Initially a ‘secret project’ between Geely Holding Group and Volvo Cars, Lynk & Co was revealed to the world at an event in Germany exactly 5 years ago. Not only was it a new premium brand but it also adopted a new business model appropriate to the internet era of shared experience and connectivity. Interacting directly with its users, the brand’s products are sold directly online and delivered straight to their doors. New and varied solutions for vehicle and mobility accessibility are offered – from traditional ownership and leasing, to mobility-based membership and sharing.
Nearly 600,000 vehicle users
Users are provided with an ever-expanding range of connected technologies in the vehicles, all aimed at making life easier. In just 5 years, Lynk & Co has accumulated nearly 600,000 vehicle users, with app registrations reaching an even higher number of 1.57 million. Average active monthly users on the app exceed half a million whilst average daily users have reached 120,000.
01 – the first Lynk & Co model.
From the very beginning, all advanced modular architectures from Geely Holding and its subsidiaries have been developed from scratch to support electrification. As the first brand to utilize Geely Holding’s new generation of advanced modular architectures, electrified powertrain options are made available across Lynk & Co’s line-up.
Geely Group’s advanced architectures
The advanced architectures available have been the CMA (Compact Modular Architecture), BMA (B-Segment Modular Architecture) and SPA (Scalable Product Architecture). The 09 is SPA-based and as with the other models, it was designed in Gothenburg, Sweden and carries Lynk & Co’s ‘Megacity Contrast’ design concept. This concept is inspired by the lifestyle of youthful urbanites from megacities such as London, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo, and offers users a bold and tech-laden mobility experience.
Brand’s first large SUV model
The 09 is the first large SUV from Lynk & Co and offers 6 or 7-seat accommodation. It is one of the first models to be available as a hybrid only – either with a mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid, both powertrains using a 2-litre turbocharged engine, 8-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Full details are not available yet but the 09 can be considered technically related to the latest Volvo XC90 which also uses SPA.
Since rolling out its first vehicles in 2017, Lynk & Co has delivered nearly 600,000 units. While it uses direct selling in China (through 319 sales and experience centres), its approach in Europe has been to establish ‘Lynk & Co Clubs’ where members and users meet, hang out, and share experiences. The Clubs, which represent a new first in industry ‘Mobility Membership’ business model, are presently in Belgium, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, with plans to expand into Spain, France and other countries in the near future.
The brand will appear in the Gulf region in the fourth quarter of 2021 and will begin Asian market expansion thereafter.
A Lynk & Co Club in Europe.
“Our end users aren’t just satisfied with a good product experience; they also demand a sense of participation and recognition. The boundary between a brand and its users is being eroded each day and we at Lynk & Co must continue to have direct communications with end users – this communication must be two-way, allowing users to have a say on our R&D, design, production, sales and service. Ultimately, understanding the user’s needs, wants and desires is key to our success both in China, and in Europe,” said Geely Auto Group CEO, An Cong Hui.
As announced in July this year, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) is making a big investment to introduce hybrid electric technology in Malaysia in a bigger way. The last time the company actively sold hybrid models was about 10 years ago when the government allowed hybrids and electric vehicles to be sold duty-free to everyone. After that exemption ended, prices were no longer as cheap and sales of hybrids dwindled. UMWT didn’t give up though, and besides making available hybrid variants of Lexus models, it also sold the Camry Hybrid for some years.
Now comes not just another push but a bigger one which the company says is officially launched today. It’s a RM270 million investment which will bring hybrid electric technology to more Malaysians and contribute to the more than 18 million hybrid vehicles already sold by Toyota worldwide since the first model – the Prius – was launched in 1997.
Toyota Prius – first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle in the world.
Long experience in hybrid technology
Toyota can promise Malaysians advanced hybrid technology because it has long experience developing them. Starting with fundamental technology, Toyota’s engineers have constantly made advancements and innovations that put the brand at the forefront of hybrid technology. To show that the technology is not just about fuel efficiency, Toyota has also demonstrated how hybrid powertrains can also offer high performance with 4 consecutive wins at the Le Mans 24-Hour endurance races.
Toyota’s hybrid racing cars have won the 24-Hour Le Mans endurance race 4 times in a row, demonstrating that hybrid powertrains can also offer high performance.
