Latest Car News

Opel has presented the first electric variant of the Astra powered solely by  batteries  that will be available in both  compact and family versions . With the arrival of the already historic model of the German brand of the Stellantis electric propulsion system, Opel  completes the range  of the  sixth generation  of this model. Debuting a  new battery with 811 cells  and a  new 154 hp engine, the Astra does not follow the well-known  Corsa-e, Mokka-e, and Zafira-e in the nomenclature, but is renamed  Astra Electric .  No  surprises were expected in the design  of the new Opel Astra Electric and it has been. The sixth generation of the Opel compact was presented in September 2021 and  its design hardly varies in the case of the electric version . Following the strategy of the Stellantis Group, to which the German brand now belongs, the same  EMP2 platform  and the  same bodywork  are used for the combustion, hybrid and electric versions. Therefore, a different design would not have m

Its obsession with reducing complexity in production, coupled with cutting-edge processes, allows Tesla to derive more profit from the sales of its vehicles. In our column at LatestCarNews about manufacturing automobiles, we told you that  Tesla  is the leader in this field. The manufacturer has always approached production with an obsession for reducing complexity, speed of assembly, and, above all, reducing costs. The result of these efforts allows Tesla to record better profits than other automakers, such as Toyota, in particular. According to data from Reuters media published on November 28, 2022, Tesla is currently making almost 8 times more net profit than  Toyota  on each vehicle sold. It’s US$9,754 in profit that Tesla makes on the sale of a single model, compared to $1,273 for Toyota. But the situation is likely to improve for Tesla. Although Toyota has announced that it wants to completely revamp its electric marketing strategy – which includes a complete overhaul of its m

While some automakers recently announced they were pulling out of Twitter following its takeover of Elon Musk, Audi and GM are following suit. The businessman and majority shareholder of Tesla, Elon Musk, recently completed the purchase of the social network Twitter. It was not all without waves, given that Elon Musk created a shock wave in the company by announcing numerous cuts and directives that do not seem to please the employees. Following the acquisition of Twitter, several car manufacturers announced that they had suspended their advertising investment and even left the social network, this is notably the case of Volkswagen. We learn that Audi and GM have decided to follow suit and join the boycott. Not only have the two manufacturers withdrawn their advertising campaigns, but their Twitter account has remained silent since the takeover last October. Of course, the manufacturers seem to have decided not to encourage a competing manufacturer, especially since they can see in

With a lifetime on the gas, VinFast has to lift its foot to start its European adventure. The global microchip crisis has forced the Vietnamese brand to delay marketing plans. Throughout these years we have seen how VinFast fulfilled everything it promised. The Vietnamese have not stopped stepping on the accelerator since they were introduced to the world in 2017. In just five years they have gone from being a completely unknown local brand to one of the great pushers in the electric car industry. Impudence has been the general trend of all its actions, growing leap by leap in an industry where deadlines do not induce cuts. However,  for the first time, VinFast is forced to put its foot on the brake. His arrival in Europe will be delayed for a few months , although it will not be canceled at all. To whom more and to whom less, the global microchip crisis has affected their strategic plans.  Many manufacturers have their assembly lines partially stopped due to the lack of the precious

The Polestar 6 has the Porsche 911 as a reference for dynamics and performance. The future electric convertible is already in the full development of its capabilities. The Porsche 911 has earned the badge of historical automobile myth. Many have been companies have sought to compete with the famous German sports car, however, it remains immovable on its throne. Now a new electric model is being developed with the 911 as the benchmark for dynamics and know-how. The model in question is none other than  the Polestar 6, the long-awaited electric convertible that will arrive in Europe in 2026 . Polestar is working hard to provide its range with 100% electric models with high quality and very successful dynamic capabilities. To do this, the Swedish company has set Porsche as a reference point for some of its models, such as the future Polestar 3 or Polestar 5, which will rival the Porsche Macan and the Porsche Taycan, respectively. However,  a new challenger for the Porsche 911 could be

