Who Will Get Nissan?
Struggling with losses, Nissan is urgently seeking an investor and is currently negotiating a potential acquisition with Honda. However, the Wall Street Journal has reported that it now faces a strong competitor — Foxconn.
This Taiwanese electronics giant is primarily known as a contract manufacturer for Apple's iPhone, but it also has automotive projects in its portfolio. Acquiring Nissan could bolster these ambitions with significant manufacturing and engineering expertise. However, it is also possible that Nissan is merely using Foxconn to expedite negotiations with Honda.
$115 per 1 kWh
Bloomberg has released updated calculations on the current cost of traction batteries for electric vehicles. According to the study, battery cell prices have significantly decreased over the past year, primarily due to increased production volumes of these components. Additionally, the decline in prices for certain raw materials has contributed to this trend.
Currently, the average specific price of traction batteries stands at $115 per 1 kWh, which is 20% lower than in 2023. To make the cost of electric vehicles comparable to that of fuel-powered models in the same class, a price of $100 per 1 kWh needs to be achieved. This has already occurred in China, where electric vehicles are sold at prices comparable to their gasoline counterparts. Achieving such pricing globally may take less than a year, provided that governments do not hinder the process.
After all, with changes in political power, subsidies and incentives for electric vehicles may be weakened, inevitably leading to reduced sales. It is mass production of traction batteries that helps lower their prices. Bloomberg experts estimate that if there are no significant changes in policies favoring electric vehicles, by 2030 the specific cost of traction batteries could drop to $69 per 1 kWh, making electric vehicles cheaper than their fuel-powered equivalents.
Hyundai, Kia and Genesis on Android
The management of Hyundai Group announced plans to utilize the Android Automotive OS in the multimedia systems of their vehicles during a meeting with investors.
This is not about partial application of individual components, but about full integration of Google's automotive ecosystem. Such a move will allow Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles to access the vast resources of the internet giant, including numerous applications, AI voice control, and Google Maps navigation. Cars with Android multimedia will hit the market in 2026.
Porsche in China: -30% Dealers
Porsche is closing 30% of its dealerships in China due to declining demand: in the first 10 months of this year, 29% fewer vehicles of the legendary brand were sold compared to the previous year.
This is a significant blow to the German company, as China had been its largest market for eight years. A plan has now been prepared to reduce the number of Porsche dealers in China from 138 to approximately 100 by the end of 2026.
Hyper-Garage
Bugatti, in collaboration with Fahrengold, has introduced the Bugatti Edition FG-01 Garage.
The structure, measuring over six meters in length, features a frame made of galvanized steel, exterior panels of painted aluminum, luxurious interior finishes, and bulletproof glass covering an entire wall. In such a garage, a Bugatti owner can not only securely store their hypercar but also showcase it impressively to passersby. The price of the box remains undisclosed.