Retail News CRM

Category: Automotive

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Auto and Car news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Toyota-Backed Self-Driving Startup Pony.ai Considers Going Public

    Toyota-Backed Self-Driving Startup Pony.ai Considers Going Public

    Self-driving tech company Pony.ai, backed by Toyota Motor, is considering going public in the United States to help fund its goal of commercializing driverless ride-hailing services, its chief executive said. The startup, active in the United States and China, plans to install its technology in hundreds of vehicles next year, rising to tens of thousands in 2024-2025, he said.

    Self-driving startups such as Alphabet Inc’s Waymo and General Motors Co’s Cruise have been racing to raise capital as the industry prepares to scale up operations.

    Still, beyond the time taken to address technological challenges and the massive cost of producing self-driving cars, the industry still has to persuade global regulators as well as the public as to the safety of full automation.

    “For autonomous driving, it’s a big opportunity. But at the same time, it’s a long-term, big opportunity,” CEO James Peng said in an interview with Reuters.

    “So it requires a long lead way for spending. That means all the autonomous driving companies need to raise enough funding to support their operations,” he said.

    The comments come as Pony.ai on Friday said it had tapped Lawrence Steyn, vice chairman of investment banking at JPMorgan Chase & Co, as chief financial officer to help “accelerate its commercial growth and global deployment”.

    “We’re still debating and considering,” said Peng, when asked about the time frame for a public share sale.

    “It’s just a different way of raising funds.”

    Pony.ai, founded by former Google and Baidu Inc engineers Peng and Lou Tiancheng in 2016, has so far raised more than $1 billion, including $462 million from Toyota, valuing the startup at $5.3 billion as of late last year.

    Earlier this month, it said it had begun driverless testing on public roads in California’s Fremont and Milpitas ahead of the planned launch of a robotaxi service next year. It has also been testing driverless vehicles in Guangzhou, China.

    The firm has operated robotaxi services with safety drivers behind the wheel in some parts of China, as well as in Irvine, California. That has yielded diverse data which it could use to train its driver system and tap a talent pool in both countries, Peng said.

    He said the next big challenge is to reduce manufacturing costs for driverless vehicles while expanding into more cities and regions and ensuring safety in different environments.

  • Lucid Air Reveals It Has Over 10,000 Reservations For Its First Car

    Lucid Air Reveals It Has Over 10,000 Reservations For Its First Car

    Lucid Motors has revealed that now it has 10,000 reservations for the Lucid Air, the electric car which many believe is going to be the first credible rival to the Tesla Model S. These numbers may not blow your mind but considering the vehicle is from a rather small company and the vehicle is quite expensive at upwards of $70,000 going all the way to $169,900 for the Dream Edition. Lucid Motors has faced some delays with production by now Peter Rawlinson, Lucid’s CEO and the former head of the Tesla Model S project has revealed that these issues are ending. Rawlinson has revealed that it is now producing quality validation prototypes in its factory in Arizona and is on track to start deliveries.

    ” We achieved a landmark last Friday when we started building our quality validation production run of cars. We completed our pre-production run very successfully. The quality validation builds are the cars that we eventually will sell directly to customers once we got the quality right. This is a big step in our mission to industrialize,” he said.

    Rawlinson is indicating that the first deliveries of the vehicle will happen in the second half of the year stating that the top-of-the-line Dream Edition will launch first. The dream edition will have over 809 kilometers of range and over 1000 bhp making it the chief rival to the Tesla Model S Plaid.

  • Car imports from China up 6.5-fold

    Car imports from China up 6.5-fold

    Vietnam imported 9,400 vehicles from China in the first five months of the year, 6.5 times higher than in the same period last year, according to the customs department.

    Of them, nearly 5,600 were special purpose vehicles and 2,840 were trucks, with passenger cars accounting for the rest.

    China remained the third-largest source of vehicles for Vietnam behind Thailand and Indonesia.

    Thailand dominated with 33,140 vehicles, double the figure from the same period last year, and Indonesia accounted for 18,340 units, up 16.2 percent, with the two accounting for 80 percent of imports.

