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☆ Vitesco says new Schaeffler offer for EV merger 'inadequate'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Vitesco company logo is seen at Continental's pilot location for industry 4.0 applications in Regensburg, Germany, February 28, 2020. REUTERS/Michael Dalder/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 27 (Reuters) - German automotive supplier Schaeffler (SHA_p.DE) raised its offer price for shares in Vitesco Technologies (VTSCn.DE) on Monday, as a goodwill gesture, but Vitesco management said the new offer was "inadequate". Germany's billionaire Schaeffler family holds all voting rights and 75% of shares in its namesake supplier of electric vehicle components. It also owns close to 50% of Vitesco, making the likelihood the merger will be agreed all but certain. However, under pressure from some investors, who said the original offer of 91 euros per share was too low, it increased its offer price to 94 euros ($102.53) per share in Vitesco.

Persons: Michael Dalder, Schaeffler, Vitesco, Amir Orusov, Christina Amann, Rachel More, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Vitesco Technologies, Continental AG, Thomson Locations: Regensburg, Germany, Vitesco

[1/4] A wheel loader operator fills a truck with ore at the MP Materials rare earth mine in Mountain Pass, California, U.S. January 30, 2020. Market leader Tesla (TSLA.O) garnered headlines earlier this year saying it would cut rare earths from its next-generation EVs. China dominates the mining and processing of a group of 17 metals known as rare earths, though companies elsewhere are trying to loosen China's grip. 'WAITING IN THE WINGS'The average EV permanent magnet motor uses around 600 grams (1.32 lb) of heavy rare earth neodymium. Tesla's announcement on dropping rare earths "opened up buyers' eyes to the fact that you don't really need rare earths to make EV magnets," Niron CEO Jonathan Rowntree said.

Persons: Steve Marcus, Tesla, Otmar Scharrer, Scharrer, you've, Ben Chiswick, Uwe Deuke, Gerd Roesel, Jonathan Rowntree, Oki, James Edmondson, Edmondson, Mike Grant, Nick Carey, Christina Amann, Paul Lienert, Ernest Scheyder, Gilles Guillaume, Giulio Piovaccari, Ben Klayman, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Auto, LONDON, General Motors, Rover, Nissan, ZF, U.S, BMW, Renault, GM, EV, Warwick Acoustics, Thomson Locations: Pass , California, U.S, China, BERLIN, German, Detroit, Europe, London, Berlin, Houston, Paris, Milan

☆ Volkswagen to cut administrative personnel costs 20% in savings drive -Handelsblatt
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) plans to cut administrative personnel costs by a fifth as part of a cost-cutting package to save 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion) by 2026, the Handelsblatt daily reported on Monday, citing an internal company podcast. Gunnar Kilian, Volkswagen's board member for human resources, said in conversation with VW brand chief Thomas Schaefer that the cuts would focus on cost reduction rather than headcount, according to the Handelsblatt report. The specific details of the drive at Volkswagen's passenger car brand, announced in June and currently being defined in talks between management and the workers council, are due to be set by December. Volkswagen has signed an agreement with the workers council to secure jobs until 2029, and the council has repeatedly said it will not allow changes to that agreement. Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann; Writing by Victoria Waldersee, Miranda Murray; Editing by Stephen Coates and Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Gunnar Kilian, Volkswagen's, Thomas Schaefer, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Miranda Murray, Stephen Coates, Bernadette Baum Organizations: VW, REUTERS, Rights, Volkswagen, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Wolfsburg, Germany

☆ Continental plans thousands of job cuts in auto division
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A car wheel with a badge showing the logo of German tyre company Continental, pictured before the company's annual news conference in Hanover, Germany, March 7, 2019. The exact number of job cuts was not immediately clear, but it will amount to the "mid-four-digit range", the company said. The news comes amid ongoing reports that Continental plans a restructuring and potential sell-offs, with CEO Nikolai Setzer saying in September he was considering a change in ownership of the company's ContiTech division. Continental will provide a full strategy update at its capital markets day on Dec. 4, the statement said. Last week the company reported that the automotive business returned to profit in the third quarter and predicted a strong quarter ahead.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Nikolai Setzer, Andrey Sychev, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Miranda Murray, Susan Fenton, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Continental, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Smart, Thomson Locations: Hanover, Germany

