“Fifteen years ago the logo sold the product, but many people are now proud and happy to get into a Nio or an Xpeng,” said Tu Le, founder of Sino Auto Insights. “Digital natives are much more receptive to local domestic brands than their parents.”

For all the hype around local EV brands, it’s worth noting that Tesla itself claimed second and third spots in the EV sales charts behind only the Wuling Mini EV, with both the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 selling more than 120,000 units apiece. But while Tesla flew the flag for foreign brands in China, there was less love for Volkswagen’s new ID-series models, which had a slow start but have gained momentum.

VW conservatively estimated 80,000-100,000 ID sales for 2021 but official figures for the full year have fallen short at just over 70,000. This couples with a sizeable fall in sales of domestically produced cars, down from an average of 264,495 units per month in the second half of 2020 to just 174,384 in the five months leading to December 2021. This will be a critical year for the brand’s EVs in China, especially with new competition from fellow foreigners Ford and Cadillac with their Mustang Mach-E and Lyriq SUV.

No analysis of the 2021 figures would be complete without recognising the incredible impact of the Wuling Mini EV.

Launched in mid-2020, the car has allowed young Chinese consumers onto the road like nothing else since the VW Beetle or Ford Model T. Spurred on by a starting price of just over the equivalent of £4000, almost 400,000 Mini EVs found a home in China in 2021 and they have proved especially popular with women under the age of 35, a difficult market to capture. A mind-boggling array of customisation options, and a soon-to-be-launched cabrio version, have sustained intense interest throughout the product’s life cycle. “The Wuling Mini EV is the little train that could. It started off really hot and hasn’t slowed down. It’s almost a transactional buy since it’s so cheap”, said Tu Le.

“People forget that there are still hundreds of millions of Chinese people who live in cities lower than Tier 2,” Tu Le added, referring to the unofficial hierarchy of Chinese cities based on GDP, politics and population. Only five cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing – are considered Tier 1 cities, while a further 30 make up Tier 2, according to South China Morning Post. In total, more than 160 cities in China house over a million inhabitants, and the Mini EV has found a clear route into the hearts of many.

Renault Group sales dropped by 4.5% in 2021 for a third consecutive year of decline as the French manufacturer was held back by the impacts of the pandemic and inventory shortages. 

The company sold 2,696,401 cars in but said that its European order backlog has doubled, amounting to more than three months of sales.

Renault sold 1,693,609 cars – 62.8% of the group’s overall figure, representing a 5.2% drop in year-on-year sales. It was bolstered by its E-Tech electrified models, which accounted for 30% of its sales in Europe, up from 17% in 2020. 

The firm claims it utilised a “value over volume” strategy that started before its inventory was impacted by the pandemic, representing “real price-mix progression” despite “adverse market conditions.” 

“Renault was able to achieve one out of three sales on E-Tech and one out of two sales in the retail channel,” said Fabrice Cambolive, its vice-president of sales and operations.

“Renault benefits from strong successes in 2021 to confirm its positive path to win back its position in the C-segment, through the upcoming launches of the all-new Mégane E-Tech Electric and Austral. We look at 2022 with the ambition to go forward.”

Dacia meanwhile performed positively, with sales growing by 3.1% to 537,095. CEO Denis Le Vot has described the Romanian firm as “a true growth driver for Renault Group”.

“This success is primarily due to the excitement shown by customers as they opt for the most equipped versions of all our models,” he said. 

“The increase in both market share and volumes is proof that Dacia is winning over an ever-larger customer base. In 2022, Dacia enters a new chapter as the brand continues to roll out its strategic plan with the commercial launch of the Jogger and the outcome of the new-brand-identity project.”

Alpine also recorded “spectacular growth”, with 2659 international sales for an increase of 74%. Sales of the Alpine A110 increased by 117% in France and by 92% in the UK. 

“This year, Alpine demonstrated the extent of its determination and commitment to achieve new momentum, which has already been illustrated by excellent growth in sales,” said Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi.

“We have high ambitions for the future and the brand’s international development, founded on our unique commitment to motorsports. Alpine is ready and raring to head for new summits.” 

Other modifications for the Mk2 Niro include a revamped suspension set-up claimed to improve responsiveness and stability, reconfigured steering for improved steering feel and enhanced sound deadening throughout the car’s structure. 

The new Niro takes heavy inspiration from 2019’s quirky HabaNiro concept, adopting a striking two-tone paint scheme, rugged 4×4-inspired design cues and a new version of Kia’s trademark ‘tiger face’ grille. A defining aspect is the chunky C-pillar, which is said to improve aerodynamics, and incorporates boomerang-shaped rear light clusters similar to those which adorn sibling brand Hyundai’s new Bayon crossover. 

