+++ CITROEN has revealed photos of the new C4 compact hatchback, which has a full-electric version and will replace the C4 Cactus in the brand’s lineup later this year. Citroen has given the new C4 a sloping rear roofline, a slightly higher stance, and “SUV traits” such as black wheel arches and lower body cladding and bumper inserts that suggest skid plates. In April, Citroen CEO Vincent Cobee said vehicle would “launch a new style identity” for the PSA Group subsidiary. “It will bring a new look to the segment”, he added. The new C4 is built on an extended version of PSA Group’s CMP platform, which up until now has been used only for small cars and SUVs such as the Peugeot 208 / 2008, Opel / Vauxhall Corsa and DS 3 Crossback. The platform can accommodate gasoline, diesel or battery-electric drivetrains. The interior echoes current Citroen designs, with a horizontal ‘floating’ central touchscreen, minimalist instrument panel and a reflective head-up display. Citroen did not release the vehicle’s price or launch date, which will be in the second half of this year. The brand on June 30 will hold an online event where executives are expected to offer more details about the C4. The C4 is the fifth electrified Citroen to be announced this year, following the C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid SUV, the full-electric Ami quadricycle, and the battery-powered e-Jumpy and e-Spacetourer vans. +++
+++ FORD has launched a 7-speed automatic transmission option for the Focus ST, with deliveries starting next month. Offered solely with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost petrol engine with the hatchback and Wagon body styles, buyers have to pay a €1.700 premium over the 6-speed manual variants. In this spec, the 0-100 km/h acceleration takes 6.0 seconds in the hot hatch, 0.3 seconds slower than the stick shift version, while the top speed remains electronically capped at 250 km/h. The Wagon adds 0.1 seconds to the sprint and has an identical top speed. The 2.3-liter turbo-four still develops 280 hp and 420 Nm. Ford claims that choosing this version over the 6-speed manual won’t affect the fuel consumption, which is WLTP-rated at 8.2 liter/100 km in both cars. The CO2 emissions increase from 187 to 188 g/km though. The 7-speed auto ‘box comes with a rotary gear selector, instead of the conventional stick, and paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. Like the 6-speed manual versions, it features a dedicated ‘Sport’ button on the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which is used to access the Sport mode. There’s also a ‘Mode’ button that allows drivers to scroll through other modes. +++
+++ Next week, LORDSTOWN MOTORS will unveil a full-scale prototype of its Endurance electric truck for the first time. For the design and prototyping of the EV, the electric vehicle startup has collaborated with California-based Hydra Design Studio, which has also created the realistic renderings of the Endurance truck we saw a couple of weeks ago. Founded in 2010 by veteran automotive designer Jon Hull, Hydra Design Labs has a team of experienced designers and specialists with an average of over 30 years of OEM experience in designing, modeling and prototyping vehicles. “We are thrilled to be a part of the Lordstown Motors project, helping make history with the world’s first all-electric pickup truck”, said Jon Hull, founder and president of Hydra Design Labs. “Our goal with designing the Endurance was to create a rugged platform that could deliver on the demands of fleet-duty pickup. We were able to leverage the layout of the electric drivetrain to explore unique new design solutions”, he added. Hydra Design Labs worked with Lordstown Motors for the general design of the Endurance electric pickup, including the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The company did CAD design surfacing, scale modeling, and full-size prototyping. The two companies are now actively working on the prototype show car that will be unveiled sometime next week. Lordstown Motors says production of the Endurance is scheduled for late 2020, with vehicle deliveries set to commence in the first quarter of 2021. +++
+++ To the growing list of automakers planning digital reveals of important new models in the wake of the coronavirus, we can add LUCID MOTORS , which said it will unveil the production version of its much-anticipated Air luxury electric sedan during an online event on September 9. We’ve already seen a lot of the prototype itself, including a teaser of the first-edition Dream Edition variant, but final specifications have remained guarded. Lucid says the official reveal will give us a look at the final interior and exterior designs, and we’ll also learn new information on production specs, available configurations and pricing. The car is expected to offer up to 640 kilometres of driving range and CEO Peter Rawlinson has hinted that a flagship tri-motor version will pack as much as 1.800 horsepower. Lucid says its 1.000-plus workers are returning to work in phases, in accordance with local and state requirements, to resume development work. The company says no workers were ever laid off or furloughed, and it says it has hired more than 160 new employees in the past 90 days toward a goal of adding 700 new employees by the end of 2020. In addition, Lucid says construction on its new factory in Arizona, where it will build the Air, remains on schedule, with the paint and shell lines already being installed. Lucid had initially targeted a coming-out party at the New York Auto Show, but that event was one of many large gatherings that fell victim to concerns about Covid-19. The company has also confirmed plans to develop an SUV after launching the Air. +++