☆ BMW says it is looking into Morocco labour, environment issues after newspaper report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The headquarters of German luxury carmaker BMW is seen in Munich, Germany, August 5, 2020. BMW has contacted local supplier Managem with a range of queries and requested additional information, a spokesperson for the company told Reuters. By far the largest proportion of the world's cobalt deposits are located in the Congo, where child labour still occurs, particularly in small mines. BMW no longer sources cobalt from Congo, said the BMW spokesperson. Reporting by Christina Amann, writing by Vera Eckert, Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Michael Dalder, Managem, Christina Amann, Vera Eckert, Hugh Lawson Organizations: BMW, REUTERS, Bayerische Motoren, FRANKFURT, Reuters, Managem, Daily, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, WDR, Thomson Locations: Munich, Germany, Moroccan, Morocco, Congo, Australia

☆ Allianz retains full-year outlook despite 30% slump in Q3 profit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of insurer Allianz SE is seen on the company building in Puteaux at the financial and business district of La Defense near Paris, outside Paris, France, May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Germany's Allianz (ALVG.DE) on Friday posted a 30% fall in its third-quarter net profit, dragged down by claims from natural catastrophes, although the financial services company maintained its full-year profit outlook. Net profit attributable to shareholders of 2.021 billion euros ($2.16 billion) in the three-month period ended September, compared with 2.866 billion euros a year earlier. Allianz, one of Europe's largest financial services groups, described the level of claims as "exceptionally high". Still, the company stuck to its target of 2023 operating profit between 13.2 billion and 15.2 billion euros.

Persons: Charles Platiau, Tom Sims, Christina Amann, Linda Pasquini, Miranda Murray, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: Allianz, La Defense, REUTERS, Rights, Germany's Allianz, Thomson Locations: Puteaux, La, Paris, France, Ukraine, Continental Europe, Germany, Italy, Austria

☆ Fisker in talks with five carmakers for production capacity partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Christina Amann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, Nov 9 (Reuters) - U.S. electric vehicle startup Fisker (FSR.N) is negotiating with five carmakers over a partnership to secure additional production capacity for its vehicles, its Chief Executive Henrik Fisker said on Thursday. We can bring them to market fast - we just need the capacity," Fisker said, speaking to Reuters in Berlin. The CEO told Reuters in May he was exploring partnerships with everyone from suppliers to tech companies to scale up production. The SUV, called PEAR, will be built with Foxconn in Ohio, but further capacity is needed for both models. Still, it cut its annual production target in August and adjusted pricing in October as it grappled with a slowdown in electric-vehicle demand.

Persons: Henrik Fisker, Fisker, Christina Amann, Victoria Waldersee, David Evans Organizations: Reuters, Magna International Inc, Thomson Locations: Berlin, California, Austria, Foxconn, Ohio

☆ Siemens Energy sees electrolyser sales topping 1 billion euros mid-term
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Miniatures of windmill, solar panel and electric pole are seen in front of Siemens Energy logo in this illustration taken January 17, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) expects more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in revenues over the medium-term from its hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing business, one of the company's board members said on Wednesday. Anne-Laure de Chammard spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the opening of Siemens Energy's first electrolyser factory in Berlin, a joint venture with France's Air Liquide (AIRP.PA). Asked about the progress of those talks, de Chammard said: "We will provide more information in a later moment." For the electrolyser project that aims to produce electrolyser capacity of up to 3 gigawatts per year, Siemens Energy has received 15 million euros ($16 million) in government funding for research and development, de Chammard said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Anne, Laure de Chammard, De Chammard, de Chammard, Riham Alkousaa, Christina Amann, Christoph Steitz, Mark Potter Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Rights, Siemens, France's, Thomson Locations: Berlin

A worker cleans a BMW i7 xDrive60 elecric car while it is charging at a BMW dealership in Sandton, South Africa, October 27, 2023. "We have no interest in sinking prices to gain market share. In a statement, BMW made no mention of high interest rates or inflation weighing on growth, in contrast to competitors such as Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) and Porsche (P911_p.DE). Fully electric sales hit 15.1% of total sales in the third quarter, outstripping BMW's end-year target of 15%. Models from the upper price segment, like the 7 Series, the updated BMW X7, and the BMW X5 and BMW X6 models, are also driving sales growth.

Persons: Siphiwe, Oliver Zipse, That's, Walter Mertl, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Elaine Hardcastle, Mark Potter Organizations: BMW, REUTERS, JV, LSEG, Mercedes, Benz, Porsche, BMW X5, Thomson Locations: Sandton, South Africa, BERLIN, China

China's decision may escalate trade disputes globally and spur other countries to prioritize research into alternative sources and materials, industry executives said. "We see China's move as a potential catalyst to highlight the urgency of improving (U.S.) graphite supply," said John DeMaio, president of Graphex Group's (6128.HK) graphene division. It has graphite supply deals with Syrah Resources (SYR.AX) and is looking for other sources, DeMaio said. Synthetic graphite could account for nearly two-thirds of the EV battery anode market by 2025, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence estimates. Chief Operating Officer Hans Erik Vatne told Reuters recently that developing synthetic graphite production is costly, but that is the price to pay to reduce reliance on China.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, John DeMaio, Graphex Group's, DeMaio, Tesla, Hans Erik Vatne, Rob Anstey, Alvin Liu, Akash Sriram, Ernest SCheyder, Nick Carey, Christina Amann, Marie Mannes, Gilles Guillaume, Ilona Wissenbach, Ben Klayman, Josie Kao Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Syrah Resources, Magnis Energy Technologies, Mineral Intelligence, Reuters, EVs, BMO Capital Markets, BMW, Volvo, Renault, General Motors, Ford, Thomson Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, China, Warren , Michigan, West, U.S, Europe, Oslo, Norway, Bengaluru, Houston, London, Berlin, Stockholm, Paris, Frankfurt

☆ Tesla rejects union claims, reports of health and safety issues at German plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Tesla Inc FollowBERLIN, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Tesla (TSLA.O) on Tuesday rejected claims by a German union and recent media reports that health and safety provisions at its gigafactory near Berlin were inadequate, stating that protecting workers' health was a top priority. On Monday, German union IG Metall said its membership numbers from Tesla workers were rising steeply amid concerns over health and safety as well as overwork. In a written statement, Tesla said workers received training on necessary safety measures, as well as protective clothing. The plant was subject to regular checks by local authorities that safety measures were being respected, it added. The company did not address the specific claims of the union or media reports regarding the number of accidents or workers off sick at the plant.

Persons: Metall, Tesla, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Tesla, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Berlin, U.S, Brandenburg

☆ Vitesco shares soar on 3.64 bln euro Schaeffler deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Ozan Ergenay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Vitesco (VTSCn.DE) shares rose 19.8% on Monday morning on news that its largest shareholder Schaeffler AG (SHA_p.DE) will launch a tender offer valuing the powertrain supplier at 3.64 billion euros ($3.83 billion). EV components maker Schaeffler AG, controlled by Germany's billionaire Schaeffler family, already holds 49.9% of Vitesco, which has seen its shares rise 39% this year. Schaeffler shares were down 6.6% at 0713 GMT. Schaeffler said it would offer remaining shareholders 91 euros ($95.83) per share, a fifth above last week's closing price. Listed preference shares are to be converted into ordinary shares, and the remaining shareholders will be on an equal footing with the family holding ordinary shares.

Persons: Schaeffler, Vitesco, Ozan Ergenay, Christina Amann, Victoria Waldersee, Friederike Heine, Kim Coghill, Louise Heavens Organizations: Schaeffler AG, EV, Schaeffler, Thomson

"The backlash, like a boomerang, can be bigger than what one imagined," he said, referring to potential retaliation by China on European carmakers. While 90% of BMW cars sold in China are produced locally, some materials are shipped from Europe to China, Mertl said. China has condemned the EU investigation, which formally began on Thursday, as out of line with World Trade Organization rules and detrimental to the global growth of EV sales. Asked whether the premium carmaker was seeing dampened demand for EVs reported by Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) in recent weeks, Mertl said EV sales were rising and the company was on track to hit its goal of 15% fully-electric sales for the year. Some supply chain problems in logistics and transport persisted and could carry on for the next six months, he added.

Persons: Angelika Warmuth, Walter Mertl, Mertl, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Friederike Heine, Mark Potter Organizations: BMW, REUTERS, Rights, World Trade Organization, Volkswagen Locations: Munich, Germany, China, Europe, Beijing, European

☆ Volkswagen's Trinity model to be built in Zwickau, Handelsblatt reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Buzz, a fresh take on the iconic vehicle of the Volkswagen brand, during its world premiere in Paris, France, March 9, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Volkswagen AG FollowSept 29 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) plans to build its Trinity electric vehicles (EV) at its factory in Zwickau, the German daily Handelsblatt reported on Friday, citing several company sources. The decision on the location for the prestige EV will be discussed at the Volkswagen supervisory board meeting on Friday, Handelsblatt reported. A spokesperson for the German carmaker declined to comment on the report. The Trinity electric car, which is to be based on the new SSP platform, was supposed to be launched in 2026.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Handelsblatt, Oliver Blume, Christina Amann, Amir Orusov, Miranda Murray, Rachel More Organizations: VW, Volkswagen, REUTERS, Trinity, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Zwickau, Wolfsburg

☆ MTU CFO: will talk to Pratt & Whitney about compensation for 700 mln euro cash flow hit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The MTU Aero Engines logo is displayed at the 54th International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 22, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Sept 13 (Reuters) - MTU Aero Engines (MTXGn.DE) will talk to U.S. partner Pratt & Whitney about compensation for an estimated 700 million euro hit to its cash flow caused by problems with its partner's geared turbofan engines, the German aircraft engine maker's chief financial officer said on Wednesday. The problems would not markedly affect the current year but will result in a hit to cash flow of about 700 million euros ($751.45 million), which will be felt mainly in 2024 and 2025, with some spillover in 2026, according to CFO Peter Kameritsch. MTU said in a statement earlier on Wednesday that it is considering leaving the "significant resulting charges" on reported revenue and earnings figures for 2023 out of its current year guidance. ($1 = 0.9315 euros)Reporting by Christina Amann, Writing by Miranda Murray, Editing by Rachel More, Elaine HardcastleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Pratt, Peter Kameritsch, Kameritsch, Lars Wagner, Christina Amann, Miranda Murray, Rachel More, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: International Paris Air, Le, REUTERS, Rights, Aero, Whitney, German, Pratt & Whitney, RTX Corp, Thomson Locations: Le Bourget, Paris, France

☆ Renk seeking free float that will enable share liquidity -CFO
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BERLIN, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Germany's Renk, which makes gear boxes for tanks, is seeking a free float that will ensure stock liquidity when it goes public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange later this year, Renk CFO Christian Schulz said on Tuesday. Schulz said discussions with investors were ongoing, and that it was still too early to talk about a valuation. "We will have new insights in the next three weeks," he said. Reporting by Christina Amann, Writing by Friederike Heine, Editing by Rachel MoreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Christian Schulz, Schulz, Christina Amann, Friederike Heine, Rachel More Organizations: Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Thomson

☆ Qualcomm to supply BMW and Mercedes with chips for displays, voice features
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Stephen Nellis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSAN FRANCISCO/MUNICH, Sept 5 (Reuters) - U.S. semiconductor company Qualcomm (QCOM.O) on Tuesday said it will supply chips to power in-car infotainment systems to luxury automakers Mercedes (MBGn.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE). Qualcomm is the leading supplier of the chips used in smartphones, a market that has slumped over the past year. Qualcomm said in a statement it will supply BMW with chips that will help power voice commands inside the car. It also said it will supply chips for the next version of the Mercedes E class models, which will be available in the U.S. in 2024. "One of the things we're very focused on the company is to find new areas for growth... automotive is one of those areas," Amon said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Cristiano Amon, Amon, Stephen Nellis, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Rashmi Aich, Kim Coghill Organizations: Qualcomm, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, BMW, Mercedes, Arm Holdings, SoftBank Group Corp, Thomson Locations: MUNICH, U.S, Munich, Britain, San Francisco

"Chinese manufacturers will adapt vehicles to the European market step by step through user experience and customer orientation," Bosch (ROBG.UL) CEO Stefan Hartung told Reuters at Munich's IAA mobility show. Bosch's Chinese partnerships include developing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for most of Chinese EV maker BYD's (002594.SZ) cars, electric motors for luxury EV maker Human Horizons and is a supplier for Nio (9866.HK). Chinese EV makers including BYD, Nio, Xpeng (9868.HK) and Leapmotor (9863.HK) are all targeting Europe's EV market, where sales soared nearly 55% to about 820,000 vehicles in the first seven months of 2023, making up about 13% of all car sales. "When we talk to our Chinese customers, there are very concrete plans to build plants in Europe," ZF CEO Holger Klein told Reuters. Continental CEO Nikolai Setzer told Reuters the supplier expects "the Chinese to go global and build plants in Europe."

