Top News:
- Bugatti appoints former VW executive as head of development – Autocar: Stefan Ellrott will answer to Wolfgang Durheimer when he assumes the position at the end of 2016
- China’s Thunder Software buys Finnish car software company – Reuters: Chinese mobile operating systems company Thunder Software Technology Co Ltd (Thundersoft) said on Monday it has agreed to acquire Finnish automotive software company Rightware for 64 million euros ($67 million).
- Audi Sport appoints Dieter Gass as new motorsport boss – Autocar: Dieter Gass assumes the role of Audi Sport head of motorsport
- Switching gears, Canada’s BlackBerry to open autonomous vehicle hub – Reuters: Canada’s BlackBerry Ltd will open an autonomous driving research center on Monday, as it tries to make itself an indispensable under-the-hood piece of the automotive industry’s weaponry in the self-driving vehicle arms race.
- 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S revealed with 730bhp – Autocar: New flagship V12 produces 40bhp more and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 2.9sec; it gets new four-wheel steering tech
- FCA delivers 100 self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivans to Waymo – Automotive News: Fiat Chrysler has completed production of 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans that will join the self-driving vehicle fleet for Waymo, formerly the Google car project.
- Mazda MX-5 Arctic Edition revealed – Autocar: Limited-run Arctic edition gets blue paint with silver highlights inside and out, and upgraded standard tech
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles provides Google brand with 100 driverless cars – Autocar: FCA supplies Google’s Waymo car brand with 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid MPVs to test autonomous technology; the new cars will more than double Google’s existing test fleet
- Alphabet’s Waymo Reveals Its Self-Driving Minivans – Fortune: Waymo, the Google googl self-driving project that recently spun out to become a business under Alphabet, has taken the wraps off its autonomous…
- Leaked Suzuki Swift brochure reveals full 2017 car, pricing and specs – Autocar: A Japanese brochure has revealed the full styling and some tech specs of the 2017 Suzuki Swift, as well as pricing and fuel economy
- BRIEF-Bollore to launch Los Angeles electric car-sharing in 2017 – Reuters: . Dec 19 Bollore Sa : * Says won contract tender to run car-sharing in Los Angeles. * BlueLA service will launch in late 2017 with 200 charging stations and 100 electric cars Further …
- Fiat Delivers Alphabet’s Waymo 100 Self-Driving Hybrid Minivans – Bloomberg: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV announced the production of 100 Pacifica Hybrid minivans which will join Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo self-driving vehicle…
- VW May Add $1 Billion to Emissions Scandal Costs – WSJ: Volkswagen’s costs in its diesel-emissions scandal could rise another $1 billion as it nears a deal to resolve claims connected to larger and luxury diesel vehicles, according to a person familiar with the matter.
- Peugeot moves upscale with new 3008 SUV – Automotive News: Peugeot’s second-generation 3008 has been turned into an SUV from a minivan and has been given significant upgrades to its technology, equipment…
- Volkswagen costs for emissions scandal set to rise by another $1 billion: WSJ – CNBC: The German carmaker could spend another $1 billion to settle claims in the U.S. over its diesel emissions scandal, the reported on…
- BRIEF-Fiat Chrysler, Waymo complete production of 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hy… – Reuters: MANILA, Dec 19 The Philippines’ electronics exports will likely increase 5-6 percent next year, supported by robust demand for gadgets and …
- Is rebounding Volvo bound for an IPO? – Automotive News: Thirty years ago, the independent Volvo Car Corp. was considered the most profitable automaker in the world. In 1986, the company sold 113,267…
- Where will Her Majesty get her oil change? – Automotive News: … serviced the queen’s own cars announced it was closing shop, citing the onerous demands to stay within Jaguar Land Rover’s franchise network.
- Legendary Aston Martin DB4 GT will ride again – Automotive News: Aston Martin is bringing back the DB4 GT, the legendary, 3.7-liter, six-cylinder sports car that Stirling Moss piloted to victory at Silverstone in 1959.
- Uber flouts rules with San Francisco self-driving test – Automotive News: Uber continued its aggressive strategy of bucking local laws by launching its self-driving ride-hailing program in San Francisco last week without California’s permission.
- 60 people driving the self-driving movement – Automotive News: From driverless taxi pilot programs to cars equipped with self-driving hardware already on the market, autonomous technology has progressed at a…
- GM puts Bolt at the center of its long-term vision – Automotive News: General Motors is making the Chevrolet Bolt the centerpiece of not only its electric-vehicle portfolio but also of its work on self-driving technology.
