Latest news with #CitroënAmi
Local France
2 days ago
- Health
- Local France
Spike in road deaths in France involving ‘voitures sans permis'
'For the second year, the number of people killed on the roads [in metropolitan France] remains below 3,200,' the Interior Ministry's François-Noël Buffet said in a statement. 'These results are to the credit of all road users who respect the rules and all professionals committed to ensuring their safety and maintaining the roads, sometimes at the risk of their own lives.' In France, 3,193 people died on the roads (2,465 men and 728 women) last year - excluding deaths in France's overseas territories - 26 more than in 2023, while the estimated number of serious injuries remained stable at around 16,000. Compared to 2019 – the reference year for 2020-2030 – the number of deaths is down 1.6 percent. Advertisement More than three-quarters of those killed and seriously injured in 2024 were men, the figures showed, with speed and alcohol cited as the leading causes of fatal accidents. Authorities are calling on road users to exercise 'the utmost caution' as the summer vacation season approaches. Beneath the headline figures, the data revealed a sharp increase in the number of deaths involving small voitures sans permis, sometimes known as voiturettes . These are small, lightweight vehicles that are subject to strict restrictions on size and speed, and cannot be used on motorways or high-speed roads that do not require the driver to hold a full driving licence. READ ALSO Meet France's tiny cars that you don't need a licence to drive The figures remain small – a total 34 deaths involving voiturettes were recorded in 2024, an increase of 48 percent year on year. And the increase in the number of deaths involving voiturettes coincides with a marked rise in the number of vehicles on France's roads. These 'cars' – technically they are quadricycles, or four-wheel mopeds – have gained something of a following among young people in towns and cities, in part because it's legal to drive them from the age of 14. Since January 1st, 2017, these vehicles are limited to an empty mass of 425kg, must have a small fuel engine or an electric engine limited to 6 kW, and can carry no more than two people, including the driver. Their maximum speed is limited to 45km/h, and they cannot be more than three metres in length. READ ALSO Swearing, honking and tailgating: French drivers ranked among worst in Europe An increasing number of city-dwellers who just need a runaround for local trips are attracted to them because of their price and also because they're easy to park. Between January and July 2024 alone, more than 15,400 license-free cars were registered in France – driven by the popular electric Citroën Ami, of which some 4,720 vehicles were sold in the first half of last year alone. Advertisement In 2023, some 9,556 new Amis were bought in France. The kooky little vehicle made up 36 percent of all new voitures sans permis on the roads, and 82 percent of electric-powered ones. The Aixam S10 was the second most-popular such vehicle in the first half of 2024, selling 4,661 cars. READ ALSO 'They have a death wish': The verdict on French drivers in rural France These vehicles used to be quite big in rural France, but because they have a roof, and windows, and four wheels, they are considered safer than mopeds for young people looking to get around in urban environments, so you are likely to see them taking up car parking spaces in and around lycées, for example. The Ami sells in France for €8,990 – though you can arrange a location longue durée deal from €44.99 per month with a €2,000 first payment – a price point that also makes them popular with younger road users.
Business Mayor
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Mayor
Little known car brand backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reveals highly customisable compact pickup at bargain price
A LITTLE-KNOWN car brand is preparing to unleash a budget all-electric compact pick-up truck onto the roads of the US – with significant backing from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Slate, an American start-up, has unveiled its very first model – aptly named 'Truck' – with plans to begin deliveries by the end of next year. 5 Bezos backed American start-up Slate has unveiled its very first model Credit: Slate 5 The little pickup's standout feature is its customisability, offering a wide range of options for colours, accessories, and conversion kits Credit: slateauto / Instagram 5 It can boast multiple different looks and serve different purposes Credit: slateauto / Instagram 5 The Truck's bed can also be tweaked Credit: slateauto / Instagram 5 Indeed, it can even be built to resemble a mini SUV Credit: slateauto / Instagram Its base price, a bargain $27,000 (approximately £20,000), is intentionally designed to make electric motoring accessible to drivers seeking a simple, two-seat pick-up. In many ways, it draws inspiration from the popular Citroën Ami quadricycle, adopting a no-frills approach that includes manually cranked windows and a basic smartphone mount in place of a central touchscreen. Features such as speakers are available as optional extras, while standard equipment includes a USB port, central locking, and cruise control. The Truck's standout feature is its customisability, offering a wide range of options for colours, accessories, and conversion kits. Remarkably, owners can even transform it into a five-seat mini SUV or a fastback crossover, thanks to the modular conversion kits on offer. Powered by a standard 52.7kWh battery pack, the Truck delivers a range of 150 miles, which can be extended to 240 miles with an upgrade to an 84.3kWh pack. Its power output is reportedly around 201hp, enabling a 0–60mph sprint in under eight seconds, while its top speed is a modest 90mph. The brand, headquartered in Troy, Michigan, will not be affected by former President Donald Trump's 25% import tariffs on foreign-made vehicles. However, it remains unclear whether Slate intends to manufacture the EV itself or where it plans to establish its production facility. The fact that the Truck is moving towards production at all is largely thanks to funding from Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon. Audi Q5 it's the poster boy This comes as Mercedes revealed the ultimate in luxury travel with a new MPV that's been likened to a 'private lounge'. The new-look V-Class concept isn't just an ordinary-looking van with extra bells and whistles – it's potentially the king of all people carriers. The German giants, who showcased the VIP shuttle at the Shanghai Motor Show, claim they have 'set a benchmark' for the future of premium driving. The new V-Class line-up promises a range of practical family vehicles that scale all the way up to 'luxurious limousines' – with the first model set to arrive in 2026. While the exterior might resemble a slightly more futuristic-looking van, Mercedes says it 'marks the next step' in their design language, with aerodynamics playing a significant role in its appearance.
