Powering Progress: Volkswagen Financial Services Electrifies Siemens AG Fleet with 1,000 Cutting-Edge ID.4 Vehicles

Volkswagen ID.4
In the new colour „Costa Azul“

Volkswagen Financial Services is teaming up with Siemens AG and the Volkswagen brand to electrify Siemens’ fleet, gradually introducing up to 1,000 leased Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles. This initiative aligns with Siemens’ commitment to electrification and sustainability, marking a significant step in their strategy.

Armin Villinger, Chairman of the Management Board of Volkswagen Leasing GmbH, highlighted the central role of fleet electrification in advancing e-mobility market adoption. He stated, “We are observing that more and more fleet managers are also electrifying their service vehicles. This shows how suitable and practical electric mobility has become for everyday use.”

Achim Schaible, Chairman and Spokesman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Germany, emphasized the importance of the fleet customer business to Volkswagen. The collaboration with Siemens reflects a longstanding and trusting relationship that extends into the era of electromobility.

Siemens, as part of its sustainability strategy, has set ambitious goals for the electrification of its fleet. The company aims to achieve a fully electric and CO2-neutral fleet by 2030. Stefan Kurz, Head of Global Fleet Management at Siemens, explained the choice of the Volkswagen ID.4, citing its favorable combination of range, charging speed, trunk volume, and price.

The Volkswagen ID.4 stands as the first all-electric compact SUV from the brand, available in China, the USA, and Europe. It utilizes the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB), Volkswagen’s technical foundation for its electric vehicles. The ID.4 boasts a spacious interior, robust driving performance, and impressive ranges of up to 512 kilometers or 531 kilometers in the WLTP cycle. Its quick-charging capability of up to 135 kW enhances its suitability for long-distance travel. This collaboration signifies a pivotal move toward sustainable fleet management, aligning with Siemens’ DEGREE framework and showcasing the adaptability and practicality of electric mobility in diverse settings.

Courtesy : https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Range Rover Electric Unveils Cutting-Edge Design and Performance

RANGE ROVER OFF-ROAD

Breaking Ground: Range Rover Electric Set to Redefine Luxury SUVs with Innovative Design and Performance

As the anticipation for Range Rover Electric builds, the vehicle is gearing up to shatter records with an expected surge in patent filings, making it the most patented Range Rover in history. Currently undergoing one of the most extensive engineering sign-off programs, prototypes are rigorously tested across extreme temperatures, all terrains, and challenging conditions, including wading through waters up to 850mm deep.

The engineering team aims to craft the quietest and most refined Range Rover to date, introducing active road noise cancellation and sound design. Leveraging electric underpinnings, the Range Rover Electric promises an unparalleled level of cabin comfort for a serene and luxurious driving experience.

Offering a sneak peek into its modernity, the Range Rover Electric showcases distinctive design elements, dropping subtle hints about its powerful all-electric drive. With an 800V architecture enabling rapid charging on public networks, Range Rover aims to provide future clients with a seamless electric ownership experience, incorporating effortless charging, energy partnerships, over-the-air updates, and intelligent technology to maximize range.

Built on the flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture in Solihull, United Kingdom, the Range Rover Electric will share the assembly line with existing mild and extended-range plug-in electric hybrid Range Rover vehicles. The manufacturing process includes a new £70m underbody facility at the Solihull plant. Batteries and electric drive units (EDUs) will be assembled at JLR’s new Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

To mark this significant step forward, Range Rover has opened the waiting list for the highly anticipated Range Rover Electric, inviting enthusiasts to be among the first to place a pre-order. As the first fully electric vehicle from Range Rover, it promises to redefine modern luxury with its iconic design and cutting-edge capabilities.

Geraldine Ingham, Managing Director of Range Rover, emphasizes that the introduction of the Range Rover Electric signifies a new era for the brand. The vehicle retains the timeless design, serene cabin, and go-anywhere capability that are synonymous with the Range Rover legacy but now with zero tailpipe emissions.

Thomas Müller, Executive Director of Product Engineering at JLR, assures that the Range Rover Electric will deliver performance comparable to a flagship Range Rover V8, combined with the all-terrain capability that has been a hallmark of the brand since its inception in 1970.

After a year of virtual development and extensive testing, the physical prototypes are now undergoing global on-road testing in various climates, from Sweden to Dubai. The Range Rover Electric is poised to set a new standard in luxury electric SUVs, combining performance, design, and sustainability in a way that has never been seen before in the industry.

Courtesy : https://media.landrover.com

IONIQ 5 Reigns Supreme: Named The Car Connection’s Best Electric Car To Buy Two Years in a Row

HyundaiIONIQ5

For the second consecutive year, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has secured the prestigious title of The Car Connection’s Best Electric Car To Buy. The accolade is a result of The Car Connection’s rigorous evaluation process, where vehicles are assessed on a 10-point scale across various categories, including styling, performance, comfort, safety, technology, and efficiency. This recognition is a testament to the IONIQ 5’s outstanding attributes and innovation, showcasing its impressive range, rapid charging capabilities, and overall excellence in the evolving landscape of electric vehicles.

Ricky Lao, Director of Product Planning at Hyundai Motor North America, expressed gratitude for the honor, stating, “We’re honored that the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has earned The Car Connection’s Best Electric Car to Buy Award for a second consecutive year. This remarkable achievement firmly emphasizes the IONIQ 5’s unparalleled excellence and innovation, including its confidence-inspiring range and impressive charging speed. The fact that IONIQ 5 is a repeat winner despite so many new EVs entering the market this year demonstrates just how advanced and well-rounded a vehicle it is.”

