Former Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers is settling into his new role as CEO of Aston Martin, and he’s been talking to media about the English company’s future. Automotive News Europe has a roundup of Aston’s future plans under Moers, and they include lots of electrified cars. Moers wants 20 percent of Aston Martin sales to be of electrified cars by 2024, with a plug-in hybrid version of the DBX kicking things off in 2023. Both of Aston’s coming mid-engine models, the Valhalla and Vanquish, will feature hybrid technology in some capacity, with powertrain hardware possibly coming from Mercedes. Former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer wanted Lagonda to be the company’s electric brand, but Moers has scuttled those plans. Moers also hinted that a replacement for the DB11 will arrive in 2023.
Ford Wants to Make More Affordable EVs
Ford’s first all-electric car, the Mustang Mach E, will enter production soon, and later this month, an EV version of the Transit van will debut. Wards Auto caught up with new Ford CEO Jim Farley to get the lowdown on the Blue Oval’s EV plans, and they include more affordable crossovers and commercial vehicles.
"There’s been a lot written about the electrification of our industry and Ford’s bet is different. We’re betting on a full lineup of commercial electrified vehicles," Farley said. He added that he wants Ford to play in the $20,000 to $70,000 EV space, rather than the $100,000-plus space.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Joins iRacing as Executive Director
Dale Jr. is one of the most prominent figures in motorsport involved in sim-racing, and a long booster of iRacing. Now he’s joining the company. Sports Business Journal reports that Junior is joining iRacing as an executive director, with the aim of establishing new partnerships with the sim-racing platform.
"For more than 20 years, Dale has been a passionate advocate of sim racing whose efforts to improve the product have dramatically shaped our direction as a company and relationships throughout the sport for the better," iRacing owner John Henry said in a statement. "Through all this time, he’s never been paid a penny for his contributions. After discussions earlier this year, we’ve pursued a mutual interest in having him come on board as an official member of the company, and we look forward to continuing our growth with Dale’s guidance for years to come."
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