Volkswagen’s electric offensive has picked up speed as planned. With the world premiere of the new all-electric ID.3 in September and the start of production at the Zwickau electric vehicle plant in November, the Volkswagen brand has already reached major milestones. 2020 will be dominated by the market introduction of the ID. family. The first ID.3 cars will appear on Europe’s roads in the summer. Over the next few years, Volkswagen intends to become the world market leader in e-mobility and is investing €33 billion in these efforts throughout the group by 2024, including €11 billion in the Volkswagen brand. Under the latest plans, the strategic target of one million electric cars is expected to be reached end of 2023, two years earlier than previously predicted. The Volkswagen brand expects 1.5 million electric cars to be produced in 2025.

“2020 will be a key year for the transformation of Volkswagen. With the market launch of the ID.3 and other attractive models in the ID. family, our electric offensive will also become visible on the roads”, says Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Volkswagen brand Board of Management responsible for E-Mobility. “Our new overall plan for 1.5 electric cars in 2025 shows that people want climate- friendly individual mobility – and we are making it affordable for millions of people.”

With the world premiere of the ID.3 at the IAA 2019 International Motor Show in September, Volkswagen presented the first model in an entirely new generation of all- electric vehicles. The ID.3 is based on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Toolkit (MEB) and offers ranges from 330 to 550 kilometers (WLTP). The basic version of the model will cost less than €30,000. For the first time, Volkswagen also offered pre- booking for the ID.3. To date, over 37,000 customers have reserved an ID.3 and paid a pre-booking deposit.

Production of the ID.3 started in November in the presence of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. The vehicle is being produced at the Zwickau plant, which has been fully converted for this purpose. From 2021, up to 330,000 EVs will leave the assembly line each year, making Zwickau the largest and most efficient EV factory in Europe.

Internationally, preparations for the production start of the ID. family are well underway in China and the USA. Pre-production of the ID. family has already started at the Anting plant in China.

In connection with its electric offensive, Volkswagen has also moved into a number of strategic business areas. With its newly established subsidiary Elli, Volkswagen is forging ahead with the development of charging infrastructure. Elli already has more than 10,000 power customers. Together with its dealers, Volkswagen is also installing its own charging stations. By 2025, a total of 36,000 charging stations are to be developed throughout Europe at dealerships and plants.

The opening up of the Modular Electric Drive Toolkit (MEB) to other manufacturers is also a trailblazing approach. Ford will be one of the first automakers to use the MEB. From 2023, the company is to offer an MEB vehicle in Europe and expects to sell more than 600,000 cars within six years.

Volkswagen has also laid foundations for the development, testing and production of battery cells. A battery cell factory with a capacity of 16 gigawatt-hours is to be developed in Salzgitter from 2020. The start of production is planned for the end of 2023/beginning of 2024. For this purpose, Volkswagen has entered into a joint venture with the Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt.

Over the coming year, Volkswagen will continue and step up its electric offensive. The ID.3 will appear on the market from summer 2020. Other members will also be added to the ID. family. The first all-electric SUV – the series production model of the ID. CROZZ2 – will celebrate its world premiere in the course of the year and production of this vehicle at the Zwickau electric car plant is expected to start in 2020, too. In Anting, China, the second Volkswagen plant worldwide will start production of electric cars based on the MEB.

The dynamic development programme for the fastest and most technically advanced McLaren ever has concluded in fitting fashion with McLaren chief test driver, Kenny Brack, taking the new Speedtail up to its maximum speed of 403 kmph (250 mph) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.

The final high-speed tests in the ground-breaking hypercar’s extensive engineering validation process saw Speedtail prototype ‘XP2’ reach its maximum speed more than 30 times on the space shuttle landing runway at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds. The exercise concluded a programme of high-speed running carried out at multiple test facilities worldwide, including Idiada in Spain and Papenburg in Germany.

Build of the first of 106 Speedtails that will be hand-assembled to customer order has now commenced at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, UK, with deliveries scheduled from February 2020.

“It’s fitting that the Speedtail’s high-speed test programme concluded with multiple maximum-speed runs at a location strongly associated with pushing the boundaries of extreme performance and engineering excellence,” commented McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt. “The Speedtail is a truly extraordinary car that epitomises McLaren’s pioneering spirit and perfectly illustrates our determination to continue to set new benchmarks for supercar and hypercar performance.”

Blending sleek and seamless beauty with pioneering technologies and truly remarkable performance, the Speedtail sits at the pinnacle of the McLaren Ultimate Series. At almost 5200 mm long, the carbon-fibre-bodied three-seat Hyper GT is the most aerodynamically drag efficient McLaren ever and a showcase for the brand’s expertise in lightweight engineering.

