My thoughts on all things motoring, press releases, reviews & techie stuff, from around the world.
Please note that the pictures of vehicles within this blog are used as examples of the specific press releases, on occasions, due to the lack of available official pictures, examples are re-produced.
ANY AND ALL PROFANITIES WILL BE REMOVED AND THE PERSON/S RESPONSIBLE WILL BE BANNED, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Purpose
I will try my best to provide detailed info on various cars and what is like to live with them, I have already produced a few for Jaguar-car-forums, I will do my best to be unbiased, but it will be hard for some cars. I will re-produce press releases and copy from other motoring news.
InMotion invests in Lyft to collaborate on mobility services
Jaguar Land Rover to supply Lyft drivers with a fleet of vehicles
Technology collaboration will allow innovation and wide scale testing of new services
Lyft is the fastest-growing rideshare company in the US
InMotion Ventures is Jaguar Land Rover’s new mobility services business
InMotion, Jaguar Land Rover’s mobility services business, today announced a $25m (£19m) investment in Lyft, the fastest-growing rideshare company in the U.S.
This investment will support Lyft’s expansion and technology plans. It will also provide Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion Ventures with the opportunity to develop and test its mobility services, including autonomous vehicles, and to supply Lyft drivers with a fleet of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.
Sebastian Peck, InMotion Managing Director, said, “We are excited to collaborate with a leading platform like Lyft not only on developing premium mobility solutions but also devising innovative solutions to the transport problems Jaguar Land Rover’s customers face.”
“Personal mobility and smart transportation is evolving and this new collaborative venture will provide a real-world platform helping us develop our connected and autonomous services.”
“We’re excited to join forces with Jaguar Land Rover and InMotion,” said John Zimmer, Lyft President and Co-founder. “Lyft envisions a future where shared mobility will transform cities and improve people’s lives. This partnership will help us achieve that ambitious goal.”
Hanno Kirner, Executive Director of Corporate and Strategy, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “This is a strategic investment for both parties as we focus on innovating new mobility solutions for our customers. Collaborating with an expanding technology business like Lyft is going to help us both accelerate our ambitions.”
InMotion’s latest investment follows its recent seed investment in SPLT, the Detroit-based digital carpool business, which works with Lyft to provide non-emergency medical transport.
The Lyft investment was included as part of the company's most recent round of fundraising, which closed in April.
Nissan collaborates with UK-based design firm Studio Hardie to create the first all-electric e-NV200 WORKSPACe
One-off vehicle offers a cost-effective desk space solution as flexible working and hot-desking trends grow worldwide
All-electric e-NV200 WORKSPACe provides a showcase of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility vision and the changing relationship between vehicles and people
Nissan has collaborated with UK-based design workshop Studio Hardie to transform its zero-emission e-NV200 van into the world’s first all-electric mobile office – the e-NV200 WORKSPACe.
This professional office environment on wheels features an integrated fold-out desk, touchscreen computer, wireless internet, smartphone-controlled LED lights, wireless phone charging, Bluetooth® audio system, mini fridge and barista-quality coffee machine.
The e-NV200 WORKSPACe concept not only highlights the customisable potential of its electric van, it paints a picture of what desk-based employment could look like in the future as hot-desking and flexible working grows in popularity across the globe.
Moreover, the one-off vehicle also provides an example of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility vision, and the company’s view of how the relationship between vehicles and people are changing.
During 20151, the number of co-working and hot-desking spaces worldwide increased by 36 percent as small businesses and working professionals looked for increased mobility and a more cost-effective alternative to traditional city-centre office space.
Today, the average UK commuter already spends £3582 on travelling to work each month, with London office space fetching £16193 per square metre annually, and estimated to rise a further 1.4 percent over the next year.
With electric vehicles costing as little as £0.02 per mile4 to run, the e-NV200 WORKSPACe offers a cost-effective desk space solution allowing users to work for free in some city-centres that offer free EV charging bays, or escape the city altogether for the countryside or coastal fresh air.
Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles, Nissan Europe said: “The Nissan e-NV200 is already a smart, sustainable transport solution for forward-thinking businesses, making it the ideal vehicle to be used as the basis for a mobile work place. The e-NV200 WORKSPACe takes the ingenuity of our 100 percent electric van a step further and by enlisting the design expertise of Studio Hardie - renowned for its creative eco approach - the e-NV200 has been reimagined as an innovative, zero-emission working environment.
“With property prices in our capital cities at such a premium and the modern professional needing to be ever more mobile, businesses will need to think smart and consider what the workplace of the future looks like,” he added. “With hot-desking and remote working on the rise, it is not too big a leap to see a future where our vehicles will become connected, energy efficient, mobile workspaces and the e-NV200 WORKSPACe project could become more than just a concept.”
The e-NV200 WORKSPACe can be rapid charged from empty to 80 percent power in just 30 minutes, and for those times when you want to leave the office parked and charging up, there’s an internal mount for a folding Brompton Bike, allowing users to make short trips around the city or complete the ‘last mile’ of any journey.
William Hardie, celebrated UK-based designer and founder of Studio Hardie, said: “We specialise in creating amazing spaces in unexpected places, but we’ve never done anything in an electric vehicle before.
“Given the van’s green credentials we wanted to maximise the space with smart and considered features such as sustainably sourced materials and efficiently-powered technology. We believe the future of technology is a return to quality craftsmanship, so we’ve also looked to hone an environment that professionals will really enjoy working in. All the comfort and connectivity of a modern office, with a few surprising touches thrown in!”
The Nissan e-NV200 is part of Nissan’s popular zero-emission range, combining the best elements of two multi-award winning vehicles – the Nissan Leaf and Nissan NV200. It provides a zero-emission light commercial vehicle solution, offering low vehicle running costs of £2.00 per 100 miles and a range of up to 106 miles on a single charge5. This makes it the perfect transportation option for businesses both big and small, as not only does it contribute to reducing a company’s carbon footprint, it is also practical, reliable and cost-effective.
As a pioneer of zero-emission technology, Nissan is dedicated to providing Intelligent Mobility solutions for all and to date, the company has sold more than 250,000 electric vehicles worldwide.
Enlarged Alliance Ranks Among Top Three Global Automotive Groups
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., (“Nissan”) today completed its acquisition of a 34% equity stake in Mitsubishi Motors (“MMC”) and became its largest shareholder.
MMC will also become part of the global Alliance with Nissan and Renault. With the addition of MMC, the Alliance will be in the world’s top three automotive groups by global volumes, with sales of 10 million units in fiscal year 2016.
Nissan Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn announced that Nissan and MMC would collaborate on joint purchasing, deeper localization, joint plant utilization, common vehicle platforms, technology-sharing and an expansion of the companies’ combined presence in both developed and emerging markets.
“The combination of Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and Renault will create a new force in global car-making,” said Ghosn. “It will be one of the world’s three largest automotive groups, with the economies of scale, breakthrough technologies and manufacturing capabilities to produce vehicles to serve customer demand in every market segment and in every geographic market around the world.”
Ghosn predicted that through its partnership with MMC, Nissan would target synergy benefits worth 24 billion yen in fiscal year 2017, rising to 60 billion yen in fiscal year 2018 and beyond. The gains will contribute to increased earnings per share worth an estimated 4 yen per share in fiscal year 2017 and 10 yen per share in fiscal year 2018 – on top of any earnings accretion linked to Nissan’s overall shareholding in Mitsubishi Motors.
Nissan offered its assistance at the request of Osamu Masuko, president and chief executive officer of MMC, following the company’s fuel economy crisis. The two companies have cooperated on kei-cars for the Japanese market over the past five years.
“We are committed to assisting Mitsubishi Motors as it rebuilds customer trust,” said Ghosn. “This is a priority as we pursue the synergies and growth potential of our enlarged relationship.”
As part of this strategy, Nissan has nominated four representatives to the Board of MMC, including Ghosn as chairman-elect.
The other nominees are Hitoshi Kawaguchi, chief sustainability officer and head of global external affairs; Hiroshi Karube, global controller and global asset manager; and Mitsuhiko Yamashita, Nissan’s current representative on the Mitsubishi Motors board.
At Masuko’s request, Yamashita joined the company earlier this year as executive vice president of development and as a member of its executive committee.
