CHINA - NEVS receives electric vehicle production license in China based on old SAAB 9-3 Tech.

The Chinese government has today approved NEVS’ application to start production of electric vehicles in its manufacturing plant in Tianjin.

I am very grateful for the approval we now have received for the electric vehicle production license. It is an extremely important milestone for NEVS, which is based on 70 years of Saab long history. 

It means that we can take the next step to realize our vision - to shape mobility for a more sustainable future, says Kai Johan Jiang, chairman of NEVS.

The electric vehicle production license approved by the Chinese National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) is required in order to manufacture electric vehicles in China. 

NEVS is the first joint venture company with investors from outside China that is granted a New Energy Passenger Vehicle Project investment approval by NDRC.  

NEVS' manufacturing plant in Tianjin is under construction and planned to be up and running at the end of 2017, with the capacity of 200 000 electric passenger vehicles yearly.  

The electric car industry is growing rapidly in China. NEVS plan is to develop a product portfolio of electric vehicles and mobility services globally, with China as the first and most demanding market for the coming years. 

The immediate plan is to deliver 150 000 9-3 Sedan electric vehicles to the partner Panda New Energy, a new energy vehicle leasing company in China.  

IRELAND - Ford prepares for the launch of the All-New Edge Sports Utility Vehicle.

All-New Ford Edge Arrives in Ireland - Ford’s New SUV Offers Class-Leading Space and Driving Dynamics, Premium Comfort and Refinement

• All-new Ford Edge SUV delivers premium comfort, cutting-edge technologies and advanced driving dynamics for greater numbers of European SUV customers
• Superior refinement delivered using noise-cancelling Active Noise Control technology alongside noise-optimised chassis, powertrains and body aerodynamics
• Ford Adaptive Steering enhances class-leading driving dynamics; standard Intelligent All Wheel Drive monitors road conditions to deliver a secure and responsive driving experience

The all-new Ford Edge upscale sport utility vehicle (SUV) has arrived in Ireland. Delivering premium levels of comfort, sophisticated driver assistance features and class-leading driving dynamics, the Edge is Ford’s latest offering in Europe’s best-selling vehicle segment.

“The all new Edge joins our Kuga and EcoSport to complete Ford’s SUV line-up in a segment which even in Ireland is seeing huge growth,” said Ciarán McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland. “Offering cutting-edge style with commanding presence and high specification including Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive, the Edge will tick all the boxes for Ireland’s growing number of SUV owners.”

Ford’s refined and boldly styled new flagship SUV for Europe offers technologies including:

• Active Noise Control, which works like noise-cancelling headphones to counteract unwanted noises in the cabin
• Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which can apply the brakes to avoid collisions with other vehicles or even pedestrians
• Ford Adaptive Steering, which automatically adjusts the steering ratio according to speed to optimise manoeuvrability and precision

The all-new Ford Edge sets new standards in its class for interior space; features high quality materials throughout the finely crafted interior; and offers comfort and convenience features including heated and cooled front seats and a panoramic roof.

Ford has developed the Edge to take the stress out of driving in town or country with sophisticated parking technologies that can locate and steer into or out of spaces hands-free; Front Wide-View Camera technology that can see around corners even when drivers cannot – reducing stress and potentially helping avert collisions; and standard Intelligent All Wheel Drive technology for optimised traction in slippery conditions. Powerful and fuel efficient diesel engines that deliver 5.8 l/100 km (48.7 mpg), 149 g/km CO₂* and up to 210 PS make owning a large, upscale SUV more affordable than ever.

Ford plans to sell more than 200,000 SUVs in Europe this year – a 200 per cent increase compared to 2013. Consumer demand for SUVs is growing; last year the SUV segment became the best-selling segment in Europe for the first time with a 24 per cent increase year-on-year. Registrations of vehicles in the Edge’s mid-size SUV segment grew 42 per cent year-on-year.**

Powerful and fuel-efficient engines

The Ford Edge uses the latest powertrain technologies to deliver optimised fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions, making powerful SUV performance accessible to even more customers.

