Automotive News to February 21, 2025

London, February 21, 2025 (Oilandgaspress) –- Donald Trump is reportedly looking at plans to reduce rising gas prices by working with Congress to cut taxes on domestic oil producers in the United States


Rimac Automobili is bringing together three members of its Nevera hypercar family for this year’s prestigious The I.C.E. St. Moritz event this weekend, joining automotive celebrations 1,800 meters above sea level in one of the world’s most exclusive winter destinations. Set against the backdrop of the frozen Lake St. Moritz, The I.C.E. has established itself as one of the most anticipated events of the winter season, transforming the iconic Swiss resort into an unconventional automotive sanctuary. While historic Barchettas, Open Wheels racers, and Racing Legends compete for the Best in Show award across the lake’s frozen surface,

Rimac’s static display represents the future of automotive performance. Presented by Rimac Zurich, operated by Schmohl AG, the display includes the recently unveiled Nevera R with its handling-focused set-up and evolved 2,107hp powertrain, the exclusive Nevera Time Attack – one of just 12 examples celebrating Rimac’s record-breaking achievements – and the original Nevera. The Nevera R represents the most focused interpretation of Rimac’s vision yet. With enhanced aerodynamics delivering 15% more downforce, a more aggressive stance, and a performance-oriented battery system, it transforms the Nevera’s architecture into an even more purposeful machine. The distinctive Nebula Green example on display showcases the R’s comprehensive visual and technical evolution, highlighting its status as the most track-focused iteration of the Nevera platform, capable of reaching 300 km/h in just 8.66 seconds... Read More


Alpine will continue its partnership with Arturo Coello, the youngest-ever padel champion, in 2025. Two new male players, Federico Chingotto and Jairo Bautista, will join him. The team will renew its confidence in the three female players from the 2024 squad: Alejandra Salazar, Claudia Fernandez and Alejandra Alonso. For this new season, Alpine will be accompanied by padel legend Fernando Belasteguin as brand ambassador to promote the brand internationally. After the Alicante training club (Bela Padel Center de Alicante) in 2024, Alpine will support the development and activities of the Barcelona club in 2025. . Read More


Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, via the HYLA brand, today announced that the Company and certain of its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Nikola has also filed a motion seeking authorization to pursue an auction and sale process under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Nikola has filed a number of customary “first day” motions with the Court to ensure its limited operations are able to continue, including authorization to meet its obligations to employees, during the sale process. Subject to Court approval, the Company intends to continue certain limited directly provided (non-dealer) service and support operations for trucks currently in the field, including certain HYLA fueling operations through the end of March 2025. Thereafter, the Company will need one or more partners to support such activities.

Nikola enters Chapter 11 with approximately $47 million in cash on hand to fund the foregoing activities, implement the postpetition sale process, and exit Chapter 11 through a plan process. Given the Company’s liquidity profile and the anticipated expense of the cases and limited operations in Chapter 11, the Company intends to request authority from the Court to consummate a sale of its assets on a timeline that balances its liquidity needs with its significant prepetition marketing efforts to best position the Company to maximize value for its stakeholders. Read More


A high-level Japanese group that includes a former prime minister has drawn up plans for Elon Musk’s Tesla to invest in Nissan, following the collapse of its merger talks with rival Honda.

The new proposal, led by former Tesla board member Hiro Mizuno, is being supported by ex-premier Yoshihide Suga and his former aide Hiroto Izumi, according to three people with direct knowledge of the move. Several board members at Nissan are aware of the initiative. Read More


(Reuters) – Volkswagen’s Audi will expand production in North America with a focus on its most important cars for the U.S. market and will make a decision on where to base itself this year, its CEO said on Friday. The carmaker is the latest company looking to localise production near the increasingly protectionist U.S. market rather than exporting from Europe and will either build a new facility or produce at an existing Volkswagen Group plant, Gernot Doellner told Reuters. Read More


(Reuters) -Italy’s antitrust agency said on Friday it was investigating BYD, Stellantis, Tesla and Volkswagen for allegedly misleading consumers on the performance of their electric vehicles. The four investigations for possible unfair commercial practices concern “the information provided to consumers on EV driving range, battery capacity degradation and limitations on standard battery warranties, potentially in breach of the Consumer Code,” the regulator said in a statement. Read More


Nikola which was valued at over $30bn (£23.8bn) under five years ago filed for bankruptcy protection after having all-but run out of cash, accruing huge debts and producing far too few actual vehicles. Like others EV manufacturers, “market and macroeconomic factors” impacted Nikola, said CEO Steve Girsky. With the company having promised thousands of vehicles when it floated, both battery-powered and hydrogen fuel cell powered, Nikola ultimately delivered fewer than 400 trucks last year. From being valued in the same range as Ford, shares sunk on Wednesday to below 50 cents. Read More


Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO José Muñoz held a town hall meeting with employees at the company’s Namyang R&D Center, his first such meeting since assuming the role of Hyundai Motor CEO. At the event, Muñoz underscored his commitment to direct communication with employees and that engineers share the common language of data and statistics. Beginning the town hall, President Muñoz spoke directly about future business plans, emphasizing the importance of Hyundai Motor’s customer-centric philosophy and achieving the highest quality standards to ensure sustainable success amid the rapidly changing business environment.

“As an engineer myself, I have been looking forward to spending time with the outstanding team here at Namyang. I tend to challenge engineers, because I have high expectations for people I care about, like my family,” said President Muñoz.
President Muñoz shared his reflections on his first two months as CEO and outlined Hyundai Motor’s management strategy, future vision, and approach to overcoming key challenges. In relation to electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving technology, Muñoz emphasized that Hyundai and its employees can achieve greater success together through advanced technology development and strategic partnerships.
“We will succeed by continuing to deliver beautifully designed, high-quality vehicles with technology that customers want. We must treat our customers as honored guests and provide exceptional service,” he said. Muñoz also shared his leadership approach, offering insights from his extensive global automotive and mobility industry experience. Since joining Hyundai Motor Company in 2019, he has driven significant growth and profitability, solidifying his leadership in the global mobility industry. Read More


Hyundai Motor Company today announced Hyundai Translocal Series, a new partnership that roots itself in fostering dialogues and exchanges between art institutions in Korea and across the globe. The initiative, aimed to support cross-regional artistic collaborations over the next decade, will bring together art institutions to explore translocal themes that shape our interconnected contemporary conditions.

Hyundai Motor will support multi-year endeavors, including joint research, artwork commissions, exhibitions, public programming and publications. The goal is to facilitate long-term relationships among participating institutions, while highlighting how artistic exchanges can encourage diverse perspectives and deepen the breadth of understanding about our times. The co-curated exhibitions by the partnering institutions will reflect on global interconnectedness in examining each locality and shared values. This approach encourages networks that bridge individuals and communities, local and translocal entities, and the past and future. The exhibitions will be presented at each institution in relation to their local context. The Hyundai Translocal Series inaugural exchange will involve the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 (Cheongju, Korea) and the Whitworth, The University of Manchester (Manchester, UK). These institutions will focus on the theme of ‘craft and community,’ commissioning works by eight artists from Korea and India. The co-curated exhibition will be held at Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 in September of this year, followed by exhibitions in India in collaboration with the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy (New Delhi, India), and Manchester in February and July 2026 respectively. Read More


.Daimler Buses GmbH is celebrating its 30th anniversary. On February 23,1995, EvoBus GmbH was established by a merger of the former Daimler‑Benz AG bus division and the former Karl Kässbohrer Fahrzeugwerke GmbH bus division, based in Ulm. Since then, Mercedes-Benz and Setra brand buses have been operating under one roof. In 2023, the company was renamed Daimler Buses GmbH. The wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck is responsible for European bus activities and is part of the global Daimler Buses segment of the entire Group.

Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses: “In 1995, we laid the foundation for a true success story and brought together the best of both worlds. Today, we are the market leader in our most important key markets and with production locations in Mannheim and Neu-Ulm, we are the only manufacturer of buses over 8 tons producing in Germany. This is something we can be proud of. I am convinced that we are well positioned for the future and that we will continue to drive forward the transformation of locally CO2-neutral passenger transport with our vehicles.” Bruno Buschbacher, Chairman of the General Works Council of Daimler Buses GmbH:

“Since the merger, the works councils at the Mannheim and Neu-Ulm sites have worked with employees to overcome many challenges, enabling Mercedes-Benz city buses and Setra coaches and inter-city buses to assert themselves in a highly competitive market. The target picture for 2033, which we agreed with the enterprise two years ago, has made bus production in Germany competitive in the long term. This will help to ensure good and attractive jobs at both locations.” Last year, the Daimler Buses segment sold around 26,600 units worldwide, and had a headcount of more than 15,000 employees, thus marking another successful year. Read More


Tata Motors, India’s leading SUV manufacturer, proudly celebrates 27 iconic years of the Tata Safari with the launch of the exclusive, limited STEALTH Edition—a bold and sophisticated embodiment of luxury, power, and exclusivity. Limited to just 2,700 units, this premium edition will be available in both the Harrier and Safari redefining exclusivity and finest SUV aesthetics. With sleek, monotone finishes leading the charge, this STEALTH lineup sparks a fresh wave of desirability showcasing the evolving customer preferences of owning a vehicle which is one its kind. With just few units on sale, the bookings for the STEALTH edition opens starting today, both online and at our dealerships across the country.

