China’s CATL revs up EV battery production following Tesla deal

GUANGZHOU — China’s biggest electric vehicle battery maker, CATL, will invest up to 26 billion yuan ($3.7 billion) to quadruple its production capacity for lithium-ion batteries used in cars and storage systems. Annual production capacity at a plant in Ningde, Fujian Province, where the company is headquartered, will be increased by 16 gigawatt-hours, the battery… Continue reading China’s CATL revs up EV battery production following Tesla deal

Howes: Failed execution, culture weigh on Ford performance, shares – The Detroit News

When historians record the six years since Alan Mulally retired as CEO of Ford Motor Co., the chapter could be entitled “A Chronicle of Wasted Time.” Here was COO-designate Jim Farley using a Wednesday presentation to investors to deliver a message as bracing as a bucket of ice water: “I can see it on the face of… Continue reading Howes: Failed execution, culture weigh on Ford performance, shares – The Detroit News

Spanish plant owned by Denso, Fujitsu preparing to halt production as virus causes shortages

MADRID (Reuters) – A Spanish plant owned by Denso Corp and Fujitsu Ltd is prepared to halt some production of auto electronics components if necessary because of a shortage of parts from China due to the coronavirus outbreak. The factory in Malaga expects to suspend its first production line – which assembles car audio components… Continue reading Spanish plant owned by Denso, Fujitsu preparing to halt production as virus causes shortages

Driverless car startup Pony.ai raises $462 million at a $3 billion valuation – VentureBeat

In a sign that investors’ enthusiasm for driverless cars hasn’t dampened yet, Pony.ai today secured a whopping $462 million in fresh funding, $400 million of which came from Toyota. The capital infusion brings the Guangzhou- and Fremont, California-based startup’s total raised to about $800 million at a valuation north of $3 billion (up from $1… Continue reading Driverless car startup Pony.ai raises $462 million at a $3 billion valuation – VentureBeat

@Toyota: Mobility Pioneers Named as Winners in the First Toyota Startup Awards

Four winners announced in the first Toyota Startup Awards following pitch competition for finalists in Barcelona SociAbility (UK), ProsFit (Bulgaria), Seamless Vision (Israel) and Wheeliz (France) given the opportunity to receive training, mentoring and funding for their work on inclusive mobility projects through the Toyota Accelerator Program Competition presented by Toyota Motor Europe (TME) and… Continue reading @Toyota: Mobility Pioneers Named as Winners in the First Toyota Startup Awards

Toyota says Japan plants may be affected by virus-related supply issues

A man walks past a Toyota logo at the Tokyo Motor Show, in Tokyo, Japan October 24, 2019. REUTERS/Edgar Su TOKYO (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) on Wednesday said that operations at its plants in Japan may be affected by supply chain issues linked to the new coronavirus outbreak in the coming weeks, as… Continue reading Toyota says Japan plants may be affected by virus-related supply issues

Toyota steers $400 million to self-driving startup Pony.ai

Pony.ai, a self-driving startup based in Silicon Valley and Guangzhou, China, is deepening its ties to Toyota. The two companies announced a pilot program to test self-driving cars on public roads in two Chinese cities, Beijing and Shanghai. The Japanese auto giant plans to invest $400 million in Pony.ai, valuing the startup at $3 billion.… Continue reading Toyota steers $400 million to self-driving startup Pony.ai