Tag Archives: reports

Hertz Is Reducing Its EV Fleet And Selling Tesla Model 3s For Cheap

It appears the entire EV factor is not actually working for Hertz. Reuters studies the rental automotive firm is downsizing its electrical fleet, and by that, we imply chopping 20,000 vehicles from the lineup. And whereas Tesla is not the one model with EVs in use by means of Hertz, it does cowl a majority of electrical choices.

That means some offers may very well be had when you’re eager on getting a Model 3 in your storage and are not afraid of shopping for a used rental. A fast test at Hertz’s gross sales web site reveals 672 Teslas presently on the market out of 712 EVs accessible, and costs begin at simply over $20,000. The most cost-effective we discovered is a 2021 Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD, listed with 92,789 miles on the odometer with a $20,125 price ticket. There are solely three images with the itemizing, nevertheless it does not look unhealthy on the skin. And technically talking, the battery remains to be lined underneath Tesla’s 100,000-mile manufacturing unit guarantee.

The War On Buttons: Volkswagen Relents As Defenses Collapse, GTI Recaptured

Reports from the frontline point out {that a} main antagonist within the War on Buttons has suffered a crushing defeat: Volkswagen has finally relented and given the GTI again to the United Button Front (UBF).

After the defeat of Honda early in its marketing campaign in the direction of touch-sensitive buttons, consultants have lengthy speculated that the War on Buttons couldn’t final for much longer, regardless of sturdy insistence from automakers that The Buttons Were Not Okay. But as standard assist for the warfare by no means materialized, and the individuals of the Buttons wielded their pitchforks with unbelievable contempt, it was solely a matter of time till this important battle was lastly misplaced. 

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS IN 2023: A YEAR OF SUCCESS

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars studies a extremely profitable yr in 2023 with robust enterprise efficiency and Bespoke commissions at file ranges
  • Secure platform for additional progress and improvement because the marque enters its 120th yr: Charles Rolls and Henry Royce met for the primary time on 4 May 1904
  • More motor automobiles bought than ever earlier than in marque’s 119-year historical past: 6,032 delivered to purchasers world wide, all together with components of Bespoke personalisation
  • Global gross sales current a balanced image, led by North America and China
  • Year-on-year progress reported in areas together with Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Europe
  • Company’s constructive financial influence grew additional with the creation of 180 new jobs on the Home of Rolls-Royce in 2023
  • New funding introduced to extend capabilities for electrical car manufacturing, Bespoke commissions and future progress in Coachbuild actions. Planning software for extension at Goodwood web site submitted in late summer season 2023


“2023 was another extraordinary year for Rolls-Royce, with strong sales performances in all regions and across the full product portfolio. It’s especially encouraging to see the enormous interest in and demand for Spectre, supporting the decision to adopt a bold, ‘all-electric’ strategy for future model development and production. The record level of Bespoke commissions, both by volume and value, also underlines our position within the luxury sector, offering our clients opportunities for self-expression and personalisation they cannot find anywhere else.

“As incoming CEO, I’m in the extremely fortunate position of taking over responsibility for a business in robust good health, with strong foundations and a clear strategy for growth and development, formidable technical capabilities and a focused, dedicated team. I’m looking forward to working with the entire Rolls-Royce team to maintain this momentum and take this great company forward with confidence and conviction.”

Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars


NEWS SUMMARY

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars loved a extremely profitable yr in 2023, with robust gross sales and demand for its merchandise in markets worldwide, and Bespoke commissions at file ranges.

The firm’s robust efficiency was as soon as once more underpinned by the distinctiveness and variety of its provide, significantly in respect of Bespoke personalisation and the marque’s unrivalled skill to satisfy and exceed purchasers’ ever-expanding expectations. The ongoing success and progress of the marque’s Bespoke capabilities – supported by the persevering with enlargement of the marque’s worldwide Private Office community – resulted in additional and better worth Bespoke commissions than ever earlier than. Global gross sales of 6,032 motor automobiles have been in keeping with inside expectations and Rolls-Royce’s standing as a world luxurious home, moderately than a volume-driven producer. All Rolls-Royce motor automobiles are hand-built on the marque’s dwelling in Goodwood, UK and each has components of Bespoke.

