This edition of the Morning Auto News brought to you from Bangkok
- Toyota iQ city car reborn as China-only Singulato iC3 EV – Autocar: Singulato iC3 Chinese firm secures agreement with Toyota to turn iQ into electric city car The Toyota iQ city car has been reborn in China, with the rising Singulato firm using it as the basis for a new electric-only iC3 machine that has been launched…
- Can you save money and the planet by owning a Tesla or another electric car? – CNBC: including plug-in hybrid cars – accounted for 2% of vehicle sales last year, up from 1.1% in 2017. Much of that jump can be …
- EVs take center stage at the Shanghai Auto Show – Reuters: The 2019 Shanghai Auto Show is shaping up as a race to the electric vehicle future, with global auto brands and local Chinese startups showing off a …
- Nissan said to quietly scrap CEO’s office in post-Ghosn era – Automotive News: A committee singled out the Office of the CEO as one of the reasons why it was difficult to detect misconduct at the highest levels of the automaker.
- Nio teases upcoming sedan with ET Preview – Automotive News: Nio, the Chinese electric vehicle startup with swappable batteries and a bobble-headed digital assistant on the dash, aims to expand its lineup.
- New hydrogen-only car firm launches with Pininfarina concept – Autocar: Grove Pininfarina Granite Chinese start-up reveals Granite concept and Obsidian SUV at Shanghai, shares ‘global ambitions’ to expand fuel cell technology New Chinese start-up Grove, which claims to be the world”s first hydrogen fuel cell-only mass…
- Volkswagen plans major China push as tensions rise at home – Automotive News: VW has ventures with SAIC Motor and FAW, two of China’s largest automakers, after being one of the first foreign automakers to arrive in China more …
- New Xpeng P7 launched as Chinese Tesla Model 3 rival – Autocar: Electric four-door saloon makes its public debut at the Shanghai motor show Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has launched its second production model at the Shanghai motor show. The P7 four-door saloon will rival the Tesla Model 3 with…
- Toyota launches China-only electric C-HR – Autocar: China’s first electric Toyota shares a platform with the Corolla and will go on sale in 2020 Toyota has revealed an electric variant of its C-HR compact SUV exclusively for the Chinese market. Unveiled at the Shanghai motor show alongside the…
- Mercedes-AMG A35L revealed with extra length – Yahoo: The AMG version will be built in China through Daimler’s local joint venture with BAIC, while the powerful engine is going to be sourced from the …
- Tesla’s new Model Y is a no-show at Shanghai auto show – Automotive News: The Model Y will be shown at an event in the U.S. later this month, a spokeswoman said. Still, Tesla is showcasing two Model 3 cars, a Model X and a Model S at its booth in Shanghai.
- Ghosn said to have improperly charged Renault for $3,400 scooter – Automotive News: Carlos Ghosn improperly charged Renault for a $3,400 scooter, Bloomberg reported. It’s the latest allegation against the executive, who faces charges of financial misconduct in Japan.
- AUTOSHOW-China’s car market to return to growth this year, executives say – Reuters: Chinese govt to roll out measures to boost consumer sentiment.
- Lotus announces comeback with electric hypercar, Geely cash – Automotive News: Lotus has given a glimpse of its first full-electric vehicle, the Type 130 hypercar, which will be the first all-new model from the UK automaker in 11 years.
- The Rise and Fall of Carlos Ghosn – New York Times: Carlos Ghosn, the former head of Nissan, was the rare foreign executive to reach rock-star status in Japan by breaking the rules of its culture. Now …
- 2020 Ford Mustang: New package offers 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds – Freep: For the record, the 2020 Ford Mustang designed to go 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph is meant for the regular guy. Or girl.
