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EV Sales Part 1: Tesla’s Reign in Europe
Tesla continues to lead the pack in Europe’s EV market, with Volkswagen making a comeback. In June, Europe saw a registration of about 311,000 plugin vehicles, marking a 42% YoY increase.
The share of plugin vehicles in the overall European auto market was 25% in June, with 17% being full electrics/BEVs. This has brought the 2023 plugin vehicle share to 22% (15% for BEVs alone).
Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 secured the first and second spots respectively in June. The Model Y, being the best selling EV in Europe for the 8th consecutive month, registered 33,523 units in June. The Model 3, on the other hand, had 14,163 sales.
Volkswagen’s ID.4 secured the third position with 10,252 registrations. The Fiat 500e and MG4 followed in the fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Other notable performances include the Skoda Enyaq and the Renault Megane EV.
Tesla leads the automaker ranking with a comfortable 13.1% share, followed by Volkswagen at 8.5%. BMW and Mercedes hold the third and fourth positions with 7.9% and 7.4% shares respectively.
In terms of automotive groups, Volkswagen Group leads with 19.9%, followed by Stellantis at 14.3%, and Tesla at 13.1%. But as we see next, VW leads in Europe but that’s not echoed on a wider scale.
EV Sales Part 2 – 19% of Global Market
Global plugin vehicle registrations saw a 38% increase in June 2023 compared to June 2022, totaling 1,260,000 units. This means that plugin vehicles now account for 19% of the overall auto market, with BEVs alone making up 13%.
The global automotive market is firmly in the Electric Disruption Zone, with nearly one-third of global registrations having some form of electrification when you include the additional 900,000 units from plugless hybrids.
Year to date, the market share of plugin electric vehicles has risen to 15%, with BEVs making up 10%, so the market is growing rapidly.
The Tesla Model Y and Model 3 were the top-selling EV models in June, with the Model Y leading significantly. The Model 3, however, had a higher tide than usual with 68,850 units, marking its best result since March 2022.
Other notable performances include the Wuling Bingo , the recently introduced BYD Seagull and the Li Xiang L7.
Looking at registrations by OEM, BYD leads with a 21.4% share, followed by Tesla at 15.2%. Volkswagen Group holds the 3rd place.
Tesla Resumes Magic Dock Supercharger Installations
Tesla has recommenced the deployment of Magic Dock adapters at its Supercharger stations in the US, with a recent installation spotted in Texas.
The Magic Dock, introduced earlier this year, acts as a receiver for the Tesla charge connector at Supercharger stations. It can be detached from the charger to function as a North American Charging Standard (NACS) to Combined Charging System (CCS) adapter.
Tesla initially installed the Magic Dock at around a dozen stations in New York and California, aiming to welcome non-Tesla EV owners to the Supercharger network. However, the deployment seemed to halt for several months.
The recent sighting of a Magic Dock installation at a Supercharger station in Eastchase Fort Worth, near Arlington, Texas, suggests that Tesla is continuing to open its stations to other EVs.
While the station is not yet officially listed as open to non-Tesla electric vehicles, Tesla tested the device with a Ford F-150 Lightning.
Volkswagen’s Electric Leap: A Potential Partnership with Leapmotor
Volkswagen (VW) is reportedly in talks with Chinese automaker Leapmotor for a new electric vehicle (EV) collaboration, as per Chinese media sources. This partnership is distinct from VW’s recent deal with Xpeng.
Unlike the Xpeng agreement, VW might purchase or license a platform from Leapmotor. This technology could be utilized in the production of affordable electric vehicles under the Jetta brand, a joint venture between VW and FAW in China. The specific platform under consideration remains undisclosed.
Leapmotor has recently unveiled a new electronics architecture named ‘Four-Leaf Clover’. Speculations suggest that VW’s potential collaboration with Leapmotor might revolve around this electronics architecture rather than a complete EV platform.
The ‘Four-Leaf Clover’ architecture, developed solely by Leapmotor, integrates a system-on-chip (SOC) and a microcontroller unit (MCU) into a central supercomputing unit. This unit is designed to provide computing power for various systems including the cockpit system, assistance systems, powertrain, and body functions. The system also supports over-the-air (OTA) updates.
