Tesla factory and screen interface, Byton back at CES: Today’s Car News

Byton M-Byte concept
Patent filings show new features that may be coming to updated Model S and Model X cars later this year. Chinese startup automaker Byton makes another appearance at CES. And our latest Twitter poll asks readers which electric pickup they think may hit the roads first. All this and more on Green Car Reports.

On Sunday night, Musk took to Twitter to announce that the company would break ground on its much-needed second factory on Monday. The new plant in China will produce “affordable” Model 3s and Model Ys for the Chinese and surrounding markets.

A patent filing late last year shows a new Windows-like control interface that may be coming to updated Model S and Model X cars later this year. The screen will allow drivers to see four functions at once.

Chinese startup automaker Byton will make its second appearance at the CES show in Las Vegas this week, after giving rides in its M-byte SUV last year. This year, an updated M-byte that's closer to production will have a curved screen across the dashboard, more screens for rear passengers, and even a few actual buttons for driver controls.

If 2019 is the year of the electric SUV, it's also the year of electric pickup concept announcements. Our latest Twitter poll asks readers which company they think will get an electric pickup on the market first: Rivian, Tesla, Ford, or Bollinger.

A spy photographer in Germany caught photos of the upcoming BMW iX3, due out in 2020, testing on public roads. Lest there be any doubt that it was the electric version of the X3, the test car had signs emblazoned on the front doors proclaiming, “Electric Test Vehicle.”

Finally, Jay Leno got a chance to test drive the new Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 prototype and released a new video on “Jay Leno's Garage” to rave about the experience.

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GM Cruise and DoorDash are partnering on autonomous food deliveries

Elijah Nouvelage | Reuters
Two self-driving Chevy Bolt EV cars are seen during a media event by Cruise, GM’s autonomous car unit, in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 28, 2017.

Food delivery service DoorDash is partnering with General Motors' self-driving unit Cruise to test autonomous technology for meal and grocery deliveries, the companies said Thursday.

It is the latest step the autonomous driving technology firm is taking toward bringing its technology to market. The program will begin in early 2019 with and will be initially focused on the San Francisco area, the companies said.

“Delivery is a significant opportunity for Cruise as we prepare to commercialize our autonomous vehicle technology and transform transportation,” Cruise CEO Dan Ammann said in a statement. “Partnering with DoorDash will provide us with critical learnings as we further our mission to deliver technology that makes people's lives better and more convenient.”

Automakers are developing new business models for self-driving cars as they perfect the technology. Ford, for example, started autonomous delivery tests with Postmates and Domino's Pizza.

Top Automotive Industry News for Week of December 31 – January 6, 2019

Here is the most important news associated with the automotive industry
identified by the AEA for the week of December 31, 2018 – January 6, 2019.

We hope it helps you stay up to speed on the key developments in our
industry:

-AEA Membership News-

The next AEA Members Reception will be held on Thursday January 24th,
2019 in San Francio. Invitations have been sent to all current AEA
Members. Annual AEA Member Dues renewal will occur on January 2 nd, 2019. If you have any questions, please contact
memberservices@automotiveexecutives.com

-Automotive Manufacturing News-

Detroit auto show will kick off year of uncertainty

(Detroit News)

Detroit's final January auto show prepares to go out with a bang

(Detroit News)

FCA Unveiling Heavy Duty Version Of Red-Hot Ram Pickup At North
American Show In Detroit

(Forbes)

GM's New President Will Double Down on Electric, Autonomous

(Automotive Fleet)

Infiniti Aims to Electrify With QX Inspiration Concept

(The Detroit Bureau)

Polestar’s First All-Electric Model Breaks Cover

(The Detroit Bureau)

-Automotive Evolution News-

Car Companies Will Show Off the Latest in Self-Driving Tech at CES

(Barrons)

GM Cruise and DoorDash are partnering on autonomous food deliveries

(CNBC)

Self-Driving Cars Keep Tapping the Brakes

(Bloomberg)

Toyota Aims For Sci-Fi Styling In Its Upgraded, Tech-Heavy Self-Driving
Car

(Forbes)

While we were looking at 3D TVs, CES morphed into an auto show

(Engadget)

Wielding Rocks and Knives, Arizonans Attack Self-Driving Cars

(NY Times)

-Automotive Retail News-

Car payments and loans jump amid surging demand for cars, SUVs

(CNBC)

Edmunds Analysts Predict Auto Finance Deals Will Wane in the New Year

(PR Newswire)

F&I trends to watch in 2019

(Automotive News)

GM, Ford, Toyota sales fall in December, but auto industry posts
surprisingly solid 2018

(USA Today)

Rising Interest Rates Will Drive Auto Sales Down in 2019

(The Detroit Bureau)

Tesla and GM are running up against the EV tax credit limit

(Business Insider)

Tesla cuts prices of electric vehicles: Model 3, Model X, Model S will
be cheaper

(USA Today)

The Year in Auto Sales: Facts, Figures, and the Bestsellers from 2018

(Automobile)

These 6 vehicles were the hottest-selling cars of 2018: Jeep, Toyota,
Tesla make the list

(USA Today)

Trucks, SUVs Pull in December Buyers Giving Industry Big Boost

(The Detroit Bureau)

U.S. Auto Sales Boom Will Finally End In 2019; Surely?

