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      GMC Hummer Electric To Debut On 20th Oct – New Teaser Out

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      After months of waiting, there is finally a date announcement – on which the Hummer Electric will make global debut
      Screenshot from new Hummer EV teaser

      Aiming to achieve supremacy in an all-electric future, General Motors will soon be launching several next-gen electric vehicles. One of these will be new Hummer EV, which has been scheduled for launch on October 20. GMC Hummer EV will debut on various prominent media such as American TV series ‘The Voice’ and 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series.
      As may be recalled, the ‘Hummer’ nameplate had remained dormant since 2010, when its production was discontinued. General Motors had tried selling the brand, but bankable deals did not materialize.
      While the original Hummer may never return, GM will be using the nameplate for its new electric pickup truck and SUV. These will be sold under the GMC brand, a division of GM, focused exclusively on trucks and utility vehicles.
      GMC Hummer EV design & features
      Just like original Hummer, the Hummer EV has a rugged, boxy design. Key features include a short bonnet, steeply raked windshield, roof mounted spoiler, and knobby tyres. It comes with a unique open-air design, wherein the roof panels and the front T-bar can be easily removed.
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      The experience will be similar to that of a convertible. In the wild, the open-air design will allow users to experience the great outdoors in its truest form. It will also enable panoramic views of the skies, something that would be difficult to achieve with a standard sunroof.
      GMC Hummer EV power and torque
      Powering Hummer EV will be the advanced Ultium batteries that have been developed in-house by GM. Ultium batteries are unlike any other in the industry, as they provide the flexibility to stack battery cells vertically or horizontally. This allows efficient space utilization and customization in accordance with the design of the vehicle.
      GM has revealed that Hummer EV’s powertrain will be capable of generating up to 1000 hp of max power and 15,590 Nm of max torque. It will offer super-fast acceleration, reaching 0 to 60 miles per hour (96.5 kmph) in just 3 seconds.
      Although exact battery specs are not available at this point of time, GM had earlier revealed that Ultium batteries will be available in the range of 50 to 200 kWh capacity. Estimated range of these batteries is up to 400 miles (~ 640 km). Ultium batteries will come with fast-charging option.
      Crab mode
      An industry-first feature of Hummer EV will be Crab mode that allows the vehicle to move diagonally. When activated, all four tyres move in the same direction, allowing diagonal movement. This feature could come handy in an off-road environment.
      New Hummer EV will take almost an year to reach production stage after its unveil in October 2020. However, bookings will be open at the time of launch. Deliveries are expected to commence soon after production begins. In addition to US, GMC Hummer EV will also be sold in select international markets. More

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      Hyundai Kona Electric Recalled in US and Korea over Battery Fires

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      A world-wide recall of Hyundai Kona electric is expected in due course

      Incidents of electric cars catching fire are more common than they should be. The temperature dependence of battery packs, dynamically varying load demand, complex chemicals and several other factors make the battery and other electrical and electronic systems in a modern day electric car very sensitive and potentially volatile.
      While the highly sophisticated battery management system ensures things are kept well within limits, there still are some instances where an EV finds itself in an unfavourable circumstance and before you know it, it’s up in flames.
      Hyundai Kona electric recall
      According to Reuters, South Korea’s transport ministry has issued a statement confirming that Hyundai will voluntarily recall Kona electric in the country over a possible short circuit which could pose a fire risk. It is being reported that neither Hyundai, nor the battery supplier LG Chem were able to ascertain the exact cause of the Kona electric’s reported fire incidents so far.
      Hyundai Kona electric is also sold in India – but there is no update regarding recall for India-spec Kona EV yet.
      Worldwide, there have been thirteen reported incidents of fire involving the South Korean electric compact crossover including one each in Canada and Austria. Speaking about the voluntary recall, Hyundai said, it is a “proactive response to a suspected defective production of high-voltage batteries used in the vehicles, which may have contributed to the reported fires.” The OEM added that it will work towards identifying the cause of the fire and address customers’ needs.
      Following the announcement in Korea, Hyundai has initiated a filing for voluntary recall process in the US with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is being reported that the recall will cover vehicles manufactured between September 2017 and March 2020. Over 100,000 units of the Hyundai Kona electric have been sold worldwide.
      Responding to the potential fire risk, LG Chem stated that the reenactment experiment conducted jointly with Hyundai did not lead to fire and hence it could not be attributed to faulty battery cells. However, the battery giant acknowledged that exact cause of the fire could not be determined. LG also stated that it will actively participate in further investigation with the OEM to identify the actual cause of the fire.
      Will there by a worldwide recall including in India?
      With the cause not determined, every Hyundai Kona electric on the road across the world should be considered as a potential fire hazard. The company is expected to announce a comprehensive recall program covering all the markets including India in due course. The fix is likely to involve a software upgrade, inspection and replacement, if necessary, of the battery pack.
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      Mercedes EQC Electric SUV India Launch Price Rs 99.3 Lakh

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      Mercedes-Benz India had showcased the all-electric EQC luxury SUV at Auto Expo 2020

      The Indian automotive industry is actively focusing on all-electric and electrified forms of powertrains across a wide price segment. In the ‘relatively’ affordable category, our market has only three desirable choices: Tata Nexon EV, MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona. Mahindra Electric is almost ready with the eXUV300 (a direct rival to the Tata Nexon EV).
      On the higher end of the spectrum, luxury car manufacturers are also analysing the feasibility of their successful global EVs in India. Porsche India recently confirmed the launch of the performance-focused Taycan four-door coupe.
      Now, Mercedes-Benz India has launched the new EQC all-electric compact luxury crossover SUV at a starting price of Rs 99.3 lakhs, ex-sh. This is an introductory price, and is only valid for the first 50 buyers.
      The German automaker had showcased the same at Auto Expo 2020, held in early February. The first 50 buyers of the Mercedes EQC will also get the wall charger as well as installation free of cost.

      Introduced to the world at 2018 Paris Motor Show as the production version of Mercedes-Benz’s 2016 Generation EQ concept, the all-new EQC (internal codename: N293) is based on the current-gen GLC. It is one of 10 new ‘three-pointed star EVs’ coming to reality by 2022.
      The new Mercedes-Benz EQC has no direct rivals in India but in foreign markets, it faces strong competition from the Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-PACE and Tesla Model X. Indian EV enthusiasts have been eagerly waiting for Tesla’s arrival for quite a few years.
      Powertrain and specs
      Available only in EQC400 4MATIC (AWD) avatar, the 2020MY Mercedes-Benz EQC400 is powered by dual asynchronous electric motors (one on each axle) collectively rated at 300kW or 402bhp. Peak torque stands at 760Nm. The EV is able to do a 0-100km/h acceleration sprint in 5.1 seconds. However, top speed is limited to just 180km/h — considerably lower than most cars coming at half its price point.
      The 80kWh battery pack promises a range of 354km on a full charge as per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Interestingly, WLTP (World harmonized Light-duty vehicles Test Procedure) rates it as 417km. Using a DC fast-charger, the electric SUV can attain 80 per cent charge from nearly empty in about 40 minutes.
      On the inside, the Mercedes-Benz EQC400 is as rich as other modern-day ICE products in the portfolio. For starters, the list includes a pair of 10.25-inch screens loaded with the latest MBUX infotainment suite. Drivers can also adjust the amount of brake re-gen via dedicated paddles behind the steering wheel. More

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      Top Selling Electric Cars Sep 2020 – Tata Nexon EV Leads With 61% MS

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      Electric cars have a few takers in India as of now, however, their numbers has increased over a period of time
      While electric vehicles (EVs) might still not have that kind of command of Indian roads, their strength has been on the increase in recent times. Apart from various -scooter models that have come up recently, the limited options in the passenger vehicle segment have been met with decent responses.
      Tata Nexon EV- Leader of the pack

