Latest news with #ParisMotorShow
Cision Canada
06-08-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Open The Way With AITO -- Smart Technology Charts New Milestone in Overseas Markets
CHONGQING, China , Aug. 6, 2025 /CNW/ -- On August 4 , The "Open The Way With AITO Launch Ceremony" was grandly held at the SERES Super Factory in Chongqing . As a luxury intelligent vehicle brand nurtured in Chongqing , AITO's ASEAN journey signifies not only accelerates Chongqing -made vehicles going global, but also represents a key practice in response to the Belt and Road Initiative. Continue Reading A significant moment was witnessed by guests at the launch ceremony. (photo provided by Seres) Looking back to last year, the "Eurasian Tour with AITO" spanned 38 days, crossed 12 countries and covered 15,000 kilometers, culminating its debut at the Paris Motor Show—showcasing the strength of China's new energy luxury vehicles on a global stage. This year, the AITO fleet will embark southward from the SERES Super Factory in Chongqing , traversing the vast lands of Southeast Asia . The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Indonesia . Seizing this opportunity, the AITO brand, as an explorer in China's luxury new energy vehicle sector, aims to use automobiles as a medium to initiate deep dialogue and cultural exchange with users in countries along the route. Leon He , President of SERES Automobile, stated that this ASEAN tour is strategically significant for SERES as it expands its footprint across Southeast Asia . SERES will continue to connect with ASEAN through technological innovation and intelligent manufacturing, showcasing AITO's philosophy of intelligence redefining luxury and anew benchmark for China's intelligent manufacturing going global. Facing the complex road challenges of Southeast Asia—from congested urban areas, to winding and narrow mountain roads, to muddy and slippery tropical rainforest paths—AITO vehicles are built to confidently handle these scenarios with their advanced smart technology. Featuring a premium chassis equipped with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) that dynamically adjusts suspension stiffness to effectively smooth out bumps, AITO ensures stable and comfortable driving. Meanwhile, powered by the Super Extended-Range Platform technology, the engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 44.8% and a comprehensive driving range exceeding 1,000 km, effortlessly meeting long-distance energy replenishment needs. AITO will also take advantage of this event to gain deeper insights into overseas market, listen to the voices of local users, and optimize product and service, ensuring that China's intelligent technology can better serve global consumers. In the new era of rapid global transformation towards smart and electric mobility, AITO is willing to collaborate with overseas partners, driven by innovation and powered by technology, to jointly promote a thriving intelligent mobility ecosystem. Looking ahead, AITO will continue to cultivate the international market with an open approach, and explore cooperation models in the new energy field— bringing Chinese smart technology across mountains and seas, and making every journey smarter, safer, and more convenient. SOURCE AITO Bingqing Yi, [email protected]
Telegraph
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
UK's rarest cars: 1981 Peugeot 104, one of only 19 left
Some cars are unfairly overshadowed by their successors. The Peugeot 104 is now in danger of being forgotten, such was the impact of the acclaimed 205 that replaced it, yet the 104 was Peugeot's first supermini and enjoyed a 16-year production run. Dean Hunter's 1981 SR is now one of only 19 of all types still on the road in this country. This example of the 104 has a 1,219cc engine which gives a top speed of 89mph, while keen brochure collectors in the early 1980s knew that SR ranked above GR in the model hierarchy. In addition to a cigarette lighter and a clock, 'carpets, head restraints and tweed upholstery give added luxury inside', such brochures asserted. Should you really want to cut a dash at the next parish jumble sale, there was the optional 'Custom Pack' including a laminated windscreen, tinted glass, a sliding roof and electric front windows. Peugeot started work on the 104 in 1966, although it didn't go on sale until 1972. The previous year, it had introduced the 204, its first front-wheel-drive car, which marked a radical change of direction for a marque associated with conventional rear-wheel-drive products. The 104's gearbox was mounted in the sump, in the manner pioneered by Alec Issigonis's revolutionary Mini, while the engine was canted at 72 degrees to maximise interior space. Paolo Martin, the chief of styling at Pininfarina, created appealingly angular bodywork. The 104 debuted at the 1972 Paris Motor Show, with UK sales commencing in spring 1973. Dealers could refer to it as Europe's most compact four-door saloon, since the 104 was not initially available with a hatchback. As the story goes, Peugeot feared a tailgate would steal sales from the 204 Estate, while it had unofficially agreed with Renault not to produce directly competing models. Consequently, the Renault 5 of 1971 had three doors and the first 104s lacked a hatchback. Autocar wrote in 1973 that the 104 could be Peugeot's most important model for years, as 'it bears with it their hopes