VW’s joint venture partner FAW has reportedly prepared an internal document indicating that the Jetta brand will concentrate on ‘low-cost electric vehicles’ post the deal.
The next three years are considered crucial for the development of automotive intelligence. While German cars excel in hardware, they lag in software, making intelligent systems a necessity to stay competitive.
Volkswagen reportedly lacks the technological reserves in this area and is turning to Chinese car companies for support.
Subaru U.S. Production and an 8-EV Lineup
Subaru is accelerating its electric vehicle (EV) plans, targeting global sales of 400,000 EVs per year starting in 2028.
The shift in demand for EVs has been faster than Subaru anticipated, particularly in the U.S. where Subaru customers are environmentally conscious and increasingly open to EV.
Subaru plans to start in-house EV production in Japan from 2025, with a production capacity of about 200,000 vehicles per year. An additional line dedicated to EV production will be added in Japan around 2027, adding another 200,000 vehicles to the capacity.
In the U.S., Subaru’s largest and most profitable market, the company plans to start localized EV production in 2027 or 2028. Subaru’s Indiana assembly site is one option, but the company is also considering other options, including partnerships.
Subaru would procure Panasonic’s next-generation cylindrical lithium-ion batteries in the latter half of this decade.
Subaru plans to roll out eight full-electric models by the end of 2028, four more than previously announced.
Subaru’s future EVs might continue to be co-engineered or manufactured with longtime partner Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota is expected to build a new three-row electric crossover in 2025 in Kentucky for Subaru shortly after it starts building its own version, tentatively called the bZ5X.
The only electric vehicle Subaru currently sells in the U.S. and Europe is the Solterra, which is assembled by Toyota. Toyota has a 20% stake in Subaru.
2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce eAWD
The Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce eAWD is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that serves as the bellwether vehicle of Alfa’s transition to an all-electric future.
The vehicle is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine and a 121-hp electric motor, providing a combined 285 hp.
The Tonale has a 15.5-kWh battery that offers an electric-only range of 33 miles.
The Tonale Veloce eAWD starts at $49,090.
Ex-Saab Engineers’ Electric Dream, NEVS Emily GT, Finds a New Home
The NEVS Emily GT, an electric sedan developed by ex-Saab engineers, has found a buyer. The Swedish automaker Saab, which had faced financial difficulties, was rebranded as New Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) after being bought by two Chinese companies.
NEVS continued to work on several projects amidst the financial turmoil, one of which was the Emily GT, a four-seat battery-electric car. The company was seeking a buyer for the project or the entire company, and it appears they have found one.
If properly funded, the Emily GT could go into production in less than two years. The last version of the Emily GT showcased was powered by a 175-kWh lithium-ion battery and four motors, providing a combined 484 horsepower. It’s estimated to go from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and has a range of 600 WLTP miles. A more powerful version with 653 hp and 1,622 lb-ft of torque is reportedly in the works.
There is uncertainty about what the production version will be named. Saab AB, a military aircraft company that started building cars in 1947 as Saab Automotive, took back its name after GM exited. It’s unclear if Saab AB will allow another Saab Automotive.
Peekaboo! Spy Photos Reveal the Almost Unveiled Porsche Macan EV
Spy photos have given us an early glimpse of the Porsche Macan EV, which is expected to launch in 2024. The images show the electric SUV with minimal camouflage, revealing its low, squat shape.
The Macan EV does away with a main front grille, headlights are a split array, with the upper running lights mimicking the design of the Taycan’s lights.
The launch of the Porsche Macan EV was delayed as the Volkswagen Group grappled with software issues. However, recent spy photos show the electric Macan with minimal camouflage, revealing more of its design.
The prototypes of the Porsche Macan EV have been spotted for some time, often disguised as a Cayenne. Despite the use of colored stickers and fake exhausts, the prototypes have been identified as the electric Macan.
The Macan EV has now been seen almost undisguised during tests. Some areas, particularly at the back, are still covered with black tape. The electric Macan has dropped the fake exhausts and now showcases the coupe-SUV silhouette it previously tried to hide.
