The Chinese car manufacturer Changan is investing the equivalent of 258 million euros in a plant for electric and hybrid cars and batteries in Thailand. It is to become Changan’s first vehicle plant for right-hand drive vehicles outside China.
The Chinese electric car brand Avatr from Changan, Nio and CATL has recently started production and deliveries of its first model Avatr 11. The coupe-like SUV is to be followed this year as a second model by a large sedan, which is being developed under the code name E12.
The Chinese electric car subsidiary Avatr under Changan, Huawei and CATL has launched its first model on the Chinese market. The coupé-like electric SUV Avatr 11 is based on a 750-volt platform and is available in three regular versions with prices starting at 349,900 yuan.
Avatr, the Chinese EV maker backed by Changan, CATL and Huawei, has announced a new partnership with British Petroleum (BP). They want to build out ultra-rapid charging infrastructure in China and aim for 240 kW of power delivered per plug.
Changan, Nio and CATL’s Chinese electric car brand Avatr – previously known as Changan NIO – is working with Huawei to develop four new models by 2025 based on a new platform called CHN. This will include CATL’s cell-to-pack battery.
Changan and their electric car brand Avatr, launched last year, have unveiled the Lumin Corn, an all-electric subcompact designed to counter the dominance of the Wuling Mini EV in this segment in China.
The new Chinese electric car brand Avatr has just welcomed the battery manufacturer CATL on board. The first model of the new brand is called Avatr 11 and is a coupé-like SUV.
Ford has started production of the all-electric Mustang Mach-E in China and opened the order books there at the same time. The Mustang Mach-E, produced at Changan Ford’s plant in Chongqing, is scheduled for delivery to customers later this year.
The Chinese battery manufacturer CALB (China Lithium Battery Technology) has announced the expansion of its production capacities to 300 GWh by 2025. Among other things, the company is planning a new factory in Hefei with a capacity of 50 GWh. International carmakers could also benefit from this.
The rumour that Huawei is moving into the business of electric mobility has now been officially confirmed. As Huawei CEO Eric Xu told analysts, Huawei wants to invest one billion US dollars in researching technologies for automated electric cars.
Ford has launched pre-orders for its Mustang Mach-E in China. The electric model is now available in China at prices ranging from 265,000 to 379,900 yuan (currently equivalent to approximately 33,900 to 48,500 euros).
Ford is officially ending its plans for electric car joint ventures with Chinese carmaker Zotye. They claimed fundamental changes in Chinese industrial and government policies on EVs since the agreements were signed in 2017 and 2018, which has lead to Ford’s decision.
Ford will launch the Mustang Mach-E in China this year, and the Changan joint venture is to handle local production. Ford has not yet given any details on the planned production volume for the Mustang Mach-E in China.
Changan New Energy Automobile, the subsidiary for electrified vehicles of the Chinese manufacturer Changan Automobile, has received a cash injection from four strategic investors totalling 2.84 billion yuan – the equivalent of approximately 364 million euros.
Three UK-based zero-carbon automotive projects have secured Government funding via the Advanced Propulsion Centre. The combined award of £25.4m was provided by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and delivered by Innovate UK.
The Chinese electric car startup Aiways has secured a production license in China: Aiways acquires a billion yuan stake in Jiangling Motors Holding, the joint venture previously held 50 per cent each by the Chinese vehicle manufacturers Jiangling Motors and Changan.
In cooperation with the Chinese vehicle manufacturer Changan, the Georgian Aigroup is building a plant for electric cars in Georgia, which is scheduled to go into operation as early as 2020. The electric cars will also be sold in the EU.
Shortly after announcing their electrification strategy for Europe, Ford has revealed its plans for China. Within the next three years, 30 models of the Ford and Lincoln brands are expected to enter the world’s largest car market but only ten of them are electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
Car manufacturers plan to invest more than 300 billion dollars in electric mobility over the next five to ten years. This is the result of a Reuters analysis based on public company data. China accounts for around 45 percent of investment plans.
Mazda is planning to begin offering a series of electric vehicles in China starting in 2020 with their joint venture partner Changan. The vehicles will be a series of SUVs, for which Changan will manufacture the motors, batteries and other components, while Mazda will be making the chassis.
