By: Ryan Powell, Head of UX Research & Design We’ve had members of the public riding in our fully self-driving vehicles for over two years, first as part of our early rider program and more recently through our Waymo One commercial ride-hailing service. Now, we have over a thousand riders in Waymo One, some who… Continue reading Driven by Waymo, Designed with Trust
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Report: Faraday Future could soon undergo restructuring, shed CEO
Although the future looks brighter this year for the electric-vehicle hopeful Faraday Future, with a new line of funding revealed in April to help them get through the year and to the long-awaited production of its FF91 electric SUV, a recent report suggests that there may soon be more upheaval to come.
The company’s CEO and founder, Jia Yueting, could be stepping down as part of a restructuring plan, according to the China-based, English-language tech-media site Pandaily.
Faraday is quite a different company than it was in 2017, when it revealed the FF91 to much fanfare at CES, or even last year, when a $2 billion round of financing was announced from Hong Kong–based Evergrande Health. Several months later Evergrande still hadn’t produced the first $700 million of the promised funding, as part of a dispute.
Evergrande ended up seeking elsewhere to build its own electric-vehicle empire—with a controlling interest in National Electric Vehicles Sweden (NEVS), a Chinese company that bought the rights to Saab’s former vehicle designs (but not the name).
Some of the company’s top and founding executives have left the company, including Peter Savagian, the senior VP at Faraday and once chief engineer of the GM EV1. But the CEO, who goes by YT Jia, has remained at the company and in the U.S., where he reportedly can escape some of his own financial woes in China (part of the controversy in and of itself).
Faraday Future plant in Hanford, California
Faraday spokesman John Schilling declined to comment to Green Car Reports on what he called “speculation about our executives,” or on future plans for the company. But he confirmed that the company remains committed to the completion and launch of the FF91, and that it continues the development of the FF81 for launch in 2021.
It still has a place for that. The company gave up earlier plans to produce its vehicles at a North Las Vegas, Nevada, facility and opted for a smaller former Pirelli facility in Hanford, California—where, if this round of funding goes smoothly, the company could start building vehicles again sometime next year.
Cost of EVs to be at par with combustion engine cars in 3-4 yrs: Kant
“The cost of electric vehicles will almost become at par with combustion (engine) cars in the next 3-4 years,” the NITI Aayog CEO said while addressing a CII event here. NEW DELHI: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Wednesday said the cost of electric vehicles will almost become at par with combustion engine cars in… Continue reading Cost of EVs to be at par with combustion engine cars in 3-4 yrs: Kant
KIA has set new benchmarks for safety and quality: MD
KIA Motors India has set new benchmarks for safety and production quality in the automobile manufacturing sector at its greenfield car manufacturing unit at Erramanchi village in Anantapur district.The manufacturing facility, built just within a little over a year right from scratch, has a capacity to manufacture 3 lakh cars a year, but currently is manufacturing 280 units of Seltos against a capacity of 400 for this model.Depending on the demand for the car that was pre-booked by more than 32,000 people all over India, the automotive production line — worldwide 15th facility of KIA Motors — will enhance its capacity.
PSA Group re-states Brexit warning for Vauxhall Ellesmere Port plant – AM
PSA Group chairman and chief executive Carlos Tavares has re-stated the French carmaker’s warning that Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant could be closed if Brexit makes it unprofitable. In an interview with the Financial Times Tavares said that Vauxhall, “has another plant in mind” if the conditions of Brexit are “unfavourable”. “Frankly I would prefer to… Continue reading PSA Group re-states Brexit warning for Vauxhall Ellesmere Port plant – AM
Grab to invest $500m in Vietnam to tap into fintech, mobility, logistics opportunities
The ride-hailing giant also announced its Tech For Good roadmap aligned with the country’s Socio-Economic Development Plan. Go to Source
Maruti to invest in new products, expansion despite the downturn
“Demand for SUVs in India is growing rapidly. Only recently, we introduced the XL6. We recognise the importance of SUVs and will work to ensure that the market is adequately covered”, said Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava. NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava said despite the downturn the company will continue investments in new… Continue reading Maruti to invest in new products, expansion despite the downturn
Renowned Mobility Expert Shiva Kumar Joins Ridecell To Head Up Business Development And Strategic Finance – PRNewswire
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Ridecell Inc., the leading platform provider for shared and autonomous mobility operators, today announced it has hired Shiva Kumar as the Executive Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Finance. He will oversee Ridecell’s business development and investor activities. Mr. Kumar brings industry-recognized expertise in mobility technology market to the… Continue reading Renowned Mobility Expert Shiva Kumar Joins Ridecell To Head Up Business Development And Strategic Finance – PRNewswire
Cities Won’t Be Taking A Backseat When Self-Driving Cars Are Ready for Prime Time
Peter Rander, President of Argo AI; Bryan Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hills, MI; and Jim Farley, President of Ford New Business, Technology and Strategy By Peter Rander, President, Argo AI At Argo AI, and in collaboration with Ford, our plan is to work directly with cities as we prepare to launch services enabled by self-driving… Continue reading Cities Won’t Be Taking A Backseat When Self-Driving Cars Are Ready for Prime Time
Anthony Levandowski, former Google engineer at center of Waymo-Uber case, charged with stealing trade secrets
Anthony Levandowski, the former Google engineer and serial entrepreneur who was at the center of a trade secrets lawsuit between Uber and Waymo, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on theft of trade secrets. The indictment, which is posted below, charges Levandowski with 33 counts of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets… Continue reading Anthony Levandowski, former Google engineer at center of Waymo-Uber case, charged with stealing trade secrets