Russian Car Market Contracts as Interest Rates and Fees Take Toll
From January through June, sales of passenger and light commercial vehicles fell to 546,430, down 27% from the same period last year, according to the Association of European Businesses. The group also revised down their forecast for 2025 about nine percentage points to now project a 24% decrease from last year.
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Forbes
30 minutes ago
- Forbes
Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance Adds F1 Power To An Iconic Roadster
The Mercedes-Benz SL roadster, a sleek, luxury-filled convertible, has been an icon of sporty luxury and the pinnacle of top-down driving since it made its debut in 1954. Over the years Mercedes-Benz has retooled the SL adding things like heated arm rests and all wheel drive to ensure the SL is capable and accommodating on all roads in all seasons. But for 2025 the Mercedes-AMG SL takes on a new distinction thanks to the company's F1 experience: electric boosted twin-turbo power that notches horsepower up to 805 and torque to 1,047, putting it solidly in hyper-car territory. Don't let the looks of this demure convertible fool you; it's a thrill. AMG-Only Production Adds To The Mystique Back in the day, Mercedes-Benz produced an SL for all luxury appetites, ranging from smaller powertrains to high performance. But for the current generation the company decided to focus on performance, offering four options produced by the house of AMG, the Affalterbach, Germany-based performance division of Mercedes-Benz. The starting point is the AMG SL 43 Roadster, a 4-cylinder turbo that generates 416 hp and starts at $112,000; the SL 55 increases power to 469 hp and the price to $145,000; the SL 63 Roadster generates 577 hp and is priced from $187,000. The F1-inflected, PHEV boosted SL 63 S E Performance starts at $207000; our test model, equipped with a nice set of upgrades, came in at $225,000, making it a true pinnacle of both luxury and sport driving. External Cues Let You Know This Mercedes-AMG Is A Powerful Machine The iterations of power and luxury are notable by each model name, of course, but the S E Performance gets a little extra panache: A red-backed 'S' badge that signifies its 805 hp and 2.8-second 0-60 MPH acceleration. The red-flecked badge is also seen on the side panels under the V8 Biturbo badge, yet another nod to the roadster's power. On the rear there's a retractable spoiler that deploys when the car hits a minimum speed and needs the downforce assistance, though a button on the control panel under the multimedia screen can deploy or retract it, too. Just under the wing is a small power port for charging. On the front end of the AMG SL 63 S E Performance conveys the luxury of Mercedes-Benz and its AMG Affalterbach heritage with a crest on the hood just above the Mercedes logo badge. The Many Performance Options Allow A Custom Experience The great thing about a performance PHEV is that you get to choose when and how to put the car's power to work: creep out of the neighborhood in silence in hybrid mode; the electric motor will deliver about eight miles of all-electric driving before the gas engine kicks in. Or, turn the drive mode dial on the steering wheel to Sport to crank up both the power and the sound. While owners can charge the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance for maximum hybrid range, there's no real need to charge the roadster to ensure there's enough electric power to deliver all 805 hp. The system is designed to maintain a minimum amount of power and to regenerate its charge on its own while you drive. In our first test of its sister S E Performance, the AMG C 63, the battery nearly fully recharged on a day of driving through the mountains of Southern California. Manufaktur Options Increase the Luxury Quotient The luxury of the AMG SL 63 S E Performance starts with the soft-top convertible, a quickly-retracting top that can be operated even while driving. With the top down the cabin feels like chic and refined, not overly windy or loud. With the top up the outside world is hushed thanks to a nicely constructed soft top that dampens outside noise. The heated, cooled massaging quilted leather front seats add to the quiet luxury of the cabin. Buyers who want to really personalize their SL 63 can choose Manufaktur options, bespoke details that include a wider range of colors and trim details for a unique and personal style package. Our model came standard with some of the best Mercedes goodies: Burmester premium sound, 'Hey Mercedes' voice activation, Napa leather massage seats and 'air scarf,' a neck-level vent on the front seats that blows warm air on cold days. This is especially nice when the top is down. Not that the SL 63 S E Performance needed any extras to make it the most desirable SL; its F1 DNA and dynamic drive experience make it a true thrill, adding another dimension to its luxury heritage.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Envirotainer invests in Swiss Airtainer to drive sustainable innovation in pharmaceutical cold chain
