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Could Honda Elevate Be The Next 5-Star Safety Rated SUV In India?

The Honda City is a 5-star safety rated sedan, so can the Elevate SUV achieve the same level of safety?

Honda Elevate

  • Honda has conducted internal crash tests on the Elevate SUV to meet global safety standards. 

  • The tests included front offset, side, flat, and rear barrier, as well as side pole impact tests. The vehicle also underwent pedestrian protection testing. 

  • The detailed crash test results will be available once the SUV is available for sale. 

  • The Elevate SUV is equipped with six airbags, hill start assist, rear parking camera, ISOFIX, and ADAS for safety. 

  • The expected starting price for the Elevate SUV is around Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Safety ratings are an important consideration for car buyers, especially in the premium segment. The Honda Elevate SUV has undergone rigorous internal crash testing, and is expected to receive a high safety rating from crash-testing agencies worldwide. 

Understanding the Tests

Honda Elevate

The Honda Elevate SUV has been subjected to various crash tests, including front offset (including with a child dummy), side, flat and rear barrier, and side pole impact tests at speeds ranging from 32kmph to 64kmph. The SUV has performed well in these crash tests and has also passed the pedestrian protection test. 

The vehicle is built on Honda’s ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure, which enhances safety. 

Could It Be the Next 5-Star Safety Rated SUV?

Honda Elevate

Based on the internal crash test results, it is anticipated that the new Honda SUV can achieve a 4- or 5-star safety rating. The actual rating will be determined by global NCAP tests or the upcoming Bharat NCAP. 

It is worth noting that the fifth-generation Honda City received a full 5-star rating in the ASEAN NCAP crash tests. The Jazz and Amaze models also have a 4-star rating, indicating Honda’s commitment to producing safe cars. The Elevate SUV is expected to carry this tradition forward. 

Also Read: Top 10 Misses From The Honda Elevate

Safety Features in the Elevate SUV

Honda Elevate

The Honda Elevate SUV is equipped with six airbags, hill start assist, vehicle stability assist, a rear parking camera, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. It also features ADAS (advanced driving assistance system) for active safety. The ADAS includes automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam, all of which are radar-based safety technologies. 

The Honda Elevate SUV is expected to be priced around Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom) and will compete with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Citroen C3 Aircross, Skoda Kushaq, and MG Astor. The SUV is scheduled for launch in early September, and bookings are already open. 

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Group is continuing its strategic realignment of its charging and energy business

Volkswagen Group has appointed Giovanni Palazzo as the new Head of Charging and Energy to drive the strategic realignment of the charging and energy business. Palazzo, who also serves as the CEO and Head of Sales for the Elli brand, will focus on expanding the fast-charging network and advancing Volkswagen’s smart energy platform. The collaboration between Elli and Electrify America will be strengthened, new business models will be introduced internationally, and closer cooperation with Group brands and customers will be established. The strategic plan has already been presented to investors and analysts at the Capital Markets Day.

Giovanni Palazzo, Senior Vice President Volkswagen Group Charging and Energy and the CEO of Elli, stated, “Volkswagen Group has a strong foundation in charging and energy, particularly through Electrify America, the largest open charging network in the US, and Elli, the largest mobility service provider in Europe. We aim to expand this expertise throughout the value chain and focus on verticalizing the energy management business, which will be a key revenue driver in the future. This involves a new strategic direction, new business models, and closer collaboration within the division and with Volkswagen Group brands.”

Volkswagen aims to offer innovative solutions for load management, energy market optimization, and energy trading as part of its strategic orientation. The company plans to introduce intelligent charging management services for fleet customers from 2024. Giovanni Palazzo brings valuable experience from his role as the CEO of Electrify America in the North American market. Robert Barrosa has taken over as the President and CEO of Electrify America since June 1.

Thomas Schmall, Member of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management responsible for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Technology, said, “We recognized early on that charging and energy is one of the most important sectors for the growth of electric mobility and the energy transition. It is crucial to develop our own products and services across the entire value chain and establish strategic partnerships in the energy sector. With Giovanni Palazzo, we have an excellent industry expert and a modern leader who will enhance the Group’s competencies in the energy transition. As an experienced international manager, he has the skills to drive global cooperation and innovation partnerships.”

Expansion of the global fast charging network

Volkswagen already operates the largest open charging network in the US through Electrify America. The company aims to collaborate with partners to establish more than 43,000 fast-charging points in Europe, China, and North America by 2025. Electrify America plans to double the number of fast-charging points to 8,000 in North America alone. In Europe, Volkswagen’s Elli brand provides access to over 500,000 charging points as a mobility service provider. Additionally, the CAMS joint venture in China aims to build 17,000 fast-charging points by 2025. The Group will also expand its range of charging and energy services to better meet customer needs.

