PSA + Opel, Mercedes AMG, Mahindra, Tesla, Polaris, Kia.
PSA buys Opel: The deal is done, the French group acquired GM’s Opel/Vauxhall brand for 2.2bn euros and thus creates a new European car force. The agreement includes the Ampera-e aka Chevy Bolt technology but Peugeot, Citroen and now Opel would be wise to develop their own electric offering rather sooner than later. PSA is indeed determined to make its new family member profitable within three years, although Opel recorded its 16th consecutive full-year loss. GM will receive 1.32bn euros for the brand’s manufacturing arm in both cash and PSA share warrants. The remaining 900m euros will be paid by the Paris-based carmaker and BNP Paribas for the financing side of Opel-Vauxhall.
reuters.com, greencarcongress.com, autonews.com
This is the first EQ Power+ model and also Mercedes AMG’s premier in-house developed sedan. While the teaser video does not reveal too much of the AMG GT Concept destined to debut in Geneva, it will almost certainly be offered as PHEV, because it bears the EQ Power+ label visibly – EQ Power+ reportedly is the new label Daimler reserved for high performance hybrids.
youtube.com, autoevolution.com, autocar.co.uk
Indian e-racer? Mahindra wants to utilise its Italian design studio Pininfarina for its own line-up to develop an electric sports car. A feasibility study is underway already, according to the Economic Times, and will be completed within the next three to six months.
indiatimes.com
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Tesla readies its Korea launch with first showrooms due to open soon in Seoul and Hanam. Furthermore, the EV maker is setting up Superchargers as well as a network of Destination Chargers.
yonhapnews.co.kr (showrooms), koreatimes.co.kr (infrastructure)
Polaris wants to build e-motorcycles again despite the defeat of its Victory brand. A new electric motorbike will bear the label Indian and can be expected within 4 – 5 years, the company said.
reuters.com
Kia electric in China: The Korean carmaker plans to use its Chinese JV Dongfeng Yueda Kia to build an electric sedan this year. The 300E from the sub-brand Horki is based on the Kia Cerato and will only be available in China, where Kia just started to sell its hybrid Niro as well. The crossover goes from 149,800 yuan (about 20,500 euros) and thus rivals BYD’s Yuan SUV that costs 50,000 yuan more. Kia has to act aggressively as its sales in China plummeted by almost 40% from a year earlier.
theinvestor.co.kr
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