Tag: Tier 1 Suppliers

The arrests of Stadler and Ghosn shake the global automotive in 2018

Published 12/26/2018 12:14:42 CET Great changes in the domes of the automotive: García Sanz leaves Volkswgen; the ‘visionary’ Musk is replaced in the presidency of Tesla and Zetsche announces his withdrawal from Daimler MADRID, 26 Dec. (EUROPA PRESS) – The arrests of managers Rupert Stadler and Carlos Ghosn have shaken the automotive sector in 2018,… Continue reading The arrests of Stadler and Ghosn shake the global automotive in 2018

The last buddy

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UPDATE 4-Nissan’s Kelly released on bail as Tokyo court rejects prosecutors’ plea

TOKYO (Reuters) – Former Nissan Motor Co Representative Director Greg Kelly has been released on bail after more than a month in detention on financial-misconduct charges, as a Tokyo court rejected prosecutors’ request to keep the American executive in custody. Media crews are seen on step ladders in front of the Tokyo Detention Center, where… Continue reading UPDATE 4-Nissan’s Kelly released on bail as Tokyo court rejects prosecutors’ plea

Tesla rival looks like its German alter ego

Tesla rival looks like its German alter egoTesla Inc.’s latest German rival is a fast-moving startup with global ambitions, no combustion-car baggage and a lofty valuation. And its hard-charging founder aims to challenge Elon Musk’s company with a bargain electric car for the masses.
Set up by an engineering professor with a track record of successfully developing and selling electric vehicles, e.GO Mobile AG is ramping up production of a battery-powered compact that will cost about half as much as the Tesla Model 3. But unlike the California pioneer, the German manufacturer expects to generate cash out of the gate.
“I’ve needed Tesla as a role model,” Guenther Schuh, e.GO’s founder and the mastermind behind Europe’s best-selling electric van, said inside his factory built on the site a former television-tube plantin Aachen, near the French border. “For so long, no startup or individual entered this shark tank alone, so it was great to get a demonstration of how that might work.”
Initial funding for e.Go came from Schuh’s sale of StreetScooter, a no-frills electric van, to Deutsche Post AG in 2014. Germany’s mail carrier was looking for an affordable electric vehicle for urban deliveries, and Schuh the chair of production engineering at RWTH Aachen University, one of Germany’s top technical schools developed a bare-bones model with no air conditioning or radio and a top speed of less than 50 miles per hour. The model was a surprise hit, and Deutsche Post has doubled StreetScooter capacity to 20,000 a year and is considering listing the unit.
In addition to StreetScooter proceeds, German auto supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG invested 135 million euros ($154million) in e.GO as part of a project to jointly develop a self-driving minibus. The startup has now enlisted HSBC Holdings Plc to raise as much as 300 million euros for its plans to expand to four models a deal that could lift its value above $1 billion, making it a rare German “unicorn.”
While Tesla is focusing on upscale buyers and offering sports car-like performance, e.GO is taking a utilitarian tack. Its first model, the Life, is a simple urban runabout that looks like a boxy version of the Fiat 500. The four-seater boasts a cheap price for an electric car, but not much else. So far, e.GO has 3,200 pre-orders and isn’t taking more. Deliveries will begin in April, and the plan is to produce100,000 vehicles annually by 2022 on par with Tesla’s output last year.
“It’s going to be tough’’for e.GO to compete with entry-level conventional cars unless pollution-related driving restrictions force thrifty buyers to switch to electrics,saidWolfgang Bernhart, a partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in Munich. “In time, there’ll also be competition from used electric cars.”
Regulatory support may be on the way after the European Union mandated an additional 37.5 percent reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions from cars by 2030. The new limit comes on top of tighter 2021 restrictions, and the decision prompted Volkswagen AG to say it’ll need to overhaul a 30-billion-euro investment plan to prepare for battery vehicles accounting for more than 40 percent of European deliveries.
The transition to the electric-car era has increasingly strained traditional carmakers, prompting partnerships that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler AG are in talks to join forces on batteries, vehicle platforms and autonomous-driving technology to stem rising expenses, according to people familiar with the matter.
The no-nonsense specifications of the Life stem from e.GO’s response to offsetting high battery costsand steeper procurement prices than larger rivals. The German manufacturer uses as many off-the-shelf parts as possible including the drive train, which comes from Robert Bosch GmbH, and rear lights that were initially developed for trucks. That saves time and money. Schuh expects the company to generate positive cash flow already next year and be profitable in 2021, in stark contrast to Tesla’s cash-burn issues.
The e.GO Werk 1 plant spans some 16,000 square meters more than the size of two soccer fields and cost 26 million euros to build, a fraction of the price tag of an ordinary auto factory.
During a visit last month, employees gathered around a vehicle chassis sitting on an autonomous platform, gradually moving down a production line spanning one length of the building. Testing booths were located on the other side, with plenty of space in between for more capacity.
The facility located on an industrial estate near Aachen’s city center was strewn with computer screens and bins of components in preparation for series production starting in March, five months later than planned. To head off Musk’s “production hell” on the Model 3, Schuh is using the unexpected delays caused by supplier tests to fine-tune assembly. For instance, he tweaked a hoisting platform to eliminate the risk of it crushing cars.
Expansion beyond Aachen is already in the works, with discussions underway to set up assembly joint ventures in China and Mexico and make battery cells in Germany. Schuh is also in talks with Chinese cities to collaborate on areas for autonomous vehicles, like its 15-person Mover minibus.
Despite the grand ambitions, e.GO’s success ultimately depends on making money on an electric car cheap enough to offset the drawbacks of limited driving ranges and long charging times (as much as 9.8 hours for the Life). Schuh is aware that he’s entering uncharted waters.
“I don’t know any carmaker that makes money in this vehicle category,” the lanky, bespectacled professor said. “Especially not if they’re electric.”
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Bridgestone Named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the Third Consecutive Year