    Under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement that took effect in 2018, import tariffs on vehicles within the bloc are zero.

    Vietnam’s imports jumped by 78 percent to over 65,700 units.

    Auto sales rose 53 percent to 126,894 units, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association.

    Lees ook:

  • Porsche Setting Up Battery JV With Customcells For An EV Future

    Porsche Setting Up Battery JV With Customcells For An EV Future

    Porsche has made waves around the world with its Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo EVs which have been dubbed as the most driver-centric EVs in the world, more so than even Tesla’s groundbreaking vehicles. To further an electrified future, like all things Volkswagen group, it is forming a joint venture with Customcells that will create high-performance batteries that will significantly reduce charge times.

    Like Porsche, Customcells is also a German company hailing from the Southern German region specializing in lithium-ion batteries aiming to create packs that have higher energy density than what Porsche is already using in cars like the Taycan.

    More importantly, it is part of a broadened push towards enhancing the battery supply chain in Europe which is currently dominated by Asia. The Volkswagen group has been making huge investments in this space as the EU has stricter emissions norms which means European manufacturers have to go green faster than automakers around the world.

    One of the keys to achieving better battery efficacy is enhancing the energy density which in turn results in less raw material being used. It will also cut battery production costs and help make electric cars more affordable.

    As a part of the JV, Porsche doesn’t disclose its investment but does say it is a number upwards of 10 million Euros and it holds an 80 percent stake in the venture. The production facility in the equation will have an aim to deliver 100 kWh of capacity which could service about 1000 cars per year. This is a tie-in from what Porsche chief executive officer Oliver Blume said in April which was indicative of the legendary German sports cars marquee ramping up its e-mobility plans for a German factory in Tuebingen for battery production. It so happens this JV with Customcells is based in Tuebingen.

    Porsche parent, Volkswagen has even broader plans of building 6 battery cell plants across Europe and expand its infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles.

    Lees ook:

  • Carmakers In Chennai Allowed To Operate At Full Capacity

    Carmakers In Chennai Allowed To Operate At Full Capacity

    Global carmakers such as Renault-Nissan, Hyundai Motor and Ford Motor Co may operate with their full workforces in India’s automaking hub from Sunday, despite worker protests over safety in the pandemic. Tamil Nadu state, one of the country’s worst-hit, allowed industrial units with export commitments to operate at 100% capacity, boosting its flourishing automobile industry.

    New cases in the state have fallen from more than 30,000 a day in May to about 8,000 but still account for one-seventh of all cases in India, which is second only to the United States in total infections.

    Renault-Nissan Fights Court Battle With Indian Workers On Operations During COVID-19 Surge

    “Any company which exports or supplies to export-oriented industries will be allowed to operate at full capacity as cases have come down,” a senior state government official said.

    An Indian court tasked industrial safety officials this month with visiting carmakers in the southern state to draw up uniform safety guidelines.

    The Madras High Court was responding to a case filed last month by workers at the Indian unit of the French-Japanese alliance of Renault SA Nissan Motor.

    They asked for operations to be halted, saying social distancing norms were being flouted and the risk to their lives outweighed the health benefits provided by the company.

    Labour unions for global carmakers have written letters of protest, arguing that hundreds of workers in the automaking hub of Chennai have fallen ill with COVID-19 and dozens have died. Ford and Hyundai also halted work at their plants last month after workers protested and some went on strike

  • New Harley-Davidson Electric Motorcycle To Be Called LiveWire One

    New Harley-Davidson Electric Motorcycle To Be Called LiveWire One

    It was a few months ago that ‘LiveWire’ was turned into a standalone electric vehicle sub-brand of Harley-Davidson. Now, VIN filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have revealed that the next electric motorcycle from Harley-Davidson will be called LiveWire One. It is likely to be revealed on July 8, 2021. The documents also reveal that the LiveWire One will have a power output which is equivalent of 101 bhp. The LiveWire One will have an internal code name, which is ‘XB’ while the model code will be LW1. Another fascinating fact is that the first-ever Harley-Davidson motorcycle was called the Model One. So, the reference to ‘One’ could be a throwback to Harley’s century-old legacy.

