FOLLOW UP: EU AND CHINA AGREE TO TALK
The EU and China have agreed, following a call over the weekend, to start a consultation into the issues around Chinese made battery electric vehicles. China wants the tariffs halted during this time but the EU has rejected this. Click here, to read more from Politico.
DR FINED FOR CLAIMING CARS ARE MADE IN ITALY
Stellantis is not the only company getting into trouble, whether real or manufactured, over if their cars are made in Italy or not. DR Automobiles is to be fined €6 million, following an EU anti-trust probe, finding the cars are originally made in China but finished off in Italy. DR will be appealing the decision. To read more, click this Autocar article here.
BMW CANCELS NORTHVOLT BATTERY CONTRACT
BMW announced that it is cancelling a $2 billion battery cell contract with Swedish firm Northvolt, as it could not meet the timescales agreed in 2020. In the statement they went on to say they’d both agreed to focus on the next-generation battery cell work. If you wish to learn more, click this Reuters article link here.
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERING ADDING ADAS CHECKS TO MOT
The UK Government is beginning to investigate if driver assistance technology (ADAS) should be added to MOT checks. Also, if it should, then how to test them. This is complicated topic as some aspects are to be mandated as fitted where previously they have not been. The Government has admitted it is difficult to know how many cars are fitted with exactly what, partly thanks to the different names each OEM gives the technology. Click this AMOnline article link to learn more.
WRIGHTBUS TO MAKE DIESEL BUSES EVS
Wrightbus has unveiled a new service, called NewPower, where it converts diesel buses into electric ones. The price starts at £200,000, which is a lot less than a new electric bus. You can find out more, by clicking this electrive article link here.
NEW CATERHAM FACTORY INCREASES CAPABILITIES
Caterham has opened its new factory, which gives it 50% more capacity. The CEO, Bob Laishley, says this means they will not need to turn customers away. A new maximum of 750 cars can b built annually, thanks to an increase in build stations. To read more, click this Autocar article here.
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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -
Volvo V60 and V90
Volvo is reintroducing the V60 and V90 estates to the UK new car market, following an increase in demand. The V60 will come with hybrid and PHEV options, whilst the V90 will only be a PHEV. Prices are yet to be announced. This time, we had all better go out and buy them or they will go away again. Click this Autocar article to read more.
BMW X3
The fourth generation X3 has been revealed. It is wider and longer, with a new interior and the current design language for the exterior. Powertrains will be diesel, petrol and PHEV. Prices start at £46,800 and top out at £64,990. If you wish to read more, click this Autocar article link here.
Bugatti Tourbillon
20 years after they gave us the Veyron, Bugatti reveal the Tourbillon a £3.2 million, 276mph hyper-car. The engine is a V16, which will rev up to 9000rpm. The car is more aerodynamic than previous models, with an eye on cooling the engine and acting as aero at all speeds. Only 250 cars will be built. You can find out more, by clicking this link to an Autocar article here.
Genesis GV60 Magma
Genesis has confirmed that the hot GV60, called the Magma, will be coming to the UK with a price tag expected to be in the region of £100,000. The car shares the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5N. Click this Autocar article link here, to learn more.
JLR brings back the Freelander name
Furthering their close ties, JLR and Chery have announced that the Freelander name will be brought back. This will be an electrified only brand, built and sold in China initially. Plans do include exporting world wide at a later date. If you want to find out more, click this Autocar article link here.
LUNCHTIME READ: RISE AND FALL OF TURIN’S DESIGN FIRMS
Matteo Licata brings us yet another history lesson about the Italian automotive industry, this time with a focus on the design companies of Turin. Click this Hagerty link to read the wonderful, if depressing, explanation of how those famous design studios ended up where they are now.
LIST OF THE WEEK: THE 60 MOST BEAUTIFUL CARS EVER MADE
Autocar bring us a slideshow of what they call the most beautiful cars ever made, which is stretching it somewhat with quite a few of those featured. Regardless of that, do you agree with Alan and Andrew’s choices? Let us know what you would pick. Click here to see the options.
AND FINALLY: PETROLBLOG ELECTION MANIFESTO
Gavin Big-Surname has launched the Petrolblog Manifesto that are sensible policies for a happier Britain, as Prince George said in the historical documentary Blackadder. We struggle to argue with anyone of the promises made. Click here to read them yourself.
As an extra bonus, there is a new video from Petrolblog to check out too, click this YouTube link here.
