Mobility – Page 5670 – I wish I had more to offer

ChargePoint CEO talks about Tesla Superchargers, wireless and the future of public charging

Pasquale Romano, the CEO of ChargePoint, one of the world’s largest charging networks, sat down with EV writer Jim Motavalli at the recent Web Summit conference for a wide-ranging interview. Romano discusses the accelerating growth of the EV market – in California, plug-ins now make up 5% of new-car sales, and in Silicon Valley it’s… Continue reading ChargePoint CEO talks about Tesla Superchargers, wireless and the future of public charging

Porsche has plan to drive up profit by 6B euros

Porsche has plan to drive up profit by 6B eurosPorsche AG has an ambitious plan to improve operating profit by 6 billion euros ($6.8 billion) over eight years by streamlining operations as the automaker spends more to develop and manufacture electric cars, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Porsche aims to increase earnings before interest and taxes by about 750 million euros annually over a timeframe starting this year and running through 2025 by increasing efficiencies, cutting costs and boosting contribution from new business such as digital offerings, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. The increase is necessary to maintain the Volkswagen AG brand’s target of a 15 percent return on sales. Porsche declined to comment.
Keeping returns flowing at Porsche is key to Volkswagen’s plan to make the world’s largest automaker a more agile company and face the industry’s unprecedented shift to self-driving and electric cars head on. Carmakers readying electric lineups are pushing for savings elsewhere to offset lower profits from battery-powered cars when compared to vehicles with combustion engines.
Take Porsche’s first electric offering as an example of the quandary facing automakers. Cars like the four-door Taycan, which comes to market next year, will cost from 6,000 euros to 10,000 euros more to produce than a comparable traditional model, the people said. Those costs won’t be passed on to customers, meaning spending reductions need to be made elsewhere to maintain profitability, they said. In total, the sports-car maker is investing more than 6 billion euros through 2022 on electric mobility.
After 2025, the German manufacturer anticipates that the efficiency push will improve profit by about 2 billion euros annually, the people said. VW’s most profitable brand generated 4.1 billion euros in operating profit and 23.5 billion euros in revenue last year. The operating margin of more than 17 percent compares to single-digit return on sales at most mass-market carmakers.
The group is on its way to become “the electric powerhouse within the auto world” and should have higher revenue and earnings momentum than Daimler AG and BMW AG, Bankhaus Metzler analyst Juergen Pieper said in a note.
Porsche is working on electric-car technology with sister brand Audi and is considering using the jointly developed underpinnings to offer electric versions of existing models like the Macan compact sport utility vehicle. Porsche has said the first cars from the new platform are planned for late 2021.
Porsche expects half of deliveries will be fully-electric or hybrid cars in 2025. Developing vehicles with combustion engines won’t be economically viable from 2030 onward under the goals of the Paris Climate accord, they said.
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Ride-hailing app Gett seeks buyers

Ride-hailing app Gett seeks buyersGett Inc., the ride-hailing app valued at more than $1 billion and backed by Volkswagen AG, is looking for buyers in a bid to compete with larger rivals, people familiar with the matter said.
The Israeli tech company has approached potential bidders including other car-hire firms, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions were private.
Gett may sell its entire business or offload regional operations outside of its home market, said two of the people. The company may also weigh a listing, partnership or sale of a minority stake to raise capital, another person said.
Deliberations are preliminary and there’s no guarantee Gett will go ahead with a sale or initial public offering, the people said.
“As Gett is on a clear path towards profitability globally, including the U.S.,” in the first half of 2019 “it should not be surprising that Gett may receive inbound inquiries from strategic partners,” a spokesman for Gett said.
Gett had a promising start, attracting more than $300 million from Volkswagen in 2016 as the carmaker looked for a viable challenger to Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. This year Gett has raised $80 million from investors including Swedish fund manager Vostok New Ventures Ltd.
However, the business has been struggling in the face of growing competition.
Vostok cut the value of its stake by 14 percent so far this year, according to its third-quarter report. That puts its 4 percent holding at $55.5 million, giving Gett a value of about $1.39 billion. Volkswagen has also decided to funnel resources into a home-grown ride-sharing unit called Moia.
Facing intense competition in the U.S., Gett has also weighed an exit from the country just over a year after spending $200 million on an acquisition to enter the market, people familiar with the matter said in July.
Gett isn’t the only ride-hailing company struggling to maintain growth. Uber’s sales are dramatically slowing even as the firm spends more to expand. Lyft’s losses increased to $254 million in the third quarter from $195 million last year after spending more on research and development, a person familiar with the matter said. The two companies are also considering IPOs next year.
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AEye Sets New Benchmark for LiDAR Range

Introducing 1KM
AEye has set a new benchmark for LiDAR range. In performance specification tests monitored and validated by VSI Labs, AEye’s iDAR system acquired and tracked a truck at 1,000 meters – or one kilometer – five times the distance current LiDAR systems are able to detect!

