Home Blog Page 930

Minister thanks outgoing Chief Executive

0

Source: New Zealand Government

Health Minister Simeon Brown has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand Chief Executive Fepulea’i Margie Apa for her service. 

“Margie Apa was the first to hold the position of Chief Executive at Health New Zealand, taking on the challenge of transitioning New Zealand’s health system from regional district health boards into a single entity following the previous government’s reforms in the middle of a pandemic. 

“Prior to this, Margie was Chief Executive of the Counties Manukau District Health Board, having built a career in public service. 

“As Chief Executive at Health New Zealand, Margie remained committed to ensuring access to healthcare services while Health New Zealand grappled with significant operational and financial challenges stemming from the health system reforms.

“I acknowledge Margie’s decision to step down as Chief Executive of Health New Zealand and thank her for her service,” Mr Brown says. 

Dr Dale Bramley will become acting Chief Executive of Health New Zealand, while a formal recruitment process is underway to find Ms Apa’s replacement. 

“I look forward to working with Dr Bramley to ensure Health New Zealand focusses on its core role of ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders.” 

MIL OSI

Police seek motorists and footage to SH20 fatality

0

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are appealing for motorists to come forward following a fatality on the South-Western motorway this morning.

A man died on a section of State Highway 20 near Mt Roskill after entering live lanes on the motorway network.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kathy Bostock, of Auckland City CIB, says the pedestrian was struck by at least three vehicles.

“From our enquiries so far, we have established the man entered the northbound on-ramp at Dominion Road at around 1.30am,” she says.

“None of the vehicles stopped at the time.

“Police are asking these motorists to contact us as they are an important part of us establishing the circumstances of this tragic event.”

A scene examination was carried out on a section of State Highway 20 in the early hours of the morning, with those closures having since been lifted.

“An investigation is now underway and it’s important those motorists do the right thing and come forward,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bostock says.

Police are seeking witnesses in the area to come forward that were travelling through the area on State Highway 20, between 1.30am and 2am, to come forward.

“We know there were a number of vehicles passing through, so we’d especially like to hear from anyone who has dashcam footage.”

Anyone with information can contact Police on 105 or attend their local Police station using the reference number 250207/4077.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

Independent arbiter to determine torture redress

0

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has appointed Hon Paul Davison KC as an independent arbiter to determine financial redress for survivors tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit).

In December, Cabinet set aside up to $22.68 million for redress for torture which consists of three components; a one-off payment which recognises an individual’s experience of torture as a child, a new written apology which explicitly acknowledges torture, and facilitating access to support and rehabilitative services. 

Eligible survivors can choose either an expedited payment of $150,000 or an individual payment process where each claim is independently assessed by an independent arbiter who will determine payment amounts.

Hon Paul Davison KC is a retired judge of the High Court who also sat as a member of a Divisional Court of Appeal. He retired from the High Court in August 2023 and has since resumed practice at the Bar as a mediator and providing litigation and consultancy advice. In 1983, Hon Davison was the Counsel Assisting the Committee of Inquiry into Oakley Hospital that investigated the death of a patient following the administration of ECT. The Chair of the Committee of Inquiry was Sir Rodney Gallen who was later appointed to oversee the distribution of $6.5m to survivors of the Lake Alice in what is known as the first-round settlement. 

“We wanted to ensure people have choice when going through this process. The individualised option allows survivors to opt for a payment that considers their personal experiences of torture at the Lake Alice Unit. Guided by terms of reference, Hon Davison KC will independently assess the claims of those who choose this pathway. I would like to thank him for his willingness to undertake this important role,” Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford says.

So far 77 survivors of the Lake Alice Unit have been confirmed as eligible to make their claim for redress. Survivors will have until 30 April 2025 to choose the individual payment process and until 30 September 2025 for the expedited pathway.

Payments for the expeditated process will begin in March, both processes will be complete by the end of 2025. All eligible survivors can access free independent legal advice to support them during this process.

