Tag Archives: europe

NEWS

Europe plans to ban carbon fibre use before making a ‘U-turn’

Did you know that the European Union had recently proposed a ban on the use of carbon fibre in vehicle construction by the year 2029?

However, the proposal to prohibit the use of this lightweight material has been retracted, according to a recent report by Motor1 Italia.

In a legal amendment enacted last January, the EU intended to add carbon fibre to the list of hazardous materials, which includes mercury, lead, and cadmium.

This decision was based on concerns that during the vehicle disposal process, detached carbon fibre filaments could become airborne and pose a risk if they come into contact with human skin.

Authorities also determined that this material could damage the recycling machinery used.

The automotive industry accounts for 20 percent of global carbon fibre production.

Due to its lightweight and durable properties, carbon fibre has become an essential material for the construction of high-performance vehicles, including chassis, seats, and side mirrors. Some manufacturers even use the same material to create lighter rims.

Carbon fibre is also a primary material in electric vehicles, aimed at reducing weight and contributing to longer driving ranges.

Fortunately, the move to ban the use of this material will not be pursued.

If it had been, there would have surely been strong opposition from most automotive manufacturers worldwide.

EV, NEWS

Toyota C-HR+ debuts in Europe, e-TNGA 2.0 platform, range up to 600 km

Toyota now has a new electric vehicle (EV) model, and it no longer uses the ‘bZ’ prefix seen in models like the bZ4X and bZ3.

Instead, it adopts the existing name, C-HR+.

Although it carries the C-HR+ name, this electric vehicle does not share the same platform as the standard C-HR; rather, it utilizes the e-TNGA 2.0 platform, which is the same as that of the bZ4X.

This is evidenced by its length of 4,520 mm and a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, significantly larger than the second-generation C-HR.

For the European market, the C-HR is available in a single electric motor version with 165 hp, offering acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, a 57.7 kWh battery pack, and a driving range of 455 km.

A more powerful version produces 221 hp with a swift 0-100 km/h time of 7.4 seconds, accompanied by a 77 kWh battery pack that allows for a range of up to 600 km.

There is also an all-wheel-drive version equipped with two electric motors, generating 338 hp and achieving acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds. With the same 77 kWh battery pack, this AWD variant can travel up to 525 km.

In terms of exterior design, the C-HR+ closely resembles the standard C-HR, with the exception of more streamlined taillights, a roof spoiler, and a ducktail spoiler at the rear.

Standard features for the C-HR+ include AC charging at 11 kW (or up to 22 kW) as well as DC fast charging of up to 150 kW.

To ensure optimal charging operation, the C-HR+ is equipped with a battery pre-conditioning system that can be activated manually or automatically.

Inside the cabin, there is a 14-inch infotainment display complete with physical control knobs, dual wireless device charging slots, and a mapping navigation system capable of identifying charging points based on the SUV’s driving range.

Finally, the C-HR+ is equipped with advanced safety features as standard, including a blind spot monitoring system, adaptive high beam assistance, and parking brake support.

Features such as a surround-view monitoring system and parking assistance are reserved for the more premium variants.

According to Toyota, the C-HR+ is set to launch in several selected European markets by late 2025.

NEWS

Dacia Sandero is the best-selling car in Europe for 2024

Do you know which car was the best-selling in Europe for the year 2024?

It is neither a Japanese car nor a German compact car, but rather a vehicle from Romania.

More specifically, it is the Dacia Sandero (“good news!” as James May would say).

According to data from industry analyst Jato Dynamics, a total of 268,101 units of the Dacia Sandero were registered in Europe over the past year.

In second place is the Renault Clio, with a difference of over 50,000 units compared to the Dacia Sandero, followed by the Volkswagen Golf, which had 215,715 units sold.

Sales of the most popular model in 2023, the Tesla Model Y, fell by 17 percent to 209,214 units; however, it remains the leader in the category of the most popular electric vehicles.

Speaking of EVs, the market share for these zero-emission vehicles decreased from 15.7 percent in 2023 to 15.4 percent last year, while the percentage for petrol engine models increased from 47.8 percent to 48.4 percent.

The decline in EV sales is attributed to the withdrawal of incentives and the average selling price still being high and unaffordable, according to Jato Dynamics’ analysis.

Meanwhile, demand for hybrid vehicles increased from 9.9 percent to 11.8 percent, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) accounted for only 7.3 percent (down from 7.7 percent).

EV, NEWS

Geely wants to establish assembly plant in Europe

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Chinese automotive company Geely is currently scouting suitable locations to establish a large-scale production facility on the European continent.