- Lotus celebrates motorsport success with Evora GT4 concept – Autocar: British-built ultra-lightweight special edition is a 444bhp 3.5-litre petrol V6-powered racer Lotus has unveiled a GT4-spec race variant of its Evora GT430 hardcore sports car at the Shanghai motor show. Developed and built at Lotus” headquarters in…
- Aiways aiming for UK launch with U5 SUV in 2021 – Autocar: Volkswagen Tiguan-sized electric SUV could enter right-hand-drive production after its European debut next year Aiways could launch its new U5 electric SUV in the UK in right-hand-drive form in 2021, after the start-up company revealed strong interest…
- Hong Kong shares rise as China’s economy seen stabilising – Reuters: The three biggest H-shares percentage decliners were Dongfeng Motor Group Co Ltd, down 2.05 percent, Great Wall Motor Co Ltd, which fell 1.7 …
- New Karma Revero GT and Pininfarina GT revealed with BMW hybrid powertrain – Autocar: 2020 Revero GT sports a subtle styling evolution from the original Fisker Karma Revero GT launches in Shanghai alongside Pininfarina-designed coupe and stunning EV concept US-based electric car maker Karma has revealed a new version of its…
- Rolls-Royce sees double-digit sales growth in China this year: CEO – Reuters: Luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce expects to achieve double-digit sales growth in China this year, although it will be lower than the 40 percent rate it saw in 2018, its chief executive said on Tuesday.
- AUTOSHOW-Ford’s China JV Changan eyes sales rebound at end-2019: president – Reuters: China’s China Changan Automobile Group expects sales at its joint venture with Ford Motor Co to rebound at the end of this year as the U.S. automaker boosts its China product line, Changan’s president said on Tuesday.
- AUTOSHOW-Rolls-Royce sees double-digit sales growth in China this year-CEO – Reuters: Luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce expects to achieve double-digit sales growth in China this year, although it will be lower than the 40 percent rate it saw in 2018, …
- Japan’s Nidec to buy Omron’s automotive electronics unit for $900 mln – Reuters: Japan’s Nidec Corp said on Tuesday it would buy Omron Corp’s automotive electronics unit for about 100 billion yen ($893.50 million) as the precision motor …
- China’s Wey bringing premium SUV range to Europe this year – Autocar: Frankfurt debut for high-end car-maker looking to expand out of its home territory Chinese premium brand Wey will launch into Europe at this September”s Frankfurt motor show, with a range of SUVs designed to rival the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz….
- Renault targets China growth with electric mini-SUV – Automotive News: Dongfeng holds 50 percent of eGT, and Renault and Nissan 25 percent each. … The K-ZE, like the Kwid, rides on the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi alliance’s … Renault plans to build a total of nine passenger vehicles in China by 2022, … partner Jinbei…
- Aston Martin Rapide E – Automotive News: Aston Martin’s Rapide E battery-powered sedan is based on the convetionally powered Rapide. The Rapide E is powered by an 800V electrical …
- New extended BMW 3 Series launched in Shanghai – Autocar: BMW 3 Series long-wheelbase China-only version of seventh-generation saloon is stretched to offer more space in the rear BMW has revealed the long-wheelbase version of the new 3 Series saloon, which will be offered exclusively in the Chinese market,…
- Aston Martin tests market for high-priced EVs with Rapide E – Automotive News: Aston Martin will build just 155 units of the Rapid E, which will be the automaker’s only battery-powered car until the UK automaker revives its Lagonda …
- Toyota takes wraps off first electric vehicle in China – Nikkei:
- James Ruppert: the best ULEZ-beaters for urban families – Autocar: A petrol auto Merc R-Class will get you into London”s ULEZ Ultra-low-emission zones are changing how we choose cars, so let’s take stock of what’s on offer Well, this is becoming something of a regular occurrence: the ULEZ (Ultra-Low-Emission Zone)…
- Daimler: Mercedes sells more than 600 Maybach models a month in China – Reuters: Daimler’s China chief said sales rose 3 percent in the first quarter, defying an overall downturn in demand in the world’s biggest car market, thanks to robust demand for ultra luxury vehicles like the Mercedes S-Class Maybach.
- China’s GAC says partners have no plans to raise JV stakes – Reuters: Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd’s (GAC) foreign partners have no plans to raise their stakes in their China joint ventures, a senior official at the Chinese carmaker said on Tuesday.
- Nissan PH Releases Nissan Almera N-Sport – Yahoo: A new journey begins with an upgraded, more stylish look of the spacious and comfortable Nissan Almera with the special edition Nissan Almera …
- Lamborghini CEO Says China Market Getting More and More Important – Yahoo: Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenical talks about China’s market, the automaker’s global sales …
- Mini Clubman facelift brings styling tweaks and trim changes – Autocar: Volkswagen Golf rival receives redesigned front end, new colour options and sports suspension package Mini has performed a mid-life refresh on the four-year old Clubman, rival to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. Most of the changes are aesthetic,…
- US companies reveal pay gap between bosses and workers – FT: Equilar did not include Tesla in its analysis but the electric car maker recorded the most extreme pay ratio of all, at 40,668:1. All but $56,000 of Mr …
- AUTOSHOW-BMW says no plans to develop compact vehicle with rival: CFO – Reuters: BMW Chief Financial Officer Nicolas Peter said the Bavarian carmaker has no plans to develop a compact vehicle together with a rival German carmaker.
- Breakingviews – Alliances leave Uber tangled in competitive knots – Reuters: Uber’s tangled alliances are getting messier. The U.S. ride-hailing giant’s imminent initial public offering, set …
- A luxury van? Lexus says yes with LM 350 – Automotive News: Lexus aims to pioneer a fresh premium segment with the LM 350 people mover van, an entry trying to tap burgeoning demand for palatial limousine transport in Asia by luring industrious high rollers with thrown-like seating in an on-the-go office space.
- Europe car groups face huge profit hit to cut CO2 – FT: Industry struggles to meet strict emission targets with potential penalties of €30bn.
- The uphill road: battery limitations to test China’s electric vehicle ambitions – Reuters: It took one 330 kilometer trip from Chongqing to Chengdu in his Nio ES8, a seven-seater all-electric SUV, for its owner Wang Haichun to be consumed with buyer’s remorse.
- Daimler to launch electric compact SUV in 2021 – CEO – Reuters: Daimler plans to launch an electric compact sport utility vehicle in 2021 which will be called the Mercedes EQB, the German carmaker’s CEO said on Tuesday.
- Japan’s 2017/18 CO2 emissions drop to 8-year low – Reuters: Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped 1.2 percent to an eight-year low in the financial year ended March 31, 2018, government figures showed on Tuesday, due to an increased use of renewable energy and higher utilisation of nuclear plants.
- INSIGHT-The uphill road: battery limitations to test China’s electric vehicle ambitions – Reuters: * EVs can sometimes fall far short of advertised ranges -engineers
- Renault City K-ZE: production version of budget EV revealed – Autocar: Autocar
- New Aston Martin Rapide E revealed with over 600bhp – Autocar: Aston Martin has revealed its production-ready Rapide E electric luxury saloon at the Shanghai motor show. Previewed by various conceps, this …
- AUTOSHOW-Daimler to launch electric compact SUV in 2021 -CEO – Reuters: Daimler plans to launch an electric compact sport utility vehicle in 2021 which will be called the Mercedes EQB, the German carmaker’s CEO said on Tuesday.
- Electric car makers woo Chinese buyers with range, features at Shanghai auto show – Freep: Automakers are showcasing electric SUVs and sedans with more driving range and luxury features at the Shanghai auto show, trying to …
- General Motors bets a GEM can deliver gold in developing markets – Reuters: The GEM project involved an unprecedented level of cooperation with GM’s Chinese joint venture partner SAIC Motor Corp Ltd. GM and SAIC shared …
- FOCUS-GM bets a GEM can deliver gold in developing markets – Reuters: General Motors Co has spent five years re-writing its playbook for making money in Latin America and the interior of China. Now, it’s show time for the first results …
- Exclusive details: Lotus confirms electric Type 130 hypercar – Autocar: T130: four-wheel drive, good range and masses of power New four-wheel-drive EV hypercar set to feature more than 1000bhp – and Autocar has been given a sneak preview Lotus has confirmed that it is in the advanced stages of developing an all-electric…
- Lotus confirms forthcoming all-electric hypercar – Autocar: T130: four-wheel drive, good range and masses of power Four-wheel drive Type 130 EV is promised to break new ground, in true Lotus tradition Lotus has confirmed that it is in the advanced stages of developing an all-electric hypercar – months after…
- Uber says it fixed electric bikes that had similar problems to bikes Lyft recalled – Washington Post: Uber acknowledged Monday that it had modified some of its electric bikes recently after the company encountered a braking problem similar to the …
- Toyota sells EV technology to Chinese startup Singulato – Automotive News: Toyota will have preferential rights to purchase green-car credits that Singulato will generate under China’s new quota system for all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
