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Category: Automotive

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Auto and Car news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • MG eZS Electric SUV Will Be Made In India

    MG eZS Electric SUV Will Be Made In India

    MG Motor has announced that it will be manufacturing its pure electric SUV, the MG eZS, in India, at its plant in Halol, Gujarat. The MG eZS will be one of the first ever fully electric SUVs in India when it is launched. The eZS will be MG’s second launch in India after the upcoming MG Hector. The company further said that its electric vehicles will get over-the-air (OTA) technology and would go over 300 km in a single charge from its lithium-ion battery. MG is yet to announce the exact specifications for the eZS.

    By the end of 2019, MG Will have a total of 120 sales and service outlets across India and the company said it will also reach out to Indian target audience and educate them about electric vehicles and look to address issues such as range anxiety and charging infrastructure. Like the MG Hector, the eZS will also feature MG’s iSmart Next-Gen connected technology.

    “The MG eZS, as one of the first locally produced global EVs, will mark a new chapter in environment-friendly mobility in India. We are delighted to be one of the first carmakers to enter this space in India. We aim to bring accessible electric motoring to the customers in India upon its introduction by the end of this year,” said Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India.

    Till date, MG Motor India has made an investment of ₹ 2,200 crores at its Halol plant. The company has installed an all-new assembly line, a press shop, a body shop, a parts distribution center, a testing track along with a new training facility in the plant. MG has also set up a vendor park in and around the plant so as to increase the localization content for upcoming MG models.

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  • Important Things To Remember About A Car Accident?

    Important Things To Remember About A Car Accident?

    Getting into a car accident is a scary and stressful situation. The aftermath can be overwhelming. Yet it is crucial to remember the important things that need to be done following a car accident. Listed below are a few helpful tips that you should do after a car accident.

    Stay there

    First of all, leaving the scene of an accident is never recommended. Both drivers are required to stay until the police arrive to take their statements. While waiting for the police, drivers need to block off the area as best they can. The two most common options are leaving the cars’ flashers on and using flares to direct other drivers away from the accident. It never hurts to have a flashlight available in case a car’s lights aren’t operational. 

    Take snapshots

    If there are damages to one or both cars, pictures of the damage should be taken. However, care should be taken when capturing these pictures. No personal information should be revealed in pictures. And while drivers need to know each other’s contact information, there is no need to allow photos of one’s driver’s license to be taken. 

    Full disclosure

    Once the police do arrive all of their questions need to be answered honestly and thoroughly. Leaving out any information can cast suspicion if the accident results in legal action. Any potential injuries should be brought to the attention of the police. It is never a good idea to deny having any injuries when some may not appear until hours later. 

    Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid declaring guilt. This is something that will be decided later on, by a judge. No one involved in an accident should admit that it was their fault. 

    Immediately following a car accident, the appropriate form needs to be filled out. What the form asks for will vary from one state to the next. In many states, drivers involved in an accident are required to let the insurance company know about. It is best to say no if the other driver suggests handling the accident on their own. 

    Report to the insurance company

    Any insurance company is going to need to know about a car accident as soon as possible. Ideally, it is best to call the insurance company while still at the accident site. Reporting what happened while it is still fresh in one’s mind will make the report more accurate. Many insurance policies cover the cost of any medical bills incurred from an accident. Any amount that it doesn’t cover is then transferred to the driver’s health insurance. 

    Yet often, insurance covering damages and medical bills isn’t enough. This is why car accidents can and do lead to large cash settlements for the victims. According to Justin Kimball of Preszler Law, the categories for auto accident injuries and their respective caps for eligible compensations are “minor,” $3.5k, “non-minor,” $50k, and “catastrophic,” $1 million. It is important to consult with an attorney when determining what category a particular case falls into. They will be able to obtain and share that information with their client. This is an important step in the process and one that should never be overlooked. 

    Submitting the medical records from accident-related injuries to a lawyer is a crucial step in the process. It gives them the information they need to ask for an appropriate settlement, based on the level of injuries incurred. 

    A lawyer will be able to organize the paperwork needed to show in court. The many technical aspects of a car accident can be confusing to the victim. An attorney is able to consult with technical experts that can help determine how much a case is worth in court.

