2024 Volkswagen Golf on 2040-cars

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VW quite interested in solid-state batteries for EVs

Volkswagen is about to make a decision about which advanced battery technology the automaker will seriously investigate to give its electric vehicles more range. VW will decide by July if it will use solid-state batteries made by US-based QuantumScape Corp. in future EVs, according to Bloomberg News. Last year, VW bought a five-percent stake in QuantumScape, which was founded by ex-Stanford University researchers. The lure is that QuantumScape's solid-state batteries may provide a single-charge range of as long as 430 miles. That's more than three times the current range of the VW e-Golf electric vehicle the company recently started selling to the public and is substantially longer than the single-charge range of the Tesla Model S electric sedan. The batteries are also fireproof, making VW's potential decision one with an eye towards more vehicle safety. Solid-state battery technology, in which solid lithium electrodes are used instead of liquid electrodes such as those in lithium-ion batteries, are the subject of research at other automakers and suppliers as well. Toyota says they could be here by 2020. Recently, the cordless vacuum cleaner maker Dyson acquired a $15-million equity stake in Michigan-based battery maker Sakti3 with the idea of using the startup's solid-state batteries in its products. General Motors also has a minority stake in Sakti3, which was spun off from the University of Michigan.

Italian investigators search Lambo headquarters in VW probe

Italian investigators searched Lamborghini headquarters on Oct. 15 to look for evidence of managers' involvement in Volkswagen's emissions cheating. VW's main office in Verona was also inspected, according to Reuters. Lamborghini is owned by Volkswagen, and Lambo in turn is listed as the owner of VW Group Italia. Authorities wanted to find out if employees were conscious that the vehicles were skirting emissions rules. "It is one thing if I sell water and pretend it's wine, but if I sell water believing it is wine it's different." Verona chief prosecutor Mario Giulio Schinaia said to Reuters. Italian newspaper Gazetta del Sud reported that several managers in Italy were under investigation for alleged fraud. Prosecutors in Germany have also been rigorously investigating VW, and they recently staged a similar raid on the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany. The automaker reportedly turned over documents and other data relating to the software defeat device. Meanwhile, VW's internal investigation has turned up little wrongdoing, though a recent leak suggested otherwise, and at least 30 managers could have known about the defeat device. The automaker has disputed that figure. Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn testified before Congress that he believed only a few individuals were involved. The situation hasn't been easy on VW in the US, either. The Department of Justice has also been pursuing an investigation into the automaker. Plus, state attorneys general are filing lawsuits against the company for defrauding customers. VW has until Nov. 20 to explain a repair for the problem to the California Air Resources Board. Related Video:

VW confirms three-row Tiguan to be built in Mexico

Volkswagen has been toying with the idea of a three-row crossover for some time – as evidenced by the CrossBlue concept in 2013 and the Magellan concept way back in 2002. But now the German automaker is bringing it to fruition, and it's doing so right in our back yard (or across the fence, anyway). In its latest announcement, VW confirmed recent reports that it will build a new three-row Tiguan at its plant in Puebla, Mexico. It will be made alongside the Golf and Jetta at the company's largest assembly plant outside of Germany, after a billion-dollar expansion program that will encompass nearly a million more square feet of space and employ some 2,000 workers. Once production of the new Tiguan comes on full steam in 2017, the plant will be pumping out 500 of them every day to be delivered in the Americas, but also exported to markets overseas (save for China and Europe). At that point, VW will be producing 90 percent of its products for North America locally. Of course this won't be the first time Volkswagen will be producing a Tiguan. The current model was introduced in 2007 and underwent a facelift in 2011, but includes only two rows of seating and is imported to North America from factories overseas. VOLKSWAGEN DE MEXICO TO PRODUCE THE NEW THREE-ROW TIGUAN IN ITS PUEBLA ASSEMBLY PLANT Mar 9, 2015 - Investment of $1 billion at Puebla plant - US-CEO Michael Horn: Localization key to safeguard our competitive position - Start of production end of 2016 Puebla/Herndon, March 9, 2015 – Volkswagen de Mexico announced today that a three-row version of the Tiguan will be produced at its plant in Puebla, Mexico. The car will be launched to the markets in 2017. The company will invest $1 billion for the expansion and modernization of its production facilities at the Puebla plant, as well as tooling to produce auto parts at suppliers. Volkswagen de Mexico's strategy of technological upgrading, which started with the production of the new Golf on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform, goes to the next step with the new Tiguan. "Localization has become key to safeguarding our competitive position on the global market and manufacturing the Tiguan in Mexico will bring production closer to the U.S.-market," said Michael Horn, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. "It is another proof point that Volkswagen is committed to further growth in the U.S. and North American markets.