However according to Reuters sources, Geely Auto Group’s Vice President Li Chuanhai confirmed that the plans were “not 100 percent” certain while speaking in Frankfurt, Germany last week.

Geely had previously held discussions with the Polish government, but the authorities in the country did not see Geely as an ideal investment partner.

In Frankfurt, Geely has opened a new facility where it will serve as the location for testing and developing 13 new models of electric vehicles to meet stricter European standards.

In addition to Geely, several Chinese automotive manufacturers, including Chery and GWM, are also planning to establish assembly plants in Europe to avoid higher tariffs imposed on imported EVs from the mainland.

EV, NEWS

Maxus e-Terron 9 announced for the European market, with a driving range of 430 km

Chinese automotive manufacturer Maxus has just launched its latest model, the electric pickup truck e-Terron 9, for the European market.

Unlike existing electric pickup trucks in the market, the Maxus e-Terron 9 features a semi-monocoque chassis construction that is quite unique.

It promises the advantages of both a unibody and body-on-frame construction within a single chassis.

The Maxus e-Terron 9 is powered by two electric motors that offer all-wheel drive, with a total power of 436 hp and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.8 seconds.

The truck offers several driving modes including Normal, Sand, Mud, and Custom, as well as an adjustable air suspension system.

Its 102 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack enables the truck to travel up to 430 km on a single full charge (WLTP data), in addition to supporting fast DC charging at 115 kW (20-80 percent in 40 minutes).

The Maxus e-Terron 9 features Vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, providing a 2.2 kW and 6.6 kW power outlet.

The exterior of the Maxus e-Terron 9 resembles well-known pickup truck models, such as the front end with C-shaped lighting units resembling the Ford F-150, and a side profile reminiscent of the Hummer EV.

As for the cabin interior, the Maxus e-Terron 9 features a minimalist dashboard design with a single panel housing dual screens, a two-spoke steering wheel, and two-tone leather upholstery.

There are up to 20 storage spaces for items, along with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with massage and ventilation functions.

The front seats can also be reclined flat to provide a resting space of 1,700 mm.

In terms of dimensions, the truck measures 5,500 mm in length, which is 140 mm longer than the Ford Ranger.

It is also capable of accommodating long cargoes up to 2,400 mm in the rear bed, thanks to the automatic tailgate and opening mid-gate feature.

Moreover, the Maxus e-Terron 9 can tow cargoes of up to 3,500 kg and has a payload capacity of around 620 kg.

In addition, it offers a front cargo space of 236 liters with an electrically powered frunk door.

The sales of the Maxus e-Terron 9 pickup truck in Europe are set to commence in the fourth quarter of this year.

EV, NEWS

BMW surpasses Tesla’s EV sales in Europe for the first time

Tesla is no longer the dominant force in the electric vehicle segment, at least in the European continent.

Based on data obtained from JATO Dynamics, BMW has managed to sell a total of 14,869 EVs throughout July 2024.

In comparison, Tesla has sold a total of 14,561 units for the same period.

Despite the small difference, this indicates that the German manufacturer is now able to surpass Tesla’s EV sales, even while still offering options for petrol and hybrid vehicles to consumers.

JATO Dynamics analysis shows a decline in sales performance for two of Tesla’s crucial models (Model Y and Model 3) last month, with Model Y sales decreasing by 16 percent to 9,544 units, and Model 3 dropping by 17 percent to 4,694 units.

Tesla may still take pride in the fact that the Model Y remains the best-selling EV, surpassing the Volvo EX30 (6,573 units) and the Volkswagen ID.4 (5,295 units).

Despite holding the title for the best-selling EV, these numbers are still significantly behind the sales performance of the best-selling models in Europe, with the Dacia Sandero leading the way in July with 22,398 units sold, followed by the Volkswagen T-Roc (19,254 units) and the Toyota Yaris Cross (17,314 units).

NEWS

Dacia Sandero is now the best selling car in Europe, surpasses Tesla Model Y

Electric cars are no longer a highly sought-after product.

The increasingly sluggish trend is now causing most EV manufacturers to scratch their heads.

The decline in demand for EVs, which has also affected the European continent, has seen the Tesla Model Y dethroned and no longer the best-selling car.

The latest data from the European Union (EU) revealed that Dacia Sandero emerged as the best-selling car during the period of January to June 2024, with a total of 143,596 units registered.

Dacia Sandero is the top choice for most buyers due to its relatively low selling price, starting from €11,500 (RM56 thousand).

