Groupe PSA acquires a controlling interest in Jian Xin, a Chinese automotive spare parts distributor

With this acquisition, Groupe PSA will be able to accelerate the rollout of its aftermarket offering in China by rapidly establishing its position in the market, which represents 130 million vehicles. Created more than 20 years ago, Jian Xin is currently the leading spare parts distributor in the Shanghai region. Every year, it sells more… Continue reading Groupe PSA acquires a controlling interest in Jian Xin, a Chinese automotive spare parts distributor

Singapore: ComfortDelGro expands UK footprint, buys over insurance JV

February 9, 2018 ComfortDelGro Corporation is expanding its footprint in the United Kingdom through the acquisition of a bus and coach operator in South Wales for £13.4 million ($18.7 million). Additionally, it has bought over an insurance joint venture it launched in 2003. The acquisition of New Adventure Travel (NAT) Group in the UK was conducted through… Continue reading Singapore: ComfortDelGro expands UK footprint, buys over insurance JV

DENSO Taps Technical Expert Takuya Oikawa to Enhance Information and Communications Technology Business

KARIYA (Japan) ― DENSO Corporation, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, today announced it has agreed to a technical adviser contract with Takuya Oikawa, a leading global developer of software products. The global automotive industry continues to shift dramatically, with greater concentration on electrification, automated driving and connected driving. Competition from other diverse industries… Continue reading DENSO Taps Technical Expert Takuya Oikawa to Enhance Information and Communications Technology Business

China’s electric car startup Byton to raise up to $400m at $1.2b valuation: Report

February 8, 2018 China’s electric vehicle (EV) startup unicorn Byton is targeting to raise $300-400 million from a Chinese government investment institution at a valuation of $1.2 billion, according to a China Money Network report. The deal, which is said to be in an advanced phase of negotiation, would be the second financing received by… Continue reading China’s electric car startup Byton to raise up to $400m at $1.2b valuation: Report

Carmakers have less than a decade to reinvent themselves or die, warns Sergio Marchionne

Sergio Marchionne, one of the longest-serving CEOs in the auto industry, has a stark warning: Carmakers have less than a decade to reinvent themselves or risk being commoditized amid a seismic shift in how vehicles are powered, driven and purchased. Developing technologies like electrification, self-driving software and ride-sharing will alter consumers’ car-buying decisions within six… Continue reading Carmakers have less than a decade to reinvent themselves or die, warns Sergio Marchionne

Bosch to enhance localisation of electrified portfolio in India

Soumitra Bhattacharya, MD, Bosch Limited and president, Bosch India Group: “Bosch strongly believes that its current and future portfolio of electromobility solutions will be one of the key contributing factors that lead to a dynamic ecosystem in the country.” At the Bosch Technology Exposition 2018, Bosch announced its plans to significantly increase the extent of localisation of its electrified… Continue reading Bosch to enhance localisation of electrified portfolio in India

Exclusive: Electric Vehicle Firm Byton To Raise New Round From Chinese State Investor At $1.2B Valuation

China officially has five electric vehicle companies valued at US$1 billion or more, as China Money Network has learned that Byton, an EV start-up rooted in China, is currently seeking a new financing round at a minimum valuation of US$1.2 billion. Byton, previously known as Future Mobility Corp, last raised around US$200 million at a… Continue reading Exclusive: Electric Vehicle Firm Byton To Raise New Round From Chinese State Investor At $1.2B Valuation

Volvo Cars reports record operating profit of SEK14.1 billion in 2017

Volvo Cars reports record operating profit of SEK14.1 billion in 2017   Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, has reported a strong 27.7 per cent increase in operating profit in 2017, earning a record SEK14.1 billion compared to SEK11.0 billion in 2016, driven by global sales of 571,577 cars.   Net revenue for the period… Continue reading Volvo Cars reports record operating profit of SEK14.1 billion in 2017

Elon Musk’s self-driving strategy still doesn’t include LiDAR

Elon Musk’s vision of autonomous driving differs from a lot of Tesla’s competitors in that he’s been adamant that LiDAR isn’t a core component of his approach. It’s a stance that provokes a lot of debate among experts in the field, many of whom, including former Tesla employees, disagree that full autonomy can be managed… Continue reading Elon Musk’s self-driving strategy still doesn’t include LiDAR

Feature: How vehicle-to-grid technology could turn EVs into mobile power stations in the future

Vehicle-to-grid technology could be the next big thing for plug-in commercial vehicles. The future concept involves selling surplus energy from batteries – i.e. any range that is left at the end of the working day – back to the grid. Conceptually, this would be done at peak energy times, when costs are higher, and the… Continue reading Feature: How vehicle-to-grid technology could turn EVs into mobile power stations in the future