Watch now:

AEye Sets New Benchmark for LiDAR Range — AEye’s iDAR Shatters Both Range and Scan Rate Performance Records for Automotive Grade LiDARAEye Introduces Groundbreaking iDAR TechnologyThe Future of Autonomous Vehicles: Part I – Think Like a Robot, Perceive Like a HumanAEye Announces the AE100 Robotic Perception System for Autonomous VehiclesGartner Names AEye Cool Vendor in AI for Computer VisionAEye Granted Foundational Patents For Core Solid-State MEMs-Based Agile LiDAR And Embedded AI TechnologyAEye Announces Addition of Aravind Ratnam as Vice President of Product ManagementAutoSens Names AEye Most Exciting Start-Up in the Automotive Imaging SectorAEye Introduces Next Generation of Artificial Perception: New Dynamic Vixels™AEye’s iDAR Leverages Biomimicry to Enable First Solid State Lidar with 100Hz Scan Rate

General Motors Says No To Electric Pickup Truck

NOV 12 2018 BY MARK KANE GM: No electric and no autonomous pickups. We can sense the teary eyes in all of you already. While the electric car market takes off and people are waiting for the next big thing – literally – a pickup from Tesla, Rivian or even Ford, we hear that General… Continue reading General Motors Says No To Electric Pickup Truck

Communauto receives City of Toronto’s first permit for free-floating car-share pilot

Communauto FLEX Toronto will begin operations in November 2018
Canada’s longest-running car-sharing company Communauto will begin operating Toronto’s first free-floating car-share project under the City of Toronto’s new pilot program. The service, Communauto FLEX, plans to have more than 500 cars on the ground covering 100 square kilometres in Toronto.

During the first phase of the pilot in November 2018, Communauto FLEX will operate in the downtown core. Even more, 200 cars servicing 50 square kilometres will be available. Communauto president M. Benoit Robert received the City’s first permit from the Mayor of Toronto and Barbara Gray, the City of Toronto’s General Manager of Transportation. The event toke place during a press conference on October 9.

“Car-sharing technologies have the power to change how people go about their day-to-day lives and get around this city. I’ve encouraged the introduction of these new technologies and believe that there can be many benefits, including potentially reducing traffic and congestion by removing cars from the road,” said Mayor John Tory. “I’m proud we’ve worked to strike a balance between the benefits of car-sharing and the potential impacts it could have on neighbourhoods. I’m thrilled that the team at Communauto is among the first to join the pilot and operate here within these new regulations.”

Approved in April 2018
The Free-Floating Car-Share pilot project was approved by the City of Toronto in April 2018. Free-floating car-sharing allows members to take one-way trips beginning in one location and ending in another. This service enables drivers to pick up cars from and drop off cars to legal residential parking spaces throughout the city, rather than being confined to a fixed location.

Communauto FLEX has no monthly fees and is free to join, using a pay-as-you-go structure. Daily trips begin at $0.41/minute, $15/hour, $50/day and $35 is charged for any days following. The first 150km is included in the price of each trip.

During launch, users will receive the first 30 minutes of each trip free for one month after joining.

Torontonians can pick up Communauto FLEX cars from and drop them off at legal on-street parking spaces within the service area, and drive anywhere they want to go in between.

CEO Benoit Robert wishes to add to the existing transit options
“As a Canadian company, we’re proud to be the first to bring a free-floating car service to Toronto under this pilot. Our FLEX service will make car-sharing easy and affordable for city residents, and our goal is to work together with Toronto’s existing transit options to provide better solutions to mobility issues,” said Benoit Robert, Communauto president. “Car-sharing offers a number of social and environmental benefits to individuals and businesses. We are looking forward to working with the city, our users and other community partners to create thriving mobility solution.”