Notes to editors:

  • Hon Paul Davison KC’s appointment will commence on 10 February 2025 and will end no later than 30 September 2025.
  • Payments will be made on a final settlement basis and will be exempt from being treated as income and will not affect the recipient’s tax-status or their entitlement to Ministry of Social Development (MSD) administered assistance.

MIL OSI

Search for man missing in river, Mt Aspiring National Park

0

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police Search and Rescue are searching this morning for a man missing in a river in Mt Aspiring National Park.

Emergency services were alerted shortly before 5pm yesterday that a man had fallen from a rock into the river and had failed to resurface.

A search team immediately deployed to the area however he was unable to be located.

The search resumed this morning about 8am.

Any further information will be released as it becomes available.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Incidents on South-Western Motorway and Southern Motorway

0

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Motorists on Auckland’s South Western and Southern Motorway network may experience delays this morning, after two fatal incidents on the network in the early hours of this morning.

Emergency services attended an incident on South Western Motorway, Mount Roskil reported at around 1am. A person had entered the motorway on foot and had been struck by a vehicle. The person died at the scene, no other injuries are reported. Enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.

Emergency services attended a crash involving a single vehicle on Southern Motorway, Otara, reported at around 2.20am. One person died at the scene, two people were transported to Auckland Hospital in a critical condition and two other people were transported to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition. Enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Caraz & Parklon BB Playpen Series Now Available at 【Doremi3babies】

0

Source: Media Outreach

Hong Kong’s Professional Baby Products Store 【Doremi3babies】 Introduces Caraz & Parklon BB Playpen Series

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 February 2025 -【Doremi3babies】 has recently announced the launch of the Caraz & Parklon BB playpen series. As two of the most popular baby brands in South Korea, Caraz & Parklon are known for their practicality and safety, catering to the diverse needs of modern families and providing local parents with comprehensive childcare solutions.

Now available at 【Doremi3babies】, the Caraz & Parklon BB playpen series offers parents a high-quality, safe, and flexible new option for baby care. Designed to create a dedicated activity space for babies, these products integrate innovative features with international safety standards, helping parents easily manage daily childcare needs with confidence.

Features of Caraz & Parklon BB Playpen

  • International Safety Certification: Certified by KC, CE, and other international safety standards, ensuring quality and reliability.
  • Stable & Minimalist Design: Easy and quick to install, equipped with a non-slip base for stable and durable use, suitable for various home environments.
  • Flexible Adjustment: The playpen size and shape can be freely adjusted according to home space needs, making it adaptable to different scenarios.
  • Eco-Friendly & Non-Toxic Materials: Made with baby-safe, eco-friendly, and non-toxic materials, giving parents peace of mind.

Designed for modern families, this series helps create a dedicated activity space for babies while allowing parents to manage their daily routines with ease. Caraz & Parklon have been highly popular among parents in South Korea, and their official launch at 【Doremi3babies】 brings more high-quality childcare product choices to local families.

Exclusive New Member Shopping Offer

To celebrate the official launch of the Caraz & Parklon BB playpen series at 【Doremi3babies】, a special shopping discount is available for new members. Starting today, customers who register as members and make their first purchase of HKD 600 or more will enjoy a 10% discount on their entire order.

More Information

For more product details and promotional activities, visit the 【Doremi3babies】 Facebook page (search for “Doremi3babies”) or contact the customer service team for further inquiries.

Hashtag: #Doremi3babies

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

NZ-AU: IREN January 2025 Monthly Update

0

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

SYDNEY, Feb. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IREN Limited (NASDAQ: IREN) (together with its subsidiaries, “IREN” or “the Company”), today published its monthly update for January 2025.

