Category Archives: news

Argo AI, Ford to Launch Self-Driving Vehicles on Lyft Network

Argo AI and Ford will deploy Ford self-driving cars, with safety drivers, on the Lyft network, as part of a network access agreement, with passenger rides beginning in Miami later this year and in Austin starting in 2022.  As vehicles are positioned, Lyft users within the defined service areas will be able to select a Ford self-driving vehicle to hail a ride. “This initial deployment phase will lay the groundwork for scaling operations, as the parties are now working to finalize agreements aiming to deploy at least 1,000 autonomous vehicles on the Lyft network, across multiple markets over the next five years,” the companies claimed. Continue reading

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Daimler Q2 Results – Group Net Profit of €3,704 million

However, Daimler assumes that the current worldwide supply shortage of semiconductor components will affect Mercedes-Benz Cars unit sales also in the third quarter. Mercedes-Benz Cars unit sales “could be in the magnitude of the second quarter or below.” Full year unit sales are expected to be at prior year level (previously: significantly above). Continue reading

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Ongoing COVID Related Problems Just Discovered. Michigan Experiencing Increase in Legionnaires’ Disease?

As many buildings are currently reopening after extended COVID-19 closures or periods of limited use, this may also create an environment for potential amplification and transmission of Legionella bacteria. Between 1 July 1 and 14 July 107 cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in 25 counties. Continue reading

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Electrify America, Volvo to Give XC40 Drivers Fast Charging

The incentive will apply to first owners of all 2022 XC40 and C40 Recharge vehicles. Additional models and “benefits” will be announced by the Chinese-owned Volvo. Once drivers have used all of their complimentary charging, they will automatically be eligible for Electrify America’s Pass+, said to allow drivers to charge at discounted rates, with membership fees covered by Volvo for an entire year.   Continue reading

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Sedan Trends – Passat is Passe’ – VW Kills US Production

During the second quarter, light-trucks, crossovers and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), were 76.9% of all new vehicles sold in the US market. The segment is expected to continue to move towards an 80% market share. Pickups accounted for 17.6% of sales for the first half of 2021, down from 20.0% compared to the first half of 2020; crossovers represented 45.9% of sales, up from 41.8% one year ago. Continue reading

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New Stellantis Opel CEO Hochgeschurtz From Renault

Uwe Hochgeschurtz will join the Top Executive Team of Stellantis and will report directly to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. He started his career in the automotive industry in 1990 at Ford, before joining VW in 2001 and Renault in 2004. He studied business administration in Germany (Wuppertal & Cologne), the UK (Birmingham) and France (Paris Dauphine). Continue reading

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EU Gets Tougher on Climate Change – Wants All EVs by 2035

Let the adverse lobbying begin by the plump, wealthy sacred cows of the polluting establishment – including countries such as Germany with a strong carbon-based economy and its global auto industry – who face butchering by increasing market incentives for consumers to force them to speed the move away from fossil fuels as not only the climate clearly heating up and changing – deadly floods in Germany and Belgium, as well as floods and fires in the Americas, scorching temperatures globally – but the political climate is heating up to do more now over what is clearly the growing negative effects of runaway climate change. Continue reading

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MILITEM Ferōx Adventure – Status or Expensive Jeep?

The original reason for purchasing Jeep under the Iacocca at Chrysler regime is once again proven – Jeep is an international brand subject to local tastes, as well as commercial exploitation. Continue reading

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Covid – Commerce NIST Grant of $153 million to National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals

NIIMBL* will work to increase the shelf life and reduce the amount of refrigeration required for messenger RNA vaccines, boost capabilities for rapid production of antigens used in testing and screening for new variants and develop novel technologies for detecting counterfeit vaccines, among other things. Continue reading

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IndustriALL – Organizing the Growing Battery Supply Chain

With widespread workers rights’ violations and low union participation, IndustriALL, a global union umbrella organization, has been warily looking at the increase in battery demand during the next ten years. No surprise that IndustriALL and affiliates have started developing a strategy for workers along the supply chain. The question is can they make positive changes for the people who often do the work in a world were the non-tax paying rich rig the political, legal and social systems against them? Continue reading

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GM’s Ultium Charge 360 Fleet Customers Can Now Access Preferred Electric Vehicle Charging Providers

The Ultium Charge 360 fleet service “will be one of the industry’s most holistic solutions offering, where available.” In addition, Ultium Charge’s approach will help to enable support for home charging and provide drivers access to more than 60,000 public places to charge while en route. As part of the solution, GM is working with preferred providers, including four depot infrastructure providers – eTransEnergy, a Duke Energy company; EVgo; In-Charge Energy; and Schneider Electric. Continue reading

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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

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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

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Electrify America to Double its Current EV Charging Network

The announcement builds on Electrify America’s previous commitment to invest $2 billion over 10 years in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, education, and access in the U.S. In addition to adding to its existing network in the U.S., Electrify America will also expand its Electrify Canada charging network, which began installations in 2019. Continue reading

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GM Design Jettisons North Hollywood for Pasadena

GM claims it has a long-term commitment to maintain a physical presence in one of North America’s largest hubs for multi-disciplinary design and innovation. The new campus, which sits on 8 acres, will expand GM’s capacity to support emerging business opportunities in areas of advanced technology, software integration and future mobility solutions. Continue reading

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