Stellantis, BlackBerry QNX and AWS Launch Virtual Cockpit

Posted on 10 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis, BlackBerry QNX and AWS Launch Virtual Cockpit

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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) claims it has created the world’s first virtual cockpit platform as part of its Stellantis Virtual Engineering Workbench (VEW). This will allow the delivery of infotainment tech to customers 100 times faster than previous processes, it’s said. The new platform uses the QNX® Hypervisor in the cloud from BlackBerry, which is now on early access release via AWS Marketplace within the QNX Accelerate portfolio of cloud-based tools.

“Software is becoming increasingly crucial in vehicles, leading us to innovate in how we develop and validate it,” said Yves Bonnefont, chief software officer at Stellantis. “With our virtual cockpit, we’re revolutionizing not just our approach, but also that of our suppliers and partners in the industry. Essentially, we’re able to get closer to our customer’s needs through this technology with faster development cycles, faster feedback loops, and quicker delivery of the technology they use and love. It’s a leap toward customer-first innovation and efficiency in the automotive world.” Continue reading →

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Premium Dolby Atmos Storytelling Coming From Mercedes

Posted on 10 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Premium Dolby Atmos Storytelling Coming From Mercedes

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Mercedes-Benz customers will soon be able to use Dolby Atmos for audio storytelling in addition to music. This new dimension of listening pleasure marks another first for Mercedes-Benz in-car entertainment. “The riders will be wrapped in multi-dimensional sound of exceptional clarity that places them in the center of the story,” Mercedes said. Global rollout is anticipated to begin in Q3 2024 via an over-the-air (OTA) update for customers of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLE Coupe and Cabriolet with 3rd-generation MBUX. A further rollout is planned for successive models in the future.

“This collaboration with Audible and Amazon Music is another important facet of digital experience in a Mercedes-Benz. Immersive audio storytelling enables our customers to benefit fully from the advanced sound technology in our vehicles. For us, unparalleled in-car entertainment is a further dimension of the hyper-personalized user experience,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer. Continue reading →

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Car Star Wars – Honda Debuts New Global EV Line

Posted on 9 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Car Star Wars - Honda Debuts New Global EV Line

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Honda today announced the “Honda 0 Series,” a new global EV line launching in 2026, represented by the world premiere of two concept models, Saloon and Space-Hub, at a trade show. During 2026, Honda will introduce a model of the Honda 0 Series based on the sedan concept in North America, followed by model introductions in Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and South America. Honda also debuted a new H mark logo that will be used solely for the next-generation EV models.

“The mobility we dream of is not an extension of the trend of ‘thick, heavy, but smart’ EVs,” said Toshihiro Mibe, Global CEO of Honda. “We will create a completely new value from zero based on thin, light and wise as the foundation for our new Honda 0 EV series to further advance the joy and freedom of mobility to the next level.” Continue reading →

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Manheim – Used-Vehicle Values Fall -21% from All-Time High

Posted on 9 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Manheim - Used-Vehicle Values Fall -21% from All-Time High

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Calendar year 2023 ended with the Manheim* Used Vehicle Value Index down 0.5% in December from November, following a trend that began in the second half of the year. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) dropped to 204.0, down 7% from the previous year, a larger decline than originally forecast. Compared to the index peak in December 2021, used-vehicle values are down ~21%.

“We ended 2023 with about half of the used-vehicle value decline we saw in 2022, but still more than we’d see in a typical year,” said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “For 2024, the key word for the wholesale market is ‘normalcy.’ Manheim expects constrained growth with a volume increase of less than 1%. As for price patterns, we anticipate a normalization trend, and we expect that 2024 will be the first year in five where we will experience fairly normal depreciation in the wholesale market.” Continue reading →

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Kia Shows Modular EV and Autonomous Driving Concepts

Posted on 9 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Kia Shows Modular EV and Autonomous Driving Concepts

Yes, they look like the boxes they came in. Click for more.

Kia has revealed its so-called Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) future strategy at a trade show in Las Vegas. Kia’s PBV business will start around the introduction of an all-new, modular vehicle, previewed by the Kia Concept PV5.

