Archives for August 2018

• What risks are we willing to accept for a world of self-driving cars? – Washington Post: Now humans could be freed from parking – cars would do it themselves. And freed from driving – a driverless car ordered online would come pick you up and take you wherever you wanted to go. But, as Burns tells it, the industrial story is a familiar …
• Ford is using drones to keep an eye on its UK factories – and save money – CNBC: A Ford engine plant in London is using drones to inspect machinery, roofing and other equipment – saving time, money and improving safety.
• From Unilever to Ford, companies in Venezuela cling on by cutting products – Reuters: Unilever’s factory in the outskirts of the northern Venezuelan city of Valencia once bustled with activity as it produced everything from soap to toothpaste for one of South America’s wealthiest economies.
• U.S., Canada slug it out as deadline looms to clinch NAFTA – Reuters: Canada and the United States will make a final push to iron out differences on a pact to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on Friday, with Mexico on standby to return to talks aimed at ending a year of hard-fought negotiations.

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• Half of VW models in Germany not compliant with new pollution standard – Reuters: German carmaker Volkswagen said only half of its VW branded passenger car models in Germany are compliant with a new pollution standard, thanks to a much tougher emissions testing regime.
• Volkswagen Earnings to Be Hit by Delays in Meeting New Emissions Rules – WSJ: Volkswagen’s namesake VW brand has an inventory backlog of tens of thousands of vehicles that haven’t yet been certified under a new emissions test that comes into force Saturday. The new test measures greenhouse-gas emissions and other tailpipe …
• Could Tesla follow Ford’s leverage strategy? – Automotive News: Now that Elon Musk’s quixotic bid to take Tesla private is dead, could the automaker raise cash by following Ford’s strategy of leveraging key assets such as the iconic Blue Oval? http:
• Tesla’s HR chief takes leave of absence amid Elon Musk’s tumult – Automotive News: Tesla’s head of human resources and facilities has been on a leave of absence as the electric-car maker has dealt with a period of intense tumult spurred by CEO Elon Musk.

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• Aston Martin plans to go public as turnaround picks up speed – Reuters: Luxury carmaker Aston Martin plans to float on the London Stock Exchange, completing a turnaround for the once perennially loss-making company that could now be valued at up to 5 billion pounds ($6.4 billion).
• Mexico-U.S. deal includes Mexican auto export cap, report says – Automotive News: A proposed U.S.-Mexico trade deal would allow President Donald Trump to slap punitive tariffs of up to 25 percent on imports of Mexican-made cars, SUVs and auto parts above certain volumes, auto executives and sources told Reuters. http:
• Renault launches Arkana coupe crossover at Moscow motor show – Autocar: New crossover will be firm’s flagship model in Russian market, and is designed to mix saloon and SUV attributes Renault has unveiled a new coupe crossover called the Arkana at the Moscow motor show, with the machine designed to combine design traits…
• Elon Musk doubles down on ‘pedo’ claims against UK cave diver – Guardian: The Tesla chairman was widely criticised last month for making the unfounded allegation against Vernon Unsworth, who was part of an international team that freed the young footballers and their adult coach from the Tham Luang cave complex in northern…

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• This man was so fed up trying to get his Tesla fixed that he ended up doing it himself – CNBC: Greg Furstenwerth had a hard time getting the parts and service he needed for his out-of-warranty Tesla Model S. So he took on the repairs himself, and found it surprisingly easy. “If you can put together Legos you can put together a Tesla.”
• World stocks at six-month high as NAFTA deal eases trade war fears – Reuters: World stocks rose to a six-month high on Tuesday, lifted by investor optimism that a U.S.-Mexico deal to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement will go some way to averting a global trade war.
• 2019 Byton electric SUV begins testing ahead of 2019 launch – Autocar: New Chinese brand’s first model is a 469bhp electric SUV with a claimed range of 323 miles; production starts soon Byton has announced that its inaugural model, an electric SUV, moves closer to production, as testing has begun on test tracks ahead of…
• Tesla: Back at square one on cash – Automotive News: Elon Musk’s plans to Tesla private have evaporated, but the company’s looming debt needs remain. With a debt load of about $10.5 billion and the possibility of a cash shortfall, Wall Street expects the company may need to raise funds before long.

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• Tesla’s stock drops 3% after Elon Musk gives up taking company private – CNBC: Tesla shares fell on the first day of trading after chief executive Elon Musk said he is ditching efforts to take the company private. The electric car …
• Facing Uncertain Road in U.S., Japan Auto Makers Look to China – WSJ: Nissan Motor said it has started producing its first made-for-China electric car, leading a wave of electric vehicles planned by Japanese makers looking to boost sales in the country.
• Tesla shares dip 3 percent after Musk abandons buyout – Reuters: Shares in Tesla Inc fell just over 3 percent on Monday after it abandoned a plan to take the electric carmaker private, with some analysts suggesting it should either replace Chief Executive Elon Musk or appoint another strong senior manager.
• Why KKR, a private-equity firm, taking over Fiat Chrysler’s parts unit would make sense – Automotive News: The auto parts business is sputtering. Enter private-equity giant KKR.

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• Kalashnikov aims to add EVs alongside AK47s – Automotive News: Kalashnikov, the maker of the AK-47 assault rifle, is the latest entry into the EV race with the CV-1, a retro-designed wagon. The model has a driving range of about 217 miles and is powered by an inverter developed by the company. http:
• Volkswagen and Seat seatbelt issue: fix due in November – Autocar: Credit: Tekniikan Maailma magazine Arona, Ibiza and Polo models are still being sold without fix, months after fault was identified – but VW Group says it is taking action The Volkswagen Group has said that safety remains a top priority, following…
• Land Rover Pet Packs revealed as official accessories – Autocar: Brand has created range of accessories to make life easier for pet-owning drivers Land Rover has revealed three accessory packs for owners of its cars who travel with their dogs regularly. Starting at £360.37 and topping out at £887.56 – a similar…
• McLaren 720S GT3 racer begins testing ahead of 2019 debut – Autocar: The McLaren 720S GT3 racer has begun an extensive testing programme Track version of 720S supercar costs £440,000 and features extensive engineering upgrades from road car The new McLaren 720S GT3 racing car has begun an extensive testing programme…

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• Ride-hailing app Grab faces roadblocks to growth in Vietnam – Nikkei: Despite a deal with Uber that has opened Southeast Asia’s ride-hailing market, Singapore-based Grab is struggling to expand in …
• Backing Musk”s dream, option traders bet $430 on Tesla – Detroitnews: Options to buy Tesla”s shares at above suggested $420 take-private level were among the most heavily traded on Wednesday
• These sunflowers in Dearborn have personal meaning for Bill Ford Jr. – Freep: Sunflowers at Ford headquarters honor Bill Ford’s college friend from Puerto Rico.
• Lyft to Offer Free and Discounted Rides to Voters on Election Day – Fortune: Popular ride-hailing service Lyft said this week that it would provide discounted and free rides during this year’s U.S. midterm elections to encourage …

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