All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Ram Teases New Passenger Van Amid Aggressive Brand Overhaul

Less than a year into retirement, Tim Kuniskis is back—and already making bold moves at the helm of the Ram brand. The former Dodge boss, known for bringing muscle back to the mainstream, has returned to steer Ram through one of its most pivotal transitions yet. Since his return, he’s reignited the Hemi V-8 for Ram’s half-ton pickups, delayed the all-electric Ram 1500 Rev for strategic recalibration, introduced an industry-leading powertrain warranty, and even returned the brand to the NASCAR Truck Series. But now, he’s dropped a curveball: Ram may be entering the passenger van game.

In a recent interview with CNBC highlighting his comeback and Ram’s revitalization, Kuniskis hinted at the unexpected—potentially adding a passenger van to the lineup. While light on details, the tease adds to an already packed agenda, as Kuniskis confirmed Ram has more than 25 product announcements planned between now and the end of 2026.

Currently, Ram’s only van offering is the ProMaster, a commercial cargo vehicle available in a “Crew” setup with two rows of seats. Its European counterpart, the Fiat Ducato, is sold in a passenger configuration overseas, and Ram previously offered the smaller ProMaster City as a passenger van before it was axed in 2022. Kuniskis’ remarks suggest the brand may now be eyeing something broader—or perhaps more family-friendly. Could a Ram minivan be in the cards?

The move would be unorthodox but timely. Since 2019, Ram’s overall sales have plummeted 39%, and its once-dominant 1500 pickup has lost significant ground in the fiercely competitive half-ton segment. With Stellantis still reeling from the underwhelming tenure of former CEO Carlos Tavares, revitalizing Ram—the group’s profit powerhouse thanks to its pickup sales—is more crucial than ever.

If Ram does indeed enter the passenger van space, it would face limited but formidable competition. The commercial passenger van segment is currently dominated by Ford’s Transit, Mercedes-Benz’s Sprinter, and GM’s aging duo—the Chevy Express and GMC Savana. Meanwhile, the minivan market has proven surprisingly resilient, with strong offerings from Chrysler (Pacifica), Honda (Odyssey), Kia (Carnival), Toyota (Sienna), and the retro-futuristic VW ID.Buzz.

Whether it’s a new mid-size truck, a reimagined passenger van, or something else entirely, one thing is clear: Tim Kuniskis isn’t just back—he’s back with a plan. And Ram, after years in decline, might just be on the brink of a true comeback.

Source: CNBC

News

Škoda Begins Construction of State-of-the-Art Paint Shop in Mladá Boleslav

Milestone facility set to boost production quality and sustainability ahead of 2029 launch.

Škoda Auto has officially broken ground on a next-generation paint shop at its Mladá Boleslav headquarters in the Czech Republic, marking a significant stride toward more efficient and environmentally friendly vehicle production. The facility, scheduled to open in 2029, is poised to become a cornerstone of the brand’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

Equipped with cutting-edge automation, robotics, and smart technologies, the new paint shop promises to enhance the precision and quality of vehicle coatings across Škoda’s lineup—including both internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric models. In addition to standard finishes, the plant will be capable of delivering complex two-tone paint jobs and sophisticated matte coatings, aligning with evolving customer preferences and premium design trends.

Škoda‘s investment in this facility underscores its broader commitment to sustainable manufacturing. By 2030, the Czech automaker aims to achieve carbon-neutral production at all of its domestic plants. The new paint shop will play a crucial role in that mission, reducing CO₂ emissions from the painting process by an estimated 28% and cutting down significantly on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.

“The new paint shop reflects Škoda’s forward-looking approach to both product quality and environmental responsibility,” said a spokesperson for the company. “It’s not just about painting cars—it’s about painting a greener future.”

Spanning an impressive 118,000 square meters—roughly the area of 16 football fields—the massive structure will stretch 301 meters in length, 131 meters in width, and rise to a height of 32.5 meters, equivalent to a seven-story building. The internal transport system alone will exceed 15 kilometers in length, ensuring efficient vehicle flow through the facility.

Construction will take place on the site of the existing completed vehicle parking area, adjacent to the recently inaugurated Laurin and Klement Bridge, further integrating the new facility into Škoda’s evolving industrial footprint.

As Škoda moves toward the next chapter of its production evolution, this high-tech paint shop represents not only a leap in capability but also a symbol of the brand’s drive toward innovation and climate-conscious manufacturing.

Source: Škoda

News

Xiaomi Blows Away Nürburgring Record with Insane SU7 Ultra Lap

Xiaomi may have only recently entered the automotive world, but it’s already sending shockwaves through one of the industry’s most sacred proving grounds: the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The tech giant returned to the legendary “Green Hell” to improve on a record it had already set—and left with something even more impressive.

Less than a year ago, Xiaomi stunned the industry by claiming a spot among the top five fastest electric cars around the Nürburgring. Its SU7 Ultra prototype clocked an already blistering time of 6:46.87, placing it firmly in the upper echelons of EV performance. That alone was enough to rattle the establishment, but Xiaomi wasn’t done.

Back on the 20.8 km-long torture test of a track, British driver David Pittard piloted an evolved version of the SU7 Ultra prototype to a jaw-dropping 6:22.091, slicing nearly 24 seconds off the previous best. For context, that beats the mighty Lotus Evija X prototype (6:24.04) and now ranks the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra as the third fastest car ever to lap the ’Ring—production-based or not.

To climb even higher in the rankings, Xiaomi would need to beat the Volkswagen ID.R’s 6:05.33 or somehow challenge the almost mythical 5:19.546 set by Timo Bernhard in the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo. That latter record, however, remains more dream than target, as it was set in what is essentially a Le Mans prototype on steroids.

But perhaps even more remarkable is what Xiaomi has accomplished with the production version of the SU7. Though heavier and less extreme than the prototype, it still lapped the Nürburgring in 7:04.957, making it the fastest production electric vehicle around the circuit. In doing so, it outpaced heavyweights like the Porsche Taycan and even the all-electric hypercar Rimac Nevera.

To commemorate this double victory, Xiaomi has announced two highly exclusive special editions aimed at enthusiasts and collectors alike.

SU7 Ultra Track Package

The first is the Track Package, a circuit-focused evolution of the SU7. Designed with Nürburgring data in mind, it boasts an upgraded battery optimized for high-output scenarios, enhanced thermal management, refined brakes, and custom-tuned suspension. All of this allows it to reach an eye-watering top speed of 350 km/h.

SU7 Nurburgring Edition

For those wanting the rarest of the rare, Xiaomi unveiled the SU7 Nürburgring Edition. Limited to just 10 units for 2025 and 100 units total, this version is not just a car—it’s a collector’s item. It features bespoke aerodynamic tweaks, underbody enhancements, and a stripped-down interior complete with a rear-seat-delete roll cage. Under the skin lies a tri-motor powertrain delivering a staggering 1,548 horsepower and 1,770 Nm of torque.

Source: Xiaomi

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Xiaomi Blows Away Nürburgring Record with Insane SU7 Ultra Lap