Ghosn has announced a number of other management changes, effective November 1, to allow him to continue to focus on maintaining Nissan’s momentum in delivering performance, while at the same time supporting Masuko at MMC.
Ghosn has proposed to the Nissan Board, which has approved, the appointment of Hiroto Saikawa, currently chief competitive officer, as co-chief executive officer.
Saikawa will be succeeded as chief competitive officer by Yasuhiro Yamauchi, currently Alliance executive vice president of purchasing.
Veronique Sarlat-Depotte, currently deputy to Yamauchi will assume the responsibility as Alliance executive vice president of purchasing and head of the Renault Nissan Purchasing Organization. She will be supported by Makoto Uchida who will take responsibility for purchasing at Nissan.
Also at the request of Masuko, the management team of MMC will be further strengthened by current Nissan Chief Performance Officer Trevor Mann, who will become chief operating officer of MMC.
Mann will be replaced as chief performance officer by Jose Munoz who will continue as chairman of Nissan’s North American region.
Ghosn concluded: “At a time of unprecedented change in the global auto industry, this strategy will build on our existing strengths and management capabilities to ensure increased competitiveness, better products for our customers and attractive returns for shareholders.”
About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2015, the company sold more than 5.4 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 12.2 trillion yen. Nissan engineers, manufactures and markets the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan manages operations in six regions: ASEAN & Oceania; Africa, Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America and North America. Nissan has a global workforce of 247,500, and has been partnered with French manufacturer Renault under the Renault-Nissan Alliance since March 1999.
Volvo Cars, the global premium car maker, and Autoliv Inc (NYSE: ALV and SSE: ALIVsdb), the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, have signed a letter of intent to set up a new jointly owned company to develop next-generation autonomous driving software.
The planned new company will have its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, and an initial workforce taken from both companies of around 200, increasing to more than 600 in the medium term. The company is expected to start operations in the beginning of 2017.
The joint venture will create a new entrant in the growing global market for autonomous driving software systems. It marks the first time a leading premium car maker has joined forces with a tier-one supplier to develop new ADAS and AD technologies.
The new company, which has yet to be named, will develop advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous drive (AD) systems for use in Volvo cars and for sale exclusively by Autoliv to all car makers globally, with revenues shared by both companies.
The joint venture will bring together two global leaders in automotive safety, underlining the contribution ADAS and AD can make to road safety, and speeding up the development and introduction of fully autonomous cars.
Volvo Cars has an established reputation for making some of the world’s safest cars, having invented the three-point safety belt and having consistently developed and introduced world-leading active and passive safety systems. It has a medium-term vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020.
Autoliv is the world’s leading supplier of safety systems to car makers worldwide, and has led the way in the development and introduction of active and passive safety technologies to the world’s car makers for more than 60 years.
Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars, said: “By combining our know-how and resources, we will create a world leader in AD software development. This means we can introduce this exciting technology to our customers faster.”
Jan Carlson, chairman, chief executive and president of Autoliv, said: “There are no two companies that can claim to have done more for automotive safety worldwide than Autoliv and Volvo. This new company is a recognition of the fact that autonomous driving is the next step to transform road safety.”
Both Autoliv and Volvo Cars will licence and transfer the intellectual property for their ADAS systems to the joint venture. From this base, the company will develop new ADAS technologies and AD systems. It expects to have its first ADAS products available for sale by 2019, with AD technologies available by 2021.
Autoliv will be the exclusive supplier and distribution channel for all the new company’s products towards third parties, except Volvo Cars, which will source directly from the new company. Its management will comprise of representatives from Autoliv and Volvo Cars.
Dennis Nobelius, managing director of Volvo Switzerland and formerly vice president vehicle line 90 at Volvo Cars, will be the chief executive of the new joint venture.
The car will be revealed on 15 September in London
The new Mii is being co-created by SEAT designers with Cosmopolitan editors and readers
SEAT and Hearst Magazines International have partnered to create a special limited edition of the Mii, the carmaker’s urban utility vehicle. The new Mii by COSMOPOLITAN is being co-created by SEAT designers with Cosmopolitan editors and readers.