In addition to home chargers and flexible fast-charging stations, Volkswagen Group will offer charging and energy services such as public charging, green energy, and energy management. Some of these services are already provided by Electrify America in North America and Elli in Europe. In the long term, the Group plans to integrate electric cars as intelligent consumers and power banks within the electricity grid to contribute to the future energy system.

Charging and Energy division within Group Technology

The Charging and Energy division is one of four technology pillars of Group Technology, alongside PowerCo, Group Components, and Group Platform Business. Group Technology, created by Volkswagen two years ago, forms a unique ecosystem around electric mobility, covering all services from components for electric engines and batteries to charging and energy. Volkswagen Group Technology supports brands as a group-wide technology supplier and includes subsidiaries PowerCo and Elli. The division focuses on batteries, charging, and e-components, with PowerCo set to produce the unified cell from 2025. The Platform Business collaborates with external partners such as Ford and Mahindra.

About Elli

Elli, a Volkswagen Group brand with approximately 300 employees, caters to the interface between energy and mobility. As a part of the Group, Elli offers a wide range of energy and charging solutions in Europe and acts as a mobility service provider. Its portfolio includes charging solutions for private customers and companies, charging services, and innovative smart green electricity tariffs. Elli also provides digital solutions and services for charging in public spaces. Established in 2018, Elli has offices in Berlin, Wolfsburg, and Munich.

For more information about Giovanni Palazzo and photos related to this topic, please visit www.volkswagen-group.com or www.elli.eco.

Technology

Evolution Of The Internet: How We Got Our Most Impactful Modern Invention

The internet has come a long way and continues to evolve, offering immense possibilities for improving our lives. With the rollout of 5G networks and satellite internet, not only will internet speeds and capacity increase, but the digital divide will also be bridged, providing internet access to everyone worldwide. As infrastructure improves, real innovation can be found in new technologies and apps.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to play a major role in shaping the future of the internet. Already in its early stages, AI has proven useful for enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and automation in various domains. Blockchain technology, which goes beyond cryptocurrencies, has the potential to revolutionize industries like finance by offering secure and decentralized record-keeping and transactions, enabling transparency, efficiency, and security.

On a more personalized level, the Internet of Things (IoT) envisions a world where everyday objects are interconnected, allowing them to collect and share data. IoT applications have already been found in wearables, transportation, and healthcare. Similar to AI, this connectivity will enhance efficiency and automate daily tasks.

It is important to note that the aforementioned ideas are ongoing trends and potential directions for the internet. However, the internet has always been influenced by unforeseen advancements and societal shifts. Our way of living, working, and interacting with technology using the internet could be entirely different in the future. One consistent aspect, though, is the internet’s potential to enhance convenience, create opportunities, and broaden access to information.

Motorsport

Ford F-Series, Maverick, Toyota Tacoma Dominate Q2 2023 Truck Sales Charts

American car buyers continue to buy trucks of all sizes. The Ford F-Series is leading in sales, but not all models are as successful. Let’s take a look at the truck sales numbers so far in the second quarter of the year, covering every segment from compact to full-size.

Full-Size Trucks Sales Numbers

Model Q2 Sales % Change YTD Sales % Change
Ford F-Series 212,516 +34.0 382,893 +27.9
Chevrolet Silverado 141,299 -1.2 268,291 +1.6
Ram 117,699 0.0 223,049 -9.0
GMC Sierra 75,810 +21.6 143,008 +20.2
Toyota Tundra 32,084 N/A 59,735 +34.8
Nissan Titan 6,512 N/A 10,500 -5.9

The Ford F-Series is extending its lead over the Chevrolet Silverado in the race for America’s best-selling truck and vehicle. Ford’s pickup sales increased by 34 percent in the second quarter and 27.9 percent for the year. They also sold 4,466 electric F-150 Lightning trucks in Q2, with a total of 8,757 sold so far this year. Chevrolet saw a slight decline of 1.2 percent in Q2 sales, but they are up 1.6 percent for the year.

Ram holds the third position with 117,699 trucks sold, almost the same as Q2 2022. However, sales have decreased by nine percent. The GMC Sierra experienced a significant increase in sales over the last three months, with a 21.6 percent jump. Sierra sales are up 20.2 percent for the year. The Tundra had an even more impressive increase in the first half, with sales up by 34.8 percent so far this year. Nissan only sold 10,500 Titan pickups in the last six months, a decrease of 5.9 percent.