January Highlights

  • On-track for 50 EH/s in 5 months
  • Installing direct-to-chip liquid cooling for AI / HPC
  • Advancing construction at 1.4GW Sweetwater Project
  • Progressing multi-GW development pipeline
Key Metrics Jan 25 Dec 24 Nov 24
       
Bitcoin Mining      
Average operating hashrate 29.0 EH/s 28.1 EH/s 19.7 EH/s
Bitcoin mined1 521 BTC 529 BTC 379 BTC
Revenue (per Bitcoin) $99,789 $98,524 $86,065
Electricity cost (per Bitcoin)2 ($24,683) ($22,799)  ($22,575)
Revenue $52.0m $52.1m $32.6m
Electricity costs2 ($12.9m) ($12.1m) ($8.6m)
Hardware profit3 $39.2m $40.1m $24.1m
Hardware profit margin4  75%  77%   74%
       
AI Cloud Services      
Revenue $0.8m $0.8m $0.9m
Electricity costs2 ($0.04m) ($0.02m) ($0.03m)
Hardware profit3 $0.8m $0.8m $0.9m
Hardware profit margin4  96%  98%   97%
       

Management Commentary

“In January, our Bitcoin mining business continued to deliver strong hardware profits. We also announced a new at-the-market facility that provides flexibility to fund accretive investments across the business and continue to explore alternative funding options to accelerate our growth,” said Daniel Roberts, IREN Co-Founder and Co-CEO.

“Recent announcements regarding Stargate highlight the strategic value of IREN’s 2,310 MW grid-connected power portfolio, with an increase in observed demand for our cloud and colocation services since the start of this year, and following the DeepSeek release. We look forward to addressing the market and sharing additional detail on our financial performance, strategic priorities and growth outlook at our upcoming Q2 FY25 earnings.”

Technical Commentary

  • Operating hashrate averaged 29 EH/s, driven by voluntary price curtailment at Childress and de-racking of certain miners to facilitate S21 XP miner upgrades
  • Mining unit economics remained robust with hardware profit margin of 75% achieved and average revenue per Bitcoin of $99,789
  • Childress power price of 3.6 c/kWh (3.0 c/kWh since transition to spot pricing)5
  • AI Cloud Services revenue increased 6%, new NVIDIA H200 contracts closed post month-end. Slightly higher electricity costs were attributable to NVIDIA H200 commissioning and customer testing activities

Upcoming Events

  • Q2 FY25 Results Presentation
    5:00pm ET, Feb 12, 2025 (Register here)
  • Bitcoin Investor Day
    New York, Feb 28, 2025
  • Cantor Tech Conference
    New York, Mar 11, 2025
  • Roth Investor Conference
    New York, Mar 17 – 18, 2025
  • NVIDIA GTC
    San Jose, Mar 17 – 20, 2025
 

Glenn Harrison, VP Operations – Panel Session on Liquid Cooling Solutions (PTC Conference, Jan 25)

Project Update

750MW Childress Project

  • Expanding to 750MW: construction of final 400MW underway (Phase 4 – 6)

1.4GW Sweetwater Project

  • Engaged leading EPC contractor: construction of 1.4GW substation commencing in early 2025
  • General site-works: commencing in coming weeks, including construction and installation of site access points, interior roads, office, warehousing, lay-down areas and security

Multi-GW development pipeline

  • Internal development team: progressing new grid-interconnection agreements with focus on large power capacity sites

Childress Construction (Feb 2025)

Sweetwater Utility Substation

Childress Project Status

Site Overview

Assumptions and Notes

  1. Bitcoin and Bitcoin mined in this investor update are presented in accordance with our revenue recognition policy which is determined on a Bitcoin received basis (post deduction of mining pool fees).
  2. Electricity costs are presented on a net basis and calculated as IFRS electricity charges, ERS revenue (included in other income) and ERS fees (included in other operating expenses). Figures are based on current internal estimates and exclude REC purchases.
  3. Hardware profit is calculated as revenue less electricity costs. Hardware profit is a non-IFRS financial measure and is provided in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Refer to the Forward-Looking Statements disclaimer.
  4. Hardware profit margin for Bitcoin Mining and AI Cloud Services is calculated as revenue less electricity costs, divided by revenue (for each respective revenue stream) and excludes all other costs.
  5. Childress power price since transition to spot pricing calculated on a monthly average basis for the period from August 2024 to January 2025.

