PowerCo SE, Volkswagen Group’s battery company, and Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (TSX: PMET | ASX: PMT | OTCQX: PMETF | FSE: R9GA) today announced they have entered into a strategic partnership. This is the first investment for PowerCo and Volkswagen in the lithium supply chain, underlining PowerCo’s ambition to execute on its vertical integration strategy – from mine to battery. The partnership ensures the long-term supply of lithium raw materials through a binding offtake commitment. Additionally, the companies will jointly explore further strategic opportunities such as a downstream lithium supply chain with a focus on cost competitiveness, high ESG standards and long-term security.

The Volkswagen Group invests US$48 million to acquire 9.9 per cent of Patriot’s issued and outstanding common shares. The binding offtake commitment covers the supply of 100,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per year for a period of 10 years as soon as the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project starts production. The lithium-bearing mineral is key for the production of battery-grade lithium chemicals. The offtake represents a key strategic milestone in ramping-up PowerCo’s cell production activities in Europe and North America, including its gigafactory in St. Thomas, Canada. St.Thomas will be PowerCo’s largest cell factory with a capacity of up to 90 GWh.

The strategic partnership also includes ongoing support for the development of Patriot’s Shaakichiuwaanaan Lithium Project. The project is advancing rapidly and currently ranks as one of the largest lithium pegmatite resources in the Americas, and the eighth largest lithium pegmatite resource in the world. The high-grade deposit has the potential to provide long-term security to PowerCo’s battery cell factories.

Furthermore, the strategic partnership involves PowerCo and Patriot working together to establish industry best practice for ESG standards across all of their joint activities. This includes, for example, waste disposal measures, water management, First Nations community engagement and implementing actions to meet PowerCo’s and Patriot’s carbon emission targets. On the basis of a non-binding, non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding, both companies will additionally explore collaboration opportunities to establish a sustainable, cost-competitive and ESG- compliant battery-grade lithium chemicals supply chain model.

Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board Member for Technology, said: “This investment represents a milestone in our journey toward a fully electric future. By collaborating with Patriot Battery Metals, we are not only securing key raw materials for cutting-edge, sustainable battery technology but also reinforcing our commitment to North America. Together with partners, we are building a dedicated e-mobility ecosystem in North America, ranging from battery technology to software and specific vehicle architectures.”

Jörg Teichmann, Chief Procurement Officer of PowerCo, said: “This is the next step in PowerCo’s mission to become a global battery player with roots in Europe and North America. By building a North American supply chain for EV batteries together with partners, we are strengthening our footprint in the region and driving forward the development of a resilient, sustainable battery industry. We are very pleased to have found such a partner in Patriot Battery Metals and to support the team in becoming one of the global lithium leaders and key supplier of lithium raw materials to the emerging North American and European EV ecosystem.“

Ken Brinsden, CEO & Managing Director of Patriot Battery Metals, said: “The partnership with PowerCo and the investment of Volkswagen Group is a great testament to the performance and quality of our team. At the same time, it emphasises the world-class status of the Shaakichiuwaanaan Lithium Project and the excellent prospects for Patriot Battery Metals' future role in the promising global EV supply chain.”The transaction is subject to approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). More information on the investment can be found in Patriot Battery Metals’ press release: patriotbatterymetals.com

Article source: www.vwpress.co.uk

Volkswagen has Christmas gifts for anyone who likes their SUVs to have plenty of eye-catching style: the new Tiguan Black Edition and new T-Cross Black Edition. Both can be ordered at Volkswagen UK Retailers from Thursday 12 December.

The new Black Editions sit above the already smart R-Line trim and come with black exterior styling elements including York alloys – 18-inch for the T-Cross and 20-inch for the Tiguan. Both cars also have IQ.LIGHT matrix headlamps, which can bathe roads in up to 500 metres of bright light, and LED rear tail lights with dynamic turn signals. The Tiguan Black Edition also gains a driver assistance package, which includes useful safety-first features such as Lane Assist and Emergency Assist. T-Cross Black Edition customers, meanwhile, can opt for the upgraded Pure white paint colour at no extra cost.

Two petrol engines are available for the T-Cross Black Edition: a 1.5 TSI 115 PS unit, paired with either a manual or automatic direct-shift gearbox (DSG), and a 1.5 TSI 150 PS with DSG.

