Adam Opel established his namesake firm in Rüsselsheim, Germany, simply 30 miles southwest of Frankfurt. Founded in 1862 to make stitching machines, Opel branched into bicycle manufacturing in 1886 after securing a bit of the German market.
In 1899, Opel’s son, Wilhelm, purchased Friedrich Lutzmann’s Motorwagenfabrik (motor automotive manufacturing unit) and began constructing automobiles underneath the Opel identify. By 1907, Opel was making stitching machines and automobiles alongside one another in its manufacturing unit. However, a hearth burned down the manufacturing unit in 1911, inflicting the corporate to cease operations. When it resumed manufacturing, Opel determined to cease making stitching machines and targeted all its efforts on vehicles.
By 1928, Opel was the biggest German automaker, with 37.5% of the native market share, in response to Detroit Free Press. However, the Great Depression in 1929 hit Opel onerous, and General Motors ended up buying 80% of the corporate for underneath $26 million (about $472 million in the present day). By 1931, GM purchased Opel’s remaining 20% of its shares, making it a fully-owned GM subsidiary.
However, regardless of being a fantastic success for GM within the Nineties, GM Europe, which had Opel underneath its belt, was shedding about $1 billion yearly within the 2010s. So, after practically 90 years underneath its care, GM sold Opel (and Vauxhall) to Groupe PSA in 2017. With the latter’s merger with FCA, Opel is now underneath the Stellantis umbrella, placing it alongside different iconic manufacturers resembling Alfa Romeo, Jeep, and Maserati.
Chinese electric car maker Xpeng has launched in Germany, starting a European growth technique that may take it into France, Italy and the UK by the top of this yr.
Xpeng will start promoting the G9 SUV and P7 saloon in Germany from May, though it does not plan to deliver the duo to the UK. British consumers will as an alternative be supplied the G6 crossover in right-hand-drive kind.
The 4753mm-long G6 sits on Xpeng’s new SEPA 2.0 platform, which integrates know-how akin to an 800V electrical structure that permits for DC rapid-charging at charges of as much as 480kW.
In China, The Tesla Model Y rival is priced from ¥209,900 (£22,900) in single-motor, rear-wheel-drive kind. The extra highly effective dual-motor, four-wheel-drive mannequin begins at ¥276,900 (£30,200).
UK costs are anticipated to be considerably greater, nonetheless, after elements akin to import responsibility, homologation and logistics are taken into consideration.
Battery selections are a 66kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) and a 87.5kWh lithium ion pack, which give 360 and 469 miles of vary respectively on the Chinese CLTC check. This is often extra beneficiant than the WLTP check used for the UK market.
“It comes down to economics,” stated Xpeng president Brian Gu of the choice to restricted right-hand-drive improvement to new fashions. “We don’t want to go back to old models; we want the latest technology.”
Gu stated different fashions on the SEPA platform can be developed with right-hand-drive to allow Xpeng to focus on the UK and different RHD markets.
The firm to date has caught to the extra conventional gross sales of mannequin of signing up seller teams, moderately than promoting to prospects immediately. The identical method will possible apply to the UK as effectively.
Xpeng is one among crop of a brand new EV makers in China that has adopted the Tesla mannequin of constructing digital-focused EVs with excessive ranges of propriety know-how.
ID.Buzz manufacturing moved from US to Germany for cost-saving.
Demand for ID.Buzz is excessive, says Volkswagen.
German manufacturing could impression pricing, no tax credit score for US patrons.
The extremely anticipated, retro-cool Volkswagen ID.Buzz electrical van will apparently not be constructed within the US like it was originally planned. According to a current report by Automotive News Europe, the German big lastly determined to consolidate manufacturing of its battery-powered minivan at just one location for price optimization.
ID.Buzz manufacturing will due to this fact stay at Volkswagen Group’s Hanover facility, the place the van has been constructed since its European launch in 2022. But what is going to this imply for US shoppers? Will a German-built bus jack up costs? Volkswagen appears assured that the price will remain competitive.