The Car Connection’s Editorial Director, Martin Padgett, commended the IONIQ 5, saying, “The IONIQ 5 wins our Best Electric Car To Buy 2024 award for its all-around talent. It’s a fast-charging, great-looking, spacious crossover with excellent driving range. The IONIQ 5 has remained at the top of our overall ratings, our crossover ratings, and our electric-car ratings—despite a wave of great new vehicles in each category. That’s a testament to its fundamental goodness. All the IONIQ 5’s tech goodness—fast-charging, great interfaces, long driving range—comes with its fantastic retro ‘80s style. It’s a great-looking vehicle that just so happens to be an electric car.”

Receiving The Car Connection’s Best Electric Car To Buy is a highly coveted award, especially considering the broad scope of the category, encompassing SUVs, sedans, hatchbacks, and even pickup trucks in the evaluation process.

Courtesy : https://www.hyundainews.com

Built Ford Tough Triumph: 2024 F-Series Super Duty Wins North American Truck of the Year

2023FordSuperDuty

The 2024 Ford F-Series Super Duty, hailed as the ultimate workhorse for weekend warriors and builders, proudly clinched the prestigious 2024 North American Truck of the Year award today.

Crafted to enhance both work and recreational experiences, the Super Duty pickups and chassis cabs offer unparalleled convenience and productivity. Whether maneuvering through tight turns on off-road trails, hitching a trailer, backing up to a loading dock, or operating upfit equipment, these vehicles dominate key segments like mining, construction, and utilities. With double the market share of their closest competitor, Super Duty continues to lead the way.

Andrew Kernahan, Chief Program Engineer for Super Duty, expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “This award from the NACTOY jury is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our teams. It reflects the countless hours spent designing, engineering, and building Super Duty pickups and chassis cabs to be the ultimate BUILT FORD TOUGH® tools for both work and recreation.”

Catering to the needs of heavy-duty pickup owners, Super Duty boasts best-in-class features, including a maximum towing capacity of 40,000 pounds, a maximum payload of 8,000 pounds, and an impressive 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb.-ft. of torque from the high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 diesel engine.

Smart technology is at the forefront, with features like Pro Power Onboard, capable of powering a jobsite or campsite. Ford Pro’s suite of software and services ensures maximum uptime and enhanced productivity. Super Duty also introduces innovative elements such as a fighter jet plane-inspired Head-Up Display, Onboard Scales for confidence in towing and hauling, a 360-Degree Camera Package, and a class-exclusive standard 5G modem with Wi-Fi. Over-the-air software updates from Ford keep the truck current and optimized.

For the 2024 model year, Super Duty’s bumper-to-bumper tech innovations, standard content, options, and packages have been updated for easier customer configuration and ordering. Ford Co-Pilot360® Technology is available across trims, and 4×4 is standard beginning at the XLT Trim. New color options include Darkened Bronze Metallic and Glacier Gray Metallic Tri-Coat. Responding to customer demand, the popular pickup box delete is once again available to order for the 2024 Super Duty.

Celebrating its 47th consecutive year as the best-selling truck in the U.S., the F-Series continues to make a mark. Super Duty is proudly assembled in America at Ford’s Ohio Assembly Plant and Kentucky Truck Plant.

Courtesy : https://media.ford.com

Hyundai and Kia Partner with Samsung’s SmartThings for Seamless Car-to-Home Connectivity

Car-to-Home-and-Home-to-Car

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have officially inked an agreement with Samsung Electronics on January 3 to forge a strategic partnership for Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services. The collaboration aims to redefine the connection between residential and mobility spaces, offering customers a seamless integration of their digital lifestyles.

As part of this agreement, Hyundai and Kia vehicle owners will gain the ability to remotely control smart home devices using their cars’ in-car infotainment systems, employing both touch and voice commands. Conversely, users can also manage various vehicle functions through AI speakers, TVs, and smartphone apps. This integration is made possible through the seamless merger of Hyundai and Kia’s connected car services with Samsung’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform, known as ‘SmartThings,’ ensuring uninterrupted connectivity experiences for users in their daily lives.

For instance, during a hot summer evening commute, users can activate the ‘Home Mode’ from their vehicles, turning on the air conditioner, air purifier, robot vacuum, and lights to create a comfortable living space. Similarly, before leaving home, the ‘Away Mode’ can be initiated to turn off unnecessary lights, start the robot vacuum for a clean living space upon return, and pre-activate the vehicle’s air conditioning to a preferred temperature.

Hyundai and Kia’s Car-to-Home service will introduce location-based automatic operation in addition to touchscreen and voice commands, enhancing convenience for users while driving. Electric vehicle owners will also benefit from SmartThings’ integrated home energy management service, allowing them to monitor and adjust energy usage for both home and vehicle.

The automakers plan to extend these Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services to international customers by integrating them with Samsung SmartThings on a global scale. To achieve this, Hyundai and Kia will develop stable infotainment systems, ensuring continuous updates through over-the-air (OTA) and USB-based updates for existing vehicles.

Haeyoung Kwon, Vice President of Hyundai and Kia’s Infotainment Development Center, expressed, “This is an opportunity to make the connected car’s Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services more convenient in various fields. We plan to accelerate our technology development to continuously make global Hyundai and Kia customers’ journeys meaningful.”

Chanwoo Park, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics, added, “This collaboration will enable communication from Home-to-Car and integrated home energy management services that are optimized for future lifestyles. By connecting the SmartThings platform with vehicles, we’ll be able to significantly enhance the customer experience in both the home and the car.”

Notably, Hyundai and Kia have already been providing Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services through collaborations with telecommunication companies and construction firms. The partnership with Samsung SmartThings is set to expand these services to support connections with an even wider range of devices. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Samsung Electronics signals the beginning of an exciting journey toward enhancing connectivity between residential and mobility spaces, with plans for future expansion into global markets.

Courtesy : https://chat.openai.com