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NXP launches chipset solution for connected vehicle data

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NXP Semiconductors N.V., supplier of automotive semiconductors, has announced a vehicle network processing chipset solution for high-performance service-oriented gateways, which it claims enables automakers to unlock the value of connected vehicle data and offer new services.

The MPC-LS chipset solution combines the NXP automotive MPC5748G microcontroller and enterprise networking LS1043A communications processor to offer the high levels of performance and networking required for service-oriented gateways.

For development, evaluation and demonstrations, the chipset solution is supported by an evaluation board, enablement software and a growing ecosystem.

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GM launches e-bike range 

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GM has announced the name of its new ebike brand, ARĪV. The brand includes two ebikes: the Meld, a compact eBike, and the Merge, a folding ebike.

The name ARĪV was selected as part of a global crowdsourcing campaign announced in November 2018.

ARĪV eBikes are launching first in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, due to the popularity of lithium-ion battery-powered eBikes in those markets. ARĪV ebikes are scheduled to begin to be shipped to customers in Q2 of 2019.

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SEAT and IBM develop app for urban mobility with AI

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SEAT, a member of the Volkswagen Group and one of Europe’s biggest car manufacturers, along with IBM  announced the development of a new solution designed to transform driving in cities.

Announced the day after SEAT presented its concept car Minimó promising to revolutionise urban mobility, ‘Mobility Advisor’ uses IBM Watson AI to help urban citizens make informed decisions about their daily transportation options including cars, scooters, bikes and public transport.

Currently under development and designed to run as a mobile app on 4G/5G networks, ‘Mobility Advisor’ uses IBM Watson Assistant to provide users with a conversational interface to plan and optimise routes and suggest the most suitable transportation options.

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Lexus reaches new record with 10 million vehicle sales

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Lexus has sold its 10 millionth vehicle, a landmark achievement that came shortly after a strong 2018 year-end sales performance with Lexus achieving multiple best-ever sales goals around the globe.

In addition, the brand that pioneered the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric vehicle in 2005, and offers 11 electrified models globally, surpassed the 1.45 million unit mark in self-charging hybrid vehicles sold worldwide.

Lexus hybrid vehicle sales jumped nearly 20% in 2018 from the prior year, a result that underscores the brand’s heritage with, and commitment to, electrification.

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Honda announces global automobile manufacturing restructure

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Honda is to restructure its global manufacturing network as it accelerates its commitment to electrified cars, in response to the unprecedented changes in the global automotive industry.

The significant challenges of electrification will see Honda revise its global manufacturing operations, and focus activity in regions where it expects to have high production volumes.

As a result, Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd. has informed employees of its proposal to close its Swindon vehicle manufacturing plant in the UK in 2021, at the end of the current model’s production lifecycle.

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Visteon opens automotive software development centre in Romania

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Visteon Corporation, a Tier 1 automotive supplier focused exclusively on cockpit electronics, is opening a new software development centre in a 5,000-square metre facility in Timisoara’s new ISHO Offices building, part of the ISHO campus.

Starting initial operations in Nov. 2018, the centre will primarily be engaged in software development for advanced cockpit electronics products – including digital instrument clusters, infotainment and information displays – and will support the development of new technologies for connected and autonomous driving.

The Timisoara centre will operate as an integral part of Visteon’s European product development footprint, which also includes development centres in Germany, Bulgaria, France and the UK.

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BMW and Daimler invest more than €1 billion in joint mobility services

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The BMW Group and Daimler AG are pooling their mobility services to create a new global player providing sustainable urban mobility for customers.

The two companies are investing more than €1 billion in total to develop and more closely intermesh their offerings for car-sharing, ride-hailing, parking, charging and multimodal transport.

The two companies’ mobility services have a combined total of over 60 million active customers to date.

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Continental unveils augmented reality HUD

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Continental has unveiled an industry-first full-colour demonstrator of an automotive-specific Head-up Display (HUD) based on waveguide technology.

This demonstrator is the result of the joint development with DigiLens Inc., one of the leading experts in projection technology enabled by switchable holographic gratings.

HUDs with graphic augmentations in a real-world view offer intuitive driver support. Embedding the augmentations in the real world makes the driver immediately understand where their attention is required and why.

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Alliance Ventures invests in Enevate to advance electric vehicle battery technology

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Alliance Ventures, the strategic venture capital arm of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, has invested in the latest round of funding in Enevate Corporation, an advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology company based in Irvine, California, USA.

Alliance Ventures was launched last year to support start-ups, early-stage development, and entrepreneurs at the cutting edge of next-generation systems for the automotive industry.

The investment reflects the capability of Enevate in breakthrough Li-ion batteries capable of extreme fast charging with high energy density.

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Toyota Safety Sense installed in 10 million vehicles

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The total global number of vehicles equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, the Toyota-developed preventive safety package, has reached the 10 million unit mark, after its March 2015 introduction.

It is anticipated that within this year, three million vehicles in Japan and five million vehicles in North America will have the package.

Toyota first introduced the package with the “Corolla” series, centered on the belief that popularising safety technology is vital.

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