A focus on aerodynamics – Kia claims a drag coefficient of 0.29Cd – is part of a wider effort to improve the Niro’s efficiency and sustainability credentials. The new-look cabin is finished predominantly with recycled materials – the headlining uses recycled wallpaper and the seats incorporate fibres from eucalyptus leaves, for example – and the door panels are coated in a water-based paint free from BTX petrochemicals. 

The influence of Kia’s newer models is evident in the asymmetrical centre console and dashboard. Significant changes over the previous car include an electronic gearshift dial, ambient mood lighting and slim, lightweight front seat designs with a coat hanger on the back of the headrests. 

Toyota has unveiled its GR Yaris Rally1 World Rally Championship challenger, featuring a new hybrid set-up that complies with the dramatic 2022 changes to the competition.

Running a hybrid unit with a 3.9kWh battery and electric motor delivering an additional 133bhp under acceleration, the Toyota‘s first competitive outing is at the Monte Carlo Rally that starts on 20 January.

There are further mechanical and aero changes for 2022. The cars’ wings have been trimmed, a mechanical gearbox is now required and the active centre differential has been removed.

The Toyota GR Yaris petrol powertrain is carried over, with the team running last season’s 1.6-litre turbo that produces more than 500bhp, but it now runs on sustainable fuel. The spaceframe chassis set-up also remains.

With the rule changes potentially promising a shake-up to the recent Toyota dominance, it’s an interesting time for rallying, one that’s made all the more intriguing in Monte Carlo with the presence of nine-time champion Sébastien Loeb.

As Toyota team boss Jari-Matti Latvala highlights: “There are a lot of question marks and Rallye Monte-Carlo will be giving us some of the answers. As a team we have been working very hard to be ready, but nobody can know how the different cars compare against each other until we get to the first rally. We might also see a difference between the drivers who feel the most confident with their new cars and those who will still be finding that confidence. There are a lot of changes for them to adapt to with how they drive and set up the cars.”

Off the back of a clean sweep of manufacturers’ and drivers’ world rally titles in 2021, Toyota’s driver line-up has been tweaked for 2022 following the partial retirement of reigning champion Sébastien Ogier. Eight-time champion Ogier will still compete at the Monte, but is only running at selected rounds over the rest of the season. Ogier’s potential battle with Loeb in his Ford M-Sport Puma could be one of the highlights of the 2022 motorsport season, and we’re only in January.

Elfyn Evans, who has run Ogier close for the past two seasons, starts 2022 as the nominal team leader at Toyota, with youngster Kalle Rovanperä in the second car.

Further back, the new Mondeo features a contoured bonnet, large wheelhouses housing wheels up to 19in in diameter, structured flanks with flush-fitting door handles, a coupé-style line roofline in a contrasting colour to the rest of the body and, as on the Evos, feature lines within the trailing part of the rear doors and rear quarter-panels.

The rear is characterised by its short deck, Mustang-inspired tail-lights (also connected by a full-width light band) and a bumper featuring an integrated diffuser.

At 4935mm long, 1875mm wide and 1500mm tall, the new Volkswagen Passat rival is 63mm longer, 23mm wider and 19mm higher than the Mk4 Mondeo that’s set to be phased out of production at Ford’s Valencia plant in Spain in March.

It also rides on a wheelbase 104mm longer than that of today’s Mondeo, at 2954mm.

Although we’re yet to get a look at the interior of the new Mondeo, Chinese sources confirm that it will receive the same basic cabin architecture as the Evos. Included is a dashboard housing a 1.1-metre wide display. It consists of a 12.3in digital instrument display and a separate 27in infotainment touchscreen.

It runs Ford’s new Sync+ 2.0 UX system bundled with a Baidu-developed software packaging, offering a virtual assistant together with over-the-air software-update capability, Level 2 driver assistance functions and car-to-X technology.

Brakes: A new set of front discs and pads costs around £300 fitted. The rear brakes can hum when reversing, but it’s more of an inconvenience than a problem.

Transmission: No real issues with the gearbox other than the odd leak at joints. Small leaks shouldn’t be a worry, but check regularly. A stiff clutch points to a worn pressure plate. Clutches can wear quickly but should last 50,000 miles, even with sustained town use.

Interior: The seats are known to tear but aren’t too difficult to re-upholster. The electric window mechanisms are prone to failing but, again, it’s not going to break the bank to fix them. Check that the electric windows work and the headlights stay on when the indicators are on. The stereo can be problematic, too, switching itself on and draining the battery.

Engine: With regular servicing, the 100HP’s engine is relatively free of problems, but keep an eye on oil and coolant levels. Any tappet noises or rattling suggest the car has been running low on oil. Check all the levels and have a good look for any signs of leaks. Timing belts are best replaced every three years rather than the recommended five. Services come at 12,000-mile intervals. 

Also worth knowing

Check the drainage holes at the bottom of the windscreen. If they get blocked with leaves, water will collect there and can cause the windscreen wiper motor to fail. 

