Tuesday Morning Auto News, Jul 23, 2019

Disruption, corruption loom over UAW union talks with Big Three Detroit automakers – CNBC: Uncommon issues during this year’s talks include technological changes threatening traditional union jobs and an ongoing federal corruption probe that has already led to eight convictions.
Tesla’s ‘Anemic’ High-Margin Model Sales Extends Profit Struggle – Bloomberg: Tesla Inc. is delivering more cars than ever because of the emergence of Model 3 customers like Mike Land. His view of the relative weakness of Elon Musk’s …
Daimler and Bosch get green light for ‘world’s first’ automated valet parking system – CNBC: Daimler said that the system was the “world’s first fully automated driverless SAE Level 4 parking function to be officially approved for everyday use.”
Once Feared Dead, Globalization Is Still Very Much Alive – Bloomberg: Car failure | Germany’s Continental AG cut its earnings outlook as the car-parts giant emerges as the latest industrial victim of trade woes tied to …

Ford faces lawsuit over allegations of false mpg ratings – Automotive News: The federal lawsuit seeks class-action status and follows two other lawsuits in consecutive months over the same issue in Ford Ranger trucks.
Continental’s Warning on Car Slump Shows Reality Is Hitting Home – Bloomberg: Continental joined French car-parts supplier Faurecia SA — which is … As part of a broader overhaul to brace for the industry’s shift to self-driving and …
All-electric Ford-150 is revealed – The Detroit News: Linda Zhang, chief engineer of the Ford F-150, shows the capability of a prototype all-electric F-150 by towing 10 double-decker rail cars and 42 2019-model year F-150s, weighing more than 1 million pounds
Germany’s Continental, Jungheinrich hit brakes as auto sector slows – Reuters: A slowing auto sector prompted profit warnings from supplier Continental and paint systems producer Duerr late on Monday.
Apple hires another Tesla engineer – Automotive News: Apple has hired Steve MacManus, at least the third Tesla engineering executive to join the technology giant in the last year. MacManus, a Tesla vice …
AMS re-opens door on Osram bid as recovery continues – Reuters: Apple supplier AMS (AMS. … VCSELs, used in the auto industry, are an infrared laser technology that helps to provide a large field …
France’s Faurecia holds course in ‘tougher than expected’ auto market – Reuters: French auto parts maker Faurecia (EPED.PA) said it maintained first-half profitability despite a China-led decline in auto production, …
China Sees Something in Daimler We’ve All Missed – Bloomberg: The company’s shares are still struggling to recover from an emissions scandal. But Asian suitors are interested in its electric-vehicle future.
Semiconductor supplier STMicroelectronics sees big gains from electrification shift – Automotive News: We recently shipped the first prototypes of the EyeQ5 chip for Level 4 autonomous driving applications, with mass production expected in 2020.
Seat’s Cupra teases high-performance EV – Automotive News: The production version is likely to use Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric architecture, which will underpin EVs for the VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda …
Beijing Auto Buys Stake in Daimler, Deepening Their Alliance – New York Times: The deal will tighten the German automaker’s ties to China, which has become an important market but where overall sales are falling.
The Robot Apocalypse Has Been Postponed – New York Times: The delay of self-driving cars is another sign that stagnation still trumps acceleration.
China’s BAIC Takes 5% Stake in Daimler to Boost Partnership – Bloomberg: Beijing Automotive Group Co. is poised to get a 5% stake in Daimler AG, the automaker’s long-standing partner in China to affirm their cooperation.
China’s BAIC buys 5% Daimler stake; Daimler welcomes investment – Reuters: Beijing Automotive Group Co Ltd said on Tuesday that it had purchased a 5% stake in Germany’s Daimler.
Staffing firm Randstad’s earnings hit by slowdown at German carmakers – Reuters: Netherlands-based staffing group Randstad on Tuesday said its underlying earnings fell 4% in the second quarter, below analyst forecasts, due to a slowdown …
China exports first batch of second-hand commercial vehicles – Xinhuanet: A ceremony was held Monday in north China’s Tianjin Municipality for the export of 60 second-hand commercial vehicles, …
Breaking Down Hyundai Earnings – Bloomberg: KJ Hwang, director at CGS-CIMB Securities, discusses Hyundai Motor earnings and his outlook for the South Korean auto sector. He speaks on …