The Porsche Macan EV and the Audi Q6 e-tron share many technical features, being built on the same Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. However, the Macan EV is expected to have the upper hand, with up to 603 horsepower in a dual motor configuration, compared to the Audi Q6 e-tron’s peak of 503 horsepower.
The Macan EV also features a rear-wheel steering system. Like its bigger sibling, the Taycan, the Macan EV adopts an 800-volt electric architecture, allowing for 270kW peak charge rate (rumours say they are targeting a 300 number!)
BMW’s Next-Gen LiDAR
BMW Group and Innoviz Technologies are partnering to develop next-generation LiDAR sensors, aiming to bring Level 3 autonomous driving to more vehicles. Level 3 autonomy allows the vehicle to perform dynamic driving tasks without human intervention.
While Tesla has been a leader in deploying autonomous vehicle features, it doesn’t use LiDAR sensors in its vehicles. Elon Musk has even stated that “Anyone relying on LIDAR is doomed.” However, others, including BMW Group’s CEO, believe that LiDAR sensors are crucial in developing autonomous driving systems due to their ability to detect objects on the road regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
Kawasaki’s Debut Electric Motorcycles Ready to Hit the Streets
Kawasaki’s first electric street bikes are now ready for launch. The two electric models, designated Ninja e-1 and Z e-1, have begun homologation in Australia.
When Kawasaki announced the bikes last year, the power was expected to be 11 kW (14.75 hp). However, the homologation filings for the Australian version list the power at 9 kW (12 hp).
The weights are listed as 135 kg for the Z e-1 model and 140 kg for the Ninja e-1. It’s unclear if this includes the two removable batteries that Kawasaki previously stated would power the bikes. The company has said that two 12 kg batteries would power the bikes and be removable for charging. Together, they would add up to 3 kWh.
This relatively small battery for an electric motorcycle suggests these bikes would have limited city ranges and top speeds. This could mark the first mass-market electric street bike from a Japanese motorcycle company.
The Big Four motorcycle makers in Japan, Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki, have been slow in electric motorcycle development. American companies like Zero Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson, and Italian manufacturer Energica, have been selling electric motorcycles for years. However, these 3 kWh Kawasaki motorcycles could fall short in battery and motor performance compared to American and Italian rivals.
Nissan Ariya Electric SUV Gets a Price Cut and New Trim Levels
Nissan has introduced new trim levels for the Ariya electric SUV and reduced its price to £39,645.
The interior of the Ariya is minimalist, with virtually all physical buttons replaced by capacitive, haptic-feedback switches built into the dashboard surface. It also features ‘Zero Gravity’ slim-profile seats, a 12.3in central touchscreen, a 12.3in digital driver display, and one of the largest full-color head-up displays for the price.
The 63kWh cars will get a 7.4kW home charger, with 87kWh cars featuring a 22kW three-phase charger. Advance and Evolve trims get 130kW peak speeds on a DC rapid.
Tesla Enhances Phone Call Quality with New Climate Control Feature
Tesla has introduced a new feature that automatically adjusts the speed of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system during phone calls. This feature, called “Lower HVAC Fan Speed While on a Call,” reduces ambient noise, improving the call quality for both parties.
While this feature is not new in the automotive industry, with companies like Ford and General Motors already offering it, it’s a welcome addition for Tesla drivers. The feature is part of the 2023.26 update.
The update also includes a “Backup Camera Repositioning” feature, which allows drivers to adjust the camera feed to different positions using the touchscreen.
Another feature added is the “Pedestrian Warning System Pause.” This allows drivers to temporarily stop the warning noise that plays when the vehicle is traveling at less than 19 MPH or in reverse. This feature is particularly useful in dense traffic situations.
BYD’s Denza Brand Rolls Out the Denza N7 SUV
Denza, BYD’s premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand, has started delivering its second model, the Denza N7. This SUV is the first model released by Denza after a shareholding restructuring and following the launch of the Denza D9 MPV.
The Denza N7 is a mid-size, five-seat SUV positioned to compete with the Tesla Model Y in the market.
Denza is a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz. Initially, both companies held a 50 percent stake in the company, but BYD increased its stake to 90 percent last year.
The Denza N7 received firm orders for 11,687 units 24 hours after its official launch.
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