Detour through the desert.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC, to use its full name, has come to America. No, the all-electric SUV isn’t already appearing in showrooms on our shores — that’s only set to happen in 2020, at least six months after it’s unleashed in Europe. What it is doing is drumming up publicity, this time at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Fortunately for some members of the media (look for our write up soon), the good folks at the German automaker decided to allow ride alongs in some very picturesque desert areas outside Sin City and this video (above) is the first fruit of that expedition.

Published on the What’s Inside? Family YouTube channel, the footage features an awesome opening sequence — seriously better than any number of actual commercials we’ve seen — before getting down to business and heading out on the highway. With Mercedes engineer Bastian Schult behind the wheel, our host brings us on his ride-along and fills us in on a few details about the car.

We start off learning about the various regen levels. Apparently, the EQC features four different regenerative braking modes. One, called “sailing,” basically removes regen, allowing the vehicle better coasting abilities. This is most handy for freeway driving. The next level gives you a light amount of regen. This is meant to mimic gas-powered vehicles with automatic transmissions. The third level will probably be the most popular for most EV drivers. Called “one pedal,” it allows you to drive using the accelerator pedal almost exclusively. Push down to go, let off to stop.

Schult demonstrates its effectiveness by stopping the vehicle using only the accelerator. Or “un-using” it, as the case may be. Of course, for quick stops brakes will still need to be applied, but the setup appears quite effective and owners may see their brake pads last a long, long time.

The fourth regen setting is pretty interesting. It’s called “auto” and, just like it sounds, it automatically adjusts the amount of regen being produced according to conditions. Among other things, the car uses map data to take hill descents or upcoming intersections into consideration. Sounds like something we’d love to check out and see how “smart” this car really is.

Sport mode also gets a tryout and the Mercedes makes good use of its 402 horsepower to take off in a similar fashion to a Tesla Model X 100D. The official 0-to-60 miles-per-hour digits are 4.9 seconds, which is a pretty great number for a vehicle of this size. Its launching ability is said to also be quite effective once underway as well, which should help with traffic merging.

Back when the Mercedes EQC first debuted, there was some confusion as to its official range. While the communications department is still using the overly-optimistic NEDC figure of 279 miles, Schult discusses a recent California road trip that saw the car indicate something closer to 230 or so miles. This puts it in the same neighborhood as its competitors from Jaguar and Audi.

Overall, it’s a great video and worth the six-minute time investment. It’s interesting to see the ginormous screen the vehicle uses as its primary display. It appears a little better integrated than the original concept vehicle, though we suspect it may still take a bit of getting used to. In any case, if you haven’t already, scroll up and hit play. And, enjoy!

Stuttgart/Las Vegas – At CES 2019 in Las Vegas the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle from the EQ brand is celebrating its U.S. premiere. The EQC symbolizes the beginning of a new mobility era at Daimler. With its seamless, clear design and color highlights typical of the brand, it is a pioneer for an avant-garde electric look while representing the design idiom of Progressive Luxury. With respect to quality, safety and comfort the EQC is the Mercedes-Benz among electric vehicles, and highly convincing in the sum of its attributes. These elements are accompanied by dynamic performance, thanks to two electric motors at the front and rear axles with a combined output of 402 hp. Thanks to an ingenious operation strategy, the EQC has a preliminary estimated range of 450 kilometers (279 miles) according to the European cycle NEDC. EQ also offers comprehensive services with Mercedes me connect, which makes electric mobility convenient and suitable for everyday driving. The EQC will celebrate its U.S. Premiere at CES in Las Vegas in January and will go on sale in the U.S. in 2020.

Source: Electric Vehicle News

Not necessarily plug ins though.

Japanese automaker Honda plans to roll out over 20 electric models in its Chinese market by 2025 as an important part of its mid-term goal to expand electrified product lineup in this country, said Yusuke Hasagawa, Executive Vice President of Honda Motor (China) Investment Co.,Ltd. and Honda Motor China Technology Co., Ltd., at a press conference on January 7.

He also revealed the on-going planning for technology upgrade. Following the EVERUS VE-1, the SPORT EV platform will generate its second model, which will be used for car-sharing service from 2019. Besides, the EV models jointly developed by Dongfeng Honda and Honda Motor China Technology Co., Ltd. will be launched this year.

The Japanese automaker is ready to further expand the product matrix featuring Honda’s Sport Hybrid i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) system. In addition, the i-MMD-based plug-in hybrid system will be introduced in China next year.

He also added that Honda is developing the upgraded version of the “Honda SENSING” ADAS system designed to cope with various complex road conditions, which will be sent into road tests next year under China’s actual traffic scenarios.

Additionally, the automaker will have its Honda CONNECT in-car system seamlessly interconnected with mobile phones and smart home applications and upgrade itself via OTA (Over-The-Air).

In 2018, a total of seven Honda’s models including the tenth-generation Accord, the all-new Crider and the Civic had respective annual sales exceeding 100,000 units despite the overall car sales dwindle in China. Especially, the Civic becomes the first Honda-branded model whose full-year sales topping 200,000 units.

