Show #681
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Wednesday 29th January 2020. It’s Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story to save you time.
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AUDI STRUGGLES WITH E-TRON PRODUCTION BECAUSE OF SUPPLIERS
“Audi is making some major personnel changes at their Brussels plant, where the e-tron quattro electric SUV is manufactured. The jobs of at least 145 temporary workers are to be put on hold. In the worst case, this lot could threaten up to 250 employees.” says Chris at electrive, with info coming from two German articles and one in French: “The Belgian news agency Belga broke the news. The agency cites difficulties of a supplier to deliver parts needed for the installation of the batteries in the electric SUVs as the reason for Audi letting the temps go. The Belgian newspaper L’Echo however, becomes more specific and presumes the supply issue concerns the battery cells and implicates LG Chem in particular. The production of the Audi e-tron in Brussels will, therefore, be reduced by 4,100 to 5,700 vehicles in the first quarter, the report continues.”
Audi plant spokesman Peter D’hoore: “We are facing an unexpected situation and have taken measures to stabilise supplies”
RIVIAN: EXPECT PRICES LOWER THAN PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Electric vehicle startup Rivian on Saturday displayed its pickup truck and SUV at an event in San Francisco’s Bay Area and said that when their prices are unveiled soon they will be lower than has been previously announced.” says a Reuters report: “Rivian founder and chief executive R.J. Scaringe told Reuters the mid-range R1T pickup truck with a glass sky panel that can change from blue to clear was about $69,000. It can travel 300 miles on a full charge. A similar range R1S SUV will sell for about $72,000.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-electricvehicles-rivian-preorders/electric-vehicle-maker-rivian-expect-prices-lower-than-previously-announced-idUSKBN1ZP00B
Cybertruck:
Range: 250+ miles, 7,500+LBS TOWING CAPACITY and <6.5S 0-60 MPH for $39,900
Range: 300+ miles, 10,000+LBS TOWING CAPACITY , <4.5S 0-60 MPH for $49,900
EUROPEAN REGISTRATIONS SURGE BY 21% IN DECEMBER WITH TESLA MODEL 3 THE THIRD BEST-SELLING CAR
Electrified vehicles emerged as another big winner in December with demand soaring by 69% – equating to 132,200 units or 11% market share. In fact, the Tesla Model 3 was the most exciting performer of the closing month of 2019. With 22,100 units, it became the third best-selling model in the rankings, outselling other popular cars like the Volkswagen Polo, Peugeot 208, Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Octavia. Its volume made up 43% of the BEV registrations but it wasn’t the only star among the electric cars. The Audi E-Tron was the third best-selling BEV, and the Hyundai Kona BEV and MG ZS EV hit the top 10.
EVs are closing the gap at an impressive rate when compared to their diesel counterparts. In December 2018, there were 4.6 diesel cars for every EV sold; a year later the ratio has fallen significantly to 2.9. Most of this progress has been due to pure electric cars (BEV), which outsold hybrid vehicles (HEV) for the first time.
European registrations surge by 21% in December with Tesla Model 3 the third best-selling car
MERCEDES GLC 300 E PLUG-IN HYBRID SUV PRICE ANNOUNCED
“The Mercedes GLC 300 e, a plug-in hybrid version of its mid-size SUV, is on sale now in both SUV and coupe forms. Prices for the GLC 300 e start at £49,687, while the GLC 300 e Coupe costs £52,562. First deliveries are expected in the summer.” writes Carbuyer.co.uk: “The car is Mercedes’ 20th electrified model in a range that includes hybrids and the fully electric EQC SUV. The GLC 300 e’s petrol and electric powertrain is borrowed from the E-class hybrid. This uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 153bhp and an electric motor producing 120bhp. The electric range of 29 miles is thanks to a 13.5KWh battery”
https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/news/169820/mercedes-glc-300-e-plug-in-hybrid-suv-price-announced
MERCEDES BENZ EVITO GOES ON SALE
Meanwhile from Next Green Car: “Mercedes Benz has launched its eVito, with prices and specifications confirmed for the UK. With a range of 93 miles on a charge, the eVito van is available in two lengths, and is eligible for the UK Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG).”Prices start at £39,895 and £40,415 for the L2 and L2 versions respectively – both ex VAT – with 20% off the purchase cost up to a maximum fo £8,000 through the grant. Prices exclude grant, delivery charges, and first registration fee. The battery fitted is a 41 kWh pack with 35 kWh of that usable. This allows for a combined range of 93 miles on a charge”
https://www.nextgreencar.com/news/8839/mercedes-benz-evito-goes-on-sale/
HONDA E PRAISED FOR MANEUVERABILITY, FUN TO DRIVE AND QUALITY FEEL
Well the embargo is lifted from the Honda E reviews: “With the Honda e, the Japanese manufacturer is aiming to offer the closest automotive interpretation of an iPhone on wheels. And according to the reviewers who have had the chance to try it out at its official launch in Spain, it turns out it’s genuinely good at that.” says InsdideEVs:” Honda claims the e will do 137 miles (220 km) on a single charge of its 35.5 kWh battery pack. However, reviews show that that can drop quite dramatically if the car is driven in lower temperatures, which was the case during the press drive event; with the battery fully charged, the car’s range meter showed around (75 miles) 120 km. This was the only major negative point about the car, though, and given that its main rival, the MINI SE (which we recently tested), has a maximum claimed range of 144 miles (232 km), it’s really not that bad.”
https://insideevs.com/reviews/395244/honda-e-tested-at-launch-in-spain/
WHY THE HONDA E SHOULD (BUT WON’T) COME TO THE U.S.
“A mix of nostalgia and good marketing made the Mini Cooper a phenomenon: a tiny car that didn’t line up with what automakers thought they knew about what drivers wanted. The Mini became so difficult to purchase in California without being gouged by a dealer that I had friends who bought their Mini from a dealer in Kansas to save money on the markups that came with demand.” argues Car and Driver: “The Honda e could generate that sort of buzz and demand here, too, but only if Honda is willing to take a chance. The love affair with the SUV isn’t going away any time soon, but there is a subset of buyers who desire something different from the glut of large boxes on wheels. But we’ll never know if it’ll be a success because Honda won’t take a chance and bring it to the United States. Instead, we get the Clarity EV: a boring sedan with a nice interior that shares its platform with a fuel-cell vehicle and a plug-in hybrid. It’s the four-wheeled equivalent of a yawn.”
NEW SEAT LEON LAUNCHED WITH EHYBRID OPTION
“Seat has launched its new Leon, with a plug-in hybrid option set to join the range for the first time. The Spanish firm’s best-selling model will feature an electric range of 37 miles on a single charge when it arrives in a few months’ time wearing an eHybrid badge.” according to Chris at NExt Green Car: “Sharing many traits with the new VW Golf, the Leon will use a 1.4 litre TSI petrol engine and electric motor for a combined 204 hp. Power goes through a six-speed DSG automatic transmission, and the motor is backed by a 13 kWh battery.”
https://www.nextgreencar.com/news/8841/new-seat-leon-launched-with-ehybrid-option/
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