The Edge is offered with a choice of two sophisticated 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engines; offering 180 PS with 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph), or a 210 PS Bi-turbo version that achieves 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 9.4 seconds and reaches 211 km/h (131 mph). Both versions deliver 5.8 l/100 km (48.7 mpg) and 149 g/km CO₂.

Innovative aerodynamic features include Front Aero Curtains that channel air through vertical slots in the front bumper and out across the outer edge of the front wheel, creating a wall of high speed air that reduces aerodynamic drag caused by the rotation of wheels.

Edge 2.0-litre TDCi 180 PS models are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, and 210 PS models with a six-speed PowerShift automatic option that can be operated via steering standard wheel-mounted paddles. All powertrains feature Ford’s Intelligent All Wheel Drive system that delivers a seamless transition of torque between all four wheels to provide a more secure footing on the road especially in slippery conditions. The system gathers data from 25 different sensors to measure how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface and can adjust torque delivery up to 50/50 between the front and rear wheels in under 20 milliseconds – twenty times quicker than it takes to blink.

Intelligent All Wheel Drive can pre-emptively adjust torque distribution to avoid wheel spin, reducing the workload for drivers and delivering smoother journeys for passengers. By only delivering torque where and when it is needed, the system has minimal impact on fuel-efficiency, CO₂ emissions and tyre wear compared with permanent four-wheel drive systems.

Edge in Ireland

Ford Edge is available in two series (both 5-door): Titanium and Sport.

Key features for the Edge Titanium series include:19” alloys; front and rear parking sensors; Handsfree Power Tailgate and Keyfree system; Ford DAB navigation system; Active Noise Cancellation; Rear View Camera; Illuminated Scuff Plates.

In addition to above, key features for the Edge Sport series include: 20” alloys; Adaptive Steering system; SONY DAB Navigation system with 12 speakers; unique front, rear and side sports bodystyling with dark exterior detailing; alloy pedals.

Bodystyle	Engine	Transmission	CO2	Price from*
Edge Titanium
5 Door	2.0 Duratorq TDCi 180PS AWD	6 speed  manual	149	€55,700
5 Door	2.0 Duratorq TDCi 210PS AWD	PowerShift	149	€60,350
Edge Sport
5 Door	2.0 Duratorq TDCi 180PS AWD	6 speed  manual	152	€57,450
5 Door	2.0 Duratorq TDCi 210PS AWD	PowerShift	152	€62,100

*quoted price range excludes delivery and related costs

**JATO Dynamics results are based on information provided by JATO Consult, the company's bespoke consulting service. Figures are based on 30 European countries.

More than 60,000 Ford Edge vehicles have been configured on www.ford.co.uk since January 2016.

More than 60,000 Ford Edge vehicles have been configured on www.ford.co.uk since January 2016, as right-hand-drive models roll off the production line for the first time. Ford data shows the flagship Sport model as the most popular choice, making up 49 per cent of the configurations, while just 11 per cent account for the lead-in Zetec series. 

Over 55 per cent specified the 210PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with Powershift automatic transmission and the most popular colours are Oxford White (16 per cent), Shadow Black (14 per cent) and Electric Spice (8 per cent). The average price of Edge models being configured in the UK is more than £35,000.

Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain, said: “The UK team and our extensive Ford dealer network are very excited by this exceptionally fast start for the new Ford Edge. With our existing EcoSport and Kuga SUV models enjoying healthy sales growth, there isn’t a better time to launch our new flagship Edge SUV.”

Available in Zetec, Titanium and Sport series – and with a choice of 180PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission, or 210PS bi-turbo 2.0‑litre TDCi diesel with six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission – the all-new Edge is well-equipped as standard, offering Ford intelligent all-wheel drive, Active Noise Control, Pedestrian Detection, Ford DAB Audio with SYNC connectivity, privacy glass and 19in alloy wheels.

Other innovative features available include Adaptive Steering, which automatically optimises the steering response according to vehicle speed, making it easy to manoeuvre at low speeds, while remaining precise and intuitive at higher speeds; and Front Wide View Camera, which makes restricted visibility junctions or parking spaces easier to negotiate.

The all-new upscale Ford Edge arrives in Ford’s UK dealerships this summer priced from £29,995 – joining the increasingly popular Ford Kuga ‘family-sized’ SUV from £19,995 and EcoSport compact SUV from £14,445.

