LATEST CAR NEWS ROUNDUP JANUARY 2024 UK CAR NEWS

EV Channels Review

This January 2024 car news roundup covers a wide array of industry developments, with a strong emphasis on electric vehicles. Key highlights include the updated Afeela saloon concept, featuring styling tweaks and confirmed technical specifications like 241 bhp and a 91 kWh battery. Honda's new EV concepts, the O Series, signal a rethinking of their electric strategy with a European launch anticipated in 2026. The Mullen 5 RS is presented as a potential rival to the Tesla Model S, boasting over 1000 horsepower and a dual-motor AWD powertrain. Kia is set to enter the commercial EV market with the PV5 van in 2025, targeting a competitive price point. BMW plans to end ICE production at its Munich plant by 2027, focusing on new-generation EVs. BYD's luxury Yang Wang brand is launching the 1000+ horsepower U9 in China, with potential for a million-yen price tag. Volkswagen aims to re-enter the low-cost EV segment with a potential "ID1" model around 2027, priced between £20,000-£25,000. The UK's EV charging infrastructure saw significant growth, with a 45% increase in chargers, though government targets for motorway services were missed. BT is converting redundant phone cabinets into EV chargers, potentially adding thousands of new points. Renault is gearing up for a brand relaunch with the new R5. Gridserve opened a new 30-charger hub at Gatwick Airport. KGM (formerly SsangYong) is rebranding in the UK, with the Torres SUV being the first KGM-branded model. The UK's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate now requires 22% of new car sales to be electric. Jaecoo, a sub-brand of Chery, is launching the J7 plug-in hybrid in the UK around £40,000. VW is integrating ChatGPT into new models, though concerns remain about the lack of physical controls. VinFast, a Vietnamese EV maker, is also targeting the UK market. Finally, the Renault Zoe has been discontinued after 11 years without an immediate replacement.