Autocar confidential: SUV-inspired styling set to remain for EVs, PSA talks innovation in electric cars, and more
Our reporters clear their notebooks to round up a week in gossip from across the automobile market
In this week’s round-up of automotive chatter, we talk EV innovation with the head of PSA, take stock of sales figures from elsewhere around the world in April, and examine how some countries have been able to resume some degree of normalcy faster than others.
A LOT OF ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
Regardless of having a population of around 1.353 billion, India’s overall automobile registrations for the month of April was … absolutely no. The nation was put under full lockdown from 25 March, implying the production and selling of automobiles was stopped entirely. Nearly a quarter of a million cars were sold during the exact same month last year.
REMAINING SAFE ON THE CONTINENT
While brand-new automobile launches have been cancelled in the UK, Autocar’s European editor is still able to participate in such occasions in Germany. For the recent prototype drive of the brand-new BMW 4 Series, journalists were provided with disinfectants, masks and gloves. Cars are driven alone and decontaminated after every drive. Social distancing is abided by at all times, and even meals come individually packaged.
TIME TO OPEN EVS TO MORE CONSUMERS
There requires to be “more innovation in the market” for electrical cars and trucks, according to PSA Group boss Carlos Tavares. He stated rural occupants and those who require greater area and variety should also be served. PSA is because of reveal three more EVs this year and a plug-in hybrid. The group has set itself a target of 100% amazed sales by 2025.
MERCEDES WON’T ROCK THE EV BOAT
Do not expect the pattern of electrical vehicles having SUV-style designs to vanish any time quickly, according to Mercedes-Benz design boss Gordon Wagener. “If you take a look at electric cars and trucks, you’re including a battery that’s probably 6 inches in height,” he told Autocar. “But even six inches can make a cars and truck more SUV-like from the off. I think we will see more of that.”
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