- 100000 EVs and counting on Norway’s roads – Automotive News: Norway may be a small country, but it’s a global giant when it comes to electric vehicles. Last week, the country announced a milestone — 100,000…
- Volvo gives next-gen XC60 a boxier look – Automotive News: Despite heavy camouflage, key elements of Volvo’s current design language are visible on the next-generation XC60 spotted by spy photographers…
- Mercedes unveils roomier E-class coupe – Automotive News: Mercedes-Benz’s 2018 E-class coupe, unveiled last week, features an aggressive front end, including a long sculpted hood, while the rear is similar to…
- Will C-HR turn heads toward Toyota? – Automotive News: Love it or hate it, Toyota’s just-launched C-HR subcompact crossover is a bid to use aggressive styling to buck the automaker’s image for…
- Google’s historic journey in Austin – Automotive News: An apparent first in self-driving technology has taken place: someone has rode in a fully self-driving vehicle on public roads in Austin, Texas, without a steering wheel or brake pedals, unsupervised by an engineer.
- GM confirms it will show second-generation Chevy Traverse at Detroit show – Automotive News: General Motors confirmed plans to unveil the second-generation Chevrolet Traverse at the Detroit auto show next month. The automaker released a teaser photo showing the silhouette of the 2018 Traverse, which is scheduled to be revealed Jan. 9.
- China tension poses threat to automakers – Automotive News: … it was reported that the Chinese government would penalize General Motors … GM was an early mover in China, its strength there helping it survive…
- A peek at midcycle changes for Ford Mustang, F-150 – Automotive News: which appears to get an updated front fascia — in testing. The F-150, in rear, could feature freshened front and…
- Fiat Chrysler, Google’s Waymo debut driverless minivans – Detroitnews: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV has completed building 100 minivans that are being outfitted with autonomous vehicle equipment from Google’s…
- Chevy to show all-new Traverse SUV at Detroit auto show – Detroitnews: General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet brand will reveal the next-generation Traverse SUV Jan. 9 at the North American International Auto Show. The all-new…
- Ford overhauls Motorcraft – Automotive News: Motorcraft, Ford Motor Co.’s parts brand, is rolling out a host of updated products and more expansive service as part of a major redesign meant to boost dealer sales while saving them tens of thousands of dollars.
- Denso teams up on self-driving – Automotive News: Toyota Group megasupplier Denso Corp. was late to the self-driving car game, but executives now say its sales of the technology will quadruple in the next five years.
- Chevy Malibu delivers at last for GM – Automotive News: The Chevrolet Malibu is having its best year in decades, even as the market for traditional four-door sedans is collapsing around it.
- V2V system ready to roll in trucks – Automotive News: Silicon Valley’s Peloton Technology prepares to go live with commercial V2V truck platooning.
- FCA delivers Pacifica minivans to Waymo for driverless fleet – Freep: Waymo will now outfit the Pacificas with its self-driving technology, … “The Pacifica Hybrid will be a great addition to our fully self-driving test fleet.
- GM inventory at 8-year high; will reduce car production – Detroitnews: A glut of inventory is prompting General Motors Co. to reduce production at its … And with some car models nearing six months of supply, GM will stop…
- Amazon Looks to Develop an App for Booking Truck Freight – WSJ: Amazon.com Inc. may be developingmobiletechnology so it can schedule and track truck shipments of its products with a few taps or clicks-the next step in the e-commerce giant’s bid to become its own global freight broker.
- Ride-hailing firm Uber partners Indonesian taxi operator Express – Reuters: Uber Technologies and Indonesia’s second-biggest taxi operator PT Express Transindo Utama Tbk announced on Monday a partnership on ride-sharing and vehicle financing.
- India lawmaker Swamy calls for prosecution of Ratan Tata – CNBC: The controversy engulfing India’s Tata Group has deepened, the FT reports.
- Auto Companies: Better With Batteries Not Included – WSJ: For car makers looking to board the electric bandwagon, building battery plants may be a sign of weakness, not strength. Batteries are by far the most expensive component in electric cars, costing roughly $7,500 a piece, estimates stockbroker Liberum.
- Driverless buses arrive in Australia: smart and green but what now for drivers? – Guardian: At the start of December, the RAC completed a three-month trial of the self-driving vehicle in south Perth. West Australian passengers put their lives in…
- Tesla Killer? A First Look at the Chevy Bolt – Bloomberg: ‘s Kyle Stock visits the Chevy factory near Detroit to review the 2017 model car. Video by Adam Wolffbrant.
- Volkswagen Nears Deal to Add Another $1 Billion to Emissions Scandal Costs – WSJ: Volkswagen AG’s costs in its diesel-emissions scandal could rise another $1 … The vehicles include newer Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche cars and…
- Lancia Stratos HF Dominated 1970s Rally: Gooding & Co. Offers This Ferrari-Powered … – Forbes: Even though its Fulvia rally car remained viable till 1972 when it won the Monte Carlo Rally and dominated rallying, Cesare Fiorio, head of Lancia’s…
- New Volkswagen Polo Match arrives as tech-heavy run-out model – Autocar: