Category Archives: electronics

FIH Mobile, Stellantis JV Begun on Connected Car Technology

Mobile Drive will be equally owned by Stellantis and FIH. The partnership has combined Foxconn’s capabilities in ICT industry and smart solutions, with Stellantis’ expertise in the automotive sector, ensuring the growth of Mobile Drive. Continue reading

Posted in electronics, mobility company, Privacy | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Toyota, Lexus Debut Mobile Collision Assistance App

Toyota worked with CCC Intelligent Solutions, a Software as a Service* platform for the insurance economy, to develop Collison Assistance. CCC mobile technology combines guided accident documentation and access to claims and management services to assist drivers following a collision. Toyota transmits accident and vehicle telematics data to CCC to initiate the program. Collision Assistance is designed to let the customer choose how they’d like to handle the claim and repair processes, providing convenience and safety while also ensuring owners are informed about the process through completion. Continue reading

Posted in electronics, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Ion Park in Southeastern MI is New Global Battery Center

Ion Park will explore both lithium ion and solid-state battery cells and arrays. Ford will refurbish an existing 270,000 sq.-ft. facility. It will have a cross-functional team of up to 200 engineers, researchers, purchasing and finance staff. Ford Ion Park is critical in wisely spending the stockholder’s $30 billion investment in electrification by 2025. Politically it is part of a renewed commitment to making Michigan a centerpiece of its focus on electric vehicles. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Adds New Hands-Free Super Cruise to 6 MY 2022 Vehicles

GM launched Super Cruise in 2017 with the Cadillac brand and has added capabilities, expanded Super Cruise-enabled routes and availability on more products since then. To date, approximately 10 million miles have been driven by customers using Super Cruise across the U.S. and Canada. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, electronics, mobility company | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Automated Mapping – Toyota to Buy CARMERA

If the deal is closed, the CARMERA team will report into the Automated Mapping Platform (“AMP”) organization of Woven Alpha. Woven Alpha explores new strategic areas for business expansion and incubates several projects such as Woven City and Arene, which is Woven Planet’s open software platform. AMP is a connected crowd-sourced software platform that helps the creation, development and distribution of high-definition maps―a key aspect of so-called smart and safe automated mobility. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, electronics, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nissan Starts Advanced Brain Training for Formula E Drivers

The program will be directed by Japanese resident Dr. Lucian Gheorghe. He is knowledgeable in the field of brain analysis and training, and part of the ongoing Nissan advanced research on how to enhance the connection between people and vehicles. The immediate priority of the Nissan Brain to Performance program is to enhance the performance of Nissan’s Formula E racers. It of course has broad applicability to connected and autonomous vehicles and their drivers/occupants. Continue reading

Posted in electronics, engineering, people, performance | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Leads NA Production Cuts from Semiconductor Shortage

Six months into the semi-conductor shortage it is obvious that not all automakers are affected in the same way. The Renesas fire in Japan hit Ford Motor hard, making the problem much worse for the struggling automaker. The fact is some automakers have been hurt worse than others. Ford Motor looks to have been affected the most, as shortage-related plant shutdowns left its facilities running at just 55% of total capacity through May of 2021. Ford’s estimated volume loss in the first half of this year is more than  50% greater than that recorded by the next manufacturer in line – and the largest in North America – GM, according to consultancy LMC. Continue reading

Posted in electronics, manufacturing, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

NHTSA Shouldn’t Cut National Autonomous Vehicle Regs!

AutoInformed thinks that more than US auto industry jobs are at stake here. AV technology can reduce congestion, improve safety for passengers and pedestrians, and spur unknown innovations to help the United States lead the global automotive industry. Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, autonomous vehicles, economy, electronics, environment, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Volkswagen ID.4 – Most Affordable AWD Electric Vehicle in US?

With two electric motors, 295 horsepower and an estimated 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds for the AWD Pro model, the ID.4 AWD offers competitive performance and all-weather traction3. It combines the permanent magnet synchronous electric motor on the rear axle of the standard ID.4 with a new asynchronous electric motor on the front axle. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Follows GM: Q2 2021 Earnings to Exceed Its Expectations

This ”follow the leader” move is the result of unfortunate timing and lingering suspicions that the future of the automotive business with automated vehicles, fuel cells and other connected car technologies will consume enormous amounts of capital that will hurt shareholders, which in the case of Ford contains numerous family members. Yesterday GM said it will increase its EV and AV investments from 2020 through 2025 to $35 billion. This is a – gulp – 75% increase from its initial pledge announced prior to the ongoing pandemic.

  Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

GM Ups Bet by $35B in Autonomous, Electric Vehicle Games

The seemingly bottomless pit of capital being consumed in the race to survive the connected, green and autonomous vehicle wars has grown deeper with General Motors saying today it will increase its EV and AV investments from 2020 through 2025 to $35 billion. This is a – gulp – 75% increase from its initial pledge announced prior to the ongoing pandemic. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, electronics, environment, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Former Chrysler Windsor Minivan Plant to Close for All of June

“The semiconductor shortage impacting the automotive industry has left companies and countries scrambling for solutions,” said Carla Bailo, President & CEO at the Center for Automotive Research, aka CAR. Continue reading

Posted in electronics, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Electrify Home’s Fastest EV Charger Now Available at $649

Customers choosing to have a professional electrician install their new Level 2 charger can choose among three different installation packages offered by a third-party service provider to select the one that best fits their installation needs. Custom installation services are also available via this provider. Installation packages begin at $695. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, environment | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM to Up Deliveries by Dropping Stop-Start on Pickups, SUVs

The bad news is GM’s gas mileage increasing stop-start system is being dropped on some models of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV SUVs. Stop-start will also be dropped for the moment on certain light-duty Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. The semiconductor or microchip shortage is expected to last through 2021, and possibly until sometime in 2022. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, financial results, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

General Motors Expands Access to OnStar Guardian App

OnStar Guardian offers Mobile Crash Response, which uses smartphone sensors to detect crashes and alert an Emergency-Certified OnStar Advisor. Continue reading

Posted in electronics, marketing, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment