The trucking world has been inundated in recent years by startups and large companies alike pitching an array of automated driving technology and business strategies, all aiming to solve the big three problems with freight: safety, fuel costs and driver shortages. For Peloton Technology, a Silicon Valley company that launched in 2011, the answer doesn’t… Continue reading Peloton’s new automated vehicle system gives one driver control of two trucks
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Oliver Zipse could become the new BMW boss: The last Schlipsträger
Tobias Rabbit / dpa He could become the new BMW boss: Oliver Zipse, previously responsible for the production of the board Oliver Zipse has already made a name for himself in the automotive industry. The 55-year-old and possible successor to Group CEO Harald Krüger stands for the fact that BMW has made its production less… Continue reading Oliver Zipse could become the new BMW boss: The last Schlipsträger
Axios Asks GM CEO Mary Barra About Self-Driving Cars, Tesla, & S3X – InsideEVs
What will people be doing in their cars when self-driving becomes a reality? General Motors CEO Mary Barra made a recent appearance on Axios on HBO. The episode’s host Joann Muller wanted to know more about the future of self-driving cars. She asked Barra if Tesla’s forward momentum with the technology puts pressure on companies like GM… Continue reading Axios Asks GM CEO Mary Barra About Self-Driving Cars, Tesla, & S3X – InsideEVs
GM CEO Mary Barra: New Jobs Will Require Workers To Relocate – GM Authority
GM CEO Mary Barra said that all workers who lost their jobs in the automaker’s recent plant closures have a position waiting for them elsewhere at GM. But there’s a catch. The CEO revealed during an interview with Axios on HBO that these people will need to consider relocating to a different city or state. We’ve recently reported how the change has impacted some… Continue reading GM CEO Mary Barra: New Jobs Will Require Workers To Relocate – GM Authority
Lexus developing electric-car platform, considering in-wheel motors
Electric cars are winning over even the most skeptical of automakers.
Last month, Toyota announced it was teaming up with Subaru to develop a dedicated electric platform for a new SUV. Now the company's luxury division has told Digital Trends that it is also developing a new all-electric architecture for a future model.
That's not all, though. Koji Sato, the executive vice president of Lexus International, told Digital Trends that the brand plans to “electrify” its entire model lineup, that it has developed a new design language that can better incorporate electric cars, and that it is working to develop new in-wheel electric motors for its electric cars. Toyota has also said it is working on developing solid-state batteries for electric cars.
2016 Lexus RX 450h F Sport
In Lexus's case, “electrification” could also involve fuel-cell cars, since former Japanese Emperor Akihito incentivized Japanese companies to prioritize development of hydrogen fuel cells over batteries. Lexus's parent company, Toyota, sells the compact Mirai fuel-cell sedan for $58,500 in California.
Of course, Lexus's electrification plans could also include more conventional hybrids, such as the ES 300h or RX 450h, the brand's most successful hybrids to date.
Sato told Digital Trends that the company is making a substantial investment in a new dedicated electric-car platform, though it's not clear whether that will come in addition to the electric-SUV joint-venture between Toyota and Subaru or if it's part of the same program.
One thing that could change as a result is Lexus' design language. The most recent theme is built around huge “spindle” grilles that electric cars might not need, because of generally lower (and different) cooling needs.
Lexus design chief Koichi Suga told Digital Trends that the company has developed a new design language with a front end more appropriate for electric cars, but that it has not yet been approved by Toyota president Akio Toyoda. That new design language is likely to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.
Peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace Turo raises $250M at over $1B valuation from IAC
Car-sharing startup Turo has raised $250 million in a Series E round of funding from IAC, the internet media company that owned and spun out Match.com, and OKCupid. This round pushes Turo into Unicorn territory, with its valuation now “past the billion-dollar” mark according to Turo CEO Andre Haddad. This late round of funding brings… Continue reading Peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace Turo raises $250M at over $1B valuation from IAC
SEAT will roll out a corporate carsharing service and presents its vision for urban mobility in Madrid
SEAT is going to begin offering corporate carsharing services through Respiro, as was announced at ‘Madrid on the move by SEAT’, an event in the capital where the company presented its urban mobility strategy for the first time and vehicles such as the new Mii electric, the SEAT Minimó concept vehicle and the SEAT eXS kickscooter… Continue reading SEAT will roll out a corporate carsharing service and presents its vision for urban mobility in Madrid
SEAT starts production of a new gearbox
SEAT Componentes, one of the Spanish brand’s three production centres together with Martorell and Barcelona, has begun production of the Volkswagen Group’s new MQ281 gearbox. This new, six-speed gearbox will be used by the SEAT, Volkswagen, Audi and Škoda brands and its maximum throughput capacity amounts to 450,000 units annually. Production of the MQ281 gearbox… Continue reading SEAT starts production of a new gearbox
Modification work: Preparations underway at Audi Böllinger Höfe for the Audi e-tron GT
The electric powered Audi e-tron GT will be manufactured alongside the Audi R8 supercar at Audi Sport GmbH’s production facilities in the Böllinger Höfe from late 2020. At present, the required construction work is underway at the R8 production facilities to integrate the electric sports car. Additional logistics halls are being added and state-of-the-art equipment… Continue reading Modification work: Preparations underway at Audi Böllinger Höfe for the Audi e-tron GT
Are The Tesla Pickup & Semi Truck Waiting For Maxwell Batteries?
It makes sense, but we still don’t know precisely what to expect from Maxwell We think so, but it all assumes that the Maxwell battery will actually happen and doesn’t end up like so many battery promises — in the trash can. We are not the only ones that think the Maxwell battery will happen. Electrek… Continue reading Are The Tesla Pickup & Semi Truck Waiting For Maxwell Batteries?