VW is accelerating the development time of the VW ID1 as Chinese newcomers and traditional European rivals target the market for affordable small EVs.
Chinese brands are starting pivot away from BEVs to avoid EU tariffs. EV sales were up 41 percent, but PHEVs surged by 534 percent and full hybrids were up 3,946 percent.
Weak sales in China, slow EV demand and additional U.S. tariffs have all taken their toll on Porsche’s margin in the first quarter.
The Dolphin Surf, a longer version of the Seagull, China’s best-selling EV in April, will increase BYD’s portfolio in Europe to eight full-electric cars.
The Skoda Elroq was the bestselling EV for the month, followed by the Volkswagen ID3, ID7 and ID4. The Tesla Model Y fell to 10th place.
Chinese automakers BYD, Chery and SAIC were sales winners in Europe in April, at the expense of European, Japanese and South Korean companies.
The new electric Micra will share the Renault 5 EV’s underpinnings and joins the Ariya midsize SUV as the automaker’s second full-electric model in Europe.
The new PHEV version will bridge the gap between the full-hybrid base model and the PHEV four-wheel-drive model, currently a €12,000 difference.
Volvo is now Google’s leading automotive development partner, meaning its customers will get access to new Android software that rivals might not be able to offer for years.
The bond will help Bosch to buy parts of the heating, cooling and ventilation business of Johnson Controls/Hitachi, its largest takeover to date.
