A BOLT OF LIGHTNING FROM MASERATI
The 2023 Shanghai Auto Show opened its doors to the new Maserati GranTurismo Folgore, the first Italian luxury brand to produce a 100% electric vehicle.
Developed with Formula E-derived technology, the Folgore’s powertrain sports an advanced 800-volt battery that powers three potent 300 kW permanent magnet motors – one in the front, two in the rear – to deliver up to 560 kW and a mind-blowing 1,350 Nm of torque across all four wheels.
Maserati claims a range of up to 450 km on one full battery charge and a charge of up to 100 km in just five minutes using a 350 kW rapid charger.
“Folgore” is the Italian word for lightning, representing electric power in its purest form. An appropriate name considering that the GranTurismo Folgore flashes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds with a top speed of 325 km/h.
An intriguing “T-bone” layout positions battery mass closer to the roll axes for perfect weight distribution and low centre of gravity. This allows the Folgore to squat at just 1,353 mm above the asphalt. The result? Higher speed, blazing acceleration, and sensational agility: a true Maserati sports car, on its own terms.
GranTurismo Folgore clients also receive their own wall box for installation at home or another preferred charging location. The wall box guarantees charging capacity from 3 kW up to 22 kW and features charging load balancing technology.
TOYOTA’S VISION FOR CARBON NEUTRALITY
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has received a special visit from Toyota Motor Corporation’s (TMC) Executive Vice President, Hiroki Nakajima, who announced a new Global and Regional Policy.
The new management structure is centred around the virtues of ‘inheritance’ and ‘evolution’, along with three key pillars of the Toyota Mobility Concept – carbon neutrality, diversification, and intelligence.
Aiming to achieve carbon neutrality globally by 2050 (33% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030 and 50% by 2035), a key milestone is Toyota’s aim to accelerate Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) expansion worldwide. While Toyota delivered less than 50,000 BEVs in 2022, Toyota now aims for ten new BEV models by 2026, which would amount to 1.5 million BEV sales per year.
By increasing the battery size and efficiency of its Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Toyota aims to extend the electric-only driving range beyond 200 km. As such, Toyota aims to reposition PHEVs as the “practical BEV”.
Considering the unique electricity situation of each country in Africa, Toyota believes hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are the most practical solution for carbon neutrality in Africa. To this extent, TSAM will promote HEVs by introducing new models and expanding the dealer network.
Toyota will also pursue mass production of commercial hydrogen-powered vehicles and has added the exploration of carbon-neutral fuels as part of its multi-pathway approach.
TESLA MODEL Y THE WORLD’S BEST-SELLING CAR
In Q1 2023, the Tesla Model Y became the first electric car to lead global sales in any fiscal quarter, according to data compiled by JATO for Motor1.com. Apart from becoming the best-selling model globally, the Model Y was also the best-selling passenger car (pickup trucks excluded) in the U.S., the best-selling SUV in China, and the best-selling vehicle of any kind in Europe.
In April 2021, during the annual Tesla shareholders meeting, Elon Musk predicted that the Model Y would become the best-selling new passenger vehicle in the world in 2023. Although Tesla had been growing steadily at an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50% over the previous decade, it was a highly optimistic target at the time, especially given the high average selling price of the Model Y (>$50,000).
In Q1 2023, the Tesla Model Y led global passenger car sales with 267,200 units, followed by four Toyota models – Corolla (256,400), Hilux (214,700), RAV4 (211,000), and Camry (166,200). This indicates a significant shift from 2022 when, for the full year, the Model Y (747,500) was only the third best-selling car globally, well behind the Toyota RAV4 (1,015,500 units) in 1st place, and the Toyota Corolla (991,500) in 2nd place.
If, like us, you are a Toyota admirer, it is worth noting that Toyota expects to sell 10.6 million vehicles in 2023, while Tesla’s current production capacity is limited to approximately two million vehicles. So, while Toyota may lose a tiara this year, its crown remains secure!
THE RISE AND RISE OF HYBRID & EV IN SOUTH AFRICA
Analysis from Lightstone Auto shows that new hybrid and electric passenger vehicle sales of 4,668 were up by 421% in 2022 in South Africa, compared to growth of 177% in the previous year.
According to Naamsa, the sales of Hybrids and EVs reached 1.3% of new passenger car sales in 2022 – a small percentage, but significant when considering the exponential adoption of Hybrids and EVs.
Sales for Hybrids (HEVs) made up 87% (4,050) of all Hybrid & EV units sold in 2022, increasing by a whopping 546% from 2021, while 2021 was 305% ahead of 2020. Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs), with sales of 122 units, contributed just 3% to the overall sales for the Hybrid & EV segment, but it still realised growth of 139% year-on-year.
Full Electric Vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 11% of all Hybrid & EV sales in 2022. 496 BEVs were sold for an increase of 128% over 2021, when 218 BEVs found new owners.
Andrew Hibbert, Data Analyst & Team Lead at Lightstone Auto, predicts growth of just 30% for sales volumes for the Hybrid & EV segment in 2023. Still, we are willing to bet money that the sector will again outperform expectations with at least 100% growth in 2023. Exponential growth is real, so place your bets!