Free-float zone
Communauto FLEX will launch in Toronto with 200 Hyundai Accent hatchbacks. The free-floating car-share will service an area that will cover close to 50 square kilometres in the downtown core. It’s parking zone will span to High Park and Runnymede in the west, Dupont and Danforth in the north, and Victoria Park in the east. Excluded from the service area at launch: metered parking spaces and Green P lots.

If the pilot project is approved after the first 18 months of operations, Communauto FLEX will expand to have more than 500 cars on the road and will grow its service area to cover 100 square kilometres, serving residents up to Eglinton Ave.

How it works
Communauto FLEX offers Torontonians 24/7 access to one-way carsharing. Therefor, it is a simple way to improve their mobility inside and outside the city.

Registered users can locate and reserve cars using the Communauto FLEX mobile App. Doors can also be unlocked and locked using a smartphone or a membership card.

The first 30 minutes of booking are free.

This timelaps gives users enough time to reach the vehicle. Even more, drivers can stop and start their journey at any time.

To pre-register for Communauto FLEX, please visit: https://toronto.communauto.com/

More information on Toronto’s Free-Floating Car-Share pilot project is available at http://bit.ly/FFCarSharePilot2018

About Communauto
Founded in Quebec City in 1994, Communauto is the oldest car-sharing service in North America and the one serving the largest number of communities in Canada. With a fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles, the company serves 13 cities each one with a local approach. Among these Edmonton, Waterloo Region, Hamilton, London, Guelph, Kingston, Ottawa, Gatineau, Montréal/Laval/ Longueuil, Quebec City/Lévis, Sherbrooke, Halifax and Paris in France. Communauto group operates gas, hybrids and electric cars and offers both round-trip and free-floating carsharing.

InMotion Ventures announces its investment in world’s most advanced electric motorcycle, Arc Vector

Arc has pioneered Vector, the most efficient, safest and most fulfilling electric motorcycle experience yet
Vector will be revealed in Milan on 6 November
Vector comes with ground breaking haptic ride-wear and connected HUD helmet

LONDON, 07-Nov-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — InMotion Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital fund, today announces its investment in Arc, which today unveils ‘Vector’ – the world’s first fully-electric motorcycle with Human Machine Interface (HMI). Arc Vector is the most advanced electric motorcycle ever brought to market, using exotic materials, thoroughbred componentry and cutting-edge architecture, wrapped in a futuristic body.

InMotion Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital fund, today announces its investment in Arc, which today unveils ‘Vector’ – the world’s first fully-electric motorcycle with Human Machine Interface (HMI). Arc Vector is the most advanced electric motorcycle ever brought to market, using exotic materials, thoroughbred componentry and cutting-edge architecture, wrapped in a futuristic body.

The investment from InMotion Ventures, along with Mercia Fund Managers, the Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund which is part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, and a number of industry specialist angels, will support Arc with its global ambition for Vector to be the cleanest, safest, and most fulfilling motorcycle on the road.

The brand new bike, will be revealed at the Milan Motorcycle Show today. The Arc show stand will showcase the brand, along with the bike itself and its ground breaking intelligent haptic ride-wear and connected Heads-Up Display helmet. A virtual reality ride experience will also be available for attendees.

The Arc team consists of industry-leading professionals, coming together to develop and build an all-new experience on two wheels.

Mark Truman, Founder & CEO, Arc, said: “Our aim has always been to bring technology, performance and safety together to create an entirely new two-wheeled experience. Vector isn’t just a motorbike; it’s the world’s first fully-electric café racer, it’s an innovative heads-up display helmet and it’s a sensory riding suit – all working in unison to create an experience package like no other. We’re delighted to get the support of InMotion for this exciting launch phase. The team shares our vision and we’re looking forward to working together and creating more ground breaking products.”

Sebastian Peck, Managing Director, InMotion Ventures, said: “Electric vehicles are pivotal for the future of urban mobility, helping people travel through cities quickly and cleanly as possible. We want to make sure that we’re not only changing the way people move but delivering unparalleled outdoor experiences while doing so. With Arc’s technology and vision, the Vector is an incredible development in the next generation of motorcycle travel.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, contact:

Sally Clift
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
M: +44 7384 430009 | E: sclift2@jaguarlandrover.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Arc

Arc is a jump of electricity. Arc is Arc-hitecture. Arcs are structural as is our monocoque philosophy.