    The amount a case is worth varies from one to the next. Attorneys are trained to estimate how much a client can realistically expect to receive from an accident settlement. A good attorney will be upfront with his or her client when it comes to compensation. No matter how much compensation one can get, it is better to avoid settling too early. The ideal time to settle is after any injuries incurred have been fully treated. Before a victim is completely healed, it is impossible to know exactly how much money it will cost. 

    When the total damages have been calculated, an attorney can look at the case an objective manner and clear up any misconceptions. An accident attorney will know how to converse with the lawyers with the driver’s insurance company. They are a better line of defense than an uninformed client would be. It is the goal of an accident attorney to get their client as much money as they can in the settlement. 

    A car accident is to be avoided at all costs. When it can’t be avoided, the correct steps need to be taken. Following the steps as closely as possible is an important part of the process. While reporting it is the first step, the subsequent steps are just as important. Skipping even one of them can interfere with any legal claims made. Consulting with police and a lawyer is the best way to properly handle the aftermath of a car accident. 

     

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  • Lotus Teases Type 130 Electric Hypercar

    Lotus Teases Type 130 Electric Hypercar

    Lotus has confirmed that Type 130, the brand’s first all-new model in more than a decade, will be revealed to the world’s media at an exclusive event in Central London on 16 July, 2019. The company also announced that only 130 examples will be available to own – representing the number of Lotus ‘Types’ introduced during the brand’s 71-year history.

    The Type 130 will be the world’s first British all-electric hypercar. Lotus also confirms that the Type 130 will be built at Hethel in Norfolk, the brand’s headquarters since 1966. It will be the most dynamically accomplished road car in the company’s history according to Lotus and while the specifications of the car elude us, we’ll know more about the car very soon.

    However, there are reports doing the rounds that the new hypercar will be low and wide and will have roughly the same length as the Evora. There are other reports that suggest that it will be a 1000 horsepower car, will come with all-wheel drive and a range of 408 km on a single charge

    The company has teased the new Type 130 and we only get to see what appears to be the rear of the car. It carries the ‘illuminated’ Lotus brand name and gets an electrically operated cover for the charging port. We also get a chance to see the taillights but not in its entirety. Of course, the teaser campaign will continue and we’ll know more about the car closer to the launch, so stay tuned!

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  • Toyota’s Domestic Sales Down By 7% In May

    Toyota’s Domestic Sales Down By 7% In May

    The downward trend in the automotive industry continues in May 2019 as well. Toyota Kirloskar Motor announced its sales figure for the month of May and it has sold a total of 12,138 units in the domestic market, which was a de-growth of 7 per cent as compared to the same period last year. The company exported 928 units of the Etios series this month thus bringing the company’s total sales to 13,066 units. In comparison, Toyota Kirloskar Motor sold a total of 13,940 units in May 2018 thus registering a decline in sales of 6 per cent.

    N. Raja, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “The customer demand had witnessed a continued slowdown before the election results. Customers have been cautiously spending which has led to sluggishness in the domestic auto sales. Added factors like liquidity tightening, high insurance costs, increase in fuel costs have also weakened the retails.”

    However, he says that there is an increase in customer walk-ins post the election results announcement which would brighten the sales in upcoming months.The company is all set to launch the Glanza in India on June 6, 2019 and this would mark the company’s entry into the premium hatchback segment. The company thinks that the slowdown will soon be gone and things will look bright for the automotive industry.

  • Honda Car Sales Drop By 27 Per Cent In May

    Honda Car Sales Drop By 27 Per Cent In May

    Honda Cars India announced its sales report for May 2019 and the automaker has reported declining sales for the second consecutive month. The Japanese car maker sold 11,442 units last month, a drop of 27 per cent in year-on-year sales when compared to 15,864 units that were sold in May last year. Honda also exported 450 units in May this year, down by 12.7 per cent from 516 units exported in May 2018. The decline in volumes aligns with the overall disappointing sentiment in the auto sector that has seen a slump in volumes over past few months.

