DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Global Battery Race Heats Up With Billions for Europe’s Northvolt
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Amrith Ramkumar | William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

One of the world’s most valuable battery startups is raising $3.4 billion in debt from the European Union and a group of banks including JPMorgan Chase , accelerating a race to build more batteries outside China and take advantage of a tidal wave of clean-energy subsidies. Europe’s Northvolt plans to use the funding to grow battery production at a factory in northern Sweden for customers such as Volkswagen and BMW . It also plans to expand a recycling facility next door that will convert scrap metal and old batteries into reusable battery materials.

Persons: Northvolt Organizations: European Union, JPMorgan Chase, Volkswagen, BMW Locations: China, Sweden

☆ Bayer CEO Says Breakup Wouldn’t Fix All of the Company’s Ills
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Bayer CEO Bill Anderson is contending with his predecessor’s disastrous Monsanto acquisition and the need to re-energize Bayer’s drug pipeline. Photo: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg NewsBERLIN— Bayer Chief Executive Bill Anderson said the company would bounce back quickly from a recent spate of bad news, and warned that a breakup of the pharmaceutical and agricultural company was no universal cure for its ailments. A stream of negative news has rekindled calls from investors for Bayer to unlock value by spinning off its units into separate businesses. But in an interview with The Wall Street Journal this week, Anderson said the company couldn’t be distracted from the tough restructuring to fix the businesses.

Persons: Bill Anderson, Krisztian Bocsi, Anderson Organizations: Bloomberg, BERLIN — Bayer, Bayer, Wall

☆ Tesla Raises Wages for German Workers Amid Union Pressure
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Elon Musk promised that the Gigafactory on the outskirts of Berlin would build Tesla’s next-generation vehicle. Photo: ANNEGRET HILSE/REUTERSBERLIN— Tesla is boosting factory worker pay in Germany amid an aggressive unionization drive, a move that comes as Chief Executive Elon Musk may face similar organizing attempts in the U.S.Tesla’s management in Germany late last week unveiled a package of wage increases for workers during Musk’s visit to the so-called Gigafactory on the outskirts of Berlin, according to people familiar with the matter. Musk also promised the assembly plant would build its next-generation vehicle.

Persons: Elon Musk, ANNEGRET, Tesla, Elon, Musk Locations: Berlin, BERLIN, Germany, U.S

☆ German Industry Defies Rising Pressure to Limit China Exposure
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/german-companies-defy-rising-pressure-to-limit-exposure-to-china-4a877b27

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ China’s Electric-Vehicle Makers Face EU Antisubsidy Probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Kim Mackrael | William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/business/chinas-electric-vehicle-makers-face-eu-antisubsidy-probe-99f25434

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ German Carmakers Slip Behind Tesla and China in EV Transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/in-ev-transition-german-carmakers-lag-behind-tesla-and-china-5f60a99f

Persons: Dow Jones

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/germany-is-losing-its-mojo-finding-it-again-wont-be-easy-c4b46761

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: germany

☆ U.K. Clinches $5 Billion EV-Battery Plant as Race for Green Investments Heats Up
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-cinches-5-billion-ev-battery-plant-as-race-for-green-investments-heats-up-e20b142f

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Tesla Outlines Plan to Create Largest Auto Factory in Germany
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-outlines-plan-to-create-largest-auto-factory-in-germany-4aaea3bc

Persons: Dow Jones, 4aaea3bc Locations: germany

☆ Mercedes Teams Up With Green Steelmaker to Slash Emissions
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( William Boston | Kim Mackrael | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/mercedes-teams-up-with-green-steelmaker-to-slash-emissions-9696ddf0

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Volvo Rolls Out All-Electric SUV Aimed at First-Time Buyers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/volvo-rolls-out-all-electric-suv-aimed-at-first-time-buyers-87f9caad

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: volvo

☆ VW Is on a Hunt for Resources to Remove China From Its EV Batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/vw-is-on-a-hunt-for-resources-to-remove-china-from-its-ev-batteries-663ee99

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Can eFuels Make Your Porsche Green?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-efuels-make-your-porsche-green-c0e058c5

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Volkswagen Bets an Old SUV Can Help It Win Over Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/volkswagen-bets-an-old-suv-can-help-it-win-over-americans-85319f04

☆ How Clean Are Electric Cars? It Depends Where You Live
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Converting gas cars into electric vehicles is becoming more common, with several companies offering ways to “upcycle” classic cars and fleet vehicles. WSJ’s George Downs explores why retrofitting isn’t more widespread. Illustration: George DownsBERLIN—Electric cars are only as clean as the power they use to charge their batteries, and how clean that is varies greatly from country to country, according to an analysis of data on power-sector emissions in 2022. Car sales around the world show more people buying electric vehicles that emit no climate-warming CO2 when they are driven around. But the impact of an electric vehicle replacing a traditional, combustion-engine car on overall emissions depends on how the power used to charge the car’s battery is produced.

