstein.

With its joint venture partners, FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC VOLKSWAGEN, the brand is committed to providing more choice to meet the varying needs of Chinese consumers. Volkswagen announced the introduction of another 5 models in 2019, including 3 SUVs. Continued Wöllenstein, “Together with our joint ventures, we also will step up our efforts with our NEV offensive in 2019 – introducing 3 locally-produced battery-electric versions of well-known Volkswagen models. We will also introduce one more locally-produced PHEV and the Touareg PHEV from Volkswagen Import.”

SOURCE: Volkswagen AG

MEDIA CONTACT

Peik von Bestenbostel
Head of Volkswagen Communications
Phone: +49 (0) 5361 / 9-26655
Email: peik.bestenbostel@volkswagen.de

SEAT named leader in digital transformation by Financial Times study

The report by the Financial Times singles out 100 leading European companies in the field of digitalisation
The selected companies stand out for their ability to adapt to new technologies in an innovative way
SEAT, recognised for tackling digital challenges in manufacturing

MARTORELL, 23-Nov-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — SEAT has been acknowledged as a leader in digital transformation by a study carried out by the prestigious British daily the Financial Times. This publication, together with Google, Nesta and The Innovation Foundation, selected 100 organisations, people and companies from 4,000 entries, that are spearheading digital transformation in Europe, a key factor in economic growth, job creation and entering new markets. In recognising SEAT, the Financial Times cited the Company’s open innovation programme at its flagship plant in Martorell, to help tackle digital challenges in manufacturing.

SEAT President Luca de Meo stated that “digitalisation is a strategic priority. SEAT is one of the companies that invests the most in R&D in Spain, and has concentrated its efforts on developing new technologies in order to boost productivity and diversify its business. We are working on becoming a benchmark in future mobility. Having been selected by the Financial Times as one of the 100 leading European companies in digital transformation is a significant recognition of the efforts made by the company and the entire team.”

Industry 4.0, key to SEAT’s digitalisation

SEAT is promoting an ambitious transformation process whereby all of its production activities are being adapted to the digital environment with the most disruptive technologies on the market. The Spanish carmaker is developing and applying digital tools and solutions aimed at vehicle production that enable the company to gain in efficiency, flexibility and agility. For example, by implementing artificial intelligence, the use of collaborative robots as well as virtual reality and big data in the Martorell factory to revolutionise vehicle design and production.

Furthermore, SEAT has a biomechanical laboratory which stands out for its contribution to developing more ergonomic workstations. This one-of-a-kind facility in Spain features more than 20 cameras that process workers’ musculoskeletal characteristics in 3D with the aim of preventing pathologies resulting from the production process as well as improving rehabilitation in the event of injuries. In addition, SEAT has implemented training programmes using an innovative method that explains industrial transformation in a way that is easy, interactive and digital. Since the programme began, more than 2.500 employees have attended the courses.

Designing future mobility

In the framework of the Easy Mobility strategy, SEAT’s goal is to build a portfolio of products and services to offer customers new urban mobility solutions. In this sense, SEAT created Metropolis:Lab Barcelona in 2017, a centre of excellence dedicated to researching and developing new urban mobility solutions which is integrated in the Volkswagen Group’s IT Lab network. This year the company launched XMOBA to test and commercialise mobility services. In addition, SEAT acquired Respiro, a pioneering hourly car sharing service in Spain.

Last week at the Smart City Expo World Congress, SEAT presented its latest developments that will contribute to boosting its global transition towards smarter, more sustainable mobility. The initiatives developed by the SEAT Metropolis:Lab include ride-sharing and Bus on Demand, which XMOBA is going to roll out as a pilot test in 2019. Other novelties included the evolution of the SEAT Cristobal concept car, now with 5G technology; the new socially responsible navigation project together with Waze and the Barcelona City Council; and the brand’s first vehicle in its urban micromobility strategy, the SEAT eXS powered by Segway.

