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EU carmakers pave way for Chinese rivals as balance in market shifts

Many European motoring manufacturers are in retreat with plants to off–load – while China’s industry is on the march Chinese carmaker Xpeng is on the hunt for a factory in Europe. Volkswagen is aiming to reduce the number of its factories. It seems like it should have been the perfect set-up for a deal. Yet there was one problem with the plant on offer, according to Elvis Cheng, Xpeng’s managing director of north-eastern Europe: “It’s a little bit, I would say, old.” Continue reading...

Nissan ponders building cars for Chinese rivals at Sunderland plant

CEO admits talks with Chery as other European carmakers discuss plans with Chinese firms to share factory space Nissan’s chief executive has confirmed he would consider building cars for other manufacturers at the UK’s largest car factory in Sunderland, amid talks with China’s Chery. Ivan Espinosa said Nissan was “looking at options” for Sunderland and its 6,000 workers as the struggling Japanese carmaker on Wednesday reported steep losses for the year to March. Continue reading...

Lotus boss calls for UK government support as it commits to Norfolk plant

Sports carmaker extends lifespan of petrol-engined Emira, made in Norfolk, to continue to cater for US market Business live – latest updates The boss of the luxury sports carmaker Lotus has called for government support for its UK factory as the Chinese-owned company insisted it will not abandon its British roots. Lotus said it had extended the lifespan of the £80,000 Emira petrol-engined sports car, made by 900 employees in its factory in Norfolk, in order for the brand to continue to serve the US market. Continue reading...

Seven-day weeks and ‘debt bondage’: China’s first electric car plant in Europe mired in allegations of worker abuse

The BYD factory being built in Szeged, Hungary, is facing scrutiny after reports of EU labour laws being violated among the Chinese migrant workforce Multilingual signs in most airports in the EU opt for English, but in Hungary, there is also Chinese, making it easy for migrant workers flying in to staff China’s first electric car plant in Europe – due to open in 2027. The third language was introduced in 2019 as the recently ousted leader Viktor Orbán embarked on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China, positioning himself as its most reliable friend in Europe. Continue reading...

The global energy shock is driving people to EVs, solar and batteries. What renewables subsidies are available in Australia?

Electric upgrades can mean long-term savings. We look at ways the government can help reduce their upfront cost Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Interest in EVs – and electrification more generally – has risen along with fuel prices amid the global energy shock unleashed by the US-Israel war on Iran. Kristen McDonald, a director at Rewiring Australia, says the case is “even more compelling now” for electric upgrades to home appliances, solar panels, batteries or cars. Continue reading...

Home batteries: a ‘gamechanger’ for cutting energy bills?

As fuel prices soar, millions of people could reduce their electricity costs by installing home storage Consumers across the UK are bracing for the war in the Middle East to deliver a sharp rise in home energy bills from this summer. The looming energy cost crisis has prompted a record number of households to investigate green home upgrades to try to keep bills down, including heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicles. Continue reading...