Contacts

Media

Jon Snowball
Sodali & Co
+61 477 946 068
+61 423 136 761

Gillian Roberts
Aircover Communications
+1 818 395 2948
gillian.roberts@aircoverpr.com

Investors

Lincoln Tan
IREN
+61 407 423 395
lincoln.tan@iren.com

 

To keep updated on IREN’s news releases and SEC filings, please subscribe to email alerts at
https://iren.com/investor/ir-resources/email-alerts.

Forward-Looking Statements

This investor update includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or IREN’s future financial or operating performance. For example, forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the Company’s business strategy, expected operational and financial results, and expected increase in power capacity and hashrate. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “may,” “can,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “project,” “strive,” “budget,” “forecast,” “expect,” “intend,” “target”, “will,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “scheduled” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking.

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause IREN’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements, including, but not limited to: Bitcoin price and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; IREN’s ability to obtain additional capital on commercially reasonable terms and in a timely manner to meet its capital needs and facilitate its expansion plans; the terms of any future financing or any refinancing, restructuring or modification to the terms of any future financing, which could require IREN to comply with onerous covenants or restrictions, and its ability to service its debt obligations, any of which could restrict its business operations and adversely impact its financial condition, cash flows and results of operations; IREN’s ability to successfully execute on its growth strategies and operating plans, including its ability to continue to develop its existing data center sites and to diversify and expand into the market for high performance computing (“HPC”) solutions it may offer (including the market for AI Cloud Services); IREN’s limited experience with respect to new markets it has entered or may seek to enter, including the market for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services); expectations with respect to the ongoing profitability, viability, operability, security, popularity and public perceptions of the Bitcoin network; expectations with respect to the profitability, viability, operability, security, popularity and public perceptions of any current and future HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) that IREN offers; IREN’s ability to secure and retain customers on commercially reasonable terms or at all, particularly as it relates to its strategy to expand into markets for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services); IREN’s ability to manage counterparty risk (including credit risk) associated with any current or future customers, including customers of its HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) and other counterparties; the risk that any current or future customers, including customers of its HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services), or other counterparties may terminate, default on or underperform their contractual obligations; Bitcoin global hashrate fluctuations; IREN’s ability to secure renewable energy, renewable energy certificates, power capacity, facilities and sites on commercially reasonable terms or at all; delays associated with, or failure to obtain or complete, permitting approvals, grid connections and other development activities customary for greenfield or brownfield infrastructure projects; IREN’s reliance on power and utilities providers, third party mining pools, exchanges, banks, insurance providers and its ability to maintain relationships with such parties; expectations regarding availability and pricing of electricity; IREN’s participation and ability to successfully participate in demand response products and services and other load management programs run, operated or offered by electricity network operators, regulators or electricity market operators; the availability, reliability and/or cost of electricity supply, hardware and electrical and data center infrastructure, including with respect to any electricity outages and any laws and regulations that may restrict the electricity supply available to IREN; any variance between the actual operating performance of IREN’s miner hardware achieved compared to the nameplate performance including hashrate; IREN’s ability to curtail its electricity consumption and/or monetize electricity depending on market conditions, including changes in Bitcoin mining economics and prevailing electricity prices; actions