for very large scale manufacture'. The magazine also noted the marque lacked 'the outrageous differentness of Citroën and the Gallic gaucheness of Renault', as Peugeot's cars were 'sensibly 'advanced' in most of the right ways'. However, the four-door layout did not find universal favour. Car complained that the 104 had 'no positive advantages of saloons of lesser price'. Its test concluded: 'Is this, perhaps, Peugeot's first – and hopefully last – lemon?' The Telegraph was more positive, finding the 104 'comfortable and well-engineered'. Eventually, Peugeot introduced a three-door version for the 1974 model year, while a five-door hatchback replaced the saloon in 1976; Car radically changed its opinion: 'The Peugeot 104 is a superb little saloon. It is sophisticated in design, execution and in action.' In 1977, one advert pointed out that 23 of the 104's rivals had only three doors. Peugeot's acquisition of Citroën in 1974 and Chrysler's European division in 1978 led to the 104 forming the basis of the Citroën Visa and the Talbot Samba. As for the parent model, Autocar thought the 104 SR was bound to appeal to 'the two-car family who want a small economical runabout for town without sacrificing the sophistication or much of the comfort of their first car'. By 1981, the 104 SR cost £3,899 compared with £3,902 for the Renault 5 GTL five-door, £3,721 for its in-house competitor, the Citroën Visa Super X, and £3,565 for the Honda Civic five-door. As for British rivals, the Austin Metro was not available with a fifth door until 1984. The Ford Fiesta Mk1 was also only available in three-door form, while Vauxhall did not sell a front-wheel-drive hatchback in the 104 class until the Nova came out in 1983. That year, Peugeot introduced the 205, arguably its first car to enjoy mass popularity in this country. However, its predecessor continued in production for the domestic market until as recently as May 1988, when the last example departed the Mulhouse factory. The total production was 1,624,992. That Hunter's Peugeot is one of only four roadworthy SRs is not entirely surprising; the 104 was a mass-produced hatchback and in 1981 you were far less likely to encounter one than a Fiesta or a Metro. But it deserves to be far better remembered as the model that consolidated Peugeot's future with front-wheel-drive cars. Plus, the SR is a vivid reminder of when tweed seat trim denoted acceptability in the Margo Leadbetter sector of the new car market.
Japan Today
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Stellantis pulls plug on hydrogen fuel cell vans
Stellantis showed off its hydrogen fuel cell commercial vans at the Paris Motor Show last year Jeep-maker Stellantis said Wednesday it was pulling the plug on plans to build light vans using hydrogen fuel cells, saying it saw no prospects for it to be commercially viable. The company, whose stable of brands also includes Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, had planned to begin serial production of commercial vans equipped with hydrogen fuel cells this summer at sites in northern France and southern Poland. "The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability," said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Stellantis's chief operating officer for the European region. The company cited limited availability of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and the need for stronger consumer purchasing incentives. "We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive," Imparato added. Hydrogen fuel cell technology was seen as a possible rival to battery electric vehicles to reach zero emissions. When hydrogen and air are fed into a cell it creates electricity and water. The technology could offer faster refill times than recharging electric batteries, but also involves creating expensive new infrastructure and most hydrogen is currently produced from natural gas without capturing the greenhouse gas emissions. Only Toyota, Hyundai and BMW are still developing fuel cell vehicles and few models are on the roads. France's Renault shut its hydrogen fuel cell factory at the start of the year. Stellantis said staff at the factories would be reassigned to other tasks, but acknowledged the move would create "financial challenges" for fuel cell supplier Symbio. Stellantis took a stake in Symbio in 2023 alongside tyre manufacturer Michelin and auto parts supplier Forvia. Symbio opened a fuel cell factory near the French city of Lyon in 2023. Stellantis said it had launched discussions with the other shareholders in Symbio, but Michelin called the announcement "unexpected, brutal and uncoordinated". Forvia noted that Stellantis accounts for nearly 80 percent of Symbio's activity. "Stellantis's announcement will have serious and immediate operational and financial repercussions for the future of Symbio," it said. © 2025 AFP
Toronto Sun
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Toronto Sun
Stellantis pulls plug on hydrogen fuel cell vans