This was presented as plan with the goal of PBVs “revolutionizing the mobility industry while helping to further Hyundai Motor Group’s ambitions in robotics, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and autonomous driving.” Basically this is a well tread marketing strategy once fueled by petrol and diesel by traditional European vehicle makers, notably the Transit van line of Ford Motor in Europe, Citroen and Renault among others, who are doing similar things with EVs. In fact, the Transit ubiquitously used by tradespeople in the UK led to the popular phrase “white van man.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Completes Acquisition of Rybrook Group

Posted on 9 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG)* today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Rybrook Group Limited consisting of 15 premium dealerships in the United Kingdom, including four BMW dealerships, four MINI dealerships, four Volvo dealerships, two Land Rover dealerships and one Porsche dealership. Three of the BMW locations also retail BMW Motorrad motorcycles. The dealerships represent estimated annualized revenues of $1 billion.

“We are pleased to expand our brand footprint and increase our scale,” said Darren Edwards, CEO of the Company’s Sytner Group subsidiary in the U.K. “The Rybrook dealerships represent exceptional brands with a strong commitment to providing outstanding customer service. We look forward to continuing this legacy and welcome the Rybrook associates to our team.”
Continue reading →

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Volkswagen to Add ChatGPT into its Vehicles

Posted on 8 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volkswagen to Add ChatGPT into its Vehicles

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Volkswagen said today that it will introduce the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT into all Volkswagen models equipped with the IDA voice assistant.1 Cerence Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc. is the foundation of the new function, which claims to off an intelligent, automotive-grade ChatGPT integration. Volkswagen will offer Chat GPT as a standard feature from the second quarter of 2024 in many production vehicles. The connected car feature is under study for the United States. Research from Deloitte shows that only ~25% of US drivers are willing to pay extra for such services.

“Volkswagen has always democratized technology and made it accessible to the many. This is simply ingrained in our DNA. As a result, we are now the first volume manufacturer to make this innovative technology a standard feature to vehicles from the compact segment upwards. Thanks to the seamless integration of ChatGPT and strong collaboration with our partner, Cerence, we are offering our drivers added value and direct access to the AI-based research tool. This also underlines the innovative strength of our new products,” said Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand for technical Development. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Shows its Hydrogen Value Chain

Posted on 8 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor Company at a trade show in Nevada today said it is developing megawatt-scale polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer manufacturing capabilities for green hydrogen production. It expects to commercialize them within the next few years. Hyundai, through sharing components of fuel cell systems claims that it can achieve a competitive price compared to existing PEM technologies. They are evolved from technology used by NASA to explore space and come with moonshot prices. 

“At Hyundai, we believe that science and humanity are two sides of the same coin; that advanced technology should also make people’s lives better,” said Jay Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “Clean hydrogen should be for everyone, powering everything, and available everywhere.” Continue reading →

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Western EU Car Sales Down ~5% in 2023

Posted on 8 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Western EU Car Sales Down ~5% in 2023

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The Western Europe PV selling rate rose to 13 million units/year in December 2023, with 951,000 car registrations in the month. Compared year-over-year (YoY ), sales were down almost 5%, though that compares to a strong December 2022, according to an analysis just released by European Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team at the GlobalData consultancy.* The region finished 2023 overall with 11.6 million units, higher than the 10.1 million units recorded in 2022, but well behind the 14.3 million units registered in pre-covid 2019.

“Germany was the only major West European country with negative YoY growth last month (at -23%), mainly due to December 2022 being an unusually strong month given the ending of EV incentives. France and Spain continued to recover with double digit YoY growth as supply conditions continue to ease, with solid improvements coming from the UK and Italy,” GlobalData said. Continue reading →

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MAMA Favorite Vehicle of 2024 Finalists Announced

Posted on 8 January 2024 by Ken Zino

The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) today announced the seven category winners for MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle of 2024 award. Each winner is now a finalist for the overall title that will be voted on by the association’s 189 nationwide media members. AutoInformed is a long-standing member of MAMA. MAMA’s Favorites is a new award, an expansion of the association’s prior Family Vehicle of the Year and Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year awards. It was created to recognize the diversity of vehicles available and of interest to the readers, viewers, and listeners of MAMA’s membership base.

“With more than 100 new, redesigned, or refreshed vehicles MAMA members could drive during 2023, it was time to assess the breadth and depth of product at each event and for the year as a whole,” said Robert Duffer, MAMA President. “You could say MAMA loves all of her vehicles equally, but everyone knows there’s only one MAMA’s Favorite.” Continue reading →

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Noto Aftershocks – Toyota Japanese Plants to Run on Monday

Posted on 6 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor has just issued this in Japan. “Toyota would like to express our deepest condolences and sympathies to all those affected by the devastating Noto Peninsula Earthquake on January 1, 2024.

“In regard to Toyota Motor Corporation’s plant operation schedule for January 8 onward, after much consideration, we have made the decision to operate our vehicle plants in Japan. Many of our local suppliers and their affiliates were affected by the earthquake. Therefore, we will utilize parts in stock outside the affected areas, Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Air Travel Shows Improvement After DOT Scrutiny, Fines

Posted on 5 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Air Travel Shows Improvement After DOT Scrutiny, Fines

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The US. Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of October 2023 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. For the first 10 months of 2023, 1.5% of flights were canceled, below the 2.6% cancellation rate for the first 10 months of 2022 and the 2.1% cancellation rate for first 10 months of pre-pandemic 2019. During 2023, DOT issued the largest fines in the history of the consumer protection office primarily based on complaints received. Since the pandemic began, the Department has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds to travelers, DOT said.+

The release of air travel service complaint data in the ATCR has been delayed primarily because of the continued high volume of complaints against airlines and ticket agents received by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) and the time needed to review and process these consumer complaints. In AutoInformed’s view airlines encourage the use of automobiles.* Continue reading →

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Hyundai Motor, Kia, Gore to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell PEMs

Posted on 4 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Hyundai Motor, Kia, Gore to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell PEMs

Hydrogen and Humanity.

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor), Kia Corporation (Kia) and W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) said today that they have signed an agreement at the Mabuk Eco-Friendly R&D Center, Korea, to collaborate on the development of advanced polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for hydrogen fuel cell systems. The joint effort between the parties will encompass key aspects of PEM development. The stated goal is to develop an advanced PEM for next-generation fuel cell electric commercial vehicles.

“We are entering the next chapter of our partnership with Gore,” said Chang Hwan Kim, Head of Battery Development and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Development at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation. “By leveraging the 15 years of collaboration, we will acquire advanced fuel cell technology and lead the fuel cell electric vehicle market, accelerating the movement towards a sustainable future.” Continue reading →

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Bidenomics – Sales Soaring as US Auto Market Ends 2023

Posted on 4 January 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Bidenomics - Sales Soaring as US Auto Market Ends 2023

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US Light Vehicle (LV) sales grew by 16.0% year-on-year (YoY) in December to 1.49 million units, according to preliminary estimates from the respected GlobalData consultancy.* Although year-ago sales were still relatively weak, December sales exceeded expectations and “indicated that the market was heating up as 2023 ended. For 2023, sales totaled 15.6 million units, a YoY gain of 13.0%, as the market recovered from the chip shortage-induced slump in 2022,” GlobalData said today.

“December has traditionally been a good time of year to buy a vehicle as automakers seek to hit year-end targets, but that had been less true in recent years amid tight inventory levels. However, with stocks now significantly replenished across the industry, discounting was back on the agenda last month. Consumers who have been sitting on the sidelines appear to have been willing to jump back into the new vehicle market again, although it also seems that fleet deliveries accounted for some of the December surge,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading →

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China Vehicle Sales at Record High in November 2023

Posted on 4 January 2024 by Ken Zino

The Chinese light vehicle market reached a record high in November 2023 with wholesales growing by 27% year-on-year (YoY) resulting in a total of almost 3.million units, according to numbers  just released by the respected GlobalData consultancy.* Passenger Vehicle (PV) sales (wholesales including exports) for November increased by 26% YoY to 2.6 million units, according to the Asia-Pacific Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team. On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, PV sales increased by 5%, while LCV demand was up 2.8% in November.

“The November car market continued to be very active. With the help of the “Double 11” promotion and other consumption stimuli, increased demand for vehicle purchases was released, and the market continued to improve, exceeding expectations. Both the production and sales of LVs achieved substantial YoY growth, with PVs continuing to sustain good momentum and CVs maintaining rapid growth, with New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and exports leading the way,” GlobalData said. Continue reading →

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