    Speaking on the declining numbers, Rajesh Goel, Senior Vice President and Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Cars India said, “The market continues to be tough for the auto industry with two consecutive months of such a high de-growth. It is unprecedented in the last two decades. After elections, we were expecting an upswing which has not yet come. Factors like liquidity that is affecting capital to auto sector along with an increase in fuel prices have remained a challenge to revive consumer sentiments. We are still hopeful that demand will revive due to pent up demand, favourable indicators on monsoon and expected actions by the new government.”

    Honda had favourable volumes in May last year on the back of the launch of the second generation Amaze subcompact sedan. In the past year, the automaker has had some major launches including the new generation CR-V and the all-new Civic sedan, with the latter off to a good start. Honda is expected to bring the new HR-V compact SUV as well in India that will take on the Hyundai Creta, MG Hector, Tata Harrier and the likes.

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  • Audi A3 Gets A Price Cut

    Audi A3 Gets A Price Cut

    Celebrating its fifth anniversary in India, the Audi A3 sedan has received a price cut of ₹ 5 lakh across different variants. Prices for the A3 now start at ₹ 28.99 lakh for the 35 TFSI Premium Plus petrol trim, making it an attractive proposition over rivals including the Mercedes-Benz CLA, Skoda Superb, Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Camry Hybrid and the likes. The A3 35 TDI Premium Plus diesel, on the other hand, is priced at ₹ 34.93 lakh (all prixes, ex-showroom). Barring the price cut, the sedan does not get any changes nor does it miss out on any features. The A3 line-up includes four variants – 35 TFSI Premium Plus, 35 TFSI Technology, 35 TDI Premium Plus and the 35 TDI Technology.

    With respect to the features, the Audi A3 comes loaded with a panoramic sunroof, Audi phone box with wireless charging, dual-zone climate control with rear AC vents, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and LED puddle lights with the Audi logo. The automaker is also offering the S Line package on the A3 that brings the S line front and rear bumpers and side skirts, S line grille, rear diffuser, chrome exhaust pipes, illuminated door sill trim with S logo and S line badge on the front fenders.

    Power on the Audi A3 sedan comes from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI diesel engine that churns out 141 bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque, while there’s also the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol motor that belts out 148 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque. The diesel is paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the petrol engine gets a 7-sperd DCT unit. Power is sent to the front wheels on either models.

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  • Tata Motors Posts 26 Per Cent Drop In Sales In May

    Tata Motors Posts 26 Per Cent Drop In Sales In May

    The Indian auto sector has been reporting a slump in new car sales over the past months and the month of May 2019 has been no different. Tata Motors announced its sales for the previous month and the company has registered a drop of 26 per cent in overall sales. The company sold a total of 40,155 units in May this year, as opposed to 54,290 units sold during the same month last year. The automaker’s year-to-date sales were also on a drop after back-to-back declining numbers, with 82,684 units sold between April-May 2019, a de-growth of 23 per cent as compared to 107,758 units sold during the same period in 2018.

    Mayank Pareek, President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors said, ” In view of higher vehicle stocks in network our strategy was to focus on retails. While the market sentiments continued to be muted, our exciting products and micro segmenting strategy helped in improving retails. In May 2019, our retail sales have shown a growth of 11% over May’18. Despite this challenging environment, our UV segment continues to grow at 13% on the back of a strong UV portfolio. We expect that post- election industry will start improving gradually. In the months to come, we are positive to bounce back with our robust product lineup and strive towards driving volumes and increasing our market share as part of our on-going turnaround journey.”

    With respect to passenger vehicle sales, Tata registered 10,900 units in May 2019, witnessing a hefty drop of 38 per cent over 17,489 units sold in May last year. That said, the automaker stated that retail sales recorded an 11 per cent growth last month, backed by new and updated products as well as micro-segmenting strategy. The UV segment sales too grew by 13 per cent in May 2019. Cumulative sales growth between April-May 2019 for passenger vehicles in the domestic market stood at 23,594 units, a decline of 32 per cent over 34,724 units sold during the same period last year.

    The commercial vehicle (CV) business also a 20 per cent drop in volumes with 29,329 units sold last month, as against 36,806 units sold in May 2018. Tata Motors attributed the declining sales to weak market sentiments due to depressed freight rates and underutilisation of trucks. The year-to-date CV sales in the domestic market also saw a decline of 19 per cent with 59,212 units, as compared to 73,082 units sold during the same months (April-May) in 2018.

