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Recharge Wrap-up: Jaguar Land Rover talks EVs, Batteries should be modular

A new study out of Germany suggests adopting a modular approach to battery offerings in plug-in hybrid and extended range electric vehicles. Automakers could offer the same car with different battery sizes (and different costs, accordingly) to drivers depending on their driving ranges. This would optimize the total cost of ownership for various drivers better than the current approach. Developing a modular battery design and offering appropriate batteries for different customers "is the key for electric powertrains to meet customer expectations and become cost competitive against conventional technologies," according to the report from the Institute of Vehicle Concepts, German Aerospace Center. Learn more at Green Car Congress. Jaguar and Land Rover are looking to offer more electric driving from their vehicles. Wolfgang Ziebart, head of product development for Jaguar Land Rover, said in an interview that its hybrid system is being tweaked for more electric power and "downsized" combustion. He also said the likely target market for EVs would be second and third vehicles, rather than primary vehicles for urban driving. Within that market, Europeans look for something smaller, while American drivers lean toward larger luxury vehicles for their second car. Ziebart uses the Tesla Model S as an example of American tastes, and compares its size to that of the Jaguar XJ. Read more at Automotive News Europe. Thailand will likely approve a Volkswagen factory as early as next week. A German newspaper suggests that Thailand's Board of Investment is set to greenlight the plant, which is planned for a site near the Port of Bangkok. Thailand is a relatively large and growing auto manufacturing country, which seeks to be a major producer of eco-friendly vehicles. The country's "Eco2" program would provide incentives to Volkswagen if it builds clean cars and meets certain production targets. Read more at Reuters. Formula E has chosen Sky Deutschland for broadcasting rights in the German market. The deal includes television rights, as well as online broadcasting. Sky Deutschland has 3.8 million subscribers in Germany and Austria. Showing the races on Germany's largest pay television provider should help generate interest for the series, particularly the Berlin ePrix - the inaugural season's penultimate race - scheduled for May 30, 2015. Read more at the Formula E website.

Jaguar Land Rover calling in 100k vehicles in three separate campaigns

Jaguar Land Rover is recalling an estimated 104,114 vehicles in three separate campaigns in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The largest of them affects Range Rovers made between April 15, 2005, and September 4, 2012, covering 74,648 units in America from the 2006 to 2012 model years. In those affected vehicles, the front brake hose could rupture, leaking brake fluid and decreasing the capability of the brakes to, you know... stop the vehicle. In a similar but separate recall, subsequent Range Rovers from the 2013 and 2014 model years (manufactured between August 16, 2012, and January 8, 2014) are also being recalled for a brake issue – this time due to the incorrect routing of the brake vacuum hose. The issue could wear down the hose and disable the power assist, again impeding the brakes from properly functioning. This second recall also affects the 2014 Range Rover Sport (specifically those manufactured between May 7, 2013, and January 8, 2014), affecting 24,679 units between both models across the United States. A third smaller recall concerns the 2012-2015 Jaguar XK – namely those built between March 4, 2011, and March 20, 2014. This campaign involves the front side parking lamps, which might switch off after about five minutes, in contravention of federal standards. As such, an estimated 4,787 units are being called in. In all three cases, owners of the affected vehicles can expect to hear from their local dealer to arrange to bring in their wayward British luxury vehicles to have the relevant issue fixed. RECALL Subject : Front Brake Hose(s) may Rupture Report Receipt Date: JAN 27, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V039000 Component(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Potential Number of Units Affected: 74,648 Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC SUMMARY: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles manufactured April 15, 2005, to September 4, 2012. One or both of the flexible front brake hoses may rupture causing loss of brake fluid. CONSEQUENCE: If one or both of the flexible brake hoses fails, the vehicle may require a longer distance to stop, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front brake hoses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 13, 2015. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837.

Jaguar Land Rover hands Tata the biggest loss in Indian corporate history

BENGALURU/NEW DELHI — Jaguar Land Rover's owner Tata Motors Ltd stunned markets by posting the biggest-ever quarterly loss in Indian corporate history of about $4 billion on slumping China sales, sending its shares crashing as much as 30 percent. Tata Motors also warned that the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) unit, which brings in most of its revenue, would swing to an operating loss for the year versus an earlier projection it would break even, given weak sales at the luxury British carmaker. JLR's China retail sales were cut almost in half in the December quarter as overall demand in the world's biggest auto market contracted last year for the first time since the 1990s. The firm has also been buffeted by Brexit woes and weaker business for diesel cars that account for bulk of its sales in Europe. Tata Motors turned in a third-quarter loss of 269.93 billion rupees ($3.8 billion) on Thursday, more than half its current market capitalization of $6.1 billion, mostly due to a massive impairment at JLR. Analysts were expecting a profit. "We are now taking clear and decisive actions in JLR to step up its competitiveness, reduce costs and improve cash flows and make the business fit for the future," Chief Financial Officer PB Balaji told reporters on a conference call on Thursday. JLR has taken steps to address the slide in China sales by changing its strategy to focus on profits for dealers instead of sales and incentivising retail sales over wholesale, he said. "We are encouraged by continued demand for the refreshed Range Rover and Range Rover Sport," JLR Chief Commercial Officer Felix Brautigam said in a statement. "With deliveries of the new Evoque due to start later this quarter, we look forward to building momentum." But analysts expect JLR to struggle to generate profit with China's economy projected to slow further this year after growth eased to its weakest pace in almost three decades in 2018. JLR's overall retail sales in January plunged 11 percent. The dour numbers prompted Tata investors to make a beeline for the exits as markets opened on Friday, with shares of the company skidding to their lowest in nine years at one point. The stock was down about 20 percent by 0720 GMT near 150 rupees, on track for its sharpest drop since 2003. At least four brokerages cut their price target for Tata Motors shares after its quarterly loss. Analysts at Jefferies pegged the stock at 250 rupees, versus an earlier target of 300 rupees, citing weak performance at JLR.