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz has been stretched and improved for the United States, however it is going to be an extended wait earlier than you should purchase one.
Very Strong Demand, But Consumers Are Becoming Impatient
Volkswagen
I admit that the ID.Buzz is likely one of the coolest merchandise to have been launched in years. It must also entice new varieties of clients to the EV area. I’m not the one one wanting ahead to this factor. According to Pablo Di Si, head of VW’s American arm, demand is so excessive for the ID.Buzz, that the carmaker did not even create a reservation system for it.
Di Si informed Automotive News that he believes demand for ID.Buzz will exceed provide, which may have a damaging impression on supply delays. I imagine that hype. I do know just a few folks in my direct setting who’ve been ready for this factor for the reason that authentic concepts were spotted out on the street.
While there isn’t any instant risk of a competitor in sight that might come steal its lunch cash, the ID.Buzz is however testing the persistence of North-American shoppers. Originally scheduled for a launch this summer as a 2024 model, the van will now solely arrive on our market on the finish of the 12 months as a 2025 mannequin, as per Volkswagen.
As a reminder, the US-spec ID.Buzz will probably be bought uniquely as an extended wheelbase mannequin. Only one battery will energy it; a 91-kWh (usable) unit, opposite to the short-wheelbase mannequin’s 82-kWh battery. VW estimates the rear-wheel drive ID.Buzz will probably be good for 260 miles of vary, whereas all-wheel drive variations will convey that quantity barely all the way down to 252 miles.
It’s apparent that German manufacturing will have an effect on the van’s worth. While nothing has but been launched for the North-American market on the matter, Volkswagen is outwardly presently in talks with its sellers to debate a technique that will not flip shoppers off.
Remember, whereas hip and funky, the ID.Buzz stays a minivan, a class of auto that usually targets middle-class households. Get the pricing incorrect, and you may lose gross sales to widespread reasonably priced fashions just like the Kia Carnival and Toyota Sienna.
“What’s the market willing to pay? What’s a fair return for the dealers? What’s a fair return for us? It needs to be balanced,” – Di Si informed Automotive News.
Volkswagen
One factor’s for sure, as a result of it will be imported, the ID.Buzz will not be eligible for the $7,500 U.S. federal tax credit score for electrical autos (EVs). This means VW might want to financial institution on the automobile’s recognition to repair a worth ladder that might, to start with, have it eat money to maintain these orders coming in. Just by seeing how madly widespread this automobile is, one thing tells me that it will not be too troublesome to tug off.
The first all-electric property automobile from Volkswagen can now be configured in Germany at costs beginning at 54,795 euros
The electrical enterprise and leisure all-rounder provides area for 5 folks with as much as 605 litres of bags. Maximum load capability: as much as 1,714 litres
Launching first because the ID.7 Tourer Pro with a 77 kW battery, 210 kW (286 PS) output, quick 175 kW DC charging and a spread of as much as 607 km (WLTP)
Volkswagen is driving ahead its main product offensive within the mid-sized class with pre-sales of the brand new ID.7 Tourer. Following the brand new ID.7 fastback saloon, new Passat and new Tiguan, the primary all-electric Volkswagen estate-car is already the fourth new mid-sized mannequin in just some months. The enterprise and leisure all-rounder can now be configured and ordered at costs beginning at 54,795 euros. As one in every of just some producers, Volkswagen is current on the European market with three property fashions within the essential higher mid-sized class: the sporty Arteon Shooting Brake, the utterly newly developed Passat Variant and the ID.7 Tourer. With this mannequin vary, Volkswagen provides all related drive sorts within the mid-sized class and thus a very good selection for purchasers.
