All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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BMW started production of the new 1 Series

BMW has announced that it has started production of the fourth generation 1 Series, and the car will be produced at their factory in Leipzig, Germany.

Visually, a hatchback body style has been retained with a redesigned front and rear bumper, new LED lights. Earlier spy photos confirmed that the M version will feature deeper fenders, a discreet rear spoiler and quad tailpipes, just like the outgoing M135i xDrive. Inside, the new 1 Series will be equipped with a new digital cockpit and the latest technical solutions.

When it comes to the powertrain, the new 1 Series is offered in several options: 118d, 120d, 120 and M135 xDrive. The most powerful version of the M135 xDrive comes with a 2.0-L gasoline engine with 300 hp (224 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque, and AWD. That’s enough power to push the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The 120 version is powered by a 1.5-L twin-turbocharged 170 hp (127 kW) three-cylinder mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels.

The diesel options 118d and 120d, are powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine with 150 hp (112 kW) and 163 hp (121 kW), combined with a 48-volt mild hybrid.

The fourth generation BMW 1 Series will arrive on the market at the end of the year.

Source: BMW

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BMW started production of the new 1 Series
News

Dacia Spring costs 3,500 euros more due to new EU tariffs

At the beginning of the year, the redesigned Dacia Spring arrived on the market, and two months later it was announced that it will cost 10,990 euros. However, the latest information says that due to the new EU tariffs, this car will cost 3,500 euros more.

In 2023, the EU launched an investigation into the privileged position of electric vehicles produced in China due to subsidies. It was suspected that China is helping domestic companies in various ways to export their cars to the European market at lower prices and thus endangering European manufacturers. In order to respond to the growing pressure and resentment of European companies, the EU decided to introduce additional tariffs of up to 38.1%, which will come into effect on July 4. For example, BYD will pay 17.4 percent, Geely 20 percent, and SAIC, which with the help of former British brand MG is by far the biggest seller in Europe, will pay 38.1 percent. Other brands that were cooperative will pay a 21 percent duty, and those that refused will pay 38.1 percent.

This decision is already showing its impact on car prices, so the Dacia Spring will have a new starting price of 20,400 euros from autumn. On the French market, the price increase will be even higher. Thus, an electric car on the French market would be more expensive by almost 4,000 euros compared to the current starting price.

Dacia is not the only victim of the new EU tariffs, Tesla will also increase the prices of their cars. In some EU markets, the Tesla Model 3 will cost 8,500 euros more, with a starting price of 49,490 euros (subsidies not included).

Source: Reuters

News

Changan plans to produce cars in Europe

In March, Chinese automaker Changan unveiled the first ever car with extended range technology (EREV), the Changan Hunter. Now the company has announced that it plans to start car production in Europe.

Last year, Changan launched a global strategy to expand into the global market with the potential construction of factories abroad. The first move was to expand into the South American market, where the focus is on cars with internal combustion engines, and the plan is to sell around 200,000 units by 2030.

Now the focus is on the European market where they plan to offer exclusively battery vehicles. It can be said that Changan is trying to react quickly to the recent decision of the European Commission to introduce additional tariffs (of up to 38.1%) on cars manufactured in China. Other Chinese companies could follow suit, and some of them have already done so. For example, BYD aims to be among the top five best-selling brands in Europe by the end of the decade and the plan is to build a factory in Hungary with an initial capacity of 200,000 units per year. Also, Leapmotor has announced that it will assemble its small electric car, the T03, in Poland.

It should be noted that some information suggests that the EU may change tariffs on Chinese EVs. Thus, producers who cooperated during the investigation would have lower tariffs (20.8% instead of 21%), while those who refused to cooperate will have tariffs of 37.6 percent instead of the original 38.1 percent.

Source: Changan