Changan and Nio have announced their plan to found a joint venture named Changan Nio New Energy Vehicle Technology. The goal is to set up a new brand, which will develop and market battery-electric and hybrid vehicles in China.
China’s state-owned car manufacturers FAW, Dongfeng and Changan have set up ride-hailing service T3 Mobile Travel Services in order to rival the almighty Didi Chuxing. The platform builds on their existing EV alliance and is to deploy self-driving robo cabs.
BYD entered a strategic cooperation agreement with Changan Automobile to jointly manufacture batteries for electric vehicles. Both companies will produce up to 10 GWh of batteries together and sell as well as recycle those through a wide reaching joint venture based in Chongqing.
China’s Changan has begun works in Nanjing to build a production facility with an annual capacity for 240,000 new energy vehicles. Start of production is set for June 2020. By 2025, Changan want to build plug-in cars only.
Mazda and Changan join forces to develop EVs. The first electric model, an SUV is to launch on the Chinese mainland next year. Most of the electronic innards will come from Changan while Mazda will design the outer body.
Three major Chinese carmakers have signed a strategic partnership: FAW, Dongfeng and Changan want to cooperate on a large scale – also regarding electrified vehicles.
Chinese manufacturer Changan signed agreements with two banks to make sure it does not run out of money during its upcoming EV and PHEV production ramp-up. Until 2025, Changan plans to invest 100bn yuan (approximately 12bn euros) into its electrification strategy.
Mitsubishi to electrify its core model range: The Japanese carmaker has launched a three-year roadmap called “Drive for Growth” to improve its performance in terms of volume, revenues and profitability. As part of this plan, Mitsubishi intends to provide electrified solutions for each and every of its core models from 2020 on. The company also confirms plans to create an EV kei car. Further details have not yet been given. mitsubishi-motors.com
Magna’s electric drivetrains made in China: The car supplier teams up with SAIC subsidiary Huayu Automotive Systems to create a JV for electric drivetrains at Chinese territory. The new company shall focus at the domestic market and already gained its first customer order: According to Magna, a not closer specified German carmaker ordered the company’s electric-drive powertrain system. The newly founded JV represents Magna’s first e-drive business in China. magna.com
Electric scooter capable to send text messages: Dutch start-up BOLT Mobility has raised 3m euros through a crowd funding strategy in order to create its electric scooter called AppScooter. The vehicle with a range of up to 400 km and a base price of 2,990 euros convinced more than 2,000 investors. What is special about it, is that it provides a big touchscreen, 4G internet connection and smartphone connectivity, enabling e.g. automated text and phone call responses. Market launch is scheduled for 2018. independent.co.uk, eenewseurope.com
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Conflict resolution at Tesla subsidiary: The employees of Tesla-owned manufacturer Grohmann Automation successfully fought for an improved salary structure and job guarantees until 2022. Thus, the German subsidiary’s stuff gets a salary increase of roughly 30 percent, starting with the current month. However, Tesla is not willing to join the branch’s collective agreement as it was requested by Germany’s largest union, IG Metall. But the new salary structure represents now anyway more or less the tariff level. europe.autonews.com, teslarati.com, electrek.co
Nissan shows e-NV200 Fridge Concept: At the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan will put its e-NV200 Fridge Concept on display, an utility van to transport chilled foods. The electric vehicle is designed to meet urban requirements and features an additional battery pack to power a refrigeration unit. While the vehicles lithium-ion battery provides 24 kWh, the refrigeration equivalent comes with 12 kWh. newsroom.nissan-global.com
Changan to produce solely EVs by 2025: Within the next 8 years, Chinese car manufacturer Changan will transform into a pure EV maker, according the company’s own information. In order to do so, the Chinese want to create three NEV platforms and invest a total of 100bn Yuan (12bn euros) into its electrification strategy. autonews.gasgoo.com, reuters.com