UMWT’s push towards greater electrification follows the trend globally and support’s Toyota’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality in all its activities. This means achieving net-zero CO2 emissions throughout the cycle of manufacturing, transporting, energy generating, fueling and/or charging, and the recycling and disposal of vehicles.
Toyota aims to achieve carbon neutrality not only in its products but also in all its activities, including those at factories. This is the ASSB, UMW toyota Motor’s assembly plant in Bukit Raja, Selangor, where the hybrid models will be assembled in the near future.
Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor, Akio Takeyama, said that for the automotive industry, carbon neutrality involves a very challenging process to ensure that zero emissions can be achieved. It requires offering consumers sustainable solutions which meet their diverse needs.
Toyota already has various types of electrically-powered vehicles, some with hybrid powertrains (a small petrol engine working with an electric motor, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that only use electric motors and even powertrains that get energy from hydrogen fuel cells. All these are already available in the market but availability depends on the energy policies and readiness of different countries. So in countries which may still lack certain elements for fully electric models, the hybrid approach may be the best and more practical in the short term.
“For the immediate future, we are absolutely positive that the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is the most accessible and realistic choice for Malaysian customers in terms of practicality and infrastructure, with an enormous potential in Malaysia. It is a realistic bridge towards vehicle electrification while efforts are still being undertaken to help realize enablers for BEVs, such as cost-reduction, energy mix improvement and infrastructure development,” said Mr. Takeyama.
HEVs comparable to fully electric vehicle in emissions
While BEVs may not generate CO2 emissions at all, HEVs have almost similar values in the process of vehicle production, energy generation and ownership over a period of 10 years. This means that, given the current situation in Malaysia, HEVs can be equally effective as BEVs.
“Toyota HEVs are at their most advanced today, and present the most realistic, immediate, economical and practical solution for mass market production and sale in terms of reduced CO2 emissions, practical usage, and price acceptance by customers,” Mr. Takeyama said.
He added that no new infrastructure needs to be built – referring to charging stations – as HEVs do not need to be recharged. The battery pack is constantly recharged while driving. This will help to eliminate the ‘range anxiety’ that is a concern to consumers who worry that they may be stranded if they run out of electricity in the battery pack. Furthermore, the HEV can be driven like a car with a combustion engine, and go long distances without any problem.
The Toyota Hybrid Electric System has a petrol engine and electric motors working together and in certain conditions, it is possible to run using just the electric motor alone. The battery is constantly recharged – even during braking – so owners do not have to worry about finding a recharging station. And even if the battery does not have sufficient energy remaining, it is still possible to continue using the petrol engine.
Constant improvement of hybrid system
Since 1997, the Toyota’s Hybrid Electric System has been constantly improved with new technology, becoming more efficient and the cost has also been going down as volumes have rapidly risen. It is now in its fourth generation and of the various versions for different models, UMWT has mentioned ‘dual power’ with a petrol engine and two electric motors. It is possible, under certain conditions, to run entirely on electric power for a short distance, with quiet movement and zero emissions.
A concern which was apparent among buyers of the hybrids sold before was the reliability of the battery pack which is manufactured by a subsidiary of Toyota. Admittedly, the early battery packs did have issues but battery technology has advanced very quickly and manufacturers addressed the issues quickly. To give peace of mind, companies offered extended warranty coverage specifically for hybrid battery packs, with UMWT giving up to 8 years coverage.
The Toyota Hybrid Electric System has evolved greatly from the one in the first Prius which occupied a lot of space (above), to the latest one (below) which is more compact and also offers better efficiency and performance. The battery packs have also become less bulky and can store larger amounts of energy to provide better range.
More reliable and durable battery packs
Today’s battery packs (lithium-ion type shown above) are much more reliable and durable – and have even better energy storage – as they are designed to last as long as the vehicle. They offer safety, long life service, a high level of quality, and a high level of performance. Toyota’s own subsidiary – Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, a joint venture with Panasonic – has extensive experience in battery development and manufacture. It has achieved battery durability and performance through understanding how the vehicle is used and the state of the battery under such conditions.
