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China’s Geely posts 18 percent profit jump, predicts flat 2019 sales

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd said higher sales of its sedans and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) drove 2018 net profit up 18 percent, but forecast flat sales growth for this year due to uncertainty about overall domestic demand. FILE PHOTO: The Geely Automobile Holdings logo is pictured at the Auto China 2016… Continue reading China’s Geely posts 18 percent profit jump, predicts flat 2019 sales

China’s Geely says 2018 net profit climbs 18 pct on higher revenue

FILE PHOTO: The Geely Automobile Holdings logo is pictured at the Auto China 2016 auto show in Beijing, China April 25, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd said on Thursday higher sales drove its 2018 net profit up 18 percent, even as growing political uncertainty affected overall domestic demand.… Continue reading China’s Geely says 2018 net profit climbs 18 pct on higher revenue

Audi Sales, Mercedes Sales, Toyota Sales, Infiniti Sales, Acura Car Sales, BMW Car Sales, Honda Car Sales, & Lexus Car Sales Down In February In USA

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Published on March 19th, 2019 |

by Zachary Shahan

Audi Sales, Mercedes Sales, Toyota Sales, Infiniti Sales, Acura Car Sales, BMW Car Sales, Honda Car Sales, & Lexus Car Sales Down In February In USA

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March 19th, 2019 by Zachary Shahan

Here on CleanTechnica, we keep a close eye on electric vehicle news and sales. However, it’s important to watch competing areas of the market to get a sense of the full dynamic. As part of that, I track the monthly US sales of all the automakers that publish monthly figures. The story lately has been a downtrend in sales at major automakers other than Tesla, and especially those automakers’ car sales.

In the month of February, the following luxury auto companies and car divisions had the following sales drops:

Acura Cars: −12%
Audi: −12%
Audi Cars: −12%
BMW Cars: −12%
Infiniti: −17%
Infiniti Cars: −46%
Lexus Cars: −2%
Mercedes-Benz: −13%
Mercedes-Benz Cars: −4%
Volvo Cars: −77%

On the flip side, these luxury auto companies had the following sales increases:

Acura: 11%
Jaguar Land Rover: 29%
Lexus: 4%
Volvo: 6%

Overall, luxury auto sales from all of those companies were down 2,099 in February and car sales from those companies were down 10,775. No car division saw increased sales.

A few luxury brands are missing here — Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln, and Tesla — because they only report sales on a quarterly basis, and Jaguar doesn’t break out sales by model or class, so its car sales are estimated.

Regarding Tesla, our estimate is that Tesla Model 3 sales were somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 in the United States in February, which would close the gap in 2019 versus 2018 premium-class auto sales, but wouldn’t quite close the gap in premium-class car sales. As has been written many times across the auto world, consumers have been moving from cars to SUVs & crossovers, so that is surely part of the story here as well.

However, as we’ve noted many times in many ways, the Tesla Model 3 actually competes with mass-market cars like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in terms of 5 or 6 year total cost of ownership, while being a much better forming, better driving, safer, higher tech car. So, I’ve also been curiously looking at mass-market brands. The following are the mass-market auto companies and car divisions that saw their sales drop in February 2019 versus February 2018 (and by how much):

Honda: −1.6%
Honda Cars: −5.5%
Toyota: −6.3%
Toyota Cars: −10.6%
Nissan: −11.4%
Nissan Cars: −9.4%
Kia Cars: −2.6%
Hyundai Cars: −22.3%

Hmm, among the Big 3*, sales are crap.

(*Let’s be honest — Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are the Big 3 in the US if you’re not talking pickup trucks.)

On the flip side, other than Tesla, the following two major automakers saw their February 2019 sales rise compared to February 2018 (despite their car sales dropping):

Kia: 6.4%
Hyundai: 2%

Those two sister companies had ~3,600 more sales, combined, compared to February 2018. Nissan sales were down more than 13,000, Honda sales were down almost 2,000, and Toyota sales were down more than 9,000.