The Speedtail’s petrol-electric hybrid powertrain delivers the greatest power and torque of any McLaren road car, with a combined 1,070PS (1,055bhp) and 1,150Nm (848lb ft). The straight-line acceleration and maximum speed of the car set new benchmarks for McLaren, with 0-300 kmph (0-186 mph) achieved in less than 13 seconds and the Speedtail able to reach 403 kmph (250mph).

The McLaren-developed battery pack has a power density of 5.2kW/kg, which is the best power-to-weight ratio of any automotive high voltage battery system. The batteries constantly self-charge when the Speedtail is driven – there is no ‘plug-in’ element – however, a wireless charging pad that trickle-charges and maintains the battery’s status when the vehicle is not in use is also included as standard.

Bridgestone has announced the development of a technology capable of estimating a wheel axle load and tyre wear condition by using newly developed sensors attached inside tyres that measure the change in strain that occurs when a tyre makes contact with the road while in motion. This technology is unique to Bridgestone and the first of its kind in the world.

The Smart Strain Sensor technology developed by Bridgestone incorporates next-generation Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. In addition to tracking tyre inflation pressure and temperature, the Smart Strain Sensor is able to measure the dynamic change in strain that occurs when a tyre is in use. A proprietary algorithm is applied to convert data gathered by the Smart Strain Sensor into tyre load and wear information, which is then collected and sent to the cloud.

Bridgestone’s previously released sensing technology performs measurements based on accelerometer sensors, which require a certain amount of speed to acquire data. The new Smart Strain Sensor technology, however, measures strain, which is independent to speed. As such, the new technology is able to acquire highly reliable data even at low speeds. This is an important differentiator, as autonomous vehicles are expected to be operated at low speeds for enhanced safety. Furthermore, the proprietary algorithm contributes to substantial improvements in the battery lifespan of the Smart Strain Sensor, which is critically important for practical implementation.

Detecting a potential tyre-related issue before it occurs helps ensure that drivers and their vehicles are able to safely reach their destinations. Equipping tyres with Smart Strain Sensors allows vehicle managers to remotely monitor information such as tyre air pressure, along with metrics pertaining to load and wear in real time. By monitoring tyres and predicting maintenance issues before they occur, Bridgestone expects this technology to contribute to improved safety and productivity for fleets, as well as autonomous cars in the future society.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has reached a new milestone with the sales of over 6 lakh automatic transmission passenger vehicles. Out of these 6 lakh automatics sold, over 5 lakh vehicles are equipped with Auto Gear Shift (AGS) technology. Sales of automatic vehicles accelerated in the last 5 years after the introduction of the AGS transmission technology in Celerio in 2014. In FY 2018-19 alone, the Company had sold over 2 lakh units of automatic vehicles.

The Company offers automatic options in 12 models and a choice of three different automatic transmissions – Auto Gear Shift (AGS), Automatic Transmission (AT) and Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). The AGS is offered in Alto K-10, S-Presso, WagonR, Celerio, Ignis, Swift, Dzire and Vitara Brezza. The AT transmission is offered in Ertiga, Ciaz and XL6 while Baleno comes equipped with CVT technology.

Commenting on the achievement, Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “Maruti Suzuki is committed to bring the best of automotive technology to the Indian market. This major milestone reflects the growing customer acceptance of new technologies that brings comfort and ease of driving. By offering multiple automatic options we are able to cater to diverse customers across segments.”

With the premiere of the Vision IN at Auto Expo 2020 in New Delhi (5 to 12 February 2020), Skoda presents an outlook of its SUV future in India. The 4260 mm long concept offers a preview of a compact SUV specially developed for the Indian market. A design sketch provides a first impression of the concept vehicle’s interior.

The sketch shows a wide dashboard arranged on several levels, which echoes the symmetrical contours of the Skoda grille in the centre. The colour orange, which inspires vitality and creativity, is used extensively throughout the interior, for example, on the centre armrest and door panels. The chrome-plated ventilation nozzles on the side are also eye-catching, with fine ventilation louvres spanning almost the entire width of the instrument panel. In addition to the large, free-standing central screen and virtual cockpit, a new crystalline element on the instrument panel creates an optical highlight. The three-spoke multi-function steering wheel features buttons and knurl wheels following Skoda’s new operating concept. The reduced and clearly structured centre console has a small control lever for gear selection.

The Skoda Vision IN is the first vehicle to be based on the new localised sub-compact platform of the MQB A0 IN modular transverse matrix, which also forms the inter-brand basis of various Skoda and Volkswagen models. In developing the model, the Czech manufacturer has explicitly focused on meeting the wishes and requirements of customers in the Indian market. As part of the India 2.0 project, Skoda Auto now manages the activities of the Volkswagen Group brands represented in the region.

