The vauxhall ADAM no comes with the R4.0 Intellilink System Infotainment technology as standard.

• R4.0 IntelliLink system available with smartphone integration
• IntelliLink touchscreen overview similar to smartphone menu
• Vauxhall OnStar turns ADAM into powerful internet on wheels

Vauxhall has introduced the latest-generation R4.0 IntelliLink system infotainment technology including smartphone integration to its stylish ADAM city car.

Following the introduction of the first-generation award-winning IntelliLink, this update promises to take individualisation even further, with an overview similar to a smartphone menu and the choice of well-known navigation including Apple Maps and Google Maps.

Vauxhall’s innovative OnStar is also now available on ADAM SLAM, S and ROCKS models, enabling personal connectivity and a service assistant while also becoming a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven mobile devices, even when abroad – with no additional roaming fees.

“The Vauxhall ADAM in all its variants is the perfect example of how much individuality and technology can be packed into a small car. And with the new smartphone-compatible IntelliLink system and Vauxhall OnStar, we boost our successful lifestyle city car onto a higher level,” said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall’s Head of Car Line Brand.

As usual, all this comes at very affordable prices: the infotainment system IntelliLink R4.0 is available for just £495 as part of the Technical Pack which also includes parking sensors.

The hardware for the personal connectivity and service assistant OnStar is free with ADAM SLAM, S and ROCKS while use of the Wi-Fi Hotspot is free of charge with all variants for the first 12 months following registration. This means private phone accounts are not charged, because those who connect their smartphones to OnStar enjoy free navigation.

IntelliLink R4.0

Praised for its clear seven-inch colour touchscreen, connectivity options via USB and Bluetooth for audio streaming and viewing photographs, videos and films or making a telephone call via the hands-free module – Vauxhall makes the latest generation of its IntelliLink system even more functional. The new IntelliLink R4.0, which made its debut at this year’s IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in the Astra, integrates the world of smartphones via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the vehicle.

Drivers and passengers simply need devices from Android 5.0 Lollipop and Apple iOS 7.1 (from iPhone 5). It is fast and easy: simply connect the iPhone or Android smartphone to the IntelliLink R4.0 via USB, and the Vauxhall infotainment technology immediately recognises the systems and adapts the smartphone interface to the seven-inch IntelliLink touchscreen.

Drivers can make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri, when it is safe to do so. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem.

The Google Maps and Apple Maps navigation apps are easy to use: updates are automatically downloaded onto the phone by the respective provider, so the driver always has the latest map data online. Changing the size of the map section on Android Auto is simply done by touching the screen and pinching or zooming accordingly. Another advantage is that smartphone-based systems provide information on traffic conditions in real time along with possible points of interest – including the complete address, opening hours and further details. When a text message from services such as WhatsApp or Skype is received, Android users can have it read out loud to them so they can keep their eyes on the road.

OnStar

Vauxhall OnStar enables stable use of all internet-based services. The personal connectivity and service assistant with its special antenna turns the ADAM into a 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot. Up to seven mobile devices can be connected to the system at the same time – even abroad. No additional roaming fees are applied.

Vauxhall OnStar offers an all-round carefree package, with services including Automatic Crash Response, 24-hour Roadside and Stolen Vehicle Assistance and Vehicle Diagnostics to name but a few. The myVauxhall smartphone-app allows Vauxhall OnStar users to request help when away from the car, to open or close the car remotely or to access important vehicle data.

Jaguar Land Rover launches first in UK Academy to develop Learning and skills amongst it's huge workforce.

• First of its kind in the UK automotive sector, Jaguar Land Rover Academy will deliver a world class, highly skilled workforce
• £100 million invested in technical and business skills last year, including supply chain skill development
• “Lifelong Learning” career development programmes to be offered to the company’s entire 36,000 global workforce, from recruitment to retirement
• Run in partnership with WMG at the University of Warwick and other leading universities

Jaguar Land Rover has launched its Academy, the first of its kind in the UK automotive sector.  The new Academy will offer all Jaguar Land Rover workers the opportunity to take part in continuous development programmes to enhance their careers and provide the skills the company needs.

With an annual learning and development outlay of £100 million, Jaguar Land Rover invests heavily in skills.  The creation of the Academy gives renewed focus to that investment and will deliver improved skills for the long-term by strengthening the links between training and business needs.  

All training provided through the Jaguar Land Rover Academy will meet quality levels defined by a recognised and standardised accreditation process.