undertaken by electricity network and market operators, regulators, governments or communities in the regions in which IREN operates; the availability, suitability, reliability and cost of internet connections at IREN’s facilities; IREN’s ability to secure additional hardware, including hardware for Bitcoin mining and any current or future HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) it offers, on commercially reasonable terms or at all, and any delays or reductions in the supply of such hardware or increases in the cost of procuring such hardware; expectations with respect to the useful life and obsolescence of hardware (including hardware for Bitcoin mining as well as hardware for other applications, including any current or future HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services) IREN offers); delays, increases in costs or reductions in the supply of equipment used in IREN’s operations; IREN’s ability to operate in an evolving regulatory environment; IREN’s ability to successfully operate and maintain its property and infrastructure; reliability and performance of IREN’s infrastructure compared to expectations; malicious attacks on IREN’s property, infrastructure or IT systems; IREN’s ability to maintain in good standing the operating and other permits and licenses required for its operations and business; IREN’s ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce its intellectual property rights and confidential information; any intellectual property infringement and product liability claims; whether the secular trends IREN expects to drive growth in its business materialize to the degree it expects them to, or at all; any pending or future acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures or other strategic transactions; the occurrence of any environmental, health and safety incidents at IREN’s sites, and any material costs relating to environmental, health and safety requirements or liabilities; damage to IREN’s property and infrastructure and the risk that any insurance IREN maintains may not fully cover all potential exposures; ongoing proceedings relating to the default by two of IREN’s wholly-owned special purpose vehicles under limited recourse equipment financing facilities; ongoing securities litigation relating in part to the default; and any future litigation, claims and/or regulatory investigations, and the costs, expenses, use of resources, diversion of management time and efforts, liability and damages that may result therefrom; IREN’s failure to comply with any laws including the anti-corruption laws of the United States and various international jurisdictions; any failure of IREN’s compliance and risk management methods; any laws, regulations and ethical standards that may relate to IREN’s business, including those that relate to Bitcoin and the Bitcoin mining industry and those that relate to any other services it offers, including laws and regulations related to data privacy, cybersecurity and the storage, use or processing of information and consumer laws; IREN’s ability to attract, motivate and retain senior management and qualified employees; increased risks to IREN’s global operations including, but not limited to, political instability, acts of terrorism, theft and vandalism, cyberattacks and other cybersecurity incidents and unexpected regulatory and economic sanctions changes, among other things; climate change, severe weather conditions and natural and man-made disasters that may materially adversely affect IREN’s business, financial condition and results of operations; public health crises, including an outbreak of an infectious disease and any governmental or industry measures taken in response; IREN’s ability to remain competitive in dynamic and rapidly evolving industries; damage to IREN’s brand and reputation; expectations relating to Environmental, Social or Governance issues or reporting; the costs of being a public company; the increased regulatory and compliance costs of IREN ceasing to be a foreign private issuer and an emerging growth company, as a result of which it will be required, among other things, to file periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms with the SEC commencing with its next financial year, and it will also be required to prepare its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP rather than IFRS and to modify certain of its policies to comply with corporate governance practices required of a U.S. domestic issuer; and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in IREN’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on August 28, 2024 as such factors may be updated from time to time in its other filings with the SEC, accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of IREN’s website at https://investors.iren.com.