Strategic transport partnership: Mercedes and courier Hermes have finalised their previous agreement to make deliveries emission free. Hermes wants to deploy 1,500 electric Mercedes Sprinters and Vitos, first in Stuttgart and Hamburg but later nationwide. At the signing ceremony, they further detailed the deal. It includes plans for infrastructure for logistic hotspots, where the batteries assembled in Daimler subsidiary Accumotive’s new facility will be charged. The electric drives have been specifically developed by Mercedes to electrify its van business, which will also receive another 150m euros over the next few years. daimler.com, electrive.net (in German)
Jeep offensive: The outdoor brand wants to offer hybrid versions of most of its eight models, FCA CEO Marchionne announced. The leap into electric terrain is to take place within the next 2-3 years, so it looks like the Yuntu PHEV, displayed in Shanghai, was more than just a concept to test the waters. marketwatch.com
Lambo likes it large: The Urus SUV by Lamborghini will have 650 hp under the hood. A first production run will see an initial 1,000 units hitting the road next year but Lambo plans to scale up to 3,500 pieces annually. By 2019, the Urus will also come as PHEV variant featuring the same V8 engine. autonews.com
Spyder up close: The upcoming roadster BMW i8 has been caught on camera and bared almost all, or at least parts of its convertible new side. The innards of the super hybrid are expected to be stronger comes 2018, when a 380 hp engine will be combined with a bigger battery pack. carscoops.com
Korea gets Kia Niro PHEV: Kia has begun to serve its local market, where it launched the dedicated plug-in hybrid as planned. The Niro went on sale for 33m Won (about 27,000 euros). Europeans will have to wait until autumn for the PHEV and Kia has scheduled an all-electric version for 2018. yonhapnews.co.kr
Changan too bets on domestic buyers and just announced an electric version of its compact SUVs CS15, that will launch in China later this year. The Changan CS15 EV entails 55 kW and has a said range of up 300 km. carnewschina.com
4 in 5 victories of this year’s Formula E racing series went to Swiss Sébastien Buemi. The Renault pilot just scored again at the ePrix in Monaco, where he overtook Lucas di Grassi (Abt Schaeffler Audi Sport) and Nick Heidfeld (Mahindra Racing). electricautosport.com, youtube.com (highlights)
Plug-in Countryman gears up: Mini presented a near to ready plug-in variant of its SUV. The technology is not new, as it uses the same 68 kW electric drive mounted in the rear as the BMW 225xe Plug-in Hybrid. The battery allows for up to 50 km of pure electric driving. A production-ready version will be presented at the LA Auto Show in November. autocar.co.uk, greencarcongress.com, bmwgroup.com
Audi’s e-SUV named: The electric SUV planned for 2018 will be called “e-tron,” which had previously been used as an addition for other Audis with a plug. The “e-tron” will be Audi’s first series produced EV. Latter models like a compact car and limousine said to hit the road before 2020, will again bear the previous nomenclature. autocar.co.uk, motorauthority.com
Tesla announcement postponed: Tesla CEO Elon Musk had promised us something “unexpected” for Tuesday, but pushed back the mystery revelation by a day, as it “needs refinement.” Meanwhile, job postings for the Gigafactory show that Tesla will also produce Model 3 drive systems there. And following the final takeover of SolarCity, Tesla will extend it partnership with Panasonic to make solar cells and modules at its factory in New York state. twitter.com, electrek.co (announcement), insideevs.com (drive system), forbes.com (Panasonic)
China regulates cheap EVs: So far, EVs with a maximum speed of less than 100 kph had few rules to follow and were therefore often unsafe and fitted with environmentally unfriendly lead batteries. The Chinese government is now looking to put technical regulations in place that cars have to meet in order to be registered. bloomberg.com
New EVs for China: Changan wants to launch an all-electric variant of its popular seven-seater Ounuo in 2017, which will be less expensive than the current top model. New EVs from DearCC, a new SouEast brand, will be even cheaper. They are aimed at young buyers and will be presented in November. carnewschina.com (Changan), carnewschina.com (DearCC)
Additional EV benefits in California: According to the proposed Electric Vehicle Credit Act, California EV drivers could get up to 250 dollars in charging benefits from their employer without being taxed, if they commute to work in an EV. Any car with a 4 kWh or bigger battery pack, as well as two- and three-wheelers with 2.5 kWh can qualify. electrek.co, autoblog.com