Stellantis and TotalEnergies welcome Mercedes-Benz as a new partner of Automotive Cells Company (ACC) and raise its capacity plan to at least 120 GWh by 2030

• Mercedes-Benz becomes an equal shareholder of ACC along with Stellantis and TotalEnergies, each with 1/3 equity stake 

• Mercedes-Benz to provide technology and production know-how to Automotive Cells Company (ACC).

• Partners will accelerate ACC’s development with an objective of at least 120 GWh of cell capacity by 2030

Stellantis, TotalEnergies and Mercedes-Benz have entered into agreements to welcome Mercedes-Benz as a new partner of Automotive Cells Company (ACC). Following its entry, the partners commit to increase ACC’s industrial capacity to at least 120 GWh by 2030. Transaction is subject to agreement on definitive documentation and customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

ACC results from the initiative taken in 2020 by Stellantis and TotalEnergies and supported by the French, German and European authorities, to create a European battery champion for electric vehicles. Entry of Mercedes-Benz in ACC is a clear demonstration of the industrial progress and of the merits of the project, which it will strengthen.

ACC battery cell

ACC’s objective is to develop and produce battery cells and modules for electric vehicles with a focus on safety, performance and competitiveness, while ensuring the highest level of quality and the lowest carbon footprint. Updated ACC capacity plan will mobilize an investment of more than seven billion euros, which will be supported by subsidies and financed by equity and debt. Creation of this European battery champion will support Europe to address the challenges of the energy transition in mobility, ensure its security of supply of a key component for the electric car industry.

ACC will be supported by a winning trio of partners that combine:

• A deep technological expertise in battery development with Saft, an affiliate of TotalEnergies, which has more than 100 years of experience in the field of long-life batteries and battery systems.

• A leading global mobility player with Stellantis that has a clear mission to provide cutting-edge technology to ensure freedom of movement for all through distinctive, appealing, affordable and sustainable mobility solutions.

• Research and development expertise of Mercedes-Benz, along with its support to the expansion of ACC’s production facilities based on the brand’s benchmark quality standards.

“To have Mercedes-Benz join us as a new shareholder is a major milestone for ACC,” says Yann Vincent, CEO of ACC. “Mercedes-Benz will bring a vote of confidence in our technology roadmap and product competitiveness that significantly strengthens ACC’s business potential and underpins our ambitious growth plans. This is our contribution to an electric and sustainable future.”

“Mercedes-Benz pursues a very ambitious transformation plan and this investment marks a strategic milestone on our path to CO2 neutrality. Together with ACC, we will develop and efficiently produce battery cells and modules in Europe – tailor-made to the specific Mercedes-Benz requirements,” says Ola Källenius, CEO of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. “This new partnership allows us to secure supply, to take advantage of economies of scale, and to provide our customers with superior battery technology. On top of that, we can help to ensure that Europe remains at the heart of the auto industry – even in an electric era. With Mercedes-Benz as a new partner, ACC aims to more than double capacity at its European sites to support Europe’s industrial competitiveness in the design and manufacturing of battery cells.”

“We welcome Mercedes-Benz as a strategic partner who shares our ambition to accelerate ACC’s leadership,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Stellantis’ electrification strategy is running full-speed ahead, and today’s announcement is the next step in our plan to be the automotive frontrunner, with all 14 brands committed to offering best-in-class fully electrified solutions that meet demands of customers. This consortium leverages our shared technical expertise and manufacturing synergies, and continues to ensure that Stellantis leads the way the world moves in the most efficient, affordable and sustainable way.”

“We are delighted to welcome Mercedes-Benz as a new partner of ACC. This demonstrates the credibility of our initiative taken a year ago with Stellantis and will clearly support our ambition to create a European battery champion. Together, we are bringing all our skills to contribute to the sustainable development of mobility. This new step is another demonstration of TotalEnergies transformation into a broad energy company and of our willingness to extend our footprint in electric mobility. TotalEnergies will draw on the recognized expertise of its subsidiary Saft in batteries and on the industrial know-how of our partners to meet the strong growth of electric vehicles in Europe”, said Patrick Pouyanné, TotalEnergies’ Chairman and CEO.

Electric City: Rüsselsheim opens the first charging farm with 152 charging points

Lord Mayor Udo Bausch (left) and Ralph Wangemann, Labor Director of Opel Automobile GmbH, put the first Rüsselsheim charging farm with 152 charging points into operation 

City of Rüsselsheim am Main is making a big leap forward in expanding its charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. On Wednesday (September 8th), Mayor Udo Bausch and Opel HR Director Ralph Wangemann put the first of three public charging farms with 152 charging points into operation. The charging farm was set up on a now public parking lot in front of the Opel factory gate. In the future, citizens and factory employees should be able to use the area on Mainzer Straße to charge their electric vehicles.