These and other important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this investor update. Any forward-looking statement that IREN makes in this investor update speaks only as of the date of such statement. Except as required by law, IREN disclaims any obligation to update or revise, or to publicly announce any update or revision to, any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Preliminary Financial Information

The financial information presented in this investor update is not subject to the same closing procedures as our unaudited quarterly financial results and our audited annual financial results, and has not been reviewed or audited by our independent registered public accounting firm. The preliminary financial information included in this investor update does not represent a comprehensive statement of our financial results or financial position and should not be viewed as a substitute for unaudited financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the preliminary financial information included in this investor update.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures​

This investor update includes non-IFRS financial measures, including electricity costs (presented on a net basis) and hardware profit. We provide these measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. There are a number of limitations related to the use of non-IFRS financial measures. For example, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently. The Company believes that these measures are important and supplement discussions and analysis of its results of operations and enhances an understanding of its operating performance.​

Electricity costs are calculated as our IFRS Electricity charges, ERS revenue (included in Other income) and ERS fees (included in Other operating expenses), and excludes the cost of RECs.

Hardware Profit is calculated as revenue less electricity costs (excludes all other site, overhead and REC costs).

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bdf96bfc-e243-4b33-8dff-1f750d982ad1
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e8e57d7-f056-463d-877a-35e04e52d448
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31eb1c42-1974-4828-8520-654d517bd436
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/269f1dae-b1ed-40e0-a97e-bb05aa571dd8
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9691a596-630d-481b-bf7f-71b7b0732447
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f31b7897-a31c-4352-b191-cd57f5547e6c

– Published by The MIL Network

VinFast Builds Trust in EV with Long Warranties

0

Source: Media Outreach

VinFast is redefining the EV market with industry-leading warranties, including a 10-year/200,000-kilometer vehicle warranty and unlimited mileage battery coverage, easing consumer doubts and building trust.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 February 2025 – Just a few years ago, car warranties were predictable: a standard three years or nearly 60,000 kilometers—whichever came first. It didn’t matter whether the vehicle was a luxury sedan or a modest hatchback – this was the norm. Today, this long-standing rule is being upended. Automakers are now competing to offer more generous warranty policies, a trend that underscores a shifting automotive landscape. Among these disruptors, VinFast, the upstart electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has drawn attention with its industry-leading warranty terms.

VinFast’s warranty strategy does more than instill confidence; it fosters lasting relationships between the brand and its customers.

Long Warranties Are Essential in the EV Era

Historically, warranties were an afterthought for many buyers. In the early days of the modern automobile, coverage was meager—90 days for materials and just 30 days for labor. As vehicle quality improved, so did warranty offerings. By 2019, the industry standard had risen to three years or nearly 60,000 kilometers. Still, for most drivers, this coverage expired well before their vehicles had aged significantly.

The shift toward longer warranties is not coincidental. It reflects rising confidence in manufacturing quality and serves as a powerful tool for building customer trust while easing concerns about repair costs.

This assurance is particularly vital for EVs, a technology still unfamiliar to many consumers. Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs rely on advanced batteries and electric drivetrains—components that can intimidate first-time buyers. Long warranties alleviate these concerns, making them invaluable tools for convincing skeptics to embrace electric mobility.

“Our study shows that 67% of dealers believe that extended warranties help reduce uncertainty among potential car buyers. In addition, warranties also reduce uncertainty when purchasing electric cars (56%)…,” said Konrad Wessner, Managing Director at puls Marktforschung GmbH, a German-based market research company.

In terms of long warranty, VinFast stands out. Its latest offering in the Philippines, the VF 7, comes with a 10-year/200,000-kilometer vehicle warranty and a 10-year unlimited mileage battery warranty (for battery purchases). Other models, such as the VF 3 and VF 5, also boast segment-leading warranties, including a seven-year/160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty and an eight-year unlimited mileage battery warranty for units purchased with a battery.

VinFast’s Approach to Customer Confidence and Loyalty

VinFast’s warranty strategy does more than instill confidence; it fosters lasting relationships between the brand and its customers. This approach aligns with findings from CarGarantie, a European provider specializing in warranty solutions and repair cost insurance.

“Warranties make it easier to sell vehicles, bind buyers to dealers, and protect customers from additional costs. This makes purchasing decisions easier and increases profitability,” said Marcus Söldner, CEO of CarGarantie.

This model benefits both customers and manufacturers. For buyers, it’s a financial safety net, shielding them from unforeseen repair expenses. For automakers like VinFast, it’s a demonstration of product quality and a commitment to long-term customer satisfaction. The result is a mutually beneficial relationship, akin to the binding agreements seen in mobile phone contracts, where both parties have something to gain.

The impact of this customer-centric strategy is evident in VinFast’s rapid rise. In its home market of Vietnam, the company achieved record-breaking sales in December 2024, securing its position as the top-selling automaker for the fourth quarter of the year. This success underscores the effectiveness of its customer-first approach, which pairs cutting-edge EV technology with unparalleled after-sales support.

A New Standard in the Automotive Industry

As the industry evolves, long warranties may well become the norm, setting a higher bar for what customers demand. Viewed in this lens, VinFast’s warranty policies are redefining what customers can expect from their vehicles. The commitment to a segment-leading warranty speaks volumes about the company’s confidence in its products and its dedication to customer satisfaction.

With each new vehicle sold, VinFast isn’t just delivering an EV—it’s delivering peace of mind. And in a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, that may be the most valuable offering of all.

