The European auto industry is in a major crisis and manufacturers are trying to find a way out in different ways. Volkswagen recently announced that it will lay off 35,000 employees by 2030, which will save the company 15 billion euros per year, but Mercedes has decided to take a different approach. According to the latest information, the German company will not close plants or lay off employees, but a large number of senior managers will have to go to work in different brand headquarters and will not receive a salary increase in 2025.
The plan is to make all employees more productive and save more than five billion euros in the next two years. This means that the salaries of managers, not just workers, will depend on the number of cars sold. The company is aware that it must become even more efficient and that everyone in the company must contribute to this.
Remote work, one of the great privileges so far, is coming to an end. Managers will have to abandon the work from home that has been used since the Covid-19 pandemic, which has continued without reason, but there are exceptions here too. Working from home will only be allowed in exceptional cases, when children are sick and need care. It is obvious that Mercedes understands the current situation and that for the good of the company, measures must be taken from the top.
The arrival of winter and snow create problems for electric cars faster than for those with a combustion engine. Stellantis decided to solve the problem of accumulated snow under the fenders with heaters that are currently in development.
Snow accumulation under a vehicle can significantly impact its safety. The undercarriage, including parts like the suspension, exhaust system, and drivetrain, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of snow and ice buildup. If it is not removed, it can harden into ice, which may get trapped in critical components. For example, ice can freeze the suspension system, making it stiffer and less responsive. This could result in a rougher ride and reduced control over the vehicle, particularly when driving over uneven terrain or on slippery roads.
Furthermore, if snow or ice gets caught around the brakes, it can affect their performance. A build-up of snow in the brake components could block the movement of the brake pads or even freeze brake lines, compromising the vehicle’s ability to stop effectively. This is particularly dangerous in winter driving conditions, where braking is already more difficult due to slippery roads.
To help drivers, Stellantis has come up with an innovative solution. According to information published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the company is currently working on electrically heated wheel arches, powered by the vehicle’s battery. The heaters would be installed between the vehicle body and the wheel arch liner, which would now protect not only the body surface, but also the heating element itself and its wiring. Stellantis said the heating element would pass through the edge of the fender and melt the ice and snow on its inner surface, or the inner fender. The company’s engineers are also experimenting with a conductive foil that could be placed directly on the inner fender itself.
The data shows that Stellantis intends to use these heaters only in all-electric and hybrid cars, because electric vehicles do not emit enough heat as combustion engines to prevent snow accumulation.
One of the most common issues caused by snow accumulation under vehicles is the increased risk of rust and corrosion. Snow that accumulates under a car often contains moisture, which, when trapped, can lead to the formation of ice. This moisture can easily seep into cracks, crevices, and joints in the undercarriage. Over time, it leads to the development of rust, particularly on metal components that are exposed to the elements, such as the frame, exhaust system, and suspension parts.
Rust not only weakens the vehicle’s structure but can also affect its performance and safety. For instance, rust on the exhaust system can cause leaks, leading to dangerous fumes entering the cabin. If left untreated, rust can compromise vital structural components of the vehicle, resulting in costly repairs.
In March 2023, Lamborghini unveiled its first car with a true form of a hybrid drivetrain, the Lamborghini Revuelto. It is a sports car with an aggressive design on which German tuner Mansory has based its new project, the Mansory Initiate.
The Mansory Initiate is an equipment kit that includes a front apron with side flaps to increase downforce on the front axle, a front hood made of visible carbon, newly designed carbon sills with integrated air deflectors and side air inlets for engine cooling, a redesigned rear diffuser that, in combination with an extendable rear spoiler, increases downforce on the rear axle.
Mansory offers full interior customization according to customer wishes. The interior of the car in the photos is upholstered in leather and Alcantara with gold thread and an embroidered Mansory logo on the headrest.
The Mansory Initiate is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-L V12 engine combined with three electric motors for a total output of an impressive 1,070 hp (797 kW) and 783 lbft (1,062 Nm) of torque. The V12 engine delivers 880 hp (656 kW) and 560 lb-ft (760 Nm) of torque, which is slightly more than the factory 825 hp and 725 Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed Graziano dual-clutch automatic transmission. It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.4 seconds with a top speed of 354 km/h.
