Latest Analysis & Opinion – Page 11
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ArticleFactory 2.0 challenges Toyota manufacturing concepts
Software can generate manufacturing productivity improvements (Photo: Forcam)New IT systems are beginning to compete with the Toyota manufacturing system, which has been a template for efficient production in the auto industry for many years.Sophisticated production software, which analyzes a plant's production data on a continuous basis, can sharply boost efficiency.At ...
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ArticleBrussels endorses Better Place-led transport project
Better Place already operates several battery recharging points in Denmark (Photo: Better Place)The European Commission has endorsed an E-mobility project that aims to establish a Europe-wide infrastructure for electric vehicles.The project, called "Greening European Transportation Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles" is led by EV infrastructure specialist Better Place. A coalition of ...
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ArticleOpinion: Companies need to act to ward off cybercrime
By Hilmar DunkerIT systems are under attack. They always have been. But recently, hackers, spammers and other cybercriminals have stepped up the pace.Hence, it's time to move IT security higher up the corporate priority list.Study after study shows that the security situation in many companies is precarious. Boards are aware ...
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ArticleOpinion: EV prospects dim as Japan nuclear disaster unfolds
Automakers worldwide are making contingency plans to replace components lost by Japan's earthquake and tsunami disaster.But the shutdown of several of the country's nuclear reactors amid growing fears of a major radiation catastrophe will have a much greater long-term impact on the auto industry than a temporary cut in global ...
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ArticleNews analysis: BMW entry moves car-sharing to the next level
With BMW’s announcement this week that it is starting a car-sharing venture with Sixt, the industry is getting serious about finding alternatives to traditional car-ownership models.BMW is the second premium car maker to venture into car sharing. For several years already, competitor Daimler has been developing its car2go scheme, which ...
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ArticleOpinion: IT’s role grows in defining car brands
By Hilmar DunkerThe core competence of carmakers used to lie in the field of powertrain and chassis.Car companies took pride in building their own engines. BMW wouldn’t dream of putting an engine built by another brand into its 3, 5 or 7 Series models.Volkswagen develops its own TDI engines. And ...
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Poll: Americans favor ban on mobile-phone use while driving
American voters support a federal ban on cell phone use while driving, even while using a “hands-free” device, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released this week.The poll showed that 63 percent of respondents favored a ban.“In a country narrowly split on most questions, there is unusual agreement that ...
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ArticleInterview: BMW’s Draeger: High hopes for car-to-car communication
Klaus Draeger has been in charge of r&d at BMW since 2006Klaus Draeger began his career as a scientific staff member at the university before earning his PhD. In 1985, he joined BMW as a trainee in the manufacturing area. He passed through various posts at the German premium carmaker, ...
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ArticleVW's Hackenberg says autonomous driving feasible by 2028
VW’s Hackenberg says data security is keyVW development chief Ulrich Hackenberg joined the Audi premium-car division in 1985. He subsequently held a variety of management roles within the VW group. Hackenberg has been a member of the management board of the VW brand since February 2007. He spoke recently with ...
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ArticleMann and Hummel’s Ihringer: “We turn business into technology”
Ihringer: "Will electric vehicles have air conditioning?"Stefan Ihringer is IT manager at German automotive supplier Mann and Hummel. He studied mathematics and controlling before beginning his professional career as a software developer and database administrator in technical sales at a telecommunications company. After several positions at supplier Robert Bosch and ...