The new car will be revealed on 15 September in London at Cosmopolitan’s #FashFest, the five-day consumer-focused festival of fashion which puts the reader firmly on the front row.
SEAT and Cosmopolitan, the best-selling young women’s magazine in the world, began collaborating in early 2015, when Cosmopolitan, the authority on young women’s lifestyles, joined SEAT, recognised for the design of its vehicles, to develop a car that connects with modern women.
Over the course of 18 months, Cosmopolitan’s global creative team, regional editors and readers from across Europe, have provided input and feedback to shape the design of the Mii by COSMOPOLITAN, and helped in the development of the specific accessories included in the new model. Ideas and recommendations from the Cosmopolitan brand will continue throughout the collaboration.
SEAT global Marketing director Susanne Franz has underscored: “The Mii by COSMOPOLITAN is being designed to meet women’s needs in terms of daily usage.
This new car will go beyond aesthetics, it is a functional vehicle where the design has a purpose. Cosmopolitan contributed to transforming the role of women in society and the Mii by COSMOPOLITAN aims to establish a fresh perspective on cars.
The agreement struck with the world’s largest magazine brand for women gives us the opportunity to launch our most feminine car. The Mii by COSMOPOLITAN is a tribute to the modern woman”.
Kim St. Clair Bodden, senior Vice-President, editorial director of Hearst Magazines International, says:“Cosmopolitan is the biggest, most powerful young women’s brand in the world, engaging and inspiring our readers to achieve the fun, fearless lives they want.
It has been incredibly rewarding to design the new Mii with all the bells and whistles that really personalise the driving experience, and I am looking forward to its unveiling at Cosmopolitan’s #FashFest in London in September”.
The Mii by COSMOPOLITAN fully connects with the values of both brands and will appeal to young and young-spirited women who are interested in fashion and beauty, who strive for success, have active, fulfilling lives and know who they are and what they want. This special limited edition picks up where the highly successful SEAT Mii by MANGO launched in 2014 left off.
In addition, the agreement will open up new forms of collaboration to present the car to potential customers through several of Hearst Magazines’s communication channels. Cosmopolitan is the playbook for millennial women around the world, with an audience of nearly 100 million, the magazine is distributed in 82 countries and printed in 32 languages.
SEAT is the only company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting more than 80% of its vehicles, and is present in over 75 countries.
In 2015, SEAT’s turnover amounted to over 8.3 billion euros, the highest in its history, and the company achieved worldwide sales of more than 400,000 units for the first time since 2007.
SEAT Group employs more than 14,000 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon. Additionally, the company produces the Ateca and the Toledo in the Czech Republic, the Alhambra in Portugal and the Mii in Slovakia.
The multinational has a Technical Centre, which operates as a knowledge hub that brings together 1,000 engineers who are focussed on developing innovation for Spain’s largest industrial investor in R&D. SEAT already features the latest connectivity technology in its vehicle range and is currently engaged in the company’s global digitisation process to promote the mobility of the future.
Giorgio Armani and renowned luxury car manufacturer Bugatti are pleased to announce their collaboration for the creation of an artisanal capsule collection of small leather goods and refined clothing – Giorgio Armani for Bugatti.
The Italian and the French brand have come together for the first time to promote a vision of dynamic and timeless elegance. The objective of Giorgio Armani and Bugatti is to offer their customers products that are distinguished by top-quality materials and the skill evident in their creation. TheGiorgio Armani for Bugatticapsule collection is made for a sophisticated man who constantly seeks out exclusive luxury.
“It was very natural to come together with Bugatti. We both worship things that are made well, made to last, created out of the best materials. The capsule condenses this encounter in a series of clothes and accessories designed to be worn by men who only look for the best and who live an active and dynamic lifestyle”, said Giorgio Armani.
"Cooperation with Giorgio Armani is a great honour for us," said Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. "When one of the most influential and highly recognised fashion and lifestyle brands and the most exclusive super sports car brand in the world, which has its roots in art and design, join forces, this is an unusual, exciting and inspiring project. The result is an extremely well-made combination of the style and perfection of Giorgio Armani and the Bugatti brand DNA."