“We have the right technology, the right products in support of the existing infrastructure and energy policies. We are in an ideal position to contribute to Malaysia’s ambition of becoming a hub for advanced technologies and to reduce its carbon footprint. This will be an important cornerstone towards ensuring future policies and the people are well positioned and prepared to accept vehicle electrification,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.
What models for Malaysia?
The question now on everyone’s mind is what models will be assembled locally. Over the years, Toyota’s range of HEVs has expanded considerably and in 2021, there are at least 45 different models available. Obviously, UMWT won’t be able to offer all of them and the logical thing would be to choose models in common with other ASEAN markets. In both Thailand and Indonesia, there are HEV versions of the Corolla Cross, Corolla Altis, C-HR and Camry. Since the models are to be assembled locally, the Corolla Altis Hybrid would be a very strong possibility and as the Corolla Cross Hybrid is a variant on the same TNGA platform, it too can be easily added to the assembly line at the plant in Bukit Raja, Selangor.
Toyota currently has 45 hybrid models in its global range. These two, which are already sold in neighbouring countries, would be strong candidates for assembly in Malaysia.
It’s often been said that Toyota is like an oil tanker; it may take a while to change course but once it has, it has massive ‘force’ behind it to push ahead strongly. In the case of hybrid models, UMWT may not be the first in the market to assemble such vehicles but now that the decision has been made to do so, it can be expected to become a major brand in the growing HEV segment.
As part of its Beyond100 strategy, Bentley will pursue sustainability in every area of its business as well as the products it makes and sells. The journey has already begun and a limited edition of the Flying Spur Hybrid provides a preview of what will come.
The Flying Spur Hybrid Odyssean Edition uses an advanced hybrid powertrain which can prove that hybridization will not compromise luxury or performance. The new powertrain combines a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine with an advanced electric motor, generating a total of 544 ps/750 Nm (significantly more power than the Bentayga Hybrid). While able to cover the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in a claimed 4.3 seconds, the limousine is also said to have a range of over 700 kms when fully fuelled.
Sustainable materials throughout the cabin
New, even more sustainable materials are used throughout the cabin, directly reflecting design details showcased in Bentley’s centenary concept car. The cabin features panels of beautifully crafted tweed made from 100% British wool, twisting a blend of tonal colours into a bespoke yarn to create a unique natural luxury textile especially for Bentley.
The open-pore Koa veneer fascias and waistrails use 90% less lacquer than high-gloss veneers, and allow the natural surface texture and aesthetic of the wood to be enjoyed. Selected from only the very best, most figured stock available, open-pore veneer is painted with just three ultra-thin layers of lacquer, together totalling only 0.1 mm in thickness.
The centre console is finished in a sleek, minimalist Piano Linen veneer, while a dedicated tri-colour leather scheme lends the whole interior new depth. Together with new materials, sustainable leather is used widely across the cabin, thanks to its long-term durability. Indeed, Bentley’s own 1955 S1 Flying Spur was referenced during the design process, as the car still retains its original leather interior which, in spite of now being 66 years old, is still in immaculate condition.
Accents to the interior are in a soft, warm hide called Autumn, with customers able to choose from 5 specifications that utilize Beluga, Porpoise, Cricketball, Brunel or Burnt Oak leather in tandem with light, modern Linen hide. A unique Odyssean Edition treadplate becomes apparent when entering or exiting the car, and is matched with exterior D-pillar badging.
In common with the finishes seen in the EXP 100 GT interior, an exclusive new embroidery style sees thread colours blend calmly into one another across the width of each seat, defining and accentuating the ‘lofted diamond’ pattern unique to the Flying Spur – together creating a stunning effect employed here by Bentley for the first time.
On the exterior, painted Pale Brodgar accents on the 21-inch 10 twin-spoke wheels and lower brightware (front and rear bumpers, headlight and tail light surrounds and lower body side chrome) give a unique visual character. A curated exterior palette of six colours have been recommended to harmonise with the Pale Brodgar accents, but the full Bentley palette can be chosen from.
Real-world usage of Bentley Hybrids
As part of Bentley’s journey towards electrification and the Beyond100 strategy (delivering a product range composed entirely of plug-in hybrids or battery electric vehicles by 2026), a research activity has been undertaken to gain insights into customer usage of the Bentley Hybrid from owners.