In second place is the VW Golf with 126,993 units, followed by the Renault Clio (114,623 units), VW T-Roc (111,381 units), and Peugeot 208 (107,097 units).

The Tesla Model Y, on the other hand, seems to have to settle for the eighth position with sales totaling 101,181 units for the first six months of this year.

Here is a list of the best-selling cars in Europe during January-June 2024.

  1. Dacia Sandero (143,596 units)
  2. VW Golf (126,993 units)
  3. Renault Clio (114,623 units)
  4. VW T-Roc (111,381 units)
  5. Peugeot 208 (107,097 units)
  6. Skoda Octavia (102,945 units)
  7. Citroen C3 (102,304 units)
  8. Tesla Model Y (101,181 units)
  9. Toyota Yaris Cross (99,694 units)
  10. Toyota Yaris (93,576 units)
NEWS

2025 Nissan Qashqai receives facelift, fresher new looks

Nissan’s important model in Europe, the third-generation Qashqai, has just received a facelift update for the 2025 model, bringing a fresher look to its exterior appearance.

At first glance, the facelifted front end of the Nissan Qashqai reminds us of another crossover model produced by Nissan, namely the Ariya EV.

Compared to the previous model, Nissan has made changes to this area by removing the V-Motion chrome grille element, where the main grille structure has now increased in size and features a lattice design inspired by ancient Japanese military shields.

The graphic element of the daytime running lights (DRL) in the shape of an arrow is still retained but with a more ‘digital’ approach. The main headlamp units appear well concealed.

Regarding the rear, the changes are minimal, with the Qashqai showcasing different LED graphic light units, followed by a more sporty bumper.

As standard, the Qashqai comes with 18 to 19-inch wheel sets, while the new N-Design variant is equipped with 20-inch wheel sets.

Moving into the cabin, there is not much that has changed, except for the Android-based infotainment system that now offers Google Maps navigation and Google Assistant.

The Around View Monitor surveillance system now supports a three-dimensional display function, including an engine heads-up display (HUD) and a memory function for frequently used parking locations.

Unfortunately, there have been no changes made to the powertrain, where the Nissan Qashqai still retains the choice of a mild hybrid 1.3-liter engine (138 hp) or a 1.5-liter E-Power hybrid engine (187 hp).

The 2025 facelifted Nissan Qashqai is still being produced at the Nissan Sunderland plant in the UK and is expected to arrive in the European market in the near future.

NEWS

2024 Ford Mustang ‘lost’ 52hp for Europe

The increasingly stringent emission regulations have compelled vehicle manufacturers in Europe to take measures such as reducing the number of cylinders or adding turbochargers.

Remarkably, the Ford Mustang for the European market still retains its delicious 5.0-liter V8 naturally-aspirated engine, but there comes some bad news. The engine’s output has been reduced.

The standard version, which previously boasted 440hp, has now been reduced by 40hp to comply with the stringent regulations.

The torque has also been ‘only’ 540Nm, which is 28Nm less than the American version. Nevertheless, European consumers should be grateful that Ford can still offer a car with a V8 engine in today’s era.

The power is still quite impressive. For those who feel it’s not enough, there’s the Dark Horse version. This top-of-the-line Mustang produces 448hp and 540Nm of torque (a reduction of 52hp and 28Nm), and you can even pair it with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

It can accelerate to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 263km/h. Opting for the 10-speed automatic model can achieve 0-100 acceleration in 4.4 seconds, but the top speed is limited to 250km/h.

This new Ford Mustang was introduced in Europe since September 2022; however, it is only now being officially sold. In the UK, it is offered at a price of £55,585 (RM331,842) for the GT model, and £65,585 (RM391,542) for the Dark Horse variant.

Engear Volt

Yamaha establishes Enyring for e-bike battery swap in Europe, beginning 1H 2025

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YAMAHA has announced the establishment of a new company called Enyring, which will offer battery exchange services based on subscription in Europe.

According to the official images provided, this Yamaha battery exchange service is seen to use smaller-sized battery units compared to Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e units.

In addition to offering electric scooter battery exchange subscription plans to users, Enyring will also collaborate with leaders in Europe to recycle used batteries.

In doing so, Yamaha will create a closed-loop system that relies entirely on recycling materials to produce the latest products.

Enyring will be based in Berlin, Germany, with operations set to commence in the first half of 2025. To start, Enyring will establish battery exchange infrastructure in two major cities, Berlin and Amsterdam.

The selection of these two locations is considered highly suitable as the use of bicycles and electric scooters has already become popular among the local population.