Success and failure

Last week's good and bad car news

Saturday morning, after doing the groceries t's time for a nice cup of coffee and reading some exciting car news. At Greenchoicess we look back on a week in which Volvo comes with a handy pack mule and we catch an SUV (ouch!) from Alpine. Good news, bad news. Success and failure.

Success - European car brands have something that the Chinese don't

Electric car sales are in the doldrums, and fears of Chinese competition are high. But European brands have one unique weapon that they should be using much more. And that weapon is actually very obvious.

The practical objections to electric cars will probably disappear in the coming years. Due to technical improvements, the range will increase and the charging speed will be higher. In addition, EV batteries will become lighter and more compact. If the charging infrastructure and the electrical networks are tackled at the same time, no one will complain about range stress or long charging times.

Electric cars lack experience

But there is one – mainly emotional – objection to EVs that has not yet been adequately answered: the lack of experience. Real engine and exhaust sounds, for example. Or the character differences between naturally aspirated six-cylinder inline engines, four-cylinder turbos and big V8s. You can never experience those with an electric motor either. And the pleasure of stirring a tight manual gearbox is also a thing of the past in electric cars.

Electric cars with emotion

Manufacturers of electric cars will therefore have to use other means to appeal to emotion and enhance the experience. And let's be honest: one of the most important features of a car is its appearance. And if the driving experience is no longer what it used to be, you can at least use the design to evoke the feeling of, or memories of, the past. In other words: brands must build more EVs with an appealing retro design. DS Automobiles and Renault recently set a good example with two cool concept models.

Examples from the past ...

Fiat has done this successfully for a long time with the 500 that the brand presented in 2007. The same applies to all generations of the Mini since the New Mini that saw the light of day in the year 2000. The fact that the Fiat 500e is hardly sold anymore is mainly due to its price-quality ratio. It is cramped, has little range and power in the basic version and still costs almost 30,000 euros. Moreover, many people have also seen enough of the design by now. You can't keep blowing the same whistle forever.

European retro design vs. Chinese suppositories

However, we are convinced that the electric versions of the Renault 5, Renault 4 and Renault Twingo will do much better in Europe than anonymous suppositories such as the Leapmotor T03 and the Dongfeng Box. We therefore heartily encourage Renault to put the recently presented study of the electric 17 into production. Because just like its brothers, the Renault 17 Electric Restomod x Ora ?to is a feast for the eyes.

Opportunities for Volkswagen, DS, Citro?n Peugeot and Opel

In addition, we call on the troubled Volkswagen to indeed give the ID.2 many of the Golf I's features. And the Germans don't have to leave it at the C-pillars and the layout of the dashboard, as is currently the case.

The recently shown DS SM Tribute is an ode to the Citro?n SM from the 70s. We think it's mouth-watering. At the same time, we find it amazing that DS waited until its tenth anniversary to do something with Citro?n's rich design heritage. Stellantis already put its two cents in the retro bag in 2018 with the Peugeot E-Legend, inspired by the 504 Coupé. Opel followed in 2021 with the Manta GSe ElektroMod, another cool coupé.

Does the modern consumer no longer find coupes attractive or simply impractical? Perhaps, on the other hand, car buyers are at some point done with all those clumsy, heavy and high SUVs? If Peugeot does want to build something more practical; what about a revival of the Peugeot 404 or 504 Familiale? DS and Citro?n also have a rich past that can produce beautiful electric re-entrants: the Citro?n 2CV, DS, GS and CX are the best contenders in our opinion.

Conditions for success of retro EVs

Because even though Chinese EVs will remain cheaper than electric cars from Europe, they can never compete with the emotions that the heritage of European – and American – brands generate. The condition is that the price differences do not increase too much and that the range is up to standard.

But beware: the Honda e has proven that a pretty face alone is not the be-all and end-all. In addition, you should not get stuck in it for too long, as Fiat may have done with the 500(e). And finally, Europeans should take a serious and energetic approach to retro design. Not as half-heartedly as Fiat did with the current 600e. That car only reminds us of its distant ancestor with a few small details. The Renault method seems to offer us the greatest chance of success. So come on, Opel, Peugeot, Citro?n, Fiat and Alfa Romeo!

Success - Volvo EX30 is becoming a bit of a Volvo 240

The Volvo EX30 is a success. So Volvo came up with the EX30 Cargo: a compact van to please entrepreneurs. After use, it can also be resold as a normal family car. Smart!

In the sales top 10 of 2024, the Volvo EX30 (2024) takes a proud third place with more than seven thousand sales in the first eight months. Time for Volvo to unveil a new variant, the EX30 Cargo. With this, Volvo is once again introducing a real pack mule in the year in which the famous Volvo 240 has been around for fifty years.

According to Volvo, the Cargo version is intended for companies looking for compact vehicles with enough space to take everything with them for maintenance work, checks or customer visits, for example. Small items can be loaded easily thanks to the flat loading floor that is installed after the rear seat has been removed. Tinted rear windows complete the van story and accessories such as lashing eyes, nets, drawers, etc. spice up the Volvo if desired.

Zero-emission zones and no bpm

There will certainly be demand for this electrically powered 'bus', because given its zero emissions, the Cargo is allowed to enter any zero-emission zone. In addition, you do not pay bpm on electric cars anyway, something that will happen as of 1 January 2025 for vans with a combustion engine.

However, for tax legislation it is not a company car, so do not count on the reduced business rates for motor vehicle tax. You may be able to deduct (part of) the VAT, but your accountant can tell you all about that. Definitely ask, because the car and the conversion can be put on an account with Volvo.

Price Volvo EX30 Cargo (2024)

That bill starts counting with the car. You can buy an EX30 from around € 37,500 (including VAT, excluding preparation). For the conversion, add € 2238.34 (excluding VAT, including installation). If you are a handyman yourself and do the work yourself (with Allen keys?), then the Cargo part can be included for € 1661.16 (again excluding VAT). The bench can be replaced afterwards, so that the EX30 Cargo-less can enter the used car market with a possibly higher residual value.

Success - 8 brave brands are quickly ditching combustion engines

As of 2035, it will be over and out for new cars with a combustion engine in Europe. But there are 8 car brands that are pulling the plug earlier. That shows courage. We made an overview of which brands these are.

In 2035, the sale of new cars with combustion engines will come to an end in European showrooms. At least, that is the plan. Italy, for example, is already obstructing the idea and is calling on the EU to put an end to this 'absurd' ban.

Demand for EVs is declining

Italy's plea can be partly explained. Production of the electric Fiat 500 has been temporarily halted because demand for EVs is declining, such as the 500e. Panic at Fiat, which has decided to eventually also supply the electric 500 with a combustion engine (mild hybrid), the announced Fiat 500 Ibrida.

EV subsidies cut

Other brands are also struggling with the sale of their EVs. Not so strange, considering that some European countries have put a stop to their purchase subsidies. The Netherlands, for example. But our market is still relatively small. Germany is a different story. In this large country, too, the subsidy has come to an end and that hurts more. For example, Volkswagen, the pearl of the German car industry, is already in dire straits.

Volvo backs down

Volvo also sees the storm coming. Where the brand previously stubbornly stuck to full electrification by 2030, it recently backtracked on this promise due to disappointing demand for EVs. The focus is no longer just on fully electric models, all cars with a plug are now acceptable to the Swedish. This also includes plug-in hybrids.

Volvo's current goal is that 90 to 100 percent of new cars sold in 2030 will be fully electric or plug-in hybrid. The remaining percentages will be accounted for by mild hybrids.

Despite all the headwinds, there are still brands that are sticking to their strategy and are abandoning their new combustion engine models before 2035. The table below shows which manufacturers are already ready for the electric future and will no longer offer combustion engines before 2035, or at least want to significantly reduce this.

brand stops per comment

Alfa Romeo 2027 -

Audi 2033 No more new models with combustion engines from 2026

BMW 2035 50 percent fully electric from 2030

Fiat 2027

Ford 2030

Hyundai 2035

Jaguar 2025

Mazda 2035 40 percent fully electric from 2030

Mercedes 2035 100 percent electric in suitable markets from 2030

Opel 2028

Peugeot 2030 An EV of every model from 2024

Porsche 2035 More than 80 percent fully electric from 2030

Skoda 2035 More than 70 percent fully electric from 2030

Volkswagen 2033 At least 80 percent fully electric from 2030

What about Toyota?

If there’s one brand that’s always been skeptical about full-scale electrification of the car market, it’s Toyota. And now it looks like the world’s largest automaker is right, regardless of the EU’s plans.

Over the next three years, Toyota and Lexus plan to introduce 10 new EVs, including models on a new platform and others on an improved version of the current e-TNGA architecture. Toyota also plans to start using solid-state batteries in 2026, although it won’t be until 2030 before they go into mass production.

Failure - Another sports car brand gives in to the SUV

Will it never end? After even Ferrari threw its SUV shame overboard with the Purosangue, the floodgates have opened. Another brand will soon come out of the closet: we caught an SUV from Alpine.

After Aston Martin, Porsche, Lamborghini, Lotus and even Ferrari, there is another famous sports car brand that dares to venture into the SUV. Under the camouflage material of the car you see here, lies the new Alpine A390!

With the A390, Alpine wants to offer an alternative to the electric Porsche Macan. The Alpine A390 will be presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 2024, but for the time being as a concept car. Alpine mainly explains what the SUV looks like.

Incidentally, Alpine does not call its new offspring an SUV, but a 'sports fastback'. Fine, but we mainly see an SUV, or at least a crossover that stands high on its legs. Sports car brands seem a bit afraid of the term; Ferrari does not allow you to call the Purosangue an SUV either.

You wouldn't expect it: a light bar on the back

We don't see much of the design in the photos yet, but you can count on the Alpine A390 getting a light bar on the back, just like the Lotus Eletre. What we can already see is that the alloy wheels have a typical Alpine design. They are 19 or 20 inches in size, which is a bit smaller than the wheels of the Porsche Macan, which go up to 22 inches. But perhaps Alpine has a size bigger for those who pay extra.

Bucket seats from Sabelt

It won't be easy to answer the Macan. Alpine has been around for a long time, but doesn't have as rich a history as Porsche. The interior will have blue accents, Alpine's house color, to provide distinction. The sports seats also promise to be comfortable. Those who want to go more hardcore can opt for the optional bucket seats from manufacturer Sabelt.

Alpine A390 top version delivers at least 600 hp

The top version of the Alpine A390 has four-wheel drive and delivers at least 600 hp with three electric motors. That's a must, the Porsche Macan Turbo has 639 hp. Because not everyone wants the most out of it, there is also a basic version with a more modest power of up to 400 hp. To bring up the Macan again: the entry-level version delivers 360 hp.

Alpine A390 range

The range of the Alpine A390 is approximately 600 kilometers, probably even a bit more. But Alpine does not yet release any official data on this, nor on the capacity of the battery. We are assuming 90 kWh.

Alpine A390 coming in 2025

The Alpine A390 will be based on Renault's so-called AMPR platform. This is also where the electric Renault 5 is based, but a shortened version (small). The Alpine A390 will be officially unveiled in 2025. Then we will know what the exact specifications are and whether the Porsche Macan should worry.

Failure - Bizarre and very expensive mistake by BMW

After two years of research, BMW Group has discovered that around one and a half million cars have a potential brake problem. The cause is as simple as it is bizarre, especially when you consider that it will cost almost 1 billion euros to fix the problem.

Customers and dealers began filing complaints about broken brakes in June 2022, according to a recall document seen by Bloomberg News, as reported by Automotive News Europe. The cause turned out to be a defective part from German supplier Continental.

1.5 million cars recalled

It was not until August 2024 that BMW realized that 1.5 million cars might contain this component. The affected models are equipped with a brake-by-wire braking system. This uses electronic pulses between the various components. The system is supposed to be lighter and more efficient than a conventional hydraulic brake system.

Brake problems BMW 7-series, XM and Rolls-Royce Spectre

In October 2023, BMW launched a thorough investigation into the brake system, according to the document. It was discovered that there were disruptions in the electrical signals within the system. The first recall affected around 80,000 cars in the United States in February 2024.

That number has now grown to 1.5 million cars from various BMW Group brands. These include the very expensive Rolls-Royce Spectre of almost 400,000 euros, the BMW 7-series and the enormous BMW XM.

Increased risk of collisions

The brake by wire braking system is equipped with a power braking function, which means that you would have to press the pedal less hard in an emergency than with a traditional braking system. However, owners complained that much more pedal pressure was needed than they were used to. This means that physically weaker drivers in particular may not apply enough brake pressure during an emergency stop, resulting in an increased risk of collisions.

Dirt on components in Hungarian factory

Continental - the supplier of the brakes - has traced the defect after a long investigation to a factory in Hungary, where employees did not meet the requirements for a clean working environment. Dust and dirt on the components disrupted the functioning of the system, sources said.

No accidents yet, but huge costs

Although no accidents or injuries have been reported due to the brake defect, the repairs will take months and the final costs are still uncertain. It is not only the recall itself that is at stake. After a profit warning last week, BMW Group also had to surrender 5 billion euros in stock market value.

According to Andrew Graves, automotive analyst and emeritus professor at the British University of Bath, the increasing number of recalls raises serious questions about the care that car manufacturers take in their supply chains.

Failure - Moderate car sales across Europe

All sales figures for the European countries for August 2024 have now been added together. It was a battlefield for most brands, but there are also bright spots. Volvo and Lexus were celebrating.

It is understandable that car manufacturers are putting the brakes on electrification now that the European car sales for August 2024 are known. The market share of EVs has plummeted. What is also striking is that all brands are failing, except for two.

To start with the bad news: car sales in Europe are doom and gloom. Regardless of the fuel the car uses. New car registrations fell by no less than 18.3 percent in August 2024 compared to a year earlier. Then 787,812 new cars were sold, now that was 643,637.

The plaster on the wound is that there is a small increase of 1.4 percent over the first eight months of 2024 (almost 7.2 million registrations).

We don't want EVs anymore

Looking at the share of electric cars, many EV sceptics will laugh in their hands. EV sales fell by 43.9 percent in August 2024 compared to August 2023 (92,627 versus 165,204). This is mainly due to the collapse of EV sales in two major European countries: Germany and France. The decline here is spectacular at 68.8 and 33.1 percent respectively.

The market share of EVs in Europe is currently 14.4 percent. In August 2023, it was still 21 percent.

Petrol and diesel in the corner

We are also tired of the plug-in hybrid car, sales in August 2024 fell by 22.3 percent. Petrol and diesel cars are also in the corner, sales fell by 17.1 and 26.4 percent. There is good news for hybrid cars without a plug, the number of registrations of full and mild hybrids rose by 6.6 percent to 201,552 units.

If we look at the figures of the car manufacturers, a number of things stand out:

• Volvo is doing well and records the largest increase of 28.6 percent. This is mainly due to the Volvo EX30, which is selling like hot cakes despite teething problems with the software.
• A brand that also did well in August 2024 is Lexus. Sales grew by 25.5 percent. This is mainly due to the Lexus LBX, which has made a new Lexus financially accessible to a larger group.
• The only other brand that scores a plus is Skoda. But the increase is negligible at 0.2 percent. Furthermore, all car manufacturers are way down. Although Toyota is still not too bad (minus 6.1 percent). The brand is benefiting from the increasing demand for hybrid cars.
• Brands that would rather forget August are Smart (down 99 percent!), Fiat (down 49.3 percent), Jaguar (down 66.6 percent) and also Tesla (down 43.2 percent).

If we look at sales from January to August 2024, two things also stand out:

• Sales at Mitsubishi increased by 70.3 percent. Of course, it was nothing at all, but nevertheless a great performance, especially because the brand offers a few very old models or copies of Renault models. Furthermore, Mitsubishi does not have a single EV.
• A brand that only offers one EV is Honda. Nevertheless, the brand is among the top performers over the first eight months of 2024 with 44.5 percent more sales. Explanation: the Honda Civic is fully available again, after it was initially reserved for other markets where demand was high.

More interesting car news next time!

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