Accessories and garments in the capsule collection, launching for autumn/winter 2016-2017, feature details that reference the iconic motifs of the Bugatti brand. The horseshoe-shaped emblem on the front of the cars is seen on pendants for bags, while Bugatti’s brand colour blue appears on inner linings of bags, in interior pockets and on the treads and insoles of footwear. The palette, focused on the three stylish and timeless colours of cognac, army green and blue, is a recurring element of the collection.
The highlight of the accessories is an elegant briefcase in soft calfskin, made entirely by hand, with a convenient front pocket; there is also an exquisite version of this piece in lined matte crocodile suede, tactile and luxurious in Bugatti blue. In addition, there is a more roomy weekend bag, while small leather goods, available in calfskin or crocodile skin, include belts, wallets, iPad cases, and beauty cases featuring a prominent zip closure. Clothing includes a coat and blouson jacket in refined double cashmere, superfine cashmere sweaters, a leather jacket with raised collar and concealed hood, as well as treated denim jeans that look as soft as velvet, thanks to their handmade flocking.
The offering is rounded off with calfskin sneakers with crocodile details, which have a blue interior and aGiorgio Armani for Bugatti label, a sports driver blazer in crocodile skin, available in cognac and army green, and a cap in double cashmere cloth with trim in Bugatti blue.
Garments and accessories are manufactured in limited editions and numbered, and display the special logo:Giorgio Armani for Bugatti.
The capsule collection will be on sale from August 2016 in select Giorgio Armani boutiques and in Ettore Bugatti lifestyle boutiques.
Lincoln collaborates with upscale men’s salon Fellow Barber to offer young, aspirational professionals the same level of attention to detail in terms of grooming that the automaker builds into its Lincoln Black Label vehicles
Throughout April, current Lincoln Black Label customers can enjoy complimentary barber service at any Fellow Barber location in New York or San Francisco
Lincoln’s association with brands such as Fellow Barber and Tribeca Film Festival is a critical piece of its strategic efforts to reach a younger target customer
The Lincoln Motor Company announces an exclusive collaboration with Fellow Barber, a leading men’s grooming salon for young, aspirational professionals. Throughout April, current Lincoln Black Label customers can receive a complimentary grooming treatment at any of five Fellow Barber locations in New York and San Francisco.
Lincoln Black Label redefines what it means to shop for, purchase and own a luxury automobile.
“Lincoln Black Label not only provides the best level of materials in specially curated design themes, but also offers a host of member privileges,” said Andrew Frick, Lincoln director, sales and service operations. “The Lincoln Black Label dealer network is designed to cater to our clients on an individual level.”
Membership privileges include annual vehicle detailing, anytime carwashes, and access to a curated list of restaurants where noted chefs will provide an at-your-service dining experience.
Fellow Barber upscale grooming shops are similarly devoted to offering their clients a high-quality, personal and authentic luxury experience.
“Lincoln’s brand philosophy is a natural fit with Fellow Barber’s passion for executing the details and delivering a high-quality experience,” said Sam Buffa, Fellow Barber founder. “Lincoln Black Label strongly resonates with the Fellow Barber customer. Each interior design treatment presents the vehicle in a unique and authentic way – much like the way we style our clients to express who they are. We are excited to take part in Lincoln Black Label membership privileges and welcome customers to our salons.”
Attracting younger, aspirational buyers
Over the past three years, Lincoln has introduced an all-new product portfolio and supported brands and events that appeal to a younger target customer. In addition to Fellow Barber, other collaborations include:
Lincoln Re-imagine!, a $1.2 million project that funds art, design and thought leadership collaborations to explore unique concepts in film, theater and architecture
Lincoln Hello, Again campaign, which seeks to take something that tends to get overlooked and create something new, fresh and usable from it. In the Burrows Street Park project, Lincoln worked with Architecture for Humanity to turn an empty lot into a pocket park in San Francisco’s Portola District
2016 is the third year Lincoln is teaming up with Tribeca Film Festival as part of its ongoing support for the arts
Lincoln Black Label is helping to attract new, affluent luxury customers to the brand. It is available on new Lincoln vehicles including the recently revealed 2017 Lincoln MKZ and all-new 2017 Lincoln Continental that will go on sale later this year.
