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VOLKSWAGEN PLANS AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC VEHICLE FOR 2027
On May 28th earlier this year, Volkswagen announced plans to launch a new, affordable electric vehicle (EV) ready for a global launch in 2027. The price will be around €20,000 (about $21,800 USD). This initiative is part of the company’s strategy to provide entry-level electric options in Europe. It aims to compete with the growing number of low-cost EVs from China.
Now there’s competition from within VW as to where it will be assembled.
A report from Der Spiegel identifies three leading candidates: the VW facility in Palmela, Portugal; the plant in Poznan, Poland; and Skoda’s main factory in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. The VW site in Bratislava, Slovakia appears to be a less likely candidate.
Each year, the Volkswagen Group conducts a “planning round” that allocates projects to various plants for a five-year period, with upcoming models needing a decision soon. The initial launch of a slightly more expensive electric model around 25,000 euros is projected for 2025/2026, and decisions regarding the 20,000 euro cars will likely be made in the planning session this autumn.
The German plants in Zwickau and Emden are unlikely candidates due to their cost structures, despite their lower production capacities
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Volkswagen’s planning is focused on cost-effectiveness, but regional considerations also play a critical role in their decision-making process. The four electric models priced at 25,000 euros, comprising a compact car and an SUV, will be produced in Spain.
Since VW’s battery division, PowerCo, is also constructing a battery cell manufacturing facility in Sagunt, Spain, it increases the likelihood that the 20,000-euro vehicles may also be sourced from the Iberian Peninsula, making the Portuguese plant a contender.
There are considerations regarding the design of the new 20,000-euro vehicles, particularly about the infotainment system. Reports suggest that the company may eliminate the traditional infotainment screen, following a concept similar to the discontinued e-Up model. Instead, the integration of smartphones for primary functions such as music and navigation may be prioritized, paving the way for a simplified design without a built-in display.
https://evne.ws/47PzaCp
UK EV SALES BUCK EURO TREND TO RISE IN SEPTEMBER TO 20.5%
In September, electric vehicles (EVs) made up 20% of new car sales in the UK, marking the highest monthly registrations for electric cars this year. The launch of the new ’74’ registration plate contributed to an overall rise in car sales.
New EV registrations reached 56,387, accounting for 20.5% of total vehicle sales. However, this number is still below the UK government’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) target of 22%. August was the only month thus far to reach this target, and forecasts suggest that EVs will represent around 18.5% of new registrations by the end of 2024.
Petrol vehicles now make up just over half of new registrations, while diesel vehicles continue to lose ground, representing only 6.4% of sales. As recently as early 2017, the fuel type mix was 50% diesel.
Fleet purchases significantly contributed to the rise in BEV sales, with a 36.8% increase, accounting for over 75% of all registrations. Private demand for BEVs also grew by 3.6%, aided by substantial manufacturer discounts that added 410 registrations. However, private demand for the year has decreased by 6.3%.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) experienced the highest growth among vehicle types, climbing by 32.1% and securing an 8.9% market share.
The SMMT anticipates that manufacturers will spend at least £2 billion on electric vehicle discounts in 2024. They caution that this expenditure, combined with prior investments in vehicle development, threatens the financial stability of manufacturers and retailers. As a result, the SMMT, along with 12 major manufacturers representing over 75% of the market, has urged the Chancellor to introduce measures to support consumers and hasten the shift to electric vehicles.
https://evne.ws/4gQHiXk
NEXT-GEN ELECTRIC VANS FROM MERCEDES-BENZ
Mercedes-Benz is currently testing prototypes for its new electric vans, which are scheduled to launch in 2026. These upcoming models will be distinct from the current eSprinter and smaller electric options available in Europe, as they will utilize a specialized electric vehicle platform called Van.EA. After the 2026 release, all Mercedes vans will be developed on this new platform.
The transition to Van.EA, a dedicated platform, aims to improve the efficiency and performance of Mercedes-Benz’s electric vans.
All Mercedes van models introduced after 2026 will incorporate Van.EA, allowing for a unified set of components to support both midsize and larger vans.
This modular design relies on three primary segments that accommodate electric motors in both the front and rear sections. Unlike the rear-wheel-drive eSprinter, the forthcoming Van.EA models will feature front-wheel drive with a single motor, and the option for all-wheel drive with dual motors.
Mercedes has also announced plans for a luxury electric van for the U.S., based on the Van.EA platform. Additionally, there are intentions to develop electric recreational vehicles (RVs), although specifics have not been established for the U.S. market.
The central part of the chassis will dictate vehicle length and will house the battery systems. All-wheel-drive variants will be equipped with a rear motor, while front-wheel-drive versions will utilize a single front motor. The VAN.EA-P version is tailored for private ownership, projected to have a range of up to 310 miles (about 499 kilometers), likely based on the WLTP cycle.
TESLA MODEL Y GETS RANGE UPGRADE
Tesla has introduced an updated version of the Model Y in the UK, the RWD Long Range, replacing the former Rear-Wheel Drive variant. This new model has 100 miles more range totaling 373 miles, if you spec the 19” Gemini Dark wheels. The better looking 20” Induction wheels lop off 22 miles of range, a total of 351. The starting price is £46,990, which is £2,000 more than the previous version. Leasing starts at £349 per month after an initial payment of £4,383 for a two-year contract, limited to 5,000 miles annually.