So, what does all this mean in relation to electric vehicle sales, and more specifically Tesla sales?

Who really knows? But if Tesla’s going to deliver another 40,000 or so cars in the United States this quarter, there’s a solid chance Tesla is continuing to take sales away from these other automakers. Furthermore, based on owner satisfaction surveys from Consumer Reports and others, it’s unlikely those Tesla buyers are going to go back to those older brands. And with the Tesla Model Y coming to market in a couple of years, Model 3 owners may well abandon those other automakers completely as they convert their gasoline crossovers and SUVs to Teslas.

There’s a lot of hype among certain people who want to see Tesla fail that Tesla’s days are numbered, that it’s all a house of cards that’s about to fall down. I don’t buy that narrative, but I wonder sometimes how much the other automakers are under that exact threat.

Remember that it wasn’t a 100% collapse in auto sales that caused GM and Chrysler to go bankrupt approximately a decade ago. Overall, US auto sales dropped 11.7% from 2007 to 2008.

Scroll up again and look at those drops in US sales for numerous automakers.

Stepping back another month, in January, the following automakers saw sales down as follows:

Nissan: −20%
Toyota: −7%
Mercedes-Benz: −14%
Honda: −1.5%
BMW: −5%
Lexus: −3%
Infiniti: −3%
Audi: −2%

Nissan is already doing worse than the US auto industry as a whole in 2007–2008. Mercedes-Benz is also down worse than the auto industry as a whole in 2007–2008. Toyota is more than halfway there. Honda and BMW are holding on much better but are also down. Audi and Infiniti are down dramatically. Where will all of this lead?

Of course, I’m not implying that these companies will go bankrupt just based on huge drops in US auto sales. These automakers all have strong sales in other markets — China, Europe, and Japan, for example. Nonetheless, executives at the North America divisions must be sweating bullets. The problem is — how do you compete with Tesla?

About the Author

Zachary Shahan Zach is tryin' to help society help itself (and other species). He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director and chief editor. He's also the president of Important Media and the director/founder of EV Obsession and Solar Love. Zach is recognized globally as an electric vehicle, solar energy, and energy storage expert. He has presented about cleantech at conferences in India, the UAE, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, and Canada.

Zach has long-term investments in TSLA, FSLR, SPWR, SEDG, & ABB — after years of covering solar and EVs, he simply has a lot of faith in these particular companies and feels like they are good cleantech companies to invest in. But he offers no professional investment advice and would rather not be responsible for you losing money, so don't jump to conclusions.

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UPDATE 3-BMW plans to cut costs after warning on profits

MUNICH (Reuters) – BMW expects group pretax profit to fall by more than 10 percent this year and plans a sweeping 12 billion euro ($13.6 billion) savings and efficiency plan to help offset higher technology investment and currency costs. The German carmaker last week reported a 7.9 percent fall in 2018 operating profit and said… Continue reading UPDATE 3-BMW plans to cut costs after warning on profits

Statement and Presentation by Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, BMW Group Annual Accounts Press Conference 2019

Good morning and welcome! Today, I would like to show you what sets the BMW Group apart from our competition. Let’s first take a look at the recent past, and then focus on the future. The BMW Group is successfully shaping the future of mobility. We are doing so by consistently charting our own course:… Continue reading Statement and Presentation by Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, BMW Group Annual Accounts Press Conference 2019

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The new Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé: A new take on extraordinary

20.