    The M&HCV sales dropped by 38 per cent at 7,683 units in May this year, as compared to 12,424 units sold in May 2018. The revised axle load norms still pose a challenge for the heavy vehicle segment to grow, according to the manufacturer. Tipper sales too dropped by 22 per cent with 2539 units sold in May this year, as against 3261 units sold during the same month last year. The I&LCV truck sales in May 2019 declined by 2 per cent at 4043 units over 4106 units sold in May 2018. This segment has been relatively less affected by the revised axle load norms. E-commerce and discretionary consumption have been the two main drivers of I&LCV volume. Tata did say that new products in the 15-16 tonne segment and CNG products were well accepted in the makret and contribute over 10 per cent to the volumes.

    The SCV Cargo and Pickup segment witnessed a drop of 18 per cent with 12,695 units sold in May 2019, as compared to 15,558 units sold in May 2018. The slow consumption in rural areas was attributed as the main reason in the drop of volumes, which is likely to improve with a normal monsoon. The commercial passenger carrier segment sales stood at 4908 units in May this year and grew by 4 per cent. The Company is gearing up for the supply as per the new regulations, AIS 153, backed by strong demand for the Winger series.

    Girish Wagh, President, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors said, “Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles (CV) Business sales in the domestic market in May registered a drop of 20% . The M&HCV sales has taken the maximum hit in the domestic market, declining by 38%, at 7,683 units, essentially due to higher capacity post increased axle load, not yet matched by commensurate freight growth. I&LCV truck sales were least affected, with a decline of 2% at 4,043 units as discretionary consumption has been witnessing a slowdown in recent months. The SCV Cargo and Pickup segment also lower by 18% as distress in the agriculture sector brought down rural consumption. The commercial passenger carrier segment sales was higher by 4% over last May. The school season has pushed up demand and is expected to be positive in the next month too. We are expecting an improvement in the economic conditions in the coming months and look forward to an improved buying sentiment.”

    Tata Motors reported a cumulative export of 1563 units in May 2019, witnessing a massive drop of 58 per cent over last year. The drop in retail sales in Bangladesh, Nepal and high stocks in the SAARC region, along with the slump in the Middle East, affected the automaker’s export volumes.

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  • Datsun GO & GO+ Updated With Vehicle Dynamic Control

    Datsun GO & GO+ Updated With Vehicle Dynamic Control

    Datsun India has updated GO and GO+ hatchbacks with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) technology. The updated Datsun GO and the Datsun GO+ get enhanced safety systems thanks to the new tech on offer. The VDC system monitors wheel speed, steering wheel position, and lateral acceleration via onboard sensors to provide electronic stability control. The system also facilitates a safer driving experience by responding to the car’s oversteering and understeering inputs. The GO and GO+ now also comes with anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA) and traction control system (TCS).

    Commenting on the updated versions, Hardeep Singh Brar, Director Sales and Commercial, Nissan India said, “Datsun is committed to transform customer experience with new and innovative products. Underscoring our focus on progressive mobility backed by safety, technology, style and convenience, the New Datsun GO and GO+ now comes with VDC so that the Datsun owner can drive with confidence.”

    In addition, the new Datsun GO will be available in a new ‘Vivid Blue’ colour option, while the cars now get the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard across all variants with smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with voice recognition. The hatchbacks have also been updated with rear parking sensors and dual front airbags as standard, in a bid to comply with the upcoming safety regulations.

    The Datsun GO and GO+ received comprhensive facelifts last year bringing a premium touch, better features and attractive pricing to the models. Prices for the GO hatchback start at ₹ 3.32 lakh going up to ₹ 5.02 lakh, while the multi-seater GO+ is priced from ₹ 3.86 lakh for the base trim that goes up to ₹ 5.74 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi) for the range-topping version. The GO+ will soon face competition two back-to-back launches including the Renault Triber and Maruti Suzuki’s Wagon R-based sub 4-metre MPV, both of which are slated to launch this year.