The STEALTH Edition amplifies the looks with an all-new STEALTH Matte Black finish, exuding an undeniable road presence that is not just seen but felt. More than a mere design statement, this edition is a testament to dominance and exclusivity, offering an enigmatic aura that sets it apart on the road. The matte car paint delivers a unique, stylish finish, enhancing the SUV’s distinctive appeal. Its non-reflective surface lends the vehicle a sophisticated, elegant look, accentuating the SUV’s body lines and contours, making it appear exceptionally premium. The subtle sheen reduces glare under harsh sunlight, ensuring the vehicle’s bold stance remains uninterrupted in any lighting condition. Priced at ₹25.09 lakh, Ex-showroom Delhi for the Harrier STEALTH and at a starting price of ₹25.74 lakh, Ex-showroom Delhi for the Safari STEALTH (available in both 6 and 7 seater), these limited edition SUVs seamlessly blend prestige, performance, and cutting-edge technology, making an unmissable statement of excellence. Read More


Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ticker symbol: MBG) delivered solid financial results for 2024 and unveiled a multi-year product and performance enhancement plan to strengthen the company’s resilience. “Mercedes-Benz Group delivered solid results in a very challenging environment thanks to a range of outstanding products and strict cost discipline. To ensure the company’s future competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain world, we are taking steps to make the company leaner, faster and stronger, while readying an intense product launch campaign for multiple new vehicles starting with the all new CLA.” Ola Kaellenius, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Mercedes-Benz’s product launch programme starts in 2025 with the CLA, followed by a major upgrade of the S-Class in 2026, an all-electric GLC and C-Class, as well as a string of BEV and electrified high-tech ICE launches at Mercedes-AMG. Overall, sales are expected to gain traction after dozens of new or refreshed models reach the markets until 2027.

To strengthen its competitiveness and resilience, Mercedes-Benz has launched a comprehensive performance enhancement programme – known as Next Level Performance. Through a set of initiatives, Mercedes-Benz Group aims to further leverage growth potential through its direct sales channel, elevate the customer service experience to a new level and to boost revenue quality. Read More


Mercedes-Benz is offering its customers a new, even more convenient way to pay service invoices digitally – and is thus driving forward digitalization in the after-sales business. The new digital payment function provides a wide range of payment methods. This also includes a flexible installment payment with a quick credit check without complicated contract processes. The innovative payment solution has already been successfully tested in the German market and is now being rolled out at Mercedes-Benz dealers in other European markets such as Italy, Spain and Austria – with more to follow.

Convenient and transparent payment processing
For the new payment function, Mercedes-Benz is using the solution from the Aufinity Group, which is specialized in the automation and digitalization of payment processes in the automotive industry. Thanks to integration into Mercedes‑Benz’s own communication tool, the relevant messages relating to payment – from payment requests and payment reminders to confirmation of receipt – are sent directly from Mercedes‑Benz. Customers can reply to these messages and contact the participating dealers directly if they have any queries. This strengthens trust in the payment process and ensures smooth interactions. Read More


Porsche enters the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with high ambitions. After securing the drivers’ title last year, the factory team now aims for the manufacturers’ championship as well. The 2025 season kicks off on February 28 at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar. The race, titled “Qatar 1812 km,” runs over a ten-hour distance. Competing in the top Hypercar class are the Porsche Penske Motorsport factory squad and the customer team Proton Competition, fielding a total of three Porsche 963. In the LMGT3 category, the Iron Dames and Manthey 1st Phorm each enter a Porsche 911 GT3 R. Read More


Porsche’s ground-breaking all-electric performance sedan proves the perfect vehicle for seeking out the northern hemisphere’s elusive aurora borealis. Just outside the Finnish town of Levi, some 2,842 kilometres north of Stuttgart, the average winter temperature is minus 10 degrees Celsius. Daylight is limited to around four hours, between 10:00 and 14:00, after which the mercury plummets and the night sky overhead turns a fathomless black. If you’ve ever wanted to see the celestial phenomenon known colloquially as the northern lights, Levi is the place to be.