The all-new Kia K5 is a fastback evolution of Kia’s global best-selling sedan, combining a striking new design with a driver-focused interior, cutting-edge technologies, and all-new powertrain options.

In addition to showcasing Kia’s future design direction, the Kia K5 is available for the first time with an all-wheel drive (AWD) system, in addition the standard front-wheel drive system. Power is provided by a choice of efficient gasoline ‘Smartstream’ engines, with the company’s new eight-speed wet double-clutch transmission also making its debut in the K5.

Greater levels of cabin, high-tech safety features, and revised chassis characteristics mean the K5 is more relaxing, confidence-inspiring and engaging to drive than ever before.

Thomas Schemera, Head of Product Division at Kia Motors Corporation, commented: “When we launched the K5 in 2010, it marked the dawn of a new era for Kia, with a design which heralded a step change in how the brand was perceived in markets all over the world. Now, two generations later, we believe the new K5 will do the same. With a fastback design, the new K5 is one of the sportiest cars that we have ever created; with its comprehensive range of cutting-edge technologies, revised engines and transmissions, and a luxurious new interior, it’s also one of the most advanced.

“The K5 won’t just play a central role in strengthening Kia’s presence in the global sedan segment. Almost a decade on from its game-changing predecessor, it also represents the latest milestone in Kia’s transformation into a creator of desirable, world-class cars.”

The new Kia K5 will go on-sale in many of the brand’s markets during the first half of 2020.

In a candid conversation with Power Drive, Mr. Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Bridgestone India spoke about the present challenges being faced by the tyre industry, the recently inaugurated expansion plan in their Indore plant and how telematics will change the demand pattern in the tyre market. 

PD: How has Bridgestone been affected by the recent slump in the auto industry?

PS: The industry we operate in is cyclical in nature, therefore there are ups and downs. The auto sector has been affected and consequently, our business with them has been impacted. Our strong presence in the aftermarket has stood us in good stead during this time. We have also used this opportunity to introduce new products and solutions bringing value to our consumers. But with mid-term to long-term opportunities to grow, we believe India is a growth market.

PD: What are the challenges faced by the tyre industry as a whole?

PS: The Indian automotive sector is cyclic in nature. A cyclic downturn combined with weak consumer sentiments results in auto manufacturers reassessing their demand for tyres. This in turn does impact tyre industry. Radialization is one of the major challenge in the Indian tyre industry today that I see. While passenger car consumers have predominately taken to radial tyres, the switch in the commercial vehicles is somewhat slow. The challenge lies in convincing the commercial vehicle consumer the cost benefits of switching to radials. The tyre industry is also facing challenges due to high raw material prices especially the rising cost of the main ingredient, natural rubber. Another major concern is Chinese tyre manufacturers dumping tyres in India which affects the whole Indian tyre industry. Although the government has imposed anti-dumping duty, these cheap tyres are now making their way through illegal or illicit imports which is a cause for concern.

PD: Bridgestone India has inaugurated the expansion in its Indore plant earlier this year. To what extent is the capacity being utilised at present?

PS: Earlier in July this year, we announced about the capacity expansion at our plant in Madhya Pradesh. With this expansion, the capacity of the plant will go up to over 20,000 tyres a day by 2020. This will enable Bridgestone India to produce the entire Bridgestone India’s range of radial tyres serving the passenger car segment.

PD: Tell us how telematics will revolutionise the tyre market?

PS: For fleets, fuel is the major operating cost. Fuel consumption is largely driven by the condition of tyres as well. Telematics will help on this front as this technology will monitor tyre parameters like pressure, tread depth and temperatures. These directly impact fuel consumption and thereby impact fleet economics. Telematics will therefore change the demand patterns in the tyre market.

PD: Share with us the latest innovation at Bridgestone that will ensure superior products and improved performance of your tyres?

PS: We have a product called Ecopia which is a fuel efficient tyre. By moving from a standard tyre to Ecopia tyre the car or truck driver can save upto 7 -10 percent of fuel. We continue to work on next generation of fuel efficient tyres as well high technology tyres that offer durability, performance and safety.

PD: Tell us about Bridgestone’s association with the upcoming Olympics Games.

PS: Bridgestone is one of the thirteen companies globally who are top Olympic sponsors and the only one headquartered in Tokyo. This is a very significant commitment from our side as it’s a long term partnership. Our reason for this association is that we believe strongly that the ideals and values of the Olympic moment matches with Bridgestone’s values. We are trying to inspire people who come across Bridgestone through ‘Chase Your Dreams’. In each country where Bridgestone is present, we have formed what we call Team Bridgestone. In India, we have a set of five athletes namely Lalita Babar, PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Mary Kom and Srikanth Kidambi who are members of team Bridgestone. By leveraging their popularity we want to inspire people to chase their dreams in all walks of life including in sports.

