+++ BMW executive manager Marc Werner says the car-maker’s rollout of electrified vehicles will continue unaffected by the federal government’s lack of action in supporting infrastructure or incentives. Werner has in the past been vocal in pushing the federal government to at least look into the viability of partially backing an electric vehicle (EV) charging network and providing financial incentives for buyers of environmentally friendly cars. Discussing the dominant e-mobility theme of the Frankfurt motor show, Werner said the there was a clear trend globally towards electric vehicles that was likely to gain further momentum in the coming years. “I think if you see what is happening here in Frankfurt, the big theme is really electrification”, he said on the BMW stand. “Not only BMW, the entire industry. I think you know it is not only a trend, it is happening. If the industry and the government can work hand in hand to make this happen for the customers, that is certainly something that we want moving forward. If you look at what has happened over the last 12 months, there is certainly more momentum. And I am very pleased to see that. We will not give up. As you have seen today we are inventing this technology and we are very serious about it”. BMW announced earlier this month that it will increase its global ‘i’ and iPerformance line-up to 25 models by 2025, with 12 of them being full battery electric vehicles. Some of those models will likely be the X3 EV that was recently announced by the German car-maker, an expected plug-in version of the upcoming X7 seven-seat SUV and the as yet unseen i8 Roadster. While other premium brands such as Tesla, Mercedes-Benz and Audi offer a range of electrified offerings here, Werner said BMW was the market leader when it comes to eco models. “Arguably we are already the leader. We launched the BMW i brand in 2014. And if you look at the broad spectrum of the BMW i and BMW iPerformance vehicles, it is the broadest product range in the market. We are at the very forefront of this technology, and we are also at the forefront of the product offering”. +++
+++ CITROEN has ended production of the Euro-spec C5 earlier this year, also retiring its famous hydro-pneumatic suspension, but it’s now allegedly thinking about a comeback. According to a recent report citing Linda Jackson, the company’s chief, she explained on the sidelines of the recent Frankfurt Motor Show the third generation will feature an all-new version that will arrive in 2020. The C5 continues to be alive and well in China, where it just received a facelift in time for presentation at Auto Shanghai in April. The PSA Group is currently working on its strategy following the complex decision it has made: turning the DS into a standalone company as well as the recent purchase of the Opel / Vauxhall group. Meanwhile, Citroen is set to introduce the C5 Aircross late next year, which already premiered in China and introduces the brand’s new and exclusive 2-step suspension system. The midsize market is being covered by PSA with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia for now (actually a General Motors development) and this model will soon be joined by the new generation Peugeot 508, converted to a fastback design. +++
+++ FORD and Mahindra have announced a 3-year memorandum of understanding that will see the 2 car-makers collaborate in areas such as electrification, product development and distribution. The agreement is aimed to strengthen Ford’s commitment to the Indian market, while Mahindra hopes to benefit by expanding into other emerging global markets. Both companies have outlined a number of different areas in which they can collaborate, including mobility programs, connected vehicle projects, electrification, product development, sourcing and commercial efficiencies, as well as distribution within India and in global emerging markets. Whether there will be any further cooperation after the three years is up will be determined then. Part of the reason for the relationship is the rapidly changing and evolving automotive landscape, with both companies looking to use each other’s strengths to their respective benefit. Ford executive vice president and president of global markets Jim Farley said the collaboration would help Ford improve its standing in the massive Indian automotive market. “Ford is committed to India and this alliance can help us deliver the best vehicles and services to customers while profitably growing in the world’s fifth largest vehicle market”, he said. “Our 2 companies have a long history of cooperation and mutual respect. The enormous growth potential in the utility market and the growing importance of mobility and affordable battery electric vehicles are all aligned with our strategic priorities”. India holds the second-largest Ford employee base globally, with more than 14,000 people employed by Ford India or Global Business Services operations in New Delhi, Chennai and Coimbatore. Ford manufactures and exports cars and engines from its manufacturing facilities