Tag Archives: lowcost

News

Tesla pivot threatens to blow a gap within the investor case

Leave a comment

The explosive report detailing plans inside Tesla to cancel its ‘Model 2’ low-cost electrical automotive to concentrate on a robotaxi has blown a gap within the funding case for the agency, as analysts scramble to evaluate what it means long-term.

Much of the case for investing in Tesla – the world’s Most worthy automotive maker, based mostly on its share worth – has come from CEO Elon Musk’s stratospheric progress projections for the agency: as a lot as 20 million vehicles by 2030, up from 1.81m

News

BYD Seagull may come to UK in model’s reasonably priced EV push

BYD’s UK bosses are eager for the corporate to supply the low-cost BYD Seagull electric car to British patrons.

No resolution has but been taken nonetheless on if and when the three.8-metre-long Seagull would launch within the UK, but when it does it will probably be the cheapest electric car on sale within the UK.

In China, it’s priced from the equal of £8000, a worth at which BYD is known to make the automobile profitably and nonetheless supply a spread near 200 miles.

BYD’s UK advertising boss Mark Blundell mentioned he was “keen to have it” when requested in regards to the potential UK launch of the Seagull and mentioned there was a transparent area under the BYD Dolphin hatchback within the vary for it. It is bought because the Dolphin Mini in some markets.

Blundell mentioned it was BYD’s technique to “make electric cars accessible to all” and eager pricing was a part of that. “EVs shouldn’t just be for well-off people…[we need to] have affordable EVs in the range, and need accessible EVs, not just £50, 60, 70,000 ones”.

Blundell was talking at an occasion to mark the one-year anniversary of BYD’s launch within the UK. The agency has not set any targets for UK gross sales or development however the agency, which bought extra electrical automobiles than some other automobile maker globally final yr, together with Tesla, is effectively backed, effectively funded and impressive – and development akin to that achieved by MG within the UK is conceivable over the following few years.

In the medium time period, Blundell mentioned he’d prefer to see BYD “established as a credible brand, with an established infrastructure and dealer network and to be part of the landscape” within the UK. “We need coverage in key markets and robust aftersales.”

The agency plans to go from 21 to 60 sellers within the UK by the summer season, giving good geographic protection throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Blundell was the primary workers member within the UK on BYD’s automobile aspect – it has been promoting buses within the UK for 10 years now, too – however the agency has round 40 workers now and shall be including 100 or so extra within the subsequent few months.

BYD operates a wholesale retail mannequin and retains a great inventory of automobiles to have the ability to get them to patrons rapidly; Blundell quoted a typical two-week lead time to get automobiles to patrons after orders.

Part of its capacity to maintain prices so low is by producing so many components in-house and proudly owning a lot of the logistics and provide chain; one instance given by Blundell is that the agency has lately commissioned its personal cargo ship that holds 7000 automobiles.

“We control what we can control,” he mentioned. “We’re switched onto provide chain and logistics and ‘build our own’“ in the case of elements.

That coverage will even lengthen to the agency’s new automobile European manufacturing unit in Hungary that shall be on stream subsequent yr, though Blundell mentioned it was not but determined which fashions could be constructed there.

Motorsport

The New Dacia Spring Is A Cheap And Funky EV

Renault has discovered methods to promote low cost EVs for a revenue. Its low-cost Romanian model Dacia has loved nice success with the Spring since its launch in 2022. More than 140,000 models have been offered so far. For 2024, the refreshingly primary electrical hatchback is getting a considerable makeover.

Don’t name it a next-generation mannequin because it’s extra alongside the traces of a heavy facelift, with right-hand drive lastly accessible. The exterior revisions carry the 2024 Spring according to Dacia’s newest design language seen on the new Duster SUV. There’s an excellent quantity of plastic physique cladding and sq. wheel arches to make this straightforward EV look extra rugged. The exterior tweaks actually make Europe’s least expensive EV extra fashionable in comparison with the unique model which regarded prefer it was caught within the Nineties (at finest).

There are substantial modifications inside the place the 2024 Dacia Spring has an all-new dashboard. Along with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a ten.0-inch touchscreen, the cabin now has redesigned local weather controls and a brand new search for the air vents. The up to date steering wheel has the brand new DC company emblem, and extra importantly, it could possibly now be adjusted in peak. We additionally discover a brand new gear selector together with a smartphone holder behind it.