March 2019

Stuttgart

Sure to attract attention: just a few weeks after unveiling the GLC SUV, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the GLC Coupé. The next generation of the successful model skilfully and intricately combines the sportiness of a coupé with the functionality of an SUV. The result is a vehicle for individualists who attach maximum importance to extraordinary looks, the greatest possible freedom and pioneering technology. Innovative technologies, intelligent driving assistance systems and a new engine line-up make the Coupé a paragon of sportiness, safety and efficiency.
The GLC Coupé impresses with its distinctive appearance, innovative driving assistance systems, a new engine line-up and the latest generation of the MBUX Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system with its wide range of control options. The enhanced driving assistance systems have been expanded by adding an exit-warning function, emergency-corridor function and tail-end-of-traffic-jam function, among others. Also new is Trailer Manoeuvring Assist, which provides assistance when manoeuvring in reverse.
Mesmerising coupé rear: elegant exterior design
The GLC Coupé is characterised by its dynamic appearance and elegant lines. Hallmark off-road features include the dominant front end, powerful forms and standard-fit chrome details like the front and rear underride guards. Its coupé character shines through in the squat silhouette with the dropping roof line and rounded rear window. Highlights at the front end include the powerfully contoured diamond radiator grille with integrated star and single louvre typical of a coupé, complemented by the distinctive air intakes and the new contours of the standard-fit LED High Performance headlamps.
The GLC Coupé shows how the design features of a coupé can be harmonised with those of an SUV with its dropping roof line, the greenhouse that fits perfectly into the silhouette and the feature line in combination with the eye-catching chrome strip on the high beltline, the muscular shoulders and the rearwards-ascending light-catching contour. On top of this, the dynamic proportions and the generous ground clearance emphasise the GLC Coupé's range of abilities – it's just at home on smooth tarmac as it is on a dirt track.
Intelligence and convenience: the interior
Flawless luxury and user-friendly controls abound in the Coupé's interior. As is usual for Mercedes-Benz, particular importance is given to the interior. The focus is on the dashboard and the flowing lines of the centre console. The large, one-piece console panel sweeps elegantly from the centre air vents to the armrest. It has a premium feel and a build quality of exceptionally high calibre. The interior colour magma grey is completely new. The completely revised multifunction steering wheel is available in two versions. Its operation of Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and the Touch Control buttons for controlling the instrument cluster and the infotainment system as well as the acoustic input feedback set new standards.
The multifunctional touchpad on the centre console improves operating convenience even further, and replaces the rotary pushbutton, while the infotainment system has larger touchscreen displays with 12.3 inches in the instrument cluster plus 7 inches with 960 x 540 pixels and 10.25 inches with 1920 x 720 pixels in the central display. In addition to this, the latest generation of the MBUX Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system boasts intuitive logic and a wide range of control options. There are five different ways to interact with the GLC's infotainment system:
By touch control on the central display Using the Touch Control buttons on the multifunction steering wheel With the multifunction touchpad on the centre console Via optional gesture control with the Interior Assistant By voice control, using the “Hey Mercedes” prompt The optional ENERGIZING comfort control combines various in-vehicle systems to create an optimum environment. This integrates lighting and music moods, climate control, suitable music and video selections as well as a massage function, heating and ventilation for the seats. The ENERGIZING COACH uses data from the vehicle and surroundings to recommend one of the programmes that fits the situation and the individual.
The state-of-the-art driving assistance systems are augmented by the exit-warning function, emergency-corridor function and tail-end-of-traffic-jam function, among others. New features include Trailer Manoeuvring Assist, which provides assistance when manoeuvring in reverse. The system uses sensors in the ball head and a magnetic ring to measure the angle between towing vehicle and trailer. The 360° camera offers good all-round visibility and a greatly enhanced image on the display.
Increased efficiency: the new engines