in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Sanand, and has had a presence in India since 1995. Seeking help from Mahindra in the pick-up market comes with a large amount of pedigree for the Indian manufacturer, having lead the pick-up vehicles segment in India for the past 7 decades. It is also the only manufacturer with a portfolio of electric vehicles commercially available in India, including the GenZe electric scooter. Mahindra managing director Pawan Goenka said the collaboration would help facilitate its push into other markets. “The changes facing the automotive industry globally are triggered by the accelerated rise of new technologies, sustainability policies and new models of urban shared mobility”, he said. “Given these changes we see the need to anticipate new market trends, explore alternatives and look for ways to collaborate even as we compete and build powerful synergies that will allow rapid exploitation of the exciting new opportunities. Today’s announcement builds on the foundation laid through our past partnership with Ford and will open opportunities for both of us”. +++
+++ All mainstream and luxury car brands seemingly need SUVs to survive, and new premium Korean offering GENESIS is no different in that regard. The company has already announced it will have two SUVs globally in 2019. There’s been a glimpse of what to expect with the GV80 concept, a model name structure that is expected to carry over to the first new-generation SUV from Genesis. Genesis senior vice president, Manfred Fitzgerald, said that it was a conscious decision to establish Genesis in the fields where luxury marques traditionally battle hardest: sedans of a few different sizes. “If you would be looking for a flash in the pan, and short-term success, I guess you would go with the volume-maker, and that is, right now, the hottest thing on the market, SUVs”, Fitzgerald said. “That’s no news, but we’re here to do something else. We’re here to establish ourselves as a true and competent player. That means you first have to start at the top: a passenger car, we did that with our G90 in 2015. Then the G80, and now the G70 which completes our passenger car line-up. In quarter one we showed in New York what we have in mind to do in the SUV segment with our concept car there, the GV80 concept. That’s the road that we’re following. “We’re not so much focusing on sales volume, or the quick success there, but rather playing it step by step and really getting some ground under our feet”, Fitzgerald said. Albert Biermann, the man in charge of driving performance for Genesis cars, said that SUVs are a staple for luxury car buyers these days. “People buy these huge big SUVs, of course”, he said. “We announced the two SUVs and they are let’s say, we want to establish Genesis as a luxury brand and a premium brand, and so if you want to play with them, you need to go there, where they (the customers) are. “We will have SUVs based on the rear-wheel drive platform. The G80 is on a bigger platform, and we’re working on the successor of the G80. So we have many options”. +++
+++ Have you ever dreamed of a pocket JEEP ? If you did, your desire might come true, although according to the latest report, the automaker is only considering such a model for certain regions. Jeep is finally going to debut the much anticipated, spied and leaked next-generation Wrangler at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show this December, ahead of hitting dealerships early next year. Later in 2018 the automaker is also allegedly going to deliver the pickup version, rumored to be called the Scrambler, with showrooms packing it in early 2019. According to the latest rumor though, this isn’t the only interesting model Jeep is preparing, because sources are reporting there will also be a never before seen A-segment SUV to enter the lineup below the Renegade. There’s a catch though, because North American clients won’t be getting it: only regions that love small cars. The model has actually been hinted previously by the company, “I’m pretty confident that it is going to be a viable segment for us in the future. The reality is that we have to go through all of the usual business planning processes first”, commented Mike Manley, Jeep’s chief at the Paris Motor Show in 2016. There are no drawbacks to its petite dimensions though, because the boss added it would make the Jeep badge proud with the usual off-road chops, and further reports are pointing to a possible production location in India, the world’s second most populous country. +++
