May 1, 2019 Bengaluru-based online logistics startup BlackBuck on Wednesday announced that it has raised $150 million (Rs 1050 crore) in a Series D equity funding round led by Goldman Sachs Investment Partners and Silicon Valley-based Accel. The round also saw participation from existing investors Sands Capital and International Finance Corporation (IFC), a part of… Continue reading India’s logistics startup BlackBuck raises $150m led by Goldman, Accel
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CCS Reaches 7,000 DC Fast Chargers In Europe
95 or less than 1.5% of public CCS is equal to or above 100 kW The European counter of the CCS Combo DC chargers turned 7,000 after Tesla retrofitted its Supercharging network to CCS-compatible plugs for the European Model 3. According to the CCS Charge Map, overall there are about 7,023 CCS chargers in Europe… Continue reading CCS Reaches 7,000 DC Fast Chargers In Europe
Auditors may seek justification from Ghosn on spending
They suspect €12m for entertainment, suits and private jets were for personal benefit Go to Source
Audi E-tron electric SUV gets discounts just as it goes on sale
2019 Audi e-tron first drive – Abu Dhabi UAE, December 2018
Just as the 2019 E-tron SUV starts arriving at dealerships, Audi is already offering big discounts on them.
The biggest incentive so far is 1.9 percent financing on the E-tron for up to 66 months, which is significantly cheaper than most other models in Audi's lineup, according to our partners at CarsDirect.com. The similar-sized, gas-powered Q5 SUV only qualifies for a 3.99 percent annual percentage rate for the same 5.5 years, which is more typical in Audi's lineup.
On top of that, current Audi owners of 2009 models or newer can already receive a $750 owner-loyalty discount.
DON'T MISS: 2019 Audi E-tron first drive: Redrawing the electric-vehicle boundaries
It is unusual for any automaker to offer big discounts on a brand new model. More often, automakers have to offer increasing discounts after a model has been on the market a few years and rival automakers have introduced newer competition.
The E-tron, which stickers for a base price of $75,795 including destination, is saddled with a 204-mile range between charges, while older and cheaper competitors such as the Jaguar I-Pace and Hyundai Kona Electric have between 230 and 260 miles of range. Tesla last week upgraded its competitive Model X SUV to include a minimum of 250 miles and up to 325 miles of range.
READ THIS: 2019 Audi E-tron EPA range revealed: Nothing to brag about, but aiming for the real world?
To offset that shortfall, Audi says the E-tron offers faster charging, up to 150 kilowatts, which can restore up to 160 miles of range in about 20 minutes. But relatively few public fast chargers are available yet that can provide that much power.
Lease rates for the E-tron are not as attractive as the sales incentives. Audi hasn't revealed complete lease terms, including monthly payments. The money factor of 0.0023, however, equates to 5.5 percent annual interest. Lower trim models, which have not yet arrived at dealerships, are likely to be significantly more attractive to lease, with higher residuals as well as lower prices.
Meanwhile, Jaguar is offering 0 percent financing on the I-Pace.
Tesla faces lawsuit in fatal Model X crash on Autopilot
Tesla Model X crash, Hwy 101 Mountainview, California
The family of a driver killed in the crash of a Tesla Model X driving on Autopilot filed a lawsuit April 26 against Tesla over the crash, Bloomberg reported.
Software engineer Walter Huang, 38, was killed March 23, 2018, when his 2017 Model X drifted out of the left lane of Highway 101 in Mountain View, California and struck a concrete median divider.
The NTSB investigated the crash and issued a preliminary report June 7 and noted that Huang had the car's Autopilot system engaged and set to a cruise speed of 75 mph on the highway. The report showed that Huang had his hands off the steering wheel for the last six seconds prior to the crash and had held the wheel for 34 of the 60 seconds prior to the crash. The system gave Huang three warnings in the 15 minutes prior to the crash.
READ THIS: Investigators: Autopilot sped up before fatal Tesla Model X crash
According to the report, the car slowed down to 65 mph behind a lead vehicle and steered left toward the barrier, disengaged from following the lead vehicle and accelerated (toward its preset 75 mph) before it struck the barrier. The crash attenuator at the end of the barrier was previously damaged by another accident a week earlier.
The lawsuit also names the state of California as a defendant for not repairing the crash attenuator before Huang hit the barrier.
The lawsuit alleges that Tesla knew or should have known that the car could leave travel lanes and strike fixed objects, likely causing injury to its occupants “when used in a reasonably foreseeable manner.”
It says that Tesla should have recalled the cars or provided a warning in light of this risk.
CHECK OUT: Report: Tesla kicked out from official investigation over fatal Model X crash
In response to the initial crash, Tesla issued a statement and said, “Tesla is extremely clear that Autopilot requires the driver to be alert and have hands on the wheel. This reminder is made every single time Autopilot is engaged.”
In a statement announcing the lawsuit, the family's lawyer, B. Mark Fong accused Tesla of “beta testing its Autopilot software on live drivers.
“The Huang family wants to help prevent this tragedy from happening to other drivers using Tesla vehicles or any semi-autonomous vehicles,” Fong said.
Tesla has since released extensive updates to its Autopilot system, expanding its capabilities, installing a more capable processor chip, and rebranded its self-driving as Full Self-Driving Capability. Last month, the company detailed the system's updated capabilities and features, and announced that by the end of this year it expects the system to be “feature complete” for self-driving, although self-driving cars aren't yet allowed by law.
PSA Unveils Peugeot Boxer Electric & Citroën Jumper Electric
The range will be from 141 miles (225 km) to 169 miles (270 km) NEDC depending on the version. PSA Group presents at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, UK twin all-electric commercial vans: the Peugeot Boxer Electric and the Citroën Jumper Electric. The French manufacturer will produce the two models along ICE at the… Continue reading PSA Unveils Peugeot Boxer Electric & Citroën Jumper Electric
BYD Increased Profits In Q1 2019, Expects Further Growth
BYD profits in Q1 amounted to $111 million. $215-245 million is expected in the first half of this year. BYD was more successful than Tesla in balancing the revenues and costs during first quarter of this year, as the Chinese company managed to earn a small profit of 749.73 million yuan ($111.4 million). The growth… Continue reading BYD Increased Profits In Q1 2019, Expects Further Growth
BYD Song MAX PHEV With 16 kWh Battery Enters Chinese Market
Is this the Chinese Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid equivalent? It too packs a 16 kWh battery. After years of successful sales of che onventional Song MAX 7-seat MPV, BYD finally has introduced in China a plug-in hybrid version, the BYD Song MAX PHEV (aka Song MAX DM). The car will be available in five versions from… Continue reading BYD Song MAX PHEV With 16 kWh Battery Enters Chinese Market
SoftBank invests $1b in Colombian delivery app Rappi
May 1, 2019 Japan’s SoftBank will invest $1 billion in Colombian delivery app Rappi, marking the first move by its newly created Innovation Fund for Latin America, according to a statement on Tuesday, confirming earlier media reports. In a statement, Rappi said the proceeds will be used to enhance the company’s presence in existing markets… Continue reading SoftBank invests $1b in Colombian delivery app Rappi
Faraday Future Secures Financing, Announces New FF 81 Electric Car
With new financing, Faraday Future remains in the game, plans to complete FF 91 and hints at a mass-market FF 81. Faraday Future announced up to $225 million in bridge financing from U.S. merchant bank Birch Lake Associates to complete the development of its FF 91 electric car and introduce it on the market. Two-thirds… Continue reading Faraday Future Secures Financing, Announces New FF 81 Electric Car