The  Audi A6 e-tron  faces the final stretch of its development during its last winter tests. The long-awaited electric saloon, which will debut next year and begin deliveries in 2024, will open a new chapter in the history of the firm with the four rings, marking the path that it’s future 100% electric models will follow. Although it will share a category (segment E) with the  e-tron GT , it will have a radically different approach. While the A6 e-tron will come to occupy, as its name indicates, a position equivalent to that of the thermal A6 within the company’s offer, the e-tron GT does the same with the A7 Sportback, with a sportier character. Interestingly, the configuration of their respective bodies has been reversed: while the A6 is a four-door sedan and the A7 Sportback a five-door  fastback ,  in the case of electric models it is the A6 e-tron that enjoys a wide gate . In addition, it will also be available with a practical Avant family body. The Audi A6 e-tron will displa

After five years on the market, it seems that the  Tesla Model 3  would be preparing a renewal in its proposal. A new version will also begin production next year. This has been indicated by the Reuters newspaper, which, citing up to four internal sources of the brand, has said that Tesla would already have the “Highland” project underway. An initiative  aimed at renewing and improving the saloon  is facing a decisive phase in its trajectory. According to sources, the idea is not to do a traditional restyling, but to do a renovation where the design will be simplified and parts that are not necessary will be eliminated. This process started with the Model S, where the manufacturing process will eliminate components that are not necessary thanks to new production techniques, but also the digitization of elements, such as the controls behind the wheel. The changes could also affect the interior design, where the installation of a somewhat larger screen is not ruled out, which  would g

Although the Marvel R is the current flagship of the MG range in the European market, the truth is that it is a model that has little or nothing to do with the rest of the offer from the manufacturer of British origin.  This is because in China it is sold with the logos of Roewe , another of the SAIC group brands. For this reason, its design language is different from that of other MG models such as the MG4 Electric or the ZS EV. The MG Marvel R falls into the D segment (midsize SUV) and  is available in three finishes: Comfort, Luxury, and Performance . The first two are equipped with a set consisting of two engines (both coupled to the rear axle) capable of delivering a maximum combined power of 180 HP (132 kW) and a torque of 410 Nm. Its 70 kWh batteries give it a maximum range of  402 km WLTP . The Performance adds the third motor on the front axle, so it enjoys all-wheel drive. In this case, it offers 288 CV (212 kW) and 665 Nm, which allows it to do 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 second

Tesla dominates the electric market, and we don’t just mean cars. Its charging points of it are spread all over the world. The supercharger network just hit 40,000 points, that’s how the progression has been. Everyone is fighting to catch up with Tesla, and it’s normal. Those from Austin have conquered the world with their cars and also with their impressive cargo network. Although the beginnings were not easy, it is clear that the company has changed the world’s paradigm of mobility. Today their cars are the object of desire for many drivers and their charging points are the preferred place for many users. The vast network of superchargers reaches a historic milestone,  spread throughout the world there are already more than 40,000 points that have been opened , and everything indicates that the number will soon reach a new record. Things have changed a lot since Tesla opened the first fast charging station in history in 2012. At present, many companies have emerged that try to jeop

The   MG4  is the new electric car from   ‘Morris Garage’ , a   direct rival to the Volkswagen ID.3 , the Cupra Born, or the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric. And one of its strongest points is that it is  much cheaper  than its competitors,   between 6,000 euros and 9,000 euros  depending on the version. But we still had to know other things just as important and more. And we already know them: the media are beginning to test it and claim that it  is a better car  in different sections, as well as being a   cheaper option. The   MG4   will arrive in Europe this year and will do so in two different configurations: one with a   135 kW (170 hp) and 51 kWh  electric motor that reaches up to   350 km  of autonomy, and the other with a   150 kW motor (204 CV), 64 kWh and 450 km  of autonomy. In addition, we already know that the brand is preparing to launch, although somewhat later, other configurations that will even offer us all-wheel  drive  thanks to the use of two electric motors instea

