Explaining 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.
CES 2020: Is Sony’s Vision S a scary sight, or a revelation for carmakers and suppliers?
Should automotive manufacturers and the supply chain fear or embrace this surprise announcement from the consumer technology giant?
BMW orders more batteries to support ambitious rollout plan for electric vehicles
BMW has sharply increased the amount of batteries it plans to buy from China’s CATL, underlining its expectations of strong growth in electric vehicle (EV) sales in the next decade.
Mercedes-Benz Formula E team to deploy SAP software
The Mercedes-Benz Formula E racing team will use the SAP Hana platform and other SAP software as it prepares for the first all-electric race of the season November 22 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, the German business software group said.
BearingPoint survey: Skepticism about new mobility remains high
Many people would welcome a future of shared mobility, electric and autonomous vehicles and deliveries by drone, but most don’t believe they will see it anytime soon.
EV 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
Tesla to build factory, engineering and design center near Berlin
Tesla will build a car factory as well as an engineering and design center in the greater Berlin area, Elon Musk, CEO of the US electric car maker said Tuesday evening.
Volvo Cars to use blockchain to trace source of cobalt for batteries
Volvo Cars says it will become the first carmaker to use blockchain technology to trace the origin of the cobalt it buys for its batteries.
Nissan gets ready to deploy exoskeletons at Barcelona plant
Nissan is getting ready to equip some workers with exoskeletons to help improve the ergonomics of some of the tasks performed by them.
Continental sees key role for its in-car application server in VW’s new range of electric vehicles
Volkswagen’s ID. models, which will form the heart of the carmaker’s electrification strategy, will feature Continental’s ICAS1 in-car application server to provide the computing power for the cars’ functional domains.
BMW takes lead in consortium for smart-grid vehicle charging
BMW will lead a consortium that is developing bidirectional charge management (BCM), a means to intelligently integrate electric vehicles into the energy system.
Porsche starts rolling out online shopping for new and used cars
Porsche has introduced online car buying for its customers in Germany, acknowledging that the retail landscape for almost all consumer products now consists of both a digital and a physical component.
Hyundai invests in hydrogen technology
Hyundai Motor, citing heightened interest in fuel-cell powered vehicles, is investing in three companies that specialize in hydrogen technology.
Skoda deploys supercomputer for simulation and development
Skoda has deployed a new supercomputer that will allow it to conduct more powerful aerodynamics simulations and develop new safety features and engines.
At Audi, robots are moving into the office
Audi is deploying robots to help human workers carrying out monotonous tasks at their desks.
Volkswagen launches quantum-computing pilot for Lisbon traffic optimization
Volkswagen Group has launched a pilot project in Lisbon that uses quantum computing to optimize traffic in Portugal’s capital city.
FCA–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
Fiat Chrysler, PSA Group set to merge
After Fiat Chrysler and the Renault called off talks earlier this year, FCA is now set to merge with PSA and form the world’s fourth-largest automotive group.
A divided global electric vehicle market could limit OEM economies of scale in manufacturing
Sales of hybrid and battery electric vehicles are set for significant regional divergence, which could fragment economies of scale across automotive production, R&D and technology costs, according to a new powertrain forecast by Automotive from Ultima Media
VW Group bundles development of full autonomy in one unit
Volkswagen Group is bringing together in one division all the full autonomous-driving developments taking place across its 12 automotive brands.
