French or Italian – Page 2 – Stellpower

Saft, Stella, and France create “smarter, more efficient” battery

July 20, 2023 by David Zatz

Stellantis, Saft, and the French National Centre for Scientific Research unveiled a new prototype battery today. Unlike many recent unveilings, this battery is not showing off a different battery chemistry; instead, each module has its own charger and inverter through electronic conversion cards. This cuts the system’s cost and reduces the space it needs. Researchers also said it was more reliable than current setups with external chargers and inverters. (Inverters turn direct current, or DC, into alternating current, or AC.)

New Fiat 600 may or may not be first STLA use of safer, cheaper batteries

July 17, 2023 by David Zatz

Fiat’s latest car looks like the new 500, but it’s larger—the Fiat 600. Sold in both battery-electric (600e) and hybrid-electric versions, the 600 is instantly recognizable as an updated Fiat.

The Fiat 600e was strongly rumored to use LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, which are safer than standard lithium-ion batteries but have less energy density. That means the batteries, reputedly sourced from experienced Chinese automaker BYD, would be heavier than lithium-ion units of the same capacity, but far less prone to fires. However, …

STLA Medium revealed on same day as 2024 Hornet R/T

July 5, 2023 by David Zatz

Stepping on its own press releases, Stellantis today released the STLA Medium platform, which will host cars and crossovers from just about every STLA brand—most likely including Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler, and possibly even Ram.

STLA Medium is, in short, a global platform; it can handle compact and midsize cars and crossovers (C and D segments), potentially replacing everything from the Renegade to the Cherokee, or from Neon to Stratus/Sebring. Stellantis has 26 nameplates that could be covered by STLA Medium, and has the factory capacity to make two million vehicles per year on the platform this year.

STLA in new car-chip joint venture with Foxconn

June 20, 2023 by David Zatz

Stellantis and Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) have announced a new 50/50 joint venture, SiliconAuto, which will design and produce semiconductors for the auto industry. The new venture plans to start producing chips in 2026.Even before COVID, automakers were hit with semiconductor shortages due to a poorly engineered state electrical system, which resulted in unexpected … Read more

Tonale EPA tests done, official mpg figures and electric range released

May 31, 2023 by David Zatz

The Alfa Romeo Tonale, which is on its way to dealerships now, has completed EPA gas mileage testing for an estimated all-electric range of 33 miles, and a 77 MPGe rating. With a full battery charge and gasoline in the tank, the Tonale can run 360 miles; combined city/highway fuel economy as a hybrid is 29 mpg. It is billed as the most efficient plug-in hybrid C-sized SUV in its class.

STLA partner opens French battery plant

May 30, 2023 by David Zatz

2022 Fiat 500 electric (BEV) (Fiat 500e)

STLA partner First Automotive Cells (ACC) has opened up the first of its three planned European battery plants in France. The line will produce 13 gigawatt-hours initially, rising to 40 by 2030. ACC was founded by Stellantis and TotalEnergies/Saft three years ago; Mercedes joined the group last year.Stellantis sells 24 battery-electric vehicles in Europe, rising … Read more

Jeep, Stellantis losing ground in Europe despite rising sales

May 17, 2023 by David Zatz

All figures are from ACEA new-car registration reports for April 2023.Stellantis lost market share in Europe (defined as the EU plus EFTA plus the UK), falling from an 18.8% market share to 17.5%. Most of its ground was given up to Volkswagen, which shot up from 24% to 27%; every Volkswagen brand rose or stayed … Read more

Stellantis building up hydrogen capacity with Symbio

May 17, 2023 by David Zatz

Stellantis is keeping its bet on hydrogen even as it builds battery plants with a one-third stake in Symbio, a hydrogen fuel cell company. The other share holders are Faurecia and Michelin, each holding an equal portion.

Peugeot can build the same car with either battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell power sources. Symbio plans to start making 50,000 fuel cells per year by 2025 at its Saint Fons plant, which starts production in the second half of this year. Overall, Symbio plans to make 100,000 fuel cell systems per year by 2028, all in France, creating 1,000 jobs in the country.

Recall Monday hits Explorer, German companies; no Mopars; and the end of Maserati V8s

May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 by David Zatz

This week was a busy one for the NHTSA. The 2020-22 Ford Explorer had two recalls, one on an “incomplete” computer update that could result in cars rolling away; and one on rear view images not showing up. Land Rover had a recall for the storage compartment latch failing on the 2022-23 Range Rover and 2023 Range Rover Sport, and 2022-23 Ferrari 296 fuel pipes may leak. GM recalled the 2014-17 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia because the driver’s airbag inflator may explode.

By far, though, German automakers had the most recalls for the month.

STLA replacing Opel Grandland with BEV

March 22, 2023 by David Zatz

Stellantis is investing €130 million into upgrades to its Eisenach Assembly Plant in Germany to make an electric successor to the Opel Grandland crossover. It will launch in the second half of 2024, part of the push to make Opel’s lineup completely electric-powered by 2028.Europe is shifting to electric cars rapidly, as automakers shift from … Read more

Europe so far: STLA, Jeep down

December 15, 2022 by David Zatz

Jeep sales have dropped in Europe, from 119,379 so far in 2021 to 91,331 so far in 2022, bringing market share from 1.1% to 0.9%. For Stellantis as a whole, sales are down from 2.2 million to 1.9 million, year to date; market share has dropped from 20.3% to 18.6%.

STLA backing electric van conversions

December 2, 2022 by David Zatz

Stellantis has signed a partnership deal with Qinomic to retrofit light commercial vehicles with electric powertrains.Many companies and people who own light commercial vehicles customize them; some put more money into the customizations than the vehicles themselves. Retrofitting these with electric power can give them a new life when the engine or transmission get close … Read more

No Tonale 2.0 in the USA; Hornet 2.0T is still on

November 30, 2022 by David Zatz

The Alfa Romeo won’t be joined with a 256-hp 2-liter gasoline engine in the United States, though that was part of the original plan. The company claimed that the reason was emissions rules. Instead, the Tonale will be sold with a 177 hp GSE 1.3 liter engine with a 122 hp electric motor, which is … Read more

Fiat 500e is official

November 17, 2022 by David Zatz

The new, larger Fiat 500e will be available in the US and Canada starting in early 2024. The official reveal will be at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show.Fiat celebrated the event with three one-off fashion concepts.Fiat sales in North America have been minimal, though they have a hefty number of dedicated showrooms. The company … Read more

Chrysler, Fiat doing LA reveals; Dodge, Jeep, Ram showing new vehicles

November 16, 2022 by David Zatz

The Los Angeles show will see a new version of the Chrysler Pacifica and an “electric” reveal of one of the “most iconic and classic FIAT brand models of all time.” The Fiat is almost certainly the new-and-improved 500e already on sale in Europe.While it’s possible there will be a new generation of the Pacifica, … Read more

Is Fiat bringing back the 500?

November 14, 2022 by David Zatz

Fiat came into North America with one car, its new 500 subcompact. As sales plummeted the company tried to entice customers with a standard turbocharger, to no avail, and today the 500X is Fiat’s sole car—the 500L and 124 Spider both having disappeared as well.Fiat is due to show a new car at the Los … Read more