Over 90% of owners use their first generation Bentayga Hybrid on a daily basis or several times a week and nearly 100% make use EV mode, which means running only on electrical power with zero emissions. Half of them consistently have journeys of less than 48 kms. In real-world terms, this means that the majority of the journeys, whether office commuting or school runs, can be achieved predominantly whilst producing zero emissions.
Right from the start, the battery pack has been a crucial element for the development of electric vehicles (EVs). The earliest EVs in the 1930s used very heavy batteries which made them unappealing, apart from the fact that performance was poor. Not much development of batteries took place in the decades that followed as the internal combustion engine dominated the auto industry and the battery’s role was minimal – mainly to start the engine.
It was only by the end of the 20th century that development of batteries started picking up, as interest in EVs started growing. Although the lead-acid type (the small one in the engine bay of cars) was used, it was totally unacceptable as its storage capacity was small and it was heavy. But R&D into this area accelerated and it was possible to use other chemical processes that could achieve a higher density and capacity for battery packs. Currently, it is the lithium-ion battery pack that is widely used in many EVs and hybrids.
Second generation of the Prius Aqua/Prius c
Now, Toyota has come out with another type of battery with a high output bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery. This is installed in the all-new Aqua (also known as Prius c) that is launched in Japan today and it is the first vehicle in the world to use this type of battery. Compared to the nickel-hydrogen battery that was used by the previous generation of the Aqua, the new more compact battery can provide approximately twice the output while enhancing performance and range.
Since the launch of the first-generation Prius in the late 1990s, Toyota has accumulated expertise both in the technological development and the quality management of batteries and hybrid systems. One subsidiary, Toyota Industries Corporation, has developed proficiency in analysis technologies for the development and performance assessment of materials through many years of developing batteries for electrified forklift trucks. By combining their respective fields of knowledge, the companies have worked to develop better batteries and their efforts have led to the development of bipolar nickel-hydrogen batteries.
First generation of the Prius c was sold in Malaysia for a few years when the government allowed full tax exemption on hybrid vehicles.
What is a bipolar battery?
In bipolar nickel-hydrogen batteries, a cathode is applied to one side of the current collector, and an anode to the other; several of these structures, which are known as ‘bipolar electrodes’, are stacked together to form the battery architecture. Compared to non-bipolar nickel-hydrogen batteries, bipolar versions consist of fewer current collectors and other parts, enabling them to be made more compact. It is possible to stack a larger number of cells in bipolar nickel-hydrogen batteries than in non-bipolar nickel-hydrogen batteries of the same size.
In addition, since bipolar batteries have a greater active surface area and a simpler construction, there is lower resistance within the battery itself. This enables the flow of larger currents, leading to increased output. As an example, the bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery equipped to the all-new Aqua has an output approximately 2 times higher than the non-bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery used in the previous Aqua.
Toyota’s own battery factories
Toyota has its own battery manufacturing subsidiaries but it’s not known which company is producing these new batteries. Back in 1996, Toyota formed a joint-venture with Panasonic to develop and manufacture batteries for electrified vehicles. It was first known as the Panasonic EV Energy Company but changed its name to Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) in 2010 when Toyota became the majority shareholder.
Primearth EV Energy, Toyota’s first joint venture with Panasonic to develop and produce batteries for its hybrid vehicles.
PEVE focussed on making prismatic nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) as it worked on improving the quality of lithium-ion batteries. It began mass production of these higher performance batteries in early 2011.
Toyota also has a second joint-venture with Panasonic which was established just last year. Known as Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES), it will handle development, manufacture, and sales of high-capacity and high-output prismatic lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries and next-generation batteries for automotive application.
Prime Planet Energy & Solutions is the second joint venture that Toyota has with Panasonic to make batteries for electric powertrains in motor vehicles. The company has two factories with the one in Japan (below) to have a capacity of 80,000 batteries annually and a second one in China which is expected to supply batteries for up to 400,000 hybrid electric vehicles per year.
PPES has an ambitious target to reduce battery costs by up to 50% this year. This will be achieved by expanding production capacity at two factories – one in Japan which will supply up to 80,000 battery electric vehicles annually, and a second one in China which is expected to supply batteries for up to 400,000 hybrid electric vehicles per year.