Related

Apple’s latest Tesla hire specializes in car interiors

Another high-level Tesla engineering executive has hopped over to Apple. Steve MacManus, who was vice president of engineering at Tesla, is now a senior director at Apple, according to an update on his LinkedIn profile. Bloomberg was the first to report MacManus had taken the position at Apple. MacManus, whose was in charge of interior… Continue reading Apple’s latest Tesla hire specializes in car interiors

After Baidu tie-up, BMW taps Tencent for autonomous driving in China

China is BMW’s largest market, and the German automaker knows in order to capture the country’s demanding consumers, its future models must support robust autonomous driving capability. But to build it itself in China is hardly possible. The success of autonomous driving relies in part on high-definition mapping, a process that requires an expansive collection… Continue reading After Baidu tie-up, BMW taps Tencent for autonomous driving in China

Apple vendor Japan Display secures bailout after funding shortfall

Japan Display Inc said on Friday that a group led by Chinese investment firm Harvest Group had formally secured additional funding for a previously announced 80 billion yen ($738 million) bailout plan for the screen maker. Harvest would increase its investment, included a $100 million investment from a JDI customer, Japan Display said. A source… Continue reading Apple vendor Japan Display secures bailout after funding shortfall

Volkswagen introduces all-new Passat with advanced connectivity and infotainment features

Volkswagen introduces the all-new Passat with advanced connectivity and infotainment features. In the Passat, five components combine to form the current level of connected mobility: a new generation of Infotainment, an online connectivity unit (OCU) with integrated eSIM, “Volkswagen We” as an online ecosystem, the “Digital Cockpit” and a head-up display. Online Infotainment The new Passat… Continue reading Volkswagen introduces all-new Passat with advanced connectivity and infotainment features

Former Tesla employee admits uploading Autopilot source code to his iCloud

Guangzhi Cao, a former engineer at Tesla, admitted in a court filing this week that he uploaded zip files containing Autopilot source code to his personal iCloud account in late 2018 while still working for the company. Tesla sued Cao earlier this year for allegedly stealing trade secrets related to Autopilot and bringing them to… Continue reading Former Tesla employee admits uploading Autopilot source code to his iCloud

With global ambitions, VC firm Maniv Mobility raises $100 million from automakers, suppliers

What started as an accident has turning into a venture firm with a global reach and backing from a some of the biggest corporations in the automotive and transportation industries. Maniv Mobility, the Israel-based venture capitalist firm, said Tuesday it has closed a new $100 million fund backed by 12 corporations, including the venture arms… Continue reading With global ambitions, VC firm Maniv Mobility raises $100 million from automakers, suppliers

Via launches Apple Pay in the U.S.

Published June 27, 2019 3:57 pm, Via NYC
Via launches Apple Pay in the U.S.
Riding with Via is now easier than ever with the introduction of Apple Pay!

With the latest version of the Via app, riders can directly and securely link payment through their Apple Pay account. Our integration with Apple Pay removes the need for Via riders to manually input credit and debit information, and by using FaceID/TouchID/passcode, Apple Pay is a secure and instant way to hit the road.

How it works:
– New users can set Apple Pay as their default payment method directly during sign up!
– Existing users can add Apple Pay through the “Billing” section of the app menu. Just click on “add a payment method” to connect your Apple Pay account.

Read more

Alphabet’s self-driving car company tests free Wi-Fi and music to entice riders – CNBC

Students use the Waymo driverless vehicles to get to school. Source: Waymo Waymo is rolling out amenities to entice riders to use its self-driving taxis, creating a potential route to profitability in a money-losing industry. The Alphabet subsidiary is testing complimentary Wi-Fi in its robotaxis in greater Phoenix, where hundreds of the company’s identical, driverless… Continue reading Alphabet’s self-driving car company tests free Wi-Fi and music to entice riders – CNBC

Honda Advances its Global Open Innovation Initiative with New VC Partners

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 5, 2018 – Honda Innovations, the Silicon Valley arm of Honda R&D, aims to foster early-stage startup ecosystems globally with four venture capital (VC) partnerships. These VC partnerships enhance Honda Xcelerator’s tools – direct co-development and partnerships with accelerators and incubators – to support innovators at all stages. Since 2015, Honda Xcelerator… Continue reading Honda Advances its Global Open Innovation Initiative with New VC Partners