Also check the exhaust’s backbox, which is susceptible to rot. A full stainless steel exhaust is worth adding for around £600, saving you bills in the long run. 

How much to spend

The ‘pancake’ motors in this scenario wouldn’t be “rotationally coupled to the engine”, according to the patent filing.

Power would come from an integrated starter-generator (similar to in a conventional mild hybrid drivetrain), which would itself be powered by the V8’s crankshaft, doing away with the need for a weighty and space-consuming traction battery.

Mounting the EV motors directly to opposing sides of the engine’s oil pan would save space, according to the patent filing, and allow for each to operate independently, thereby offering torque-vectoring across the front axle.

A Ford spokesman declined to give further details of the S650 Mustang at this stage but said that the model will continue to form part of Ford’s European product plan.

Last year, Ford ended European sales of the entry-level Mustang Ecoboost, which shared its turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine with the Focus ST, due to slow sales.

It remains unclear whether this powerplant could return in conjunction with a hybrid system, but Ford’s patent applies to V-shaped engines. 

Given the extent of camouflage still adorning this prototype, a reveal is clearly some way off, but 2022 will be the current Mustang’s seventh year on sale, so a launch some time in 2023 is highly likely.

Certain styling cues – most notably the LED headlight design – are inspired by the radical CXperience concept, which was shown in 2016 and with which the C5 X also shares its so-called ‘Advanced Comfort’ design ethos.

The new model was conceived to replicate the ‘magic carpet’ driving style of historic Citroën saloon cars such as the DS and CX. It uses a hydraulic cushion suspension set-up, Nearly new buying guide: as fitted to the C5 Aircross, for a ride that aims to “overcome all obstacles, potholes, kerbs, speed bumps and other road connections”.

The plug-in hybrid version is equipped as standard with a drive mode selector giving a choice of three suspension settings. The Advanced Comfort design ethos is most prevalent in the cabin, which majors on space, luxury appeal and advanced technology and features Citroën’s new mattress-style Advanced Comfort seat designs.

Alongside the introduction of new technology, interior space and practicality was a priority for the design team, with Citroën highlighting the 2785mm wheelbase which allows “outstanding” rear seat space and a 545-litre boot – accessible via a low sill and with a flat floor for ease of loading. “It’s a car you want to drive, but you want to be driven in as well”, said designer Pierre Leclercq.

Israeli company storedot, which numbers Daimler, Samsung and BP Ventures among its investors, claims to be the first to have produced extreme fast charge (XFC) lithium ion battery cells on a mass-production line. The cells, based on silicon-dominant anodes, are said to reduce charge time by 50% with no increase in cost.

Silicon, as a replacement for graphite to store and release lithium ions during charge and discharge, is the big thing in battery technology today, but making it work isn’t easy. It can store about 10 times more lithium ions than graphite and allows much faster charging: that much is well known. The problem is that during charging and discharging, it changes volume by as much as 300%, which is enough to mechanically destroy a cell. 

One solution is to use nano particles of silicon held in a matrix, which makes it possible to manage the expansion with no detrimental effects. That is what Storedot claims to have done. Each nano particle of silicon, measuring only 100 nanometres across, is held within a scaffold of hard carbon and organic compounds. Unlike graphite, which plays an active role in the charge and discharge cycle, the scaffold is inactive and each miniature golf ball of silicon has enough room to move thanks to elasticity in the scaffold as it receives and gives up its charge. Overall, this reduces the expansion to a manageable 10%. 

Storedot has also patented a ‘self-healing’ technology to seamlessly repair individual damaged cells in the background. It identifies a cell or string of cells that are not performing as they should or are overheating, takes them offline and reconditions them back to 100% before bringing them back on line. The process is designed to happen during use and without the driver noticing any difference to driving or performance. 

Repair of the affected cells consists of a deep, slow discharge and equally slow recharge in much the same way as a conventional car battery might be rejuvenated using a specialised smart charger. All lithium ion battery anodes form a coating on the surface of the anode called a solid electrolyte interface (SEI – nothing to do with solid-state batteries), which forms and dissolves during charge and discharge. The repair process is especially important for silicon-dominant technology because the expansion and contraction can cause cracks in the SEI, so unless checked, it would continually reform, consuming lithium in the process and ageing the battery.

Storedot attributes its rapid progress partly to the development of AI software, which analyses every morsel of available information relating to the use of silicon in lithium ion batteries. So far, it has achieved the goal of being able to mass-produce silicon-dominant cells that can withstand extreme fast charging over 850 consecutive 10-minute cycles and retain 80% capacity, and it has a 10% expansion rate and a capacity of 300Wh/kg (compared with around 140Wh/kg for a typical production 64kWh battery today). The new XFC technology with self-healing capability will be in production by 2024, followed by solid-state technology in 2028.