Category: Automotive

Connected car startup wejo raises €91 million in Series B funding led by GM

Based in Chester, UK, wejo is a connected car startup that delivers intelligent insights for car manufacturers, insurers, and service providers through an automotive data exchange platform. The startup currently tracks over 7 million vehicles in over 180 countries (curating over 78 billion miles of data) and anticipates that 28 million cars will be on its platform by 2020.

Founded in 2014, wejo has just received an investment of €91 million in a Series B round led by General Motors, including an in-kind contribution worth more than €60 million, for a 35% stake in the company. This follows on a €13 million Series A round raised in 2018, and the Series B round now puts wejo’s valuation at €244 million.

“This strategic partnership with GM represents a major step forward for wejo and puts us at the forefront of the connected car revolution,” said Richard Barlow, CEO of wejo. “It’s a statement of intent from one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world. Connected car data is of enorm..

Berlin-based startup German Autolabs raises €7 million for Chris, its AI voice assistant for cars

Berlin-based deep tech startup German Autolabs recently created Chris, the world’s first voice AI enabled digital assistant for in-car usage. The startup has now announced a funding round of €7 million, led by new investors nbr Tech Ventures, VC Fonds Technologie Berlin, and coparion, along with existing investor Target Partners.

Chris, which was launched in the European market in late 2018, is a digital co-driver, and has already established the world’s largest fleet of connected and voice AI enabled devices in cars on the streets today. Chris enables drivers to safely operate their Android phones using voice and gestures while driving, including messaging, navigation, calls and music.

“Why is ‘Chris’ so important?”, asked the leading automotive industry analyst Roger C. Lanctot. “Because the A-Team (Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Alibaba) has made it clear to automakers that they won’t be segregating or shielding vehicle-based digital assistant users from broader customer aggregation act..

Two new V6 engines for the Audi Q8

Audi is expanding the engine line-up for its luxury SUV, the Q8, by adding two V6 engine versions. Beginning now, customers can also order the Q family’s top model with a powerful 3.0 TFSI and an additional variant of the 3.0 TDI. The Audi Q8 brings together the best of both worlds – the elegance… Continue reading Two new V6 engines for the Audi Q8

Second Environmental Audit successfully closed

The EMS Audit Report 2018 is a report on a special audit of the Environmental Management System that was conducted in 2018. This audit is a requirement arising from Volkswagen’s agreements with the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which came into force in 2017. The auditors did not find… Continue reading Second Environmental Audit successfully closed

Ford Names New Leader of Global Government Relations

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb 18, 2019 – Ford Motor Company today is announcing the appointment of Mitch Bainwol as Chief Government Relations Officer, effective March 1. He also is elected a company officer. In this role, Bainwol, 59, leads a global team that helps shape policy and legislation to promote the company’s business objectives, including areas of… Continue reading Ford Names New Leader of Global Government Relations

FAURECIA : ALL FINANCIAL TARGETS ACHIEVED DESPITE HEADWINDS IN H2 ; RECORD SALES, PROFITABILITY AND CASH – STRONG ORDER INTAKE ; PROPOSED DIVIDEND OF 1.25€ PER SHARE

FAURECIA : ALL FINANCIAL TARGETS ACHIEVED DESPITE HEADWINDS IN H2 ; RECORD SALES, PROFITABILITY AND CASH – STRONG ORDER INTAKE ; PROPOSED DIVIDEND OF 1.25€ PER SHARE  Nanterre (France), February 18, 2019 FULL-YEAR 2018 RESULTS ALL FINANCIAL TARGETS ACHIEVED DESPITE HEADWINDS IN H2 RECORD SALES, PROFITABILITY AND CASH – STRONG ORDER INTAKE PROPOSED DIVIDEND OF… Continue reading FAURECIA : ALL FINANCIAL TARGETS ACHIEVED DESPITE HEADWINDS IN H2 ; RECORD SALES, PROFITABILITY AND CASH – STRONG ORDER INTAKE ; PROPOSED DIVIDEND OF 1.25€ PER SHARE

Ford’s New Take on Getting Parcels to Your Door Could Help Speed Deliveries, Ease Congestion and Improve Air Quality

Ford partners with delivery company Gnewt by Menzies Distribution (Gnewt) to trial new digital parcel courier service designed to help reduce congestion and offer faster deliveries Ford’s new cloud-based software identifies optimum places for van drivers to pull over near multiple drop-off points; pedestrian and, one day, cycle couriers perform last leg of delivery Gnewt… Continue reading Ford’s New Take on Getting Parcels to Your Door Could Help Speed Deliveries, Ease Congestion and Improve Air Quality

Faurecia wins 700 million in 2018, 17% more, despite the WLTP and the slowdown in China

Posted 2/18/2019 10:37:48 PM NANTERRE (FRANCE), 18 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) – The manufacturer of components for automobiles Faurecia closed last year with a net profit of 700.8 million euros, a 16.9% increase compared to 599.4 million euros accounted for in 2017, according to data published by the company . The company explained that the good… Continue reading Faurecia wins 700 million in 2018, 17% more, despite the WLTP and the slowdown in China

PSA accelerates in services in China

PSA signs a new operation in China. The French manufacturer announced on Monday to have taken a “significant stake” in FengChe, a specialist in “used vehicle management services in the local market”. The group will remain “minority shareholder”, PSA said the “Echoes” without revealing the amount of investment. of the “Push to Pass” strategic plan,… Continue reading PSA accelerates in services in China