Arc is about the journey – every journey on this planet takes an Arc. Mark Truman is the largest shareholder in Arc. The committed environmentalist, designer and engineer won the Society of Automotive Engineers International Young Engineer of the Year Award in 2005 for his experimental work on motorcycle chassis and swing arm flex and design parameters. He’s also a former Data Acquisition Engineer in top-level racing, during 35 years of motorcycling experience, and has built many of his own road and race machines. Visit www.ourroadis.com

Arc is also on social – find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using
@ArcVehicle #OurRoadIs #ADifferentRoad

ZF now offers the broadest range of hybrid and all-electric drive solutions for almost every vehicle segment

ZF supplies electric drives for all vehicle types, ranging from bicycles to 40-ton trucks
The product portfolio ranges from hybrid solutions to all-electric drives.
Integrated E-system solutions, including electronics and peripheral systems.

Friedrichshafen, Germany, 09-Nov-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — ZF is constantly advancing vehicle electrification and has meanwhile come to be known as the world champion of variation with its many integrated system solutions. In fact, ZF now offers the broadest range of hybrid and all-electric drive solutions for almost every vehicle segment. As one of the early e-mobility pioneers, ZF knows what it takes to convert electricity into efficient and dynamic vehicle propulsion.

In 2008, ZF was the first company in Europe to volume-produce hybrid modules – a technology that reduces CO2 emissions by up to 70 percent compared to vehicles with combustion engines. In the meantime, many manufacturers are now producing a variety of car models equipped with the 8-speed plug-in hybrid transmission (8P) that features a longitudinally-mounted drive. A hybrid module that fits into almost any installation space is integrated in the automatic transmission and helps generate 90 kW and 250 Nm torque. It allows hybrid vehicles to accelerate on all-electric power up to 120 km/h maximum speed and – depending on battery capacity – travel a good 50 km. The separating clutch with low drag loss contributes to efficiency by completely decoupling the combustion engine in E-mode. Thanks to its optimized torsional damper, the 8P harmonizes also with downsizing three-cylinder turbo engines.

The 8-speed dual clutch transmission (8DT) shifts more dynamically as it is designed specifically for sports cars with longitudinal or all-wheel drives. ZF is working with Porsche to develop it as an optional plug-in hybrid system that supplies, all electrically, 100 kW and 400 Nm, thus enabling it to reach speeds of 140 km/h without a combustion engine. Torsional damper, separating clutch including actuators and electric motor are housed directly in the clutch bell housing in the 8DT. The all-wheel distributor system is also integrated into the AWD version of the hybrid transmission. It transfers torque to the front axle as needed.

Hybrid for compact and commercial vehicles

The electric axle drive system from ZF, on the other hand, does not impact the transmission, rather is positioned directly in the middle on the axle. Following the “Plug-and-Drive” principle, it brings together decisive system components in a compact module, including an electric motor, a two-stage single-speed spur gear drive along with differential, parking lock, the housing, the cooling unit as well as the power electronics and control software. Integrating the transmission, electric motor and power electronics into one system represents a key competence that ZF can offer its customers as a single-source supplier. In the process, the electric axle drive generates up to 150 kW and 3,500 Newton meters of axle torque. Installed in the vehicle rear, in the ZF “mSTARS” modular rear axle system (stands for “modular Semi-Trailing Arm Rear Suspension”), for example, it transforms the combustion-engine powered passenger car with front-wheel drive into an axle hybrid and electric all-wheel vehicle. In the ZF “eAMT” concept (stands for “electrified Automated Manual Transmission“), it also compensates for any propulsion breaks that occur when shifting gears with an automated manual transmission. The result is a smooth, punchy acceleration that was so far only able to be achieved with considerably more complex hybrid configurations.

Commercial vehicles are also benefiting from electrification thanks to ZF. The TraXon Hybrid automated transmission system, for example, makes 40-ton trucks and coaches up to seven percent more economical. An electric motor with an integrated transmission ratio – positioned between the combustion engine and transmission – supports a maximum 130 kW and 1,200 Nm output torque. While the TraXon Hybrid works on long-distance travel parallel to the diesel drive, it can also function in the city center as well as when maneuvering around bus depots as a quiet stand-alone zero local emissions drive. In generator mode, the hybrid module can supply power to other power units, for example, during refrigerated transports. ZF will begin supplying the TraXon Hybrid to DAF as early as 2019. The hybrid systems described here combine not only the all-electric operating mode, they also support other essential hybrid functions like recuperation, boosting and start-stop.

