Author: Andy Williams

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is reportedly set to incorporate a smart driving solution from Chinese startup Momenta into its all-electric CLA model, a move that underscores its efforts to enhance driver assistance capabilities. The high-level intelligent driving system from Momenta will enable pilot-assisted driving in urban environments without relying on high-definition maps, according to a report from local media outlet 36kr. Scheduled to commence production in April 2025, the Mercedes-Benz CLA equipped with Momenta’s solution will feature Nvidia’s Orin smart driving chip. This collaboration marks the first time Mercedes-Benz has adopted a technology solution from a Chinese smart driving supplier, highlighting…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it is seeking additional information as part of its investigation into Amazon.com’s self-driving Zoox vehicles. The probe was initiated due to instances of unexpected braking that resulted in two rear-end collisions. NHTSA stated that it is requesting video footage of the crashes and documentation from Zoox pertaining to the vehicles. The agency expressed concern over the potential risk posed by vehicles with unexpected rapid braking, particularly to other road users who may not anticipate or react to such abrupt maneuvers. See also: NHTSA Probes Amazon’s Zoox Autonomous Vehicles After Collisions…

Alexander Dennis, a leading bus manufacturer, has been selected to construct three Enviro100AEV autonomous buses for the Connector project in Cambridge, as reported by a local media outlet. The Connector project, supported by Innovate UK and led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, aims to deliver autonomous bus services in Cambridge. The project consortium includes bus operator Stagecoach, IPG Automotive, dRISK, and Gamma Energy, and is part-funded by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles. The Enviro100AEV buses are scheduled to be built later in 2024 and are expected to be in service by 2025 after a period of…

Accelera, a subsidiary of Cummins, has unveiled plans to introduce a battery electric powertrain for Isuzu’s F-series electric trucks in the North American market. This initiative underscores the commitment of both companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide customers with innovative, zero-emissions solutions. The medium-duty electric truck, slated for a 2026 release, will feature Accelera’s cutting-edge lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology integrated into a specially designed powertrain. While specific technical details remain undisclosed, Isuzu aims to fine-tune its technology to meet market demands over the next two years. Shaun Skinner, President of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and…

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, recently announced that the company’s next “Supervised Full Self-Driving” (FSD) software update is expected to deliver a substantial improvement in performance. Musk claimed that the upcoming update, version 12.4, will undergo internal release this weekend, followed by a limited external beta next week. This update is projected to result in a “roughly 5 to 10 times improvement in miles per intervention” compared to the previous version, 12.3. The FSD program has been a focal point for Tesla, with the company continuously working to enhance its self-driving capabilities. With the entire system now based on…

At the Financial Times’ Future of the Car Summit in London, Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson shared his perspective on the competition between Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers and Tesla, emphasizing that while Chinese companies have made significant strides, they still lag behind Tesla in core EV technology. Rawlinson acknowledged the remarkable progress of Chinese automakers, noting their superiority to western counterparts in terms of fit and finish quality. However, he highlighted that Chinese engineering, particularly in drive train technology and battery integration, falls short of Tesla’s standards. “In terms of the elegance of their drive train technology, the batteries, the…

Stellantis has reported significant growth in the European electrified market during the first four months of 2024, signaling a strong start to the year for the automaker. Despite tough industry competition and the absence of incentives in many key European markets, Stellantis has emerged as a leader in the transition to electrification. Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer, Enlarged Europe, highlighted the company’s performance, stating, “Our first months’ results reflect the tough industry competition, in absence of incentives in many significant European markets. We are leading the transition to electrification in many of our key countries and our commercial vehicle…

CATL has maintained its position as the world’s largest battery maker in the first quarter of 2024, while BYD has climbed back to second place from third, according to data released by South Korean market researcher SNE Research. Global battery consumption for electric vehicles (EVs) reached 158.8 GWh in January-March, up 22.0 percent from the same period last year. CATL’s installed battery volume in the first quarter was 60.1 GWh, a 31.9 percent increase from last year, securing its leading position with a 37.9 percent market share. BYD recorded power battery installations of 22.7 GWh in January-March, an 11.9 percent…

Lyten has shipped lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries to Stellantis and several other leading US and European original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for testing purposes. The shipment, comprising A samples of its 6.5 Ah Li-S pouch cells, marks a pivotal step in the commercial evaluation of lithium-sulfur batteries by prominent automakers. Stellantis, which had previously announced an investment in Lyten’s lithium-sulfur battery development in May 2023, is among the recipients of the shipment. “This milestone is the result of years of dedicated work and innovation from the Lyten team, and we are just at the start of further expanding the capabilities of our…

Wing, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, has teamed up with retail giant Walmart to expand their drone delivery service in the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth area. The collaboration has now taken flight, offering swift and efficient deliveries from two North Richland Hills Walmart Supercenters, further solidifying their commitment to innovation and customer convenience. This expansion marks the third and fourth stores where Wing and Walmart have jointly launched drone delivery, following a successful initial partnership. Walmart’s ambitious goal to provide drone delivery to 75% of the Dallas-Fort Worth population is steadily coming to fruition with this latest development. The…

Tesla’s Megapack factory in China, part of its Gigafactory Shanghai site, is poised to commence construction this month after facing delays since initial groundwork began in March 2024. Tesla’s resident drone operator at Giga Shanghai, WuWa, provided insights into the progress at the Megapack Factory, explaining the pause in construction following the initial activity in March. “In April this year, the Tesla Shanghai Megapack factory site, which had been relatively quiet, saw the arrival of excavators and bulldozers, signaling the official start of construction. However, after a few days of initial activity, including clearing the original concrete floor and sheds,…

French automotive supplier Valeo has announced the merger of its thermal and powertrain activities into a unified entity, the Valeo Power division. This strategic move aims to enhance Valeo’s ability to address the electrification market and improve vehicle range, performance, and comfort. The new Valeo Power division will be based on seven of Valeo’s regional operations and will gradually replace the former Valeo Thermal Systems and Powertrain Systems business groups. Xavier Dupont has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Valeo Power division and Valeo Group Executive Vice President. In addition to the merger, Valeo has updated the…