Page 36 - On The Move - Volume 16, Issue 4
P. 36

Toyota Buying 4.9% Stake in Suzuki

          Toyota is buying a 4.9% stake in Suzuki at a cost of ¥96 billion ($906.8      They say the alliance will combine Toyota’s strength in electrification tech-
      million).                                                  nologies with Suzuki’s strength in technologies for compact vehicles.
          Suzuki plans to acquire, through purchase in the market, shares in Toyota      The automakers say in a statement they intend to achieve sustainable
      equivalent to ¥48 billion ($453.4 million).                growth by overcoming new challenges surrounding the automobile sector by
          The share acquisitions will be implemented after the automakers obtain   building and deepening cooperative relationships in new fields while continu-
      approvals from foreign-competition authorities. The companies say the move   ing to be competitors.
      will help establish and promote a long-term partnership for promoting collabo-     “Specifically, to take up challenges together in this transitional era, the
      ration in new fields, including autonomous driving. Toyota plans to acquire 24   two companies plan to establish and promote a long-term partnership…pro-
      million shares of common stock in Suzuki.                  moting collaboration in new fields, including autonomous driving,” the state-
          The two automakers began discussing a business partnership on Oct. 12,   ment says.
      2016, and since then have continued to consider specific details.     Suzuki joins a growing list of partnerships for Toyota, which already holds
          They announced in March they would begin specific considerations to en-  a 5.1% stake in Mazda, a 16.8% stake in Subaru and 100% of Daihatsu.
      gage in joint product development and collaboration in production, in addition   Source: Ward’s Auto
      to promoting the mutual supply of products.





      Volkswagen’s Electric ID. Buggy Could Reach Production

          Volkswagen advances toward a future of new electric-powered models      However, the ID. Buggy is more than just for show. VW says it is genuinely
      under its recently created ID. sub-brand.                  serious about placing the machine into production as a low-volume addition
          The German automaker’s plan, which is budgeted to cost over $50 billion   to the future ID. lineup. It has even taken the unusual step of seeking out pos-
      for the Volkswagen brand alone, has been meticulously conveyed with the un-  sible partners capable of handling small-scale production, suggesting it could
      veiling of six different concept cars over the past four years. The latest is the   license the MEB platform to companies interested in building an electric mod-
      eye-catching ID. Buggy, a back-to-basics 2-seater inspired by the classic Meyers   ern-day recreation of the Manx.
      Manx Dune Buggy.                                              It successfully updates the look of the Meyers Manx with a friendly face
          The high-riding, battery-powered concept, which has no doors or fixed   featuring a low-set bumper and round headlights that contain daytime running
      roof, was conceived to inject some fun and flippery into the upcoming ID. fam-  lights and pupil-like main-beam projectors.
      ily. It also showcases the modularity and versatility of VW’s MEB electric-car      As with the Meyers Manx, the ID. Buggy’s unadorned plastic body appears
        platform, which will make its production debut next month underpinning   to float above the chassis. The reinforced windshield is freestanding, without
         the new ID. 3 hatchback.                                any additional support. A composite fabric roof provides protection from the
                                                                 elements. Rollover protection is provided by a sturdy structure behind the two
                                                                 seats.
                                                                    Power comes from a rear-mounted electric motor developing 202 hp and
                                                                 228 lb.-ft. (309 Nm) of torque. It drives the rear wheels exclusively, with an elec-
                                                                 tronic differential providing a torque-vectoring effect for optimal traction. As
                                                                 with other ID. models already signed off for production, VW says a second elec-
                                                                 tric motor could be packaged up front to provide 4-wheel drive should buyers
                                                                 request it.
                                                                    There’s no official weight figure yet. However, VW quotes a 0-62 mph (100
                                                                 km/h) time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 100 mph (161 km/h). Energy is
                                                                 provided by a 62-kWh battery, giving a range the automaker puts at “around
                                                                 155 miles” (250 km) on the WLTP test cycle.
                                                                    With a charging capacity of 100kW, VW claims the battery of its latest con-
                                                                 cept can be charged from empty to 80% within 30 minutes.
                                                                 Will the ID. Buggy ever reach production? Happily, it seems likely.
                                                                    Nothing is official just yet, but VW says is actively seeking partners to
                                                                 build what is arguably the most radical ID. model yet. With all the talk about
                                                                 its future being quite positive up to now, there’s no reason to believe it won’t
                                                                 eventually see showrooms.
                                                                 Source: Ward’s Auto


















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