100-percent electric

ZF is set up just as broadly and systematically for all-electric drives as it is for hybrids. ZF intends to cover the mini-vehicle sector through a joint venture with Sachs Micro Mobility GmbH. Its compact motor, the Sachs RS for pedal-assisted bikes and e-bikes, for example, can be flexibly integrated into different frame shapes. It features 700 Watt and 110 Nm to deliver a powerful tailwind. Even at a low cadence of 60 pedal strokes per minute, it generates a high torque – and can so long-term thanks to intelligent cooling. If the e-motor is not used, two one-way clutches ensure that it generates no resistance.

At the other end of the speed spectrum – in the Formula E motorsports race series – ZF will supply, for the 2018/19 season, the complete drive system for the Venturi team’s fast race car, which reaches up to 280 km/h. It covers the powerful 200 kW electric motor (power limited by regulations) including power electronics, a new race differential as well as a very efficiently toothed motorsport transmission mounted in bearings. Lastly, based for the first time on a one-speed concept, it is 40% lighter than the transmission from last season. The entire system is the first electric axle drive from ZF that was developed purely for use in motorsports.

Full electric range in the rear

The above-described electric axle drive module featuring a maximum 150 kW and 3,500 Nm axle torque will go into volume production for a European automobile manufacturer in 2019. The system is ideal as an all-electric drive for battery-powered, fuel-cell or hybrid electric vehicles. The drive can be used for both the front as well as for the rear axle. It has already proven itself in the field, for example, in the ZF Vision Zero Vehicle as well as in the forward-looking shuttle e.GO Mover, which will go into volume production in 2019.

ZF’s Advanced Urban Vehicle is yet another example of an all-electric drive for small cars. Its propulsion is powered by the electric Twist Beam (eTB), a twist beam rear axle on whose right and left wheels a compact drive unit is integrated, each one generating 40 kW. In the Advanced Urban Vehicle, the eTB plays a major role in enabling the extreme front axle steering angle of up to 75 degrees to be achieved. The drive then supports the steering movement and allows the vehicle to set off by means of individual power distribution on both rear wheels (torque vectoring).

Clean options for urban transport

In case of the AxTrax AVE electric portal axle, which has already been proven multiple times over and is in volume production for low-floor city buses, ZF relies on the concept of the integrated close-to-the-wheel drive. Both liquid-cooled asynchronous motors deliver 2 x 125 kW and 2 x 11,000 Nm that help it master very challenging urban topologies. For the best-possible efficiency and high electric ranges, ZF is offering the AxTrax AVE in a networked system featuring fully integrated inverters and drive control. The electric portal axle covers series hybrids as well as all-electric drives, whether powered by battery, fuel cell or overhead contact line.

In addition, ZF is offering the CeTrax electric central drive for low-floor and high-floor buses. Generating up to 300 kW and 4,400 Nm, it is designed for challenging applications. Moreover, it is impressive due to its weight and efficiency. Thanks to the “Plug-and-Drive” approach, the CeTrax can be integrated into existing vehicle platforms without having to make major modifications to the chassis, axles, statics or differentials. Electricity-driven versions of originally combustion-engine powered bus platforms can be converted with relative ease. The drive control and inverter are also included in the scope of delivery so that the manufacturer gets an optimally coordinated complete system regarding performance, efficiency and service life.

CeTrax lite is the more compact system variant for vans and light commercial vehicles up to 7.5 tons. Considering it generates 150 kW and 380 Nm, it only weighs 120 kg, including a single-speed transmission ratio. For vehicles up to 19 tons, CeTrax mid is available: its two electric asynchronous traction motors installed in parallel positions supply 300 kW and 760 Nm that a two-stage powershift transmission transmits.

E-traction from the trailer

In off-highway applications, ZF has scored major points in farm and construction machines with its electric eTRAC wheel head. This system consists of a liquid-cooled 3-stage asynchronous motor with high power density, a downstream, two-stage transmission and integrated brakes – electrically driven axle systems for trailers or electrically driven jockey wheels for different attachments are possible applications. The distribution of the drive power to additional wheels has diverse advantages: A controlled traction support, for instance, makes working under difficult conditions easier, enlarging the time available for cultivation even under adverse weather conditions or with sodden soil. Furthermore, the tractor needs less tractive force thanks to the electric traction drive – as a consequence, either more powerful attachments can be moved (thus increasing productivity) or the tractor trucks size can be reduc..