Stellantis showed off its hydrogen fuel cell commercial vans at the Paris Motor Show last year. Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP/File Paris (AFP) — Jeep-maker Stellantis said Wednesday it was pulling the plug on plans to build light vans using hydrogen fuel cells, saying it saw no prospects for it to be commercially viable. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The company, whose stable of brands also includes Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, had planned to begin serial production of commercial vans equipped with hydrogen fuel cells this summer at sites in northern France and southern Poland. 'The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability,' said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Stellantis's chief operating officer for the European region. The company cited limited availability of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and the need for stronger consumer purchasing incentives. 'We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive,' Imparato added. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hydrogen fuel cell technology was seen as a possible rival to battery electric vehicles to reach zero emissions. When hydrogen and air are fed into a cell it creates electricity and water. The technology could offer faster refill times than recharging electric batteries, but also involves creating expensive new infrastructure and most hydrogen is currently produced from natural gas without capturing the greenhouse gas emissions. Only Toyota, Hyundai and BMW are still developing fuel cell vehicles and few models are on the roads. France's Renault shut its hydrogen fuel cell factory at the start of the year. Stellantis said staff at the factories would be reassigned to other tasks, but acknowledged the move would create 'financial challenges' for fuel cell supplier Symbio. Stellantis took a stake in Symbio in 2023 alongside tyre manufacturer Michelin and auto parts supplier Forvia. Symbio opened a fuel cell factory near the French city of Lyon in 2023. Stellantis said it had launched discussions with the other shareholders in Symbio, but Michelin called the announcement 'unexpected, brutal and uncoordinated'. Forvia noted that Stellantis accounts for nearly 80 percent of Symbio's activity. 'Stellantis's announcement will have serious and immediate operational and financial repercussions for the future of Symbio,' it said. Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Entertainment NFL Toronto & GTA
Japan Today
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Tesla EU sales slump 52% in April: trade group
The logo of US company Tesla displayed at the Paris Motor Show at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris on October 16, 2024 By Taimaz SZIRNIKS Sales of cars made by Elon Musk's Tesla slumped by more than half in April as Chinese electric carmakers saw their share surge, the continent's manufacturing association said Tuesday. While sales of electric cars rose overall in the 27 European Union nations, Tesla's share fell dramatically amid the spotlight on Musk's work with U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. company's aging range. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) said Tesla sales in April fell to 5,475 cars, down 52.6 percent from the same month last year. In the first four months of 2025, Tesla sales have fallen 46.1 percent against the same period last year to 41,677 cars. Once the standout leader in electric car sales, Tesla was overtaken in April by 10 rivals including Volkswagen, BMW, Renault and Chinese maker BYD, according to JATO Dynamics consultants. Tesla announced in April that its worldwide sales in the first quarter had fallen 13 percent, increasing pressure on Musk, though the company partly blamed lost production amid an upgrade to its Model Y standard-bearer. Musk has since announced he will reduce his work helping Trump slash U.S. government spending and last week said that Tesla sales are "doing well". Skoda's new Elroq led electric car sales while Tesla's Model Y, the former frontrunner, came ninth. Sales of electric cars overall rose 26.4 percent from last year to take a 15.3 percent share of the market in April, according to the ACEA. The rise is uneven across Europe as different governments and manufacturers give different incentives to buy electric. Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain have seen a major rise while electric car sales in France have fallen. "The share of battery-electric vehicles is slowly getting momentum, but growth remains incremental and uneven across EU countries," said Sigrid de Vries, ACEA's director general. "In order for battery-electric vehicles to become a mainstream choice, it is essential that governments continue to implement the necessary enabling conditions, such as purchase and fiscal incentives, recharging infrastructure and electricity prices. "The sustained popularity of hybrid vehicles among consumers also shows the merit of keeping a technology-neutral approach," she added. Sales of hybrid cars with a small electric battery still dominate the European market, rising 20.8 percent since the start of the year, while petrol-only cars have fallen 20.6 percent over the same time. The Volkswagen group remains the top brand in Europe, with sales up 2.9 percent in April. But Chinese brands were a major factor in the popularity of electric and hybrid cars, according to JATO and have 7.9 percent of the European market. The BYD, MG, Xpeng and Leapmotor brands saw sales rise 59 percent over the year in electric and hybrid sales, while other manufacturers put on 26 percent. JATO expert Felipe Munoz said it remains to be seen whether the European Union imposes tariffs on Chinese hybrid cars as it has for electric vehicles. © 2025 AFP