Last year, Honda also gained some significant fruits in vehicle electrification in China. The SPORT HYBRID models carrying the i-MMD system have enjoyed popularity among consumers. For instance, the CR-V Hybrid made up over 20% of the CR-V sales in December 2018.

Source: Gasgoo

Source: Electric Vehicle News

New all-electric vehicles and electrified options to be offered for all models

Ford intends to conduct deep restructurization of its entire business in Europe. The focus is on strengthening competitiveness and profitability of the company.

The important part of the plan for the future is broad electrification, which will concern every new model, including the all-new Ford Focus. We appreciate that the entire portfolio will be electrified, but it’s hard to say how many models will go all-electric and plug-in hybrid.

“Every Ford nameplate from the all-new Ford Focus onwards will include an electrified option. This includes new nameplates and new versions of existing vehicles. From Fiesta to Transit, either a mild-hybrid, full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full battery electric option will be offered, delivering one of the most encompassing line-ups of electrified options for European customers.”

One of pillarz of the three-pronged strategy in Europe is import – Ford re-announced the all-new Mustang-inspired full-electric performance utility in 2020. Debut of this particular model is scheduled for April 2019.

“Imported Vehicles: A niche portfolio of imported iconic nameplates for Europe that builds on the heritage of the Ford brand will include Mustang, Edge, and another SUV to be revealed in April, along with an all-new Mustang-inspired full-electric performance utility in 2020.”

Ford Motor Company CEO, Jim Hackett said (see video below) that new lineup of electric vehicles is coming, including F-150 and Mustang. Hopefully, we will see those on the market soon.

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Elon Musk broke the news last night that Tesla was dropping the 75 kWh Model S/X

Since the remaining 100 kWh options are currently $15k-18k more than the 75D’s, that would greatly decrease an already small niche of buyers that can afford the Model S and Model X. This is an atypical move for Tesla and there is likely some financial motivation behind the discontinuation.

Starting on Monday, Tesla will no longer be taking orders for the 75 kWh version of the Model S & X. If you’d like that version, please order by Sunday night at https://t.co/46TXqRJ3C1

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2019

The most logical reasoning for the discontinuation is that Tesla is taking down its 75 kWh pack line to upgrade to a cheaper/more efficient architecture that can handle the V3 Supercharger. Since the 100D’s are Tesla’s highest margin vehicles, Tesla will be able to decrease their cost substantially because Tesla no longer has to cover the lower margin 75D’s in its sales mix.

While the 75 line is down, Tesla can crank out as many 100 kWh packs so that they can keep manufacturing their highest margin vehicles when they take down the 100-pack line for its upgrades.

Tesla can then reintroduce “Standard Range” S/X’s with higher ranges than the current 75D’s. Tesla can charge the same price for the SR than it did for the prior 75D because the buyer gets more range for “free” and Tesla gets better margins on their lower-end S/X’s.

When the SR is introduced, Tesla can upgrade the 100 kWh pack line while it continues to manufacture high-margin 100D’s with the inventory 100D packs that it produced during the 75D discontinuation. When the upgrades are complete, Tesla can reintroduce an upgraded “Long Range” S/X and charge the pre-discounted 100D price because the LR vehicles will have longer range and higher charge speeds.

With the old price-point, the new LR’s would then be able to again offset the lower margin SR’s.

When the next tax credit rollback occurs, Tesla will again have healthy margins on its flagships that will again enable it to drop the price of its vehicles again to absorb the impact.

What do you think about this move by Tesla? We’d also like to know your thoughts surrounding this analysis. Let us know in the comment section below.

Source: Electric Vehicle News

BEVs dominated the Dutch market in 2018

The Netherlands experienced a stunning 31% market share of plug-in electric car sales for the month of December. The total number of passenger car registrations increased more than four times to 6,232.

The spike was caused by a great run for more expensive all-electric models (with prices above €50,000), which from January 1, 2019 are taxed higher. This is why Jaguar set a record of 2,621 registrations of Jaguar I-PACE, and Tesla set a new record for both the Model S and Model X.

The Jaguar I-PACE in fact was #1 best selling car in December – the first time for all-electric model. Tesla Model S was second best, while Tesla Model X was fifth!

Another finding is that 98% of all plug-in car sales for the month were BEVs.

Plug-in electric car sales in the Netherlands – December 2018

For the full year 2018, some 27,079 new plug-in electric passenger cars were registered (89% were BEVs) – up almost 200% – at an average market share of decent 6%.

Additionally, around 1,000 commercial delivery vans were registered (up 91%) and roughly half of those were German StreetScooters from DHL!

In model rank Tesla Model S (5,636) took the first spot, followed by Jaguar I-PACE (3,495), which managed to overtake Nissan LEAF (3,370) on the last straight. Tesla Model X (2,970) ends fourth.

Source: EV Sales Blog

Source: Electric Vehicle News