News – 2018

Bridgestone Named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the Third Consecutive Year
– Achieved the highest score in the Auto Components industry sector in the environmental dimension –

2018/09/19

TOKYO (September 19, 2018) – Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the third consecutive year and the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index for the ninth consecutive year. These indices, maintained collaboratively by S&P Dow Jones Indices and RobecoSAM, measure the performance of the world's sustainability leaders based on a comprehensive analysis of long-term economic, environmental and social criteria.

Bridgestone achieved again the highest score in the Auto Components industry sector in the environmental dimension and the maximum score of 100 in the environmental assessment criteria: environmental reporting. Bridgestone also obtained the highest score in its sector for climate strategy in the environmental dimension.

In February 2018, Bridgestone launched a new Global Sustainable Procurement Policy for further driving sustainable procurement. It is applicable to all purchased materials and services, as well as all suppliers globally. Such an advanced effort that enhanced the sustainability of Bridgestone is highly evaluated.

In March 2017, the Bridgestone Group launched its global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment, Our Way to Serve. This commitment organizes Bridgestone’s CSR efforts under three Priority Areas: Mobility, People and Environment to improve the way people move, live, work and play through innovation and technology. Along with these Priority Areas, the Group continues to strengthen the basic governance, compliance and behavioral characteristics expected of any responsible company through its Management Fundamentals.

Priority Areas and Management Fundamentals of “Our way to Serve”

About DJSI World
DJSI World is a stock index that was launched through collaboration between S&P Dow Jones Indices and RobecoSAM. Every year, DJSI World evaluates and quantifies the sustainability of roughly 2,500 major companies around the world from an environmental, economic and social perspective. Companies within each industry that rank in the top 10 percent are selected for inclusion in the index. This year, nearly 320 companies were selected for inclusion, with Bridgestone being selected within the Automobiles & Components industry group category.

Related links:
Bridgestone’s CSR web page
Bridgestone Group’s Sustainability Report 2017-18
Bridgestone Group’s Annual Report 2017
Bridgestone’s Sustainable Procurement web page

Our Way to Serve special web page
External Assessments for Bridgestone

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.