Commenting on the launch, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ralf Speth said:  "We are investing significantly in the future of Jaguar Land Rover by creating very special vehicles for our discerning customers and, just as importantly, by employing and developing the highly skilled people that will help ensure our continued success.  

For me, our workforce is our most crucial asset and I see the Jaguar Land Rover Academy as the lifeblood of our organisation.  The aim of the Academy is to maximise the talents of our workforce and give them new chances to develop their careers to the full.  

Through providing opportunities for continuous learning from recruitment to retirement, the Academy will ensure that we have the skills needed to compete globally.” 

Skills Minister, Nick Boles, praised the initiative saying:  “Launching the Jaguar Land Rover Academy will ensure the industry has the skills it needs for years to come. The Academy highlights the company’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers and manufacturers. 

Companies like Jaguar Land Rover are encouraging talented people to build lifelong careers and in turn boost the country’s productivity.”

The Academy will offer training for employees at all stages of their working lives with Jaguar Land Rover, whether they are new recruits or more experienced employees seeking to move to the next level in the organisation.  

This “Lifelong Learning” will follow a structured plan that is tailored to the needs of each function, delivering training that is relevant to the changing business requirements and enabling employees to progress their careers at Jaguar Land Rover. 

From the outset, learning opportunities available through the Jaguar Land Rover Academy will range from engineering up-skilling programmes to postgraduate qualifications, including the company’s award-winning advanced and degree apprenticeships, as well as its well-established graduate programme.  

Within its first year, the Academy’s curriculum will expand to cover other functional, business and management qualifications delivered by leading universities, academic institutions and vocational training providers. 

Training currently includes 8,800 workers undertaking academic and vocational qualifications ranging from NVQ2s to PhDs.  Of those, over half are following undergraduate or postgraduate level studies.

The new Academy will be run in partnership with WMG, building on Jaguar Land Rover’s strong ties with the University of Warwick.  The Academy’s technical and vocational curriculum will be co-ordinated from WMG’s facility at the university. 

With its beginnings in the UK, the Jaguar Land Rover Academy will expand its reach to the company’s global workforce of 36,000 people. 

Chairman of WMG, Professor Lord Bhattacharyya commented:  “We have a symbiotic relationship with Jaguar Land Rover and I admire the company’s vision in providing this focus and governance for its learning and development.

  

The Academy will be the first of its kind in the UK automotive sector and will provide excellent opportunities for the company’s current workforce and future employees.” 

The company also plays a lead role in facilitating the development of the supply chain skills that are vital for the UK automotive sector’s continued success.  

As part of Jaguar Land Rover’s vision for the Academy, its growing supplier upskilling programmes, retailer apprenticeships and other aspects of the company’s wider skills outreach will also be included in the curriculum.

Ford invests millions in a new state of the art training facility in Daventry, UK.

Ford is creating a new, state-of-the-art training facility on its existing site in Daventry, Northamptonshire, as part of a multi-million pound investment.

The new site will merge the capabilities of two existing Ford colleges – the Technical Training Centre located separately at Daventry, and the Henry Ford College in Loughborough, which provides training for technicians, sales staff and management throughout Ford’s national dealer network.

Scheduled to open next year, the brand-new centre will replace the existing facilities to become a centre of excellence for training across the country. The new building forms an extension to the existing 150,000 square-metre Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) on the Daventry site. It will deliver courses to adult learners up to Diploma and Masters Degree level, as well as students taking the successful Ford Masters Apprenticeship programmes.

The building will include classrooms, a 200-seat auditorium and a vehicle showroom area, in addition to a lounge and large restaurant. Both the interior and exterior of the building will follow the design and style of the new-look Ford dealer showrooms, including ‘Hello’ and ‘Relax’ areas in the reception.

Jon Wellsman, director, Ford Customer Service Division, said: “With the latest Ford vehicles now demonstrating technology leadership, it is important that our dealer teams receive the highest quality technical and product training. This world-class new facility will enable us to do just that.”

Ford is simultaneously announcing a series of engineering and business apprenticeship programmes, including a newly-established Higher Apprenticeship in IT, in addition to the extremely successful Masters Apprenticeship Programme, which recruits 450 new apprentices into the Ford dealer network every year. 

Construction on the new site is expected to be completed in December 2014, and is scheduled to open in early 2015.

Ford College manager, Stuart Harris, said: “This new training centre is a fantastic opportunity to consolidate our industry-leading training programmes, enabling us to provide face-to-face tuition in a real-world working environment.”