Volkswagen AG bought a stake in battery startup QuantumScape Corp. with the aim of developing technology that can more than triple the range of its electric cars, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.
Category Archives: General Talk
VW brand suffers biggest drop in car sales this year
Sales of Volkswagen’s core passenger-car brand fell 4 percent in November, the biggest monthly drop this year, as demand contracted in eastern Europe and Latin America and VW switched to a new-generation Passat late in the month.
Toyota to invest ~$165M to triple Japan production capacity for Mirai FCV
The Nikkei reports that Toyota will invest about ¥20 billion yen ($165 million) to triple production capacity in Japan for its new Mirai fuel cell vehicle to meet what it describes as strong corporate and public-sector demand. The Mirai is due to go on sale in Japan 15 December; Toyota expects orders to exceed its current annual capacity of 700 units by the release date.
BMW forecasts further sales growth in 2015
BMW Group expects its luxury car sales to increase in 2015, building on this year’s solid expansion, even as economic growth in core European markets stalls and geopolitical risks persist.
VW names veteran exec Thomas Schmall as components chief
Volkswagen named Thomas Schmall as the new VW brand board member responsible for components – a key post that carries with it the potential for political friction with the carmaker’s powerful German unions.