While the vastly standard Wraith and Dawn fashions ceased manufacturing as deliberate in 2023, the yr was most notable for the beginning of manufacturing and gross sales of Rolls-Royce Spectre, with the very first consumer deliveries going down within the autumn. Following its triumphant public reveal in October 2022, the primary all-electric Rolls-Royce in historical past has attracted huge curiosity, significantly amongst youthful purchasers; this demand has translated into orders extending into 2025, laying a agency basis for the marque’s daring, all-electric future.

The firm’s long-term concentrate on Bespoke, and the rising ambition of consumer commissions, is mirrored within the ever-increasing scope and class of Rolls-Royce’s design, know-how, engineering and craftsmanship. During 2023, the corporate introduced substantial new funding within the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood to boost capability and capabilities for Bespoke and to assist the expansion of Coachbuild. To meet purchasers’ rising demand for more and more detailed and in depth Bespoke commissions, Rolls-Royce expanded its Private Office community additional: following Dubai, which opened in 2022, Shanghai opened in autumn 2023 and the marque confirmed its plans to open Private Offices in Seoul and North America in 2024. The international Rolls-Royce Private Office community allows a brand new stage of consumer engagement with the marque and is already delivering a big uplift in Bespoke demand.


FULL PRESS RELEASE


A WORLD-CLASS BUSINESS

Rolls-Royce loved a extremely profitable yr in 2023, with robust gross sales and demand for its merchandise in markets worldwide.

Every motor automotive hand-built on the Home of Rolls-Royce consists of some component of Bespoke, the corporate’s distinctive programme providing personalisation potentialities that are restricted solely by the consumer’s creativeness. In 2023, Bespoke commissions reached new file ranges by each worth and quantity; the technical improvements required to ship particular initiatives noticed Rolls-Royce file plenty of new patents in the course of the yr. In 2023, extra Rolls-Royce motor automobiles have been delivered to purchasers world wide than in some other yr within the marque’s 119-year historical past.

To mark 20 years of manufacturing at Goodwood, Rolls-Royce commissioned an unbiased examine into the marque’s financial influence, which calculated its complete contribution to the UK financial system at over £4 billion since 2003, and now over £500 million yearly. The firm created 180 new jobs at its Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence in 2023, whereas greater than 130 individuals joined the corporate’s Future Talent programme in Apprenticeship, Internship or Graduate Placement positions.

The marque additionally introduced plans for important new funding to modernise and improve its manufacturing amenities to boost its Bespoke and Coachbuild capabilities and assist manufacturing of its future all-electric product portfolio.

In 2023, Rolls-Royce additional enhanced its industry-leading experiential luxurious capabilities – a big progress space inside the luxurious sector. The marque’s profitable and celebrated international Private Office community, which provides purchasers a extremely personalised commissioning and possession expertise, expanded to Shanghai in 2023. This distinctive programme, which started with Private Office Dubai in July 2022 – the primary Private Office exterior the corporate’s dwelling at Goodwood, UK – provides purchasers direct entry to Rolls-Royce’s personal designers and engineers. The influence of those new worldwide Private Offices has already been important, with a marked enhance within the quantity and complexity of Bespoke commissions. This programme will probably be prolonged with two new worldwide areas in 2024.

In addition to this, the marque’s Whispers app witnessed important will increase in engagement. Reserved solely for Goodwood-era Rolls-Royce purchasers, the digital members’ membership allows customers to profit from unique merchandise and experiences chosen from the marque’s wider community inside the luxurious {industry}, additional establishing the model as a focus inside the lives of householders.

BESPOKE: FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Rolls-Royce Bespoke provides each consumer the chance to specific their character by means of their motor automotive – an unparalleled expertise that was loved by all purchasers in 2023. It is that this chance to personalise any and each facet of their motor automotive, in partnership with design and engineering specialists on the Home of Rolls-Royce, that’s driving demand for Rolls-Royce merchandise amongst its patrons worldwide. In 2023, Bespoke commissions reached new file ranges by each quantity and worth, with lots of the most creatively formidable and technically difficult originating within the Middle East.