Scottish Sun
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Little known car brand backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reveals highly customisable compact pickup at bargain price
Owners can even transform it into a five-seat mini SUV or a fastback crossover PRIMED & READY Little known car brand backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reveals highly customisable compact pickup at bargain price Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LITTLE-KNOWN car brand is preparing to unleash a budget all-electric compact pick-up truck onto the roads of the US – with significant backing from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Slate, an American start-up, has unveiled its very first model – aptly named 'Truck' – with plans to begin deliveries by the end of next year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Bezos backed American start-up Slate has unveiled its very first model Credit: Slate 5 The little pickup's standout feature is its customisability, offering a wide range of options for colours, accessories, and conversion kits Credit: slateauto / Instagram 5 It can boast multiple different looks and serve different purposes Credit: slateauto / Instagram 5 The Truck's bed can also be tweaked Credit: slateauto / Instagram 5 Indeed, it can even be built to resemble a mini SUV Credit: slateauto / Instagram Its base price, a bargain $27,000 (approximately £20,000), is intentionally designed to make electric motoring accessible to drivers seeking a simple, two-seat pick-up. In many ways, it draws inspiration from the popular Citroën Ami quadricycle, adopting a no-frills approach that includes manually cranked windows and a basic smartphone mount in place of a central touchscreen. Features such as speakers are available as optional extras, while standard equipment includes a USB port, central locking, and cruise control. The Truck's standout feature is its customisability, offering a wide range of options for colours, accessories, and conversion kits. Remarkably, owners can even transform it into a five-seat mini SUV or a fastback crossover, thanks to the modular conversion kits on offer. Powered by a standard 52.7kWh battery pack, the Truck delivers a range of 150 miles, which can be extended to 240 miles with an upgrade to an 84.3kWh pack. Its power output is reportedly around 201hp, enabling a 0–60mph sprint in under eight seconds, while its top speed is a modest 90mph. The brand, headquartered in Troy, Michigan, will not be affected by former President Donald Trump's 25% import tariffs on foreign-made vehicles. However, it remains unclear whether Slate intends to manufacture the EV itself or where it plans to establish its production facility. The fact that the Truck is moving towards production at all is largely thanks to funding from Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon. Audi Q5 it's the poster boy This comes as Mercedes revealed the ultimate in luxury travel with a new MPV that's been likened to a 'private lounge'. The new-look V-Class concept isn't just an ordinary-looking van with extra bells and whistles – it's potentially the king of all people carriers. The German giants, who showcased the VIP shuttle at the Shanghai Motor Show, claim they have "set a benchmark" for the future of premium driving. The new V-Class line-up promises a range of practical family vehicles that scale all the way up to 'luxurious limousines' – with the first model set to arrive in 2026. While the exterior might resemble a slightly more futuristic-looking van, Mercedes says it 'marks the next step' in their design language, with aerodynamics playing a significant role in its appearance.
