Archives for January 2018

• US Senate looks for way out of gridlock on self-driving car bill – Reuters: The chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday said he is pursuing different strategies to win approval this year of landmark self-driving car legislation that could make it easier for automakers to get thousands of cars on the road…
• BRIEF-Thales forms joint venture in field of cybersecurity for cars – Reuters: … * Aim of this partnership is to co-develop an integrated software platform for improved performance and cybersecurity. * Thales and Vector will combine their respective embedded systems expertise in aviation safety and in automotive software…
• Mini Electric: first pictures of ‘pivotal’ zero-emission 2019 model – Autocar: Mini is testing an electric prototype in the Arctic Circle Battery-powered Mini development is at an advanced stage; brand boss Sebastian Mackensen said it’ll handle like a true Mini

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• Robots Rejected: Humans Still Build the Best New Car You Can Buy – Bloomberg: Carmakers keeping fully staffed assembly lines offers a distinct contrast to electric-car maker Tesla, where Chief Executive Elon Musk promises a factory within a few years where workers won’t actually build cars, but rather, attend to the robots that…
• Alfa Romeo 6C sports car under development with V6 engine – Autocar: The 8C was the last time Alfa attempted a supercar – the Ferrari V8-engined model was limited to 500 units globally An Alfa Romeo 6C, sitting above the 4C in the range, could be on the cards, according to tuning company Pogea Racing
• Ford Focus RS engine problem: free repairs offered to prevent ‘white smoke’ – Autocar: Early version of 2.3-litre Ecoboost unit has a known issue that is caused by coolant leaking into the cylinders
• For Elon Musk, a 10-year, all-or-nothing pay package that demands massive growth at Tesla – Washington Post: For Elon Musk, a 10-year, all-or-nothing pay package that demands massive growth at Tesla. By Associated Press By Associated Press. Business. January 23 at 6:34 AM. NEW YORK – For Elon Musk, a 10-year, all-or-nothing pay package that demands massive…

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• Jaguar Land Rover to drop production because of ‘Brexit uncertainty’ and diesel confusion – Autocar: Brand”s Halewood facility will make temporary changes to output to re-balance stock of Evoque and Discovery Sport
• 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon due on sale this August – Autocar: Brand”s smallest saloon will arrive with an AMG A45 version to rival the Audi RS3 Saloon
• Bugatti Chiron is world’s first to use ultra-tough 3D printed brake caliper – Autocar: The Chiron will receive the world’s first 3D printed brake calipers later this year Latest manufacturing process saves 2kg per corner; monobloc titanium can withstand 125kg per millimetre
• China’s Biggest Electric-Car Maker to List in $4.5 Billion Deal – Bloomberg: At this month’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Chinese electric-car startups were at the forefront. Byton, a Nanjing-based company started by former BMW AG executives, unveiled a $45,000 SUV. Within days, XPeng Motors, backed by funding from…

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• Ford may export to Europe from Russia – Automotive News: Ford’s Russian factories are busy now that the market is recovering but the company may still export vehicles to Europe from its local joint venture. “Exports to Europe are definitely possible,” said Adil Shirinov, CEO of Ford Sollers. Increasing the…
• Lexus, Infiniti test ways to fight BMW, Mercedes, Audi – Automotive News: Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Lexus dominate sales. Lexus unveiled its LF-1 Limitless SUV concept in Detroit, signaling that the brand may start to focus more on SUVs than its traditional large sedans. The LF-1 presents a sleek crossover form with a system…
• BASF aims to be major player in EV battery materials – Automotive News: Germany’s BASF is prepared to dig deep, pouring money and expertise into developing materials for electric-vehicle batteries to catch up with rivals like Tesla supplier Sumitomo Metals & Mining. The world’s No. 1 chemical maker is adding to its…

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• Renault-Nissan claims biggest global automaker title despite VW’s record sales – Automotive News: Renault-Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn said the French-Japanese automaking alliance is the world’s leading automobile group by unit sales despite rival Volkswagen AG delivering a record 10.7 million vehicles in 2017, a 4.3 percent rise. VW, which was the…
• 2018 MG 3 to face Dacia Sandero with new interior and extra power – Autocar: Already on sale in China, the new 3 is due in UK showrooms this March Already on sale in China, MG”s Sandero rival is due on in Britain this March with an all-new dashboard
• The Fall of Travis Kalanick Was a Lot Weirder and Darker Than You Thought – Bloomberg: In March, after years of trying, Gurley finally got himself appointed to the board’s audit committee and learned of the steep losses in Uber’s subprime vehicle-leasing division, which helped its drivers finance cars. Gurley’s cheerleading turned into…
• 2018 Volkswagen Up GTI priced from £13,750 in UK – Autocar: Junior hot hatch is powered by a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine with 113bhp

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• Chinese firm Yongxing jumps on battery bandwagon with lithium project – Reuters: China’s Yongxing Special Stainless Steel Co said on Wednesday it would invest 891.2 million yuan ($138.5 million) in a project to produce battery-grade lithium, in a bid to secure a slice of the world’s biggest electric vehicle (EV) market. The move…
• Ford skids after disappointing outlook – Reuters: Shares of Ford Motor Co fell 3 percent in premarket trading on Wednesday following a disappointing outlook, underscoring that turnaround plans … on hotter segments, and it had done far greater development and communication around newer ventures into…
• Mercedes EQ C: first pictures of future all-electric Model X rival – Autocar: These are the first pictures of the Mercedes EQ C Puurpose-built EV from Mercedes will launch next year with twin-motor setup
• Renault-Nissan to pursue plans to split up various management roles – Ghosn – Reuters: Renault-Nissan (RENA.PA) (7201.T) is to pursue its plans of splitting up management roles between those dealing with strategic matters and those handling more operational affairs, said Renault boss Carlos Ghosn. Regarding corporate governance, you will…

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