SEAT Communications

Cristina Vall-Losada
Head of Corporate Communications
T / +34 93 708 53 78
M/ +34 646 295 296
cristina.vall-llosada@seat.es

Aurora Vidal
International Corporate Communications
T / +34 93 708 40 05
M/ +34 608 483 266
aurora.vidal@seat.es

SOURCE: SEAT, S.A.

Mahindra’s Alturas G4 to Redefine the High-End SUV Segment

Key highlights

To be equipped with Hi-Tech & Safety features like 8-way Powered Driver Seat with Memory Profile, Dual Zone FATC, 9 Airbags, 3D 360 degree Around View Camera, etc.
To be available through a separate high-end showroom within the Mahindra ‘World of SUVs’ with exclusive Relationship Managers
Launch of Purple Club+, a First in category loyalty program

Mumbai, November 16, 2018: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), a part of the US $20.7 billion Mahindra Group, today revealed the key features of its high-end SUV, the Alturas G4.

The Alturas G4 will be equipped with significant Hi-Tech & Safety features including 8-way Powered Driver Seat with Memory Profile, Dual Zone FATC, 9 Airbags, 3D 360 degree Around View Camera, Ventilated Seats, Active Roll-over Protection, etc. It will compete with players that operate in the Rs.30+ Lakhs (ex-showroom) price range.

Veejay Ram Nakra, Chief of Sales & Marketing, M&M Ltd. said, “The Alturas G4 is our most luxurious offering till date and will come with a host of technology & safety features, many of which are not available in vehicles in a similar price range. We have always been a pioneer when it comes to creating industry benchmarks and the Alturas G4 will be no different. We are certain that with the Alturas G4, we would redefine the high-end SUV segment”

The Alturas G4 would be exclusively available through a separate high-end showroom 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 would have access to exclusive Relationship Managers to cater to their requirements, another segment first.

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

Brand website at www.alturasg4.com

Please use the following hashtag for social media updates

#AlturasG4

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

Salaried-worker layoffs will cut deep at GM

Salaried-worker layoffs will cut deep at GMGeneral Motors Co. will likely have to lay off nearly 6,000 salaried workers after roughly 2,250 employees requested to take the buyout the Detroit automaker offered to North American salaried employees and global executives last month.
The number of employees who asked to take the buyout was outlined in a portion of a memo to employees from CEO Mary Barra, obtained by The Detroit News. GM said Monday it was targeting 8,000 jobs with the buyouts, a benchmark the company will now have to meet with about 5,750 layoffs.
Managers from each department were given cost-cutting goals to meet by the end of the year, which could be met by addressing discretionary spending or leveraging buyouts. The managers still have to approve the buyout requests from their employees before GM knows exactly how many employees it needs to lay off.
The automaker offered buyouts to 18,000 salaried workers on Halloween, and the deadline to accept the offer was last week.
Under GM's buyout offer, eligible employees could receive six months' pay and six months' health care coverage starting in February, though on a case-by-case basis some employees could leave before the end of the year to effectively get eight months' compensation.
The expected layoffs come as GM is also planning to stop production at five plants next year, including Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly and Warren Transmission, affecting about 14,300 jobs across the company.
The buyouts and layoffs among GM's salaried workers are part of what the automaker has called a transformation of its workforce. At the same time GM executes some 6,000 layoffs among salaried workers, it is hiring aggressively in emerging automotive disciplines like software development, batter and fuel cell technology and autonomous vehicle development.
GM Cruise LLC, the automaker's self-driving vehicle development arm based in San Francisco, recently surpassing 1,000 workers. A new office in Seattle opening early next year will also add up to 200 new workers.
“We are going to continue to hire,” Barra told reporters Monday. She says GM is focusing harder on the “skillsets of the future”
“You will see us having new employees join the company as others are leaving,” she said. “We still need many technical resources across the company.”
Staff Writer Ian Thibodeau contributed to this report
nnaughton@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @NoraNaughton
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