+++ Just days after it was reported that 163 Chinese workers had to endure slave-like conditions at the construction site for a BYD factory in Brazil, it’s been revealed the country has stopped issuing temporary work visas for China’s largest car manufacturer in response to the accusations. The Brazilian Ministry of Justice has revealed that in addition to pulling temporary work visas, it will revoke any residence permits issued to the Chinese workers if it finds working conditions are as bad as claimed by the local labour prosecutor’s office. The justice ministry appears to have received a heads-up about the investigation, as unnamed sources tell it issued a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suspend temporary visas 3 days before prosecutors announced their findings. Local authorities claim that contractor Jinjiang Group, which was tasked with the construction of BYD’s new Brazilian factory, has employees working in “slavery-like conditions”. It says staff are housed in tightly-packed dorms with no mattresses, limited cooking facilities, and that there is just one toilet for every 31 workers. Prosecutors have also said the passports of 107 workers are being withheld by the contractor. Government officials also assert that “pots with prepared food were found left open on the floor, exposed to dirt and without refrigeration, to be served the following day.” It’s also reported workers have had 60% of their wages withheld and faced “excessive costs for terminating their contracts”. +++
+++ In recent months, car manufacturers and national governments have asked the EUROPEAN COMMISSION to bring forward to 2025 the discussion on the ban on internal combustion engines, scheduled for 2035. Each time the answer was always the same: ‘no’. The latest denial came today from Roxana Minzatu, vice-president of the European Commission, answering a question from the European People’s Party. “The regulation requires the Commission to submit a progress report by 2025. Based on this report, the Commission will proceed with the review in 2026. The 2035 target provides certainty for manufacturers, suppliers and investors, and provides adequate time margin to plan a fair transition”, explained Minzatu. The stop on the sale of cars with combustion engines requires that in 2026 the parties meet to review the rules for 2035. Too late according to many manufacturers, associations (especially ACEA) and some European countries, especially in the light of the crisis affecting the sector. At the forefront is Italy, which through the mouth of Minister Adolfo Urso has repeatedly criticised the European Commission. Minzatu’s response, however, seems to go somewhat against Ursula von der Leyen’s opening address a few days ago, in which the president of the European Commission announced a “Strategic Dialogue on the future of the automotive industry in Europe”. It remains to be seen which paths will be taken during the discussions between the parties, which are scheduled to begin in January 2025. Returning to Minzatu’s statements, there was an opening for e-fuels, which could help reduce CO2 emissions. Their adoption would lead to the survival of combustion engines, although in this case the Commission has never definitively confirmed its intention to include synthetic fuels in the list of permissible fuels from 2035 onwards. +++
+++ SAIC will start building MG vehicles in Egypt in the second quarter of 2026, an important step in the brand’s ongoing global expansions. This will also position MG close to the European and African markets and reduce its reliance on Chinese manufacturing, where all its current vehicles are built. Earlier this week, SAIC signed an agreement with Egypt’s Al Mansour Automotive Group, committing to a $135 million investment in the country. The site will be located in the industrial zone of New October City, which Egypt describes as the latest of its “4th-generation cities”. MG’s plant will span 126.000 square meters and be able to produce 50.000 vehicles annually in its first phase. The capacity will later be increased to 100.000 units. It will also include an 8.000 square meter body shop, a large paint shop, an assembly area, a closed warehouse, and administrative office buildings. The site could create as many as 10.000 direct and indirect jobs. The facelifted MG 5 will be the first model built at the plant. Unveiled in August, it has an updated front- and rear-end while also being slightly larger than its predecessor. Plenty of changes have been made to the interior, including the fitment of a pair of 12.3 inch screens. Several different SUVs and new-energy vehicles (fully electric or plug-in hybrid cars) will be built at the site later on. MG is eager to tap into new markets, and this Egyptian plant could help it do just that. For the past 18 months, rumours have swirled about its plans to establish a dedicated electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Europe. The brand has been weighing up building the site in either Spain, Hungary or the Czech Republic, but it’s believed to be favoring the first option. Building EVs in Spain will help it avoid new tariffs on Chinese-made EVs being imported into and sold throughout Europe. +++