At market launch the GLC Coupé will be available with new engines, with further engines to be added to the line-up during the course of the year. All the diesel models already meet the requirements of the Euro 6d standard (RDE – Real Driving Emissions Stage 2), which comes into force in 2020. This is achieved thanks to the insulated configuration of the exhaust-gas aftertreatment system installed directly on the engine. It consists of diesel oxidation catalytic converter (DOC), particulate filter with SCR catalytic converter function (sDPF) and SCR catalytic converter with AdBlue® injection. The system is augmented by an additional selective catalytic reduction (SCR) converter with an ammonia slip catalyst (ASC) in the exhaust tract of the GLC. The petrol engines are electrified by the integration of a 48-volt on-board electrical system (EQ Boost). The belt-driven starter-generator is responsible for hybrid functions such as boost or energy recuperation, while allowing fuel savings that were previously the reserve of high-voltage hybrid technology. In addition to reducing consumption and CO2 emissions, the technology also enhances both comfort and performance.
The engine line-up at a glance
GLC 200
4MATIC
GLC 300
4MATIC
GLC 200 d
4MATIC
GLC 220 d
4MATIC
GLC 300 d
4MATIC
Cylinders/arrangement
4/in-line
4/in-line
4/in-line
4/in-line
4/in-line
Output (kW/hp) Combustion engine
145/197
190/258
120/163
143/194
180/245
Output of electric motor (kW) Energy Recovery Boost
10
10
–
–
–
Peak torque Combustion engine (Nm)
320
370
360
400
500
Peak torque Electric motor (Nm)
150
150
–
–
–
Fuel consumption, combined (l/100 km)[1]
7.4-7.1
7.4-7.1
5.5-5.2
5.5-5.2
5.8
CO2 emissions, combined (g/km)[1]
169-161
169-161
145-137
145-137
153-151
The GLC Coupé at a glance
Expressive design: The stylish appearance of the new Coupé generation encapsulates the Sensual Purity design philosophy and combines the flexibility of an SUV with the sense of style and sportiness of a coupé. The A-pillars have a more pronounced slope, which lowers the roof silhouette. The model owes much of its extraordinary character to the diamond radiator grille, which is available in silver as standard or black in conjunction with the Night package, featuring a chrome trim incorporating formal elements of the underride guard. Further eye-catching features include the standard-fit LED High Performance headlamps with their torch design and unmistakable light signature. The elegant lines are drawn to a successful conclusion by the compact rear end featuring a new-look diffuser with underride guard and tailpipe trims as well as full-LED tail lamps. MBUX – Innovative telematics: The combination of the touchscreen displays, navigation with augmented reality, intelligent voice control via the talk button or the “Hey Mercedes” prompt, connectivity and the user interface makes the GLC Coupé state of the art. Suspension: As an alternative to the standard sports suspension with adaptive damping, DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL with infinitely adjustable dampers for the steel springs on the front and rear axle is available as an option. Depending on the driving situation, speed and condition of the road, the damping is controlled individually for each wheel in interaction with the engine, transmission and steering characteristics. AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension is also available – to further enhance comfort and sportiness. Advanced assistance systems: Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steer Assist provide even more comfortable support to help the driver to keep a safe distance and steer. The speed is adjusted automatically ahead of bends or junctions. Active Steer Assist helps with forming an emergency corridor and with changing lanes. The risk of potential collisions can be reduced by the turn-off function of Active Brake Assist by braking if the driver fails to see oncoming traffic. Drive system: The GLC Coupé comes with a choice of efficient four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines from the latest generation. The diesel engines already meet the requirements of the Euro 6d standard. The petrol engines are electrified by the integration of a 48-volt on-board electrical system (EQ Boost). The new-generation GLC Coupé is a blend of exceptional and sophisticated features, further underlining its leading position with this combination of style and ability. At present, Mercedes-Benz has a very successful presence in the SUV segment with seven models (GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS, G-Class).
[1] Figures for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are provisional and were determined by the technical service for the certification process in accordance with the WLTP test method and correlated into NEDC figures. EC type approval and a certificate of conformity with official figures are not yet available. Differences between the stated figures and the official figures are possible.