Over here we have three Model Y’s, the new LR RWD, a LR AWD which is rated 331 miles on WLPT, and the Performance AWD rated 319 miles WLTP with the 21” Uberturbine wheels.
The new range is approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) greater than that of the Audi Q4 e-tron and 30 miles (48 kilometers) more than the Volkswagen ID.5. In comparison Polestar 2 long-range variant reaches 406 miles (653 kilometers).
https://evne.ws/3YbjKVP
RIVIAN CUTS 2024 VEHICLE PRODUCTION ESTIMATES
Rivian has announced a reduction in its vehicle production for 2024 due to a supply chain issue that has worsened recently. The specific component affected, which we think is related to the electric motors used in the R1 platform (comprising its pickup and SUV) and the RCV commercial van, remains unspecified. The company now expects to produce between 47,000 and 49,000 vehicles in 2024, down from the earlier target of 57,000 vehicles set in July.
Rivian’s vehicle deliveries in the third quarter were below expectations. The company delivered 10,018 vehicles in Q3, a decline from 13,970 in Q2. Rivian is still aiming to ship between 50,500 and 52,000 vehicles by the end of the year.
These issues come at a critical time for Rivian, as it prepares to launch its more affordable R2 SUV in 2026. The company was already expecting limited growth in 2024 compared to 2023 and is pursuing cost-cutting measures. These include a workforce reduction of 10% implemented in February and a halt on plans for a new facility in Georgia.
https://evne.ws/4dxUIEQ
HYUNDAI AND WAYMO FORM PARTNERSHIP
Hyundai Motor and Waymo have established a multiyear partnership that allows Waymo to use Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric vehicle in its robotaxi fleet.
This collaboration comes after Waymo recently unveiled its “generation 6” self-driving technology, which is designed to function in various weather conditions while using fewer costly cameras and sensors. Waymo currently operates around 700 vehicles and runs the only commercial robotaxi service in the U.S., known as Waymo One, which provides over 100,000 paid rides each week.
Production of the Ioniq 5 will occur at Hyundai’s new “Metaplant America” in Georgia, where the vehicles will be fitted with Waymo’s autonomous technology. The Ioniq 5s will have specific modifications such as redundant hardware and powered doors to prepare them for self-driving. Testing of these Waymo-enabled Ioniq 5s is expected to begin by late 2025, with plans for them to be available to Waymo One riders in subsequent years.
Waymo will own the vehicles. The Ioniq 5 is also used by Motional, an autonomous vehicle startup created by Hyundai and Aptiv, but Hyundai assured that the Waymo partnership will not interfere with Motional’s operations.
https://evne.ws/3YaJmBZ
IONNA BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON FIRST EV CHARGING STATION
Ionna has started building its first fast-charging station for electric vehicles (EVs) in Apex, North Carolina, located at a former gas station. The facility, named “Rechargery,” will renovate one of the town’s oldest gas stations. It will include 10 covered parking bays with Combined Charging Standard (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors, providing charging outputs up to 400 kW. The hardware is supplied by Alpitronic.
The site will also feature a lounge for food and beverages, restrooms, and Wi-Fi, along with pet-friendly outdoor areas. This approach to charging stations with added amenities is similar to plans by Rove, which aims to set up 20 such locations in California. Electrify America has also introduced an indoor EV charging station designed to be a model for future urban sites.
Founded in 2023, Ionna is seen as a competitor to the Tesla Supercharger network. Supported by seven automakers—BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis—Ionna plans to establish at least 30,000 high-power EV fast chargers across North America by 2030 to aid long-distance travel.
https://evne.ws/4gTOX73
FOXCONN’S TECH DAY TO HIGHLIGHT NEW EV MODELS
Foxconn is gearing up for its fifth annual Hon Hai Tech Day on October 8-9, where it will showcase new developments in electric vehicles (EVs). At a press conference on October 1, the company announced the upcoming launch of a multi-passenger minibus called Model U, in addition to its previously unveiled SUV-like Model D.
Historically, the PC industry followed a vertically integrated model, with brands managing everything from design to production. However, increased competition and falling prices have led Taiwanese ICT companies to adopt outsourced manufacturing, which has created a new industrial landscape. This transition has especially benefited the smartphone industry, where many brands have moved away from in-house production to focus on research, design, and customer experience while outsourcing manufacturing to specialists.
Foxconn sees parallels between the current challenges in the EV market and the early stages of the PC industry. While some car manufacturers are cutting back on EV investments, Foxconn believes that long-term growth in the EV segment is inevitable, presenting further opportunities for the company.
Earlier in 2024, Foxconn announced it had started discussions with various traditional automotive brands and is hopeful for tangible outcomes from these talks soon.
The company’s EV lineup is expanding, with the introduction of models C, E, T, B, and V. The addition of Model D and Model U in 2024 aims to broaden its product offerings, giving clients a wider range of options.
https://evne.ws/3Btu3M6
PREMIUM PARTNERS
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