* Daimler says robotaxi tech proving difficult to perfect
* Benefits of such vehicles unclear
* CEO says to “rightsize” spend level on robotaxis
* Commercial vehicles may be more suited for assisted driving tech (Adds details)
FRANKFURT, Nov 14 (Reuters) – Daimler has taken a “reality check” on self-driving “robotaxis”, acknowledging that making them safe is proving harder than first thought amid questions over their future earnings potential.
Chief Executive Ola Kaellenius told journalists on Thursday Daimler would “rightsize” its spending level on robotaxis and that self-driving technology would more likely be applied to commercial vehicles for freight companies on long haul routes.
Carmakers raced to develop self-driving vehicles after Google presented a prototype car in 2012, leading Daimler to develop an autonomous Mercedes.
The idea of fleets of robotaxis picking up and ferrying customers around cities gained traction, driven by the stellar growth of ride services such as Uber an..
Author: World_Newz Mon
The Ferrari Roma is for rich people who are afraid of Ferraris
Ferrari’s new car is pretty sweet.The two-plus-two-seat two-door features a sleek, clean style that appears aimed at competing against luxurious grand touring sports cars like those from Aston Martin.It is powered by a 612 hp twin-turbocharged V8 that’s good for 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.4 seconds and a top speed over 199 mph.
Daimler Shares Dive After Cost Cutting, Profit News
Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler’s shares fell close to 3% Thursday, after news it will have to cut costs more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) by 2022 to meet tougher European Union (EU) fuel efficiency rules, while profitability will struggle.
Daimler CEO Faces Showdown With Investors Amid Industry Shift
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Peugeot brand to return to Le Mans 24 hours motor race from 2023
French carmaker PSA said on Wednesday its Peugeot brand would once again take part in the Le Mans 24 hours motor race in 2023, one of the sport’s most famous endurance events.Peugeot had won the race in 2010, coming ahead of Audi, before withdrawing when it faced financial problems.
Avtovaz begins selling Lada Granta cars of local assembly in Egypt
MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Avtovaz launched sales of cars of the new Lada Granta family of local assembly in Egypt, the company said on Wednesday.
Sales started on November 12 in Cairo. Cars are manufactured at the Al Amal factory.
Managing Director of Lada Export Max Missana said that with the release of a new model Avtovaz expects to strengthen the brand's position in Egypt.
It was reported earlier that Avtovaz sales on the Russian market increased by 1.5% year-on-year to 295,437 cars in January – October 2019. “295,437 Lada cars and light commercial vehicles were sold in Russia as of the end of 10 months 2019, up 1.5% against the like period of 2018,” the company said.
Car sales in October declined by 5.5%, the carmaker reports. 30,240 Lada cars were sold.
The market share of Lada in the segment of cars and light commercial market is about 21% as of the end of 10 months 2019, according to the company's estimate.
Avtovaz is the largest producer of cars in Russia. The Avto..
Electric-Car Maker Xpeng Raises $400 Million
Chinese electric-vehicle startup Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology Co. Ltd. said Wednesday it secured $400 million in its latest fundraising round.This Series C round brings the total funds raised by the carmaker to 12 billion yuan ($1.7 billion).Xpeng’s latest fundraising haul may have fallen below its expectations.
NIO Hires China Auto Analyst as Its Next Chief Financial Officer
NIO Inc. hired an analyst covering the Chinese electric carmaker as its next chief financial officer, according to people familiar with the matter.
Chinese-invested auto powertrain test center opens in UK despite Brexit uncertainty
BIRMINGHAM, Britain, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) — A world-class auto powertrain test center, invested by China's Changan Automobile, was unveiled Tuesday in the British industrial city of Birmingham despite continuing uncertainty caused by Brexit.
Zhang Xiaoyu, director of Changan's Blue Core NE Powertrain Platform, said Birmingham was chosen as the start of the company's global powertrain research and development journey because the UK is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution with an innovative spirit and an abundance of talent resources.
The test center is designed to test automotive powertrains, including engine and transmission. The center can be used to test Changan's engine products for conventional cars as well as power systems for hybrid electric vehicles and pure electric vehicles.
Tim Pile, chair of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said Chinese investment has helped the region grow and created jobs needed for the renaissance of th..
Volvo pledges greater electrification for future
Luxury car manufacturer Volvo Cars delivered its forward-looking development concepts of safety, health and sustainability while showcasing three imported models at the second China International Import Expo, held in Shanghai from Tuesday to Sunday.On Thursday, Volvo Cars opened its first battery lab in the Asia Pacific region.The battery lab will test batteries based on global and local standards to ensure the safety of electrified vehicles.