Cazoo, the UK used-car sales portal that has been on a major fundraising tear in the last year, will be next company to pursue more growth by way of a SPAC: the company today announced that it will list on the NYSE by way of a business combination with AJAX I, a special purpose acquisition… Continue reading UK’s Cazoo will list on the NYSE by way of a SPAC, valuing it at $7B and raising $1.6B
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Porsche adds the all-electric Taycan to its subscription program
Porsche has added its first all-electric vehicle, the Taycan sports sedan, to its subscription and short-term rental program as part of a broader expansion that aims to build a new customer base of U.S. owners. The German automaker said Thursday it is also expanding the Porsche Drive subscription and rental programs to five more cities… Continue reading Porsche adds the all-electric Taycan to its subscription program
EV makers oppose delay to automotive emissions penalty increase
Electric vehicle manufacturers are pushing back against a decision to delay penalty increases for automakers who fail to meet fuel efficiency standards. A lobbying group representing legacy automakers — many of whom are now making substantial investments in zero-emissions vehicles — said the increase would have a significant economic impact during a time when the… Continue reading EV makers oppose delay to automotive emissions penalty increase
Automakers, suppliers and startups see growing market for in-vehicle AR/VR applications
Augmented and virtual reality have been used for years in gaming, design and shopping. Now, a new battle for market share is emerging — inside vehicles. Safety-glass windshields offer a new opportunity for suppliers, manufacturers and startups that are starting to adapt this technology: AR overlays digital information or images on what a user sees… Continue reading Automakers, suppliers and startups see growing market for in-vehicle AR/VR applications
Baton raises $10.5M to create ‘drop zones,’ where truckers can hand off freight
In the trucking industry, “dwell and detention” times are the enemies of efficiency, profits and drivers. More than two billion hours are lost each year due to dwell —the time spent at a distribution yard or facility — and detention — the gap between when unloading or loading is supposed to begin and when it… Continue reading Baton raises $10.5M to create ‘drop zones,’ where truckers can hand off freight
Investors feed the meter for curb management startup Automotus
The curbside is being squeezed as the number of commercial vehicle operators and gig economy workers battle over this increasingly scarce real estate — a problem that has been compounded by an uptick in on-demand delivery services fueled by the pandemic. A number of startups such as Coord and curbflow have popped up in recent… Continue reading Investors feed the meter for curb management startup Automotus
TuSimple’s IPO filing reveals roadblocks for self-driving startups with Chinese ties
While the governments of the United States and China are pushing policies for technological decoupling, private tech firms continue to tap resources from both sides. In the field of autonomous vehicles, it’s common to see Chinese startups — or startups with a strong Chinese link — keep operations and seek investments in both countries. But… Continue reading TuSimple’s IPO filing reveals roadblocks for self-driving startups with Chinese ties
Australian lidar maker Baraja collects $31M B round to illuminate the future of autonomy
Lidar companies across the planet are going SPAC, but Baraja isn’t in a hurry to go public. The Australian lidar maker has raised a $31M B round to continue the deployment and development of its “unique and ingenious” imaging system, with participation beyond the usual VC suspects. Baraja’s lidar uses what the company calls SpectrumScan,… Continue reading Australian lidar maker Baraja collects $31M B round to illuminate the future of autonomy
Berlin’s Blacklane raises $26M to expand its high-end chauffeur-driven sustainable car service
As the Ubers of the world continue to scale, a smaller on-demand transportation startup has raised some funding in Germany, underscoring the opportunities that remain for startups in the space targeting specific service niches. Blacklane — the Berlin startup that provides on-demand black-car chauffeur services in Berlin, London, Dubai, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Singapore… Continue reading Berlin’s Blacklane raises $26M to expand its high-end chauffeur-driven sustainable car service
Lime launches app-less rides and no fee reservations to get more people riding
Lime is rolling out several new features, including the ability to rent electric scooters without downloading the app, in an effort to attract more riders. The micromobility company announced Wednesday a series of product features that aims to remove barriers to entry for new users, while increasing accessibility to its vehicles. The new features include… Continue reading Lime launches app-less rides and no fee reservations to get more people riding