Tag Archives: automotive commentary automotive blog

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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SoCalGas to Sell Renewable Natural Gas for First Time

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is produced from the methane generated in landfills, wastewater treatment plants, food processing and dairies and depending on its source, can be low-carbon or in some cases, even carbon-negative. It can be used to fuel trucks and buses, to generate electricity, to heat homes and businesses, and to cook. Capturing the methane from these waste sources and using it for fuel has two benefits: It keeps methane, a greenhouse gas, from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change, and it reduces the use of traditionally-sourced natural gas. 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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Toyota Mobility Foundation Wants Second Round of Proposals to Support Innovative Hydrogen Energy Technology

Shifting the world to hydrogen-based systems for energy supply and consumption is a much discussed topic, but cost remains a formidable obstacle for execution – as it has for decades. Continue reading

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New responsibilities at BMW. MINI Position Vacant?

Starting in 2013 Mackensen was initially in charge of global sales and marketing for MINI, before assuming overall responsibility for the brand in 2015. His successor will be named later. Continue reading

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California Officials Testify Against Trump’s Decree to Slash Cleaner Car Standards and Increase CO2 Emissions

Leading California policymakers testified today in strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposed rule that rolls back back existing cleaner cars standards. Speaking at a hearing in Fresno, representatives from four state agencies involved in climate and public health policy told … 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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Genesis 2019 G70 – $48,000 Four Cylinder?

G70s equipped with the 2.0T four-cylinder engine are available in six semi-confusing trim levels, including a special manual transmission Sport package, with a starting price of ~$36,000. The G70s equipped with the 3.3T engine are available in four trim levels, plus two limited production – either by sparse sales or maker decree – Special Edition models, with a starting price of more than $44,000. You can spend roughly $55,000 on a plush Genesis model. Sales numbers will decide if the pricing strategy is too ambitious. Continue reading

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Lexus LY 650 Luxury Yacht Revealed

Now, Lexus returns to the water with its next expression of a Lexus yacht in the form of the LY 650. Said to be the most contemporary expression of Lexus design language, L-finesse, applied beyond the world of automobiles, the production LY 650 picks up where a Lexus Sport Yacht Concept left off This one floats… Continue reading

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Schuler and Porsche Start Joint Venture for Car Body Parts

The purpose of the joint venture between Schuler and Porsche is to build a Smart Press Shop. The intention is for the new, highly flexible press shop to produce complex body parts using pioneering technologies; the focus will be on aluminum outer skin panels, as well as the production of smaller batch sizes. 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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