All articles by Christopher Ludwig
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ArticleChanging supplier business models will influence car tech and design
A squeeze on automotive suppliers, together with the adaptation of new technology, will lead some major players to play a bigger role in overall vehicle development cycles, especially in shaping customer user experiences
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ArticlePart and parcel of the problem: why tier 1 supplier logistics will face a squeeze
As OEMs and automotive parts suppliers see their margins decline, cost pressures are going to increase on logistics operations and service providers further down the supply chain
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ArticleElectric vehicles could transform role of tier 1 suppliers in production and technology
As OEMs look to reduce production costs and manage more complexity, automotive suppliers will face challenges. But with more EV models in the pipeline, many have the opportunity to grab a larger piece of the pie both for manufacturing and supply chain management.
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ArticleExplaining EU vehicle emissions targets: can OEMs avoid heavy fines?
The new average fleet targets that came into force in Europe on January 1st 2020 are having big impacts on vehicle development and technology, pushing OEMs to produce and sell more hybrids and EVs. But the rules are complex and varied by brands, volume and sales. Here we provide a summary of the key rules and terminology.
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ArticleEV design: must form follow function or could design electrify consumers?
With growth in electrified powertrains set to soar, OEMs have more opportunities to showcase EVs’ unique design possibilities, and use them to win over hearts and minds on the road to electrification
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ArticleFCA–PSA fusion: first of the electric shock waves?
The merger attempt by FCA and PSA will be complicated but makes economic and operational sense, including for investing in technology and systems. Whether or not it goes ahead, more consolidation is likely as the automotive industry gears up for electrification
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ArticleGlobal trade disputes could dim electric vehicle technology development in key markets
Trade uncertainties such as those between the US and China, or the UK and the EU, could put the brakes on growth in the electric vehicle and battery technology for some OEMs and countries, despite bullish forecasts for alternative powertrains
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ArticleMap: Volkswagen’s growing network of IT expertise
Volkswagen Group IT has opened or expanded global IT and software centers, with growing significance across the company’s IT research and operations. Check out a map of their key locations and functions.
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ArticleA program of change for Volkswagen Group IT
Over the past two years, Volkswagen’s central Group IT division, led by CIO Martin Hofmann, has been expanding staff numbers, investment and digital projects across the group’s business processes, and working more closely with brands like Audi, Porsche and Skoda. In the first of a multi-part article special on Group IT, automotiveIT International explains the evolving shape of the organization.
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ArticleAt the center of change for Volkswagen Group
Martin Hofmann, chief information office of the Volkswagen Group (pictured, right), explains to automotiveIT International how the carmaker is transforming its IT system backbone and legacy infrastructure across purchasing, production, supply chain and engineering – and how Volkswagen is now able to attract top software talent.
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ArticleBuilding Volkswagen’s Industrial Cloud
Volkswagen Group’s landmark project with Amazon Web Services will help to connect all its global factories, and eventually the supply chain as well. At the core of the project is a drive to establish a standard software stack that will transform the way production IT is developed and implemented across Volkswagen locations.
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ArticleAugmenting intelligence: How BMW’s US IT center is putting AI into the hands of workers
The BMW IT Technology Innovation and Research Center in the US is both a research lab and closely aligned to the carmaker’s production in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Bennie Vorster, who leads special projects there, talks to automotiveIT International about industrializing new tech, and making sure AI assists workers.
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ArticleData center power outage shuts down Nissan and Infiniti dealer and production systems in North America
A power outage at a Nissan data center in Denver, Colorado disrupted the communications network used by Nissan North America across the US, Mexico and Canadafor most of this week, impacting IT systems both for production and dealers.
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ArticleSan Francisco food delivery firm DoorDash acquires autonomous vehicle specialist Scotty Labs
DoorDash, an on-demand food delivery service with a growing interest in autonomous vehicle technology, has acquired Scotty Labs, a tele-operations company that is developing technology for remote-controlled autonomous driving for cars and trucks.
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ArticleVolkswagen calls for applications to software training program, ‘Faculty 73’
As part of an ongoing effort to increase software development and programing expertise, Volkswagen Group is now looking for applicants to the second round of its software development training course, Faculty 73, held at the company’s corporate headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.
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ArticlePorsche invests in Israeli sensor and vision specialist, TriEye
Porsche has acquired a minority stake in TriEye, an Israeli technology start-up specialized in deep learning and semi-conductor components that support autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems.
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ArticleStefan Krause takes time out as CEO of Canoo in second top executive change this summer
Krause, the founder and chief executive officer of electric vehicle startup Canoo (formerly Evelozcity), is stepping down temporarily as the company’s chief executive officer and chairman of the board for family reasons as the company prepares to unveil first model.
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ArticleMagna opens new plant for cameras, robotics R&D center
Magna has opened a new electronics manufacturing plant in Michigan that will increase production of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), especially in cameras and components to support vision-based driving systems.
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ArticleToyota to develop human support robots with Japanese AI specialists, Preferred Networks
Toyota Motor is partnering with Japanese artificial intelligence and machine learning specialist Preferred Networks (PFN) to co-develop robots across multiple industries including healthcare and logistics, using Toyota’s own developed Human Support Robot (HSR) robotics platform.
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ArticleMagna joint venture with BAIC will engineer and build electric vehicles in China
Magna will open a joint venture factory in China with BAIC to assembly electric vehicles and expand its contract vehicle engineering and manufacturing services in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.
