VW's goal of 80 electric vehicle models by 2025 seems to by progressing strongly, as per the article below. I especially like the line:
A decision on a supplier for North America will be taken soon
I know it's an unknown as to who VW will choose as a supplier and it's pure speculation on my behalf, but I wouldn't rule out IM3NY being a contender.
Reasoning:
- If CATL were to also supply VW in N. America it would have been mentioned when they were announced as the Asia (and likley also European) region supplier last week
- If VW were going with one of the big 3 (Panasonic, LG Chem, Samsung), they probably would have partnered with them globally rather than just the US
- In the US, VW need green credentials especially; something which IM3 batteries have especially
- Using IM3 batteries for the US would coincide IM3NY's launch date
Just possibilities...
BUSINESS NEWS
MARCH 13, 2018 / 8:36 PM / UPDATED 16 MINUTES AGO
Volkswagen assigns 20 billion euros in battery orders, speeds EV push
BERLIN (Reuters) - Volkswagen (
VOWG_p.DE) has selected partners to provide battery cells and related technology worth around 20 billion euros ($24.7 billion) for electric-vehicle (EV) projects in Europe and China, pushing ahead with a shift to zero-emission cars.
Until its“dieselgate” emissions scandal was revealed two and a half years ago, Volkswagen (VW) had been slow to embrace electric cars.
But the fraud has prompted a strategic shift, while advances in batteries and a global fight against pollution are raising pressure on carmakers to adopt zero-emission alternatives.
Europe’s largest automaker said on Tuesday it will expand EV production to 16 factories worldwide through the end of 2022.
VW has a goal to launch 80 new electric cars across the group by 2025 and offer an electric version of each of its 300 group models by 2030.
“We have pulled out all the stops over the past months to implement the Roadmap E swiftly and resolutely,” Chief Executive Matthias Mueller said at VW’s earnings news conference.
VW last year started looking for partners in China, Europe and North America to provide battery technology worth more than 50 billion euros.
A decision on a supplier for North America will be taken soon, it said.
VW’s emissions scandal, new Chinese quotas for electric cars and tightening rules on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Europe are causing automakers to focus on green cars and self-driving technology.
Although grappling with billions of euros in costs and fines for dieselgate, VW has pledged to spend 34 billion euros on EVs, autonomous driving and new mobility services by the end of 2022, one of the most ambitious programs in the industry.
Separately, the German carmaker reiterated guidance for higher vehicle sales and revenue this year as well as a group return on sales of 6.5 to 7.5 percent before special items, compared with 7.4 percent last year.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...tery-orders-speeds-ev-push-idUSKCN1GP12B?il=0
(20min delay)