Google and Toyota invest in WhereIsMyTransport to improve transport in developing countries

London-based WhereIsMyTransport, a startup improving mass public transport in emerging markets, has announced a €6.8 million Series A round participated in by returning investors Global Innovation Fund and Goodwell Investments, plus new strategic investment from Google, Nedbank, Liil Ventures, and Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC).

WhereIsMyTransport, founded in 2015, is a big data platform for sustainable mobility in emerging markets, empowering people everywhere to get where they want to go. It is mapping the emerging world’s public transport networks, to become the de facto source of information for governments and service providers to improve transport services for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Mobility is a fundamental driver of social, political, and economic growth. In the majority world, it remains a critical stumbling block for billions of people living without reliable access to formal public transport services. They depend instead on vast, informally-run transpo..

GM to add 1,200 jobs to two Michigan assembly plants

CLOSE Penny Snow, 47, of Charlotte, Michigan works at adding screws underneath a Chevrolet Traverse at the General Motors Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant in Delta Township, Michigan on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.  (Photo: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press) General Motors is hiring about 1,200 people at its plants in Lansing. GM said the manufacturing… Continue reading GM to add 1,200 jobs to two Michigan assembly plants

Fiat Chrysler to cut shift at Windsor Assembly Plant; move affects 1,500 workers

CLOSE A 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is on the skillet line at Fiat Chrysler’s Windsor Assembly Plant in May 2016. FCA announced Thursday that it would cut a shift at the plant this year, affecting 1,500 workers.  (Photo: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press) Fiat Chrysler Automobiles plans to cut a shift this year at its Windsor… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler to cut shift at Windsor Assembly Plant; move affects 1,500 workers

Vietnam’s VinFast enters Australia, eyes Holden assets – Paul Tan’s Automotive News

VinFast has its sights set on Australia, and is eyeing assets of the just wound down Holden. According to carsales.com.au, the young Vietnamese carmaker – which set up shop in Melbourne last December – has hired Holden engineers, and has showed interest in GM’s unwanted facilities. According to the report, VinFast, which has global ambitions,… Continue reading Vietnam’s VinFast enters Australia, eyes Holden assets – Paul Tan’s Automotive News

Zoox scouts for funding ahead of self-driving taxi debut – Axios

Zoox is in “advanced discussions with several strategic partners and corporate investors” for its next round of funding, CEO Aicha Evans tells Axios. Why it matters: The self-driving car developer has been especially quiet for the past year or so, and venture capital sources say the company has struggled to raise capital to fund its… Continue reading Zoox scouts for funding ahead of self-driving taxi debut – Axios

@GM: GM to Add More Than 1,200 Jobs at Lansing Area Assembly Plants

GM to Add More Than 1,200 Jobs at Lansing Area Assembly Plants 2020-02-28 LANSING, Mich. — General Motors is adding more than 1,200 jobs at its Lansing manufacturing operations to meet customer demand for popular mid-size SUVs and to support the launch of two all-new Cadillac sedans. Lansing Grand River Assembly will add a second… Continue reading @GM: GM to Add More Than 1,200 Jobs at Lansing Area Assembly Plants

Audi announces three-motor performance versions of the E-Tron

Audi will make and sell sportier performance versions of its E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback electric cars powered by a three-motor system, the company announced on Friday. The news comes as parent company Volkswagen says it has tapped Audi to “take the lead for research and development” for the entire Volkswagen Group. The new performance models… Continue reading Audi announces three-motor performance versions of the E-Tron

Facebook Messenger ditches Discover, demotes chat bots

Chat bots were central to Facebook Messenger’s strategy three years ago. Now they’re being hidden from view in the app along with games and businesses. Facebook Messenger is now removing the Discover tab as it focuses on speed and simplicity instead of broad utility like China’s WeChat. The changes are part of a larger Messenger… Continue reading Facebook Messenger ditches Discover, demotes chat bots

Bio Roundup: COVID-19 Trials, Esperion’s Approvals, NASH News & More

February 28th, 2020 Xconomy National —  Clinical trials have historically hewn to a rigid format. A trial is designed, conducted according to that design, and then results are analyzed. Making changes in the midst of the study was a no-no. In recent years, regulators have showed openness to clinical trial designs intended to make drug… Continue reading Bio Roundup: COVID-19 Trials, Esperion’s Approvals, NASH News & More