+++ The MERCEDES-AMG performance division has detailed a new electrically assisted exhaust gas turbocharger system that will appear on its next generation of models. Claimed to draw on technology originally developed by AMG’s High Performance Powertrain division for Mercedes’ Formula 1 engine, it is planned to replace the exhaust-gas-driven turbo set-ups presently used by AMG on both its 2.0-litre 4-cylinder and 4.0-litre V8 engines. Described as being in the final stages of development, the new turbocharger has been designed and engineered in co-operation with Garrett Motion and is claimed to possess a different operation to the electrically assisted exhaust gas turbocharger used on AMG’s 3.0-litre 6-cylinder ’53’ models. The new system uses a compact electric motor integrated on the turbocharger shaft, between the compressor wheel on the fresh-air side and the turbine wheel on the exhaust side, to boost induction. The motor, which is operated via a 48 Volt electrical system, is used to drive the compressor wheel prior to the introduction of exhaust gas flow in a process aimed at eliminating turbo lag. Mercedes-AMG says its new turbocharger can operate at up to 170.000 rpm, in the process providing a much higher rate of air flow. The new turbo, electric motor and power electronics system are connected to the combustion engine’s cooling circuit. “We have clearly defined our goals for an electrified future”, said outgoing AMG chairman, Tobias Moers. “With this move we are strategically supplementing our modular technology and tailoring it to our performance requirements. In a first step this includes the electrified turbocharger; an example of the transfer of Formula 1 technology to the road, something with which we will take turbocharged combustion engines to a previously unattainable level”. While it has yet to reveal further technical information to the new system, Mercedes-AMG says the new electric assisted exhaust gas turbo “significantly improves response from idle speed, as well as across the entire engine speed range”. Additionally, it claims the new turbocharger “enables higher torque at lower engine speeds”, leading to “optimised acceleration capability from standstill and enhanced agility”. +++
+++ The European Union is opening an in-depth investigation into the proposed MERGER of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA that would create the world’s fourth-largest automaker. European Commission vice president Margrethe Vestager said that before approving the deal, the anti-trust services of the 27-nation bloc would “carefully assess whether the proposed transaction would negatively affect competition” specifically in the commercial van sector, which has become increasingly important because of the home delivery economy. Vestager stressed that either FCA or PSA are already the leader in many EU nations in that sector and the merger would eliminate a major player, thus reducing competition. The EU now has until October to make a ruling on the case. The deal, which was first unveiled last October, will create a company with revenues of nearly €170 billion that produces 8.7 million cars a year, just behind Volkswagen, the Renault-Nissan alliance and Toyota. The new company will be legally based in the Netherlands and traded in Paris, Milan and New York. It will start with a strong base in Europe, where Peugeot is the second-largest car maker. FCA makes most of its profits in North America and has a strong presence in Latin America. It will be looking to strengthen its position in China, where both companies lag. FCA has been looking for an industrial partner in recent years. A previous deal with French rival Renault last spring fell apart over French government concerns about the role of Renault’s Japanese partner, Nissan. PSA said in a statement that the merger preparations were continuing as planned and that the project had already received antitrust approval in the United States, China, Japan and Russia. +++
+++ After reopening its Fremont factory, Tesla is now reportedly facing MODEL Y quality issues, with new buyers refusing deliveries and in some cases, Tesla actively canceling deliveries due to quality defects. In fact, several new Model Y buyers told that Tesla delayed delivery of their new car because of said defects. Some of these include loose seat belts and back seats that are not attached to the base. This problem couldn’t have come at a worse time, with Tesla attempting to boost its quarterly sales numbers. Coincidentally, last week Elon Musk said that minimizing rectifications in Model Y production is a top priority. “It is extremely important for us to ramp up Model Y production and minimize rectification needs. I want you to know that it really makes a difference to Tesla right now”, said the company’s CEO in an e-mail addressed to employees. While it is not unusual for a carmaker to fight off quality issues during a production ramp-up, what’s reportedly happening with the Model Y goes far beyond that. Tesla might want to consider taking a hit this quarter for the sole purpose of focusing on quality control for the Model Y. This would of course mean further delays, but it’s better than delivering an unfinished product. A Tesla owner in Maryland had to refuse delivery because of issues that included “paint and trim problems, indentations in the seats and a loose seat belt”, to go with the previously-mentioned unattached back seat. +++
+++ MITSUBISHI told its shareholders that its top executives are taking pay cuts to share responsibility for the Japanese automaker’s financial losses. “I hope we can gain your understanding”, chief executive Takao Kato said on how, given the harsh conditions, there will be no dividends. Like other automakers, Mitsubishi has seen its sales plunge amid the coronavirus pandemic. It reported a 25.8 billion yen ($241 million) loss for the fiscal year ended in March. The Tokyo-based maker of the Outlander and i-MiEV electric car has not given a projection for the current fiscal year because of uncertainties about the outbreak. Kato, wearing a mask as did other participants, acknowledged the situation remained difficult. The meeting, which lasted about a half hour, was streamed online. Stock owners were asked not to come to the meeting because of the outbreak. Only 30 seats were provided, placed apart for social distancing. Kato said the executives’ pay cuts amount to a reduction by about 45 % of their overall pay by lowering salaries and foregoing performance-linked bonus pay. Mitsubishi is part of an alliance among bigger Japanese automaker Nissan and Renault. The alliance has been embattled by the scandal of Carlos Ghosn, a former top executive of the alliance arrested in 2018 on financial misconduct allegations. While out on bail, Ghosn fled Japan for Lebanon. He has said he is innocent. Although the trial is in limbo, the scandal has tarnished the companies’ brand image and raised questions about the future of the alliance. +++
+++ NISSAN ’s chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta helped engineer the troubled automaker’s latest turnaround plan. Now his allies are pressing the board to promote him to co-CEO to drive the new strategy, said 4 people with direct knowledge. Thus far, Nissan’s 12-member board has no plan to change the roles of chief executive Makoto Uchida or his No. 2 Gupta, sources told. But the behind-the-scenes campaign, involving at least half a dozen current and former executives, points to continued tensions at the top of the Japanese automaker, which has had 4 CEOs in 4 years. The sources, all of whom have ties to Nissan’s leadership team, declined to be identified because they aren’t authorised to speak to reporters and because of the sensitivity of the topic. Nissan responded in a statement there are “no plans or consideration for any change in the management structure at Nissan, and no change to the close collaborative working relationship between Mr. Uchida and Mr. Gupta in their current roles”. Speculation to the contrary is baseless and misleading, the statement went on. Lobbying to promote Gupta, 49, has intensified, the sources said, since Nissan unveiled a 4-year recovery plan on May 28 to slash costs and strengthen its global alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi. Indian-born Gupta, an industry veteran, was instrumental in drawing up the plan. His allies now want him to implement it. According to the people with knowledge of the matter, Gupta’s supporters are proposing that he either share the CEO role with Uchida, or replace his boss, with Uchida becoming chairman. One of the sources, a Nissan executive, told: “We’re clear enough in telling the board what our expectations are. But we don’t want to push the issue too hard. We want this to happen in a natural way”. The uncertainty threatens to increase instability at Nissan that stretches back to late 2018, when long-time leader Carlos Ghosn was arrested and fired because of alleged financial misconduct, which he denies. Ghosn was Nissan’s CEO through April 2017, when he stepped aside, remaining as chairman. Since Ghosn, Nissan has had 3 CEOs. The discussion about Gupta’s role is also a distraction as Nissan wrestles with an array of problems, from its own financial woes to the industry-wide impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that is hurting sales. The sources said Gupta’s allies have become emboldened in recent weeks because of growing doubts among rank-and-file employees about Uchida’s ability to lead Nissan back from its first annual loss in 11 years. 2 of the sources cited Uchida’s performance during a news conference on May 28 at which he presented the plan to cut Nissan’s production capacity and model range, and put new emphasis on sharing costs and investment with partners Renault and Mitsubishi. Uchida emphasized that “the main focus of the plan is not restructuring”. Its purpose, he said, is “to build a financial foundation that will lead to sustained future growth. For that future growth, we plan to continue to invest in product and technology development”. The sources said Uchida’s comments displayed a lack of urgency at a critical moment. “The Nissan plan is a restructuring plan, no matter how you slice it”, said Tokyo-based SBI Securities analyst Koji Endo. “But Uchida fell short of clearly defining this as a restructuring plan. I think it would’ve served him better if Uchida had said honestly what this is, in order to instill the urgency of the plan and to stress people need to scramble”. Gupta is already taking on much of the leadership of Nissan, said the 4 people with direct knowledge. Uchida, they said, is less engaged. Another source, a mid-ranking global product distribution strategy manager, said Gupta has hosted all recent meetings attended by this manager and his colleagues at head office in Yokohama to discuss recovery in key markets like China and the United States. “He’s doing all the heavy lifting in formulating the plan and we are not getting any guidance from Uchida”, the manager said. Nissan said in its statement that the management is “focused and united on the delivery of the transformation program, led by chief executive officer Makoto Uchida. Ashwani Gupta, as chief operating officer, is working intensively in partnership with Mr. Uchida on executing the program”. Nissan’s recovery plan draws on ideas previously employed by Gupta to reinvigorate the commercial vehicle businesses of Renault and Nissan. After joining Renault in India in 2006, Gupta became vice president in charge of Renault’s global commercial vehicle business, a job he held until April 2019, when he was named chief operating officer of Mitsubishi. In drawing up Nissan’s latest turnaround strategy, Gupta worked closely with Renault’s chairman, Jean-Dominique Senard. As a consequence, Gupta and Senard, who sits on the Nissan board, have developed a close relationship, the sources said. According to 2 of the sources, this might persuade Senard to support making Gupta co-CEO. If Gupta were to be promoted, the sources said, it would be positive for the Nissan-Renault alliance because Uchida and Senard have yet to develop a solid relationship. A spokesperson for Renault said the company wouldn’t comment on speculation, adding that the relationship between the current leaders of Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi is “excellent”. +++
+++ PORSCHE South Korea will fortify its eco-friendly lineup, launching its first fully-electric range, Taycan, in the latter half of this year. The Taycan 4S will launch in November this year at the earliest, while the Turbo and Turbo S lineups will follow next year. “There are levels of uncertainties due to the Covid-19 impact regarding exact launch dates”, said Holger Gerrmann, CEO of Porsche Korea, during a press conference held June 16 at its recently opened Cheongdam showroom in southern Seoul. “However, we expect that the local market won’t be much affected by the virus”. The Taycan 4S, the German high-end carmaker’s first-ever full-electric model, is a 4-door sports sedan that doesn’t veer too far away from its iconic 911 model’s design language. Gerrmann described it as a “bridge that merges tradition to the future by combining typical Porsche performance and everyday usability”. The base model’s price will start from 145.6 million won ($120,000) in South Korea, while its Turbo variation will start from 195.5 million won. The Taycan Turbo S will come with a price tag that starts from 233.6 million won. In line with its planned launch of electric models, Porsche revealed plans to set up charging infrastructure in South Korea. Starting with 9 high-power chargers at its showrooms, it said it will build 10 more at various locations across the country. More slowly-charging AC chargers will also be installed at 120 locations nationwide. The carmaker hasn’t rushed to introduce eco-friendly engines, as its legacy as a manufacturer of sports cars powered by internal combustion engine still appeals highly to car aficionados. In South Korea, it has 3 eco-friendly lineups: hybrid versions of the 5-door Panamera sports sedan and Cayenne (Coupe). Gerrmann had high hopes for the brand in South Korea this year, despite production and delivery disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic. “It is going to another strong year despite the coronavirus”, he said. Porsche had already launched 2 new revamped models, the 911 and Cayenne Coupe, this year and it doesn’t stop there. Aside from the Taycan, Porsche will launch overhauled versions of the Cayenne E-Hybrid, Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe, Macan GTS, 911 Targa and 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition by the end of this year. Porsche South Korea sold some 4.200 units in both 2018 and 2019. As of May this year, Porsche has already sold 3.433 units; a 46.3 % year-on-year jump, according to sales data from Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association. “Porsche Korea’s sales performance has paved the way for the future product strategy, which focuses on emotional gasoline, powerful hybrid and progressive electric vehicles”, said Gerrmann during a press conference held in Seoul. “We will successfully launch various new cars, including Porsche’s first pure electric sports car, the Taycan, and establish ourselves as a brand that represents the future of sport cars”. +++
+++ Spy photographers have spotted a facelifted SKODA Karoq undergoing testing in the Czech Republic, confirming that an update for the brand’s Nissan Qashqai rival is coming later in the year. Cosmetic revisions for the Karoq follow the usual mid-cycle update trend. At the front, Skoda has fitted reshaped LED headlamps, a new front bumper and a slightly tweaked radiator grille, while at the rear there’s a reprofiled undertray and a subtly reworked tailgate spoiler. Buyer should also be offered some fresh paint finishes and a couple of extra alloy wheel designs. Inside, we’re expecting a new leather-trimmed steering wheel, new door cards and a choice of fresh upholstery designs. Skoda’s upper mid-range Style model will also likely be offered with the Volkswagen Group’s 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle as standard, like the updated SEAT Ateca. There’s the potential for Skoda to introduce an iV-badged plug-in hybrid version of the Karoq with this update. It would likely use the same 1.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor combination from the new Skoda Octavia iV, which would provide an output of 204 hp and a maximum electric range of around 50 kilometres. The rest of the Karoq’s line-up will be made up of the Volkswagen Group’s familiar blend of petrol and diesel engines, opening with a 115 hp 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol and topping out with a 190 hp 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol on the flagship Sportline model. In the middle of the range, there’ll be a choice of 2.0-litre diesels, along with a 150 hp 1.5-litre petrol. +++
+++ SUZUKI will sell a rebadged Toyota RAV4 Hybrid as the A-Cross. Toyota and Suzuki announced their plans for collaboration way back in 2017. The first phase of the collaboration saw Suzuki supplying its Baleno to Toyota, which then sells it as the Toyota Glanza in India. Moving forward, Toyota will be supplying the RAV4 to Suzuki for the latter to sell in Europe. The new SUV is expected to be called A-Cross, and the model will be positioned above Suzuki’s own S-Cross. The Suzuki A-Cross will be based on the hybrid version of the Toyota RAV4, which features a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain that does 218 hp and 221 Nm. Like the Toyota Glanza, the upcoming Suzuki A-Cross is expected to feature different styling cues from the Toyota RAV4 while maintaining the same running gear. Apart from the RAV4-based ACross, Toyota will also supply the hybrid version of the Corolla Touring Sports to Suzuki to be sold in Europe. In return, Toyota gets to rebadge the Suzuki Vitara as the Toyota Urban Cruiser, which will go on sale later this year. +++
+++ Nearly 6 months after Elon Musk suggested TESLA could design a new car in China, the car manufacturer has officially invited car designers to submit designs for a new “China-style” EV. Tesla took to Chinese social media site WeChat to confirm it is accepting design submissions for an all-new vehicle but didn’t specify if designers must be from China. Musk first commented on the possibility of a Chinese-designed Tesla model at a delivery event for the Model 3 at its Shanghai Gigafactory in January. “I think something that would be super cool would be to, and so we’re gonna do it, we’re gonna try to do it, would be to create a China design and engineering center to actually design an original car in China for worldwide consumption”, he said. “I think this will be very exciting. I think China has some of the best art in the world and I think it’s something that would be appreciated on a worldwide basis. I think it should be done, and we’re gonna do it”. Details about this Chinese-designed Tesla are unclear, but it is expected to be a small car designed to slot below the Model 3 in the company’s family of models. Musk said in January the company wanted to do “something kinda radical, like Cybertruck, nobody was expecting that”, with its next model. It is difficult to accurately estimate when this new Tesla could arrive, especially since it has yet to even be designed. +++
+++ VOLVO South Korea said it will invest 150 billion won ($124 million) over the next 3 years to expand its after-sales service centers to better serve customers. Volvo plans to nearly double the number of service centers to 52 and that of repair centers to 312 by 2023, the company said in a statement. Volvo has reported robust sales in South Korea so far this year, helped by new models, such as the new S60. Its sales in the January-April period jumped 26 % to 4.318 vehicles from 3.426 units a year earlier, according to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association. In August last year, Volvo introduced the third-generation S60, revamping the previous model released 8 years ago, to compete with Audi’s A4, BMW’s 3 series and Mercedes-Benz’s C-class models. Volvo established a business entity in South Korea in 1998 and is wholly owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding of China. +++