Archives for September 2019

• BMW Plans as Many as 6,000 Job Cuts in Germany, Report Says – Bloomberg: BMW AG plans to cut as many as 6000 jobs in Germany by 2022 as part of its ongoing cost-savings effort, according to Manager Magazin.
• Fiat Chrysler to test vehicle-to-grid technology with 700-car fleet – Reuters: Fiat Chrysler will set up an experimental fleet of up to 700 electric cars to test vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which allows power grids to use energy stored in car batteries to face demand during peak hours.
• “Lyft charged me $12.81 to be kidnapped across state lines, gang raped and trafficked,” woman … – CBS News: A woman who says she was sexually assaulted after getting in a Lyft is now blaming the ride-hailing giant for allegedly mishandling her report.
• Head of BMW-Daimler joint mobility services venture resigns – Reuters: Head of BMW-Daimler joint mobility services venture resigns Reuters IndiaDaniela Gerd tom Markotten, the head of a joint mobility services unit of German luxury carmakers Daimler and BMW , has resigned, German monthly manager …
• BMW should buy Jaguar Land Rover, Bernstein analysts say – Automotive News: Jaguar Land Rover could massively lower its costs under the wing of a cash-rich bigger partner such as BMW, a Bernstein research note said.

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• Opel looks to fix rough EV past with Corsa-e – Automotive News: Opel aims to deliver a small, punchy and affordable electric car that will succeed where the expensive Ampera-e failed.
• In Germany, an early test of VW’s global EV aspirations – Automotive News: Electric cars may have four wheels, but they’re fundamentally different from current vehicles in almost every other respect, from the technical …
• Lotus Cars CEO Popham on Evija All-Electric Supercar, Strategy – Bloomberg: Philip Popham, chief executive officer of Lotus Cars, the iconic British automaker now owned by China’s Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., talks about its Evija
• BMW should buy Jaguar Land Rover, Bernstein says – Automotive News: Jaguar Land Rover could massively lower its fixed and variable costs under the wing of a cash-rich bigger partner such as BMW, Bernstein analysts said.
• China’s CATL to supply batteries for Daimler’s electric trucks – Reuters: China’s CATL to supply batteries for Daimler’s electric trucks ReutersChinese battery cell producer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL) and Daimler reached an agreement to supply the German automaker with …
• New Volkswagen Golf: GTE will have 201bhp and 241bhp variants – Autocar: The next-generation Volkswagen Golf GTE will offer two power outputs when it arrives on roads next year, intended to cater to both those wanting a standard plug-in hybrid and those in the market for a performance-focused PHEV.

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• Ex-Tesla Executive Decamps to Brazil and Bets Big on Batteries – Bloomberg: Marco Krapels left Tesla Inc. and started a battery company in a place that’s a hemisphere away from California’s rarefied clean-energy scene: Brazil.
• Ford in talks with VW to develop second EV in Europe, paper says – Automotive News: Ford of Europe President Stuart Rowley told the German newspaper Handelsblatt that a decision about whether to build a second model with VW could happen soon.
• BMW plans to phase out i3 electric hatchback, report says – Automotive News: The model will be phased out slowly as BMW focuses on battery and plug-in technology on its other models, while also launching new full EVs.
• Mazda plans to unveil full EV at Tokyo show – Automotive News: Mazda’s upcoming EV will target markets such as Japan, Europe and China, where a battery-powered can get by with a shorter range.
• Video: Return of the Ford Escape hybrid! – Freep: New compact SUV has surprising handling, more room and a fuel-efficient hybrid model.
• VW’S vision for EVs gets clearer – Automotive News: VW is basing its electric makeover on a simple mantra: bring what it calls carbon-neutral mobility to the global mass market at an affordable – yet still profitable …

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• UAW hits GM with nationwide strike – CBS News: Some 46,000 members of the United Auto Workers went on strike early Monday, walking off General Motors factory floors and setting up …
• UAW national strike against GM bucks recent history – The Detroit News: The work-stoppage trend has been targeted walkouts that cripple vital parts of the production chain
• Jaguar Land Rover boss: electric cars won’t get cheaper soon – Autocar: Ralf Speth claims battery prices won’t reduce for five years; better charging network would allow use of smaller batteries
• VW, BMW, JLR differ on best choice for EV architecture efficiency – Automotive News: Electric cars need to be constructed differently from combustion-engine cars. Ulf Sudowe, r&d director for chassis at Gestamp, gives the example of the …
• Are flying taxis coming to our cities soon? – FT: Chinese carmaker Geely is investing in German flying taxi start-up Volocopter. Josh Noble discusses China’s interest in this technology and the future of flying …
• Updated Renault Koleos to cost from £28,195 – Autocar: Two new diesel engines, more standard equipment and improved interior refreshed large SUV The updated Renault Koleos large SUV will cost from £28,195 when it goes on sale in the UK in November.

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• It’s Porsche Versus Tesla Facing Off in Germany’s Green Hell – Bloomberg: Then mockery turned into admiration. Now a battle is unfolding between two of the most revered names in the automobile world, Porsche and Tesla.
• VW in $8 Billion Software Revamp as Tech Shift Expands – Bloomberg: Volkswagen AG is bundling its software operations with an investment plan of as much as 7 billion euro ($8 billion), another step in the electric and …
• Aston Martin said to weigh new bonds as cash pressures mount, report says – Automotive News: The new financing would be expected to bolster Aston Martin’s liquidity until it launches full production of a new utility vehicle — the DBX — in early 2020, Bloomberg reported.
• Former senior Mitsubishi executive set to join rival PSA – Reuters: A former senior executive at Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi, which is part of an alliance with Nissan and Renault, is set to work at rival PSA Group, the maker of Peugeot, a source close to the matter said on Friday.
• Toyota is trying to figure out how to make a solar-powered car run forever – LATimes: A Toyota Prius prototype covered with 1100 solar cells travels about 31 miles a day without charging.

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• US opens probe into Nissan Rogue automatic emergency braking – Washington Post: The U.S. government’s road safety agency is investigating complaints that the automatic emergency braking on the Nissan Rogue can turn on for no apparent …
• Diesel scandal at German carmaker Volkswagen widens: Report – Xinhua | English.news.cn – Xinhuanet: The scandal surrounding illegally manipulated exhaust emissions of diesel cars for the German car maker Volkswagen is widening …
• The Porsche 911 is the most profitable car of 2019 – Automotive News: The highly profitable 911 will help Porsche to counterbalance expected losses from the just-released Taycan, its first full-electric series production car.
• Apple CarPlay subscription no longer ‘free’ for new cars – Autocar: Click to subscribe: software charges are set to become the norm Era of free-to-use in-car software is coming to a close as paid-for downloads roll out A year has passed since BMW released what it called OS7 – the seventh iteration of its iDrive infotainment system – but the first customers are now being asked to hand over money in order for some services to continue. Owners are now seeing the message: “Your free trial of Apple CarPlay is up. Would you like to renew? Please pay £85 for another ye
• New Jaguar F-Pace facelift seen testing ahead of 2020 release – Autocar: Jag”s Audi Q5 rival will receive styling updates, hybrid engines and tech overhaul early next year Jaguar is set to follow up the recently facelifted XE with similar updates for the F-Pace SUV, due to be unveiled early next year. Disguised prototypes have begun doing the rounds for testing purposes, with extensive coverings over the front suggesting notable revisions to the front grille and headlights, too. Alterations to the taillights are just visible through the disguise, too, but Iike the XE
• Waymo eyes deploying self-driving technology in trucking -CEO Krafcik – Reuters: Waymo is exploring deploying its self-driving technology in the trucking industry, CEO John Krafcik said on Thursday, as it works with industry partners to seize a commercial opportunity from a looming shortage of human drivers.

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• Opinion: Frankfurt is when electrification gets serious – Autocar: With tough new emissions targets about to be introduced, car firms are having to push electrified cars like never before Thanks to striking British Airways pilots, we took the train from London to Frankfurt (just one change at Brussels, if you”re interested). The German city’s impressive Victorian main station was festooned with posters advertising hybrid cars as well as very large ‘lifestyle” ads from Volkswagen, signalling the company”s new ID electric car family and brand re-launch at the Fra
• Ford to launch eight electric vehicles in Europe this year – Reuters: Ford Motor Co said on Tuesday it would launch eight electric vehicles in Europe this year, a key step in its target of achieving a majority of its overall sales from electric cars by the end of 2022.
• Renault details two new electric cars due in 2020 – Autocar: Renault plans to rapidly expand its EV portfolio beyond the Zoe Kadjar-sized crossover and electric Twingo are inbound as the firm scales up its EV offering beyond the Zoe The next two electric models from Renault will be a Kadjar-sized crossover and a zero-emissions variant of its Twingo city car. They form part of Renault”s electrification strategy to offer eight electric vehicles by 2023. Both are expected to be revealed in the next 18 months. Future product planning boss Ali Kassaï said: “We
• Recovery first: for next Nissan CEO, priority is profit before Renault partnership – Reuters: Recovery first: for next Nissan CEO, priority is profit before Renault partnership ReutersThe next head of Nissan Motor Co will need to prioritize a recovery in profits at the troubled Japanese firm ahead of trying to fix its relationship with top …
• Daimler enlists computer game designers to encourage efficient driving – Reuters: Daimler is hiring computer programmers to create games that encourage electric and hybrid vehicle owners to drive more efficiently, the company’s research chief Markus Schaefer said on Tuesday.
• Opinion: JLR boss Ralf Speth on preparing for Brexit – Autocar: Speth: “Where am I going to store 20 million parts a day?” Britain’s biggest car maker faces concerns over parts deliveries and administrative delays Brexit, then. The current Brexit barometer in the industry at today”s Frankfurt motor show is one of exasperation. Cheeks get puffed, shoulders shrugged, ‘you know as much as me” often volleyed back over the net at the mere mention of the ‘B’ word when chatting with any car executive. Whatever the outcome, a man more affected than most in the indus
• Jaguar: ‘We’ll continue to make saloons’ – Autocar: British firm’s design chief says the future isn’t just SUVs, hinting the next XE and XF could gain bold styling Jaguar”s new design boss, Julian Thomson, is committed to the firm continuing to make sports cars and saloons, and not simply creating more and more SUVs. Thomson, who recently took over from Ian Callum, told Autocar at the Frankfurt motor show that the company will not “go full bore into SUVs – we will do cars in the future, too”. The firm has invested heavily in SUVs in recent years
• Lithium bulls need to chill out – FT: Battery metal bulls suddenly have more to cheer about. This week saw the flashy launch of VW’s ID. 3, a mass-market hatchback that symbolises the …

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