Category Archives: news analysis

Toyota to supply its hydrogen technology to Caetanobus

The latest move supports Toyota’s vision of a de-carbonised society―as stated in its 2050 environmental challenge, Toyota is promoting the application of its hydrogen fuel cell technology beyond passenger cars, including heavy duty trucks, small delivery trucks, forklifts and buses. Continue reading

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Ford, Uber And Lyft Announce Agreement to Share Data

Ford Motor Company, Uber and Lyft today announced a pledge to SharedStreets, a new data platform designed – it’s claimed – to make it easier for the private sector to work with cities around the world to use your driving data to improve urban mobility. No mention of privacy or legal issues arising from the personnel data were addressed. Continue reading

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Versata, Not Ford, Owns Trade Secrets says Federal Judge

Versata declared publicly that the jury verdict could result in hundreds of millions of dollars of damages to Ford and could result in an injunction from using the “copycat” substitute software Ford secretly created behind closed doors that infringes on Versata’s property rights. Continue reading

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New Order for Nova Electric Buses in Montreal

This new order comes after the first service anniversary of the three quick-charge electric buses provided by Nova Bus as part of the Montreal City Mobility project, an initiative by STM and the Quebec government. These four new vehicles are intended to replace the diesel-powered buses that currently run the same route, from Square Victoria to the Angrignon terminal. Continue reading

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Pew: American Middle-Class Losing Financially to Upper-Income Families

A recent Pew Research Center analysis also found that the wealth gaps between upper-income families and lower- and middle-income families in 2016 were at the highest levels recorded. Although the wealth of upper-income families has more than recovered from the losses experienced during the Great Recession, the wealth of lower- and middle-income families in 2016 was comparable to 1989 levels. Thus, even as the American middle class appears not to be shrinking (for now), it continues to fall further behind upper-income households financially, mirroring the long-running rise in income inequality in the U.S. overall. Continue reading

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Off-Road Cruise Control on 2019 F-150 Raptor and Ranger

While this is old news – see AutoInformed.com on Active Damping Controls Ride on 2019 Ford Raptor – the suddenly super competitive performance truck market (oxymoron?) has makers scrambling for publicity. Continue reading

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Hack Attacks – Connected Vehicle Cyber Security Lags

Then the payoff comes, but not for the car owners who have lost the rights to their own data, Smart mobility unlocks myriad selling opportunities for both the OEMs as well as so-called value-added service creators. It also brings with it a range of cybersecurity risk that never existed before. Continue reading

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U.S. Diversity-Visa Lottery Requests Near Record

Under a different, centuries old – and now thoroughly politicized program President Trump is and has been using rages against “chain migration” to feed his base (both the political sense and the moral sense). Trump apparently now wants to end family-preference immigration visas, after his his in-laws Viktor and Amalija Knavs were granted U.S. citizenship through the first lady’s sponsorship. Continue reading

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BMW i Ventures Takes Stake in Vera

Recently Vera has focused on scaling its data security platform to protect both email and enterprise content with dynamic encryption and granular control. The company recently introduced its Vera for Mail offering and browser-based editing capabilities, enhancing users’ ability to access and collaborate on secure files across devices and operating systems. The new capital – unspecified – will help broadly to fuel Vera’s next phase of growth and scale its workforce globally. Continue reading

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Honda Title Sponsor of Formula One Japanese Grand Prix

“I want to have a venue for motor racing. Automobiles cannot be improved if they are not put through their paces on the racing circuit,” said founder and president Soichiro Honda. This was late in 1959 during a meeting to propose the construction of a welfare facility for the Suzuka Factory. It led to the birth of Japan’s first full-scale road racing circuit Continue reading

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Toyota Motor and Uber Expand Collaboration

To accomplish this, technology from each company will be integrated into purpose-built Toyota vehicles to be deployed on Uber’s ride-sharing network. Separately, Toyota is investing $500 million in Uber. Continue reading

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Canada Frozen Out of United States-Mexico Trade Agreement

According to the Center for Automotive Research’s (CAR’s) latest trade briefing, applying a Trump’s 25% tariff on all automobile and parts imports would result in 2 million fewer U.S. vehicle sales, 715,000 fewer U.S. jobs and nearly $60 billion in lower U.S. economic output. The policy would increase the price of the average vehicle sold in the United States an average of $4,400 (including both domestic and imported products). Continue reading

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Ford Reorganizes Again Under Product Line Management Flag

Ford Motor is traveling well-worn pothole ridden roads. The move comes as Ford stock continue to languish below $10 a share of common as Wall Street remains skeptical of it future earnings potential. Continue reading

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Ford Opens Corktown Station to Community as Mustang puts Camaro and GM on Trailer During Woodward Dream Cruise

Ford said that a diverse gathering of millennial tech and business talent explored new avenues to grow an inclusive tech and entrepreneur ecosystem in and around the iconic Michigan Central Station, the centerpiece of Ford’s new campus and a cornerstone of the company’s vision to become the world’s most trusted mobility company, whatever that means. Continue reading

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Ford Releases Self-Driving Vehicle Safety Assessment

The 44-page document, titled “A Matter of Trust,” details Ford’s “prioritization of safety” during self-driving vehicle development, as well as how the company is working with industry and government, and how it is applying the technology to solve the challenges our cities face. It’s partly technical but looks to be largely a marketing document design to sell self-driving vehicles to potential buyers. Continue reading

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