Bosch to highlight innovative solutions and services for the mobility of the future and for the smart home at CES 2019

Bosch to highlight innovative solutions and services for the mobility of the future and for the smart home at CES 2019

Bosch booth: Central Hall #14020 / Twitter #BoschCES

World first: Bosch debuts a driverless electric concept shuttle with integrated services
CES 2019 Innovation Awards®: six honorees for Bosch solutions
Mobility of the future: less stress, improved safety and efficiency
Smart help: assistants in the home and in the garden make life easier by learning for themselves

STUTTGART, 14-Dec-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — At CES 2019 in Las Vegas, Central Hall, booth #14020 from January 8 to 11, 2019, Bosch is presenting technological answers to today’s challenges, including urbanization, population growth, and climate change. The supplier of technology and services will be highlighting innovative solutions and services for the mobility of the future and for the smart home.

World first: Bosch concept vehicle for a new kind of mobility
At CES, Bosch wants people to experience a new kind of mobility in the form of a driverless electric concept shuttle with integrated services. This kind of mobility will soon feature on streets in major cities around the world: whisper-silent, driverless shuttles that are seamlessly connected with their surroundings. Bosch will provide the necessary hardware, software, and new digital services that will enable users to book vehicles, pay for their ride, or share it with other passengers.

CES Innovation Awards: a total of six honorees for Bosch
In the run-up to CES 2019, Bosch received a total of six CES Innovation Awards. The CES Innovation Awards are an annual program run by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) covering 28 categories, and serve as an indicator of future trends. This year, awards went to the following Bosch products and solutions:

1. All-in-one principle for vehicle connectivity:
For the future of connected, automated driving, vehicles need the ability to communicate smoothly both among themselves and with their environment. To this end, Bosch has developed a universal connectivity unit for all Wi-Fi-based and wireless-based transmission technologies used in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. This enables vehicles to communicate with each other and with traffic infrastructure, regardless of the country or manufacturer. Software produced by the Portuguese startup Veniam handles the complex task of managing the data connections. It constantly searches for the best transmission technology for each requirement and switches automatically between the available options.

2. Trucks with no exterior mirror:
The new Mercedes-Benz Actros is the first production truck to feature a camera system in place of conventional main and wide-angle mirrors. Known as Mirror Cam, this system offers better 360-degree vision. In addition to increasing safety, having compact digital cameras instead of mirrors improves the truck’s fuel consumption thanks to the cameras’ considerable aerodynamic advantages. Two cameras, fitted left and right on the roof of the driver’s cab, feed real-time images to two high-resolution 15-inch displays mounted on the A-pillars inside the cab. The system adjusts the monitor display to match the driving situation. Overall, Mirror Cam greatly improves the truck’s aerodynamics, safety, and vehicle handling. Daimler’s development partners for the Mirror Cam system are Bosch and Mekra Lang.

3. The smartphone as car key:
The Bosch Perfectly Keyless access system will soon let car drivers, car-sharing fleet operators, and logistics companies manage their vehicle keys digitally. They can use a smartphone app to decide at any given time who should have access to cars or trucks and when. The ingenious feature of this Bosch system is that it makes the connection between smartphone and vehicle more secure than ever. Perfectly Keyless can pinpoint the authorized smartphone like a digital fingerprint. For CES 2019, Bosch has installed the system in a demonstration vehicle based on a Ford Mustang.

4. Radar-based assistance systems prevent motorcycle accidents:
Blind-spot detection, collision warning, and adaptive cruise control: giving motorcycles radar as a sensory organ enables new motorcycle assistance and safety functions while providing an accurate picture of the vehicle’s surroundings. As a result, these assistance functions not only increase safety, they also enhance enjoyment and convenience by making life easier for riders. According to Bosch accident research estimates, radar-based assistance systems could prevent one in seven motorcycle accidents. These electronic assistants are always vigilant and, in emergencies, they respond more quickly than people can. They are based on a combination of radar sensor, brake system, engine management, and HMI.

5. App for connecting e-scooters:
A new app turns e-scooters into connectivity pros. As well as displaying key information such as the e-scooter’s current battery charge, it allows rider-vehicle communication and the option to connect with other users via social networks. This makes it easy for users to find out which of their friends are in the area. In addition, there is a connected helmet holder on the e-scooter’s handlebar which is controlled by app. Whenever the e-scooter is parked, this provides a storage solution for the helmet while also protecting the vehicle against theft and its display against vandalism.