Range of as much as 607 km. The ID.7 Tourer was designed particularly for the European market. At the beginning of pre-sales, the electrical Volkswagen might be configured because the ID.7 Tourer Pro with a 210 kW (286 PS) electrical drive and a battery with an vitality content material of 77 kWh (internet). The WLTP vary is as much as 607 km. The ID.7 Tourer Pro has a prime pace of as much as 180 km/h and may take new vitality on board with a capability as much as 175 kW at DC quick-charging stations. With this energy, the battery might be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in about 28 minutes.
Maximum use of area. With a load capability of as much as 1,714 litres, the brand new ID.7 Tourer is without doubt one of the most spacious electrical vehicles in the marketplace. Even with 5 folks on board, a baggage compartment quantity of as much as 605 litres is out there (rear bench seat backrest in cargo place). As the massive wheelbase of two,971 mm nearly utterly advantages the inside, the general size of the ID.7 Tourer of 4,961 mm means there’s above-average legroom within the rear.
Extensive customary tools. The base value of 54,795 euros features a two-zone automated air conditioner with clever vents, the infotainment system with touchscreen in pill format (diagonal: 38 cm, 15 inches) together with App-Connect Wireless for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an augmented actuality head-up show, the IDA voice assistant, cell phone interface, 4 USB-C interfaces, background lighting (10 colors), anti-theft alarm, seat heating within the entrance, baggage compartment partition internet, LED headlights and LED tail gentle clusters, electrically folding exterior mirrors, encompass lighting together with emblem projection by way of exterior mirror housings and illuminated door deal with recesses, the keyless locking and beginning system Keyless Access, rain sensor, black roof rails (75 kg roof load) and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Assist programs on board as customary. All variations of the ID.7 Tourer are geared up with help programs such because the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) together with Lane Assist (lane preserving system), Side Assist (lane change system), the Car2X hazard warning system, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Rear View (rear view digital camera system) and Light Assist (main-beam management).
Simple individualisation by way of tools packages. The ID.7 Tourer might be customised in just some steps by way of non-obligatory tools packages.
An instance is the Comfort package deal: this combines options comparable to a three-zone automated air conditioner (Air Care Climatronic), navigation system, inductive charging interface for smartphones and windscreen heating.
The Assist System package deal moreover consists of Connected Travel Assist (assisted driving) and progressive programs for assisted parking.
The Interior package deal Plus consists of, amongst different issues, 30-colour background lighting, electrically adjustable ergoActive consolation seats within the entrance (with therapeutic massage programmes and lively air-con), seat centre panels in ArtVelours Eco microfleece within the entrance and on the outer rear seats, in addition to a Harman Kardon sound system with a complete output of 700 watts.
The Exterior package deal Plus with Smart Glass provides a big panoramic sunroof as an progressive element. The glass layers of this good glass might be electronically switched between opaque or clear. Among different issues, this package deal additionally consists of DCC adaptive chassis management, IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, Dynamic Light Assist (main-beam management) and LED tail gentle clusters with dynamic flip indicators. Optionally illuminated Volkswagen badges on the entrance and rear spherical off the looks of the ID.7 Tourer.
New Wellness In-Car App. The Wellness In-Car App can be utterly new. This permits synchronised adjustment of varied automobile capabilities by way of three preconfigured programmes (Fresh Up, Calm Down and Power Break) to reinforce well-being on board. Depending on the automobile tools, the app accesses the background lighting, sound, air-con, Smart Glass perform, seat heating, automated seat air-con and seat therapeutic massage perform.
State-of-the-art Volkswagen plant in Germany. The ID.7 Tourer and the ID.7 fastback saloon are produced on the Volkswagen plant in Emden within the north of Germany.