Nissan India has announced a price hike of up to 5 percent. The revised prices will be applicable across all available models for Nissan and Datsun, effective January 2020.

Rakesh Srivastava, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd, said, “Nissan is committed to offer innovative and exciting products under the Nissan and Datsun brand with the best value proposition to its customers in India. In the current challenging market conditions, we are constrained to increase the price of all Nissan and Datsun models due to increased costs. The proposed price increase will be effective from January 2020.”

An enchanting new Rolls-Royce Phantom has been commissioned by a Stockholm-based entrepreneur with an extraordinary passion for flowers. The patron, with a wife and two of four children named after flowers, challenged the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective comprising designers, craftspeople and engineers, to envision a car that immerses its occupants in a beguiling floral scene. The result is a sanctuary of true luxury, a vision of flowers, created with a million embroidered stitches.

Torsten Müller Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, “The Rose Phantom is a stunning iteration of a contemporary Rolls-Royce. Our extraordinary craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce have achieved, with this car, something which can only be described as sublime. The work of our Bespoke Collective is the best in the world. When I look at creations like this car, it is with a sense of pride that I know that these skills could not be replicated anywhere else in the world. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest Rolls-Royce Phantoms of its generation.”

The Rose Garden at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, served as the primary point of inspiration for Ieuan Hatherall, a Bespoke Designer for Rolls-Royce. This Rose Garden is the only place in the world that the Phantom Rose is grown. Bred exclusively for Rolls-Royce by British Rose Breeder Philip Harkness of Harkness Roses, the Phantom Rose grows in the courtyard of the marque’s Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence at Goodwood in West Sussex, England.

Ieuan Hatherall commented, “There is a transcendent beauty when a rose garden is in full bloom. The patron wanted to create that same feeling of awe; an abundance of flowers to lift the spirit and celebrate nature’s decadent beauty, in the Rose Phantom’s serene interior.”

The Peacock Blue exterior of the Rose Phantom is punctuated with a Charles Blue twinned-coachline that intertwines organically like the stem of a rose, combining to introduce the rose motif, an indication of both the colours and the treatment within. The wheels echo the design and are embellished with a twinned pinstripe, also in Charles Blue.

On opening the coach doors, one first encounters the embroidery on the inside of the rear doors, but it is not until entering the rear cabin that one fully encounters the extraordinary extent of the satin stitch creation. The Phantom Rose is illustrated in varying stages of maturity, from bud to full bloom, in an asymmetrical design that appears to grow across the roof lining, from the rear of the car. The marque’s fabled starlight headliner illuminates the scene as the roses are interspersed with individually placed fibre-optic lights.

In the rear compartment, Serenity Seating with a soft calf rest cushion adopts the inverted colour-way of the exterior as sumptuous Charles Blue leather is accented with Peacock Blue piping. From here, one can admire Phantom’s Gallery, created as a centrepiece of the interior. Stems of embroidered roses climb through the glass fronted fascia, providing a spectacle for the motor car’s occupants.

At the request of the patron, colour is introduced in the form of Peacock and Adonis Blue butterflies, imbuing movement to the elegant motif. The patron’s family also played a creative role; his wife designed the umbrellas whilst his daughter, Magnolia, defined the exterior hue of this Phantom. The patron commented, “I wanted to have flowers and roses everywhere. It became an amazing piece of art.”

India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), presents its very first edition of India Electric Vehicle (EV) Market Overview. This report covers the present scenario and forecast of EVs and the public charging infrastructure market in the country. There is an in-depth analysis of EV battery value chain by EV segment, detailed state EV policy analysis, and competitive analysis of EVs and EV battery suppliers.

The EV market in India has gained significant momentum after the implementation of the FAME India scheme. The total EV sales in 2018 hit 365,920 units and expected to grow at a CAGR of 36 percent till 2026. The EV battery market in India is estimated to be US$ 520 million in 2018 and forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 30 percent till 2026. The total MWh addition in 2018 hit 4.75 GWh and expected to grow till 28.0 GWh by 2026.

With respect to public charging infrastructure, the market is estimated to be US 520 billion in 2018 and forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 60 percent till 2026. The total charger sales in 2018 was less than a thousand units and expected to grow till 50,000 units by 2026. The base year of the study is 2018, the forecast period is 2019-2026.

In the National EV (NEV) scenario, it is predicted that the market will grow rapidly with support from the government to achieve the targets defined under the FAME-2 scheme and NEMPP2020. Policies such as banning the sales of ICE 2W and 3W in highly polluted cities, scrapping of old vehicles, stringent emission norms, etc. will further drive the EV sales. State governments will also facilitate in accelerating the deployment of EV’s to achieve the targets defined under their EV policies.