In 2020, the Swiss electric car start-up Piëch Automotive announced a number of prominent new additions – namely former Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Müller, long-time Porsche manager and Burmester CEO Andreas Henke and former Tesla European CEO Jochen Rudat.
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Swiss electric car start-up Piëch Automotive has begun testing its Piëch GT electric sports car. The GT is based on the Mark Zero, which was presented as a study at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
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The Swiss electric car startup Piëch Automotive is getting some prominent reinforcement with executives from Porsche, BMW and Tesla. The former Volkswagen Group boss Matthias Müller will become chairperson of the company’s supervisory board.
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Volkswagen previously wanted to take over the Post subsidiary StreetScooter. Discussions began taking place at the beginning of 2017 but ultimately failed due to different price expectations. As is well known, the German Post does not aim to be a vehicle manufacturer in the long run.
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It’s confirmed, ex-BMW manager Dr Herbert Diess is taking over from Matthias Müller, and this sets things in motion. New brand groups are being introduced and the UV unit will be open for public investment. Interestingly, Diess will also head R&D. Editor-in-Chief, Peter Schwierz comments.
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Volkswagen made a brief announcement, that the company leadership were undergoing changes, which may also include the CEO. This likely means big changes for the electric mobility division as well.
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By the end of 2022, the German car manufacturer is planning to make electric cars at 16 locations around the globe, CEO Matthias Müller announced. Currently VW is using three sites for the production of BEVs, and foresees another 9 within the next two years.
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“Tesla each quarter destroys millions of dollars in the three digits, and it willy-nilly fires its workers. Social responsibility? Please. We should not not get carried away and compare apples with oranges.”
Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller may have lost his countenance here for a moment, when asked about Tesla at a panel on the future of the automotive industry. He pointed out that VW sells about 11m cars a year, while making a profit of up to 14bn euros.
arstechnica.com (with video)
“I think e-bikes and ebikes-plus are a really interesting potential way of handling that last mile or two of deliveries.”
UK Roads Minister Jesse Norman said an e-bike subsidy could happen in the UK not only in anattempt to clean up deliveries but also to get more people cycling.
theguardian.com
Said VW CEO Matthias Müller at the annual general meeting. He also hinted at new battery cell partnerships both in Europe and China and wants to see 30 BEV models by 2025. Still, VW refuses to renounce its diesel line-up in a “foreseeable future”.
olkswagen-media-services.com
“High battery costs, limits to driving ranges and charging times mean that electric cars won’t have an economic advantage over combustion engines until 2025.”
Sounds like Continental CFO Wolfgang Schaefer is a bit behind the market as most carmakers aim for price parity of EV and ICE by 2020 (see news above). That is five years earlier than Mr. Schaefer is hoping for, who says the supplier has its “hands full” with all the upcoming BEV for 2020 already.
bloomberg.com
With this diplomatic statement VW CEO Matthias Müller comments on the company’s new focus on gas. In other words: CO2 emissions must sink in any way until EVs become suitable for large-scale use.
reuters.com
“Reservations continue to climb week after week. No advertising, anti-selling, nothing to test drive, still grows every week.”
For Elon Musk however, mass suitability of electric mobility seems to have long since been reached. Although Tesla refuses to officially update its number of Model 3 reservations since May 2016, its CEO outlines that the order list grows constantly.
electrek.co
Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller tried to blame the lack of EVs on the road on consumers. A comment that backfired. After all, wouldn’t carmakers first need to offer affordable electric cars with sufficient range and invest in the infrastructure?
forbes.com
“We have to look at that and see whether it makes sense to offer diesels in the future. We have not come to a conclusion, but we obviously always tend to develop cars and offer vehicles according to customers’ demands.”
According to Matthias Luehrs, vice president of sales and product management for Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mercedes could “theoretically” stop selling diesel cars in the U.S. all together.
autonews.com
“It is not difficult to make an electric sports car. The challenge is to do it with the size of the battery of the Zoe.”
Patrice Ratti, head of Renault Sport, says that while electric mobility would present so many advantages for sports cars, the battery size remains an issue.
autocar.co.uk
For Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller, opening a first VW pilot battery factory seems like a logical move. Also due to the recent diesel scandal, the carmaker is looking to increase its electric offering significantly in the coming years.
reuters.com
“Nissan’s doing very well with the Leaf, which is fully electric. In many parts of the world, we’re doing extremely well with the plug-in hybrid. Maybe they can use that technology on plug-in, and we can use their advanced technology on fully electric vehicles.”
