Tag Archives: Volkswagen

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Volkswagen faces two lawsuits over Felicity Ace sinking

Two years ago, we witnessed a fire on the transport ship Felicity Ace, which was carrying 3,965 vehicles. The fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery in one of the Porsche cars. The ship sank and all the vehicles went to the bottom of the sea, including 1,100 Porsches, 189 Bentleys, while the rest were Volkswagen, Audi and Lamborghini, including electric models. Among the cars were 15 Lamborghini Aventador cars, which Lamborghini stopped producing. Now, two lawsuits have been filed against Volkswagen.

The company Allianz and the operator of the cargo ship Mitsui OSK Lines sued Volkswagen, and the lawsuit was filed more than a year ago, but the development of the situation was stopped due to discussions about another lawsuit in the court in Brunswick, Germany. According to documents related to the original 2023 lawsuit, the two parties accuse Volkswagen Group of withholding information about the risks associated with transporting electrified cars. In addition, the lawsuit filed in the Stuttgart court alleges that VW did not provide the necessary precautions for the safe transport of the car.

In the meantime, an incomplete list of cars that were on the transport ship was published: Audi A5 Convertible (84), Audi A5 Coupe (43), Audi A5 Sportback (147), Audi E-Tron (121), Audi Q3 ( 297), Audi Q3 Sportback (144), Bentley Bentayga (77), Bentley Continental GT (38), Bentley Continental GTC (50), Bentley Flying Spur (25), Lamborghini Aventador (15), Lamborghini Huracan (20), Lamborghini Urus (50), Porsche (23 made in Zuffenhausen, 19 in Leipzig and 126 in Bratislava), Volkswagen Caddy (47), Volkswagen Golf (199), Volkswagen ID.4 (159), Volkswagen T6 (116), Ford Mustang GT (year 2015), Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, BMW 750i (year 2007), Honda Prelude SiR (year 1996), as well as Land Rover Santana (year 1977) built in Spain under license from Land Rover and using Defender parts . When it comes to the value of the ship’s cargo, the estimated value of the destroyed cars is around $155 million.

How both lawsuits will end and whether both sides will be able to come to an agreement remains to be seen.

Source: Bloomberg

News

European manufacturers united against the Chinese

The European market is facing a large influx of Chinese manufacturers who are increasingly threatening the already weakened European car industry. After the cancellation of subsidies and the start of an investigation due to the privileged position of electric vehicles produced in China, European manufacturers are increasingly thinking about joining forces to oppose the Chinese.

The head of the Renault Group, Luca de Meo said at the Geneva International Auto Show that European manufacturers should cooperate more closely, especially when it comes to the affordability of electric cars. Talks between Renault Group and Volkswagen have already started.

Last month, Luca de Meo stated that Europe is facing major challenges and that the alienation and disorientation of the European automotive industry will lead to a structural trade deficit for Europe. He also warns that the phase-out of internal combustion engines, which is planned for 2035, could mean a decrease in the competitiveness of the European car industry. According to him, ICEs have been a protective barrier for Europeans for years, and now with the development of electric cars and the increased need for batteries, that protection is disappearing because the Chinese control 75 percent of global battery production.

As a successful collaboration, de Meo gave the example of Peugeot, Citroen and Toyota that collaborated on the C1, P107 and Aygo models in the 2000s, but also the partnership of Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Fiat and Saab in the use of a common platform that is was the basis for four great sedans from the nineties.

“Speed is important against the Chinese. We are in an uncertain world. In the past, when we had cars with internal combustion engines, we could predict what was coming. Now, if you take four or five years to react, it is too late,” said de Meo.

Source: Automotive News Europe

News

2024 VW ID.7 Tourer premiered

In November 2023, VW announced the arrival of its first all-electric station wagon, the VW ID.7 Tourer, which had its official premiere a few days ago.

The car is 4961 millimeters (195.3 inches) long, 1862 mm (73.3 in) wide, and 1536 mm (60.4 in) tall, with a wheelbase of 2971 mm (117 in). The design is identical to hatchback models in which the rear cargo door or hatch is more horizontally angled than on an average hatchback. It is equipped with LED headlights connected by an illuminated strip, an elongated roof, a panoramic sunroof, and a tailgate that integrates connected LED lights.

Inside, the ID.7 Tourer is identical to the sedan with a 15-inch touchscreen, electric sliders to control systems, an AR head-up display, and even digitally controlled air vents that automatically adjust the temperature in the car depending on the outside temperature. However, the Tourer offers more luggage space, which now stands at 605 litres. By folding the rear seats, the volume of the luggage compartment increases to 1,714 liters, which is 128 liters more than in the sedan.

When it comes to the powertrain, the car is available in two versions, Pro and Pro S. The Pro version is powered by a single electric motor with 286 hp (213 kW) and 402 lb-ft (545 Nm) of torque, and is equipped with a 77 kWh battery which allows a range of 382 miles (615 km). The Pro S version will be equipped with a larger 86kWh battery that enables a range of 426 miles (685 km) WLTP. Thanks to the 200 kW fast charger, the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

The price is currently unknown.

Source: Volkswagen

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2024 VW ID.7 Tourer premiered