Archives for October 2020

• Daimler Invests in Lidar Startup to Bolster Self-Driving Truck Effort – Bloomberg: Daimler Invests in Lidar Startup to Bolster Self-Driving Truck Effort
• Ford eyes first-year sales of 100,000 vehicles with hands-free driving system – Reuters: Ford eyes first-year sales of 100,000 vehicles with hands-free driving system
• Ford to escape EU CO2 penalties with Volvo deal – Autocar: Swedish firm agrees pooling deal with rival following success in reducing fleet emissions
• Tesla readies ‘Full Self Driving’ for limited rollout, safety advocates ring alarm bells – Just-Auto: Tesla has informed owners that it intends to roll out its so-called ‘Full Self Driving’ features to a limited number of users over the next few weeks. Despite its billing as ‘Full Self Driving’, Tesla’s software is more of an extensive upgrade of its existing SAE level 2 Autopilot autonomous features. However, safety groups are raising concerns over what is, in effect, a full-scale beta test of new autonomous software by untrained consumers on public roads.
• Toyota to invest $500 mln in KDDI to deepen ties for ‘connected car’ – Reuters: Toyota to invest $500 mln in KDDI to deepen ties for ‘connected car’
• Chinese cities race for subsidies in fuel cell gold rush – Nikkei: SAIC’s announcement represents part of a plan by the Shanghai government, which oversees the automaker, to cultivate the city’s fuel cell industry.

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• Volkswagen Sees Car-Sales Rebound in China – Bloomberg:
• Toyota Global Sales Inch Higher Spurred by Demand in China, US – Bloomberg: Toyota Global Sales Inch Higher Spurred by Demand in China, US
• Panasonic beats forecasts, developing new battery cell for Tesla – Reuters: With the advanced battery cell design and new manufacturing processes, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised to cut battery costs in half
• China’s premium car buyers drive VW back to profit – Reuters: China’s premium car buyers drive VW back to profit
• All-electric Ford Transit confirmed for 12 November unveiling – Autocar: EV version of popular commercial vehicle to launch in the US and Canada before coming to Europe …
• Volkswagen returns to profit as pandemic recovery continues – Reuters: Volkswagen returns to profit as pandemic recovery continues

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• Tesla Autopilot ‘a distant second’ to GM’s Super Cruise in hands-free test: Consumer Reports – Reuters: A Tesla Model Y fitted with Autopilot finished “a distant second,” the group said, to a Cadillac CT6 equipped with Super Cruise
• Profitable pickup trucks, Jeeps drive FCA back into black – Reuters: Profitable pickup trucks, Jeeps drive FCA back into black
• Citroen UK three-year plan to boost market share, reduce haggling – Autocar: Boss announces “far-reaching” plan with aim to renew retail network, boost residuals
• China EV startup WM Motor issues recall after battery fires – Nikkei:
• Volvo Cars Canada rolls out Volvo Valet, a contactless delivery service app, as a new approach to service convenience and safety – Just-Auto: Volvo Cars Canada rolls out Volvo Valet, a contactless delivery service app, as a new approach to service convenience and safety

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Apologies for the past two missing installments – was otherwise occupied

• Fisker plumps for Munich as Europe HQ – Just-Auto: Fisker has chosen Munich as the location for its European headquarters.
• Auto industry no longer needs more stimulus, says Volkswagen chief – FT:
• Nissan to raise output capacity in China by 30% – Yomiuri – Reuters: Nissan to raise output capacity in China by 30% – Yomiuri
• SsangYong GB could take over Mitsubishi’s UK operation – Autocar: Report claims SsangYong”s parent company is in talks to take over Mitsubishi distribution
• SAIC targets 100k NEV sales in Europe by 2025 – Just-Auto: SAIC Motor now sells its vehicles in more than 60 countries and regions worldwide under the MG and Maxus brands
• Audi Q3 Sportback – illogical Jim, but it works – Autocar: For some, the idea of the coupe-inspired SUV is highly illogical

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Preliminary version, more to come …

• 4,100 Detroiters hired for Fiat Chrysler jobs as company builds Mack plant – Freep: 4,100 Detroiters hired for Fiat Chrysler jobs as company builds Mack plant
• Tesla Tops Estimates, Reaffirms 2020 Delivery Goal – Bloomberg: Bloomberg the Company & Its ProductsThe Company & its … The electric vehicle has to cost the same as a traditional combustion engine car and it …
• New 2021 Range Rover spotted in long-wheelbase form – Autocar: Largest variant of fifth-generation Range Rover shows off rear-wheel steering system Jaguar Land…
• Nissan unveils all-new SUV Magnite, built for urban adventures – Just-Auto: Nissan unveils all-new SUV Magnite, built for urban adventures
• Iberdrola and Volvo Car Espana agree to promote electric mobility in Spain together – Just-Auto: Iberdrola and Volvo Car Espana agree to promote electric mobility in Spain together
• Self-driving Ford Mondeos roll out in Oxford for government-backed project – Autocar: Self-driving Ford Mondeos roll out in Oxford for government-backed project
• GWM expands capacity with new base in Wuhan – Just-Auto: Great Wall Motors (GWM) has opened a new manufacturing site (GWM Jingmen Vehicle Production Base) in Wuhan, Hubei Province.
• From supercars to SUVs: Maserati’s do-or-die revival plan – Autocar: New products and bold promises are spearheaded by the MC20 We”ve heard it all before, bu…

• Uber offers more than €1 billion to buy Daimler/BMW’s freenow: Manager Magazin – Reuters: Uber offers more than €1 billion to buy Daimler/BMW’s freenow: Manager Magazin
• Renault announces battery recycling projects in UK and France – Just-Auto: Renault announces battery recycling projects in UK and France
• Tesla and Heinz Hit Brexit Snag When Customs Capacity Runs Out – Bloomberg: Tesla and Heinz Hit Brexit Snag When Customs Capacity Runs Out
• Hyundai to overhaul quality control processes – Just-Auto: Hyundai Motor Group on Wednesday said it plans to overhaul its product quality control process following a series of product recalls globally that have had a significant impact on its financial performance.
• Fiat Panda updated to mark 40th anniversary in 2020 – Autocar: Supermini gains new technology and a subtle restyle
• It’s the great wall of Tesla – FT:

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• GM to Plan Third Electric-Vehicle Plant in Big Plug-In Bet – Bloomberg: GM to Plan Third Electric-Vehicle Plant
• GMC Hummer EV to be revealed tonight – Autocar: Hummer nameplate will be revived for 1000bhp EV ‘super truck’ that promises 0-60mph in 3sec
• Daimler Warns Hard Brexit Would Hurt Even Without a U.K. Plant – Bloomberg: Daimler Warns Hard Brexit Would Hurt Even Without a U.K. Plant
• Tesla third-quarter registrations in California drop 13%: data – Reuters: … a bellwether for the electric-car maker and its largest U.S. market, recovered … .
• First Dacia EV to be built in China – report – Just-Auto: Renault Group budget brand Dacia has confirmed its first electric model would be produced in China.
• Daimler chief eyes China growth as trade tensions rise – Reuters: Daimler chief eyes China growth as trade tensions rise

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