The Tiguan Black Edition is available with a choice of two 2.0 TSI engines allied to DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive – a powerful 265 PS version and a 204 PS power plant that is completely new to the UK Tiguan line-up.

Prices for the T-Cross Black Edition and Tiguan Black Edition start from £29,985 and £46,605 respectively (on-the-road recommended retail prices including VAT).

Black Editions have long been a popular choice among Volkswagen drivers seeking enhanced style and street presence. These newcomers bring the number of Black Editions in the Volkswagen UK range to eight, adding to the Polo, Taigo, T-Roc, T-Roc R, Golf Hatch and Golf R Black Editions unveiled earlier in 2024.

The T-Cross was updated at the start of this year with a revamped design, enhanced standard equipment, Volkswagen’s latest infotainment technology and a newly designed high-quality interior. More than 1.2 million have been sold worldwide since the model was launched just four years ago.

The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s biggest-selling model worldwide. The all-new version launched in January this year has a completely new look inside and out, including a multi-function driving experience switch with integrated OLED display. The vehicle is built on the latest version of Volkswagen Group’s highly successful modular transverse matrix platform, MQB-evo, which allows for a host of new systems and drive profiles to be included.

New Tiguan R-Line engine
The new 2.0 TSI engine with 204 PS, DSG and 4MOTION for the Tiguan Black Edition is also being added to the Tiguan R-Line trim. It can be ordered at Volkswagen UK Retailers from Thursday 12 December, priced at £45,605 (on-the-road recommended retail price including VAT).

Article source: www.vwpress.co.uk

 The newest member of the Volkswagen portfolio – the Tayron – was given a grand reception this week when employees from nearly all the different disciplines joined Wolfsburg Plant Manager Uwe Schwartz and Works Council member Jürgen Mahnkopf for the symbolic start of series production.

 

The SUV all-rounder, which is optionally available with seven seats, is the fourth model to be produced at the Volkswagen Group’s largest plant, alongside the Golf, Tiguan and Touran. To date, more than 48 million cars have been produced in Wolfsburg – more than any other car factory in the world. "Wolfsburg has always been a role model within our production network – and will continue to fulfill this role even in challenging times," says Christian Vollmer, Board Member for Production and Logistics at the Volkswagen brand and also a member of the extended Group Management Board. “Other locations look to what happens in Wolfsburg. The successful Tayron SoP [Start of Production] sends a strong signal.”

Plant Manager Uwe Schwartz used the SoP to thank colleagues from across the different specialisms that have been involved in the project: "A car launch is always a team effort, involving the entire production team. With the Tayron, many cogs meshed perfectly: from the press shop to body construction, painting, assembly, and vehicle completion." According to Schwartz, collaborations with other departments, such as Procurement or Technical Development, also worked smoothly. This was the only way it was possible to adhere almost exactly to the long-planned SoP schedule, especially with the challenge of integrating the Tayron into the processes of Assembly Line 4 while Tiguan production was ongoing. "Our colleagues can be proud of this achievement,” adds Schwartz. “In the coming weeks we will do everything we can to ramp up Tayron production successfully.”

Jürgen Mahnkopf, Deputy Chairman of the General and Group Works Council: “The Tayron SoP marks an important milestone for the Wolfsburg site. I am sure that our new SUV will build on the success of its predecessor, the Tiguan Allspace, and make an important contribution to job security. Customers in China are already excited about this car and the Tayron will also find many buyers in Europe. Our colleagues in production have done a great job in challenging conditions. In parallel with the pre-series production of the Tayron, they had to manage the launches of the new Tiguan and the Golf product upgrade. They achieved this together, as a team, and I’d like to thank them on behalf of everyone working at the site."

The first Tayron to roll off the line this week was an Ultra Violet Metallic example with a 2.0 litre TDI engine01 and a panoramic roof. Over the coming weeks, show and demonstrator cars for European Volkswagen dealers will be produced in Wolfsburg. The second-largest SUV of the Volkswagen brand in Europe, after the Touareg, will go on display in showrooms from March, with the first cars being delivered to customers shortly after. Customers will soon be able to choose from seven efficient engines, including two next-generation plug-in hybrid drives (eHybrid). These offer electric ranges of more than 100 kilometres and long travelling distances of up to 850 km between fuel stops.