Dacia Spring (2024)

For such a small automobile, it is fairly sensible. The entrance trunk can swallow 35 liters (1.23 cubic toes) whereas the rear cargo space has a quantity of 308 liters (six greater than earlier than) or practically 11 cubic toes. Fold the rear bench and the bags capability grows to 1,004 liters (35.5 cubic toes). Several storage compartments all through the cabin provide an additional 33 liters (1.16 cubic toes).

The packaging is respectable when you think about the Spring is barely 3,701 millimeters (145.7 inches) lengthy, 1,767 millimeters (69.5 inches) broad, 1,519 millimeters (59.8 inches) tall, and has a wheelbase of 2423 millimeters (95.4 inches). Depending on the trim degree, the wheels measure both 15 or 16 inches. These Safari Beige and Brick Red colours are debuting with the facelift.

The base Spring has solely 45 horsepower, however you may step as much as a stronger electrical motor with a mighty 65 hp. The latter helps the cheerful EV hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in lower than 14 seconds. Stick to the entry-level motor and the job is finished in underneath 20 seconds. The small 26.8-kWh battery is sweet for over 137 miles (220 kilometers) of vary and takes 45 minutes to cost from 20 to 80 p.c by way of a 30-kW DC charger. From a 7-kilowatt AC charger, you will have to attend practically 11 hours for the battery to go from 20 to 100%. It now helps bidirectional charging, so it could possibly energy your toaster or different electrical home equipment.

The vary is much from spectacular, however Dacia says it is greater than sufficient for the standard Spring person. After analyzing knowledge collected from the infotainment system of the pre-facelift mannequin, the Renault-owned marque discovered that house owners drive their vehicles for about 23 miles (37 kilometers) per day. About 90 p.c of all journeys are shorter than 43 miles (70 kilometers). Data additionally confirmed the Spring is pushed at a mean velocity of 23 mph (37 km/h) and that 75 p.c of householders cost the vehicles at dwelling.

Dacia Spring (2024)
Dacia Spring (2024)

Dacia is proud to say the Spring stays the one EV accessible in Europe that weighs underneath 1,000 kilograms (2,204 kilos). Although the brand new model has extra normal gear and higher driver help tech to satisfy European Union rules, it has placed on simply six kilograms (13 kilos). The totally loaded model within the high trim nonetheless weighs simply 984 kilograms (2,169 kilos).

The Spring will not set your pulse racing however those that need no-frills transportation at a low value with zero emissions will admire this automobile. It’s best for the city jungle and an ideal software for small outlets that ship items. Pricing for the brand new model has not been disclosed however the outdated one was round €20,000 in its home market Romania, earlier than incentives.

It’s value noting the mannequin is inbuilt China and has a Renault model often known as the City Okay-ZE. The two EVs hint their roots to the Renault Kwid launched again in 2015 with combustion engines.

Motorsport

The 2024 Dacia Duster: Hybrid Power and a Double Bed

Dacia, a low-cost Romanian brand under Renault, has seen success in Europe with its Sandero and Duster models. The Duster, now in its third generation, continues to prioritize essentials while adding sophistication to its design.

The 2024 Duster’s design is reminiscent of the Bigster concept unveiled in 2021. It features rugged enhancements such as extra plastic body cladding, beefier skid plates, a “Y” motif for the lights, and rear door handles integrated into the C-pillars. This gives the SUV a more outdoorsy look compared to its predecessor.


News

China ‘wake-up call’ prompts Nissan to rethink affordable EV plans

The electric car market is moving faster than anticipated, with the emergence of low-cost EVs from China serving as a wake-up call for traditional car manufacturers like Nissan. As a result, Nissan is reassessing its development plans and exploring ways to make its EVs more affordable.

During the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida acknowledged that EVs are becoming more affordable at a much faster rate than predicted, thanks in large part to the acceleration fueled by Chinese market developments. Uchida stated that discussions on pricing and affordability of EVs are ongoing within the company.

While there is no specific timeline for Nissan to reduce its EV prices, Uchida confirmed that the company has a plan in place. He emphasized the importance of ensuring Nissan’s cars offer good value for money rather than simply producing smaller and cheaper EVs.

Nissan Ariya front quarter cornering

Uchida refrained from commenting on whether governments should introduce tariffs on Chinese cars to promote fair competition with locally produced models. Instead, he stressed the need for Nissan to adapt its approach to EV development in order to remain competitive in each market.

China’s progress in the EV market has served as a wake-up call for Nissan, compelling the company to overhaul its development strategies and accelerate the introduction of new technologies and models to keep pace.