All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Russians produce Citroen C5 Aircross without Stellantis approval

During 2022, most manufacturers stopped production of their cars in plants located in Russia, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, according to the latest information, the Russians have found a way to continue the production of some models, such as the Citroen C5 Aircross, in the Stellantis plant with parts manufactured in China.

The Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng Motor Group, Stellantis’ partner in China, supplied parts to the Russian company Automotive Technologies, which began assembling the Citroen C5 Aircross. This is not the first time that Chinese companies violate agreements with other manufacturers, and this time the reason could be the agreement that Stellantis reached with another Chinese company (Leapmotor).

Customs records do not indicate that Stellantis knew about the imports, but evidence obtained by other companies shows a lack of control over their brands in Russia after leaving the country. The Chinese company Dongfeng, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and Automotive Technologies did not comment on this case.

How Stellantis will respond to this cheeky move by Chinese and Russian companies remains to be seen.

Russia is taking advantage of the current situation to continue producing cars in factories abandoned by their owners through parallel imports. Stellantis and Mitsubishi Motors in Russia own a plant in Kaluga (70% + 30%) where 125,000 vehicles were produced annually. Leaving Russia had a negative impact on Stellantis Group, with a loss of EUR 144 million plus and EUR 87 million in cash.

Source: Reuters

EV

2025 YangWang U9

The Chinese luxury electric car brand owned by BYD Auto has unveiled its new sports car, the YangWang U9. It is the second sports car from the company that was founded in 2023 when it introduced its first car, the YangWang U8.

The YangWang U9 is almost five meters long with a wheelbase of 2.9 meters. It is equipped with the DiSus-X chassis control system, which BYD claims has undergone more than 30 months and 10 million kilometers of endurance tests, an advanced active suspension system, an optional carbon fiber rear spoiler, and Lambo-style doors.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in gray fabric with red accents. Fabric also covers the dashboard, door panels and center console, while the steering wheel is wrapped in gray leather. Two small displays in front of the driver and passenger and one on the central console show a minimalist approach. There are no big screens as we can see with other manufacturers.

The U9 is powered by four electric motors with a total output of 1,300 hp (970 kW) and 944 lb-ft (1,280 Nm) of torque. That’s enough power to propel the nearly 2.5-ton car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 2 seconds with a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). It is equipped with a 10 kWh LFP Balde battery that provides a range of 435 miles (∼700 km). It sits on 21″ wheels wrapped in 275/35 R21 front and 325/30 R21 rear tires.

YangWang will officially launch this model next week, and it is expected to cost more than $150,000 USD.

Source: YangWang

Gallery:

2025 YangWang U9
Auctions

Joe Biden’s 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan is up for auction

At the end of January, a 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster owned by former President of the United States Donald Trump was sold at auction, and now a car owned by the current President of the United States, Joe Biden, has been auctioned. It is a 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan with 15,894 miles on the odometer.

The car is finished in black over a Kona brown interior, which was Biden’s choice. Kona brown leather is not in the best ATS equipment package. However, given his status, his wish was granted, so it is actually a unique example of the ATS-V model.

Biden visited Delaware Cadillac in Wilmington in 2017 when he chose this car. At the time, he was a former vice president and had to change his security clearance to be able to drive a Cadillac ATS-V Sedan.

The car is equipped with the Luxury Package and Safety and Security Package, which include split-folding rear seats, sport alloy pedals, HID headlights with AFL and LED signature, universal home remote, navigation system, 110-volt power outlet, Bose surround sound system, head -up display, remote lock fuel filler door, locking wheel lugs, steering column lock, additional theft-deterrent alarm system, inclination/tilt sensor, rear thorax for outboard seating positions airbags, Rainsense wipers, following distance indicator, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, Intellibeam headlights, forward collision alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Additional equipment includes carbon fiber engine cover, 18-inch CT4-V Blackwing wheels finished in Tech Bronze, Rennick Performance front grille and rear bumper trim, black emblem kit, Suede microfiber steering wheel and shift knob, tinted windows, red-painted Brembo brake calipers, power-operated sunroof, heated and power-adjustable front seats, sapele wood trim, magnesium paddle shifters, automatic climate control, 8-inch diagonal color display, rear-view camera, adaptive remote start, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities .

When it comes to the powertrain, the ATS-V Sedan is powered by a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 464 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The auction ends on February 21st and the highest bid at the time of writing was $46,046 USD. Cadillac ATS-V Sedan comes with owner’s manual, window sticker previously signed by President Joe Biden, copies of email correspondence with Cadillac executives, factory 18-inch polished face wheels, factory grilles, emblems, steering wheel, and shift knob, car cover, and 2 keys.

Source: Cars & Bids

Gallery:

Joe Biden's 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan is up for auction