Audi and First Automotive Works (FAW) celebrate the 30th anniversary of their partnership in China; plan to launch more China-specific model variants and digital services

Audi and Chinese partner First Automotive Works are to expand their local portfolio to more than ten models by 2022 and launch their first all-electric cars
2019: Audi Q2 L e-tron is the first electric car specifically for Chinese customers
Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group: “30 years of Audi in China tell a success story of innovation, transformation and friendship”
Alexander Seitz, CFO and Board Member for China at AUDI AG: “We will use our experience to locally develop and produce models specifically for China”
FAW CEO Xu Liuping: “Together, we have achieved pioneering milestones and created a successful win-win cooperation.”

CHANGCHUN, China/ INGOLSTADT, Germany, 20-Nov-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — Audi and First Automotive Works (FAW) are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their partnership this Monday. The approximately 650 guests at the anniversary event at the FAW plant in Changchun include representatives of the province of Jilin, of partner FAW, and of the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture, as well as members of the boards of management of Volkswagen AG and AUDI AG. Audi is further expanding its local research and development competencies in order to launch more China-specific model variants and digital services. The first electric car tailored for Chinese customers, the Audi Q2 L e-tron, will already be launched in 2019. Local production of the Audi e-tron will follow in 2020, one year after its market launch in China.

China has developed into Audi’s strongest growth engine and biggest single market. In the past 30 years, Audi has delivered more than five million automobiles there. Sales volumes have increased more than fivefold in the past ten years. The models Audi A4 L, A6 L and Q5 L are especially popular with Chinese customers, and China is the most important sales market also for the Audi A8 L. The fourth model generation of this luxury sedan is once again the reference for Vorsprung durch Technik. The Audi A8 demonstrates this with style-defining design, innovative chassis solutions, an innovative touch operating concept and consistent electrification of the drive system. The Four Rings were the first automobile brand to launch services developed for China such as 3D maps and Chinese character recognition, in order to respond precisely to the wishes of Chinese customers. China will continue to contribute significantly to Audi’s growth.

Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen Group and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AUDI AG, says: “30 years of Audi in China tell a success story of innovation, transformation and friendship. I am looking forward to the next 30 years.”

Alexander Seitz, Audi Board of Management Member for Finance, China, Compliance and Integrity, emphasized: “We will use our experience to locally develop and produce even more models specifically for China in the future. We will continue our shared success story with the latest technologies, digital services that focus on market needs, and models like the Audi Q8 and Audi e-tron.” By 2022, Audi aims to increase its local portfolio with FAW-VW to more than ten models. The first all-electric models from Audi will also be sold in China.

Audi currently offers six locally produced model families in China. The Audi A4 L, A6 L, Q3 and Q5 L series are built at the Changchun plant in the north. The Audi A3 Sedan, A3 Sportback and Audi Q2 L drive off the assembly line in Foshan in southern China. A further step in the cooperation between Audi and FAW is the start of Audi production in Tianjin. The Chinese plants are making a significant contribution within the Audi production network. Their flexible structure will allow the ongoing gradual expansion of capacities. In the coming years, capacity with the partner FAW-Volkswagen can be increased to a total of more than 700,000 automobiles, depending on market demand.

Audi was the first premium brand to enter the Chinese market in 1988. As part of a license agreement between Audi and FAW, the Audi 100 was the first model to be produced from parts kits at the FAW plant in Changchun. In 1995, Audi production was integrated into the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture and the cooperation was successively expanded. As a pioneer, Audi put long-wheelbase versions of the Audi A4 and A6 on the road and, with the Audi A6 L e-tron, offered the Volkswagen Group’s first locally produced plug-in hybrid. In 2013, the brand with the Four Rings inaugurated a development center in Beijing, thus paving the way for an innovation boost in Asia. Another important milestone for Audi in China is the assumption of Group-wide development responsibility as a Center of Excellence for high-voltage battery cells.

In addition, the partners are intensifying their cooperation along the entire value chain, with connectivity services and mobility offerings. FAW CEO Xu Liuping: “Together we have achieved numerous pioneering milestones and thus created a successful win-win cooperation.”

