Category: Automotive

BMW recalls 324,000 cars in Europe after Korean engine fires -FAZ

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – German luxury carmaker BMW (BMWG.DE) is recalling about 324,000 diesel vehicles in Europe to fix a technical fault that has caused engine fires in South Korea, German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) said. FILE PHOTO: The logo of German car manufacturer BMW is seen on the bonnet of a vehicle covered with… Continue reading BMW recalls 324,000 cars in Europe after Korean engine fires -FAZ

Scale raises $18 million to label data from autonomous car companies like Lyft and Embark

Autonomous cars need data. Lots of data. According to research conducted by the Rand Corporation, they’ll have to drive hundreds of millions or even billions of miles to demonstrate their safety. Companies like Waymo are well on their way; the average self-driving vehicle is projected to generate more than 300 terabytes per year. But collecting data isn’t the only… Continue reading Scale raises $18 million to label data from autonomous car companies like Lyft and Embark

Ford brings ‘exosuits’ to 15 factories

Carmaker Ford has given mechanical “exosuits” to 75 workers at 15 of its factories globally, following successful trials of the technology. The devices, called EksoVests, wrap around employees’ upper bodies and provide assistance when lifting or reaching overhead. It is hoped the suits will lower injuries from repetitive motion. One industry watcher said it was… Continue reading Ford brings ‘exosuits’ to 15 factories

Self-driving truck startup Kodiak Robotics raises $40 million

In Don Burnette and Paz Eshel’s view, trucking is the killer app for self-driving technology. It’s what led Burnette to leave the Google self-driving project and co-found Otto in early 2016, along with Anthony Levandowski, Lior Ron, and Claire Delaunay. And it’s what would eventually prompt Burnette to leave Uber— href=”https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/18/uber-acquires-otto-to-lead-ubers-self-driving-car-effort-report-says/”>the company that acquired Otto—and co-found… Continue reading Self-driving truck startup Kodiak Robotics raises $40 million

Waymo is worth $100 billion more than previous estimates, Morgan Stanley says (GOOGL)

The valuation estimates keep climbing for Alphabet ‘s self-driving car unit, Waymo. In a note to clients Tuesday, Morgan Stanley estimated the division, which graduated from Google’s secretive X lab to full-fledged subsidiary in 2016, could now be worth a whopping $175 billion thanks to three key business areas. “One of the most common Waymo… Continue reading Waymo is worth $100 billion more than previous estimates, Morgan Stanley says (GOOGL)

Mitsubishi Motors increases the production of XPANDER

Tokyo, August 7, 2018 – Mitsubishi Motors has announced it is to increase production of its XPANDER small MPV following strong demand from customers across the ASEAN region.   The XPANDER is built at a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bekasi, Indonesia and exports began in April this year. It was planned to produce 100,000 units… Continue reading Mitsubishi Motors increases the production of XPANDER

Indian cab-hailing giant Ola will launch in the UK to challenge Uber — and they both share a big investor

Indian ride-hailing company Ola plans to launch in the UK, signalling more competition for incumbent Uber. Ola will open operations in Greater Manchester and south Wales, including capital Cardiff, within the next month. The company said it was working with regulators to launch nationwide by the end of the year, but is yet to submit… Continue reading Indian cab-hailing giant Ola will launch in the UK to challenge Uber — and they both share a big investor

Daimler abandons Iran expansion plans as sanctions bite

BERLIN (Reuters) – German car and truck manufacturer Daimler (DAIGn.DE) on Tuesday said it has dropped plans to expand its Iran business in reaction to renewed U.S. sanctions, which come into effect on Tuesday. FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: The Mercedes-Benz logo is seen before the company’s annual news conference in Stuttgart, Germany, February 4, 2016.… Continue reading Daimler abandons Iran expansion plans as sanctions bite

French carpooling firm BlaBlaCar acquires Russia’s BeepCar

August 7, 2018 French carpooling platform BlaBlaCar has acquired Russian counterpart BeepCar from internet company Mail.Ru Group, according to an official statement. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. BlaBlaCar and Mail.Ru also announced a new partnership, which will see the French startup committing to further promote carpooling through Mail.Ru Group platforms, which include… Continue reading French carpooling firm BlaBlaCar acquires Russia’s BeepCar