Global News Archives

Mini Plant Oxford Resumes Production of Mini Cooper Convertible

Mini Plant Oxford, the historic home of the Mini brand, has resumed production of the Mini Cooper Convertible for the first time since 2015. The convertible now joins the Mini Cooper 3-Door and Mini Cooper 5-Door, establishing Oxford as the production hub for the entire Mini Cooper family.

A New Era for the Mini Convertible

The relaunch of the fourth-generation Mini Cooper Convertible, announced last month, brings a refreshed design inside and out alongside an advanced digital experience.

Integrated UK Manufacturing

Production of the Mini Convertible involves contributions from three UK-based BMW Group facilities:

BMW Group Plant Swindon: Responsible for body pressings and sub-assemblies.
BMW Group Plant Hams Hall (North Warwickshire): Manufactures the advanced four-cylinder petrol engines.
Mini Plant Oxford: Handles body shell production, paintwork, and final assembly.

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BYD Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Historic 10-Millionth NEV Milestone

BYD, the global leader in new energy vehicles (NEVs) and power batteries, achieved a monumental milestone by rolling off its 10-millionth NEV from its Xiaomo Production Base in the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone. This achievement, marking the company’s 30th anniversary, highlights BYD’s commitment to sustainable transportation and reinforces its standing as a global automotive leader.

Pioneering NEV Production

BYD is the first automaker globally to produce 10 million NEVs, a feat achieved through a rapid acceleration of production. The company took 15 years to manufacture its first 5 million NEVs but achieved the next 5 million in just 15 months. This milestone underscores BYD’s strategic focus on NEVs and its leadership in sustainable development.

The 10-millionth vehicle, a DENZA Z9, was ceremoniously presented to Mr. Feng Ji, the Founder and CEO of Game Science, known for the critically acclaimed game Black Myth: Wukong.

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CATL Says That Elon Musk Does Not Know How to Make a Battery

Robin Zeng, founder and chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s leading battery manufacturer, has expressed openness to building a U.S. plant if the political climate under President-elect Donald Trump allows for Chinese investment in the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.

Barriers to Entry for Chinese Battery Makers

Zeng highlighted that Chinese EV and battery manufacturers, including CATL and BYD, have faced significant trade restrictions in the U.S., including high tariffs, protectionist policies, and national security concerns. The Biden administration’s policies excluded Chinese-made batteries from EV subsidies, while a Republican-backed bill seeks to limit EV incentives for vehicles using Chinese battery technology, even when licensed by American firms like Ford and Tesla.

Despite these challenges, Zeng noted Trump’s potential openness to allowing Chinese automakers to set up U.S.-based manufacturing plants under conditions that benefit American workers. “I do hope that in the future they are open to investments,” Zeng said.

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Hyundai Unveils Elantra N TCR Edition: A High-Performance Sedan with Motorsport DNA

Hyundai Motor Company has introduced the Elantra N TCR Edition, a high-performance sedan designed to bring the thrill of motorsport to everyday driving. Known as the AVANTE N TCR Edition in its home market of South Korea, the vehicle is directly inspired by Hyundai’s success in the Touring Car Racing (TCR) World Tour, blending race-proven engineering with production-car practicality.

Motorsport-Inspired Performance

Drawing from its rich motorsport heritage since joining the TCR World Tour in 2017, Hyundai has equipped the Elantra N TCR Edition with advanced features developed through years of competition and championship victories. Key upgrades include:

Carbon Swan Neck Spoiler: Lightweight and adjustable for optimised downforce across varying driving conditions.
19-inch N TCR Forged Wheels: Highly rigid and lightweight for enhanced performance.
N Performance Braking System: Four-piston brakes standard for superior stopping power.

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Lexus Unveils Facelifted ES Sedan in China with Updated Design and Features

Lexus has officially unveiled the facelifted ES sedan in China, showcasing a refreshed design, updated lighting elements, and a more advanced infotainment system. The updates enhance the sedan’s premium appeal while incorporating the latest technology and styling cues from the brand.

Exterior Enhancements

The most noticeable changes to the ES sedan are at the front, where the signature spindle grille now features horizontal slats, replacing the previous vertical design. The headlight internals have been reworked, incorporating double L-shaped daytime running lights for a sharper look, while larger faux side air intakes add a touch of aggressiveness.

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Bugatti W16 Mistral Sets New Open-Top Speed Record at 453.91km/h

Bugatti has once again etched its name into the automotive history books with the W16 Mistral World Record Car setting a new top-speed world record for an open-top vehicle at 453.91 km/h. The achievement, realised at the world-class ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg GmbH facility, underscores Bugatti’s relentless pursuit of innovation and engineering excellence.

A Legacy of Speed and Innovation

The W16 Mistral’s accomplishment is the latest chapter in Bugatti’s storied history of speed records, following iconic milestones set by the Veyron and Chiron models. In June 2010, the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport achieved a top speed of 431.07 km/h, solidifying Bugatti’s reputation as a leader in high-performance engineering.

Building on this foundation, Bugatti shattered the closed-cockpit record in 2019, with the Chiron Super Sport 300+ reaching 490.48 km/h. In 2013, the marque turned its attention to open-top vehicles, with the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse reaching 408.84 km/h – a record for convertibles that remained unchallenged until now.

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Porsche Marks the End of 911 Dakar Production with Bespoke Sonderwunsch Edition

Porsche has celebrated the conclusion of its 911 Dakar production run by delivering a bespoke Sonderwunsch edition to an Italian sports car collector. The ceremony took place at the Porsche Museum, where the final unit of the 2,500 limited-production series was handed over, marking the end of the line for this distinctive off-road-capable sports car.

A Unique Sports Car for On- and Off-Road Performance

Introduced in November 2022, the 911 Dakar was designed to perform equally well on rugged terrains and country roads. The model stands approximately 50mm taller than the 911 Carrera with sports suspension, offering increased ground clearance. Its off-road credentials are further bolstered by red, forged aluminium recovery eyelets at the front and rear, along with widened wheel arches and sills.

Under the hood, the 911 Dakar features a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that delivers 480PS and a peak torque of 570Nm. This robust powertrain ensures dynamic performance, complemented by the unmistakable sound of a boxer engine.

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Neta Facing Financial Instability

Neta, an electric vehicle (EV) brand under Hozon Auto, appears to be facing mounting challenges, as reported by Chinese media and Electrive. These difficulties span from declining sales to halted production, financial instability, and reduced social media activity by the company’s leadership.

Key Issues Highlighted:

Declining Sales Figures:
- October deliveries are estimated at only 4,500 vehicles, marking a 40% drop compared to September.
- Cumulative deliveries from January to September totalled 53,853 vehicles, making it improbable for Neta to achieve its ambitious 200,000-unit annual target.

Production Halts and Workforce Issues:
- Production at Neta’s Tongxiang factory in Zhejiang, which mainly manufactures the Neta L electric SUV, has reportedly been suspended for weeks.
- Employee salaries have been cut or delayed, raising concerns about workforce morale and stability.
- Suppliers are allegedly owed payments, further straining operational continuity.

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Tesla’s Safety Design Questioned Following Toronto Crash That Killed Four

The tragic crash of a Tesla Model Y in Toronto in October has raised serious concerns about the accessibility and usability of the car’s electronic door handles during emergencies. The fiery accident claimed the lives of four individuals: Neelraj Gohil (25), his sister Ketaba Gohil (29), Jay Sisodiya, and Digvijay Patel, leaving a sole survivor, a woman in her 20s.

The woman’s escape was made possible by Rick Harper, a Canada Post employee, who heroically smashed the car’s window with a metal pole. Harper described the survivor as “desperate to get out,” but unable to open the car’s doors from inside. Tesla vehicles rely on an electronic button to open doors rather than traditional handles, and if the car’s power system fails in a crash, the doors may become inoperable.

Concerns About Tesla’s Safety Design

While Tesla promotes a “safety-first design” and manual override mechanisms for emergencies, these features are not widely known or intuitive. The manual override involves removing a door panel and pulling a hidden cable — a process that could be difficult or impossible in the chaos and panic of a serious accident.

Safety experts and crash investigators have raised concerns that victims may not be aware of the override feature or may lack the presence of mind to locate and use it under duress.

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Hyundai Acknowledges Touchscreen Woes, Brings Back Physical Controls

Hyundai’s recent acknowledgement of the challenges with touchscreens in vehicles highlights a growing trend that some are calling the “Tesla Effect.” Following in Tesla’s footsteps, many automakers have phased out traditional physical controls for digital interfaces on touchscreens, aiming to create sleek, tech-centric cabins. However, Hyundai has found that American buyers aren’t entirely on board with the touchscreen-only setup.

According to HDNA Vice President Ha Hak-soo, Hyundai’s experience with touchscreen-based controls revealed that drivers often feel frustrated when trying to quickly adjust settings on the go, especially when physical dials or buttons could have made adjustments more straightforward. Hyundai’s internal testing with focus groups found that drivers found it stressful to control certain functions on a touchscreen when needing immediate responsiveness.

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Piston.my

Global News

A New Era for the Mini Convertible

Integrated UK Manufacturing

Pioneering NEV Production

Barriers to Entry for Chinese Battery Makers

Motorsport-Inspired Performance

Exterior Enhancements

A Legacy of Speed and Innovation

A Unique Sports Car for On- and Off-Road Performance

Key Issues Highlighted:

Concerns About Tesla’s Safety Design

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