“Today is an important day for Rüsselsheim. As a city, we are keeping a first part of the promise we made to the citizens of Rüsselsheim: That Rüsselsheim will become electric, ”explained Mayor Udo Bausch. For this, he thanked the federal government as the sponsor, all partners and service providers of the project, in particular the Rüsselsheim municipal utilities, who took care of the network expansion, and Opel, who made space available. "Formerly private, company-owned employee parking spaces have now become public parking spaces that are also accessible to the general public."

"Together with the project partners, the city of Rüsselsheim has created this infrastructure in our hometown and thus not only ensures that Rüsselsheim remains a" car city ", but that Rüsselsheim will be a" car city "of the future," said Opel - Managing Director and Labor Director Ralph Wangemann. "I would like to express my thanks to everyone who made this project possible."

Charge electricity with up to 22 kilowatts

Rüsselsheim charging farm is charged at normal charging points with alternating current (AC) and a charging capacity of up to 22 kilowatts. The charging time is between two and four hours, depending on the charging capacity of the charging station, the capacity of the battery and the charging technology of the electric car. Type 2 charging sockets are located at all charging points created as part of the Electric City project. This socket meets the requirements of AC charging in Europe and is installed in every modern electric vehicle.

Electricity with and without a contract

Anyone who would like to charge at one of the public Rüsselsheim Electric City charging stations has a wide range of tariff and contract options. Since the charging stations will in future be operated by the Rüsselsheim municipal utility, the municipal utility's green electricity is available for spontaneous charging without a contractual obligation (ad hoc charging). Anyone who is tied to the electricity of the municipal utility for at least three months can save money with the “ÖkoStrom Mobil” tariff compared to spontaneous charging and can also refuel at any charging station outside of Rüsselsheim that is part of the roaming network of ladenetz.de. Roaming partner can also charge any electricity from any third-party electricity provider at an Electric City charging station that is part of the Ladenetz.de cooperation network.

Two more loading farms are about to go into operation

By the end of October, the city will have opened a total of three charging farms with 540 publicly accessible charging points in parking lots in the city area. Up to 250 additional public charging points, spread across the entire city area, will follow successively in the coming weeks and months. With the Electric City project, a total of around 1,200 charging points will be created in Rüsselsheim by spring 2022: around 800 public and almost 400 private ones. Based on 67,000 inhabitants, this means a charging station density of one public charging point for every 84 citizens. “Projects like 'Electric City Rüsselsheim' are lighthouses that create an important basis for the mobility of the future. With the development of a future-proof charging infrastructure, we support our climate protection goals sustainably and clearly. And at the same time we support the Rüsselsheim-based economy in developing and establishing e-mobility, ”emphasized Mayor Bausch.

Activation via RFID card, app and QR code

So that the electricity can then be assigned to the right customer and correctly billed, the city of Rüsselsheim has up to four different ways of authenticating yourself for a charging process. City of Rüsselsheim relies on all current standards, but also on standards that are still in development.

First of all, there is the charging card, which activates the charging point for charging by simply stopping at the RFID field of the charging station. Greatest advantage of RFID cards is that they are easy to use. Municipal utilities will also use it to equip their electricity customers.

Smartphone apps of the various charging tariff and roaming providers offer a lot of additional information, such as the current occupancy of charging stations or the tariff. In Rüsselsheim, this can be done using the popular app from ladenetz.de. An existing internet connection is required for this.

Ad hoc charging, which does not require a contract, is also dependent on the Internet. For this, the customer data and a means of payment must be stored on the website of the electricity provider before loading. Website can be accessed via a QR code attached to the charging station, which is scanned with the smartphone camera.

A fourth, but still future, variant will be the “Plug & Charge”. Billing chips are integrated directly into the charging electronics of the electric vehicles, so that it will be possible to pay without cards, apps or QR codes. This form of authentication is currently still in development and, when it is ready for the market, will be installed as an update on the Electric City charging stations.

Opel / Vauxhall Vice President Design Mark Adams is a Eurostar 2021

Automotive News Europe has chosen Opel / Vauxhall Vice President Design Mark Adams as one of the Eurostars 2021. Once again, the industry magazine has selected the year’s 17 most dynamic decision-makers in the car business. Award winners met last night on the side-lines of the International Motor Show (IAA) in Munich.

Opel / Vauxhall Vice President Design Mark Adams

Mark Adams was honoured for the progressive design of the new Opel Mokka. Automotive News Europe: “With the Mokka small SUV, Mark Adams and his team began a radical design overhaul at Opel. In unveiling the Mokka, the company described it as a real head-turner that will change the perception of the brand.”