 

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

 

01. Tayron 2.0 TDI 4MOTION, 142 kW (193 PS) | Combined consumption: 6.8-6.1 l/100km | Combined CO₂ emissions: 180-162 g/km | CO₂ class: F

Getting creative with leftover festive cardboard will win one lucky person a Volkswagen ID.4 for two weeks.

Many households are filled with leftover cardboard boxes before and after Christmas Day, so Volkswagen is inviting people to put them to good use for a cracker of a craftwork competition.

The UK’s biggest-selling car brand wants to find the designers of the future – little (and big) people with bold imaginations who can transform humble cardboard boxes into imaginary motoring masterpieces. It could be a hungry caterpillar car or a planet-hopping SUV (space utility vehicle), complete with festive options such as Santa-nav, a Harmon Carol sound system or even a Northern Lights Package.

The colourful creations can even be enhanced with paper badges and lights, which are available from Volkswagen Retailers or can be downloaded here and printed at home. Entrants have until 31 December to upload photos of their BoxVolkswagen creations to https://linkstre.am/boxvolkswagen.

One person already looking forward to seeing eye-catching entries is Volkswagen’s Head of Design, Andreas Mindt, who will help to choose the overall winner. “In our studio, we love experimenting with bold shapes and unique features, so I am genuinely excited to see the innovative and colourful ideas people come up with for their BoxVolkswagen cars,” said Andreas.

The person who enters the best design will win the use of an electric Volkswagen ID.4 for two weeks (between 13 January and 3 February 2025) plus £100 towards charging costs. There will also be 250 £15 Planet Junko vouchers up for grabs, to help people continue getting crafty with recycled materials, and the most fun designs will be shared with other Volkswagen fans on social media.

* Full BoxVolkswagen competition terms and conditions, and a privacy notice, are available at https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/life/boxvolkswagen.html.

Article source: www.vwpress.co.uk

 

 

Two of the most popular trims in the entire UK Golf line-up are set to be enhanced with new engines and a plug-in hybrid drive. They come at a time when the Golf is already the UK's biggest-selling car in its class so far this year, and all three new additions can be ordered at any Volkswagen UK Retailer from Thursday 21 November.

New Golf Black Edition engines
Two engines are being added to the stylish Golf Black Edition trim that was unveiled in July this year: a petrol 1.5 eTSI mild hybrid and a diesel 2.0 TDI. Both engines have a 150 PS power output and are paired with an automatic seven-speed direct-shift gearbox (DSG). The 1.5 eTSI can propel the Golf Black Edition from standstill to 62 mph in 8.4 seconds, whereas the 2.0 TDI completes the same sprint even quicker, in exactly eight seconds.

The new engines add to what is already a stylish and well-specified package. Sitting one step below the exciting GTE trim in the UK Golf line-up, the Black Edition includes smart 18-inch Leeds alloy wheels, upgraded IQ.Matrix headlights, illuminated door handles and Volkswagen logo at the front, heated front seats and head-turning black styling elements.

Prices for the Golf Black Edition 1.5 eTSI and 2.0 TDI are £33,690.00 and £35,500.00 respectively (on-the-road recommended retail prices including VAT).

New Golf Match eHybrid
A frugal eHybrid is being added to the Golf Match line-up – the most popular Golf derivative in the UK.

The Match trim was re-introduced across much of the Volkswagen range in early 2024; it’s a package famous for combining affordability with generous levels of equipment. The newly developed second-generation Volkswagen plug-in hybrid drive builds on this with extra efficiency and enhanced performance.

Electric-only driving of more than 88 miles is possible with the car’s 19.7 kWh battery, which can be charged at home with up to 11 kW AC and at rapid public stations with up to 40 kW DC. When the engine is engaged, drivers are rewarded with a system output of 204 PS and a 0-62 mph dash of just 7.2 seconds. Together, the electric drive and petrol engine work in perfect harmony to deliver super-efficient fuel economy of 141.2 miles per gallon.

Features that come as standard include 17-inch Nottingham alloy wheels, LED headlights, a rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control, Lights and Vision package, Discover navigation system, Park and Comfort technology package including Park Assist Pro, Lane Assist and Climatronic air conditioning.

The Golf Match eHybrid is priced at £36,140 (on-the-road recommended retail price including VAT).

Article source: www.vwpress.co.uk

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