News

Ford cuts 3,500 jobs in Germany

In mid-2022, Ford hinted that it would stop producing its popular compact Focus next year, and now it’s official. This decision will cause the loss of 3,500 jobs in Germany.

The factory in Saarlouis was opened in 1970, and after 55 years it could be completely closed. Ford had talks with Chinese brands BYD and Chery about taking over the factory, but also with a German manufacturer of solar panels. However, the latest information suggests that the deal has not been made.

Although Ford intended to assemble its new electric models in this factory, it will not happen. Plans have changed and the new electric Ford models will be assembled at a factory in Valencia, Spain. Some information says that Ford made an agreement with the union IG Metall to lay off workers. Union representatives said that after 2025, around 1,000 workers will remain at the Saarlouis factory, who will be offered retraining, and that there will be no forced redundancies until 2032. Also, employees will be able to leave early with severance pay.

Source: Reuters

News

Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV costs EUR 210,000 in Europe

At the end of 2023, the first fully electric Maybach, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV, arrived on the market. It is a luxury version of the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS, which was first presented for the American market, and now it can be ordered in Europe as well.

The car is 5.12 meters long and comes with a long list of standard equipment that includes adaptive air suspension, Digital Light headlights, refrigerator in the glove compartment, individual rear seats, heated steering wheel, Nappa Exclusive java leather upholstery, brown microfiber roof color Dinamica, 21-inch wheels, MBUX Hyperscreen multimedia system with three separate displays, two 11.6-inch displays for two separate rear seat passengers, premium audio system Burmester 4D.

Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV is powered by two electric motors with a total output of 658 hp (484 kW) and 701 lb-ft (950 Nm) of torque. That’s enough power to push the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). It is equipped with a 120 kWh battery that enables a range of up to 600 kilometers (WLTP), and can be charged at fast chargers with a power of up to 200 kW. The manufacturer states that charging from 10-80 percent capacity takes 30 minutes on a fast charger.

When it comes to price, on the American market the EQS 680 costs USD $180,000, while in Europe the starting price is 210,000 euros.

Source: Mercedes

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Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV costs EUR 210,000 in Europe
Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV
Auctions

2012 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport ‘Wei Long’ is up for auction

Between 2009 and 2015, Bugatti produced the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport model, the targa top version of the Bugatti Veyron EB. Only 58 examples of this model were produced, and in celebration of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon) Bugatti produced a unique example of this car, the 2012 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport ‘Wei Long’ which is now up for auction.

The car is finished in Porcelain White with brushed aluminum and gloss-black trim elements. In addition to the standard equipment found on every Veyron Grand Sport, this example is equipped with dragon heads carved into porcelain inserts on the oil and fuel filler caps, and special 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels with a diamond finish and red accents.

The beautiful cockpit is covered with Italian Red leather and there are Chinese inscriptions on the headrest. There are also diamond-quilted inserts on the seats and center console, embossed ‘EB’ crests on the seat backs, a body-coloured center console inlay, and swathes of brushed aluminum trim.

Under the hood is a quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine with 987 hp (736 kW) and 922 lb-ft (1,250 Nm) of torque. That is quite enough for the car to accelerate from 0-100km/h (62 mph) in less than 2.7 seconds, 0-200km/h in 7.3 seconds, with a top speed of 407km/h (253mph). Power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission with paddle shift.

The car is in pretty good condition with only 8,428 km on the odometer. It comes with the original red leather-bound key presentation box, an EEC certificate of conformity, a photocopy of the original Swiss registration, a copy of the Monaco registration card in the seller’s name, UK MOT certificates, one Contrôle Technique certificate from Monaco dated April 2023, the original stamped service book and owner’s operating guide, a battery charger, a Bugatti-branded car cover, and a selection of maintenance invoices.

The auction ends on February 18 and the highest bid at the time of writing was €900,500.

Source: Collecting Cars

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