December 2020

Volvo Cars to produce electric motors in Skövde, Sweden



(December 14, 2020) Volvo Cars will assemble electric motors at its powertrain plant in Skövde, Sweden, and plans to establish complete in-house e-motor production by mid-decade. It will invest 700 million SEK ($84 million) to this end in coming years. The company is committed to becoming a premium electric car company and aims for its global sales to consist of 50 per cent fully electric cars by 2025, with the rest hybrids.

GM reveals all-new GM Genuine Parts and ACDelco parts packaging



(December 14, 2020) GRAND BLANC, Mich. — General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales has released all-new parts packaging as part of a broader effort to rebrand and strengthen GM Genuine Parts and ACDelco. These global parts brands offer a full portfolio of maintenance, repair, collision and powertrain components. For GM dealers and independent aftermarket sellers, this announcement, which includes enhanced brand security measures to guarantee authenticity, provides an opportunity to grow parts share in an increasing parts and service market.

Shell to expand California hydrogen refueling infrastructure



(December 14, 2020) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded $7.3 million to to Shell Hydrogen to deliver the first eight of 51 proposed Shell hydrogen refueling stations. This funding is part of a multi-year program supported by a Notice of Proposed Award of $40.5 million from the CEC earlier this year.  At the same time, Toyota and Honda have agreed to continue their strong support for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) sales in California.

Mercedes-Benz next-gen eSprinter based on 'Electric Versatility Platform'



(December 14, 2020) Mercedes-Benz Vans is accelerating down the road to full electrification and will make all of its European model ranges available with a battery-electric drivetrain with a focus on reliability, quality and optimized total cost of ownership (TCO). To create even greater added value for customers in the future, Mercedes-Benz Vans developed the new Electric Versatility Platform for the large van segment. This innovative e-drive platform will form the technical basis for the next-generation eSprinter.

Nissan marks 10-year anniversary of first U.S. Leaf delivery



(December 13, 2020) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nissan is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the first U.S. delivery of the all-electric Leaf, the vehicle that helped pave the way for EV adoption around the globe. The Nissan Leaf changed the way the world looks at EVs. Launching the first mass-market EV in 2010 was a gamble, but Nissan was — and remains — committed to EVs, with Leaf sales recently reaching 500,000 globally.

Hyundai opens new chapter in robotics with stake in Boston Dynamics




(December 12, 2020) Hyundai Motor Group and SoftBank Group Corp. (SoftBank) have agreed on main terms of the transaction pursuant to which Hyundai will acquire a controlling interest in Boston Dynamics in a deal that values the mobile robot firm at $1.1 billion. The deal came as Hyundai envisions the transformation of human life by combining world-leading robotics technologies with its mobility expertise. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Ford expands off-road family of trucks with new 2021 F-150 Tremor



(December 12, 2020) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is expanding its rugged off-road family of trucks with the all-new F-150 Tremor. The 2021 F-150 Tremor combines all-terrain upgrades perfect for tackling the trails with the outstanding towing and payload capability its owners expect. F-150 Tremor has been designed and engineered for customers seeking more off-road capability than the available FX4 package and is the result of watching how customers use their trucks for life out in cornfields, on dusty two-tracks, in muddy bogs and on rock-strewn trails.

2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost boasts top full-sized pickup fuel economy



(December 11, 2020) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford F-Series is a fuel economy leader among gas-powered full-size light-duty trucks, according to EPA estimates. The 3.5-liter PowerBoost V6 — the only full hybrid available in a pickup — has the best combined fuel economy rating for gas-powered full-size light-duty pickups with an EPA-estimated 25 mpg on 4x2 models. The 4x2 PowerBoost, with EPA-estimated ratings of 25 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, has an EPA-estimated range of 750 miles on a single tank of gas.