Don Swearingen, CEO Of Mitsubishi Motors North America speculates about possible synergies between Nissan and Misubishi. The former announced in May that it would buy 34 percent of Mitsubishi’s shares.
forbes.com
Elon Musk poked a little fun at GM for only releasing the Chevy Bolt in California and Oregon now, while other U.S. states could have to wait up to six months. GM says it took the same approach as with the second generation Volt – and why change a running system?
usatoday.com
Volkswagen-Chef Matthias Müller pays his respect to the Tesla CEO and hopes to copy some of the methods of the Californian disruptors.
derstandard.at (in German)
“I own Tesla. I’m a huge fan of Elon Musk. I think he’s got the most incredibly forward thinking ideas about where we can go technologically.”
A strong testimony given by no one else than actor Morgan Freeman. He not only drives a Signature Series Model S but also owns shares of the company, which have lost 12 percent value in the last month.
electrek.co
“We expect 10 maybe 15 year life at a minimum from these batteries.”
Tesla CTO JB Straubel refers to battery life of Tesla power packs. It is not entirely clear however if he speaks of cycling or ageing or both.
cleantechnica.com
California is seriously already planning a flying car race for 2017. 22 teams are said to compete in the 219 mile race to Nevada. And while we are already on the subject of technological innovation, there will (of course) be a category for electric flying cars as well.
dailymail.co.uk
Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller explained in an interview with German Handelsblatt that the manufacturer is looking to clean up its act and venture into new business models in the mobility sector, as well as bet more on electrification.
handelsblatt.com
“Having Tesla, the visibility for the technology is a massive benefit.”
Gareth Dunsmore, director of the Nissan’s zero-emission business unit, says that while the Japanese was one of the first to bet on electric cars, growing visibility with the public and across the world has helped their cause to push the technology.
autocar.co.uk
“The thing about Tesla’s Ludicrous mode is that it’s a façade. Two launches saps the whole battery. That won’t be the case with the Mission E. You’ll be able to run it hard, over and over; the battery will not overheat, the power control module will not overheat, and the seats will not suck.”
An unnamed Porsche engineer told Automobile that the upcoming Mission E is “something special,” citing the car’s practicality as a defining victory over Tesla. Details about when the Porsche Mission E will reach production, however, have not yet been shared.
automobilemag.com
Tesla’s JK Straubel assuaged fears that the manufacturer will not be able to acquire enough lithium hydroxide at a low cost for Tesla’s projects. The CTO suggested lithium extraction and processing is just like any other car element, it only requires a “little bit longer lead time.”
chargedevs.com
Matthias Müller, CEO of Volkswagen Group, spoke about the company’s plans to develop over thirty new BEVs in the next decade. Though VW is looking extensively into promoting better battery technology, Müller insists they will continue their work in the fuel cell sector.
greencarcongress.com
While VW CEO Matthias Müller did not go into detail about the carmaker’s plans to set up a battery factory, he did say that VW will develop “a new competency.”
electrek.co
“Currently, a lot of electricity is still generated from fossil fuels. But this is shifting, and more and more carbon neutral electricity will be generated. That’s why we would like to use more electricity to power our cars.”
Kouji Toyoshima, Chief Engineer for Toyota’s hybrid Prius range, says the Japanese might change their outlook on battery-powered cars once energy get greener, adding that Toyota may “even produce bicycles” as part of their zero-emission strategy.
forbes.com
Stephen Latham, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), laments that promised subsidies for electric two-wheelers in the UK are still not available – even though it was announced “over a year ago.”
forecourttrader.co.uk
“We plan to make electric cars one of Volkswagen’s new hallmarks.”
