Daimler and Geely form joint venture to run Smart as a “leader in premium-electrified vehicles”

Daimler AG (Daimler) and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding), the German and Chinese automotive groups, have announced the formation of a 50-50 joint venture to own, operate and further develop Smart, the pioneer of small urban vehicles, as “a leader in premium-electrified vehicles”.

SEAT presents new electrification strategy

SEAT has presented its electric strategy which, until the beginning of 2021, will include six electric and plug-in hybrid models. The electric version of the Mii and el-Born will be the brand’s first two fully electric models, while the new generation Leon and the Tarraco will feature a plug-in hybrid version. Furthermore, the CUPRA Leon and the CUPRA Formentor will also have a plug-in hybrid variant. SEAT President Luca de Meo also announced that the CUPRA Formentor, the new CUV that was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, will be built at the Martorell factory.

BMW releases design sketches of 2019 all-electric MINI

MINI has released a pair of design sketches as an early preview of the brand’s first fully-electric production model, which is set to make its debut in 2019. The first sketches of the production model coincides with the MINI Electric Concept making its UK debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018.

Up to 200 Jaguar I-PACE EVs for luxury Heathrow chauffeur service

The new Jaguar I-PACE will form the heart of an all-new zero-emissions luxury chauffeur service to and from Heathrow Airport. As many as 200 I-PACEs will be available at Heathrow as part of a deal with WeKnowGroup, creating one of the largest electric vehicle fleets in the UK.

First fully electric Audi to be made at CO2-neutral Brussels plant

Audi says the world’s first certified CO2-neutral high-volume production plant in the premium segment will shortly begin production of its first fully electric series production model. Audi Brussels has been awarded a “CO2-neutral site” certificate by the Belgian testing company Vinçotte. The site covers all production processes and all other emissions generated at the plant either by renewable energies (approximately 95 percent) or compensates for them with environmental projects (approximately 5 percent).