6. Retrofit solution for more efficient machinery and households:
Bosch has developed the Phantom algorithm to help small and medium-sized enterprises assess and greatly increase the energy efficiency of their machinery. This retrofit solution, which takes just a few minutes to install, uses sensors to measure the load on each device in the customer’s energy consumption network to provide valuable insights into usage and potential faults. This enables users to improve the machinery’s operations and efficiency. In homes, too, Bosch Phantom can tell how much power each device is using. This energy transparency makes it possible to save electricity.

Mobility of the future: selection of solutions and services
Driving electric, yet stress-free – that is the goal of Convenience Charging, the Bosch service that the company is presenting at CES 2019 in a demonstration vehicle based on an Audi A3 e-tron. This integrated charging and navigation solution enhances the everyday benefits of electromobility. In the future, the service will tell electric cars precisely when their power will run out, but also where they can find the next charge spot. To this end, Convenience Charging combines information from the electric powertrain with both vehicle and environment data to produce a reliable range forecast. The service uses state-of-the-art route planning to determine charging opportunities based on the driver’s personal preferences. In the future, drivers of electric cars will be able to order food for delivery directly to their pre-booked charge spot, so they can make the best use of the charging time. Using the Convenience Charging app, drivers will also be able to plan the charging stops they need in the comfort of their own home, with the app then seamlessly transmitting the suggested routes between charge spots to the vehicle.

Safe use of cell phones when driving:
The mySPIN smartphone integration solution makes it safe for drivers to use smartphone apps while they are on the road. Now, mySPIN also supports the MirrorLink vehicle communication standard. In the future, it will take just a simple adapter for the vehicle’s infotainment system or instrument cluster to enlarge mySPIN-compatible apps and display a reduced set of their key functions. Drivers will then be able to operate the apps by touch or using the vehicle’s rotary push button. Bosch is also developing mySPIN smartphone integration for commercial vehicles, motorcycles, scooters, and powersports vehicles.

Lifesavers from the data cloud:
In Germany alone, some 2,000 warnings about wrong-way drivers are broadcast each year. In most cases, however, the warning comes too late, since such incidents generally end after an average of 500 meters – in the worst case with fatal consequences. Bosch has developed a cloud-based solution that sends a warning to wrong-way drivers and all road users at risk within ten seconds. Some 15 radio and navigation apps already use Bosch wrong-way driver warning technology to reach people in 13 European countries. The service relies on a software module for integration into existing infotainment systems and apps.

Making the electronic horizon even more accurate:
Today, the electronic horizon provides data on road inclines and the sharpness of bends to complement navigation data. Because the system enables vehicles to think ahead, it enhances both safety and convenience. Bosch is now working on the next-generation electronic horizon, which will be even more accurate and up to date. In addition to information on road classifications, bends, and vertical profiles, it will provide vehicle systems and navigation systems with geometries for each and every traffic lane as well as infrastructure data with 3D objects. This will help automated vehicles determine their precise location within the lane.

A seat-of-the-pants feel for automated vehicles:
Bosch predictive road-condition services will allow self-driving vehicles to determine how road conditions will develop over the course of a journey, based on weather data provided by the company’s partner Foreca. As a sufficient number of connected vehicles take to the roads, Bosch will supplement its predictive road-condition services with vehicle data. This will increase the safety, availability, and convenience of automated driving functions.

Automated driving in cities:
San José in California’s Silicon Valley is set to become the pilot city for an automated ridesharing service provided by Bosch and Daimler. The three parties have already signed a letter of intent ..