☆ Driving an EV Is Getting Greener, Especially in the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ VW Taps Bentley Executive to Fix Software Unit
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume says he wants software development to better line up with car launches. Photo: ALY SONG/REUTERSBERLIN— Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume named a company insider to head the automaker’s struggling software unit as part of a broader overhaul of how the company develops the software for its cars, VW said on Monday. Mr. Blume put Cariad, the unit, under review after taking up the job late last year. Set up by his predecessor, Cariad had struggled to deliver glitch-free software on schedule, causing VW to postpone the launch of several models across its brands.

☆ VW’s New CEO to Replace Management of Ailing Software Unit
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

People look at the cars in the Cariad booth at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Photo: Jacob Kepler for The Wall Street JournalBERLIN— Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume , in his first major restructuring move since becoming chief last year, will replace the management of the company’s struggling software unit after it caused delays to new model launches, according to a person familiar with the matter. Dirk Hilgenberg , head of the unit called Cariad, finance chief Thomas Sedran , and Lynn Longo, a Michigan native who serves as Cariad’s chief technology officer, could be ousted as early as this week, possibly after VW’s planned shareholder meeting on Wednesday, the person said.

☆ VW’s New CEO Expected to Replace Management of Ailing Software Unit
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Cariad, which had a booth at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, held the company’s brands back from moving faster. Photo: Jacob Kepler for The Wall Street JournalBERLIN— Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume , in his first major restructuring move since becoming chief last year, is expected to replace the management of the company’s struggling software unit after it caused delays to new model launches, according to people familiar with the matter. The decision to remove Dirk Hilgenberg , head of the unit called Cariad, finance chief Thomas Sedran , and Lynn Longo , a Michigan native who serves as Cariad’s chief technology officer, could be announced as early as this week, possibly before VW’s planned shareholder meeting on Wednesday, the people said.

☆ Volkswagen Pivots to North America as Europe Loses Its Shine
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Volkswagen is expanding its battery manufacturing as it adds models such as the ID.7 to its EV lineup. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty ImagesVolkswagen AG, Europe’s largest car maker, said Friday that it would invest more than $5 billion in its planned battery-cell factory in Canada, making it the company’s largest in the world and creating thousands of jobs. The plant will be built and operated by VW’s battery unit, PowerCo, and will supply VW’s U.S. factories with battery cells. Construction of the factory is slated to begin next year and production of battery cells projected to start in 2027. When operating at full capacity, the Canadian facility is expected to churn out battery cells with an annual capacity of 90 gigawatt-hours, twice the size of its European plants under construction in Germany and Spain, and create 3,000 jobs directly at the plant.

☆ Bayer’s New American CEO to Study Wounded Pharma Giant Before Acting
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Bill Anderson joined Bayer’s management board this week and starts as CEO in June. LEVERKUSEN, Germany— Bill Anderson , the American picked to head Bayer AG, treads softly as he begins a monthslong transition into his role as chief executive officer of the German owner of Monsanto, saying he will take his time before trying to fix the company’s most pressing problems. Mr. Anderson, a sprite, athletic 56-year-old hailing from the Gulf coast of Texas, this week joined the management board of Bayer, the 160-year-old chemical and pharmaceutical company known for inventing aspirin more than a century ago. He starts as CEO in June.

☆ Bayer’s New American CEO Treads Softly as He Takes On Wounded Pharma Giant
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Stellantis NV and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG are talking to Panasonic Holdings Corp. about teaming up to build electric-vehicle battery plants in North America, people familiar with the talks said. Panasonic specializes in cylindrical batteries, which resemble an oversize version of the AA batteries commonly used in consumer devices. Over the past decade, Japan-based Panasonic has churned out billions of cylindrical cells for its main car-making customer, Tesla Inc.

ROSTOCK, Germany—The small marina on the edge of this north German city is a popular summertime spot for recreational sailors. German intelligence believes it was also the jumping-off point for the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, an assault on Europe’s civilian energy infrastructure unprecedented since World War II. On Sept. 6, a small group set out from Rostock aboard a rented yacht, the Andromeda, a slender 50-foot-long, single-masted sloop, ostensibly on a pleasure cruise around Baltic Sea ports. Within two weeks, the group returned the boat and disappeared.

☆ Volkswagen Plans $192 Billion Investment Focusing on EVs, New Tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( William Boston | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A Volkswagen ID.4 at the company’s headquarters and auto-plant complex in Wolfsburg, Germany. BERLIN— Volkswagen AG is planning a $192 billion spending spree over the next five years to fix its struggling business in China and try to hoist the German car maker out of its niche as an also-ran in the U.S., the company said Tuesday. VW said it would target two-thirds of that investment, or about $127 billion, on the development of electric vehicles and new technology, with a particular focus on the expansion of its business in China and the U.S.

Search resuls for: "William Boston"

25 mentions found