Hashtag: #VinFast #EV

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

XTransfer and Ecobank Group Partner to Empower African SMEs’ Foreign Trade

0

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 February 2025 – XTransfer, the world-leading and China’s No.1 B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, and Ecobank Group, the leading private pan-African financial services group with unrivalled African expertise, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding of Cooperation (MOU) to roll out comprehensive cross-border financial services to Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in foreign trade. The collaboration will facilitate trade between China and African countries.

XTransfer Partners with Ecobank Group

In recent years, China and Africa have continued to deepen trade cooperation, with the scale of imports and exports rising rapidly. In 2023, bilateral trade reached a record US$282 billion. From January to November 2024, China’s exports to Africa totalled US$160 billion, a 1.4% increase from the previous year, while imports from Africa reached US$107 billion, marking a substantial rise of 6.6%.

Despite this growth, African SMEs engaged in foreign trade face numerous challenges related to cross-border payments and fund collections. These challenges include difficulties in opening accounts with traditional banks, a high risk of funds being frozen, difficulties in foreign exchange and related losses, lengthy remittance times and high remittance costs.

The partnership between XTransfer and Ecobank Group will foster collaboration between both parties to provide comprehensive cross-border payment solutions for African SMEs’ foreign trade. XTransfer will leverage Ecobank’s extensive network across Africa, enabling its Chinese clients to collect funds in local African currencies while assisting African SMEs in making payments in their local currencies to negate foreign exchange issues.

Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, stated, “We are excited about the partnership with Ecobank. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for XTransfer and greatly enhances our global payment capabilities. Leveraging Ecobank’s extensive payment network in Africa will accelerate our business expansion in the region. We are looking forward to the synergies and opportunities this partnership will create. Together, we will drive innovation and improve the financial landscape, making financial services more efficient and accessible for African SMEs.”

Jeremy Awori, CEO Ecobank Group, said, “We are proud to partner with XTransfer to advance seamless cross-border payment solutions between Africa and China. This partnership builds on our established strategy, which includes a representative office in China and a dedicated China desk. By integrating XTransfer’s cutting-edge solutions with our pan-African payment platform, we simplify payments, reduce transaction costs, and enable African businesses to thrive in global trade.”

The partnership will facilitate trade between SMEs in China and African countries and also streamline foreign trade transactions between African companies and their global partners. Ultimately, this will help reduce the costs of global trade and enhance the global competitiveness of African SMEs.

This partnership aligns with Ecobank’s goals of driving financial integration by facilitating seamless cross-border trade, which is the backbone of the continent’s economy growth. By collaborating with XTransfer, Ecobank is strengthening its position as a key player in the global payments industry by reducing trade barriers, enabling African SMEs to thrive in international markets and contribute to the continent’s sustainable development.

https://www.xtransfer.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtransfer.cn/
https://x.com/xtransferglobal
https://www.facebook.com/XTransferGlobal/
https://www.instagram.com/xtransfer.global/

Hashtag: #XTransfer #Ecobank #Africa #SMEs #Partnership #Crossborder #Payment

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Man arrested in relation to Wainuiomata assault

0

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A man has been arrested following the assault in Wainuiomata last night, which left a man with serious injuries.

The 23-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and is due to appear in Lower Hutt District Court tomorrow.

The vehicle he was driving has been seized and will be forensically examined.

Our enquiries have established that the incident occurred after an alleged road rage incident, which is believed to have occurred on Wainuiomata Road, between Rata Street and The Strand.

Police are still looking to hear from anyone who may have information about this incident or those involved.

In particular, we would like to speak to the occupants of a light-coloured Toyota Corolla, who may have recorded the incident on a phone, and the occupants of another vehicle who stopped and attempted to calm those involved in the incident.

The alleged assault took place in a supermarket car park, with the store open at the time and shoppers about, so we are confident there are other people who witnessed what occurred and may be able to help our enquiries.

If you can help, please use our 105 service and quote reference number 250205/0193.

You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

MIL OSI