Continental at CES 2019: Mobility at your service. Freedom to Live

Continental at CES 2019: Mobility at your service. Freedom to Live ©Continental AG

Demonstrates real-world Intelligent Intersection in Walnut Creek, California
Unveils broad portfolio for smart cities including City Fleet Management, Autonomous Shuttle (CUbE), Intelligent Street Lamp and Intelligent Wearables
Displays how City Data as a Service enables Continental to provide interoperable, integrated and end2end service

Las Vegas, NV, USA, 18-Dec-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — Las Vegas, December 17, 2018. Today half the world’s population lives in cities; in three decades this number will grow by another 2.5 billion , adding more vehicles to the already overcrowded roads. As more cities approach the population tipping point, digitalization will lead the shift to a new mobility ecosystem. At CES 2019, Continental will demonstrate its solutions and key technologies for future cities around the theme “Mobility at your service. Freedom to Live.”

“Intelligent mobility is an essential pillar of the smart city. The number of connected devices exceeds the world’s population today, facilitating real-time exchange of information between vehicles, infrastructure and people. At CES 2019, Continental will demonstrate solutions that foster mobility intelligence, ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents and pollution, addressing the most critical challenges of urban mobility,” said Helmut Matschi, member of the Continental Executive Board and head of the Interior Division.

Intelligent Intersection live in Walnut Creek, California
Continental will present its first comprehensive Intelligent Intersection pilot that is operating in the heart of Walnut Creek, California. A three-dimensional view of the intersection, displayed using augmented reality, will let visitors experience data feeds from traffic at the junction and talk first hand with experts about the value intelligent intersections can bring to smart cities. First introduced as a concept at CES 2018, Continental’s Intelligent Intersection is a real-world, end-to-end solution comprising a sensor set, powerful sensor fusion algorithms to generate a comprehensive environmental model and Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) to transfer valuable information between the intersection and connected vehicles.

The solution makes it possible to warn an oncoming driver about a crossing pedestrian outside the driver’s line of sight. Its data can also be used to control signal changes, streamlining traffic and reducing emissions and idling time at intersections. The concept is integral to protecting vulnerable road users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists and supports drivers in complex intersection traffic scenarios, like preventing left-turning cars from running head-on into traffic that approaches from behind an occlusion. It can also inform drivers turning right about traffic approaching from the left.

Additionally, Continental’s Intelligent Intersection enables the collection of information and statistics from intersections – often congested, high-incidence zones – which can then be used for traffic flow, safety and environmental improvements.

“Like Continental, Walnut Creek prioritizes safety, efficiency, and accessibility for its road users. The city has high vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and a longstanding focus on transportation innovation, creating a perfect environment for piloting our Intelligent Intersection technology,” said Jeremy McClain, Director of Systems & Technology, Continental North America.

City Fleet Management for shared mobility
Car sharing is expected to experience sustained growth for the foreseeable future. In smart cities, electric vehicle sharing is an especially attractive option to reduce noise and environmental pollution. Moreover, it provides an alternative to individual car ownership, reducing the number of cars, congestion and need for parking spaces in cities. The City Fleet Management solution provides users easy access to shared electric vehicles, optimizing management for the fleet operator and offering excellent usability for end customers. For fleet operators, it reduces the burden of paperwork, physical handover of keys and even the task of vehicle maintenance.

The entire process can be completed end-to-end using a mobile app, from booking and granting access to returning the vehicle, from billing and payment to incident reporting. The system optimizes fleet usage for the operator. For example, if a customer needs to travel only a short distance, he / she does not need to waste time waiting for a fully charged vehicle or alternately feeling uncertain about the vehicle having insufficient range to reach the destination, as is sometimes the case today. To optimize fleet usage, the operator can assign the same fleet of vehicles to two different customers with different usage time periods. For example, the same fleet of vehicles can be used by office workers during the day and a security company by night. City Fleet Management ensures proper recording of the fleet usage and if required, invoicing and payment.

If recharging the vehicle is necessary during the trip, the customer, can earn an incentive for taking on the task, which is a significant value-add for the fleet operator. During the journey, the vehicle can be tracked and if a critical situation arises, the driver can immediately contact the operator. Continental is already running successful pilots incorporating different elements of City Fleet Management in Asia, U.S. and Europe.

Intelligent Street Lamps to connect beyond the vehicle
Intelligent street lamps are a key element in the development of a safe, clean and smart city. At CES 2019, Continental will present its Intelligent Street Lamp concept. Transferring its automotive competency into the infrastructure of tomorrow’s cities, Continental’s Intelligent Street Lamp simplifies the management of lighting, while monitoring and analyzing environment, traffic and parking information in smart cities.