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  • Volvo Cars Partners With POC To Develop Safer Helmets For Cyclists

    Volvo Cars Partners With POC To Develop Safer Helmets For Cyclists

    Volvo Cars are one of the pioneers in the development of safer modern cars and the Swedish carmaker is now coming up with something innovative to take the safety quotient one step ahead. Volvo is partnering with POC for a series of world’s first crash test of bike helmets against cars in a bid to protect cyclists in case of a collision. Accidents between cars and cyclists often result in severe injuries and even death of the rider. Cyclist detection with full auto brake uses cameras and radars to detect cyclists, warn the driver of an imminent collision and apply the brakes as a precautionary measure.

    The Volvo-POC research project consists of a number of specially designed crash tests at the Volvo Cars safety research facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden and is part of a wider research project to understand the types of long-term injuries sustained by cyclists. Speaking about the new project, Malin Ekholm, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre said, “This project with POC is a good example of our pioneering spirit in safety. We often develop new testing methods for challenging traffic scenarios. Our aim is not only to meet legal requirements or pass rating tests. Instead, we go beyond ratings, using real traffic situations to develop technology that further improves safety.”

    Volvo Cars also use the auto brake system with help of cameras and radars to detect cyclists, warn the driver of an imminent collision and apply the brakes as a precautionary measure.

    The tests are based on existing regulatory test procedures for pedestrian head protection. During these tests, POC bike helmets are worn by crash dummy heads mounted on a testing rig, from where they are launched towards different areas of the hood of a static Volvo car, at different speeds and angles for various measurements. The learnings from the research project will help POC make its helmets safer and more protective in the event of a car-bike accident, while the tests will also provide valuable insights and learnings for Volvo Cars into these types of accidents for future development.

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  • Hyundai Registers 5.6 Per Cent Sales Decline In May 2019

    Hyundai Registers 5.6 Per Cent Sales Decline In May 2019

    Affected by the slump in the Indian auto market, Hyundai Motor India’s domestic volumes witnessed a decline in May 2019 at 42,502 units, dropping by 5.6 per cent as against 45,008 units sold in May 2018. Exports, however, saw a major increase in volumes by 50.8 per cent with the company shipping 16,600 units last month, as against 11,008 units in May last year. Despite the poor domestic performance, the automaker’s overall volumes for the previous month still over the red line. Hyundai sold a cumulative (domestic+exports) 59,102 units last month, growing by 5.5 per cent over 56,016 units sold during the same period last year.

    The drop in domestic volumes isn’t too different from other manufacturers that have reported a steeper decline in sales for the last month. Both Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors registered double-digit de-growth, while Mahindra sales dropped by just one per cent. Meanwhile, sales for Hyundai are expected to improve in the coming months, backed by the strong demand for the newly launched Venue subcompact SUV. With booking numbers at 20,000 and counting, the new offering is off to a good start and will help stabilise the Korean auto giant’s falling numbers.

    With the elections have come to a close and the new government in power, the buyer sentiment is also expected to see a favourable change towards the purchase of new vehicles. The auto industry is also looking forward to a normal monsoon this year to boost growth in rural areas. Hyundai also has a few new products lined up for a launch this fiscal that will include the Kona Electric SUV and the Tucson facelift. The automaker has also repositioned itself as the country’s first smart mobility solutions company, diversifying its presence in other vehicle categories.

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  • Toyota To Build New Plant In Myanmar

    Toyota To Build New Plant In Myanmar

    Toyota Motor Corporation will be building its first vehicle production company in Myanmar where it will locally produce the Hilux from February 2021. The announcement comes after other carmakers like Suzuki, Nissan and Ford established factories in the country. The automotive market in Myanmar has soared in accordance with the growth of the economy.

    The demand for new vehicles has soared in recent years (2018 market: approx. 18,000 units) more than twice the size compared to the previous year. The government introduced auto import restrictions in 2017, and a fall in prices has seen the auto market grow, with many new vehicles built locally. Toyota currently sells the Hilux, Vios, Rush, and other vehicles in Myanmar by relying on imports.

    Toyota plans to construct the new plant in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, situated in the southern suburbs of Yangon city. The company is expected to investment approximately $52.6 million. Toyota plans to hire 130 new employees, and intends to build 2,500 Hilux vehicles per year using the SKD (semi knock-down) method when operations begin in 2021. The brand is already popular in the country, though most of its cars on the road are second-hand models.

