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Japan is intensifying its efforts to bolster electric vehicle (EV) battery production with an investment of $2.4 billion in subsidies to strengthen the nation’s battery supply chain. The government has earmarked support for 12 projects focusing on storage batteries and related components, aiming to expand Japan’s annual battery production capacity by 50% to 120 gigawatt-hours (GWh), up from the current 80 GWh.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ken Saito, emphasised that this initiative is designed to improve Japan’s battery industry’s global competitiveness. Major automotive and battery manufacturers, including Toyota, Nissan, Panasonic, Subaru, and Mazda, are involved in these efforts, which reflect Japan’s strategic push to increase domestic battery production.

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Porsche has collaborated with Porsche Asia Pacific to create an exceptional Taycan Turbo S Celestial Jade through its Sonderwunsch programme. This one-of-a-kind fully electric sports car features a remarkable pigmented paint that shifts colours based on light and viewing angles.

Inspired by the intricate patterns of jade, a precious gemstone revered in Asia, this design pays tribute to Southeast Asia’s rich traditions and innovative spirit.

The Taycan Turbo S Celestial Jade made its global debut on 5 September in Singapore, followed by a regional tour across Southeast Asia before being auctioned for charity in 2025. This special edition is based on the upgraded 2024 Taycan Turbo S, featuring enhanced power and performance. The Turbo S delivers up to 952PS with Launch Control, sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.4 seconds.

For the first time, Porsche has combined two Chromaflair effect paints in a single vehicle, an intricate process that took a year to develop and 80 hours to complete by hand. The unique paints—Urban Bamboo, a vibrant green with yellow and gold tones, and Shifting Carbon, a dark grey with black and blue hues—symbolise jade’s timeless elegance and carbon’s strength and innovation. This colour scheme represents happiness, longevity, and Porsche’s pioneering spirit, making the Taycan Turbo S Celestial Jade a striking blend of tradition and modernity.

BMW M is once again demonstrating its long-standing commitment to MotoGP with the introduction of the BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car. This latest safety car will make its debut at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini in Misano on Saturday, 7th September. The car was unveiled at a special event in Milan by Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales at BMW M GmbH, alongside Massimiliano Di Silvestre, CEO of BMW Italia.

The BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car is based on the electrified BMW M5, featuring the M Hybrid system that combines a high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor to produce a powerful 727hp. Its debut follows the success of the BMW XM Label Red Safety Car and underscores BMW M’s focus on cutting-edge hybrid technology.

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At Volvo Cars’ Capital Markets Day in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company introduced a revolutionary approach to technology that will define its future—centred around the concept of continuously improving its vehicles over time. This shift in strategy will focus on engineering a single technological foundation, ensuring that Volvo’s cars get better with each update.

The Volvo Cars Superset Tech Stack

At the core of this strategy is the Volvo Cars Superset tech stack. This comprehensive system of modules, software, and hardware will serve as the foundational base for all future electric vehicles, starting with the EX90. The tech stack is like a set of configurable building blocks, allowing Volvo to adapt and enhance various models from a single base. This shift will enable continuous improvements across the entire product lineup, enhancing cars already in the hands of customers and speeding up the development of new vehicles.

2023 Volvo EX90 EV

According to Anders Bell, Volvo Cars’ Chief Engineering & Technology Officer, the Superset tech stack will dramatically improve quality, accelerate speed-to-market, and allow the brand to focus all engineering efforts in one direction, rather than spreading resources across multiple projects.

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SAIC Motor continues its dominance in the Chinese auto industry, delivering a total of 2.12 million vehicles in the first half of 2024, as reported on July 5. The company’s impressive performance is driven by what SAIC calls the New Triad of Growth Drivers: self-owned brands, new energy vehicles (NEVs), and expanding success in overseas markets.

From January to June, sales of SAIC’s self-owned brands soared to 1.26 million units, making up 59% of total company sales. Deliveries of NEVs reached 522,000 units, marking a 29.5% year-on-year growth, while overseas deliveries hit an industry-leading 554,000 units, reflecting a 13.9% increase over the previous year.

SAIC’s growth in NEVs has been exceptional, with annual NEV sales skyrocketing from 142,000 units in 2018 to 1.12 million units in 2023, cementing its position among the global leaders in the NEV market. Similarly, the company has significantly expanded its overseas presence, with sales climbing from 277,000 units in 2018 to 1.2 million units in 2023, maintaining its lead as China’s top exporter of vehicles.

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BMW has announced its plans to launch its first-ever series production Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) in 2028, adding a new zero-emission powertrain option to its lineup. The company has teamed up with Toyota Motor Corporation, extending their collaboration to accelerate the development of next-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology. Both companies are committed to advancing the hydrogen economy by providing sustainable mobility solutions for the future.

Key Highlights:

  • Partnership with Toyota:
    • BMW and Toyota are pooling their resources and technological capabilities to create a new generation of fuel cell powertrains.
    • This collaboration aims to develop FCEV systems for both commercial and passenger vehicles, providing customers with new hydrogen-powered options while maintaining the distinct brand identities of BMW and Toyota.

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Renault has teamed up with French designer Ora Ïto to bring back the spirit of the classic Renault 17 with a modern electric restomod, the Renault R17. Revealed recently, the R17 takes the iconic design from the 1970s and infuses it with contemporary aesthetics and technology, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge innovation.

Exterior Design

The Renault R17 retains the essence of the original Renault 17 hatchback (sold between 1971 and 1979) while modernizing its appearance with a carbon fibre body and sleek proportions. Key features include:

  • Rectangular LED headlights integrated into the front fascia.
  • A minimalist, full-width LED taillight bar that complements the car’s simple, elegant lines.

  • Flared fenders for a sportier stance than the original, giving the car a more aggressive look.
  • Subtle louvers that add a touch of flair and homage to its vintage roots.

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The iconic Volvo XC90 is back with significant updates for the 2025 model year, raising the bar on luxury, safety, and electrification. As Volvo’s flagship SUV, the XC90 continues to set standards with its blend of Scandinavian design, cutting-edge technology, and sustainability efforts.

Now featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the 2025 XC90 can travel over 70km on electric power alone, reducing emissions for daily commutes. This makes it possible for many drivers to go about their day with zero tailpipe emissions. For longer trips, the petrol engine kicks in, extending the total range to more than 800km. The XC90’s hybrid versatility ensures power when you need it, whether for city driving or off-road adventures.

The XC90’s refreshed exterior design showcases Volvo’s evolving look, inspired by their latest fully electric models. The SUV’s confident stance and sleek lines reinforce its premium positioning, while inside, the cabin receives a modern update with Scandinavian-inspired materials and design elements.

The interior boasts a larger 11.2-inch central touchscreen with higher resolution, offering enhanced usability and new digital features. This improved display is part of Volvo’s strategy to keep the XC90 at the forefront of in-car technology, with regular over-the-air software updates ensuring the system remains up-to-date.

True to its reputation, the XC90 offers a luxurious driving experience, with enhanced seating comfort and adaptive suspension for a smoother ride. For those seeking the ultimate in ride quality, an optional air suspension adjusts the vehicle’s height based on driving conditions, providing maximum comfort and performance both on and off the road.

Volvo’s commitment to safety remains paramount. The XC90 is equipped with a comprehensive suite of active safety features, including systems that can detect and prevent collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and large animals. Its advanced safety cage and radar technology further enhance the vehicle’s crash avoidance and occupant protection.

As part of Volvo’s broader strategy, the XC90 remains crucial to the company’s transition to a fully electric future. While the automaker is expanding its fully electric lineup, the plug-in hybrid XC90 T8 is a key player in their global product portfolio, offering an ideal balance of power, sustainability, and practicality.

The 2025 Volvo XC90 production is starting in late 2024.

For the 2025 model year, Hyundai has pushed its Ioniq 5 closer to that rally heritage with the introduction of the XRT trim, engineered for dirt roads and light trails. Along with its off-road capabilities, the new model year brings significant updates, including larger batteries and a new production facility.

The XRT is the highlight of the lineup, featuring dual-motor all-wheel drive and a suspension lift of 0.9 inches. This boost improves not only ground clearance but also approach (19.8 degrees) and departure angles (30 degrees). While it’s not built for extreme off-roading, the XRT’s 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres enhance its ability on dirt roads. Aesthetic changes include black plastic bumpers with a pixelated camouflage pattern, black trim and badging, and bright red recovery hooks. The interior follows suit with an all-black colour scheme, leatherette seats, and rubber floor mats designed to hide scuffs and scrapes from rough terrain.

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Volkswagen Group is reportedly contemplating significant cost-cutting measures, including the potential closure of two factories in Germany, marking a historic move since the company’s founding in 1937. According to reports, the facilities under review are located in Dresden and Osnabruck.

The Osnabruck plant currently produces the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman, both of which are set to be phased out soon. However, the facility also manufactures the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet, Europe’s most popular convertible. The Dresden factory, much smaller in scale and opened in 2002, initially produced the Phaeton model and now assembles the VW ID.3 EV.

In addition to the factory closures, Volkswagen’s work safety program, which has prevented layoffs since its implementation in 1994, is also being reviewed. CEO Thomas Schäfer described the situation as “extremely tense” and acknowledged that simple cost-cutting strategies would not suffice to resolve the issues.

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