Category Archives: connected vehicles

Stellantis, Saft Show Battery Integrating Inverter and Charger

Integrating the inverter and charger functions creates a battery that is more efficient, which enhances the battery electric vehicle (BEV) range and is more reliable and less costly. It also increases space in the vehicle. Continue reading

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VW Patents High-Speed Wireless EV Charging System

“We are accelerating innovation within electric vehicles and contributing to more sustainable transportation in America by focusing our efforts on some of the most transformative automotive research being done in the country,” said Pablo Di Si, President and CEO at Volkswagen Group of America Inc. “Our technology teams in Tennessee are a great example. There, we are tapping American ingenuity fostered by the unique blend of world-class academic research and Volkswagen’s leading industry capabilities.” Continue reading

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Toyota Auto Insurance Now in Colorado, Georgia, Oregon

“We’re excited to continue our rollout of Toyota Auto Insurance, expanding our reach to even more customers,” said Rob Spencer, Toyota Insurance President. “We look forward to offering our customers in Colorado, Georgia and Oregon exceptional value and top-tier service to enhance their Toyota ownership experience.” Continue reading

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Stellantis Shows New Global EV Platform – STLA Medium

The platform can be used on a variety of vehicles and propulsion configurations in the center of the mass-market, the C- and D-segments, which accounted for 35 million sales in 2022 of the 78.5 million vehicles sold globally that year. Stellantis brands right now offer 26 vehicle nameplates in those segments on a variety of platforms. Up to two million vehicles per year can be built on the STLA Medium platform in several plants. Continue reading

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General Motors Buys Israeli Battery Software Startup

The move  comes at a time of considerable turmoil and violence in Israel.  There is also the pending UAW contract negotiations where non-union EV partnerships and joint ventures are large, contentious issues. Continue reading

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Electrify America to add Tesla’s NACS EV Charging Connector

Electrify America said today it will add the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector to Electrify America and Electrify Canada’s fast charging networks to broaden charging s for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. NACS was previously known as the Tesla connector introduced more than a decade ago with its unique pin or plug design that can use both a/c and d/c charging. Electrify America will continue to provide the Combined Charging System (CCS-1) connector throughout its network as it transitions to also support automakers adding NACS charging ports. Continue reading

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Electrify America Expands Lyft Discounts

“Upfront costs and access to affordable charging continue to be two of the biggest challenges drivers face when transitioning to electric vehicles. By becoming the first rideshare company to team up with Electrify America, we’re further attacking those barriers head on.” Continue reading

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Lin-Hua Wu Named GM’s Chief Communications Officer

General Motors (NYSE:GM) today named Lin-Hua Wu, 52, as senior vice president and chief communications officer – a job that is consdierably more complicated in the post Covid era. Wu joins GM  by leaving Google, where she was Vice President of Global Communications & Public Affairs since 2021. Wu’s appointment is effective 21 August 2023. She will report to GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. Continue reading

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Connected Car by Verizon for BMW Begins in US

Verizon Business has started Connected Car by Verizon an in-car connectivity service for some BMW models in the US. The subscription plan has voice, data, unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity for $20 per month. Continue reading

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Honda Prologue EV Losing Vapor Ware Status

Long ago in April 2021, Honda global CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, announced a vision to achieve carbon-neutrality for its products and corporate activities by 2050, including key targets for sales of electrified vehicles. This vision called for the sales ratio of battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles in North America to increase from 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2035 to 100% by 2040. Continue reading

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Annals of Electric Marketing – Cadillac Escalade IQ

Cadillac today released a teaser video of the all-new Escalade IQ ahead of its official reveal on 9 August 2023. As the brand’s first all-electric full-size SUV, Cadillac claims that Escalade IQ represents the reinvention of Cadillac’s most iconic nameplate. 

Well, Escalade is an SUV that is longer than Scorsese’s Irishman, and likely far more profitable. Continue reading

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Automakers Remain Challenged in Search for EV Buyers

Affecting the slight year-over-year increases are a combination of positive and negative market elements such as lower gas prices, inflation, rising interest rates, greater model availability and charging availability. Charging availability is growing more slowly year over year (13% vs 33% in 2022), while model availability has increased, with 42% of buyers now having a viable EV model that meets their needs in Power’s view. Continue reading

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Buick Teases the 2024 Envision SUV

The Envision is the third of five new vehicles Buick is debuting through 2024. Buick claims it has  become the fastest-growing mainstream brand in the US with sales up ~76% through May 2023. In Canada, Envision sales are up ~78.5% through May 2023. The current Envision has achieved its highest ever retail sales over the first half of 2023 and is on track to have its best sales year ever in the US and Canada as North American demand for luxury SUVs continues unabated. Continue reading

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GM Expanding Ultium CAM EV Battery Joint Venture

General Motors (NYSE: GM) and POSCO Future M announced today the second phase of their Ultium CAM joint venture, an investment forecast to exceed $1 billion to increase production capacity of Cathode Active Material (CAM) for EV batteries. While CEO Mary Barra admits that GM was slow to embrace EVs, GM is now clearly among the leaders in what is the future of automobility. Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of actions GM has taken to build a more secure EV supply chain. Continue reading

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GM Defense and Black Sage Technologies to Work on Drones

“We understand how critical optionality is for our customers, who look for ways to outmaneuver increasingly complex threats from around the globe,” said Steve duMont, GM Defense president. “Our teaming agreement with Black Sage helps us offer greater flexibility to warfighters while continuing to develop mobility solutions that perform in diverse environments. This collaboration enables GM Defense and Black Sage to leverage the synergies of our respective companies, extend battlefield capabilities and showcase solutions that can drive mission readiness.” Continue reading

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