Renault Scenic Crowned Car of the Year in Europe 2024 at Geneva Motor Show
In a significant announcement at the Geneva Motor Show, the Renault Scenic has been named Car of the Year in Europe for 2024. This electric family SUV has taken the top spot, earning the prestigious title in a competition that has reached its 61st edition. The award is the result of meticulous deliberation by a jury comprising 58 European automotive journalists from 22 different countries.
Søren W. Rasmussen, the automotive technical editor for FDM and president of the jury, was also the sole representative from Denmark in the panel. Despite having the BMW 5-Series as his top pick, Rasmussen expressed satisfaction with the Renault Scenic's victory, a vehicle he had placed second on his list. The Renault Scenic's triumph underscores its significance in the evolving electric vehicle market, marking it as a leading choice for families across Europe.
Volvo Trucks Launches First Electric-Only Model, the Volvo FM Low Entry
Volvo Trucks has introduced its first electric-only truck, the Volvo FM Low Entry, as part of its commitment to sustainable urban transportation. This new model is designed for city operations like waste management and construction, with features that emphasize safety and efficiency. It boasts a low driving position for better visibility and control, and a spacious, ergonomically designed cab for easy entry and exit. Powered by a 360-kilowatt-hour battery for a range of up to 125 miles, the FM Low Entry is Volvo's latest step towards zero-emission vehicle solutions in urban environments.
Volvo FM Low Entry, source: www.volvotrucks.com
Plug-In Electric Car Sales Surge in China, Doubling Year-Over-Year in January
In an impressive start to the year, China has seen a significant surge in plug-in electric car sales, with volumes nearly doubling compared to the previous year, surpassing expectations. Data from EV Volumes, reveals that in January, China registered 668,000 new passenger plug-in electric cars, marking a 94% increase year-over-year and accounting for 32% of all new car registrations in the country.
Of these, all-electric car registrations represented 56% of the total plug-in vehicle sales, totaling approximately 374,000 vehicles—a 55% increase from the previous year. This signifies that all-electric cars now hold about 18% of the total market share. This growth underscores the accelerating shift towards electric vehicles in China, highlighting the country's leading role in the global transition to sustainable transportation.
Tesla's German Factory near Berlin Set to Resume Operations After Fire
Tesla's electric vehicle manufacturing plant near Berlin is scheduled to restart operations next week, according to the facility's works council head. The announcement came after production was halted on March 5 due to a power outage caused by a fire at a nearby power pylon. Authorities are investigating the incident as an arson attack, with the German police treating a letter from the far-left Volcano Group, which claimed responsibility for the fire, as authentic. The resumption of operations marks a significant step for Tesla in overcoming the disruptions faced at one of its key manufacturing sites.
Volvo Cars Hits Record Electrified Model Share in February, Driven by EX30 Launch
In February, Volvo Cars reported its highest-ever share of electrified models, with fully electric vehicles (EVs) making up 22% of global sales and the combined total with plug-in hybrids reaching 44%. The surge was led by the introduction of the new fully electric small SUV, the EX30.
In regional performance, sales in Europe surged by 26% year-over-year, totaling 26,773 vehicles. The region saw an 18% increase in sales of electrified models, with fully electric vehicle sales jumping by 31%. Conversely, in China, sales dropped by 39% to 7,911 cars, affected by the Lunar New Year's timing. Meanwhile, U.S. sales slightly declined by 7% to 7,920 cars, but sales of electrified models grew by 6%, representing 32% of the total U.S. sales. These figures highlight varying trends in Volvo's key markets, with a notable push towards electrification.