All-New Navara production in Spain heralds a new era for Pick-Up truck quality.

• Nissan Barcelona Plant set to launch all-new Nissan NP300 Navara
• €80m investment coming to fruition on renewed production line
• New pick-up is first Nissan LCV to come with new 5-year warranty  

Raising the bar for quality and performance, the all-new Nissan Navara is ready for launch at the company’s Barcelona plant.

Harnessing the 4X4 expertise of Nissan’s Spanish operations, the new NP300 Navara has been fine-tuned for European customers and will be built on a renewed production line in Barcelona.

On a visit to the plant today, Paul Willcox, Chairman, Nissan Europe, led the traditional Japanese Daruma ceremony to mark the realisation of €80m investment for the NP300 Navara, the quality of which has heralded the launch of a new five-year Nissan Light Commercial Vehicle warranty.

Willcox said: “With 80 years of pick-up heritage, this new NP300 Navara arrives with the off-road ability, durability and loading capacity you would expect from the name.

“What makes the fully-updated Navara truly unique is the driving experience, style and comfort that it inherits from of the Nissan crossover range, like Qashqai, Juke and X-Trail.

“With the expertise of our team in Spain, a totally renewed production line in Barcelona, and our new five-year Nissan Light Commercial Vehicle warranty, Navara is further evidence that Nissan quality has never been better.”

The new NP300 Navara was engineered for Europe in Nissan’s Technical Centre (NTCE) in Barcelona, where the team developed the new 2.3 litre dCi engine and adapted noise and vibration, steering, suspension and brakes for European customers.

The contribution of Nissan’s Spanish team to the new pick-up also includes the manufacture of parts including steering knuckles, brake discs and drums at the company’s Cantabria plant.

Production of the new NP300 Navara for Nissan in Barcelona will be followed by new one-tonne pickup trucks for both Renault and Mercedez-Benz, all of which will also share some common architecture.

Barcelona plant has capacity to produce about 120,000 vehicles annually for the three brands, which would see 1,000 new jobs created once full production is reached.

Frank Torres, Managing Director and Vice President of Nissan Spanish Industrial Operations, added:  “The new product range in Barcelona point to a sustainable future for the plant and takes us towards our goal of producing 200,000 vehicles per year.

“In 17 months we have launched three vehicles successfully in Spain. As the quality output from this plant continues to improve, we are about to start the production of the fourth, the new NP300 Navara.

“Not only will this set a new benchmark for the pick-up market, it signals the beginning of our journey to becoming a premium plant.” 

Nissan's LEAF gets upgraded tech, better quality interiors and, oh yes, a vastly increased range per charge.

• 25% increase in LEAF driving range - 155 miles* (250km) on a single charge
• Another first as Nissan introduces 30kWh battery technology to the sector
• Significant battery updates improve performance
• Longer range headlines 2016MY update that further extends Nissan’s lead over rivals
• New NissanConnect EV infotainment system with greater functionality; off-board telematics for remote operations
• Exterior design update with revised details and new colour option

Nissan is once again transforming the performance, practicality and perception of EVs with the introduction of the LEAF 30 kWh - an updated Nissan LEAF that gives drivers 155 miles of motoring range, beating all of its competitors in the segment.

This remarkable achievement – one that opens up a new world of opportunity for drivers – is made possible thanks to the introduction of a new 30kWh battery. The new battery is the highlight of an update package that will see the 2016MY LEAF 30 kWh reinforce its position as the most capable and practical electric vehicle in the world, and with the best value. 

The longer range significantly broadens the LEAF’s appeal – making it a true alternative to an internal combustion engine vehicle for thousands of motorists and reinforcing its position as the world’s best electric car. 

Commented Paul Willcox, Chairman, Nissan Europe: “The LEAF, the best-selling EV in the world, just got even better. And up-to 155 miles opens the world of EV to thousands of drivers across Europe who before just weren’t completely confident that an EV would work for them. This extra range will make LEAF ownership an easy first choice, for many, many more drivers.”