The perfect job for the Porsche Taycan

Accessing this remote part of Finland, 150 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle, with suitable sensitivity to the hushed and unspoilt environment, is the perfect job for the Porsche Taycan. With zero local CO₂ emissions and the absence of exhaust or induction noise, the all-electric sports sedan moves serenely through the empty wilderness, ruffling no feathers and leaving no trace bar tell-tale tyre tracks in the virgin snow. The reduced performance of battery systems at low temperatures, even noticeable in your smartphone or camera, is due to the reduced mobility of the ions in the electrolyte. The increased internal resistance in the battery results in a loss of performance. But the Taycan’s thermal management system ensures conditioning of the high-voltage battery, allowing the Taycan to draw on its full performance. In conjunction with the heat pump, which is fitted as standard, it also enables the interior to be heated efficiently by utilising excess heat from the powertrain. Read More


One of the largest Porsche Service Centres of the world opened in Seongsu, Korea. It paves the way for an ambitious year for Porsche in the region, which will see a series of new model launches, the expansion of the dealer network and enhanced customer services. On the same day, Porsche Korea announced various investment plans to strengthen its brand value in Korea, and provide a tailored customer experience to reflect the new era of electrification and digitalisation.

The world’s second biggest Porsche Service Centre

The newly opened centre, with the new Destination Porsche Design, is expected to play a key role in Porsche Korea’s strategy to enhance its services nationwide. As well as being the second biggest Porsche Service Centre in the world, Seongsu is also Korea’s most eco-friendly Porsche service facility, featuring a highly energy efficient infrastructure.Spanning a total floor area of nearly 16,000 square metres across 11 floors above ground and one below, the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that include 40 work bays. With the highest daily service capacity in Korea, it can already handle more than 90 cars per day, but there are plans to further expand the centre’s maintenance and body and paint facilities on the sixth and seventh floors, and to add 25 more work bays.

To optimise services for electrification, the centre also features advanced infrastructure dedicated to BEVs, including a total of 31 charging stations with four high-power (320 kW) chargers. EV maintenance capabilities have been maximised too, with a team of nine high-voltage technicians (HVT) and high-voltage experts (HVE). These will work alongside a team of Porsche Global Certified Service (PGCS) Consultants and the most skilled ZPT Gold Technicians. Read More


Free2move, a global leader in mobility services, continues its strategic expansion in Germany by integrating 400 new Opel Corsa vehicles into its car sharing fleet. This move reinforces Free2move’s commitment to providing sustainable, accessible, and convenient urban mobility solutions for customers across key German cities such as Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt.

The addition of the Opel Corsa strengthens furthermore Free2move’s fleet with the compact, efficient, and modern vehicle option, ideal for both city commuters and those needing short-term, flexible transportation solutions. Known for its fuel efficiency, advanced driver assistance features, and comfortable design, the Opel Corsa enhances the customer experience while supporting Free2move’s sustainable urban mobility initiatives.

Seamless Access Through Free2move App All 400 new Opel Corsa vehicles are now available through the Free2move app, allowing users to locate, reserve, and unlock cars with ease. Customers can choose from minute-based, hourly, or daily rental options, ensuring maximum flexibility for different mobility needs. The record of Long Term Car Sharing (LTCS) usage shows a significant year-over-year increase, with Berlin experiencing a +56% rise in August and +66% in December, during the summer and Christmas periods respectively, while Munich recorded a +29% increase in November. Furthermore, rental satisfaction in cities where the Opel Corsa was added to the fleet increased by 11%, underscoring its suitability for families and longer journeys. Read More


Oil and Gas Blends Units Oil Price Change
Crude Oil (WTI) USD/bbl $71.88 Down
Crude Oil (Brent) USD/bbl $75.83 Down
Bonny Light 20/02/25 CBN USD/bbl $78.07 Up
Dubai USD/bbl $76.34 Down
Natural Gas USD/MMBtu $4.32 Up
Murban Crude USD/bbl $78.04 Down
OPEC basket 20/02/25 USD/bbl $78.15 Down
At press time February 21, 2025 , The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes according to OPEC Secretariat calculations

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OilandGasPress Energy Newsbites and Analysis Roundup | Compiled by: OGP Staff, Segun Cole @oilandgaspress.

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