Matthias Müller, chairman of the board of management at Volkswagen AG, confirmed the brand’s commitment to go EV at the company’s annual media conference. The goal is to offer 20 new electric models by 2020. We wonder whether Audi’s electrified line-up is already part of the plan…
insidedevs.com
Barclays’ analyst Brian Johnson sees Tesla’s desperate need for funding as more than just a sign of the brand’s popularity. The manufacture could require as much as an extra 3bn dollars in Q2 to support the production of the Model 3 and completion of the Gigafactory.
hybridcars.com
Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller advocates a closer working relationship between the automotive industry and politics to stay in the lead. That includes setting up the proper framework across European countries in terms of infrastructure and legislation.
greencarcongress.com
“Tesla is a very interesting brand, but I don’t believe there has been any car company that has made a profit on EVs. I need to be profitable so I can prioritize EVs in the future. For now, we will focus on hybrid technology.”
Cadillac chief Johan de Nysschen believes that range anxiety, the lack of charging infrastructure and long charging times are enough to keep people away from electric mobility. The carmaker’s next offering will therefore be a hybrid with all-electric range of about 30 miles and a petrol engine.
yahoo.com (with video)
“The key thing with the Model 3 is higher volume and lower price. It is a smaller car and without quite as many bells and whistles as the Model S or X, but the goal is to have a very compelling affordable and a mass market electric vehicle, and I feel pretty good about that goal.”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk shares his thoughts on the upcoming Tesla ‘for the people.’ By the way, it looks like “less bells and whistles” still means that the car will be equipped with sensors for automated driving.
electrek.co (with video)
Volkswagen boss Matthias Müller spoke at a press conference about the future of the group, saying that the company will use this scandal as a “catalyst for change”. It has to be said, however, that those responsible for the manipulated software have yet to be named.
autocar.co.uk
“The day of the electric vehicle has arrived. Today it’s better for the customer and better for the environment than the technology of the past. So let’s accelerate that with aggression and purpose. Let’s go all in.”
Steve Howard, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ikea, wants retailers to fill their parking lots with charging stations, offering customers free electricity while they shop. And he says universal charging is important, so any vehicle can plug into any charger in any country.
forbes.com
“We don’t believe that there is any one ‘silver bullet’ that can satisfy the demand for low-emission technology within the car industry, so we foresee a wide range of eco-friendly powertrains coexisting for an extended period of time.”
Ki-Sang Lee, senior vice-president Eco Friendly Vehicle R&D Centre at Kia Motors, comments on the carmaker’s decision to increase the number of its “green vehicle” models to eleven from now four by 2020.
businesscar.co.uk
VW CEO Matthias Müller told German magazine Stern that the Volkswagen Group prepares to carry out restructuring “under high pressure” and will present a new business plan, dubbed Strategy 2025, by the middle of next year.
stern.de (in German)
Audi’s electric-powertrain chief Siegfried Pint says that Audi has initiated talks with German and U.S. automakers about a shared network of 150-kilowatt fast chargers to rival Tesla’s Superchargers.
autonews.com
“For Britain to be a world-leader in electric and hybrid cars, we urgently need more qualified technicians. We face a severe shortage of skills and it will hurt our economy. If the skills are not in place when consumer demand begins to surge, drivers will be paying higher prices to keep their cars on the road.”
Steve Nash, CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), warns that UK government investment in next-gen EVs is likely to fail because of a shortage of skilled technicians.
fleetnews.co.uk
“We might envisage days without cars more often … perhaps even once a month.”
Following a car-free day in Paris that resulted in a dramatic drop in both air and noise pollution, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo is more than willing to repeat the experience on a regular basis. Paris will host the COP21 at the end of November.
theguardian.com
“The Phase 2 proposal lacks sufficient stringency to drive market development of battery electric or fuel cell electric technologies. The proposal assumes only a modest level of hybrid technology and no use of battery electric and fuel cell electric technology.”
Hidalgo is joined in the fight against toxins by Mary Nichols. As Chair of the California Air Resources Board, she is urging EPA to introduce lower NOx standards than suggested to further foster electrification.
autoblog.com
This is what Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller told 20,000 employees as the company is faced with uncertainty regarding the consequences of “dieselgate”. One can only hope that his austerity measure will not include investments in electric car innovations.
spiegel.de (in German)
“We have interrogated the expected demand in our markets last year and produced accordingly so that we now keep a four-digit number of vehicles in stock, which are strongly desired.”
