Tag: VW
Northvolt raises US$1 billion for Europe’s first gigafactories
Northvolt has raised US$1 billion of capital to build Europe’s first homegrown gigafactory for lithium-ion battery cells - Northvolt Ett, in Skellefteå, Sweden. At the same time, in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group, the company also announced plans to establish a second gigafactory with an intended location in Lower Saxony, Germany. The news of both factories was announced on 12 June 2019.
Volkswagen and Northvolt establish European Battery Union
The Volkswagen Group and further European partners are joining forces to form the European Battery Union (EBU) with a view to forging ahead with battery research throughout Europe. The new consortium is to be led by the Volkswagen Group and the Swedish battery producer Northvolt. The joint research activities of the European Battery Union will cover the entire battery value stream – from raw materials through cell technology to recycling. The prime objective is to accumulate much broader know-how on battery cell production.
Giti’s US plant approved for tyre supply to VW
Giti Tire's United States manufacturing facility in South Carolina has completed an audit by Volkswagen to supply two tyre sizes for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat. The plant can now officially begin producing the All-Season GitiComfort A1 as an original equipment fitment for the Passat in sizes 235/45R18 95H and 235/40R19 92H. Production commences in the first quarter of the year; these tyres are the US plant’s first original equipment supplied tyres.
VW and Ford establish van/EV partnership
Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Company have will partner in the production of light commercial vehicles after announcing the first formal agreements in “a broad alliance”. The alliance does not involve cross-ownership between the two companies.
Bridgestone achieves ‘best OEM results’ in 2018
Bridgestone provided more than 120 new original equipment fitments in the EMEA region during 2018, an increase of more than 30 per cent. The fitments are spread across more than 40 different models from 15 different manufacturers. The tyre manufacturer, which is the largest in the world, says the commitment of such brands as Toyota, Mercedes, and Porsche, shows the original equipment manufacturers’ appreciation for its investment in research and development.
Vredestein summer, all-season tyres OE on VW Touareg
We heard in June that Goodyear was supplying original equipment tyres to the new Volkswagen Touareg, and Apollo Vredestein now shares that it will supply two 18-inch fitments to the latest version of VW’s flagship SUV. Buyers selecting an all-season fitment as standard can select the Vredestein Quatrac 5 in size 255/60 R18 108V, while those preferring summer rubber can plump for the Vredestein Ultrac Satin in size 255/60 R18 108W.
Further VW, Seat OE approvals for Nexen
Nexen Tire’s supply of original equipment tyres to Volkswagen Group models has been extended. As of this year, three Nexen tyres are being delivered to the VW plant in Pamplona, Spain for fitment on the Polo as well as to the Seat plant in Martorell, Spain, where they are mounted on the Ibiza model produced there. The tyres in question are the Nexen the N’blue HD Plus in sizes 185/65R15 88H and 215/45 R17 91 W as well as the Nexen N’Fera SU1 in size 195/55R16 91V.
Dumas’ Michelin-shod VW sets new Pikes Peak record
Last Sunday’s 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, USA saw Romain Dumas steer his ‘Unlimited’ class, all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak to victory on specifically-developed Michelin tyres.
Goodyear tyres OE on VW Touareg
A range of Goodyear summer, winter and all-season tyres have been approved as original equipment fitments on the new Volkswagen Touareg. Goodyear reports that it has met Volkswagen’s requirements for tyres for global applications and will supply a total of nine tyre dimensions for fitment on the SUV.
Cooper shows six-wheeler and first VW OE fitment tyres in Geneva
Cooper Tire Europe’s rugged Discoverer A/T3 Sport tyres took their place in the limelight at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, as part of the Chelsea Truck Company’s stand. The 88th Geneva Motor Show ran from 8-18 March and placed the Cooper brand in front of nearly 700,000 visitors and more than 10,000 of the world’s media.
Expanded Milltek Sport stainless steel range now includes VW Amarok fitments
The VW Amarok caused quite the stir when it was released upon an unsuspecting public 8 years ago, not least as it was (and in fact remains) comfortably the largest European pickup truck on sale. Perhaps that’s one reason why Milltek Sport has just added an exhaust designed for the 3.0 V6 TDI to its ever-expanding range.
Giti Tire OE on new VW Polo in Europe
Giti Tire has announced a second OE supply contract with the Volkswagen Group in Europe. Following the contract to equip the Seat Ibiza, produced at the Spanish manufacturer’s Martorell plant, Giti Tire has now been chosen as an OE tyre supplier for the new VW Polo. Built at VW’s Pamplona factory, the Polo will roll off the assembly line wearing 185/70 R14 88H GitiSynergyE1 tyres.
Falken tyres OE on VW T-Roc
Two Falken tyres have been approved as original equipment on the new Volkswagen T-Roc. Following Falken’s approval as OEM supplier in August, the Azenis FK453CC and the Ziex ZE914A Ecorun will be fitted to the compact SUV in various sizes.
A third of VW ‘defeat devices’ remain unfixed
Mary Creagh MP, chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, has written to John Hayes MP, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, to express the Committee’s concerns around the lack of progress of applying fixes to cars equipped with ‘defeat devices’, with a third of cars remaining unfixed. Meanwhile, On 30 October 2017 Judge Charles Breyer of the US District Court for the Northern District of California upheld car dealers’ arguments that Bosch’s involvement with the VW defeat device emissions scandal violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the same law used to bring charges for mafia-related crime and other organized racketeering.
Cooper gains first VW tyre supply with new T-Roc
The Cooper Zeon CS8 has been chosen as an original equipment tyre for the new T-Roc compact SUV in European markets, and in doing so has given Cooper Tire & Rubber its first-ever original equipment approval with Volkswagen. The VW T-Roc, which is produced at Volkswagen’s Autoeuropa factory in Palmela, Portugal, will receive the Zeon CS8 in size 205/60R16 92V.