+++ The NISSAN , Renault, and Mitsubishi Motors partnership announced a new 6-year plan dubbed Alliance 2022 with the goal of doubling annual profits to 10 million euros. To achieve this goal, the automakers will share common platforms and powertrains, develop all-electric vehicles, expand autonomous driving technologies to 40 vehicles, and operate new mobility services such as autonomous vehicle ride-hailing. By the end of the 6-year plan, the companies hope to sell a combined total of more than 14 million vehicles per year. Total revenue should hit 240 billion dollar; an increase of 30 percent over 2016 levels. By extending the use of shared platforms and powertrains, the Alliance claims that by 2022 more than 9 million vehicles will be built on four platforms, up from 2 million built on 2 platforms in 2016. Additionally, the companies plan to share 22 engines out of a total of 31, compared to 14 engines shared out of 38 last year. The automaker will create a new common EV platform with autonomous drive capability and a new B-segment common platform for midsize vehicles. EVs are a crucial part of Alliance 2022 with 12 all-electric models said to be launched in multiple segments by the end of the plan using shared platforms and components. A new family of electric motors and batteries, to be shared by all member companies, will be introduced in 2020, and a 30 percent decrease in battery costs by 2022 should assist in EV production costs. By 2022, the Alliance claims that a 600 kilometer EV driving range will be reached and that a quick 15-minute charge will deliver 225 kilometer of driving range based on the NEDC (European) methodology. Autonomous drive aspirations include the launch of 40 vehicles with different levels of autonomy, including the first fully autonomous vehicle with no driver intervention by 2022. The plan says that by 2020, autonomous vehicles can run in the city with continuous human monitoring and on the highway with only occasional human intervention. The Alliance is already testing autonomous vehicles with partners DeNA and Transdev to be used for future ride-sharing services and has plans to operate a robo-vehicle ride-hailing service with the help of future partnerships. Providing vehicles for public transportation and car sharing is also in the works. Lastly, shared vehicle infotainment and connectivity systems and a Connected Cloud platform that manages all data interfaces, autonomous drive vehicle systems, and robo-vehicle services are also being developed all in an effort to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. +++
+++ The rumored TOYOTA sports car range has become a reality at home in Japan, and will gradually be rolled out across overseas markets as well, but so far fans are heartbroken because the Supra wasn’t there as well. The Japanese automaker is introducing a new ‘GR’ series at home in Japan with a 3-tier roster for the performance models in the range, topped by the ‘GRMN’ models, and joined by the mid-level ‘GR’ and entry-level ‘GR Sport’. And even owners of standard models are able to join the party, because the maker is also premiering ‘GR Parts’, components readily available to tune their cars. At least the GR series is comprehensive: you start at the very bottom with the Vitz GRMN, which is the local version of the European Yaris GRMN, go through even the Prius and reach the GT86, which is treated to new aero components, Sachs shock absorbers, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and larger brake calipers. The interior is adorned with Recaro seats and a smaller steering wheel. The GR series first arrives in Japan, with a gradual rollout in other regions, along with new ‘GR Garage’ shops acting as regional bases for Toyota Gazoo Racing. +++
+++ Like many other automakers, the VOLKSWAGEN Group is targeting the next decade as a major turning point for autonomous cars. By 2021, the automaker will introduce a fleet of self-driving EVs for ride-hailing services. The first fleets will arrive in “2 to 5” cities around the world by the year 2021, says Johann Jungwirth, head of digitization strategy for VW Group. The public will be able to hail these autonomous vehicles through Moia and Gett, 2 mobility services associated with Volkswagen. Supporting ‘Level 5’ autonomy, the fleet of cars, vans, and trucks should be able to navigate themselves to any address in a given city. Testing on fully autonomous vehicles will begin soon at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg headquarters in Germany. Other automakers have announced similar goals. Ford said it would offer autonomous vehicles for ride-hailing services by 2021, and Nissan announced in its 6-year plan that it wants its own fleet of robo-taxis. Similarly, Mercedes and Bosch plan to bring autonomous technology to urban roads by the beginning of next decade, a feat which the companies say will increase the viability of car sharing. Sedric, an autonomous car concept Volkswagen debuted at the Geneva auto show this year, provides a glimpse at the automaker’s future plans. “Our team is already working on ideas for a whole Sedric family of fully autonomous vehicles for the city, for luxurious long-range mobility, through self-driving delivery vans and heavy commercial trucks”, Volkswagen Group boss Matthias Müller said at the Frankfurt auto show. The vehicle was designed with ride-hailing in mind, but it could also support individual car owners, according to VW. The model features a lounge-style interior and a windshield that doubles as an OLED display screen. Developers are also drawing up concepts of an autonomous sports car, Müller said. +++