SOURCE: Volkswagen AG

MEDIA CONTACT

Dirk Arnold
Head of Communications Audi AG
+49 (0) 841/ 89-92033

BASF and GAC R&D Center unveil co-developed electric concept cars at the 16th Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition

GAC’s new concept cars, made with BASF materials and solutions, debut at the 16th Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition (booth location: 2B05)
First concept car co-developed by BASF and a Chinese OEM
Solutions to help transform electric concept car from design to reality
Design, style and functionality meet diverse needs of China’s drivers

GUANGZHOU, China, 21-Nov-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF and the Research and Development Center of Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. (GAC R&D Center) today introduced three co-developed electric concept cars, featuring futuristic designs that address the diverse needs of China’s drivers.

Debuted at the Auto Guangzhou 2018, the three two-seat concept electric cars are designed by GAC R&D Center, with advanced prototyping support from designfabrik®, BASF’s dedicated touch-point for engaging and inspiring designers. With BASF’s innovative materials and solutions, the new concept cars appeal to, and address the diverse needs of a wide variety of drivers: senior citizens, female drivers, and more. They also address the trend towards car sharing, one of the fastest growing urban mobility concepts worldwide.

“Car sharing and electrification are highly important developments in the world’s largest auto market. Additionally, the needs and individual style preferences of Chinese drivers have become more diverse due to an increasing number of female drivers and senior drivers,” said Zhang Fan, Vice President, GAC R&D Center. “BASF’s innovative materials enable flexible design and extended functionalities that best serve the different styles in our concept vehicles.”

From holistic air cleaning solutions to seat fabrics, as well as materials used to build the body panels and battery pack of the electric vehicles, BASF’s innovative solutions turn ideas into solutions. Exterior auto body paints co-developed by BASF and GAC R&D Center underline a unique personality for each concept vehicle.

“In China, we see strong consumer demand for individualized car experiences and extended functionalities of passenger cars,” said Dr. Zheng Daqing, Senior Vice President, Business and Market Development Greater China, BASF. “This is the first time BASF has cooperated with a Chinese OEM to develop concept vehicles. We are excited to work with GAC R&D Center in shaping future mobility with our sustainable and innovative materials and solutions.”

Details of BASF materials and solutions on the three concept cars exhibited at the 16th Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition include:

2US: A two-seater electric vehicle designed for senior drivers has a unique design feature of a rotational seat base. It helps elderly drivers and passengers get into and out of the vehicle with ease. The plastic gears made from BASF’s Ultramid® Advanced N ensure a smooth operation of the rotation mechanism, which is designed to rotate 90 degrees horizontally in-and-out of the car cabin.
2U: Designed to appeal to women seeking an automotive look that meets their individual style, this car showcases possibilities including a unique seat design with translucent trim parts made of BASF’s Ultramid® Vision. The fur-like surface of the passenger’s seat design is brought to life with BASF’s Ultrafuse® TPU 3D printing solution.
2ALL: This vehicle features several design elements to address the particular needs of car sharing, including easy operation and low maintenance. For example, the front bumper made from BASF’s Elastollan® HPM, have an outstanding anti-scratch elastomer pad design. The seat back and pan cushion made with BASF’s Infinergy® (E-TPU) particle foams perfectly combine comfort with robustness.

About BASF and the automotive industry
The automotive industry is one of BASF’s key customer industries. In 2017, BASF’s automotive driven sales totaled €11.4 billion – representing approximately 18 percent of BASF Group’s sales. BASF supplies and develops functional materials and solutions that enable vehicles to be built more efficiently and have a lower environmental impact, whatever powertrain technology they use. BASF’s product range includes for example plastics, coatings, catalysts, automotive fluids as well as battery materials. With such an extensive range of products, BASF is the world’s leading chemical supplier to the automotive industry. BASF cooperates closely with customers all over the world through a network embracing Europe, Asia-Pacific, North and South America as well as Africa. Further information on BASF’s solutions for the automotive industry is available at http://www.automotive.basf.com.

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The more than 115,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into four segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of more than €60 billion in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.

About GAC R&D Center
Established in 2006, GAC R&D Center serves as the innovation and technology hub for Guangzhou Automobile Group. The near 4,000 researchers in GAC R&D Center work in 15 laboratories, a trial plant that include painting, assembly and machining, and a test track.

Media contact at BASF:
Beverley Tan
+ 65 6432 328
beverley.tan@basf.comCunyu Ma
+86 21 20395271
Cun-yu.ma@basf.com
Media contact at GAC R&D Center:
Ling Yang
+86 20 22936801
yangling@gacrnd.com

SOURCE: BASF SE