Latest news with #StellantisSTLA
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK's 650 Million GBP Electric Car Grant: But Will It Be Enough?
In a bid to drive Britain's transition to cleaner transport, the UK government has unveiled the £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) that aims to make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable. With grants of up to £3,750 available for zero-emission cars priced under £37,000, the initiative is expected to ease the upfront cost of EV ownership while supporting sustainable automotive manufacturing. This move is part of UK's broader 'Plan for Change' and aims to rev up the EV market. But its success will also depend on how carmakers respond and how quickly UK can scale up its charging infrastructure. New Discounts With a Green Twist The new grant system is structured into two tiers. Cars that meet the highest sustainability criteria—meaning not just zero tailpipe emissions but also low embedded carbon across their production lifecycle—will be eligible for the full £3,750 discount. Vehicles that meet moderate environmental benchmarks will receive £1,500 in support. To ensure the grant promotes the greenest choices, only models that meet strict sustainability standards will qualify. Manufacturers must apply to have their eligible vehicles listed, with funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once approved, carmakers will factor the grant into the sticker price at the dealership, so buyers don't need to fill out forms or wait for reimbursements. The government has promised that the funding will be available through the 2028–2029 financial year, offering carmakers time to align their product pipelines with these new incentives. That said, the race is already on, as drivers can start accessing discounts effective today. Winners in the Making For automakers, this grant could be a game-changer, especially for those already investing heavily in electric mobility. Stellantis STLA, for instance, stands to benefit significantly. The company's UK manufacturing hubs in Ellesmere Port and Luton are central to its EV strategy, including production of electric vans and compact cars. With models like the T03 and C10 already on sale under its Leapmotor brand, Stellantis is well-positioned to take advantage of the sub-£37,000 grant scheme. STLA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Meanwhile, Volkswagen VWAGY is gearing up with a full fleet of electric vehicles that span price points and segments. Its ID series—including the ID.3 and ID.4—is already popular among UK drivers. The upcoming (also called ID.1) is positioned as an affordable entry-level EV. With models likely to meet both price and sustainability criteria, Volkswagen's EV range may see a fresh surge in demand. BMW BMWKY is another likely winner. Its iconic Mini Cooper Electric has been a popular urban EV in the UK, and it fits into the grant's eligibility criteria. With strong brand appeal and a fun-to-drive character, BMW's Mini EV could see renewed demand as price-conscious buyers look to take advantage of the new incentives. BMW's broader electrification strategy, which includes expanding its EV lineup across both its core and Mini brands, aligns well with the goals of the scheme. Mercedes-Benz MBGYY, though known for its luxury leanings, could also benefit if future lower-cost trims or special editions bring it under the grant ceiling. Mercedes aims for half of its total sales to be EVs by 2030. Schemes like the ECG could accelerate those ambitions in the UK. Even Ferrari RACE, though typically operating in a vastly different price bracket, is watching the UK EV space with growing interest. The upcoming debut of its first fully electric car, dubbed the 'Elettrica,' is expected later this year. While its estimated price tag of over £420,000 puts it far above grant eligibility, Ferrari's foray into EVs signals a strategic shift. Over time, as battery tech matures and emissions regulations tighten, even high-end brands may explore mid-tier electric options to diversify their lineup. Moving in the Right Direction But Gaps Remain While slashing up to £3,750 off a new EV might entice more drivers to ditch petrol and diesel, the government's plan must go beyond vehicle price tags. Affordability is just one part of the equation. Charging infrastructure remains a key concern. Today, there are roughly 1.3 million electric vehicles on UK roads but only around 82,000 public charging points. That gap needs to close fast if the ECG is to spark lasting momentum. The government aims to grow that number to 300,000 by 2030—a steep climb that will require not just policy but private investment and local coordination. To that end, the grant scheme also includes funding to expand the UK's charging infrastructure. This includes £25 million for cross-pavement charging solutions (ideal for those without driveways), £30 million to install chargepoints at commercial depots, and £8 million earmarked for NHS sites. These measures will complement the £6 billion in private funding already committed to accelerating UK's EV infrastructure by 2030. Looking Ahead For brands like Stellantis, BMW and Volkswagen, the ECG offers a clear path to capture more market share, provided they act swiftly. Mercedes-Benz may find new reasons to introduce lower-cost variants that qualify under the scheme, while Ferrari's electric ambitions—though not grant-linked—reflect the industry's broader pivot. Ultimately, the Electric Car Grant is a positive step; grants may draw in buyers, but unless they're backed by fast-charging stations, affordable insurance, and reliable battery performance, adoption could still lag. Nonetheless, this grant puts more power behind UK's EV drive. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ferrari N.V. (RACE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Volkswagen AG Unsponsored ADR (VWAGY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Stellantis N.V. (STLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Mercedes-Benz Group AG (MBGYY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Unsponsored ADR (BMWKY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
TimesLIVE
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New Opel Grandland arrives in SA: pricing and specs
The new Opel Grandland has touched down in Mzansi. Built on the Stellantis STLA platform, this striking mid-size family crossover is 173mm longer, 64mm wider and 19mm taller than the model it replaces. We think it's also better looking, adopting the carmaker's latest two-tone floating roof design, protective contrast side cladding and 3D 'Vizor' front grille fitted with an illuminated Opel Blitz logo in the centre. The latter is flanked by ultra-bright 'Intelli-Lux Pixel HD' headlamp clusters featuring more than 50,000 individual elements offering new welcome/goodbye animations with other graphical projections in front of the vehicle. The Grandland's silhouette is characterised by 19" alloy wheels shod with 225/55 tyres, while its rear quarters stand out with distinctive tail lamps featuring Opel's new 'compass lighting' signatures. There's also an illuminated 'Opel' wordmark in the centre of the tailgate and full-width horizontal light bar that illuminates when the driver applies the brakes. Inside, the redesigned cabin adopts a minimalist theme with fewer buttons and switches than the outgoing model. Fortunately though, Opel still has dedicated physical switchgear for controlling things such as the HVAC system. Tech levels are high and include a heated multifunction steering wheel, 10" digital instrument cluster, an electronic head-up display and a huge 16" touchscreen infotainment system canted towards the driver. Image: Supplied Customers can also look forward to a generous cache of standard niceties including leather upholstery, heated/ventilated/massaging front seats, heated rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, advanced cruise control with speed limiter, folding heated side mirrors, four USB ports, three 12V power outlets, rain-sensing wipers, wireless charging, a powered tailgate, interior ambient lighting, front/rear parking sensors and 360° camera. Driver assistance systems include traffic sign recognition, ultrasonic side blind spot alert, hill start assist, ABS brakes with EBD, ESP and a full complement of airbags. Opel's Intelli-Drive 2.0 system offers semi-automatic lane-change assist and recommended speed adaptation. The Grandland offers a load volume of up to 1,641l. Image: Supplied From launch the new Opel Grandland is offered solely in flagship GS Line specification and comes powered by a 1.6 l four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making 134kW and 240Nm of torque. This is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. First drive impressions reveal a notable upgrade in driving refinement and easier and lighter inputs from the four-sided steering wheel. The ambience is jacked up by new material choices and better ergonomics while the engine feels punchy under urban conditions, though audible with a droning effect as it picks up speed. The transmission upshifts are smooth and intuitive, while bump absorption didn't feel top-tier, just average. The upgrade from old is evident.
Wall Street Journal
11-04-2025
- Automotive
- Wall Street Journal
Stellantis Shipments Fall 9% on Lower North American Production
Stellantis STLA -11.96%decrease; red down pointing triangle vehicle shipments fell 9% in the first quarter of 2025, when the Jeep and Ram-maker extended holiday shutdowns at North American plants in January. The auto giant, which also houses brands including Chrysler, Fiat and Peugeot, said vehicle shipments in North America fell 20% in the quarter. Around 82,000 fewer cars were shipped than in the same quarter a year earlier on lower production due to the shutdowns as well as the initial ramp up of its updated 2025 Ram heavy duty trucks.
Wall Street Journal
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Wall Street Journal
White House Grants One-Month Tariff Exemption for Automakers
WASHINGTON—Automakers will get a one-month reprieve from tariffs on Mexico and Canada for cars that comply with a free-trade agreement between those two nations and the U.S., the White House said Wednesday. The move follows a request from the heads of Ford Motor Co., F 5.81%increase; green up pointing triangle General Motors Co. and Stellantis STLA 9.70%increase; green up pointing triangle NV, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, and would apply to autos imported through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the successor trade deal to 1994's North American Free Trade Agreement.
