Volkswagen, SolarCity, Jaguar Land Rover, Buick, Mini, Toyota.

Facelifted e-Golf unveiled: VW now presented the e-Golf’s overhauled design and technology. With 100 kW, the new version boasts more power and the 35.8 kWh battery pack (up from 24.2 kWh) allows for a real 200 km of range. Pricing will stay the same. Meanwhile, the carmaker confirmed that it moved EV production to the glass-walled manufacturing site in Dresden.
autocar.co.uk (e-Golf), automobil-produktion.de (Dresden; in German)

Shareholders approve SolarCity takeover: Shareholders from both companies have given the green light for the merger, worth about 2bn dollars. The deal therefore cleared the last and final hurdle and the transaction will be completed in the coming days.
businessinsider.de, marketwatch.com, techcrunch.com

JLR electrifies 50% of its fleet: Jaguar Land Rover wants to offer electric models for half of its portfolio by 2020. That includes battery-powered cars, as well as plug-in and mild hybrids. The carmaker is staying away from fuel cell technology, because of its poor energy efficiency.
autocar.co.uk, ibtimes.co.uk

First images of the Buick PHEV: The plug-in hybrid study was not supposed to be unveiled until the Guangzhou Auto Show, but first images a camouflaged Buick Velite have now been leaked. They show a striking similarity to the Opel Astra.
carscoops.com

Curtain call for plug-in Countryman: Under the long title “Cooper S E Countryman ALL4,” Mini now officially presented the brand’s first electrified model. It shares a 165 kW drivetrain with the BMW 225x and will hit the road in February. According to CEO Peter Schwarzenbach, an all-electric Mini is in the pipeline for 2019 and will be based on an existing model.
autocar.co.uk, carscoops.com (Countryman), autocar.co.uk (E-Mini)

New Toyota unit for EVs: To follow through with the recently announced fully electric addition to its portfolio, the Japanese has set up a small in-house think tank. It includes only four people – one from Toyota, and one each from Toyota Industries, Aisin Seiki and Denso. Together, they are charged with developing innovative and quick solutions.
reuters.com, toyota.co.jp