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THOMAS Schäfer (above) has only been in his job 100 days, but has given some clarity to the future of not only the Volkswagen brand, but also the other brands that fall under his remit: Skoda, Cupra and SEAT, although the latter is going to take a little more work. Schäfer was a shock appointment as Chairman of the VW brand in a boardroom reshuffle earlier this year. He hadn’t even been running Skoda for two years before getting the call, following a longer stint in charge of the Group’s operations in South Africa. But after spending some time with him this week, a couple of things are evident. Most importantly, he’s an inspiring leader with a clear vision that has been signed up to and communicated well. And that…

@stevefowler • New boss Schäfer reflects on his first 100 days in charge of VW • ID.3 facelift brought forward, with smaller ID models due to follow NEW Volkswagen boss Thomas Schäfer has outlined his vision for the firm after his first 100 days in the job, with a focus on becoming “a love brand again”. The VW exec also revealed at an event in Berlin that the company will launch 10 new models by 2026, including an SUV version of its ID.3 all-electric hatch, as previewed by our exclusive image. “We’re working hard to develop an additional compact SUV based on the ID.3, so that we can also launch a VW product in this fast-growing vehicle segment,” he said. The new ID.3 SUV will share its interior and running…

• Fiesta production to end by June next year • Cologne plant will become manufacturing hub for EVs “We will introduce three new electric passenger vehicles and four new electric commercial vehicles in Europe by 2024. EV production in Cologne will reach 1.2 million in six years”MARTIN SANDER President Ford of Europe FORD is saying farewell to the Fiesta after the brand confirmed it will axe the iconic supermini from its line-up, with production scheduled to end in June 2023. Ford of Europe President Martin Sander said: “We are accelerating our efforts to go all-in on electrification, with our passenger vehicles being fully electric by 2030 – and all vehicles across our portfolio by 2035. As we get ready to transition to an electric future, we will discontinue production of…

Mk I Dates sold: 1976-1983 THIS is where the Fiesta started, back in 1976. The simple recipe proved superbly successful. Some were even built here in the UK at Ford’s Dagenham plant. Mk II Dates sold: 1983-1989 THE second-generation Fiesta evolved the recipe with smarter styling. A hot XR2 version appeared with the Mk I, but it was with the Mk II that it became an icon. Mk III Dates sold: 1989-1997 THIS generation was a record breaker, achieving the highest yearly sales of any Fiesta, topping more than 1 million units within two years of production. Mk IV Dates sold: 1995-2002 WHILE it wasn’t on sale for quite as long as the Mk II, this is where the Fiesta jumped into the modern era, with lots of tech, a…

• Giulia and Stelvio updated • New look and more tech @AllieCrooks IN a bid to keep its Stelvio SUV and Giulia saloon competitive with the likes of premium rivals from BMW and Mercedes, Alfa Romeo has given its sporty mid-size off-roader and saloon models a refresh inside and out. First deliveries of the revised cars will be coming in early 2023. Both the Stelvio and Giulia’s updates focus on extra tech and revised styling, as well as a realigned trim structure to reflect Alfa’s new Tonale compact SUV line-up. The headlight units on the two cars now feature three individual elements – also like the Tonale’s – as well as matrix LED tech, while the ‘Trilobo’ grille has been given a new paint finish on both vehicles. The Stelvio…

FOLLOWING its announcement that it will axe the Fiesta to focus on electric cars and more profitable SUVs (see Page 10), Ford has given us a hint of what its updated Kuga model will look like. The clue comes with the unveiling of a facelifted version of its US-market Escape off-roader. The American Escape is the car we know as the Kuga in Europe. The facelifted model features a wide-mouthed grille and slimmer headlights connected by a full-width LED strip, which is also likely to align with the brand’s new styling direction for its first MEB-based EV crossover, due next year. In a similar fashion to the updated Fiesta and Focus models, the new Kuga will wear a large Ford badge in the centre of its grille. Expect Vignale trim…