Since at least 2010, attempts have been made to bring the signature model to the automotive market, with little success. However, in recent years, the popularization of this commercial logic in various industries shows that ownership of a product is no longer a critical success factor and that the world has begun to get used to the idea of pay-as-you-go.
Lynk&Co brand, born in 2016 by hand joint venture between the Swedes at Volvo and the Chinese at Geely (which, by the way, owns Volvo Cars), is one of the first to introduce this concept in the Iberian Peninsula. This happened first in Spain, then in other European cities, and in 2023 the company will try to interest Portuguese consumers.
In 2022, no one is discussing what is better than pay TV or satellite, what is better to buy discs or subscribe to a digital music service, and no one objects to the so-called. software as a service, which is nothing more than English slang for a subscription to computer programs. Actually the logicas a service” now extends to just about everything from vacation shopping to cloud computing and transportation and home delivery. And also to car as a service.
Unlike rent, leasing, ALD and credit, which are in the hands of rental companies, here automakers themselves, without intermediaries, take the reins by subscription. In 2018, when it launched the Care by Volvo program in Germany, the brand dropped the call to buy with a message summarizing the changes underway in five words: “Don’t buy this car. Subscribe to it.”
Nissan, Audi, Porsche, Jaguar, Genesis Motor (Korean luxury brand Hyundai) are some of these manufacturers, as well as Ford or Mercedes. start having accumulated experience, but programs still continue to be implemented in stages, by city or region.
Each brand sets prices and rules. Volvo only offers the XC40 on a subscription basis, Porsche offers a range of models. However, there is one constant: cars are mostly electric or hybrid. plugin. Quite a logical option: those who do not want to have their own car, but sometimes feel the need for one (hello, holidays!), Probably have a sharp environmental conscience.
After the “success” in Spain, Lynk&Co wants to enter Portugal. It is not known exactly when. “It will be in 2023,” summarizes Thelma Negreiros, who believes that the experience of other cities shows that this is the path of no return. “We have three mature markets: Sweden, the Netherlands and Italy. Initially, it was aimed at generating millennial as a potential client and we have evaluated about 9,000 clients by the end of 2021. The truth is that we have reached May 2022 with 103 thousand,” he emphasizes.
Lynk&Co does not have costs, has “clubs”. They have a social function that other brands don’t. But they also serve to plan the driving test. Access to the club is free. But using the car requires membership and costs 500 euros per month (all inclusive) with a monthly limit of 1250 km (unspent funds are carried over to the next month, and every extra kilometer is taxed at 15 cents). There is no minimum subscription period (you can join and leave every month).
Another thing that sets this program apart from the competition is that a “Netflix subscription” can be combined with an “Airbnb credit” – if you subscribed to a car but don’t use it for some reason, lend it to other members and cover their loan time, thus reducing your monthly payment. This exchange is managed through the app, in plain sight, without additional paperwork or friction.
Only one Lynk&Co 01 hybrid model will be available at the moment. plugin original 2017. This is an SUV developed by Volvo on the XC40 platform and built in China by Geely. It is available in two colors (black or blue) and features a 1.5 TDI engine with a range of up to 69 km in electric mode, powered by a 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery that takes about five hours to recharge in use. current 230V. It can also be bought (44,500 euros already with VAT), the brand says. But the stake is the subscription.
OAll Bugatti Centodieci have been delivered, the Molsheim-based brand said on Monday. Cristiano Ronaldo received the number 07 in October this year. and Bugatti has now revealed that the latest unit – #10 – is already in the possession of its owner.
“The Centodieci combines all the values of the Bugatti brand in an extraordinary package: rarity, innovation, heritage, craftsmanship and unrivaled performance. The production batch of 10 units was so in demand by our customers that it was sold before the Centodieci. was even officially presented,” said Christophe Piochon, president of Bugatti.
This latest example is finished in Quartz White with carbon fiber trim on the bottom and matte grilles. The brake calipers are painted in Light Blue Sport, as is the logo on the rear that refers to the EB110, the iconic Bugatti model that inspired this Centodieci. Inside, the predominant color is also blue, as you can see in the images above.
This block is powered by the same block as the other nine instances. The 8.0-liter W16 with four turbines is capable of developing 1600 hp. In terms of performance, this allows the Centodieci to hit 100 km/h in just 2.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 380 km/h.
Recall that each unit costs the owners eight million euros before taxes.
BUT Dacia revealed this Monday that the hybrid engine has been available since March on the Jogger, the Romanian brand’s model known to be available with a seven-seat variant.
The Jogger Hybrid 140, Dacia’s first hybrid, will hit dealerships in March, but customers can expect and order it as early as January.
The price has been revealed by Dacia and since it’s only available in the seven-seater SL Extreme, it starts at €28,800. The brand claims it is “the most affordable hybrid family car on the market.”
Available in six existing colors to celebrate the launch of this hybrid, there will be a slate gray version, as you can see in the images above.
Equipped with a 1.6 liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 90 hp, the Jogger is also powered by two electric motors (a 50 hp engine and a high-voltage starter-generator). The total power is 140 horsepower. The electric transmission is automatic, four-speed, connected to an internal combustion engine, and two speeds are connected to an electric motor. This combined technology was possible, according to Dacia, only due to the lack of clutch.
Combined with the energy recovery levels of the 1.2kWh (230V) battery pack and the efficiency of the automatic transmission, regenerative braking delivers all-electric traction on 80% of urban journeys and saves up to 40% of fuel compared to a combustion engine vehicle.
Tesla has finally been able to bring its long-awaited Semi to market. This electric truck promises to revolutionize transportation and bring all the unique characteristics of this type of electric vehicle to this class of vehicles.
Now that the first units have been delivered, there is hope that they will finally be mass-produced and reach more transport companies. With so many promises to be kept, a new video is now emerging showing Tesla testing its Semi truck under worst-case scenarios.
Tesla Semi is already on the market
Like all Tesla electric vehicles, Semi follows the same line of creating a unique design associated with a platform with the most modern technology available. The proof is in what was presented to the public and surprised most people.
To prove the quality of this new proposal, Tesla published in your LinkedIn account new video. In it, he reveals some of the testing he's done to determine the strength and quality of the Semi's design and its (potential) durability.
Tests to prove its durability
It has been revealed that the Tesla electric truck is subjected to numerous tests and its application in the worst scenarios that drivers may face. It doesn't stop at the ruggedness of the Semi's designs, but goes further and focuses on the motors and batteries themselves.
This is the proof that many have been waiting for to ensure that this new proposal is not limited to a lot of autonomy. Its resistance is great and will provide greater durability, further enhancing the Semi's value and performance.
Tesla has already showcased the Semi's quality with a video showing its truck driving roughly 500 miles on just one charge. The big news here is that he managed to make this long journey with a maximum load of about 37 tons.
Now Tesla remains to widely place the Semi on the market. At the moment, only a few companies have access to this new product, with a very long list of pending deliveries, who want to start mass-using this electric truck offering.