      Among them, Tata Nexon EV has received the best response from consumers as it registered 303 units sold in September 2020. This is the first time Nexon EV sales in a month has crossed the 300 mark.
      It is also the highest number of EV units sold of a particular brand in a month this fiscal year. Its cumulative figure stands at 1,151 units in the current fiscal year starting from April this year. The Nexon EV bettered its record by 7 units sold in August 2020 and as for the market share, it occupies a total of 61.4 percent of EV market in India.
      Electric Car Sales India – April to Sep 2020. MS = Market Share
      MG ZS EV shows decent numbers
      MG ZS EV comes second in the list with 127 units sold last month as compared to 119 and 85 units sold in August and July this year. In the current fiscal year, MG Motor has retailed a total of 514 units of ZS EV and commands 27.4 percent of EV market share in India.
      MG Motor has expanded wings as the ZS EV will now be available in ten more cities across India. These places include Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Nagpur, Agra, Aurangabad, Indore and Vishakapatnam. The electric crossover was launched earlier in January this year in five cities initially which has now expanded to 21 cities cumulatively across the country.
      Others lag behind
      Hyundai Kona is the next in line with just 29 units of it being sold in the past month. The electric crossover from the Korean brand has not had many takers this year with its cumulative sales this fiscal year accounting for 100 units. It occupies a market share of 5.3 percent in India.
      Similar is the case with Tata Tigor EV which also has registered sales of just 100 units this fiscal year and accounts for 5.3 percent of India passenger EV sales. However, unlike Hyundai Kona, which is available in the open market for general public, Tigor EV is only available to fleet and cab operators in select cities.
      Mahindra e-Verito, on the other hand, is facing a sort of existential crisis as it registered just two units sold last month. Its total sales this fiscal year stands at a dismal nine units with a market share of just 0.5 percent.
      Future of EV market in India
      Although the overall EV volume is way below the expected level, we have to understand that EV market in India is still at a nascent stage in India and would take time to gain some pace. It also requires added infrastructure such as charging stations and battery disposal units to support EVs. Hopefully, in coming future, these issues will be sorted out and more EVs can be seen on Indian roads. Also Read – Top 10 Cars In Sep 2020 More

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      MG ZS Electric Launched In 10 New Cities – 127 Units Sold In Sep

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      MG Motor had launched its electric SUV- ZS EV in January this year, with initial availability limited to only five cities
      MG Motor has begun with its next phase of expansion of ZS EV with the electric crossover being launched in ten more cities across India. With the addition of these ten new cities, total availability of ZS EV has risen to 21 cities.
      New Cities On List

      The newly added cities to the list are Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Nagpur, Agra, Aurangabad, Indore and Vishakapatnam. The electric car was launched in January this year in eleven cities at a starting price of Rs 20.88 lakh (ex-showroom) which remains untouched yet.
      ZS EV is offered in two variants– Excite and Exclusive, the latter is offered at an ex-showroom price of Rs 23.58 lakh. Deliveries of ZS EV began in January this year across five cities- Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Those who booked the electric crossover on or before 17 January 2020 had to pay around Rs 1.0 lakh less than the actual marked price.
      MG ZS EV Sales in FY 2020
      Sales have been slowly picking up. Now, with the addition of 10 more cities, MG is expected to increase sales of ZS EV even further. In Sep 2020, 127 units were sold. For a hassle-free ownership experience, the manufacturer has launched MG eShield, a free-of-charge 5-year manufacturer warranty for unlimited kilometres on the car and 8 years/150,000 km warranty on the battery. In addition to this, MG offers 24×7 roadside assistance (RSA) for 5 years along with 5 no-cost services.
      Powertrain
      ZS EV is powered through a 44.5 kWh battery pack which supplies power to a motor mounted on the front axle. This electric motor produces an output of 141 bhp and 353 Nm of peak torque. All that torque is instantly available which helps it breach the 100 kmph mark in just 8.5 seconds while top speed has been capped at 140 kmph. MG offers a claimed range of 340 km on a single charge.
      Features
      Just like other MG offerings, ZS EV comes very well kitted. The equipment list consists of an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, iSmart connectivity tech, an inbuilt air purifier, a panoramic sunroof, automatic projector LED headlamps, keyless entry and lots more. It is also heavily loaded with safety tech which includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, hill descent control, hill start assist, brake assist and ESC.
      Charging Infrastructure By MG Motor
      For owners to overcome range anxiety issues MG Motor has installed ten DC fast chargers across dealerships in India. The company has teamed up with Fortum Charge & Drive India to install these chargers in showrooms across five cities in India where ZS EV was first made available. We can expect MG Motor to expand its charging infrastructure further with the expansion of availability of ZS EV. More

