Volkswagen has picked partners to provide battery cells and related technology worth around €20 billion ($25bn) for its growing electric car programme, adding further pressure on US pioneer Tesla.
Until its "dieselgate" emissions scandal was revealed two-and-a-half years ago, Europe's largest automaker had been slow to embrace electric cars.
But the fraud prompted a strategic shift, while advances in batteries and a global fight against pollution are raising pressure on car makers to adopt zero-emission alternatives.
Volkswagen said on Tuesday it had secured battery technology deliveries for Europe and China, where it sells 80 per cent of its vehicles, and will select a supplier for North America soon.
While Tesla's much-anticipated Model 3 sedan has already missed some key production targets, VW plans to expand assembly of zero-emission cars to 16 plants globally through the end of 2022 from three at present.
"We have pulled out all the stops over the past months to implement the Roadmap E swiftly and resolutely," the chief executive Matthias Mueller said at a news conference, referring to the electric vehicle programme.
VW's emissions scandal, new Chinese quotas for electric cars and tightening rules on carbon dioxide emissions in Europe are causing automakers to focus on green cars and self-driving technology.
VW has a goal to sell 3 million electric cars per year across the group by 2025 and to offer an electric version of each of the group's 300 models by 2030.
LG Chem, Samsung and Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology will deliver batteries to VW, which has no plans to start producing power packs by itself, Mr Mueller said.
"Building up expertise and mastering the technology does not necessarily imply that we want to start large-scale assembly of batteries ourselves," the chief executive said. "Others can do it better than we can."
Although grappling with billions of euros in costs and fines for dieselgate, VW has pledged to spend 34bn euros on EVs, autonomous driving and new mobility services by the end of 2022, one of the most ambitious plans in the industry.
Separately, the German car maker reiterated guidance for higher vehicle sales and revenue this year and for a group operating margin of 6.5 to 7.5 per cent after 7.4 per cent last year.
In an interview with Reuters TV, Mueller denied top management had a pessimistic view on VW's business prospects in 2018, but said potential bottlenecks as car makers rush to get models through new so-called WLTP lab tests for emissions and fuel consumption were causing uncertainty.
"We have to deal with WLTP this year," he said. "It's simply too early to speculate whether this will be an especially good year or a normal year."
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
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BLACKBERRY
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The results of the first round are as follows:
Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent
Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent
Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent
Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent
Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
