1. It is reported that as a facelifted model, the new Changan Qiyuan A05 has mainly adjusted the appearance and power, of which the biggest change in appearance is the design of through-type taillights, and the biggest change in power is equipped with the new Blue Whale electric hybrid. In terms of appearance, the new Changan Qiyuan A05 is basically the same as the model on sale. The front part of the face still adopts the shape of a slender headlight cluster and a closed front grille. From the side, it is still a simple design style, and unlike the current model, the hidden door handle has been changed to a regular door handle. In terms of dimensions, the length, width and height are 4785/1840/1460 mm, respectively, and the wheelbase is 2765 mm. Meanwhile, the car is available with 17-inch and 18-inch rim options. In terms of interior, the new car introduces a pocket gear design and adds an air conditioning button in the armrest area, which can make more full use of the interior space on the one hand, and at the same time, visually, it also adds a sense of technology and luxury. In terms of power, the new Qiyuan A05 still uses a plug-in hybrid power system, and the engine is equipped with a new Blue Whale HE hybrid engine. The new 1.5-liter engine, codenamed JL469Q1, has a maximum power of 72 kW.
Autonomous Car Review: Changan Qiyuan has achieved the feat of breaking 100,000 units in a short period of time, and with the launch of new products, Qiyuan's performance is worth looking forward to.
2. SAIC announced that Jia Jianxu, president of SAIC, will no longer concurrently serve as the general manager of SAIC Volkswagen; Tao Hailong, former general manager of Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd., took over as general manager of SAIC Volkswagen. Tao Hailong, born in 1968, a member of the Communist Party of China, a bachelor of engineering, a senior engineer, has more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, and has worked in the quality assurance department and manufacturing department of SAIC Volkswagen for a long time. Subsequently, he served as Executive Director and Deputy General Manager of the Quality Assurance Department of SAIC Passenger Car Branch. After that, he served as the general manager of SAIC Transmission Co., Ltd. and the general manager of Huayu Automobile.
Autonomous car review: With SAIC's sales under pressure, SAIC's internal change of leadership has begun to accelerate.
3. The European Commission has signaled to Volkswagen and BMW that it may consider significantly reducing the high tariffs imposed on two models produced in China and imported into Europe. THE TWO MODELS, BMW'S ALL-NEW ELECTRIC MINI COOPER AND VOLKSWAGEN SEAT'S CUPRA TAVASCAN, HAVE BEEN FACING TARIFFS OF UP TO 37.6% SINCE THE NEW RULES CAME INTO EFFECT IN EARLY JULY. It is reported that the European Commission is now willing to classify the two automakers as so-called "cooperative companies", reducing their tariffs to 20.8%. If the European Commission finally reaches an agreement with Volkswagen and BMW, it will mark the first compromise on tariff policy.
Autonomous car review: When it comes to its own brands, the EU naturally doesn't want to hurt it.
4. Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging and Starbucks announced that they will work together to install EV charging stations at more than 100 Starbucks chain stores across the United States. The cost of the program was not disclosed. Mercedes-Benz and Starbucks also plan to focus on markets that include urban areas, charging deserts, and important travel corridors. Mercedes-Benz said it has invested $1 billion in its charging network and has built more than a dozen charging stations in the southern United States since the first one opened last November. The company plans to expand operations to nearly half of the United States states over the next 12 to 18 months.
Autonomous Vehicle Review: Bringing in more partners to build charging piles is expected to further reduce costs.
5. Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan has applied to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan to recall about 137,000 vehicles of six models, including Alto, due to a defect in the gearbox that transmits engine power to the wheels. It is understood that the defect may cause the vehicle to be undrivable in the worst case.
Autonomous car review: Japanese automakers have been in a constant state of negative news in recent years.