Persons: Leonhard Simon, Bosch, Stefan Hartung, Hartung, Holger Klein, Nikolai Setzer, Setzer, Nick Carey, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Zoey Zhang, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, BYD's, Human, HK, Europe's EV, Jato Dynamics, Friedrichshafen, ZF, Continental, Thomson Locations: Munich, Germany, China, Europe

[1/6] A view shows model TO3 of Leapmotor, a Chinese automobile manufacturer, displayed during an event a day ahead of the official opening of the 2023 Munich Auto Show IAA Mobility, in Munich, Germany, September 4, 2023. Chinese EV makers, including BYD (002594.SZ), Nio (9866.HK) and Xpeng (9868.HK) are all targeting Europe's EV market, where sales soared nearly 55% to about 820,000 vehicles in the first seven months of 2023, making up about 13% of all car sales. The arrival of Chinese EV makers in Europe has raised concerns they could dominate EV sales. Xpeng President Brian Gu said while European carmakers currently lag behind China, they have made a "huge commitment" to EVs with partnerships and large investments in technology. "I would never discount the large (carmakers) trying really hard to come back and focus on this important transition," Gu said.

Persons: Leonhard Simon, Luca de Meo, De Meo, Hildegard Mueller, Oliver Zipse, Oliver Blume, Brian Gu, Gu, Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, Dudenhoeffer, Nick Carey, Victoria Waldersee, Gilles Gillaume Christina Amann, Zoey Zhang, Jan Schwartz, Friederike Heine, Clarence Fernandez, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, China EV, Renault, Reuters, HK, Europe's EV, Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology, EV, German Association of, Automotive Industry, Jato Dynamics, BMW, Benz, Klasse, Volkswagen, Auto, Thomson Locations: Munich, Germany, China, MUNICH, BYD, Zhejiang, Europe, Asia

A Renault wallbox charging station is used by a Renault Captur hybrid car at a dealership in Les Sorinieres, near Nantes, France, October 23, 2020. Chinese EV makers, including BYD (002594.SZ), Nio (9866.HK) and Xpeng (9868.HK) are all targeting Europe's EV market, where sales soared nearly 55% to about 820,000 vehicles in the first seven months of 2023, making up about 13% of all car sales. The arrival of Chinese EV makers in Europe has raised concerns they will undercut local carmakers and dominate EV sales. Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) will present its CLA compact class and BMW (BMWG.DE) its Neue Klasse, both of which target higher range and efficiency, while halving production costs. Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) CEO Oliver Blume told reporters that through its partnerships in China, the carmaker aims to cut battery cell costs by 50%.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Luca de Meo, De Meo, Fabian Brandt, Oliver Wyman, Gilles Le Borgne, Oliver Blume, " Blume, Nick Carey, Victoria Waldersee, Gilles Gillaume, Christina Amann, Friederike Heine, Clarence Fernandez, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Renault, REUTERS, China EV, Reuters, HK, Europe's EV, EV, Jato Dynamics, Benz, BMW, Klasse, Volkswagen, Greenpeace, Protesters, Thomson Locations: Les Sorinieres, Nantes, France, China, MUNICH, BYD, Europe, Munich, Asia

☆ Munich car show shines spotlight on China competition in EV race
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Renault wallbox charging station is used by a Renault Captur hybrid car at a dealership in Les Sorinieres, near Nantes, France, October 23, 2020. About 41% of exhibitors at this year's event are headquartered in Asia, with the number of Chinese companies having more than doubled, including players across batteries and EV production such as BYD, CATL and XPeng. "Europe needs to stop being naive from a macroeconomic point of view in the face of China," Gilles Le Borgne, Renault's (RENA.PA) engineering head, told journalists on Sunday, pointing to the country's control of the full battery supply chain. Chinese and German players, including top German carmakers and suppliers and China's LeapMotors and Horizon Robotics, will also speak at a Chinese EV conference set for Wednesday and Thursday for the first time outside China as part of the IAA. ($1=0.9273 euros)Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Gilles Gillaume and Christina Amann; Editing by Friederike Heine and Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Gilles Le Borgne, Fabian Brandt, Oliver Wyman, Victoria Waldersee, Gilles Gillaume, Christina Amann, Friederike Heine, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Renault, REUTERS, Rights, Horizon Robotics, EV, IAA, Mercedes, Benz, BMW, Klasse, Volkswagen, Thomson Locations: Les Sorinieres, Nantes, France, Asia, Europe, China