Toyota would be in the red by $186 billion, which is the highest debt of any corporation in the world. The latest data from  StockApps.com  reveals that  Toyota  has not only overtaken Volkswagen as  the most indebted automaker  but it’s become the most indebted company in the world. For the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the Japanese giant would have accumulated a net debt of $186 billion. Of course, it can be normal for large corporations to run up high debts, especially in the automotive sector these days. Several manufacturers have recently invested with great fanfare to adapt to electrification. However, these debts become problematic when they exceed the assets. Such a scenario puts a company at high risk of bankruptcy if it were to encounter a financial obstacle, a reduction in its profits, for example. Toyota is not necessarily in a bad situation. Admittedly, it is true that the automaker remains at risk from the volatility of interest rates, but according to its financial statement

After spending quite a few years in the European market, the Japanese want to win back a market that they have always been good at. Three SUVs will be launched next year, the Honda ZR-V will be vital. The year 2023 is just a few weeks away from starting, and there is already a lot of desire for it to arrive. The next course is very active in terms of launches in European territory. Numerous models to be updated will see their competition compromised with the arrival of new models. Next year is marked in red on the Honda calendar.  The Japanese want to take the pulse of one of their main markets again and for this, they plan to launch not one or two, but three SUVs  in the same year. The news will be important. Throughout these last few months, Honda has already been leaving a trail of breadcrumbs. The most important launch at the sales level will be the Honda ZR-V. Officially presented worldwide last summer, the  United States is already beginning to enjoy it, while Japan and Europe

Polestar, Volvo Cars’ sports brand,  considers itself a European firm ; in fact, its headquarters are located in Gothenburg (Sweden). However, the truth is that for the moment all its cars are manufactured abroad (specifically, in China and the United States), something that does not seem to be changing in the short term. The Polestar 2 is assembled in  Luqiao, China , while the Polestar 3 will roll off the lines of Volvo’s plant in  South Carolina, United States , as well as  Chengdu, China . The future Polestar 4 midsize SUV will be made for its part in  Hangzhou (China) . The Polestar 5 sports saloon and Polestar 6  roadster will be built in  Chongqing, China . Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar , has hinted during a recent interview that it will be at least 5 years until the company starts producing vehicles in the old continent.  “For us, the important thing is to come to Europe at some point. And that could be around the time we start manufacturing the Polestar 7.” Currently, V

Polestar has already built 100,000 units of its first electric model, the  Polestar 2 . This milestone has been reached just two and a half years after the start of production, which is evidence of the enormous success achieved by the premium saloon on a global level (it is currently marketed in 27 markets, including China and the United States). “This is an incredible achievement, especially as we launched Polestar 2 during the pandemic ,” said Polestar CEO  Thomas Ingenlath . The Polestar 2 is the fifth best-selling premium electric car in Europe so far this year, ahead of models such as the Audi Q4 e-tron, the BMW i4, the Mercedes-Benz EQA, or the Volvo XC40 Recharge. Although Polestar’s offer will be enriched in the short term with the arrival of the  Polestar 3  sports SUV, it is most likely that the bulk of its sales will continue to correspond to the Polestar 2, which offers a very attractive autonomy/price ratio, not only within the premium sector but also in general terms.

When the Tesla Model 3 was presented in 2017, the American sedan managed to accumulate more than 400,000 reservations in the first 24 hours. It was the highest figure achieved by a car to date. Some numbers seem to be small compared to what the extravagant  Cybertruck  will have, which already accumulates 1.5 million reservations. Tesla’s wacky electric pickup truck looks set to be a much bigger hit than everyone thought. It is true that making a reservation for the Cybertruck only costs  100 dollars , for the 1,000 that it costs to be on the list of the Model 3 . But we are talking about a product that has not been presented in its design and production characteristics, which means that he still has a long way to go. And is that, unlike other vehicles, this will be a true advertisement on wheels. Its unmistakable design and its theoretical features  will give a lot to talk about once its production and deliveries begin.  This a moment in which Tesla can take advantage to further inf

Without haste but without pause, General Motors continues to consolidate itself as  one of the groups that are betting more strongly on electrical technology . Some of its brands (Cadillac, for example) already have a roadmap to go 100% electric, while others like Buick are reinforcing their zero-emissions offering in key markets like China. Chevrolet , the most prominent firm in the conglomerate by sales volume, will play a fundamental role within these corporate plans thanks to highly ambitious products such as the new  Equinox EV  and  Blazer EV , a couple of  crossovers  with which General Motors wants to attack two of the largest categories in the United States, the D-SUV and E-SUV segments. The truth is that, for some time now, Chevrolet’s offer in North America has focused on profitable SUVs to the detriment of the once popular sedans, a strategy similar to that followed by Ford. Currently,  the only surviving saloon in its range is the Malibu . However, this does not happen i

