Tag Archives: Volkswagen

EV, News

VW ID Buzz and ID Buzz Cargo

After a long wait, Volkswagen has unveiled a production edition of the electric van, ID Buzz and ID Buzz Cargo. The vehicles were built on the MEB platform and were inspired by the legendary van T1.

ID. Buzz

The ID Buzz is 4.71 meters long and offers space for 5 passengers, and Volkswagen will soon offer a six-seater option in two rows. Also, for next year, Volkswagen has announced the arrival of a version with a longer wheelbase that will be able to accommodate seven passengers.

ID Buzz Cargo will be offered with two or three seats, and a cargo space volume of 3,900 liters. That is enough space to fit two Euro-pallets, while the maximum load capacity is 650 kg.

ID. Buzz Cargo

When it comes to powertrain, in the European market Volkswagen will offer models powered by an electric motor with 204 hp (150 kW) and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque. For 2023, VW promises versions with more horsepower and a more powerful battery. Currently, ID Buzz is equipped with an 82 kWh battery set, and VW has yet to reveal how much range. The same battery set is already used in the electric model ID Buzz Level 4. The maximum speed that the vehicle can reach is 90 mph (145 km / h).

Source: Volkswagen

News

The cargo ship Felicity Ace has sunk

Felicity Ace has sunk. This information was confirmed by MOL Ship Management spokesman Pat Adamson, who said that due to weather conditions, rough seas and high waves, the ship leaned to the side and sank in 9,840 feet (3,000 meters) deep sea.

It has long been believed that some cars survived the fire on a ship carrying 3,965 vehicles. Now every hope is lost. As a reminder, the ship carried 1,100 Porsches, 189 Bentleys, while the rest were Volkswagen, Audi and Lamborghini, including electric models. Among the cars was an unknown number of Lamborghini Aventador models, which Lamborghini recently stopped producing.

Recently, Lamborghini CEO in America Andrea Baldi said that the company hopes that at least some Aventador models have survived, and that it is possible to restore them. If this is not the case, they will have to produce new ones. It is estimated that owners will have to wait at least six months for their Lamborghini Aventador cars.

Volkswagen and Porsche have not commented on the current situation.

The cause of the fire, which destroyed a cargo estimated at more than $ 400 million, is still unknown. It has been confirmed that the damage to the cars is covered by insurance.

Source: Bloomberg

News

Renault will shut down some production lines in Russia

The current situation caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created not only a security and political crisis, but also an economic one. Affected by the restrictions of Western countries, many companies that have plants in Russia have found themselves in a difficult situation. One of them is Renault, which announced that some production lines in AvtoVAZ will have to be shut down.

Renault will shut down some production lines in Russia
Photo: Renault Group

AvtoVAZ is part of Lada Auto Holding, which also manages a number of factories, with Renault being the majority owner with a 67.61% stake. Russia is Renault’s second largest market, just behind France. “Interruptions are caused by more rigorous border controls and the need to change logistics routes,” their official statement said. Interestingly, they did not state that the decision has anything to do with the invasion.

Renault is not the only carmaker to have invested in Russia. There are also Volkswagen and Stellantis. Volkswagen said that due to delays in the delivery of parts from Ukraine, the company was forced to stop production at two factories. Stellantis did not make any statements regarding the current situation.

Some companies have opted for drastic measures, such as Finnish tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres, which has said it will relocate its production of key product lines to its homeland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21aLDfPVYRo

Russia is also a producer of several essential metals for the auto industry, such as palladium (38%), aluminum (6%), and rhodium (the second largest producer in the world).

Source: Reuters / Renault Group