New battery, new technology, same simple usability

The LEAF’s new 30kWh battery delivers a longer range with no compromise on internal packaging. Available on Acenta and Tekna trim grades, it has exactly the same exterior dimensions as existing 24kWh unit and only a modest 21 kg increase in weight. The result? A car that goes significantly further while offering the same practicality and usability as previous versions.

Key to the new battery’s higher performance is an update to its internal design and chemistry. 

The introduction of Carbon, Nitrogen and Magnesium to the electrodes improves performance, while the change to the cell layout also contributes to the gain. Indeed, Nissan is so confident about the performance and reliability of the new 30kWh battery that the capacity will be covered by an eight year, 100,000 mile warranty. 

Recharging the LEAF’s new 30kWh battery is as easy and stress-free as it is with the current 24kWh unit. Just as with the current LEAF, customers will be able to recharge from their homes, from public chargers, or from the network of rapid chargers (3 phase, 400V) expanding across European – the best EV network available. 

In the UK there are approximately 500 LEAF-compatible rapid chargers, covering more than 95% of the UK’s motorway network.

New IT technology gives owners even greater control

One of the LEAF’s most celebrated and useful features is its ability to interact with and be controlled remotely by its owner via NissanConnect EV. 

From being able to check charge status to pre-heating the cabin on cold winter days, owners across the world have used this advanced smartphone-enabled telematics facility to make life even easier. NissanConnect EV not only brings greater comfort but also improves driving range, thanks to the ability to pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin without using battery energy.

The LEAF 30 kWh introduces a significant update to this unique technology with a new NissanConnect EV system that replaces the previous Carwings setup. It retains all the acclaimed elements of the original system, but adds new features, a much-simplified activation process and a new design.

One of the many advances of the new NissanConnect EV system is the new charging map that is capable of showing which charging points are available and which are being used. Designed to offer seamless integration with the new-generation NissanConnect EV infotainment system, it also features a completely revised navigation system, maintenance alerts and a car-finder facility. 

LEAF 30 kWh – the world’s favourite EV made even better

All Acenta and Tekna 2016MY LEAF models are equipped with the latest evolution of the brand’s acclaimed NissanConnect EV infotainment system. 

Featuring a new interface and digital radio receiver, it also offers a capacitive 7-inch touchscreen that allows owners to zoom in and out of maps and flick between menus just by moving their fingers on the screen.

The LEAF 30 kWh also introduces a number of subtle exterior design changes – including a new roof-mounted aerial along with the availability of a new colour – Bronze.

Full pricing

Sales of the model year 2016 Nissan LEAF 30kW will begin in the UK in December 2015. Priced from £24,490 for the Acenta trim, the LEAF 30kW is available for just £1,600 more than the equivalent LEAF with a 24kW battery.

Grade	Options	Battery	OTR with PiCG**
Acenta		MY16 - 30kWh	£24,490
Acenta	Solar cell	MY16 - 30kWh	£24,790
Acenta	6kW charger	MY16 - 30kWh	£25,640
Acenta	6kW charger + Solar Cell	MY16 - 30kWh	£25,940
Tekna		MY16 - 30kWh	£26,490
Tekna	Solar cell	MY16 - 30kWh	£26,790
Tekna	6kW charger	MY16 - 30kWh	£27,640
Tekna	6kW charger +Solar cell	MY16 - 30kWh	£27,940
Visia		MY16 - 24kWh	£20,790
Visia	6kW charger	MY16 - 24kWh	£21,940
Acenta		MY16 - 24kWh	£22,890
Acenta	Solar cell	MY16 - 24kWh	£23,190
Acenta	6kW charger	MY16 - 24kWh	£24,040
Acenta	6kW charger + Solar Cell	MY16 - 24kWh	£24,340
Tekna		MY16 - 24kWh	£24,890
Tekna	Solar cell	MY16 - 24kWh	£25,190
Tekna	6kW charger	MY16 - 24kWh	£26,040
Tekna	6kW charger +Solar cell	MY16 - 24kWh	£26,340

*NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) target 155 miles – to be confirmed by homologation

**On the road price (OTR) includes VAT, includes First reg fee of £55. Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) incentive for LEAF is 35% up to a maximum of £5,000