Strong Field in ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2022

• World's first electric one-make rally cup made even more attractive
• Teams from seven nations are at the start at seven events
• Romanian Cristiana Oprea takes on the otherwise male field of participants

Opel Corsa-e Rally

Preparations for the second season of the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup are entering the home straight before the battle for points resumes at the ADAC Actronics Rally in Sulingen from May 6. The world’s first electric one-make rally cup is even better positioned for the 2022 season than it was in its successful debut year. Opel Corsa-e Rally was optimised with detail improvements over the winter. A newly developed multi-disc limited slip differential increases the traction of the 100 kW/136 hp electric rally car and upgraded software improves the thermal management of the 50-kilowatt-hour battery. In addition, a modified sound system enhances the acoustic appeal of the electric rally car.

Attractive schedule with seven rounds in the German Rally Championship (DRM) as well as guest outings in Austria, France and the Netherlands is enhanced by the very international field of participants. German rally aces face competitors from six other nations. With Germans Lukas Thiele, Christian Lemke, Joe Baur, Max Reiter and Alexander Kattenbach as well as the Dutch veteran Timo van der Marel, six ”old hands” go into their second e-Cup year. Timo Schulz (22) makes his debut in the Corsa-e Rally with the support of ADAC Saarland.

They all face ambitious newcomers such as Swede Calle Carlberg and Finn Kalle Markanen, both of whom are competing for the experienced Schmack Motorsport team. With 22-year-old Luca Pröglhöf from Sittendorf, a promising young Austrian talent will compete with the Opel Austria Corsa-e Rally entered by Stohl Racing. Dutchman Jari van Hoof got such a taste for the sport at last year's Sachsen Rally that he will contest a full Cup season in 2022 in the racing team of his mentor Timo van der Marel. And last year's champion team Saintéloc Racing from France goes to the start with 30-year-old Romanian Cristiana Oprea, the only female driver in the illustrious field.

 Cristiana Oprea with Opel Corsa-e Rally

Two Opel Corsa-e Rally from England in Cup plus VIP vehicle from TotalEnergies

Two highly interesting new entries come from the United Kingdom. British Opel sister brand Vauxhall is entering a Corsa-e Rally, which will be piloted by rotating guest drivers. Excitement is being stirred up by the second British vehicle, which is even sponsored by the British government. The project is driven by Simon Moss, who teaches motorsport management at Myerscough College in Bilsborrow, Lancashire and uses the innovative concept of the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup as a showcase for his studies.

In addition, TotalEnergies' VIP car will be used at selected events as a rally taxi and course car or with guest drivers in competition. Global technology partner of the Stellantis Group is increasing its involvement in the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup this season.

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.