The main topic of the article is Volvo's new compact fully electric crossover, the EX30, and its potential to be a mass-volume, mainstream success. The key points are:
1. The EX30 is Volvo's first compact fully electric crossover and is outfitted with sustainable materials, making it affordable and innovative.
2. The EX30 has received positive reception and excitement from markets worldwide.
3. The price tag of $34,950 makes the EX30 one of the more affordable EV options in the United States.
4. Volvo is targeting pre-family and post-family buyers as potential customers for the EX30.
5. Volvo aims to go "half-electric" by 2025 and all-electric by 2030, aligning with its parent company Geely Holding Group's initiatives.
6. The EX30 will be made in China, which means it won't be eligible for U.S. tax credits and is subject to a 27.5% tariff on Chinese-made vehicles.
7. The EX30 offers two battery packs and two powertrain setups, with the Twin Motor Performance variant boasting 422 horsepower and a zero to 60 mph time of 3.4 seconds.
8. The EX30 features a 12.3-inch vertical touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, 5G connectivity, and fast-charging capabilities.
9. Volvo plans to access Tesla's Supercharger network with an adapter in 2024, making it more appealing to potential buyers.
The main topic is the resignation of Xpeng's vice president of autonomous driving, Xinzhou Wu, and the impact it may have on the company's autonomous driving path.
Key points include:
- Wu played a pivotal role in helping Xpeng gain an edge over its EV rivals in the intelligent driving race.
- Xpeng is recognized for its in-house, full-stack development team responsible for creating the advanced driver assistance system Xpeng Navigation Guided Pilot (XNPG).
- Xpeng aims to reduce the number of manual takeovers per 1,000 kilometers when using its highway navigation to one or fewer by the end of 2023.
- Tesla has not made its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system available in China yet.
- Wu may be taking up a senior position in Nvidia's autonomous driving division.
- Xpeng recently announced a promising investment from Volkswagen for co-developing electric vehicle models for the Chinese market.
- Wu's resignation marks the end of an era at Xpeng and highlights the talent loss for the company.
- The resignation comes amid escalating tensions between the US and China, leading to downsizing of Chinese tech giants' US operations.
Main topic: BMW's progress in electric vehicle sales and investment in e-mobility.
Key points:
1. BMW's electric vehicle sales increased to 12.6% of total deliveries in the first half of 2023, up from 10% in 2022.
2. The company aims to achieve a 15% share of battery-electric sales by the end of 2023.
3. BMW is investing more than originally planned in the global ramp-up of e-mobility due to increasing demand for electric cars.
4. The automaker increased its research and development spending by nearly 19% in Q2 2023, reaching about $2 billion.
5. BMW has not set an end date for selling combustion engine vehicles, stating that there is no indication that the world is renouncing them.
6. This contrasts with other automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and GM, which have plans to phase out combustion-engine sales by 2040.
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Designboom, a trusted source of design news since 1999, covers stories from Milan, New York, Beijing, and Tokyo.
Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the EQB electric SUV for the 2024 model year with a refreshed design and updated features, including a modern grille and headlights, and it will be available at US dealerships in the first half of 2024.
Kia has officially unveiled the EV5, their new compact electric SUV, featuring a bold design, spacious interior, and expected to compete directly against Tesla's Model Y.
Chinese electric car company Xpeng will acquire Didi's smart electric vehicle unit in a strategic partnership, with Xpeng's shares surging 16%, and plans to launch a new A-class model under the brand MONA to expand in the mass-market segment.
Tesla has unveiled its updated Model 3 EV sedan in China, featuring a sportier exterior, improved battery range, and faster acceleration, although surprising many with a 12% price increase; the upgraded model is expected to boost sales and profit margins for the electric vehicle giant.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius plans to launch an electric vehicle architecture with the CLA compact electric sedan that will offer 30-35% more driving range per kilowatt-hour of energy stored in the battery, and will also introduce a lithium-iron-phosphate battery in the CLA model lineup, aiming to compete with Tesla and Chinese EV brands in terms of range and efficiency.
German automaker BMW has unveiled its electric concept car, the "Vision Neue Klasse," which will serve as the foundation for the brand's next generation of electric vehicles, featuring improved battery cells that enhance charging speed and range, with plans to launch the first models in 2025.
Mercedes-Benz is set to unveil the CLA EV concept sedan at IAA Mobility, featuring a range of over 466 miles and serving as the forerunner for an upcoming line of electric-first vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz plans to launch a smaller version of its popular G Class luxury SUV, expanding its reach to a different group of buyers and potentially competing with rivals in the luxury SUV segment.
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the Concept CLA-Class, a preview of its new electric-first compact car platform, featuring sustainable interior materials and an estimated range of 466 miles on the WLTP scale, inspired by the Vision EQXX concept.
Volkswagen is introducing the electric ID. GTI Concept at IAA Mobility 2023, a retro-themed hot hatchback that combines 48 years of GTI history with VW's electric future.
The Audi Q6 e-tron, set to be released in 2025, features a redesigned interior with advanced technology, including a digital stage, augmented reality head-up display, and a connected digital interior, making it a significant model for Audi.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled an electric vehicle with a longer range than any Tesla model on the market, as the company intensifies its efforts to challenge Elon Musk and expand its presence in the luxury electric car market.
BMW and Mercedes are intensifying their efforts in the electric vehicle market, unveiling new platforms and concept cars in response to competition from Chinese automakers and Tesla, although they may still lag behind in certain aspects.
Mercedes CEO announces the development of a smaller, fully electric G-Class SUV, set to hit the market in a few years.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain is a wider, taller, and more practical version of the E-Class sedan, offering a spacious interior, a striking design with off-road-ready features, and impressive performance capabilities.
Europe's carmakers are facing a tough battle to catch up with China in the development of affordable and consumer-friendly electric vehicles, with Chinese EV makers already a generation ahead, according to industry analysts and executives at Munich's IAA mobility show.
Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng plans to expand into European markets, including Germany, Britain, and France in 2024, as they aim to challenge European companies on their home turf with cheaper models.
The EU's plan to ban new gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2035 poses a significant risk to European car manufacturers who may struggle to compete with Chinese EV manufacturers in a price war, according to BMW chairman Oliver Zipse.
Chinese car makers BYD and XPeng saw their stock prices rise ahead of a major auto show where they will compete with Tesla, which is making its first appearance at the event in Munich.
Mercedes has teased upcoming models on the MMA platform with an electric range of approximately 466 miles, including the next-generation GLA, GLB, and CLA Shooting Brake.
Toyota has unveiled its first-ever Century SUV, while German brands are showcasing electric concepts at the IAA Mobility 2023 motor show in Munich.
Major players like BMW and Mercedes showcased their electric vehicles at the IAA Mobility motor show in Munich, along with a strong presence of Chinese automakers expanding internationally.
BMW will invest £600m ($750m) in its UK plants to transition its Mini brand to all-electric by 2030, with the Mini Cooper 3-door and Mini Aceman crossover set to be produced as electric models from 2026 onwards.