Bespoke initiatives accomplished in 2023 included many ‘firsts’ for the marque that have been additionally technical improvements. These included the scent-release mechanism hid within the headrests of Phantom Syntopia, which integrated know-how initially developed for medical purposes, whereas many Bespoke paint finishes achieved in 2023 required fully new supplies, strategies and formulations to attain.

The yr’s commissions additionally created new alternatives in the usage of uncommon and exquisite supplies and complex craft strategies. These included: beautiful mother-of-pearl inlays for ‘The Pearl Cullinan’; hand-perforated leather-based seats for Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow; Starlight Headliners incorporating mesmerising celestial animations for Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis; and beautiful hand-painted Gallery artworks for Phantom ‘Inspired by Cinque Terre’.

A extra complete number of the yr’s Bespoke highlights will be considered here.

A LANDMARK YEAR FOR COACHBUILD 

Bespoke finds its final expression in Coachbuild, an exacting, extremely collaborative course of during which Rolls-Royce and the consumer co-create each element of the motor automotive, together with its bodily kind. In 2023, the marque unveiled Droptail, the primary true two-seater roadster to be constructed by Rolls-Royce in additional than half a century. Only 4 examples of Droptail will ever be constructed and every extremely particular person, deeply private fee redraws the boundaries for supplies, craft strategies, technical improvements, and creativity, not only for the automotive sector however the wider luxurious {industry}.

ANNUAL GLOBAL SALES RESULTS 2023

In complete, throughout greater than 50 international locations worldwide, Rolls-Royce delivered 6,032 motor automobiles to purchasers – greater than ever earlier than within the marque’s 119-year historical past.

While the primary half of the yr marked the tip of manufacturing for Rolls-Royce Wraith and Dawn as deliberate, the fourth quarter of the yr noticed the primary deliveries of Rolls-Royce Spectre, laying a basis for a daring electrical future during which the marque plans to provide solely fully-electric automobiles by the tip of 2030.

This robust gross sales efficiency must be seen within the context of Rolls-Royce’s elementary, persistently said place that it isn’t and by no means will probably be a volume-driven enterprise. As a luxurious home, its aim is to satisfy and exceed its purchasers’ expectations by constructing not simply ‘the best car in the world’, however the automotive that greatest represents them and their character. The international demand for Rolls-Royce merchandise and possession expertise displays the technical excellence, inventive aptitude and meticulous consideration to element the corporate brings to this course of, and which purchasers can discover nowhere else.

GLOBAL & REGIONAL SALES

Rolls-Royce studies gross sales progress within the majority of the markets during which it operates, with deliveries reaching new file ranges within the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Europe areas.

The USA was Rolls-Royce’s single largest market worldwide, whereas Greater China reaffirmed its standing because the marque’s second-largest market. Record gross sales have been achieved in Europe, the place the UK is the biggest single market. Supported by the Private Office Dubai, the Middle East maintained its place because the main supply of extremely elaborate and technically demanding Bespoke commissions. Record annual gross sales and year-on-year progress within the Asia-Pacific area have been fuelled by a robust efficiency in Korea, whose dynamic, vibrant financial system is mirrored in a quickly increasing luxurious market.

CULLINAN LEADS THE WAY, WITH STRONG SALES FOR ALL MODELS

As in 2022, Cullinan was probably the most requested Rolls-Royce mannequin worldwide, adopted by Ghost. Phantom continues to reign supreme because the marque’s pinnacle product.

As deliberate, in 2023 Rolls-Royce ceased manufacturing of Wraith (launched in 2013) and Dawn (2015). With Wraith’s departure from the portfolio, Rolls-Royce has now made its last-ever V12 coupé, an historic second commemorated within the imposing Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection. Released in March and restricted to only 12 examples, the Bespoke artistry seen inside these historic fashions was impressed by the world land pace information set in 1938 on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats by Captain George Eyston in Thunderbolt, a seven-tonne, eight-wheeled leviathan powered by two Rolls-Royce ‘R’ V12 aero engines.

