TTAC News Round-up: Clock Ticks at Volkswagen, CEO Switch and Volvo Sees a Chance

The Environmental Protection Agency is pointing at its watch and glaring at Volkswagen.

That, an opening for the Swedes, an electric propulsion prediction, a high-end guy gets a new job, and Tesla gets targeted in Hoosierville … after the break!

Beware the (end) of March

According to Automotive News, the United States is getting impatient for Volkswagen AG to hatch a plan to fix close to 600,000 vehicles involved in the ongoing diesel emissions scandal.

A federal judge is giving the automaker until March 24 to show authorities how it will make the affected vehicles comply with strict EPA emissions laws.

With the clock ticking and engineers scrambling, VW’s oil burners have their builders over a barrel.

Fully-charged kind of life

The price of electric vehicles will match their gasoline-powered brethren in less than a decade, posits Bloomberg Business.

A study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance puts the price of both types of vehicle on par with each other by the mid-2020s.

Cheaper battery packs with longer, anxiety-lessening ranges are forecasted to create an explosion of EV sales in the coming decade, compared to the very modest sales they see today.

Audi bullish on new Quattro CEO

The Audi division that pumps out the automaker’s high-performing R and RS models is getting a high-octane boss.

Stephan Winkelmann, who served as president and CEO of Lamborghini for 11 years, is moving to head up the Quattro subsidiary of Lambo’s parent company. Filling the void left by Winkelmann’s departure will be former Ferrari Formula One team boss Stefano Domenicali.

Lamborghini’s profile — and sales — rose sharply under Winkelmann’s guidance, and they’re little doubt that Audi hopes he’ll do the same for their top-end product line.

The future belongs to Volvo

The Swedish automaker sees itself at the brink of renewed relevance and prosperity, according to an Automotive News interview with Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson.

Growing demand for efficient gasoline and plug-in hybrid models in Europe and North America is changing the landscape on both sides of the Atlantic, he argued, and will position Volvo to gain market share and a better financial footing.

Recent models like the award-winning XC90 and imminent S90 line are the best evidence that Volvo wants to regain its status as a major player in the luxury import market.

Tesla’s fate put on hold in Indiana

Tesla fans in the Hoosier State raised a ruckus over plans to ban the sale of the company’s EVs, which could be the reason behind a delay in the state’s “Kill Tesla” bill, reports Hybrid Cars.

The protests raised national attention over the state’s attempt to block the sale of Tesla vehicles due to the company’s absence of physical dealerships.

With the proposed legislation now sent off to a committee for further study, Tesla has scored a year-long reprieve from the bureaucratic chopping block.