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      Nissan Leaf Electric Modified As A Disaster Recovery Vehicle – Named ReLeaf

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      Nissan Re-Leaf is based on Leaf electric and has been modified to provide emergency power in case of a calamity
      Electric Vehicles (EVs) are the future of mobility. While many countries have already accepted this fact, some are still in the process of accepting. Over the past few years, many automotive manufacturers have been working in developing better and more sound EV technologies and have made serious progress in this respect.

      Access to an electric car is still limited in a country like India since infrastructure to support such vehicles is sparse. However, many other countries have moved way ahead in this respect and hence manufacturers are thinking of future EVs as more than just personal mobility solutions.
      Nissan Leaf is one of the most popular electric cars in passenger vehicle segment and is also the first electric car to be mass-produced. While it has been honoured with several accolades in the past, its latest transformation is truly praiseworthy. Response vehicles play a crucial role during an emergency and natural calamity. This new transformed Leaf happens to serve the same purpose.
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      What is this ‘Re-Leaf’?
      Dubbed as ‘Re-Leaf’, this e-vehicle has been designed to serve as an emergency response vehicle which is capable of supplying power during relief efforts. Prefix ‘Re’ refers to three major elements of disaster preparedness – response, recovery, and resilience. The Japanese automaker claims that Re-Leaf has been designed in such a way that it is able to drive straight into the centre of a disaster zone to provide a fully mobile and reliable power supply to aid in the recovery process.
      Technologies offered in Re-Leaf
      Nissan Re-Leaf comes with weatherproof plug sockets mounted directly on the exterior which enables 110 to 230-volt devices to be powered from the car’s high capacity lithium-ion battery. Mobile power supply can be very critical during emergency situations as it has a wide range of applications such as communications, heating, medical, lighting and other essential equipment.

      Nissan further highlights some of the emergency equipment that can be powered by Re-Leaf. This includes pressure ventilation fans, a 100-watt LED floodlight, an electric jackhammer and an intensive care medical ventilator. Apart from all the nitty-gritty tech available on this electric car, it has been equipped with a set of all-terrain tyres to navigate through all possible pathways.
      Currently, Nissan Leaf allows customers to draw power from its battery to charge and supply power back to the grid through V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technology and also directly to electronic devices through V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) technology. Latest generation Nissan Leaf e+ comes equipped with a fully charged 62 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery which is enough to provide power to an average European household for six days. The same is likely to have been installed in Re-Leaf.

      Re-Leaf concept has already proven to be effective. Nissan has already been using the Leaf to provide transportation and emergency power post natural disasters since 2011. The Japanese brand has formed partnerships with over 60 local governments to support disaster management activities. Nissan Re-Leaf could be recharged once power in the affected area has been restored or from a nearby available source. More

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      Maruti Patents Invicto, Plazeria, Excursio – Future Electric Car Names?

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      Maruti has recently filed trademarks for 6 new names which may or may not materialize as commercial nameplates
      It is not uncommon for automakers to file several trademark applications to protect their prospective new car nameplates. Just last week, news about three new Maruti trademarks – Libertas, Espaco and Solido – came out. The automaker seems to be on a spree as three more trademark filings have emerged online now.
      Maruti Invicto, Plazeria, Excursio

      Maruti Invicto, Plazeria and Excursio are the latest names that were trademarked by the OEM. While the names alone don’t mean there will be corresponding products lined up, they make for interesting speculations. Usually, OEMs explore different nameplates for a single product and eventually arrive at a final choice after several rounds of shortlisting processes which sometimes include customer survey as well.
      The name Invicto sounds like something that would suit an SUV while Excursio has a MUV vibe. Associating Plazeria to a body style is tricky but we think it could be adopted by a small car or a sedan. Or these could be variant names of their future electric cars. It is also very possible that none of these brand names will graduate to being commercial nameplates.