SPECTRE 

Rolls-Royce unveiled Spectre to the world in October 2022, with manufacturing beginning in late summer season 2023 and the primary automobiles delivered to purchasers within the autumn. The first all-electric collection Rolls-Royce in historical past has attracted huge curiosity worldwide, significantly amongst youthful purchasers, setting a transparent course of journey and establishing a strong basis for the marque’s daring electrical future.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

In 2023, Rolls-Royce marked the primary 20 years of manufacturing at Goodwood by commissioning an unbiased examine into the financial influence the corporate achieves. Conducted by a workforce from the London School of Economics (LSE) the examine calculated Rolls-Royce’s complete contribution to the UK financial system at over £4 billion since 2003, and now greater than £500 million yearly.

Around a fifth of that contribution is made immediately in Chichester and West Sussex, by means of native provide chains and employment of its native workforce. There at the moment are over 2,500 individuals working on the Home of Rolls-Royce, Goodwood; 180 new jobs have been created throughout 2023 alone.


FUTURE TALENT

One of the biggest employers within the Chichester space, Rolls-Royce continues to spend money on its individuals by means of in depth ongoing coaching programmes and its Future Talent programme. Established in 2006, this programme helps greater than 100 Apprenticeships, Graduate Placements and paid Internships yearly, guaranteeing the marque’s expertise pool is at all times capable of service ongoing product and Bespoke demand. In 2023, the corporate welcomed 27 Apprentices, who will spend between two and 4 years studying specialist craft expertise alongside skilled colleagues, whereas learning for nationally recognised vocational {qualifications}. The new cohort additionally consists of Degree Apprentices, who will full their undergraduate research on the close by University of Chichester.


BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

In 2023, Rolls-Royce submitted plans for a significant new funding to modernise and improve its manufacturing amenities. The plans will improve and lengthen the marque’s Bespoke and Coachbuild capabilities in addition to assist manufacturing of its future all-electric product portfolio. This important funding represents the only largest injection of recent capital on the Home of Rolls-Royce because the web site opened in 2003. This displays the size of the transformation within the firm’s measurement, actions, industrial success and international affect within the intervening twenty years.

While over this time the present plant has seen important modifications internally – most notably going from two manufacturing traces to at least one – the constructing itself is actually the identical because it was on day one. Then, it employed round 300 individuals and produced only one motor automotive a day.

Following in depth session with native residents, in late summer season 2023 the corporate submitted a proper planning software for an extension to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood on land instantly adjoining to its present 42-acre web site. The plans take account of the positioning’s distinctive location, on the south-west nook of the historic Goodwood Estate and near the South Downs National Park boundary. Like the unique constructing, the brand new extension will probably be extremely sustainable, and largely invisible at floor stage past the positioning. Around one-third of the brand new web site will probably be landscaped, reflecting the corporate’s ongoing dedication to supporting native wildlife and biodiversity.

Volvo Cars stories new international gross sales document in 2023

Volvo Cars units a brand new international gross sales document as the corporate stories full-year gross sales of 708,716 vehicles throughout 2023, a rise of 15 per cent in contrast with the total 12 months of 2022. 

The all-time-high gross sales document is an illustration of Volvo Cars’ robust electrified product portfolio together with a extra stabilised provide chain.

Volvo Cars additionally noticed a big improve in gross sales for its electrified vehicles. Last 12 months, Volvo Cars bought 113,419 absolutely electrical vehicles, a rise of 70 per cent in contrast with 2022, and 152,561 plug-in hybrid vehicles, which was a ten per cent improve in contrast with 2022. Sales of absolutely electrical vehicles accounted for 16 per cent of all Volvo vehicles bought globally throughout 2023. 

For the month of December, Volvo Cars bought 76,015 vehicles globally, a rise of 5 per cent in contrast with the identical interval in 2022. 

European gross sales reached 294,794 vehicles throughout 2023, a rise of 19 per cent in contrast with 2022. Volvo Cars’ line-up of Recharge vehicles, with a completely electrical or plug-in hybrid powertrain, accounted for 59 per cent of all of the vehicles bought within the area final 12 months.

Volvo Cars’ US gross sales for 2023 amounted to 128,701 vehicles, up 26 per cent in contrast with the total 12 months of 2022. The variety of Recharge vehicles bought elevated by 28 per cent and accounted for 28 per cent of all vehicles bought within the US in the course of the 12 months.

