All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Stellantis plans to invest 5.6 billion euros in South America

As part of the “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan, Stellantis Group intends to invest over 50 billion euros worldwide in electric vehicles in the next 10 years, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2038. One of the markets that Stellantis is seriously counting on is South America, where it plans to invest 5.6 billion euros by the end of the decade.

In recent years, China has been a market where many global manufacturers have invested and opened facilities (independently or in partnership with domestic companies) for the production of electric vehicles. However, due to strained relations between Europe and China, regarding state subsidies for electric vehicles exported to Europe, European manufacturers are looking for other places for investment.

Stellanti has chosen South America as one of its most successful markets. This multinational automotive manufacturing corporation holds significant market shares on this continent (23.5 percent), and in Brazil alone they hold almost one third of the market (31.4 percent).

“The planned investments will support the launch of more than 40 new products in that period and the development of new biohybrid technologies, innovative decarbonization technologies in the supply chain of the automotive industry and new strategic business opportunities,” Stellantis announced.

The facility in the Brazilian city of Betim serves as the company’s global hub for bio-hybrid technology that combines electrification with hybrid engines that use biofuels such as ethanol. Expectations are that these technologies will be available by the end of 2024.

It should also be noted that at the end of 2023, Stellantis formed a joint venture with Leapmotor. Stellantis intends to invest €1.5 billion to acquire approximately 20% of Leapmotor. This will be a good financial injection for the Chinese company to improve its sales results in the domestic market but also to expand its business outside of China. The world’s largest conglomerate will have a 51 percent stake and will have the rights to export, sell and manufacture Leapmotor electric vehicles outside of China.

At a press conference in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said: “We have not been so successful in China, so we prefer to rely on a Chinese partner. To win in China, it is better to win with a Chinese company.” This is a good strategic move for Stellantis, with which the group resets its strategy focused on electric vehicles after years of bad sales in China.

Source: Stellantis

Auctions

1996 Honda NSX-R for sale

In 1989, Honda introduced a mid-engine sports car, the Honda NSX-R, with a balance between raw performance and daily driveability. However, two years later for customers who wanted a no-compromise racing experience, the Japanese manufacturer introduced a more powerful limited version of this model, the Honda NSX-R. Only 483 examples were produced and one of them, the 1996 Honda NSX-R is for sale.

In early March, the car was auctioned but failed to reach the asking price of $450,000. Some will say that the owner is asking too much, perhaps he is if we consider that examples like this are estimated at $80,000 – $120,000.

The car is finished in Championship white and is one of the best preserved examples of this model. The weight of 1229 kg (2,710 pounds) was achieved by removing the audio and air conditioning systems, traction control, spare tire, and even some of the electrical system.

This NSX-R is equipped with custom Recaro racing seats, aluminum brackets to further stiffen the chassis, Enkei lightweight forged aluminum wheels, a competition-oriented suspension system with a stiffer front wishbone, suspension bushings, coil springs and dampers.

When it comes to the powertrain, under the hood is a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine with a balanced crankshaft assembly and a revised final drive ratio. Power is rated at 294 hp (216 kW) and 224 lb-ft (304 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The car is in excellent condition and still has the factory plastic covering the door sills. The six-digit odometer shows only 18,320 km (~11,496 miles). Comes with Japanese service records from new, owner’s manual and other books, keys, and has undergone recent servicing in preparation for sale.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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1996 Honda NSX-R for sale
News

Hypersquare comes with the new Peugeot 208 and 2008

Last year, Peugeot introduced the Inception concept car equipped with a futuristic steering wheel called Hypersquare. Peugeot conducted several studies and found that customers are ready for such a change, so it was decided that this technology will be used in the new generations of the 208 and 2008 models.

“By wire” technology eliminates the traditional steering column. There is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels, instead an electrical connection is used to send signals between the steering wheel actuator and the steering gear actuator.

In an interview with Autocar, Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson said: “Not only do we think this kind of steering is technologically superior, but it’s also linked to steering-by-wire technology. This is important because it enriches something that is absolutely fundamental to Peugeot, which is driving pleasure.”

Besides the Hypersquare, drivers will also have a 21-inch curved display mounted on top of the dashboard, which will replace the instrument panel and central display. The new technology provides better integration with modern safety systems, but also removes unwanted vibrations and provides better steering control with much less effort. Also, the new technology allows designing a more spacious cabin. Customers who participated in the studies were shocked by the amount of free space created by the introduction of the new technology.

Source: Peugeot

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Hypersquare comes with the new Peugeot 208 and 2008