Dyson gets serious, charging with AI, Ghosn resigns: Today’s Car News

Path projection system for self-driving cars
Americans are taking climate change more seriously, and a majority think the government should do something about it, two new studies show. A startup company thinks it has a software hack to help electric-car batteries charge faster. And Nissan's Carlos Ghosn has resigned as Chairman and CEO of Renault. All this and more on Green Car Reports.

In a move demonstrating that it's serious about selling electric cars, British vacuum-cleaner-maker Dyson hired Infiniti's former president, Roland Krueger, to head up its electric-car division, which will now be headquartered in Shanghai.

Two new polls show a majority of Americans understand that human activity is contributing to climate change, and they support government action to reduce it. Many are also taking action themselves.

At CES earlier this month, a new software startup company, GBatteries, demonstrated a solution to making electric-car batteries charge faster, without damage, using artificial intelligence.

Carlos Ghosn, known as the father of the Nissan Leaf at Nissan, resigned as chairman and CEO of Renault. Following his arrest in November, Ghosn has been jailed in Japan and charged with financial crimes against Nissan.

A new video from Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer shows a prototype for the company's upcoming electric car, the Rapide E, in action.

Finally, Jaguar Land Rover demonstrated a new projection lighting system for self-driving cars that shows pedestrians and other drivers where the autonomous vehicles plan to go.

_______________________________________

Follow Green Car Reports on Facebook and Twitter

Jaguar Land Rover to halt production for a week in April due to Brexit

FILE PHOTO: Signs are seen outside the Jaguar Land Rover plant at Halewood in Liverpool, northern England, September 12 , 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover said on Thursday there would be a week-long pause in production in April due to potential disruption from Brexit which would affect… Continue reading Jaguar Land Rover to halt production for a week in April due to Brexit

JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIGHTS UP THE ROAD AHEAD FOR SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES OF THE FUTURE

× {{dictionary[‘Added to your cart’]}} × {{dictionary[‘CART WARNING’]}} {{dictionary[‘Sorry, your cart is currently full. Please remove ‘]}} × {{dictionary[‘Cookie message and title’]}} × Pagination Warning! Sorry, Please add a number less than maximum pages {{dictionary[‘User Licence – pop up text’]}} You have been detected as being located in: {{userLang}} A media site housing news, photo… Continue reading JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIGHTS UP THE ROAD AHEAD FOR SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES OF THE FUTURE

Steven Armstrong

Steven Armstrong is group vice president and president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Ford Motor Company, a position he was named to on June 1, 2017. In this role, he is responsible for leading the transformation of Ford’s European and Middle East and Africa business units, building a sustainably profitable business through an unprecedented… Continue reading Steven Armstrong

Graham Hoare

Dr. Graham Hoare OBE is executive director, Business Transformation, Ford of Britain, leading the implementation of Ford’s Sprint to 6 Reset & Redesign plan in the UK, reporting to Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa. He is also a member of the Boards of Ford of Britain and Ford… Continue reading Graham Hoare

Anning Chen

Anning Chen is appointed president and CEO of Ford China, effective November 1, 2018. Chen will report directly to Jim Farley, president of global markets, Ford Motor Company. In this newly-created role, Chen will lead the company’s operations in Greater China, including all import and joint venture operations. He will also implement the company’s global… Continue reading Anning Chen

Porsche doubles production of the electric car it hasn’t even released yet in run for Tesla’s market

Source: Porsche
2019 Porsche Taycan

Porsche is already having to double its production plan on the electric car it hasn't even released yet.

The German car maker known for its sports cars and racing heritage said stronger-than-expected demand has led it to boost production on its electric Taycan car from 20,000 to 40,000 units, the company confirmed to CNBC on Wednesday.

Source: Porsche
2019 Porsche Taycan

“We had been ready for it,” said Andrew Lennon, a manager of product communications for Porsche. “We had the ability to increase capacity from the beginning, and executives recently made the decision to go ahead.”

Porsche announced a second variation of the vehicle based on the Cross Turismo concept in October. The company began taking orders last summer and expects the car to be available for sale in the U.S. by the end of the year.

Source: Porsche
2019 Porsche Taycan

The Taycan is yet another example of several high-end electric cars expected to enter the market over the next few years. For example, Jaguar launched the I-Pace electric crossover last year, Audi plans to soon roll out its e-tron sport utility vehicle. Even Ford plans to offer a high-performance electric inspired by its Mustang sports car.

The sports car is expected to give Tesla a run for its money, or at least a run for its customers. Tesla sold 245,240 vehicles last year, 145,846 Model 3 sedans and a combined 99,394 Model S sedans and Model X SUVs.

Source: Porsche
2019 Porsche Taycan

The Taycan, which the company says roughly translates to lively young horse, is expected to start at around $80,000 according to Electrek magazine.

Porsche sold 57,202 vehicles in 2018, almost half of which were its Macan cross-over utility car. Its popular SUV, the Cayenne, had 10,733 in sales and its signature 911 sports car sold 9,647 units. Sales of its 718 entry-level sports car and Panamera sedan made up the rest.

The Jaguar I-PACE is its first, all-electric vehicle.

Porsche invests in US start-up “Urgent.ly”

The financing round amounted to 21 million US dollars (18.5 million euros). Alongside “Porsche Ventures”, other companies obtained shares in Urgent.ly, including “BMW i Ventures” and “InMotion Ventures”, the venture capital division of Jaguar Land Rover. The US start-up’s platform supports roadside assistance services in North America, Europe and Asia. Using artificial intelligence and geo-location,… Continue reading Porsche invests in US start-up “Urgent.ly”

Urgent.ly Raises $21M in Series B Funding

Urgent.ly, a Vienna, VA- and San Diego, CA-based connected roadside assistance service supported by a technology platform, raised $21m in Series B funding. Backers included InMotion Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital fund, BMW i Ventures and Porsche Ventures. The company, which had already announced the raise of $10m in Series B in Oct. 2017,… Continue reading Urgent.ly Raises $21M in Series B Funding