Sales in China grew 5 per cent in contrast with 2022, leading to 170,091 vehicles bought throughout 2023. Overall, gross sales of Recharge vehicles grew 26 per cent in the course of the January-to-December interval. 

For 2023, the Volvo XC60 was the top-selling mannequin with gross sales reaching 228,646 vehicles (2022: 195,338 vehicles), adopted by the XC40 with whole gross sales of 200,670 vehicles (2022: 169,206 vehicles), and the XC90 at 107,549 vehicles (2022: 97,130 vehicles).

             
 

December

December

Jan-Dec

Jan-Dec

 
 

2023

2022

Change

2023

2022

Change

             

Europe

34,726

33,407

4%

294,794

247,413

19%

Recharge

18,933

22,661

-17%

172,575

135,714

27%

 – Fully electrical

8,920

10,579

-16%

75,476

45,690

65%

 – Plug-in hybrid

10,013

12,082

-17%

97,099

90,024

8%

             

China

15,944

16,950

-6%

170,091

162,322

5%

Recharge

1,715

1,933

-11%

15,356

12,215

26%

 – Fully electrical

249

777

-68%

3,281

2,999

9%

 – Plug-in hybrid

1,466

1,156

27%

12,075

9,216

31%

             

US

13,609

11,111

23%

128,701

102,038

26%

Recharge

3,232

3,202

1%

35,657

27,909

28%

 – Fully electrical

686

1,132

-39%

13,609

7,308

86%

 – Plug-in hybrid

2,546

2,070

23%

22,048

20,601

7%

             

Other

11,736

11,195

5%

115,130

103,348

11%

Recharge

4,581

4,030

14%

42,392

29,514

44%

 – Fully electrical

2,415

2,100

15%

21,053

10,752

96%

 – Plug-in hybrid

2,166

1,930

12%

21,339

18,762

14%

             

Total

76,015

72,663

5%

708,716

615,121

15%

Recharge

28,461

31,826

-11%

265,980

205,352

30%

 – Fully electrical

12,270

14,588

-16%

113,419

66,749

70%

 – Plug-in hybrid

16,191

17,238

-6%

152,561

138,603

10%

 

How New York’s New MLS Stadium Plans To Go Fully Electric

The United Nations Environment Programme reports, “Building and managing a sport facility and operating an event uses energy and can contribute to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation, as well as to ozone-layer depletion, habitat and biodiversity loss, soil erosion and water pollution.”

In 2016, FIFA confirmed its pledge to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN FCCC) during COP26 to produce net zero emissions by 2040. In line with this, FIFA promoted the Qatar World Cup as the first climate-neutral tournament in 2022. However, a year later, Reuters cited reports from the Swiss Fairness Commission, which claimed FIFA’s carbon neutrality claims during the 2022 World Cup were misleading. Carbon Market Watch estimated that the total carbon footprint of permanent stadiums constructed in Qatar could have amounted to 1.6 MtCO2e, eight times more than initially reported.

Among professional sports arenas, per Forbes, the Climate Pledge Arena became the first arena in the world to earn net zero carbon certification in 2023. Certified by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), the home of the Seattle Krakens required a massive overhaul in its design to achieve this, such as ripping out natural gas piping and reinventing its cooling and heating processes.

By proving that fully electric stadiums are possible, NYCFC could potentially provide a framework for how to successfully build communities around sustainable sports arenas from scratch.

Challenges in the Battle for Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been facing negative publicity due to instances of electrical fires in garages and after accidents, as well as concerns about the environmental impact of mining rare-earth metals for EV batteries.

The safety issues with lithium-ion batteries catching fire during charging or transport are primarily associated with batteries that have been physically damaged. However, these incidents have left a lasting impression on potential buyers, with images of burnt Teslas and smoking cargo ships influencing their perceptions. Additionally, changes to the federal EV tax credit will reduce the financial incentives for purchasing EVs in the future, further dampening interest in these vehicles.

