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Volkswagen will retire GTX title to make means for warm GTI and R EVs

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Volkswagen will retire its GTX branding for sporting EVs to make means for its first electrical GTI and R fashions.

The GTX badge was first used for warmed-up, range-topping variations of the Volkswagen ID 4 and ID 5 SUVs in 2021, and has since been prolonged throughout the broader ID household, with stronger GTX variations of the ID 3, ID 7 and ID Buzz revealed in latest weeks.  

Initially, the GTX badge was set to be reserved solely for twin-motor, performance-oriented EVs, however the hot new ID 3 GTX stays powered by solely a single motor on the rear.

But regardless of the GTX line-up having been considerably expanded of late, Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer has confirmed the branding might be phased out as Volkswagen ramps as much as electrify the GTI and R efficiency manufacturers. 

“GTX is the performance brand of the MEB [platform], but we’ll work our way back to GTI and R in the next products going forward,” he instructed Autocar.

Volkswagen revealed the ID GTI concept (under) final 12 months as preview of an electrical successor to the Golf GTI sizzling hatch, which is due on sale in early 2027. It will not be but recognized whether or not the badge might be rolled out to different electrical Volkswagens; it’s at present used just for the new Polo and Golf. 

Schäfer mentioned Volkswagen remains to be shaping the way forward for the GTI model internally, however emphasised the significance of staying true to its roots. “The question is: how do we position GTI? GTI is traditionally performance and front-wheel drive.”

Volkswagen has but to offer any clues to what an electrical R automobile might appear to be, however has confirmed that R will become an electric-only performance brand by 2030.

Schäfer mentioned it would nonetheless be used “for four-wheel-drive performance” vehicles, because it has been for the previous twenty years. The model has beforehand urged an R model of the Mk9 electrical Golf is prone to arrive round 2029. 

GTI and R, he emphasised, could have “clear genes going forward”.

Volkswagen

PowerCo and Umicore Establish IONWAY, a Leading European Battery Materials Joint Venture

Umicore and PowerCo, a battery company backed by Volkswagen Group, have unveiled the name and branding for their groundbreaking collaboration. The joint venture, based in Brussels, aims to be the foremost large-scale producer of CAM and pCAM in Europe and will operate under the name IONWAY. By the end of the decade, both companies expect IONWAY to have an annual production capacity of 160 GWh, equivalent to powering 2.2 million battery-electric vehicles.

IONWAY has been established to supply PowerCo’s European battery cell factories with crucial battery materials, while also fulfilling a significant portion of PowerCo’s EU demand. Additionally, the joint venture will give Umicore secured access to a crucial portion of the European market for EV cathode materials.

This partnership between a European car manufacturer and a premier global CAM producer marks a unique milestone in the production of sustainable battery materials for electric vehicles and a zero-emission future. Both parent companies are strongly committed to expanding the EU’s presence in the e-mobility sector by establishing sustainable, transparent, and regional battery supply chains.

Cathode active materials play a pivotal role in battery performance, as they contribute the most to the overall cost and carbon footprint of the battery. These materials are therefore of strategic importance in the creation of valuable batteries and are critical for a successful transition toward sustainable e-mobility.

IONWAY will leverage the resources and expertise necessary to drive this transition and make sustainable progress accessible to all. The joint venture aims to create a new momentum in high-performance battery technology through a powerful partnership.

Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo, stated, “Through IONWAY, PowerCo achieves another milestone in our strategy of vertically integrating the battery supply chain. In collaboration with our trusted partner Umicore, we can source our own key cell production materials at competitive prices. This secure access ensures that PowerCo can supply cost-competitive battery cells to Volkswagen Group for years to come, enabling its brands to offer attractive and affordable electric vehicles to customers.”

Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore, said, “IONWAY has a significant head start as a start-up due to our partnership with Volkswagen’s PowerCo and Umicore, key players in the electric mobility transformation. The joint venture will undoubtedly become an industry benchmark in e-mobility, fostering innovation, creating numerous highly skilled jobs, and driving the energy transition.”

Thomas Jansseune, CEO of IONWAY, remarked, “The establishment of IONWAY sends a strong signal for the adoption of battery cell technology in Europe. We believe that this company will play a crucial role in helping the European Union achieve its Green Deal ambitions.”

Thomas Jansseune, who has 22 years of experience at Umicore, including leadership roles in various areas such as venture capital, solid-state batteries, decarbonization, battery recycling, and hydrogen electrolysis, has been appointed as the first CEO of IONWAY. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering.

Achim Holzer, who previously served as Head of Value Engineering & Central Purchasing Functions at Volkswagen Group Technology and Head of Value Engineering at AUDI, has joined IONWAY as the CFO. He holds a doctoral degree in economics from the University of Passau.

IONWAY’s logo represents the partnership and close connection between PowerCo and Umicore, with the interlocking circles in the lowercase “i” symbolizing their collaboration in shaping the EV battery industry. The logo’s tagline, “Synergy for Energy,” highlights IONWAY’s role in driving the energy transition. The joint efforts of the two companies are expected to have a substantial impact, and this tagline emphasizes the higher purpose of the joint venture.

To learn more about IONWAY, visit www.ionway.com.

About Umicore
Umicore is a leading circular materials technology group that focuses on application areas where its expertise in materials science, chemistry, and metallurgy can make a significant difference. The group comprises three business groups: Catalysis, Energy & Surface Technologies, and Recycling. Each business group includes market-focused units that offer cutting-edge materials and solutions essential to everyday life.

Umicore’s industrial and commercial operations, as well as its R&D activities, are spread across the globe to best serve its global customer base. In 2022, the group generated revenues (excluding metal) of €4.2 billion and employed over 11,000 people.

About PowerCo
PowerCo SE is the European company that encompasses the Volkswagen Group’s global battery activities. From its base in Salzgitter, Germany, PowerCo manages international factory operations, the development of cell technology, and the vertical integration of the value chain. The company has already identified three gigafactory locations in Salzgitter, Germany; Valencia, Spain; and St. Thomas, Canada. PowerCo plans to establish cell factories with a total capacity of 240 GWh per year by 2030.

News, Technology

Investigation Launched into Bright “X” Sign at Twitter Headquarters

Twitter headquarters is once again facing trouble over its recent rebranding efforts. The company had begun dismantling its vertical Twitter sign without informing the property owner, leading to law enforcement halting the work midway. As a result, only the “er” part of the logo remained intact.

A complaint about an “unsafe sign” was filed with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection regarding the “@” symbol on the vertical branding board. Inspectors were worried that it could fall and cause harm to pedestrians. Both the “@” symbol and the remaining “er” sections of the sign have since been taken down. It is uncertain whether Twitter will have to remove its new illuminated sign on top of the building.

In addition to the sign investigation, Twitter’s rebranding has faced ongoing criticism, and there are concerns about potential legal issues related to their use of the letter “X.” Meta and Microsoft own trademarks for the letter “X,” and as Meta now competes directly with Twitter through its own microblogging platform called Threads, there might be a possibility of courtroom drama in the future.