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.
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 DR Automobiles is to be fined €6 million, following an EU anti-trust probe, finding the cars are originally made in China but finished off in Italy.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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