Using secure connectivity and sensorics, Continental’s Intelligent Street Lamp solution enables remote light control as well as adaptive street lighting depending on surrounding traffic participants. Furthermore, the new portfolio provides remote maintenance such as over-the-air updates and performance monitoring. These features allow smart cities and operators to save energy and reduce cost by working more efficiently.

The Intelligent Street Lamp is also a valuable source of data for future smart cities. Combining the synergies between the Intelligent Intersection and Intelligent Street Lamp, Continental can increase safety beyond intersections to mid-block areas by detecting critical situations and transferring this information through V2X communication to connected vehicles. Additionally, by identifying free parking space, the solution can reduce congestion and improve overall traffic flow. Finally, by measuring pollution levels like noise and air quality, Continental’s new Intelligent Street Lamp portfolio can improve the quality of life in tomorrow’s cities.

Intelligent Wearables to improve user safety and comfort
Going beyond infrastructure and mobility in the smart city, Continental is developing solutions to address the needs of city workers with Intelligent Wearables – smart electronics integrated into textiles.

Intelligent Wearables can contribute to lower energy consumption in vehicles and increase safety and comfort for drivers. Embedded within battery-powered working jackets, heating pads provide the perfect solution for warmth and efficient energy consumption. To keep the battery small and unobtrusive and to avoid the inconvenience of plugging in for recharging, the jacket is equipped with an inductive charging system that can be charged by the vehicle itself, ensuring the jacket is always ready for use.

This technology is especially suitable for rescue or construction workers. One of the main occupational hazards these individuals face is being overlooked in traffic. To increase their safety, their jackets can be equipped with active light sources, like LED strips, which ensure visibility even in the most visibly limiting conditions, such as in smoke, bad weather or at night.

Intelligent Wearables can open a range of new possibilities in smart cities, and contribute to a safer, more economical and sustainable future.

City Data as a Service at the center of mobility intelligence
The City Data as a Service (CDaaS) platform enables Continental to provide interoperable, integrated and end2end services in the context of its smart city portfolio, including Intelligent Intersection, Intelligent Street Lamp, Intelligent Crossing, Automated Shuttle, Smart Parking and City Fleet Management. The platform provides access to a pool of common customer services like reservation, payment or routing to different solutions. All information generated as well as used by the solutions are shared through a data hub which meets the highest standards of privacy and security. Further, easy integration of services of third parties can be achieved by appropriate SDKs and open APIs.

The platform collects, processes and fuses data from different solutions, thereby creating mobility intelligence, which can be used to develop new and relevant solutions to improve the quality of life in smart cities. For example, the Intelligent Street Lamp can identify an available parking spot, CDaaS then leverages artificial intelligence to predict its availability for Smart Parking. Smart Parking then guides the driver to the right parking spot.

Continental at CES
Visit Continental at CES Tuesday, January 8 through Friday, January 11 at North Hall Booth #7519. The Continental press conference will be held at Mandalay Bay, Level 2, Surf Ballrooms D-F at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 7. Continental will also showcase its latest automotive innovations and technologies in a private exhibit at the Renaissance Hotel. An invitation-only media even..

Mahindra Racing’s Futuristic All-New M5Electro Race Car Makes Its India Debut

Mahindra Racing’s Futuristic All-New M5Electro Race Car Makes Its India Debut

10 DEC 2018 – MUMBAI, INDIA Mahindra Racing's M5Electro race car made its India debut today, in full race livery, days ahead of the start of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship– Season 5. The first race is scheduled on December 15 in Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia with a total of 13 races across various cities in the world (it will be broadcasted live on Sony ESPN SD/HD– qualifying at 1:00pm and race at 5:00pm IST). Shell, with a heritage of more than 100 years inmotorsports, has also come onboard as the latest sponsor for Mahindra Racing. The Shell logo is part of the new race car livery of the M5Electro which was displayed in India in its race-ready avatar.In addition, Mahindra Racing and Shell will work on the joint development of lubricants and fluids for electric vehicles.