(Forbes)

U.S. sales rise 2.2% in Dec.; SAAR hits 2018 high

(Automotive News)

-Automotive Servicing News-

Ford Recalling Nearly 1 Million Vehicles with Faulty Takata Airbags

(The Detroit Bureau)

Recall Recap: The 5 Biggest Recalls in December

(Cars.com)

-Automotive Ownership News-

The Rise In U.S. Auto Loan Debt Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down

(Forbes)

-General Business & Executive News-

Audi Is Making A Welcome Return To Super Bowl Advertising To Tout New
E-Tron

(Forbes)

California makes it illegal to charge more for car insurance based on
gender

(CNet)

Cars.com sheds 8 percent of workforce

(Chicago Business)

General Motors names long-time insider Mark Reuss as its president

(CNBC)

Healthy Global Auto Sales Growth Looks Doomed In 2019

(Forbes)

Top Auto Industry Stories Of 2018: From A Jailed CEO To The End Of The
World As We Know It

(Forbes)

-AEA Reminder-

Did we miss something? Let us know via our

Contact Us Page >>

. If you have specific important news going public soon that you would like
to share with your fellow AEA Members, submit your

PR Distribution Request >>

Have a great week,

Member Services

memberservices@automotiveexecutives.com

Automotive Executives Association

www.automotiveexecutives.com

Ford plans new wireless tech for cars starting 2022

FILE PHOTO: The Ford logo is pictured on the company’s stand during the 88th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co (F.N) said on Monday it plans to roll out a wireless technology for its new vehicle models in the United States, starting 2022, that… Continue reading Ford plans new wireless tech for cars starting 2022

GM and DoorDash to deliver food in self-driving cars – CNN

During the tests, there will a be a “safety driver” in the automated Chevrolet Bolt EV, but that person will be there only to take over in the event of an emergency. The car will mostly drive on its own. The test program will take place within San Francisco, where Cruise is based. Ford has… Continue reading GM and DoorDash to deliver food in self-driving cars – CNN

Ford recalls over 953K vehicles to replace inflators

Ford recalls over 953K vehicles to replace inflatorsFord is recalling more than 953,000 vehicles worldwide to replace Takata passenger air bag inflators that can explode and hurl shrapnel.
The move includes over 782,000 vehicles in the U.S. and is part of the largest series of recalls in U.S. history.
Included are the 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, the 2010 and 2011 Ford Ranger, the 2010 to 2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, the 2010 and 2011 Mercury Milan, and the 2010 to 2014 Ford Mustang.
Some of the recalls may be limited to specific geographic areas of the U.S.
Takata used the chemical ammonium nitrate to create an explosion to inflate air bags. But it can deteriorate over time due to heat and humidity and explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister designed to contain the explosion. At least 23 people have been killed worldwide and hundreds injured by the inflators.
Ford says it doesn’t know of any injuries in vehicles included in this recall. Dealers will replace the inflators.
Ford will notify owners about the recall starting on Feb. 18, and the company has replacement parts available for dealers to order, said spokeswoman Monique Brentley. In previous Takata recalls, parts availability had been an issue.
Owners can go to owner.ford.com and key in their vehicle identification number to see if their cars and SUVs are being recalled. The same information will be available soon at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
More than three years after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took over management of recalls involving Takata inflators, one third of the recalled inflators still have not been replaced, according to an annual report from the government and a court-appointed monitor.
The report says 16.7 million faulty inflators out of 50 million under recall have yet to be replaced. And 10 million more inflators are scheduled to be recalled this month, including the Ford vehicles.
Safety advocates said the completion rate should be far higher given the danger associated with the inflators.
The recalls forced Takata of Japan to seek bankruptcy protection and sell most of its assets to pay for the fixes.
The inflators grow more dangerous as they get older because ammonium nitrate deteriorates due to high humidity and cycles from hot temperatures to cold. The most dangerous inflators are in areas of the South along the Gulf of Mexico that have high humidity.
Read or Share this story: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2019/01/04/ford-recall-takata-passenger-air-bag-inflators/38841835/

It’s a Linux-powered car world

Linux is everywhere including your car. While some companies, like Tesla, run their own homebrew Linux distros, most rely on Automotive Grade Linux (AGL). AGL is a collaborative cross-industry effort developing an open platform for connected cars with over 140 members. This Linux Foundation-based organization is a who’s who of Linux-friendly car manufacturers. Its membership includes Audi,… Continue reading It’s a Linux-powered car world

VW increases sales in the US by more than four percent

The car market in the US is causing problems for many manufacturers – but not VW: despite the exhaust gas scandal, the Wolfsburg-based group is significantly increasing its US sales. By contrast, things were worse for Audi and Daimler in 2018. VW boss Herbert Diess at the Detroit Auto Show (January 2018) Friday, 04.01.2019 09:10… Continue reading VW increases sales in the US by more than four percent

Canada auto sales fall 8 pct in December

Top U.S. automakers also reported a dip in auto sales for the month of December, however remained bullish on pickups in 2019 sales. Canada‘s auto sales declined 8 percent in December from a year earlier, marking the ninth straight month of sales drop, according to industry data released on Thursday. Overall sales for December fell… Continue reading Canada auto sales fall 8 pct in December