New Opel Mokka-e

This is the 24th time that leaders have been awarded Eurostars. “17 people who we honour this year have overcome unprecedented professional and personal challenges during and after the pandemic.  Flexibility and talent they have shown during such difficult times is remarkable. They are helping to lead the auto industry into a new era in a profitable way,” Automotive News Europe Associate Publisher & Editor Luca Ciferri said.

Breath-taking design: Opel Mokka first with Opel Vizor and fully digital Pure Panel

New Opel Mokka impresses with perfect proportions and precision down to the smallest detail. Short overhangs and a wide stance are typical of the bold, pure appearance of the 4.15-metre long five-seater. Most striking feature of the front view is the unmistakable Opel Vizor. As with a full-face helmet, a protective visor covers the new Opel face, seamlessly integrating the vehicle grille, Full LED headlights and the newly designed Opel Blitz emblem in one element. Model name appears for the first time at the centre of the tailgate with a specially designed font that forms the word “Mokka” in a technical, flowing, lively way.

New Opel Mokka: Opel Vizor

New Opel Mokka: Model name at the centre of the tailgate

Interior also reflects the clear philosophy. New Opel Pure Panel integrates two widescreen displays and focuses on the essentials. Pure Panel is a unique design. It is clearly structured and understandable at a glance. New Opel Mokka is available as an all-electric model variant as well as with combustion engines.

New Opel Mokka: Pure Panel

All-New Opel Astra Makes World Premiere in Rüsselsheim

• Centre stage: Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz presents All-New Opel Astra
• E-Offensive: Now as plug-in hybrid and as fully electric Opel Astra-e from 2023
• Premiere guest: Brand ambassador Jürgen Klopp thrilled by All-New Opel Astra
• From October: New Astra orderable for entry-level price of €22,465
• Made in Germany: Sixth Opel Astra generation designed, developed and produced in Rüsselsheim

All-New Opel Astra Makes World Premiere in Rüsselsheim

A NEW BLITZ IS BORN – under this motto Opel presented the all-new sixth generation of the Astra in Rüsselsheim today. In the presence of 180 journalists and in front of around 500 other media representatives via livestream, new CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz presented the newcomer on his first day at Opel. Opel boss was supported by Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. Opel brand ambassador was thrilled by the new Astra. Klopp had the opportunity to drive a pre-production model for a few kilometres during a visit to the Opel Design studios in the summer. For the first time, the bestseller with the Blitz is now electrified. All-new Opel Astra will be available as plug-in hybrid when the order books open in October. Purely battery-electric Opel Astra-e will additionally come onto the market in 2023. The new Astra generation is also available with highly efficient petrol and diesel engines. So customers can select their drivetrain of choice. Prices for the new Opel Astra start at €22,465.

Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz presents All-New Opel Astra

“A fantastic car! All-new Opel Astra will open an exciting new chapter in the history of Opel compact class models. This will be the first time that we offer both a battery-electric and a plug-in hybrid version of the same model. I am confident that the new Opel Astra and Astra-e will make a powerful impression and attract many new customers to the brand,” said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz at the world premiere in Rüsselsheim.

Opel brand ambassador Jürgen Klopp and Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz

And Opel brand ambassador Jürgen Klopp described the first impressions he got from a pre-production vehicle: “I had the chance to drive a camouflaged Astra plug-in hybrid – really very impressive. Quiet and powerful at the same time, the handling almost like a sports car. And the design: bold, innovative, creative. Well done Opel!”

30 years of Opel Astra: Bestseller and face of the brand

Opel has sold almost 15 million Astra models since the premiere of the Kadett successor in 1991. 30 years later, the compact class model is more leading edge than ever. All-new Opel Astra is a design statement for the brand. Dynamic as never before, with sheer, taut surfaces, detoxed of superfluous elements and with the new brand face – Opel Vizor. Sixth generation launches this year as a sporty five-door with a low-slung look and yet more space than its predecessor. New generation was designed and developed at Opel's headquarters in Rüsselsheim where production will begin this autumn. The newcomer brings innovations to the compact class that customers previously only knew from more expensive vehicles. For example, all-new Opel Astra debuts the latest evolution of the adaptive Intelli-Lux LED Pixel Light. Lighting system comes straight from Opel's flagship Insignia, and with 168 LED elements, it leads the way in the compact and midsize market sectors.

All-New Opel Astra: Interior with Pure Panel

A leap in time has taken place in the interior of the new generation Opel Astra. With the fully digital Pure Panel, analogue instruments are consigned to history. Instead, the new human-machine-interface (HMI) with fresh, modern graphics offers customers a pure, more intuitive experience. Operation is via an extra-wide touchscreen, just like a smartphone. Never before has an Opel been so intuitive and easy to operate as the new Opel Astra.

All-New Opel Astra: Interior with AGR seats