1 – VW and SAIC are developing two new electric models
Volkswagen and Chinese auto group SAIC have a number of projects underway as part of joint ventures. New product cooperation agreement The deal includes the development of two pure electric models and three plug-in hybrid models. The agreement was signed to mark the 40th anniversary of Volkswagen’s joint venture with the Shanghai-based state-owned company. SAIC VW has previously offered electric vehicle models based on the group’s MEB modular system, with minimal changes for sale in China.
2 – Leapmotor C16 celebrates its debut in China
Leapmotor launches new model in China Three-row electric SUV Launched on the market is the C16. The Stellantis-backed Chinese start-up will offer the new model as both a pure electric vehicle and a gasoline range extender. The Leapmotor C16 is equipped with rear-wheel drive and a single electric motor. In the fully electric version, the electric motor generates 215 kW and 360 Newton meters of torque. This allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.37 seconds. The motor is powered by an LFP battery pack of around 68 kilowatt-hours.
3 – The new Skoda Elroq has a range of up to 560 km
Skoda has released the first images of its new electric model, the Erroc, dressed in camouflage and revealing the first key data. Fully electric compact SUV The Elroq is due to make its world premiere in autumn 2024. Skoda has announced four drive variants for the Elroq. As with its big brother Enyaq, the numbers differ: 50, 60, 85 and 85x. Naturally, 50 stands for the smallest drive, while 85X stands for the powerful all-wheel drive. The smallest version, the Elroq 50, has the same basic drive as the ID.3. The battery has a capacity of 55 kilowatt-hours, of which 52 kilowatt-hours are net usable. The electric motor develops 125 kilowatts and has a top speed of 160 km/h. The WLTP range is still unknown, so all that remains is to check the ID. 3: VW here states 388 kilometers.
4 – Polestar has a hole in its balance sheet
Polestar recorded it in 2023 Losses are more than double the amount from the previous yearHowever, vehicle deliveries increased by 6% compared to 2022 to around 54,600 electric vehicles. The Swedish-Chinese brand mainly cited high inventory and investments as reasons. Polestar posted a loss of around $1.17 billion last year, compared to a loss of $481 million the year before. At the same time, sales remained roughly constant, falling 3% from 2022 to 2023 to $2.38 billion. Vehicle deliveries in the same period increased by 6% to just 54,626 electric vehicles. In 2023, Polestar had to sell its vehicles at an even higher discount.
5 – CAM Survey: BMW Group is the world’s most innovative car company
For the first time, the BMW Group… Automotive Innovation Award BMW won. The award has been awarded annually since 2012 by the Vehicle Management Centre in Bergisch Gladbach to the world’s most innovative car company. In the current innovation survey, the BMW Group achieved the highest level of innovation among 30 car groups based on the 70 Series of innovations. This puts the Munich-based group just ahead of Chinese manufacturers Geely and SAIC. BMW has a high level of wide-ranging innovation in various technology fields. Notable world firsts are the Level 3 Traffic Jam Pilot in the 7 Series and the gesture-based lane change assistant in the 5 Series, which works just by looking at the side mirrors.