1977 Citroen 2cv on 2040-cars

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Stellantis says its 2021 performance has been better than expected

MILAN — Stellantis softened up investors ahead of its electrification strategy event on Thursday by flagging that 2021 got off to a better-than-expected start despite a chip shortage that has hit automakers worldwide. Stellantis, which was formed in January from the merger of Italian-American automaker Fiat Chrysler and France's PSA, faces an investor community keen to hear how it plans to come up with a range of electrified vehicles (EVs) to rival Tesla. At its "EV Day 2021" kicking off at 1230 GMT, Stellantis will disclose significant investments in electrification technology and connected software as it aims to be an industry frontrunner, it said in a statement. In April, Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said it would offer low-emission versions — either battery or hybrid electric — of almost all of its European models by 2025, and they should make up 70% of European sales and 35% of U.S. sales by 2030. Stellantis, the world's fourth-biggest automaker, has 14 brands in its stable, including Jeep, Ram, Opel, Fiat, Peugeot and Maserati.   Stellantis EV Day coverage: Dodge will launch the 'world's first electric muscle car' in 2024 Fully electric Ram 1500 will begin production in 2024 Jeep will have 4xe plug-in hybrid models across the lineup by 2025 Stellantis teases mystery electric Chrysler concept Stellantis previews 4 electric platforms: Here's how they'll be used Fiat says all Abarth models to be electric from 2024 Opel Manta E will be the electric revival of the classic German coupe Stellantis says its 2021 performance has been better than expected   At a similar EV strategy event last week, French rival Renault announced that 90% of its main brand models would be all-electric by 2030, whereas previously it had included hybrids in its target. Germany's Volkswagen, the world's second-biggest automaker after Toyota, expects all-electric vehicles to make up 55% of its total sales in Europe by 2030, and more than 70% of sales at its Volkswagen brand. Stellantis said its margins on adjusted operating profits in the first half of 2021 were expected to exceed an annual target of between 5.5% and 7.5%, despite production losses due to a global shortage of semiconductor supplies. Stellantis shares listed in Milan were down 2.6% at 0920 GMT, underperforming the broader European car index. Bestinver analyst Marco Opipari said Thursday's news was positive but that the stock was suffering from profit taking as it had moved up about 20% since the end of April.

Citroen's quirky My Ami Buggy is going back into limited production

Surprisingly high demand has convinced Citroen to build additional units of the My Ami Buggy, an outdoorsy evolution of the tiny Ami electric two-seater. Production will again be limited, though there will be significantly more examples available, and the EV will get a few updates. Unveiled as a concept in December 2021, the original My Ami Buggy received an off-roader-like design characterized by features like black plastic exterior trim, a canvas sunroof, a roof-mounted spoiler, and tubular doors. Production was limited to 50 units and the entire batch was spoken for in about 18 minutes. Buyers who missed out are in luck: Citroen announced plans to build 1,000 examples of the second series. The Paris-based company claims the new version of the My Ami Buggy will be very similar to the original model with the exception of "a few surprises" that haven't been detailed. Preview photos suggest the EV will receive a roof-mounted trim piece with an integrated visor. It doesn't sound like Citroen will make changes to the Ami's powertrain. Classified as a quadricycle rather than as a car in France, the Ami is powered by an electric motor that draws electricity from a 5.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and zaps the front wheels with 8 horsepower. It offers about 45 miles of driving range and a 0-60-mph time of never; its top speed is limited to approximately 28 mph. The updated My Ami Buggy will go on sale during the first quarter of 2023 and deliveries are scheduled to start the following summer. While the original model was sold exclusively in France, the new version will be available in additional European markets. Pricing information hasn't been announced yet but it's of little interest to us: nothing suggests the My Ami Buggy will make the trip across the Atlantic. What's in a name? Although there's nothing retro about the Ami, its name carries a tremendous amount of heritage. Citroen introduced it in 1961 on a model called Ami 6 and developed to fill the abyss separating the 2CV and the ID/DS. "Ami" means "friend" in French but it's reportedly an acronym that stands for "automobile de milieu de gamme" ("mid-range automobile"), while the 6 represents the flat-twin engine's 602cc displacement. Offered as a sedan with a funky, Z-shaped roof line and as a station wagon, the Ami 6 exceeded even optimistic expectations and became France's best-selling car in 1966. It was briefly offered in the United States but predictably sold poorly.

This is Citro"en's amazing diorama tribute to celebrate its WRC winnings

Citroen has taken a unique stab at commemorating Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena's nine World Rally Championship wins. Rather than work up yet another tired video of the champions expounding on the virtues, trials and and tribulations that come with being the very best for nearly a decade straight, the company whipped up a diorama atop Citroen DS3. The scale model covers nine separate rally terrains, including bits from Rally Finland and the Acropolis Rally. Each one of the nine sections features a 1:43 scale version of the duo's rally car from each year of victorious competition.
The model took Kieron Barter of Funky Lemon Design and his team some two months to complete. Initially displayed at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the diorama is set to start a tour of various dealers beginning today. Check out the full press release below for more information.