Press Contact

Christian Anosowitsch

Manager Communications SUV

christian.anosowitsch@daimler.com

Tel: +49 711 17-75849

Fax: +49 711 17-98646

Koert Groeneveld

Head of International Product & Technology Communications

koert.groeneveld@daimler.com

Tel: +49 711 17-92311

Fax: +49 711 17-94365

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VinFast Launches Limited Edition Lux SUV in Switzerland – Business Insider

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 6 March 2019 – VinFast will introduce its first luxury SUV at the Geneva Motor Show 2019 in Switzerland from March 7-17. Equipped with the powerful 6.2-litre V8 and outstanding interior and exterior upgrades, the newly-launched VinFast Lux V8 has quickly attracted the attention of international experts and media. VinFast Lux… Continue reading VinFast Launches Limited Edition Lux SUV in Switzerland – Business Insider

Safety-critical positioning for autonomous driving: with ESCAPE the first fully integrated device is on its way

The ESCAPE GNSS Engine board in its final packaging (courtesy of FICOSA)

BARCELONA, Spain, 19-Mar-2019 — /EuropaWire/ — Autonomous driving is the hot topic of todays’ mobility and transportation world. Safety is the most fundamental requirement and, at the same time, the greatest concern about autonomous driving applications. The major perceived concern about autonomous driving is safety, at all levels of the technology and of the human interaction. In this context, the localization technology is a key element, as it enables the navigation of autonomous vehicles when operating without human supervision. To achieve this goal, the localization technology has to be designed from the beginning for safety.

The ESCAPE project (European Safety Critical Applications Positioning Engine), funded by the European GNSS Agency’s Fundamental Elements Programme, has indeed pursued a safety-oriented design paradigm for its innovative automotive-grade localization engine for autonomous vehicles, the ESCAPE GNSS Engine, or EGE.

The design of each component on the EGE, its development, integration and manufacturing has followed stringent safety-oriented criteria, which encompass automotive-grade Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) procedures and GNSS-oriented Required Navigation Performance (RNP).

The solution leverages on the Global Navigation Satellite Systems, including the Galileo constellation, thanks to the new STM TESEO APP chipset, which supports ASIL-B platforms. This is complemented with intelligent automotive cameras and low-cost inertial sensors, vehicle odometry, lane-level navigation maps, governed by GMV’s integration algorithms. The GMV’s real-time Precise Point Positioning service, as well as the use of highly precise maps, are the keys for enhanced accuracy, enabled via a high-speed connectivity of the vehicle. The unique feature of such a multi-layer design is the estimation in real-time of the integrity level associated with the location estimates, which is also the fundamental element for safety-oriented navigation.

The ESCAPE GNSS Engine is assembled and manufactured by FICOSA and will be validated through an extensive test campaign on-board of a Renault’s electric car.

The first accuracy results obtained from the GNSS-only positioning algorithms in a medium-multipath propagation scenario have offered a promising 0.3 m RMS horizontal accuracy in static and 0.5 m in dynamic conditions.

Other test sessions are expected for March, July and September 2019 and are intended to validate, respectively:

The integrated positioning algorithms (March 2019)
The provision of integrity information through the computation of Protection Levels (July 2019)
The robustness of the integrated approach in urban and suburban scenarios (September 2019)

The project is also planning a final demo at the Université de Technologie de Compiègne (UTC), in France, in which a test car will show its enhanced/autonomous driving capabilities enabled by the EGE board. Autonomous maneuvers will be demonstrated along a controlled circuit in the UTC campus, while enhanced ADAS functionalities will be demonstrated along public urban streets in Compiègne. The final demo will be organized in late November/December 2019.

The ESCAPE project’s most recent achievements will be also presented at the 2019 edition of the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit at the Session 8, dedicated to “THE ROLE OF GNSS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AUTOMATIC DRIVING”.

_________

This press release can be downloaded from this link.

_________

For more information: www.gnss-escape.eu

Contacts:

Jessica García Soriano
ESCAPE Project Leader
FICOSA – Advanced Communications Dpt
Tel: +34 937008500 – Ext: 888197
jessica.garcia@ficosa.com

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University of Nottingham part of government-backed initiative to trial self-driving taxis in London – Led by Jaguar Land Rover, the ServCity pilot has won £11.15m from Innovate UK towards its £19.8m project to develop a bookable taxi service in the capital using six autonomous Land Rover Discovery vehicles…

The path towards the autonomous vehicles passes through the European satellites – The European Agency for the global navigation satellite systems (GSA) has kicked-off ESCAPE, a three-year and 5.4 M€ project to exploit the services offered by Galileo, the European satellite navigation system, in the field of the automated driving…

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