Fiat and Peugeot Citroen shareholders will vote on the merger early next year.

1. Will Fiat and Peugeot Citroen merge next year? Group shareholders will vote on the merger on January 4th

On November 19th, Beijing time, according to media reports, Fiat and Peugeot Citroen Group announced that they will hold a shareholders' meeting on January 4th next year to approve the merger plan and create Stellantis, the fourth largest automobile manufacturer in the world.

fiat and Peugeot Citroen reached an all-share merger agreement worth $38 billion in December last year, merging branDS such as fiat, Jeep, dodge, ram and Maserati with brands such as Peugeot, Opel, Citroen and ds. At present, this transaction has been approved by the anti-monopoly regulators in some countries, such as the United States, China, Japanese and Russian, but has not been approved by the European Union.

after the merger was announced in July this year, the two parties established a new entity, Stellantis, and recently released a new logo. Stellantis evolved from the Latin verb "stello", which means "illuminate with stars". Peugeot Citroen said that the new logo highlights the unique combination advantages of 14 well-known automobile brands under the new group and reflects the diverse background of employees around the world. At the same time, the new logo also conveys a sense of optimism and vitality, indicating the determination of this new group with diversity and innovation to become one of the leading enterprises in sustainable mobile travel in the future.

Fiat and Peugeot Citroen promised to complete the merger by the end of the first quarter of next year. In order to promote the merger process, the two sides also revised the agreement in September this year, reducing the special dividend of Fiat shareholders from 5.5 billion euros to 2.9 billion euros. After the merger transaction is completed, Peugeot Citroen's 46% stake in Faurecia will be distributed to all shareholders of the new group immediately. (Source: Tencent Auto)

2. Tesla and Volkswagen will compete in the price range of $25, to $3,.

According to foreign media reports, electric vehicles are being accepted by more and more consumers. As leaders in the electric vehicle market, Tesla and Volkswagen have both passed new electric vehicle projects, and the two companies will launch models with a price of $25, to $3,.

ID.3 (image source: Volkswagen)

in the market research on electric vehicles, the price of new cars has always been one of the most concerned issues for consumers. In the high-end market segment, many electric vehicles have caught up with the same level of fossil fuel-powered vehicles in terms of price and performance. However, in the entry market, this is not the case.

At present, the progress of battery technology enables car companies to achieve higher performance at a lower price, especially the cruising range, which further promotes the popularity of electric vehicles. Today, Tesla and Volkswagen, two major automakers, have announced eye-catching plans for electric vehicles. The starting price of new models is about 25, to 3, US dollars.

in September this year, Tesla announced that it would launch a small, long-life car with its new battery technology, starting at $25,. Tesla CEO Elon musk (Elon? Musk) said: "Tesla will launch an attractive electric car with a price of $25,, which will also have fully automatic driving capability." Musk said that this $25, electric car will be available in about three years. By then, Tesla will increase the productivity of new batteries.

Now, Volkswagen also aims at the entry market and plans to release new small electric vehicles. According to the report, Volkswagen has passed a new "small pure electric vehicle" project, and the engineers of this project are developing a pure battery-driven car, which is similar in size to Polo and will cost 2, to 25, euros (about 24, to 3, dollars).

According to sources inside Volkswagen, the new electric car will replace the Up small car, and may even replace the Polo. German media reported that the new car, like ID.3, will be built on the MEB platform of Volkswagen, and its name may be ID.2.. In addition, Volkswagen will launch a smaller version with the name of ID.1.

on November 13th, Volkswagen said that it would increase its investment in battery-powered vehicles, autonomous driving and related future technologies to about 73 billion euros ($86 billion), equivalent to half of the company's budget of 15 billion euros by 225. At present, Volkswagen brand plans to produce 1.5 million pure electric vehicles by 225. (Source: Geshi Automobile? Nebula)

3, NHTSA launched an investigation on 115, Tesla cars due to suspension problems

Geshi Automobile According to foreign media reports, on November 27th, the US Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that it had investigated about 115, Tesla cars on suspension safety issues.