☆ Mercedes boss: EV costs will remain higher for foreseeable future
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ola Kaellenius's comments come as Mercedes-Benz disclosed more details about its newest electric vehicle architecture, the CLA compact electric sedan, which will launch next year and target 30% to 35% more driving range. "The variable costs for an electric car are higher. It will remain that way for the foreseeable future," Kaellenius told journalists at the IAA car show in Munich, adding higher costs could not be passed on to customers on a like for like basis. Variable costs weighing on the price tag of EV production include raw materials for batteries, software development, and electricity prices. Batteries for the CLA will be produced by key supplier CATL (300750.SZ) and ACC, in which Mercedes owns a third.

Persons: Ola Kaellenius's, Kaellenius, Markus Schaefer, Mercedes, Schaefer, Christina Amann, Christoph Steitz, Frances Kerry Organizations: Benz, Mercedes, IAA, ACC, Victoria, Thomson Locations: Woodstock , Alabama, MUNICH, Munich

☆ BMW expects higher China sales in 2023, finance chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Christina Amann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BMW's concept model i Vision Dee is unveiled during an event at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China April 18, 2023. China's passenger vehicle sales fell for a second month in July, as discounts and government support measures failed to lure consumers wary of buying cars amid a sputtering economy and a prolonged slump in the housing market. BMW recently raised its 2023 outlook for group vehicle sales and said it expects solid growth, which is defined as anywhere between 5% and 9.9%. In 2022, vehicles sales had declined by 4.8% to around 2.4 million; in China, they were down 6.4% to 791,985. Mertl said that the phase-out of grants to boost electric vehicles in Germany would cause a temporary drop in demand.

Persons: Dee, Aly, Walter Mertl, Mertl, Price, Christina Amann, Christoph Steitz, David Holmes Organizations: Auto, REUTERS, Rights, BMW, IAA, Reuters, Tesla, General Motors, Volkswagen, Thomson Locations: Auto Shanghai, Shanghai, China, Munich, Germany

☆ BMW's 'Neue Klasse' at least as profitable as current EVs - CEO Zipse
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Christina Amann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG Oliver Zipse attends an event at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China April 18, 2023. The Neue Klasse, to be launched in 2025, is at the heart of the carmaker's efforts to replicate past successes and catch up with EV pioneer Tesla (TSLA.O), which is also staging a return to the IAA this year. "We are very profitable with electric cars ... already today," Zipse told reporters, adding that the Neue Klasse - or New Class - would be "very profitable. Production of the new platform will start at the group's factory in Debrecen, Hungary, where BMW is investing 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) in new battery-making and assembly operations for the Neue Klasse. Development of the Neue Klasse is targeting to reduce battery pack costs by half and achieve 25% more range per kilowatt-hour, a key measure of efficiency, executives have said.

Persons: BMW AG Oliver Zipse, Aly, Oliver Zipse, Zipse, Christina Amann, Christoph Steitz, Helen Popper, David Holmes Organizations: Management, BMW AG, Auto, REUTERS, BMW, IAA, Neue, Tesla, Thomson Locations: Auto Shanghai, Shanghai, China, MUNICH, Munich, Debrecen, Hungary, Mexico

☆ Consumers may soon get up to $14,000 or more in rebates for making energy-efficient home upgrades — if states sign on
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Emilija Manevska | Moment | Getty ImagesConsumers may soon be able to access $14,000 or more of federal rebates for making energy-efficient upgrades to their home. The IRA devotes a total of $8.8 billion for two initiatives: the Home Efficiency Rebates program (which offers up to $8,000) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program (up to $14,000). However, consumers may be able to pair rebates with certain clean energy tax credits, which are currently available. How the Home Efficiency Rebates program worksIn dollar terms, larger rebates are generally available to the lowest earners. How the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program works

Persons: Emilija, Joe Biden, Kara Saul Rinaldi, We've, Jennifer Amann, Amann Organizations: Getty, Energy, AnnDyl, Home Energy, American Council for, Weatherization, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban Locations: Florida

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