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ZF wins major order for new automatic transmission

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ZF Friedrichshafen AG has received a double-digit billion-euro order from BMW AG for its enhanced 8-speed automatic transmission.

The latest version of ZF’s 8-speed transmission has been improved by integrating an electric drive. This also includes a hybrid variant.

The new transmission generation will start series production in 2022 at ZF’s plant in Saarbrücken, the lead production facility for ZF’s automatic passenger car transmissions.

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Lilium launches air taxi. Flying cars could take to the skies next

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Flying cars have been around a long time, but only as test vehicles, often engineered and built by tinkerers who may have been seen as somewhat eccentric for even dreaming up such a machine.

But in the past couple of years, these “eccentric tinkerers” have been usurped by corporate bigwigs who maybe see a big market for the technology.

In the most recent development, a German company called Lilium has completed a successful test flight with its all-electric flying car.

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Magna celebrates growing footprint in China with two grand opening events

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Magna held two grand opening ceremonies last month in China, for new factories in Changsha and Shanghai.

The new plant in Changsha, a joint venture with GAC subsidiary GAC Component Co., Ltd. (GAC Component), began production of composite liftgates for a global automaker’s crossover vehicle in late 2018.

Last month, Magna’s plant in Shanghai started production on active aerodynamic grille shutters for an American brand producing multiple vehicle platforms for the China market.

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Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi partner with Plug and Play China

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Alliance Ventures, the venture capital fund that invests in technology start-ups for Groupe Renault, Nissan Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors, is partnering with Plug and Play China, part of the global innovation platform.

“China is leading innovation in the automotive industry,” said Francois Dossa, Alliance Global Vice President, Ventures and Open Innovation; Chairman of Alliance Ventures.

“By harnessing the expertise of Plug and Play China, we can gain access to start-ups and technologies that will transform the mobility experience.”

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Electrified Mercedes EQC goes into production

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The Mercedes-Benz of electric vehicles is ready for launch. The EQC is produced at the company’s Bremen plant and can be ordered now.

The first EQC will roll off the production line at the company’s plant in Bremen. There it is being produced on the same line as the C-Class Saloon and Estate as well as the GLC and GLC Coupé.

Production of vehicles with various drive systems can be adapted variably and efficiently in line with market demand. This approach ensures the best use of capacity at the plant.

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ZF unveils electric truck prototype for Japan

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ZF has developed an electric light commercial vehicle specifically for the Japanese market.

The company has been electrifying a wide range of systems not only for passenger cars and commercial vehicles but also for industrial machines.

This prototype vehicle has been developed by ZF Japan’s engineering team at their Tech Centre in Yokohama, collaborating with a team in ZF HQ in Germany in order to satisfy Japan’s unique requirements.

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Visteon launches 3D cluster in new Peugeot 208

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Visteon Corporation, supplier of automotive digital instrument clusters, has introduced the industry’s first fully digital cluster displaying holographic objects on the all-new Peugeot 208.

Part of Peugeot’s unique 3D i-Cockpit, the instrument cluster represents the first real 3D cluster in automotive production, says the company.

Partnering with Groupe PSA to develop a pioneering ‘3D Blade’ concept, Visteon’s digital cluster displays advanced reflections to create the impressions of 3D graphics.

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Mack Trucks unveils fully electric refuse demonstration model

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Mack Trucks unveiled its highly anticipated Mack LR battery electric vehicle (BEV) at WasteExpo 2019.

Combining the refuse industry-leading design of the Mack LR model with a fully electric Mack drivetrain, the demonstration model will begin real-world testing in 2020 in the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

The Mack LR BEV is powered by Mack’s integrated electric powertrain consisting of two 130-kW motors producing a combined 496 peak horsepower and 4,051 lb.-ft. of torque available from 0 rpm.

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Mercedes-Benz Concept EQV makes first fully electric trip in Barcelona

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Shortly after the world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, the Concept EQV completed its first urban journey in the port of Barcelona.

At the Geneva Motor Show at the beginning of March, the world’s first fully electric premium multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), or people carrier, was presented to the public. The Concept EQV offers local emission-free electromobility.

The technical highlights include a range of up to 400 kilometres and an integrated rapid charging function. This means that sufficient energy for approx. 100 kilometres can be charged in about 15 minutes.

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Denso buys a stake in US ‘micromobility’ start-up

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Denso has taken a stake in US-based Bond Mobility Inc., the world’s only speed eBike sharing company that delivers high-performance micromobility services.

The close of Bond’s $20 million series A funding round was led by Denso’s New Mobility Group out of its global headquarters in Japan, and Ininvest Global.

Denso will use Bond’s technologies to accelerate the development of its Mobility as a Service (MaaS) model.

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