BMW readies electric iX3 for production

The BMW Group is pursuing its electrification strategy and will release the new BMW iX3 onto the market by the end of 2020. Standard production of the BMW core brand’s first pure electric model will get underway at the BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture (BBA) in China in late summer as planned: BBA Plant Dadong will produce the iX3 for the global market. The first of these electric vehicles will be delivered to customers by the end of the year.

Renault offers switching incentives for plug-ins

Renault is offering new car buyers money off its range of electrified models, with up to £1,000 to switch to an all-electric new Zoe, or £500 towards the deposit on the Clio Hybrid and Captur Plug-in models. The latest deals are part of Renault’s Switch incentive and available in conjunction with existing offers available to new cash buyers as well as those purchasing via one of Renault’s attractive PCP and HP finance schemes.

Production resumes at Nissan Sunderland

Nissan’s Sunderland plant has resumed vehicle production after almost three months, with a new Nissan Juke the first car off the line. Hundreds of hours of preparation have been carried out to ensure the safe return of employees. The company says that every operation across the plant has been rigorously risk assessed to make sure it’s safe, with more than 5,000 processes reviewed to ensure safety at all times.

Ford Transit gets ten-speed Mustang auto ‘box

Ford has started production of a new 10-speed automatic gearbox option for rear-wheel drive (RWD) Transit models. The new transmission is aimed at applications where automatics are preferred for their ease-of-use and convenience, such as higher weight conversions including grocery delivery vans, emergency response vehicles and motorhomes, as well as Ford’s factory-built 15-seat and 18-seat Transit minibuses.

New plug-in hybrid joins the Audi A6 range

Audi has a new solution for executive class drivers who have financial and environmental considerations increasingly at front of mind. The new Audi A6 50 TFSI e plug-in hybrid supplies 295 bhp via quattro drive from a 2.0 TFSI petrol engine and 105kW electric motor. The new variant is available to order in the UK now in Saloon form, with an Avant version to follow later.