Tag Archives: profit

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.

Volkswagen

Brand Group Core improves operating profit, unit sales and sales revenue – increased product costs and interruptions to production impact profitability

  • Operating profit increased by 34.0 percent from January to September 2023 compared to the same period last year
  • The operating return on sales was slightly higher at 4.9 percent
  • Overall development was affected by interruptions in production and high product costs
  • Thomas Schäfer, a member of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management, emphasized the need for decisive action to improve profitability

In the first nine months of 2023, the Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Core focused on cross-brand cooperation to improve efficiency and increase cost savings. However, performance was impacted by interruptions in production and high product costs.

Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen Group Board of Management Member responsible for the Brand Group Core: Overall, the results of the Brand Group Core show that there is room for improvement both in the individual brands and as a whole. We cannot be satisfied with our current profitability, and we need to take decisive action. The challenging environment and technological transformation require even closer cooperation between our brands. By leveraging synergies and bundling our expertise, we can make the necessary investments for the future.

In the first nine months of 2023, the Brand Group Core saw a 34.0 percent increase in operating profit before special items compared to the same period last year. The operating return on sales was 4.9 percent, a slight improvement. Sales revenue also grew by 24.0 percent.

Despite the challenges, the Brand Group Core reported a 21.0 percent increase in unit sales and a 9.4 percent increase in deliveries to customers. However, the market trend for battery-electric vehicles fell short of expectations.

Patrik Andreas Mayer, CFO of the Volkswagen brand and responsible for Finance at the Brand Group Core, highlighted the effectiveness of the new steering model and the progress being made in improving performance. The long-term target for the Brand Group Core’s operating return on sales remains ambitious at 8 percent.

Key figures for the Brand Group Core:

Key financials

Jan – Sep 2023

Jan – Sep 2022

Change 23/22

Unit sales

3,574,700 vehicles

2,957,400 vehicles

+21%

Sales revenue

101.060 billion euros

81.356 billion euros

+24%

Operating profit before special items

4.985 billion euros

3.720 billion euros

+34%

Operating return on sales before special items

4.9%

4.6%

+0.3%-points

Net cash flow

3.573 billion euros

1.855 billion euros

+92.7%

The performance of the Brand Group Core is also attributed to the success of the individual brands. The Volkswagen brand, despite facing interruptions in production and higher product costs, reported an increase in unit sales and sales revenue. ŠKODA, SEAT/CUPRA, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also recorded positive results in unit sales, operating profit, and sales revenue.

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