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  • Volvo Cars and Varjo Launch Mixed Reality Application For Car Development

    Volvo Cars and Varjo Launch Mixed Reality Application For Car Development

    Volvo Cars and Varjo, the maker of high-end augmented reality headsets, have created a world-first mixed reality approach to evaluating prototypes, designs and active safety technologies. The collaboration will be further strengthened by the Volvo Cars Tech Fund’s decision to invest in Varjo. With these new augmented reality headsets, it will be possible for the first time to drive a real car while wearing a mixed reality headset, adding virtual elements or complete features that seem real to both the driver and the car’s sensors, for development purposes.

    The Varjo XR-1 headset, provides photorealistic mixed or virtual reality at a high-definition resolution and the big claim is that it’s better than anything out there in the market currently. With the XR-1 Volvo Cars can radically reduce development timeframes by creating the new ability to evaluate features and designs almost immediately. Volvo Cars designers and engineers will be able to ‘drive’ future cars and evaluate all features in a simulation environment many years before they exist, enabling the company to develop the safest cars as also a refined user experience.

    Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer, Volvo Cars, said, “With this mixed reality approach, we can start evaluating designs and technologies while they are literally still on the drawing board. Instead of the usual static way of evaluating new products and ideas, we can test concepts on the road immediately. This approach offers considerable potential cost savings by identifiying priorities and clearing bottlenecks much earlier in the design and development process.”

    With the XR-1 Volvo engineers will be able to develop and evaluate active safety solutions much easier. Safety experts are able to drive real cars while wearing the XR-1 headset at Volvo’s research facilities in Sweden, testing virtual active safety systems imposed via augmented reality on the real-life environment. Highly accurate eye-tracking technology embedded inside the XR-1 makes it easy to assess how drivers use a new functionality and whether they are distracted in any way. This technology-based approach to measuring distraction levels ensures that Volvo Cars can develop new features without causing additional distraction.

  • Uber, Indian Oil To Offer Fuel Discounts To Drivers

    Uber, Indian Oil To Offer Fuel Discounts To Drivers

    Ride-hailing giant Uber on Thursday announced it is partnering with state-run Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOCL) to offer discounts to drivers on petrol, diesel and CNG at IOCL petrol pumps across India. Over 12,000 Uber driver partners have already registered for this programme.

    “This partnership is targeted at easing the cost of fuel and giving back to driver partners who use the Uber App to earn a livelihood,” Prabhjeet Singh, Head of Cities, Uber India and South Asia, said in a statement.

    Uber launched its services in India in 2013 with its UberBLACK service and launched its premium UberX service in 2014. Uber currently operates in 31 cities in the country and aims to take its services to other, wider parts of the country.

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  • Tesla Promotes Lower Priced China-Made Model 3

    Tesla Promotes Lower Priced China-Made Model 3

    U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla Inc said on Friday it would price its China-made Model 3 vehicles from 328,000 yuan ($47,529), 13% cheaper than those it currently imports as it pushes sales in the fast-growing market.

    The carmaker has been building a factory in China since January where its initial output will be Model 3 cars. Pre-orders for the vehicles will also start on Friday, the company said on its website.

    The “standard range plus Model 3” is 49,000 yuan cheaper than China’s current cheapest version, also standard range plus, even though it remains unclear whether the carmaker will qualify for China’s subsidies for new energy vehicles.

    The starting prices for five different versions of China-made Model 3s range from 328,000 to 522,000 yuan. Customers can expect to receive the car in 6-10 months, the company said in a press release.

    It also said buyers will only need to put down a deposit of 20,000 yuan and that financing options on offer meant that monthly payment installments will start from 1,100 yuan.

    “The price drop is to make Tesla more accessible,” it said.

    The higher-end version of the Model 3 will still be imported from the United States.

    Investors are focused on whether the gross profit margin on the Model 3 will remain around 20% in China.

    Doubts about the Model 3’s production rate and sales performance have hit Tesla’s share price in recent months.

    Producing cars locally is likely to help Tesla minimize the impact of Sino-U.S. tit-for-tat import tariffs, which has forced the EV maker to adjust the prices of its U.S.-made cars in China.