      Or, these names could simply be some kind of new dealership experience. For example, the name Nexa was also registered in a similar filing. And we know that Nexa was not used to name a car by Maruti, but to launch an entirely new dealership network. Similarly, it is too early to say for sure if these new names could be used for naming new cars, or something else from Maruti Suzuki.
      Upcoming Maruti cars
      Maruti Suzuki is currently working on a range of new products most of which will likely retain the existing nameplates. For example, the heavily updated Alto and the next generation Celerio which are currently under advanced stages of testing are not likely to adopt new branding. The Maruti Wagon R EV is not expected to be rebranded either since the existing moniker enjoys one of the strongest brand recall in the small car segment.

      However, few of the newly registered trademarks could be used for variant extensions. Moreover, going by Maruti’s history of numerous special edition variants, we won’t be surprised if these trademarks are used for upcoming editions.
      Festive season push
      With festive season inching closer, Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to cater to the increased demand. The Indian automobile market is showing signs of recovery post lockdown as dealers are reporting strong re-start to the business. The collective hope is, the increased preference for private transport would help the market recover not just to pre-pandmic levels but also post positive YoY growth.

      The company which has ditched diesel engine altogether has floated a marketing campaign to promote its petrol-only by encouraging the prospective customers to calculate the cost-benefit balance between petrol and diesel engines based on their usage patterns. More

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      Hero MotoCorp, Kia India Top Dealer Satisfaction Levels

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      The average satisfaction score across all segments were well below 600 points on a 1,000 point scale
      Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) has recently conducted Covid-19 Dealer Support Satisfaction Study. The report which was created in association with Singapore-based PremonAsia observes varying levels of support form OEMs to their respective dealer partners.
      Ranking parameters

      FADA’s dealer support satisfaction study during COVID-19 lockdown focused on 6 parameters to rate the OEMs – support on financial matters, communication, dealer manpower, lockdown related affairs, restart of business and future business evolution.
      Passenger vehicle segment
      The ranking list which is based on a 1,000-point scale witnessed only two passenger vehicle brands surpassing 600 points. Kia with a score of 736 points emerged as a clear leader in the dealer satisfaction study while Toyota Kirloskar Motor finished second with a tally of 641. Tata and Honda found themselves trailing their competitors in the mass market segment. As far as luxury segment is concerned, Audi just managed to breech the 600-point mark to lead its compatriots BMW and Mercedes who scored 531 and 500 points respectively.
      Dealer Satisfaction Level in Car Segment – Points out of 1000.
      Kia’s top score is a reflection of its dealers’ satisfaction regarding communication and dealer manpower related affairs. Toyota’s dealers were happy about the automaker’s financial support such as expediting settlements and offering financial assistance on inventory.
      Two wheeler segment
      Country’s market leader Hero MotoCorp topped FADA’s COVID-19 dealer support satisfaction study with 623 points. Honda and Royal Enfield managed to breech 500-point mark but the satisfaction levels are low in general. India Yamaha scored a paltry 398.
      Dealer Satisfaction Level in Two Wheeler Segment – Points out of 1000.
      CV segment
      Satisfaction levels in three-wheeler segment was below 600 points with Bajaj coming closest to that limit at 559 points. Things were even worse in medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments where the top scorer, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV), had a tally of 449 points. In the small and light CV segment, Mahindra scored 607 points while Tata Motors only managed to score 383 points. Force and Askok Leyland finished between the two.
      Dealer Satisfaction Level in 3W and CV Segment – Points out of 1000.
      Current outlook
      Even before the COVID-19 crisis, automobile dealers in India have been struggling due to a prolonged slowdown in the market. The pandemic couldn’t have come at a worst time. At times like these, support from the manufacturers become absolutely crucial for the dealer partners to ensure sustainability. With sales coming to a ground halt during lockdown period, several dealerships across the country were forced to shut down permanently while most others had to cut down on jobs.
      Moving forward, there is a general consensus among FADA members that there should be greater dealer empowerment in the future in addition to increased involvement in data analytics, digital marketing and technology. More