    While Harley-Davidson did not update the LiveWire for 2021 in USA, it did so for the model sold in Australia and the power output dropped from 103.5 bhp to 101 bhp, which is similar to the data found in the NHTSA VIN filings. So, in all probability, we will see a slightly updated/restyled version of the original LiveWire electric motorcycle, which was launched in 2019. The documents also reveal that the new Livewire One will be considered a 2021 model, despite being introduced in the middle of 2021.

    The original LiveWire gets Harley-Davidson’s full-electric Revelation powertrain which used to put out 103.5 bhp of power and 116 Nm of instant torque. The LiveWire had claimed acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3 seconds and roll-on acceleration from 100 kmph to 129 kmph in 1.9 seconds. The LiveWire is loaded with electronics, which includes cornering ABS, cornering enhanced traction control, rear-wheel lift mitigation, as well as a drag-torque slip control system that manages rear wheel slip and prevents rear-wheel lock due to the regenerative braking.

    A 4.3-inch full-color TFT touchscreen panel offers the rider controls to seven riding modes, including four pre-programmed modes – Road, Rain, Sport and Range. Additionally, there are three more fully customizable modes, where the power (maximum rate of acceleration), regeneration (braking effect when off-throttle), throttle response, and traction control settings can be fully customized.

    While we would love to see the new LiveWire One being launched in India, Harley is likely to consider the same next year.

  • Elon Musk Considers Tesla Making An HVAC To Advertise Car Air Purification Systems

    Elon Musk Considers Tesla Making An HVAC To Advertise Car Air Purification Systems

    Elon Musk often does weird things and the latest one is him considering making a Tesla-branded HVAC system leveraging the work Tesla has done to develop one for its cars. He also believes the system is so good that it could act as an advertisement for the system that Tesla has implemented in its cars which breaks his no-ad rule.

    Tesla was one of the first car manufacturers to improve the air quality inside the car. It was one of the first to implement a HEPA filter into the HVAC system of its higher-end electric cars. Tesla claims the system can theoretically remove 99.97 percent of the dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and airborne particles which are of the size of 0.3 microns. All these things, the Tesla HVAC systems handle very well.

    While talking up the HVAC system on the new Model S and also talking about an update that’s inbound for the HVAC system which makes it more silent Musk also talked about how it could be scaled up for home use.

    “Oh man, home HVAC that is super energy efficient, quiet & purifies the air would be great. We developed it for the car, but it can be scaled up for home use,” said the billionaire.

    This is not the first time Musk has talked up the HVAC. He once claimed it was 10 times better than one on any other non-Tesla car. “Most people have no idea just how good the Tesla air purification system is. Literally, 10X better than any other car. Maybe we should advertise informationally just so people know stuff like this exists,” he said a while ago.

  • BMW And Volkswagen Join Quantum Technology Consortium

    BMW And Volkswagen Join Quantum Technology Consortium

    BMW and Volkswagen have joined the Quantum technology consortium which features 10 German corporations that strive to develop quantum computing applications for vehicles. The Quantum technology and application consortium (QUTAC) will develop further the fundamentals of quantum computing and applications that could be used in the automotive space.

    The founding members of this consortium include BASF, BMW, Boehringer, Ingelheim, Bosch, Infineon, Merck, Munich Re, SAP, Siemens and Volkswagen Group.

    “It is clear to the BMW Group that quantum computing is a pioneering technology that holds great potential for a multitude of applications – from materials research to battery cell chemistry and the future of automated driving using quantum machine learning,” says BMW’s Frank Weber.

    “This technology is at an early stage of development and we want to provide the best possible support for cutting-edge research and its transfer into industrial applications,” he added.

    The stimulus and future package that the German government has released accommodates for a boost in the development of Quantum Computer technology. The intent is to work together, identify, develop, run trials and share new-age applications. Applications could be developed for logistics, transport, chemicals and the financial sector which these German corporations can explore. The results and decisions that the consortium comes up with are intended to benefit all participants in the ecosystem, especially in Germany. The QUTAC has to set forth specific steps – which includes the need for the identification of quantum computing in the German economy, and the identification of applications and their implantation at an industrial scale.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Baidu’s Apollo Aims To Offer Robotaxi Service to 3 Million Users In 2023

    Baidu’s Apollo Aims To Offer Robotaxi Service to 3 Million Users In 2023

    Chinese tech giant Baidu said on Thursday its smart driving unit Apollo plans to cater to a total of 3 million users in China with a fleet of 3,000 robotaxis in 2023.

    Baidu also announced that it is partnering with BAIC Group’s electric vehicle (EV) brand ARCFOX to develop Apollo Moon, EV robotaxis that are set to be mass-produced at a cost of 480,000 yuan ($74,766.36) per unit.

    The duo will produce 1,000 Apollo Moon EVs in the next three years, Baidu told a press conference in Beijing.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • General Motors To Supply Electric Batteries, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems For Wabtec Locomotive

    General Motors To Supply Electric Batteries, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems For Wabtec Locomotive

    General Motors Co will supply electric batteries and hydrogen fuel cell systems for rail supplier Wabtec Corp’s locomotives, in a move extending the No. 1 U.S. automaker’s reach outside the automotive sector. Wabtec, based in Pittsburgh, is developing locomotives powered by electric batteries and hydrogen fuel cells in response to rail industry demand to eliminate carbon emissions. It has a test electric locomotive model and intends to build a second-generation version, with deliveries starting in 2023. “The rail industry is on the cusp of a sustainable transformation with the introduction of batteries and hydrogen to power locomotive fleets,” Wabtec Chief Executive Rafael Santana said in a statement.

    Under the nonbinding memorandum of understanding, GM will supply Ultium electric batteries and Hydrotec hydrogen fuel cell power cubes. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Wabtec’s decision to deploy GM’s Ultium battery and Hydrotec hydrogen fuel cell systems further validates our advanced technology,” GM President Mark Reuss said. Ultium is a key part of GM’s strategy to roll out efficient and cost-effective electric vehicles, and closing a deal with Wabtec would help spread development costs over a larger volume of batteries. GM is developing a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered commercial truck with truck maker Navistar.

    GM’s Ultium batteries will be built by the company’s joint venture with South Korea battery maker LG Energy Solution, which is building plants in Ohio and Tennessee. The hydrogen fuel-cell systems will be assembled by GM’s joint venture with Honda in Brownstown, Michigan.

    Last month, Wabtec announced that its FLXdrive all-electric locomotive, during a test program with BNSF Railway in California, delivered more than an 11% average reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for the entire train – the equivalent of over 6,200 gallons of diesel fuel saved and about 69 tons of CO2 emissions reduced. It is also developing hydrogen fuel-cell-powered locomotives.

    The 430,000-pound electric locomotive, with a battery capacity of 2.4-megawatt hours (MWh), uses 18,000 lithium-ion battery cells, Wabtec’s chief technology officer, Eric Gebhardt, said in a recent interview. It generates its energy largely through regenerative braking.

    The company intends to build a second-generation electric locomotive with a battery capacity of more than 6 MWh, a level it says can reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 30%. Gebhardt compared that capacity to 100 Tesla vehicles.

    Wabtec expects to begin shipments of the second-generation electric locomotive in mid-2023, he said. The company has not disclosed volume targets.

  • MV Agusta May Resurrect Cagiva Elefant Name

    MV Agusta May Resurrect Cagiva Elefant Name

    MV Agusta may revive the Cagiva name, with the iconic Cagiva Elefant adventure bike making a comeback. In an interview to an Italian publication, MV Agusta CEO Timur Sardarov spoke about the motorcycle brand’s future plans, including new products, as well as two new engines that the brand is working on, a 550 cc and a 950 cc, which will include new models. More importantly, Sardarov also talked about a new adventure bike, with the name Elefant, taken from the iconic Dakar-winning Cagiva Elefant adventure bike.