    Keeping prices in check will also help Tesla fend off competition from a swathe of domestic EV startups such as Nio Inc, Weltmeister and XPeng Motors, as well as established carmakers including Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co.

    Tesla’s so-called Gigafactory is China’s first wholly foreign-owned car plant and is seen as a reflection of the country’s broader shift to open up its car market.

    Pictures of the Shanghai plant posted on Tesla’s social-media account showed the construction of its main section was nearly done. The company also held a recruitment event this week for car manufacturing and logistics workers.

    Tesla forecast its deliveries in 2019 would reach 360,000 to 400,000 vehicles and said it may produce as many as 500,000 vehicles if its China factory reaches volume production in the fourth quarter.

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  • BMW 1 Series Breaks Cover

    BMW 1 Series Breaks Cover

    The BMW 1 Series has been one of the most fun to drive hatchbacks over the previous generations and the automaker has now released the all-new generation of the model. The 2020 BMW 1 Series is quite literally all-new, having been built from the ground up and shares little details with its predecessor. The biggest change by far comes with the front-wheel-drive (FWD) set-up on the third generation that replaces the rear-wheel-drive architecture, which made it such a hoot to drive in the first place. The new 1 Series also comes with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) on the top trims. As a result, the new BMW 1 joins the automaker’s smaller set of FWD cars including the X1, 2 Series and the 1 Series sedan.

    The third generation BMW 1 Series is based on a completely new platform and the design language is also all-new and must we say more proportionate too over the older version. Most prominent are the larger kidney grilles up front that mimic the newer Beamer models, while the bonnet length is long yet in-line with the rest of the body. The headlamps are smartly designed bringing a fresh look and can be had with adaptive full-LEDs that are available as optional. At the sides, the flat beltline on the 1 Series is now slightly raked and the Hofmeister kink gets a subtle update. The rear sports a more athletic appearance with the sharply styled bumper, raked windscreen, and roof spoiler, while the massive wraparound LED taillights to look bold. A first on the new 1er will be the addition of a panoramic sunroof while wheel sizes will range between 16-inch and 19-inch depending on the variant you choose.

    With respect to dimensions, the 2020 1er is 5 mm shorter at 4319 mm (170 inches), whereas the width has increased by 34 mm at 1799 mm. The height is up by 13 mm to 1434 mm, with the wheelbase now shorter by 20 mm and sits at 2670 mm. Nevertheless, the FWD set-up has helped liberate more room in the cabin. You get 33 mm of additional knee room at the rear along with 19 mm of extra headroom and 13 mm of elbow room. The luxury hatchback can also take up more luggage than its predecessor with a cargo capacity of 380 liters, which can be expanded to 1200 liters with the rear seats folded. The automaker says the boot is also wider than before that makes it easy to load and unload luggage, while the tailgate is now electric.

    Inside, the 2020 BMW 1 Series replicates the familiar design language from the larger Beamer models. The car comes with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with gesture control and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The instrument console is fully digital and gets a 10.25-inch screen that displays all the necessary information.

    Under the hood, the third generation BMW 1 Series will get two petrol and three diesel engines. The most powerful version will be the M135i xDrive with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged motor tuned for 301 bhp and 450 Nm of peak torque. The range-topping model can sprint from 0-100 kmph in 4.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph. An optional M performance package will further shave a tenth of a second on the hatchback. Other engines will range between three- and four-cylinder versions churning out as low as 115 bhp. All units will come paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch or 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. There’s a 6-speed manual available as well.

    The new 1 will also come with a host of electronic aids including Lane Departure Warning with active lane return, Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning system, rear collision warning and crossing traffic warning. The car also comes with Park Assist, while features like VDC (Variable Damper Control) and  ARB (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation) technology, further improve the car’s handling capabilities. Customers can also opt for the BMW Digital Key and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant on the new 1 Series.

    The all-new BMW 1Series will make its debut in Munich from June 25 to 27 as part of the #NextGen event, while a public showcase has also been planned at Frankfurt in September this year. The previous version of the 1 Series was sold in India, but it’s unclear if the new one will actually make it here. Globally, the car will lock horns against the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3 Sportback, Volkswagen Golf and the likes