Model? S (Source: Tesla)

The car safety regulator said that after receiving 43 complaints about the failure of the front link of the left or right suspension of the vehicle, they are working on the 215-217 Model? S, and the 216-217 Model? X car for a preliminary evaluation. According to NHTSA, 32 complaints occurred during low-speed parking and 11 complaints occurred during driving. NHTSA added that there are eight other complaints that may also involve the same issue. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In June p>216, Tesla published a blog post denying Model? X or Model? S's suspension has any safety defects, but the company admits that NHTSA informally asked the company to provide information about the suspension without a formal investigation.

in February p>217, Tesla issued a service bulletin describing a defect in the production process, which may lead to the failure of the front connecting rod of the front suspension. The announcement shows that the "front links" of some vehicles may not meet Tesla strength specifications. In the case of link failure, the driver can still maintain control of the vehicle, but the tire may contact the wheel arch liner. "

In October this year, Tesla informed NHTSA that it would recall about 3, Model? S and Model? X, because "due to the local road and driving conditions, the vehicle needs a stronger suspension". In addition, Tesla is also launching a campaign against Model? S was recalled separately because the rear suspension link of the vehicle was defective. However, Tesla told NHTSA that it didn't think there was a problem with these vehicles recalled in China, and said that there was no need to initiate a recall in the United States, calling the problem "extremely rare". Tesla said that the company has not received any reports of collisions, injuries or deaths around the world.

on November 2th, Tesla suffered a class action lawsuit because of Model? S and Model? The suspension problem of X may lead to premature failure of the front and rear suspension control arm assemblies, and some car owners filed a lawsuit against Tesla in the California District Court.

last week, NHTSA said that it was expanding its support for nearly 159, Tesla Model? S and Model? X car investigation, and upgrade the investigation to engineering analysis, which is exactly the step required before seeking a mandatory recall.

in June this year, NHTSA also conducted a preliminary investigation on Tesla vehicles about the touch screen fault. the agency said that this fault would lead to the loss of the image display of the rear camera when reversing, which would reduce the visibility of the rear when reversing, and affect the defogging ability and the sound prompts related to automatic driving and turn signals. The object of this survey currently includes 212-218 Model? S and 216-218 Model? X。 (Source: Geshi Automobile? Nebula)

4, domestic Tesla Model? 3 arrived in Europe

Geshi Automobile According to foreign media reports, it is carrying the domestic version of Model? The ship Toscana bound for Europe finally arrived in Zeebrugge, Belgium. Last month, about 7, domestic Model? The super factory in Shanghai was exported to Europe, about half of which was aboard the Tuscany.

Model? 3 (Source: Tesla)

Morten, the tracker of Tesla cargo ship? Grove reported the arrival of the Tuscan in Zeebrugge. He Twitter: "Tuscany, the first ever Tesla freighter from China, has arrived in Zeebrugge, carrying a Model made in China for export to Europe? 3? SR+。” Grove also pointed out that the Tuscan was moored at the Grand Aurora (Grand? Aurora), which is loaded with the modified Model3 from Tesla fremont factory in the United States.

at the end of October, Tesla held a ceremony in Shanghai, China to celebrate the domestic version of Model? 3 exported to Europe, and then the Tuscany set out. At that event, Tesla announced that the domestic Model3 had passed all the certifications in the European market, and the company was allowed to sell the domestic Model in Europe? 3。

The arrival of the Tuscany in Europe marks a new milestone for Tesla Giga Shanghai. In the first three quarters of this year, Tesla China made a great contribution to the company's profitability for three consecutive quarters, and it seems that it will be the same in the fourth quarter.

in the coming year, which domestic Model will be exported to Europe? There are bound to be more and more. According to recent reports, Tesla Giga Shanghai will produce 55, cars in 221, of which about 11, will be exported to Europe. (Source: Geshi Automobile? Nebula)

5. It is said that Volkswagen will stop selling Passat cars in the United States and Europe.

According to foreign media reports, insiders revealed that Volkswagen will stop selling Passat cars in the United States and Europe because the company is increasing its bets on electric cars and SUVs.

22 Passat (source: Volkswagen)

USA

According to Volkswagen's American data, in the first three quarters of this year, Passat's American sales increased by 25% year-on-year, but only 16,19 vehicles were sold. Volkswagen's board of directors has no intention of replacing the existing Passat version in the United States, because the company has been continuously shifting its focus from cars to crossover vehicles, such as Atlas, a crossover vehicle launched by Volkswagen. A Volkswagen executive made a brief summary of Passat's future products: "In the future, the share of the medium-sized car market in the United States will be negligible."

the American version of Passat is produced in the Chattanoou processing plant of Volkswagen, which is also responsible for the production of the crossover vehicle Atlas. Atlas is the second best-selling model of Volkswagen brand in the United States, second only to Jetta. In the first three quarters of this year, Atlas sales decreased by 37% year-on-year to 37,927 vehicles; The new AtlasCross? Sport sold 17,99 vehicles.

American buyers are less and less interested in medium-sized cars, which also determines the fate of Passat medium-sized cars in the United States. Medium-sized cars used to be the cornerstone of industry sales, but in recent years, their sales have steadily declined. In the first three quarters of this year, sales fell by 27% year-on-year, and in 219, they fell by 7.8% year-on-year. Brands such as Ford, Chrysler, Buick and Dodge have withdrawn from this market segment.

Europe

According to this person, Volkswagen will only keep Passat station wagon in Europe, and the body style of station wagon is still popular in Germany and other markets, so it will continue to sell in these markets. The new Passat medium-sized station wagon is expected to be launched at the end of 223.

according to market research organization JATO? According to the data of Dynamics, Passat was the best-selling medium-sized car in Europe from January to October this year, with 88,478 cars sold, and the second was its sister brand Skoda, with 47,889 cars sold in the same period.

the European version of Passat is produced in Emden factory. However, in a statement issued on November 13th, Volkswagen said that in 223, the production of Passat will be transferred from the factory to Bratislava factory in Slovakia, where it will be produced together with Speedmaster. Volkswagen is transforming its factory in Emden, aiming to produce electric vehicles only in this factory, including ID.4 crossover and a model code-named Aero? B's medium-sized electric car.

the popularity of medium-sized cars in Europe has also been declining rapidly, mainly because buyers prefer cargo space and SUV with larger towing volume, as well as hatchback models with more sportiness.

At present, commercial fleets are the main buyers of medium-sized cars in Europe. Nine of the 1 Passats are sold to corporate buyers, who usually choose the station wagon version because of its many functions. (Source: Geshi Automobile? Gu Jiaojiao)

6, many companies are optimistic? This battery startup rose by 5% just after its listing.

According to foreign media reports, QuantumScape(QS), a battery startup, was officially listed on November 27th. The company had previously obtained JB, the co-founder of Volkswagen and Tesla. Straubel's investment. On the day of listing, its share price has risen by more than 5%.

(Source: QuantumScape? )

Ten years ago, Jagdeep, a computer scientist and co-founder of Infineon? Singh and mechanical engineer Tim? Holme co-founded QS to study the application of solid lithium metal batteries in electric vehicles.

The company's next-generation battery core is expected to be improved in all key aspects of the battery core:

Energy density: By eliminating graphite or silicon anode main materials, the energy density of volume and weight is significantly increased. It may be 4 to 5? The energy density of Wh/kg exceeds that of current lithium-ion batteries.

fast charging: by eliminating the lithium diffusion barrier in the anode main material, the battery can be quickly charged from to 8% within 15 minutes.

life: prolong the life by eliminating the capacity loss at the anode interface.

safety: eliminate the organic separator. The solid separator is nonflammable.

cost: reduce the cost by reducing the anode main material and manufacturing cost.

QS has delivered the battery prototype, which has left a deep impression on many companies. As a result, it has gained more than 7 million US dollars in private investment, including 3 million US dollars from Volkswagen, and also received support from Bill Gates, China SAIC, mainland China and several important venture capital companies.

JB, co-founder and former chief technology officer of Tesla? Straubel was also attracted by QS and invested in the company. Straubel tested almost every battery technology when he worked at Tesla. He said: "QS's solid-state battery design is the most exquisite architecture I have ever seen in lithium-ion battery systems, and the company has the opportunity to redefine the battery industry."

Now, QS has acquired the company through special purpose to go public, which has brought the company more than US$ 1 billion. It is expected that this fund will be used for mass production of its battery technology. Although mass production will still take several years to realize, if successful, QS battery may provide power for the whole electric vehicle industry and even electric flight. (Source: Geshi Automobile? Gu Jiaojiao)

7, because the car was not recalled in time? Hyundai and Kia were fined US$ 21 million in the United States

According to foreign media reports, on November 27th, the American subsidiaries of Hyundai and Kia Motors agreed to pay a record civil fine of US$ 21 million. The American automobile safety agency said that the two companies