The decline in consumer enthusiasm for EVs has prompted some manufacturers to delay their EV rollout plans. For example, Tesla’s Cybertruck, initially unveiled in 2019, has faced multiple production delays, with customers now having to wait until at least 2024 to get their hands on the futuristic, supposedly bulletproof EV. General Motors has also adjusted its EV production timeline, delaying the conversion of its Orion plant to EV production from next year to 2025.

A GM spokesperson, Kevin Kelley, mentioned to the Detroit Free Press that the decision to postpone the plant conversion was influenced by the decreasing customer interest in EVs, stating, “We’re looking at EV demand, and the trendline for EVs is stabilizing. It is not rising as fast as originally forecasted.” This shift in customer interest has had a significant impact on automakers’ EV plans.

Volvo Cars’ sales up 10 per cent in October

Volvo Cars experienced its 14th consecutive month of growth, with global sales reaching 59,861 cars in October, representing a 10 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was primarily driven by the company’s fully electric cars.

From January to October 2023, Volvo Cars sold a total of 569,019 cars, which is 18 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2022.

In October, 36 per cent of all Volvo cars sold globally were electrified Recharge models with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain. Sales of fully electric cars grew by 29 per cent compared to the same period last year, accounting for 18 per cent of total sales, up from 12 per cent in October 2022.

In Europe, sales grew to 24,892 cars in October, an increase of 13 per cent compared to the same month last year. Recharge cars accounted for 55 per cent of total sales in the region.

In the United States, Volvo Cars’ sales grew by 19 per cent in October compared to the same month last year, with 11,296 cars sold. Sales of fully electric cars grew by 49 per cent, and Recharge models made up 27 per cent of all cars sold in the US during October.

In China, sales remained flat in October compared to the same period last year, amounting to 15,041 cars. However, Recharge cars showed a growth of 27 per cent in the Chinese market.

In terms of specific models, the Volvo XC60 was the top-selling model in October, with sales reaching 20,212 units. This was followed by the XC40 with total sales of 17,022 cars, and the XC90 with 7,961 cars sold.

October

October

Jan-Oct

Jan-Oct

2023

2022

Change

2023

2022

Change

Europe

24,892

22,030

13%

233,661

188,046

24%

Recharge

13,663

14,287

-4%

138,989

95,601

45%

– Fully electric

7,009

6,172

14%

59,775

26,746

123%

– Plug-in hybrid

6,654

8,115

-18%

79,214

68,855

15%

China

15,041

15,048

0%

138,969

132,792

5%

Recharge

1,166

917

27%

12,298

9,168

34%

– Fully electric

237

80

196%

2,768

2,025

37%

– Plug-in hybrid

929

837

11%

9,530

7,143

33%

US

11,296

9,478

19%

103,421

81,694

27%

Recharge

3,041

2,528

20%

29,387

21,943

34%

– Fully electric

1,240

835

49%

12,083

5,100

137%

– Plug-in hybrid

1,801

1,693

6%

17,304

16,843

3%

Other

8,632

7,761

11%

92,968

80,772

15%

Recharge

3,473

2,265

53%

33,897

21,860

55%

– Fully electric

2,003

1,061

89%

16,492

6,646

148%

– Plug-in hybrid

1,470

1,204

22%

17,405

15,214

14%

Total

59,861

54,317

10%

569,019

483,304

18%

Recharge

21,343

19,997

7%

214,571

148,572

44%

– Fully electric

10,489

8,148

29%

91,118

40,517

125%

– Plug-in hybrid

10,854

11,849

-8%

123,453

108,055

14%

‘Succession’ & ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ Star Alan Ruck Crashes Rivian R1T Into Hollywood Pizza Shop

Alan Ruck, known for his roles in “Succession” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” was involved in an incident where he crashed a Rivian R1T electric pickup truck into a pizza shop in Hollywood. The police questioned Ruck following the crash, and reports suggest that he was seen using his mobile phone near the truck after the accident. On November 1, KTLA 5 confirmed through the California Department of Motor Vehicles that Ruck was indeed the one driving the EV at the time of the accident. Unfortunately, no further details were provided. The damaged truck has already been removed, and the damaged wall has been boarded up.

Pictures taken at the scene reveal the Rivian R1T perched on a pile of bricks and debris. The presence of yellow brake calipers in one of the images suggests that Ruck might have been driving the quad-motor version of the electric pickup, which boasts an impressive 835 horsepower and 908 ft-lbs of torque.

It is worth mentioning that Rivian’s electric vehicles come with the company’s Driver+ platform as a standard feature. This platform includes various driver assistance technologies such as lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, parking assistance, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Rivian emphasizes on its website that the Driver+ platform is meant to support drivers but does not replace their attention, judgment, and responsibility for controlling the vehicle.

Mercedes G-Class Junior Speculatively Rendered, Coming Later This Decade

Mercedes recently confirmed that they are working on a smaller off-roader that will be a downsized version of the popular G-Class. Dubbed the “Little G” by company CEO Ola Källenius, this new model is expected to be available for purchase in the latter half of the decade. While it will be an electric vehicle, there may also be options for internal combustion engine versions.

In the meantime, we’ve taken a stab at imagining what the junior version of the Geländewagen might look like. Based on Mercedes’ teaser image, which depicted a boxy SUV with a rear-mounted spare wheel, it’s clear that the petite G will maintain the iconic shape of its larger counterpart. Our speculative design exercise takes inspiration from the EQ-branded models and incorporates some of their distinctive design cues.

Volvo Cars sales increase by 18% in August

Volvo Cars has reported a global sales increase of 18% in August, with a total of 51,636 cars sold. This growth can be attributed to strong sales performance in both Europe and the US.

 

In the year-to-date, Volvo Cars has sold a total of 447,492 cars, which marks an 18% increase compared to the same period last year.

 

The company’s Recharge models, which include fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, accounted for 33% of global sales in August. Specifically, fully electric vehicles made up 13% of total sales. Sales of Recharge cars have grown significantly by 78% compared to the same time last year.

 

In Europe, Volvo Cars experienced a 46% increase in sales, with a total of 16,051 cars sold in August. Recharge models made up 63% of sales in the region, while fully electric cars accounted for 26%.

 

Sales in the US also saw a notable growth of 31% in August, with a total of 10,644 cars sold. The company sold 2,673 Recharge cars in the US during this period, representing a substantial increase of 94% compared to last year.

 

However, sales in China declined by 8% in August, with 15,760 cars sold. Despite this, Volvo Cars has experienced a 5% overall sales growth in China for the January-August period, with a total of 108,468 cars sold.

 

Globally, the best-selling model for Volvo Cars remains the XC60, with a total of 16,476 cars sold in August. This is followed by the XC40 with 13,942 cars sold and the Volvo XC90 with 8,319 cars sold.

 

 

August

August

 

Jan-Aug

Jan-Aug

 
 

2023

2022

Change

2023

2022

Change

             

Europe

16,051

10,995

46%

183,280

146,658

25%

Recharge

10,182

5,772

95%

111,727

70,113

59%

 – Fully electric

4,216

1,454

190%

46,545

15,502

200%

 – Plug-in hybrid

5,966

3,769

58%

65,182

54,611

19%

             

China

15,760

17,179

-8%

108,468

102,899

5%

Recharge

1,125

1,337

-16%

9,860

7,194

37%

 – Fully electric

200

492

-59%

2,254

1,720

31%

 – Plug-in hybrid

925

845

10%

7,606

5,474

39%

             

US

10,644

8,136

31%

81,179

65,589

24%

Recharge

2,673

961

94%

23,294

14,135

28%

 – Fully electric

859

206

317%

9,717

4,111

136%

 – Plug-in hybrid

1,814

1,174

55%

13,577

12,961

-4%

             

Other

9,181

7,356

25%

74,565

64,485

16%

Recharge

3,025

1,642

84%

27,244

17,586

55%

 – Fully electric

1,386

342

305%

12,908

4,964

160%

 – Plug-in hybrid

1,640

1,300

26%

14,336

12,622

14%

             

Total

51,636

43,666

18%

447,492

379,631

18%

Recharge

17,005

9,582

78%

172,125

113,139

52%

 – Fully electric

6,660

2,494

167%

71,424

26,297

172%

 – Plug-in hybrid

10,345

7,088

46%

100,701

86,842

16%