Annette Winkler, head of Smart, on the discontinuation of the Smart Electric Drive. The next-gen of the small electric car will only arrive by the end of 2016. Until then, the few thousand Smart ED in stock will have to suffice.
autogazette.de (in German)
Porsche CEO Matthias Müller blames the German government for the low number of electric vehicles on the Autobahn, calling for incentives and investments in charging infrastructure.
en.europeonline-magazine.eu, sueddeutsche.de (full interview in German)
With the climate conference in Paris drawing near, Tesla CEO Elon Musk reissued his warning about global warming, expressing incomprehension of the ignorance of scientific facts.
autonews.com
“We are firmly convinced that the plug-in technology is the solution for the nearer future.”
Porsche CEO Matthias Müller says the company will decide later this year whether to offer a PHEV variant of its 911 sportscar, adding that he could imagine having “plug-ins all over the model range,” since Porsche is familiar with the technology.
autonews.com
“Five hundred thousand was hype. But electrics are here to stay. No question.”
Automotive industry analyst James Gillette says that GM’s goal of selling half a million hybrids and EVs by 2017 was too ambitious to begin with, but that Tesla has proven that people will buy a car if it is good enough, no matter if it is fully electric or not.
forbes.com
“We are looking at what will be the motorsport disciplines that fit the three brands [Peugeot, Citroen and DS] the best. Formula E could be one of the disciplines that fit to the group, but nothing is decided.”
Yves Matton, team principal of the Citroen Racing competitions department, comments on rumours that Citroen is set to join the Formula E with the Virgin Racing team next season, possibly also to promote the DS sub-brand.
autosport.com
Porsche CEO Matthias Müller ignores Tesla as the EV maker’s financials are negative, but believes that “the future will have battery-driven cars, but the great question is when. This technology has problems.”
businessfinancenews.com
Tesla CEO Elon Musk explains why he does not want to rush anything when it comes to introducing the Model X.
forbes.com
“Forty-eight volts is really the optimum position between efficiency and cost.”
Nick Pascoe, CEO of CPT Technologies, explains that thanks to a recent update, the British technology developer has boosted its 48-volts stop-and-start system to achieve a fuel-economy increase of 18 percent.
wardsauto.com
Said Porsche chief Matthias Müller at the carmaker’s annual press conference where he also announced that Porsche’s seventh model line will be electric.
electric-vehiclenews.com
“Worried? No. Excited? Yes!”
Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was once again asked about his thoughts on the Apple iCar. He thinks that if it becomes reality, it will help promote electric vehicles.
torquenews.com
Porsche CEO Matthias Müller thinks a hybrid 911 is feasible but does not seem to be in a hurry. He did hint however, at hybridising the whole Porsche range eventually, due to the technology’s “sportiness.”
caradvice.com.au
“Now we are aiming for a bigger number of customers, and they are not looking for as much ‘EVness.’ Some people say [of the current car], oh, this is too unique…we are covering a much broader range of people now.”
Nissan’s head of design, Shiro Nakamura, is talking about the next-generation Leaf here, which apparently aims to be appealing to the mass market. The redesign has already started, he said.
greencarreports.com
“What these guys are working on for example is bringing together the local utility providers etc. while we simply provide the billing system. We are compatible not competitors.”
Adam Woolway, PlugSurfing CEO, when asked at the Ecosummit in London if Ladenetz.de or Hubject are competitors of his Berlin-based start-up. The opposite is the case, as the app-based service is looking for more partners and already works with Hubject’s intercharge.
Source: electrive.com on site
“Cars are only in one place or another at a point in time, so why build two meters, two systems? The car is either here or there.”
Knut Hechtfischer, co-founder of German Ubitricity company on its idea of lamp-post charging and mobile metering.
forbes.com
Porsche executive Matthias Müller is obviously considering the introduction of hybrid drivetrains for the next generation of the 911. An all-electric version of the Boxster is also possible.
auto-motor-und-sport.de (in German)
“Zero emissions will perhaps become a requirement and I think that 20 percent of combustion engines will come with some form of electrification within 10-20 years.”
Looking at i3 sales figures for the i3, BMW’s Ian Robertson believes that especially in cities, the number of EVs will continue to grow. Still, he does not see combustion engines going out of style anytime soon.
thegreencarwebsite.co.uk
Porsche chef Matthias Müller is thinking about it out loudly. Following Tesla’s success, the carmaker is considering an all-electric sports car of its own – without a range extender.
auto-motor-und-sport.de (in German)