The new Abarth 500e is already among us. The first electric car from the scorpion firm, conceived as the sports brother of the successful FIAT 500e, is presented as a compendium of design, performance, and fun in a small bottle, all seasoned with a 100% electric drivetrain but not without the spiciness. Our protagonist stands out at first glance from other 500e thanks to a new aesthetic kit. The classic mustache with the “500” logo disappears on the front, giving way to the brand name in a large format. Above it is the new Abarth emblem.  The bumpers, of a specific design , have the air intakes painted in the same color as the rest of the body. The set is completed by the full LED headlights, the side skirts, and the 18-inch wheels with a turbine-type design. As is the norm in the Italian house, the car will be available with various customization packs. In addition, customers will be able to choose between two bodies: the three-door  saloon and the Cabrio  canvas-top convertible. I

NIO has quickly entered the European market with very promising cars. Its sales model is extended with the possibility of buying cars and not just renting them. Prices are affected by it. Getting there first is leading to a frantic race among Chinese brands to conquer the European market. NIO has made an exceptional deployment in recent months. Although at the moment it does not cover the entire continent, in the countries where it can be bought, the expectation is maximum.  To offer more possibilities to customers, NIO will offer two acquisition formats: rental and purchase . This last option now comes with sales prices that can be quite interesting. In the middle of last October, NIO announced the official prices of its cars for the European market, mainly the German one, which is where they want to start.  The initial sales strategy only included renting the car for a monthly payment during a multi-year contract . A format that more and more drivers throughout Europe are choosing,

The German automobile industry is one of the most powerful in the world. Brands like Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen aim high in the electricity market, but maybe too much. The numbers don’t quite add up. One thing is what you expect to sell and quite another is what you get. Faced with the era of electromobility, Mercedes and Volkswagen have put a lot of meat on the grill. Both companies have made a strong commitment to electric cars.  Ambitious production and sales figures that according to analysts are not being achieved, at least for now . The figures show that although the path is good, sales are not accompanying. A clear example is that Mercedes has had to significantly reduce the price of its electric cars in China due to the low demand for them. The world is moving right now in an atmosphere of economic instability. Many countries are announcing lower growth targets, stock market health is weak, to say the least, and  markets are bracing for a slowdown in sales with inflation sk

Mercedes-Benz has presented its new annual subscription. This time it is an increase in power and a dynamic improvement of some of its electric models. Mercedes-Benz has already announced some subscription plans for technological elements of its electric cars, such as the rear axle steering of the Mercedes EQS, for example. However, now they have gone a step further and the daughter-in-law of the “pay for enjoyment” era even reaches the maximum power of its electric models.  Do you want to enjoy maximum power and acceleration in a Mercedes EQE or EQS? You will have to go through the box .  Indeed, this has not yet been carried out, although the brand already ensures that “soon” they will begin to request a subscription for said service.  Until now, if you bought a car, you did it to enjoy all its capabilities, including sportsmanship ; Soon this will be a thing of the past and if you want to take full advantage of its potential you will have to subscribe to a monthly or annual subscr

The Nissan LEAF was  one of the great pioneers of electric mobility  at the beginning of the last decade. The Japanese compact, launched on the market in 2010, is considered by many to be the first mass electric car in the world since up to now it has accumulated more than half a million units sold all over the planet (North America, Europe, Japan… ). However,  in recent years its sales have been languishing . The second generation did not solve the main problems of the original model (battery without active cooling, CHAdeMO charging socket, etc…), which, together with the arrival of new generation models such as the Tesla Model 3 or the Volkswagen ID.3, has precipitated his fall. Despite its poor commercial performance of late, Nissan’s head of EV sales strategy and marketing Aditya Jairaj has confirmed that the LEAF is  “here to stay” . This would mean that, contrary to previous rumors, the Japanese firm would have decided to keep the iconic name for the next generation. Guillaume