Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, Tesla, BMW.

Double range for Mercedes’ PHEV: Daimler will increase the range of its plug-in hybrids with new battery technology inspired by the S-Class. Head of development Thomas Weber estimates the next generation to “overcome the 30 km to 50 km hurdle and then the next generation after that will be 80-100 km when they run as pure electric cars.” Mercedes calls the system Power eDrive.
motoring.com.au via greencarreports.com

Audi gears up e-mobility production: The Brussels facility will serially produce the electric SUV by 2018. The production site will also be the site of Audi’s own battery assembly line. The power packs will give the all-electric model a range of up to 500 km.
electriccarsreport.com, audi-mediacenter.com

BEV division at VW: Volkswagen restructured to clearly differentiate between different types of vehicles. Products fall either into the ‘Small,’ ‘Compact,’ ‘Mid-/Fullsize’ or ‘Battery Electric Vehicle’ division. VW CEO Herbert Diess hopes to thus break old structures and create synergies between departments, which are led by experts.
automobilwoche.de (in German)

Tesla is suing German company Hoerbinger, the original maker of the ‘falcon wing’ doors. The Californians blame the latter for the delay in Model X productions caused by a last-minute change of suppliers. Hoerbinger, on the other hand, is calling on Tesla to pay 3m dollars in damages due to a breach of contract.
wsj.com, autonews.com

BMW i8 Spyder on back burner: A convertible BMW i8 can only be expected by 2017 or even 2018, as the German carmaker prioritises other models. A BMW insider also confirmed that there will not be another i-series model this year.
motoring.com.au, worldcarfans.com, insideevs.com

The Model X rolls on tires by Pirelli. Engineers from both companies worked together to make the Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico fit the requirements of Tesla’s second EV, such as high acceleration rates. The Model X has the option of 20″ or 22″ wheels.
gummibereifung.de (Pirelli, in German), teslarati.com (Model X tires specs)