+++ Gordon MURRAY will reveal the hardcore ‘S’ version of his T33 V12 supercar in summer 2025 and a “completely” different type of car will follow it in the coming years. In an interview, the legendary automotive designer and engineer gave new details of the company’s status and upcoming products, confirming that the ultimate version of the GMA T33 will arrive in a matter of months. “Next summer we’ll launch the third and final variant which will be the 33 S and that’s going to be tougher and more focussed”, Murray told. He refused to say whether it would be any lighter than the 1.072 kg standard car, but confirmed it would be quicker, with “more downforce” and “much more focused suspension settings”. Importantly, Murray said, it is “not a track car”, unlike the hardcore S version of the T50. “It’s a road car but it’s more track-oriented”. It will be based around the standard T33’s carbon-aluminium monocoque chassis and draw its power from the same Cosworth-designed 3.9-litre V12, though it’s possible the T33 S will boast more than the standard car’s 615 hp and could have its rev limit lifted above 11.100 rpm. While it will be more road-focused than the 852 kg, T50S, it is expected to be marked out from the standard car by a prominent aero package that will increase downforce. The standard car produces 150 kg at 240 kph, according to GMA. The company will build no more than 100 units of any T33, although it’s possible the S could be sold in even smaller numbers, in order to keep its ultra- exclusive range-topping status. In the Netherlands, a price tag north of €3 million is likely. No specific reveal date has been given, but the T33 and both versions of the T50 made their public debuts at Goodwood, so an unveiling at Festival of Speed in July could be on the cards. Murray did not offer a timeframe for customer deliveries, but T33 production will begin when all of the T50s have been delivered. “We’re into the 40s now”, he said, leaving just over half of the T50 build run and 25 examples of the T50S to come. All 4 of GMA’s existing cars (T50, T50 S, T33 and T33 Spider) are sold out. The 3 versions of the T33 (coupé, Spider and S) will take GMA through to 2028, when the company will introduce a completely new model based on a new architecture, which Murray revealed he “just finished the other day”. “I don’t want to just regurgitate the same stuff all the time, so the next car we do after the final version of T33 S will be a brand new platform again; a brand new motor car”. He is tight-lipped on what to expect of this new model, but said it is a “completely” different style of car, “but it will be the best of its type, that’s what we aim to do”. The most concrete clues Murray would offer as to his new car are that “it’s a car I’ve always wanted to do”, and will be limited to a production run of 100 units in total, as with the T50 and T33. “It could absolutely be the best driver’s car in its segment,” he added, stopping short of revealing what that segment is. “We’ve got 7 principles and the top one is driving perfection. Whatever we do, the driver comes first ahead of power figures, lap times, 0-100 kph, 0-160 kph… I honestly don’t care”. Asked where the engine is, Murray jokingly replied: “It’s just down in the bottom of the building”. But he did reiterate his commitment to combustion power, saying that GMA’s small size relative to rivals means that “we can hang on to the last minute” to make decisions on powertrains”, while other companies “have to start changing over to hybrid or electric much earlier”. “So we’ll be able to hold on to the V12 for a bit longer”, Murray said, adding that the company is currently investigating ways of electrifying the Cosworth engine. But importantly, any hybrid element will always be “the minimum we need and the least interference to our 7 principles, always”. Murray said the company has signed off its product and platform strategy through to 2038, which “takes into account the rule changes as they stand at the moment”. “Of course, that may have to be modified from a timing point of view, but it won’t be modified from a product point of view”. +++
+++ Elon MUSK has become increasingly political, but his ambitions aren’t just about cozying up to Donald Trump. Quite the opposite as he’s been meddling in German elections. Earlier this month, the Tesla and SpaceX boss used an opinion piece in a newspaper to endorse the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This obviously didn’t sit well with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which is currently in charge as they hold 207 seats in the Bundestag. The AfD only holds 77 seats, but they’re looking to gain more during elections in February. They have Musk’s backing as he’s previously posted “Only the AfD can save Germany”. The outspoken executive has also claimed “traditional political parties in Germany have utterly failed the people”. Interestingly, this comes a little over a year after he posted: “I have not supported any political party and don’t know AFD from a hole in the ground”. That’s quite a turnaround and not everyone is impressed. That appears to include German government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann as she was quoted saying: “Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election through his statements. He is free to express his opinion, but it’s the greatest nonsense”. While Musk’s ties to South Africa and the United States are widely known, Tesla has a Berlin-Brandenburg Gigafactory. It’s been targeted by environmentalists and an arsonist. There have also been reports about high absenteeism and that’s on top of a host of other issues facing manufacturers in Germany. +++
+++ Europeans seem to have a collective crush on small and compact SUVs, which have successfully usurped hatchbacks as the reigning champions of urban streets and narrow parking spaces. Among the standout contenders in this booming segment, the VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC is preparing for its next chapter, a fully redesigned generation set to debut in 2025 to stay competitive in an increasingly crowded market. Despite its age (by car standards), the current T-Roc is far from a has-been, as it’s still printing money for VW. Between January and November 2024, it was the 4th bestselling vehicle in Europe, and there’s a good chance it’ll hold that spot through the end of the year. However, Volkswagen isn’t one to rest on its laurels. The German automaker is charging forward with the next-generation T-Roc, aiming to achieve even stronger sales with the revamped model. The T-Roc occupies a Goldilocks zone in VW’s line-up, slotting comfortably between the pint-sized T-Cross and the roomier Tiguan. That winning formula won’t change in the next generation. The T-Roc’s sights remain locked on similar-sized competitors like the funky Toyota C-HR and the slick Hyundai Kona. Almost a year after the T-Roc was first spotted testing, VW is still keeping its cards close to the chest, well, as much as you can when your prototype is driving around Sweden. Recent spy shots from the icy north show a camouflaged prototype with decoy headlights, fake taillight stickers and cleverly disguised bumper designs. Judging by the prototype’s greenhouse and proportions, VW is going for evolution rather than revolution with this redesign. The silhouette feels familiar, and the changes appear to be measured rather than radical. The outgoing T-Roc has been around since 2017 and despite receiving a facelift in 2021, it shares a lot with the Golf VII. The new generation is expected to benefit from the technical advancements introduced by the Golf VIIII.5 earlier this year, including the MQB Evo architecture and the latest electrified powertrains. It will be interesting to see if VW will finally offer a plug-in hybrid version of the T-Roc, together with the mild-hybrids. As for the hot T-Roc R, if it makes a come back, it should share its powertrain with the Golf R. Inside, expect VW to borrow heavily from the updated Golf, with a bigger, more user-friendly touchscreen topping out at 12.9 inches on higher trims. Materials will get a quality bump, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) will almost certainly take center stage in the features list. The new T-Roc will likely debut sometime in 2025, completing the renewal of VW’s ICE-powered line-up together with the upcoming Polo facelift. VW had previously said that the T-Roc would be its final new combustion model, but it is not clear if this is still the case given the changes in its electrification plan. +++
+++ For 2024, XIAOMI had set itself some pretty big goals. For its first year, the Chinese manufacturer had planned to sell at least 100.000 units of 1 model, namely the SU7. The brand seems to have reached these numbers. Not only that, it has even exceeded them. In total, 130.000 SU7s were sold throughout China in 2024. Staggering numbers for the smartphone giant’s first electric model, especially when you consider that it only took the SU7 only 9 months to reach 100.000 deliveries. Subsequently, a further 30.000 units were added from 13 November onwards. Launched on 28 March at a base price equivalent of €54.000, the Xiaomi convinced the Chinese public immediately, with 50.000 orders received in the first 27 minutes after its launch. The model’s incredible success forced the company to revise its production plans more than once, with volumes rising to 20.000 units per month in June. And that is not the end of the story as Xiaomi will further increase production in 2025 to keep up with the pace of demand. Incidentally, 2 more models are coming in 2025. First, deliveries of the SU7 Ultra, the most extreme variant of the Chinese saloon equipped with 3 electric motors and a total of 1.548 hp, will begin. In addition, we will also see the YU7 crossover, which should be offered in both a 680 hp electric version and a brand new hybrid version. The latter would be crucial for Xiaomi to try to land in Europe, since it would allow the company to circumvent duties (dedicated only to Chinese 100% electric cars). In this regard, the brand has not yet made official its potential plans for Europe, but given its success at home, an expansion into the Old Continent in the near future seems quite inevitable. +++
