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LeTV's SEE Project will introduce new EV in Shanghai

It's very unlikely that many people here in the states will have heard of Beijing-based LeTV. Aston Martin, on the other hand? That's pretty stylish company. LeTV is working on an electric-vehicle project called SEE (Super Electric Eco-system). The concept version is slated to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show next April. LeTV says that that same month, the car will "roll of the production line," as well. That sounds awfully optimistic, to us, but we'll just leave that alone for now. The racing-car-shaped vehicle, which will have "high- and low-powered" versions, is about 11'5" long and 5'4" wide. That's about a foot shorter and a few inches narrower than a Mini Cooper. The twist, such as it is, comes from the fact that LeTV says it will develop the model with the help of both Aston Marin and BAIC Motor Corp., which adds a shade of legitimacy to the project. Aston Martin is in the process of launching its battery-electric Rapide sedan, which will have 800 horsepower and a 200-mile single-charge range, so that would ostensibly be a competitor to Tesla. The Rapide EV could run as much as $250,000. As for BAIC, is has been looking to expand its role in the plug-in vehicle sector since 2009, when it debuted a division called Beijing New Energy Automotive Co. Just last month, BAIC opened an electric-vehicle research and development center in California's Silicon Valley, the company's first outside China. You can take a look at LeTV's press release below. LeTV Partners With Aston Martin to Deliver Next Generation Electric Vehicles BEIJING and BANGALORE, October 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The most significant (monetarily) deal that came out of Angela Merkel's visit to India was that of a Euro 1 billion solar power fund solidifying India's stance to develop 100GW solar capacity by 2022. These are positive moves in a time when the focus on the effects of climate change are intensifying and how economies across the globe decide to combat the effects of it. One particular way in which India could benefit hugely from alternative fuels is from the perspective of vehicles. The nation recently joined the Electric Vehicles Initiative, a forum for global cooperation on the development and deployment of Electric Vehicles (EVs). With an interest in the Indian market, LeTV, a multinational company based in Beijing, announced its electric car plan on December 9th, 2014, when its founder, Mr.

Tom Brady, Aston Martin team up for special-edition Vanquish S

If we were to ask you what person comes to mind when we say the words "Aston Martin," who would it be? James Bond? No, are you crazy? New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the person synonymous with Aston! Ok, no, not really, but the man has been involved with the company for a little while, having partnered for some sort of content series and a custom Vanquish S. Now that custom car, called the Tom Brady Signature Edition and built by Aston Martin's specialty vehicle division Q, has been revealed, and it's a seriously exclusive car with just 12 units being produced. For those who don't follow football, the production run of 12 cars isn't random. Brady's number on the field is 12, thus the number of cars produced. It also makes an appearance in a "TB12" logo found in badges on the exterior, and embossed on the seats. And of course, Brady's signature is found on the car, too, in the form of door sill plates. The badges aren't the only special touches added by Aston Martin's Q branch. The car features an array of carbon fiber body parts such as the grille, front splitter and rear diffuser. The whole car is painted a dark blue called Ultramarine Black, and it's complemented by a black leather interior. The interior also has a bit of blue lighting. It should be noted though that most of these cosmetic changes are also available on the regular Vanquish S models. These cosmetic additions and the exclusivity will cost you quite a bit of cash. According to ESPN, the car runs $359,950. Considering that a standard Vanquish S Volante starts at $311,650 before destination, and it can be customized however you'd like, even to look like a Tom Brady edition car, we would go that route. You could save even more money going with a coupe, which starts at $293,650 before destination. We also wonder if Brady will buy one of his special-edition cars, since ESPN reports he doesn't get one as part of his Aston Martin partnership. Related Video: Featured Gallery Aston Martin Vanquish S Tom Brady Signature Edition by Q News Source: Aston Martin, ESPN.comImage Credit: Aston Martin Celebrities Aston Martin Convertible Luxury Performance aston martin vanquish q by aston martin tom brady

Aston Martin CFO departs as stock hits a record low, losses deepen

LONDON — Aston Martin shares slumped to a record low on Thursday after the British luxury carmaker said its losses ballooned last year and its chief financial officer would leave by the end of April. The firm, famed for being fictional agent James Bond's car of choice, posted a pretax loss of 104 million pounds ($135 million) last year compared with 68 million pounds in 2018 following a 9% decline in sales to dealers. Aston Martin is in the midst of restructuring after announcing last month that a consortium led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll would buy up to 20% of the company and existing shareholders would inject more cash. Its shares, which were listed in October 2018, have been on a steady downward trajectory ever since and hit a record low of 328 pence following the announcements on Thursday, more than 80% lower than their flotation price. "The big difference between last year and this year is the strength of the balance sheet," Chief Executive Andy Palmer told Reuters. "We're in a very different place and have therefore an ability to properly ... destock and that means get the balance right between supply and demand." Chief Finance Officer Mark Wilson will step down from his role no later than April 30 but had not been fired, said Palmer. Coronavirus impact China, Aston's fastest growing market, was a rare bright spot last year with sales rising 28% but the company, like the rest of the industry, has seen demand drop due to the coronavirus outbreak. The virus has infected more than 80,000 people and killed about 2,800, the majority in China, confining millions to their homes, disrupting businesses and delaying the reopening of factories after the extended Lunar New Year holiday break. Aston has seen disruption to the arrival of certain parts but said it had not had to stop production at its factories, with components secured until at least the end of March because it has no direct suppliers in China. "Since almost the first weeks of the New Year we've had issues with those Tier 2 and Tier 3 (suppliers) which have meant that our supply chain guys have had to be on it constantly," said Palmer. "We're ironically benefitting from the fact that we built up a Brexit stock," he said, in a reference to extra components the firm held in case Britain's departure from the European Union led to additional delays in the movement of goods.