Munich. Starting at the moment, BMW prospects in France and Germany can activate the Personal eSIM of their car with Transatel’s Ubigi 5G information plans to get pleasure from further infotainment options and WiFi connectivity, regardless of their major community operator for his or her common smartphone subscription. The service will likely be out there for BMW autos with BMW Operating System 8, 8.5 and 9 with the choice Personal eSIM (SA6PA). Depending on the car mannequin, the Personal eSIM permits the in-vehicle WiFi-Hotspot, first-row video streaming providers and within the case of seven sequence autos outfitted with the BMW Theatre Screen, all kinds of leisure powered by Amazon Fire TV.
Following Germany and France, the service will quickly be rolled out to different European nations, too. To activate it in eligible BMW autos, house owners can conveniently configure their Personal eSIM by the My BMW App and subscribe to Ubigi’s European information plans (EU 27 + UK + CH). Cost of the service is €10 per thirty days for limitless information allowance*.
Dr. Céline Laurent-Winter, Vice President Connected Vehicle Platforms at BMW Group: “The partnership with Ubigi now offers our customers additional flexibility connecting their vehicle with an unlimited data plan. This enables even more digital content in our BMW fleet.”
“Since 2018, our footprint in the connected car industry has been significantly growing and we look forward to our extended connectivity partnership with BMW Group in the coming years,” stated Jacques Bonifay, CEO of NTT DATA’s world MVNO Transatel.
* Fair Use Policy with 100 GB excessive pace and roaming in 27 nations in Europe
Spies have spotted two upcoming cars from the Volkswagen Group being tested in Germany: the next-generation Audi S5 Sportback and the VW Golf facelift.
This is AM Drive, Motor1’s daily look at the news you need before you get in your car.
2025 Audi S5 Sportback Seen Refueling Before Test Run At The Nordschleife
Audi is taking its time with the next generation of its midsize cars, as the new A4/A5 seems to have been in testing for years. A new spy video, shot at and around the Nürburgring, shows prototypes of the hotter S5 in Sportback form. It seems to have all the production body panels in place, along with the final lights. Despite the full disguise, we’re getting the feeling this will be an attractive car.
You may not have the option to choose between an S4 Sedan or an S5 Sportback anymore, as the former is expected to be discontinued. There are rumors that Audi won’t be producing another traditional sedan, meaning you’ll have to go for the more practical hatchback/liftback body style. In fact, there won’t be an A4 at all, as the alphanumeric designation will be reserved for a future EV. As a result, today’s wagon will become the A5 Avant, and consequently, there will be S5 Avant and RS5 Avant models. It sounds unusual, doesn’t it?
Our spies from Germany sent us the first batch of spy photos of the next-generation Audi Q3 in September this year. The prototype was spied testing on public roads with a fully camouflaged body and had its production panels and lights fitted already. Now, we’re trying to unhide the crossover completely through these exclusive renderings.
As opposed to the more conventionally designed 2024 A5 Avant, the new Q3 will come with a radical redesign of its front fascia compared to the outgoing model. The Singleframe octagonal radiator grille will be slightly smaller since there will be more plastic around the area separating the grille from the lower air intake. The panel will also feature a new pattern with overlapping U-shaped motifs. This won’t be the largest change though, as two big rectangular headlights will sit on the two corners of the bumper acting as the low and high beams.
New photos of a Grandland being tested in Germany show that it’s similar to the current car, with a family-friendly size and a sloping roofline.
The front end’s ‘Vizor’ design seems to have been updated to match the sleek design on the Astra.
This prototype features a new take on the ‘Compass’ motif from Vauxhall’s innovative Experimental concept, with creases on the bonnet and bumper representing north and south, and LED daytime running lights forming east and west.
The Grandland will be manufactured in Eisenach, Germany, after a €130 million (£110 million) investment to prepare the Opel factory there for producing electric cars.
Opel and Vauxhall CEO Florian Huettl confirmed at September’s Munich motor show that the STLA Medium will be one of two architectures used for future electric models
He also suggested that the Grandland – as well as the smaller Crossland – might receive a new name.
The new Grandland is expected to be released in late 2024, seven years after the original model was launched and three years after it was facelifted.
Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker certified for SAE Level 3 hands-free driving in the United States. This certification allows drivers to use Mercedes’ Drive Pilot system, which offers a Level 3 of Autonomous Driving. This means that drivers can technically text, watch videos, and interact with passengers without having to watch the road or keep their hands on the steering wheel. The Drive Pilot system is more sophisticated and offers more freedom compared to other ADAS options like the Tesla Autopilot. However, it still comes with regulations and limitations. Let’s explore the details of Mercedes-Benz’s hands-free driving technology.
Understanding The Subtle Differences
Mercedes’ Drive Pilot feature allows drivers to completely disengage while the car drives itself. Unlike Level 2 autonomous driving, which requires the driver to remain physically involved, the Drive Pilot enables drivers to let the car drive without any physical input. The system operates at up to 40mph on certain sections of the highway, following traffic signs and maneuvering around other vehicles as necessary. If the driver fails to take control of the vehicle after multiple warnings, the vehicle will stop, engage hazard lights, call emergency services, and unlock the doors for first responders.
It’s Like An Overprotective Parent, But For Your Car
The Drive Pilot system employs cautionary methods to ensure safety. The system gradually alerts the driver through various signals and vibrations as a warning to regain control of the vehicle. To enhance safety, Mercedes equipped the Drive Pilot system with a variety of technology and accessories including lidar, radars, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and a positioning system. To warn other drivers and pedestrians, Mercedes initially wanted to use a turquoise color on the exterior of the vehicle when autonomous mode is activated, but U.S. regulations limit the use of colors to white, amber, and red on passenger vehicles.
It Comes With A Fair Share Of Twists, Nuances, And Limitations
Despite being a milestone in autonomous driving, the Drive Pilot system still has limitations and regulations. It can only be activated on mapped highways, in daylight, and when traffic is below 40 mph. It does not engage on city or country roads, construction zones, during heavy rain or fog, on flooded roads, or under any weather conditions that may affect its performance. Mercedes is working to expand the system’s capabilities to operate in more conditions and at higher speeds. Currently, the Drive Pilot system is available on the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan and Mercedes S-Class models, starting at $104,400 and $114,500 respectively. The system requires a $2,500 annual subscription fee payable through dealerships in Nevada and California.
Motorcycle sales in Germany and across Europe have experienced a significant increase in 2023. Sales data from Germany reveals that the motorcycle market is at its highest point in five years, with 2023 being the best year for multiple manufacturers in terms of sales. The introduction of new models in the market has contributed to the growing demand, leading to more people buying motorcycles.
German motorcycling publication Motorrad references data from the KBA (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt), which indicates that the German motorcycle market has been very strong in 2023. From January to August, a total of 102,152 motorcycles have been newly registered, marking a 16 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022. In 2022, there were only 88,050 new registrations, while in 2021, which was a year of recovery, there were 94,808 new registrations between January and August.
Naturally, motorcycle manufacturers in the country are extremely pleased with this positive trend. KTM, for example, has seen a remarkable 27.9 percent increase in sales so far in 2023. Meanwhile, BMW continues to enjoy significant success, especially with its best-selling model, the R 1250 GS. In August 2023 alone, 670 new R 1250 GS bikes were sold. With the upcoming launch of the all-new R 1300 GS, it is expected that BMW’s sales will soar even higher.
Among all the brands, Honda has particularly achieved great success. It has registered a remarkable 80.3 percent sales growth in 2022, securing the top spot in terms of market share for all motorcycles in the German market. The brand’s success can be attributed to its new 750cc models, namely the CB750 Hornet and the Honda Transalp XL750. In terms of best-selling models for August 2023, the Hornet ranks second with 385 units sold, while the Transalp sits in fifth place with 209 sold. In total, Honda sold an impressive 2,005 motorcycles in August 2023, with the CB650R and CBR650R also contributing to driving sales.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
