Short Torque

Automakers risk future unused ICE capacity

Volkswagen and General Motors could have considerable unused production capacity for conventionally powered vehicles in China by 2030 if they do not speed up their transition to electric vehicles, Greenpeace said on Thursday. Greenpeace estimated that if new energy vehicles make up 40 percent of sales by 2030, a third of vehicle production capacity with internal combustion engine at 10 major automakers, including Volkswagen, Toyota and GM, could end up unused. GM and Volkswagen will face the most pressure with more than 3 million units of idled capacity for ICE cars in China, presenting a major risk for those automakers, Greenpeace said.

Tesla battery production delayed by Panasonic

Panasonic said on Wednesday that it will delay the commercial production of its 4680 battery cells championed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and begin operations during the April to September period in 2024, later than previously scheduled, as the company aims to improve their performance. Tesla's Japanese supplier, Panasonic, previously planned to start volume production for Tesla between April 2023 and March 2024. "Mass production is rescheduled to begin during 1H FY3/25 to introduce performance improvement measures that will further enhance competitiveness," Panasonic said, referring to the first half of the fiscal year ending March 2025.

Toyota accelerates toward electrification

Toyota Motor Corp on Wednesday said it expects battery electric vehicle sales, including those of its luxury Lexus brand, to reach 202,000 worldwide this business year through March 2024 — up more than fivefold from 38,000 units last year. It has forecast operating profits would rise to 3 trillion yen ($22.2 billion) this business year. The growth plan was unveiled by the new CEO Koji Sato, installed last month, and signals a more aggressive push toward electrification by the Japanese firm that has previously pursued a go-slow approach to all-electric cars, arguing its strategy would provide more consumer choice.

Domestic models at Malaysia Autoshow

Chinese carmakers, including Hozon and Great Wall Motors, highlighted new energy vehicle models at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023, the largest motoring event in the Southeast Asian country. The models from Great Wall Motors included the Poer, the Haval H6 and Haval Jolion, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. Hozon launched its Neta V model at the event. Held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 ran from May 4 to 7 with a focus on electric vehicle models as well as relevant technologies and discussions on the electric vehicle ecosystem in Malaysia.

Volvo unveils new global design studio

Swedish carmaker Volvo opened a new design studio on Wednesday in Shanghai, which will be one of the automaker's three global design centers. Mirroring Volvo's design headquarters in Gothenburg, the Shanghai studio has all the functions needed to facilitate the entire design process, from concept to production, said the company. The 5,500-square-meter design studio boasts milling machines, 3D printers and fully equipped workshops for producing accurate models more efficiently than ever. The designers in the Shanghai facility also have access to virtual reality environments where they can explore designs in the virtual world.

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