As the pharmaceutical industry intensifies its focus on both reliability and sustainability, Envirotainer has taken a decisive step forward in pharmaceutical cold chain innovation. The global leader in secure cold chain solutions announced a strategic investment in Swiss Airtainer, a young but fast-rising leader in lightweight, technology-driven container design. Through this partnership, Envirotainer gains exclusive global rights to market and operate Swiss Airtainer's advanced containers, while Swiss Airtainer will scale its production capacity and accelerate ongoing R&D. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Switzerland, Swiss Airtainer has quickly established itself as a key innovator in temperature-controlled air cargo. Its containers are designed for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other high-value perishables, leveraging IoT-driven monitoring and eco-friendly materials to cut emissions and costs without sacrificing reliability. Technology Meets Sustainability Swiss Airtainer's active RKN container is the lightest in the industry and comes equipped with solar panels that provide self-sustaining energy. Coupled with IoT-enabled real-time communications, the container allows for greater visibility and optimized operations. These advancements mark a significant shift in how high-value, temperature-sensitive products like vaccines and biologics can be transported across global networks. The emphasis on weight reduction and renewable energy translates directly into lower CO₂ emissions, a growing priority for shippers and logistics providers under regulatory and corporate sustainability mandates. 'Swiss Airtainer's technology enables significant CO₂ reductions and strengthens our commitment to sustainable innovation,' said Niklas Adamsson, Interim CEO of Envirotainer, in a news release. 'Our mission has always been to ensure safe and reliable delivery of critical medicines while minimizing environmental impact.' The addition of Swiss Airtainer's solution complements Envirotainer's existing sustainability-focused lineup, which includes the flagship Releye family of containers. Together, the offerings represent a comprehensive approach to modern cold chain logistics, balancing reliability, cost-efficiency, and measurable reductions in climate impact. 'We are proud to join forces with Envirotainer, a company that shares our vision for a more sustainable future. This partnership will accelerate the development and global adoption of smart, low-impact cold chain solutions, says Eduard Seligman, CEO of Swiss Airtainer, in a news release. Broader Industry Implications The pharmaceutical cold chain is at an inflection point. On one hand, demand for temperature-sensitive medicines continues to grow, with biologics and advanced therapies placing even greater strain on global distribution networks. On the other hand, regulators, manufacturers, and logistics providers face mounting pressure to cut carbon emissions. By investing in container technology that is lighter, more energy-efficient, and digitally connected, Envirotainer and Swiss Airtainer are signaling where the industry is headed: toward solutions that safeguard product integrity while actively reducing environmental impact. Envirotainer's climate targets have already been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), underscoring its commitment to measurable progress. This latest move adds another dimension, practical, operational tools that customers can deploy immediately to align with sustainability goals. This partnership offers a preview of the future: smarter containers that integrate renewable energy, digital visibility, and lightweight design into one solution. The post Envirotainer invests in Swiss Airtainer to drive sustainable innovation in pharmaceutical cold chain appeared first on FreightWaves. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Google tweaks Google Play conditions following EU pressure
PARIS (Reuters) -Alphabet unit Google said on Tuesday it will make it easier for app developers to steer customers to channels other than Google after the European Union competition watchdog charged it with breaching EU regulations. In March, Google was hit with two charges of breaching the EU's landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to rein in the power of Big Tech. Google has been in the European Commission's crosshairs since early 2024 over whether it restricts app developers from informing users about offers outside its app store Google Play and whether it favours its vertical search services such as Google Flights. Regulators have said Alphabet technically prevents app developers from freely steering consumers to other channels for better offers. They said a service fee charged by the company for facilitating the initial acquisition of a new customer by an app developer via Google Play goes beyond what is justified. In a blog post, Google said that following discussions with the European Commission, developers, and other experts, Google is updating certain terms. "While we still have concerns that these changes could expose Android users to harmful content and make the app experience worse, we're updating our External Offers Program for the EU with revised fees and more options for Android developers, following DMA discussions with the European Commission," EMEA Senior Competition Counsel Clare Kelly said. The company, which has been fined more than 8 billion euros ($9.3 billion) by the EU for various antitrust violations, risks fines of up to 10% of its global annual sales if found guilty of breaching the DMA. ($1 = 0.8580 euros)
