This week's slice of automotive industry news includes the reason why Mazda thinks few people are interested in leasing an MX-5, how DS handles sharing design elements with the rest of the PSA group, BMW's approach to recycling, and more.
Money buys happiness at Mazda
Mazda customers are more likely to buy an Mazda MX-5 outright, rather than lease it, than any other Mazda model, according to UK boss Jeremy Thompson. He said that because the MX-5 is often considered a pleasure buy instead of a practical car, people like to own it. “When you’re buying something for your own enjoyment, like a roadster, people like to own it,” he said.
DS handles its own design
Although PSA group brands (Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Vauxhall, Opel) will converge on common platforms and powertrains, certain design features will remain unique to each – and that means it’s hands off DS’s door handles. DS developed flush handles for the 3 Crossback and design director Thierry Metroz said: “They’re part of our design language, and we developed them only for DS.”
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Considering the entire life of a battery in an electric car is crucial to lowering leasing rates, according to BMW R&D boss Klaus Fröhlich. He said: “If you take out the battery for chemical recycling, you might get 100 euros for it. If you can use the battery for a second life, you might get 1000 euros for it and it will work for another 20 or 30 years, boosting residual values.”
All Defenders must go
Ineos Automotive, the firm set to build the rugged ‘Grenadier’ 4x4 in the spirit of the original Land Rover Defender, claims Land Rover will need to build and sell around 50,000 examples of the new Defender for it to be profitable. However, Ineos says it will need to sell only 25,000 Grenadiers to do the same.
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