The Sun
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Little known car brand backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reveals highly customisable compact pickup at bargain price
A LITTLE-KNOWN car brand is preparing to unleash a budget all-electric compact pick-up truck onto the roads of the US – with significant backing from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Slate, an American start-up, has unveiled its very first model – aptly named 'Truck' – with plans to begin deliveries by the end of next year. 5 5 5 5 5 Its base price, a bargain $27,000 (approximately £20,000), is intentionally designed to make electric motoring accessible to drivers seeking a simple, two-seat pick-up. In many ways, it draws inspiration from the popular Citroën Ami quadricycle, adopting a no-frills approach that includes manually cranked windows and a basic smartphone mount in place of a central touchscreen. Features such as speakers are available as optional extras, while standard equipment includes a USB port, central locking, and cruise control. The Truck's standout feature is its customisability, offering a wide range of options for colours, accessories, and conversion kits. Remarkably, owners can even transform it into a five-seat mini SUV or a fastback crossover, thanks to the modular conversion kits on offer. Powered by a standard 52.7kWh battery pack, the Truck delivers a range of 150 miles, which can be extended to 240 miles with an upgrade to an 84.3kWh pack. Its power output is reportedly around 201hp, enabling a 0–60mph sprint in under eight seconds, while its top speed is a modest 90mph. The brand, headquartered in Troy, Michigan, will not be affected by former President Donald Trump's 25% import tariffs on foreign-made vehicles. However, it remains unclear whether Slate intends to manufacture the EV itself or where it plans to establish its production facility. The fact that the Truck is moving towards production at all is largely thanks to funding from Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon. This comes as Mercedes revealed the ultimate in luxury travel with a new MPV that's been likened to a 'private lounge'. The new-look V-Class concept isn't just an ordinary-looking van with extra bells and whistles – it's potentially the king of all people carriers. The German giants, who showcased the VIP shuttle at the Shanghai Motor Show, claim they have "set a benchmark" for the future of premium driving. The new V-Class line-up promises a range of practical family vehicles that scale all the way up to 'luxurious limousines' – with the first model set to arrive in 2026. While the exterior might resemble a slightly more futuristic-looking van, Mercedes says it 'marks the next step' in their design language, with aerodynamics playing a significant role in its appearance.
The Irish Sun
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Little known car brand backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reveals highly customisable compact pickup at bargain price
A LITTLE-KNOWN car brand is preparing to unleash a budget all-electric compact pick-up truck onto the roads of the US – with significant backing from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Slate, an American start-up, has unveiled its very first model – aptly named 'Truck' – with plans to begin deliveries by the end of next year. 5 Bezos backed American start-up Slate has unveiled its very first model Credit: Slate 5 The little pickup's standout feature is its customisability, offering a wide range of options for colours, accessories, and conversion kits Credit: slateauto / Instagram 5 It can boast multiple different looks and serve different purposes Credit: slateauto / Instagram 5 The Truck's bed can also be tweaked Credit: slateauto / Instagram 5 Indeed, it can even be built to resemble a mini SUV Credit: slateauto / Instagram Its base price, a bargain $27,000 (approximately £20,000), is intentionally designed to make electric motoring accessible to drivers seeking a simple, two-seat pick-up. In many ways, it draws inspiration from the popular Citroën Ami quadricycle, adopting a no-frills approach that includes manually cranked windows and a basic smartphone mount in place of a central touchscreen. Features such as speakers are available as optional extras, while standard equipment includes a USB port, central locking, and cruise control. The Truck's standout feature is its customisability, offering a wide range of options for colours, accessories, and conversion kits. Read more Motors News Remarkably, owners can even transform it into a five-seat mini SUV or a fastback crossover, thanks to the modular conversion kits on offer. Powered by a standard 52.7kWh battery pack, the Truck delivers a range of 150 miles, which can be extended to 240 miles with an upgrade to an 84.3kWh pack. Its power output is reportedly around 201hp, enabling a 0–60mph sprint in under eight seconds, while its top speed is a modest 90mph. The brand, headquartered in Troy, Michigan, will not be affected by former President Donald Trump's 25% import tariffs on foreign-made vehicles. Most read in Motors However, it remains unclear whether Slate intends to manufacture the EV itself or where it plans to establish its production facility. The fact that the Truck is moving towards production at all is largely thanks to funding from Audi Q5 it's the poster boy This comes as The new-look V-Class concept isn't just an ordinary-looking van with extra bells and whistles – it's potentially the king of all people carriers. The German giants, who showcased the VIP shuttle at the Shanghai Motor Show, claim they have "set a benchmark" for the future of premium driving. The new V-Class line-up promises a range of practical family vehicles that scale all the way up to 'luxurious limousines' – with the first model set to arrive in 2026. While the exterior might resemble a slightly more futuristic-looking van, Mercedes says it 'marks the next step' in their design language, with aerodynamics playing a significant role in its appearance.