    MV Agusta owns the Cagiva name, but so far it’s not clear whether the Elefant name will be introduced under the MV Agusta brand or as a separate Cagiva Elefant model. In fact, a few years ago, it was widely reported that MV Agusta will revive the Cagiva motorcycle name, but that it will be launched as an electric mobility brand. The latest comments from MV Agusta’s top boss seems to suggest that Cagiva could also be a sub-brand, under the MV Agusta umbrella.

    “Cagiva is a brand that belongs to MV Agusta. Our marketing department is evaluating the possibilities of products with the Cagiva brand and we are also considering whether to define Elefant as a ‘sub-brand’ of MV Agusta or as Cagiva Elefant. The decision has not yet been made,” Saradrov is quoted as having said in the interview.

    Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese. The brand has a rich history and at one point even owned Ducati and MV Agusta, as well as Moto Morini. In the late 1990s, MV Agusta became the main brand comprising Cagiva and Husqvarna. The brand has been inactive for more than a decade, and with fresh impetus and growth to the MV Agusta brand, Cagiva may just as well make a comeback in the next few years.

    The Sardarov family originally came on board as investors in MV Agusta, but assumed full control in 2019, signaling the end of the Castiglioni family’s historic ownership of the MV Agusta and Cagiva brands. Under the Russian businessman’s leadership, the MV Agusta brand has slowly stabilised, and made appreciable moves to address concerns regarding reliability and ownership experience. Currently, MV Agusta is busy updating its Euro 5 range, and once that is completed, new models will be developed, in the 550 cc and 950 cc platforms.

  • Volkswagen, Ford To Exit Auto Finance Business In India

    Volkswagen, Ford To Exit Auto Finance Business In India

    The auto financing arms of Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co plan to stop giving new credit to car buyers and dealers in India and will exit from the country, sources aware of the development told Reuters. Volkswagen Finance Private Ltd, the German carmaker’s finance arm, stopped giving loans to car buyers in India last year and in May told dealers of all VW brands, which includes Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi, to find another financing, two sources with direct knowledge of the talks said.

    As some customers failed to make repayments, the finance unit has suffered losses, and will close for business by Dec. 31, the sources said.

    More than 50% of Volkswagen group dealers use credit from the finance arm, they said.

    Volkswagen Finance Private Ltd said in a statement that it had acquired a major stake in Indian loan brokerage portal KUWY Technologies to service its retail customers.

    It is in talks with dealers and will review its business strategy by the end of the year, the company said.

    The auto finance arms are classified as non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and they compete with banks for providing credit. But banks have access to cheaper funding so can offer loans at lower rates than those offered by NBFCs or shadow lenders.

    To offset the disadvantage, Volkswagen and Ford would offer incentives to those dealers who have used their credit finance, the sources said.

    Dealers typically need credit to buy cars from automakers which they then sell on to customers.

    Volkswagen’s plan to exit the financing business has surprised dealers, coming weeks ahead of the launch of Skoda’s new sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to boost sales in India, the two sources said.

    Skoda dealers have been asked to find new financing by the end of the month – a tight deadline ahead of a new model launch, one source said.

    Ford Credit, the automaker’s financing arm, stopped lending to car buyers at the end of last year and will cease credit to dealers by June 30, two separate sources said.

    The decision to exit the financing business comes at a time when Ford is finalizing a new strategy for India after ending ties with Mahindra & Mahindra on Dec. 31.

    A Ford Motor India spokesperson said the company regularly assesses market conditions for its credit business and the decision to discontinue was conveyed to dealers in October – before it made any announcement on the Mahindra partnership.

    “We are confident the auto financing sector in India can support Ford customer and dealer new financing needs. Our team continues to service our existing book of business,” the spokesperson said, adding that 25%-30% of its dealers do business with Ford Credit.

