Weekly Indices
Weekly News
Renault to Collaborate with Geely on CMA Platform
On August 9th, Geely announced that Renault will use its CMA platform to collaborate on the development of Renault-branded hybrid vehicles for the Chinese and South Korean markets. The two sides also plan to cooperate on the use of the Samsung logo on the Lynk & Co energy-saving platform for the Korean market! Based on Geely’s open architecture strategy for its entire vehicle lineup, this collaboration will accelerate Renault’s “Renaulution” plan in these two markets. The two sides have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish an innovative partnership. It should not be interpreted as a joint venture.
Comment:
The CMA platform, which was co-developed by Geely and Volvo, is used by many models such as Lynk & Co, Volvo, Geely, and Polestar. Currently, the models produced on this platform have received a lot of positive reviews in the market. Geely’s willingness to offer this hot platform to other carmakers raises questions about its motives. From Renault’s point of view, after the breakup with Dongfeng, the low market share of the French niche brand has even worsened. Perhaps this collaboration with Geely can enable Renault to produce models that are more in line with the consumption habits of Asia-Pacific consumers. We can look forward to what models Renault can offer us after using the CMA platform.
Cybertruck Delivery Delayed until 2022
Recently, there have been slight changes to the Cybertruck page on Tesla’s official website. The delivery date for the Cybertruck has been clearly written as 2022 instead of Musk’s “small-scale delivery by the end of the year” mentioned during the Q4 2020 earnings call.
During the Q4 2020 earnings call, Musk revealed that 8,000-tonne casting machines were required to produce the Cybertruck. Although orders have been placed, as of today, no delivery to Tesla’s Austin factory has been found.
Quick comment:
Currently, except for Tesla’s “S3XY” series models and the “ancient period” Roadster that have successfully achieved mass production, Tesla’s promises regarding several other “big cakes” have been continuously delayed. Looking at the timeline of Gigapress being introduced into the Shanghai factory, it takes about three months from equipment delivery to starting Model Y mass production. However, the Cybertruck is a completely new architecture that may even adopt the CTC battery cell technology for installation directly into the body, and 8,000 tons of locking force also means larger component sizes. Therefore, Cybertruck production may take longer than Model Y.
BorgWarner announces new orders in the Chinese market
On August 4th, BorgWarner won a motor order from an unnamed “luxury electric vehicle brand” in China.
The iDM 220 motor provided in the order can provide 250 kW of power and 5,000 N·m of torque.
This integrated motor includes a transmission and a 400 V silicon inverter. The driver module is small and supports expansion.
Previously, BorgWarner’s smaller iDM 146 integrated motor (135 kW) won an order from Hyundai, and it will supply its A-class models for the Hyundai Group in 2023.
Quick comment:
BorgWarner has already won an order for the extremely cool high-pressure coolant heater, and regarding this “leading luxury electric vehicle brand in China,” BorgWarner only mentioned that it will start production in the first quarter of 2023. Can you guess which new car it will be?
XPeng launches 11 high-speed supercharging stations
Currently, the specific locations of the 11 XPeng high-speed charging stations are as follows:
Jinghu Expressway, Shandong section
- Zhangqiu Service Area (two-way)
- Linyi Service Area (two-way)
- Lelingxi Service Area (two-way)
Jinggangao Expressway, Henan section - Hebi Service Area (two-way)
- Xuchang Service Area (Guangzhou direction)- Xinyang Service Area (bidirectional)
XPeng stated that it will gradually connect the Jingguang, Jinghu, Jinggangao and other expressways.
Quick Comment:
With the rapid popularization of electric vehicles, driving electric cars on long trips has gradually changed from being impossible to possible. However, currently, most charging stations on highways are generally poorly maintained, with old facilities or few charging piles and slow charging speeds. Range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers still exists.
In addition to XPeng, NIO, Tesla, and others are also gradually connecting the national charging network. This is one of the most effective methods to alleviate user range anxiety, in addition to improving the vehicle’s range.
However, it should be noted that XPeng’s Supercharging Station is temporarily not open to other brands.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.