The M5Electro is based on generation two of the Formula E race car, featuring cutting edge EV powertrain technology that has been aggressively developed through the rigour of four seasons of top level Formula E racing. It will be able to touch 100km/h in just 2.8 seconds and go on to a top speed of 280km/h.The design sees an evolution of the team’s iconic and unique red, white and blue colour scheme, updated and created to reflect the exhilarating new design of the Gen2 car. The new team kit draws inspiration from iconic Indian symbols, the Bengal tiger and the Lotus flower.

DR. PAWAN GOENKA | Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Chairman, Mahindra Racing

“Formula E represents the cutting edge of EV technology and plays a strategic role in realizing Mahindra's vision of the Future of Mobility through our 'Race to Road strategy. Racing is at the pinnacle of global EV motorsport, it puts Mahindra on the fast track toward the development of an entirely new generation of EVs that offer clean, exciting yet affordable mobility to our customers.We are geared up to begin racing in Season 5 of Formula E in the next few days and will push hard toward victory. We look forward to growing interest and support from our Indian fans for a championship that is helping to develop sustainable mobility solutions for the future.”

DILBAGH GILL | CEO and Team Principal, Mahindra Racing

“We have set a razor-sharp focus to build on our base from the last few seasons and continue to be one of the top teams in season 5 of Formula E. The ultimate objective, is to claim the championship title. Our team coupled with our strong pool of partners, will enable us to achieve this aspiration. We are thrilled to have Shell onboard as it will help us explore powerful opportunities in the area of lubricant technology and engineering, the results of which will be visible on and off the race track.”

PATRICK CARRE | Vice President, Shell Global Lubricants

“We see great opportunities from the association between Mahindra Racing, a founding Formula E team with a powerful brand and credibility in India, and Shell Lubricants with our deep global automotive expertise and technology capabilities. We are pleased to join forces to develop lubricants and fluids that will make electric vehicles more efficient and unlock great opportunities for continued growth in the Indian market.”

Mahindra Racing team is also supported by Renesas, Lear Corporation, AVIS, Umicore, Pininfarina, Voxdale, Errea, Bahco, Nippon, Alpinestars and Greenhills as sponsors for the upcoming championship.

EVOLUTION OF E-PRIX RULES IN SEASON 5

The race will now last for 45-minutes and an extra lap without any pit stops. Drivers can use the 'Attack Mode', which lets them pick up an extra hit of power and to arm this they will need to drive their cars off the racing line, through the Activation Zone. As a reward for taking a slower line through the corner, they will be able to collect an extra 25 kW of power. In another groundbreaking Formula E initiative, the five drivers who receive the highly-acclaimed FANBOOST from fan voting ahead of the race, are awarded a significant burst of power, which they can deploy in a five-second window during the second half of the race. (You can vote for your favourite driver now, click here to cast your vote.)

MAHINDRA RACING

Mahindra Racing is one of ten founding teams – and the only Indian team – to compete in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, the world’s first all-electric racing series. Mahindra Racing has impressive credentials; after scoring it's breakthrough win at the Berlin E-Prix in 2017, the squad now has three race victories to it's name in addition to 15 podiums, six pole positions and 516 points from 45 starts. After four seasons with the first generation race car, all eyes now turn to season five. Mahindra Racing has high ambitions with the Gen2 M5Electro, a technical innovation that will see the car last the duration of a race as Formula E continues to push the limits of technology and electrification.

MAHINDRA GROUP

The Mahindra Group is a USD 20.7 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity,enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities.It has a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world’s largest tractor company, by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness,components, commercial vehicles, speedboats, consulting services, energy,industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, steel, aerospace, defence and two wheelers. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 240,000 people across 100 countries. Learn more about Mahindra at www.mahindra.com

Supporting Mahindra Racing is Tech Mahindra which was recently ranked in 15th on the Forbes' Digital 100 list-the highest-ranked non-US company to feature. After receiving previous accolades for its sustainability vision, Tech Mahindra was honoured for the fourth consecutive year as a leader in the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

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