  • Auto sales down in Vietnam

    Auto sales down in Vietnam

    Auto sales rose 53 percent year-on-year in the first five months to 126,894 units.

    Passenger vehicles accounted for 70 percent and commercial and special-purpose vehicles for the rest, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA).

    Truong Hai Auto Corporation, which manufactures its own vehicles and assembles foreign brands such as Kia and Mazda, led with nearly 44,000 units, a 67 percent rise.

    It was followed by Toyota with over 24,100 units, up 16 percent.

    Mitsubishi, Honda and Ford made up the top five.

    Last year sales had fallen by 8 percent to 296,634 units as the Covid-19 pandemic badly affected the economy, hitting people’s incomes and discretionary spending.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Volkswagen Multivan Revealed For European Markets

    Volkswagen Multivan Revealed For European Markets

    Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed the all-new Multivan, which is a replacement to the Caravelle and will be targeted for the European markets. The Multivan is no longer built on the Transporter platform (on which the Caravelle was based) but is now based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, which just goes to show you the flexibility of this platform, which spawns everything from a Polo to now the Multivan.

    The Multivan has an all-new exterior design that pays homage to the DNA of its predecessors, dating back to the 1985 Transporter T3, with a horizontal design line and full-width grille and headlights, to give it a modern and dynamic look. The A-pillars have been remodeled to improve visibility, while unique front and rear light signatures give it a fresh look. The front air intakes, painted in the same color as the vehicle, have been reduced, paying tribute to the heritage of the rear air-cooled engines of the first three generations.

    The Multivan measures 1,941mm wide, 4,973mm long, up to 1,903mm high, and with a wheelbase of 3,124mm. A longer version, measuring 5,173mm is also available. Overall, it means the new generation has a longer wheelbase and wider, lower profile, all designed to improve aerodynamics, lower fuel consumption and increase range. The model is available with wheels up to 19 inches, and in three specifications: “Multivan”, “Life”, and “Style”.

    Optional is a panoramic glass roof, with LowE laminated safety glass to reduce incoming thermal radiation by 44 percent, as well as an electrically operated rear hatch and power sliding doors, which can be operated via gesture control for ease of entry.

    The Multivan is fitted with LED headlights as standard but can be upgraded to interactive IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights, which offer a permanent full beam, without blinding oncoming drivers and dynamic cornering to provide precise illumination during bends. The IQ.LIGHT system also features an illuminated LED lateral bar in the radiator grille as a further element of the daytime running lights.

    Inside, the new Multivan is more flexible and spacious than ever, with a new modular, lightweight seating system and an innovative table. With space for up to seven seats, the rear five seats, which are up to 25 percent lighter, can be moved and removed to suit, while the second row can be moved 180-degrees to create a conference-style seating configuration. The full-width bench seat for the third row has been replaced by individual seats to allow single seats to be removed for complete flexibility.

    An innovative multi-function table has been designed for the new Multivan. Using the central track, it can be moved between any of the seating rows, and for the first time can be used as a centre console between the front seats. The table, which is completely removable, features adjustable height, three cup holders, and a storage bin.

    Enabling the flexible seating and table track system is the completely flat floor from front to rear seats with no center console, made possible by the removal of the traditional handbrake. Instead, the parking brake is activated electronically by button, or automatically. The new Multivan is offered only with an automatic DSG gearbox controlled via shift-by-wire technology, meaning the gearstick has been removed to further increase occupant space, with controls ergonomically integrated into the instrument panel.

    In base version the Multivan offers 469 liters of luggage space behind the third row of seats, extending to 1,844 liters (1,850 litres with panoramic glass roof) behind the second row. The full cargo capacity up to the front seats is 3,672, extending to a maximum 4,053 liters in the longer version fitted with the panoramic glass roof.

    The cockpit area has been completely redesigned alongside a new multi-function steering wheel. All key features in the new Multivan are now on one line of sight, with a secondary line for other functions to make operation as intuitive as possible. Touch controls provide direct access to settings such as air-conditioning, seat heating, and audio volume.

    On the central console are the 10.25-inch ‘Digital Cockpit’ display and the 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Centrally arranged between the two on a high-gloss black surface are the new, minimalist shift-by-wire DSG controls. Integrated next to this are two USB-C sockets as standard and a tray for optional inductive smartphone charging. For the first time on a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles model, a head-up display is available.

    The standard infotainment system is called ‘Ready 2 Discover’, which includes an integrated eSIM to deliver online safety and convenience features. We Connect can be used free of charge for an unlimited period, with services such as breakdown assistance, vehicle status, and parked position.

    We Connect Plus, available free for three years, provides extra services such as the ability to lock and unlock the vehicle or control the optional auxiliary heater remotely via smartphone. In combination with the more advanced, optional Discover Media and Discover Pro navigation systems, We Connect Plus includes further navigation-related services, such as online map updating and traffic information. We Connect Plus also provides additional services for the eHybrid, such as allowing owners to pre-set the vehicle inside temperature and to manage the charging process via smartphone.

    All infotainment systems can be combined with a Harmon Kardon sound system developed specifically for the Multivan. In addition to 14 high-end loudspeakers behind precision laser-cut panels, a 16-channel Ethernet amplifier with 840 watts of music output, and four sound settings, the system uses the ‘Fraunhofer Sonamic Panorama Algorithm’, which is able to separate out the individual sources of a stereo recording and distribute them evenly across a U-shaped acoustic stage, to create the optimum sound.

    The Multivan features more than 34 drivers assist systems enhancing safety, comfort, and convenience. Standard is the Front Assist area monitoring system, which includes City Emergency Braking, Dynamic Road Sign Display, and the Lane Assist system.

    Other new systems include Car2X – allowing local communication with other vehicles and the highways infrastructure in order to provide warnings of any danger, side protection, crosswind assist, turn-off assist, which warns of any oncoming traffic when turning across a carriageway, and an exit warning system, which warns when opening a door of any bicycles or vehicles approaching from behind.

    The Multivan also debuts IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist, which allows semi-autonomous driving by combining the predictive Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to make long-distance journeys safer and easier.

    Also available on the new Multivan is Area View, a real 360-degree representation of the vehicle using four cameras, visible on the 10-inch infotainment display, to making parking and maneuvering as safe and easy as possible.

    Based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the new Multivan, which has a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg, is available with three powertrains, including for the first time in a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles model, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option.

    The new Multivan eHybrid combines a 1.4 TSI 147 bhp engine with an 85kW electric motor to produce a combined power output of 215 bhp, providing silent, zero-emission driving when in electric-only mode for short, urban trips while giving customers the flexibility to enjoy longer journeys. The eHybrid uses a bespoke six-speed DSG gearbox.

    The 13kWh lithium-ion battery is housed under the Multivan’s flat floor, saving interior space and lowering the vehicle’s centre of gravity to improve handling. The charging point is located on the right-hand side of the front wing.

    The front-wheel-drive Multivan is also available with two four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines: a 1.5 TSI and a 2.0 TSI. A four-cylinder turbo diesel will be introduced next year. Be rest assured though that the Multivan will not come to India.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Alibaba To Develop Self-Driving Trucks With Logistics Unit Cainiao

    Alibaba To Develop Self-Driving Trucks With Logistics Unit Cainiao

    Chinese e-commerce leader Alibaba Group Holding Ltd plans to develop self-driving trucks with logistics subsidiary Cainiao, Chief Technology Officer Cheng Li said on Thursday.

    Cheng also said Cainiao aims to introduce 1,000 autonomous delivery robots in China over the next year.

    The announcement comes as dozens of startups, automakers, and large technology firms, such as internet search leader Baidu Inc, accelerate work on self-driving vehicle systems, which are widely expected to bring a sea change to the transportation industry.

    Other self-driving truck makers include U.S. firm TuSimple Holdings Inc, which listed shares in April.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: