MONET Gains More Traction
MONET Technologies was established last February as a joint venture between SoftBank and Toyota to address three business domains: (1) on-demand mobility services; (2) data-analysis services; (3) autonomous vehicle mobility services (which they’re calling “Autono-MaaS,” with the “MaaS” being “Mobility as a Service”).
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Group
New Toyota JV Targets Fuel Cell Trucks in China
Commercial vehicles could be the right application for fledgling technology
Volvo Group, Daimler Team Up on Fuel Cell-Powered Big Rigs
Can trucks save the hydrogen-based technology after a tepid response to fuel cell cars?
Toyota, Hino Partner on Fuel Cell Truck
Truck tests accelerate, while car sales continue to flounder
GM Exits Australia, N. Zealand; Sells Thai Plant
Further focusing on a handful of fruitful markets for manufacturing
Honda, Isuzu Target Fuel Cell Trucks
Joint research project aims to apply struggling car tech to commercial vehicles
GM, Isuzu JV to Add Diesel Parts Plant in Ohio
Dmax Ltd., General Motors Co.’s diesel engine joint venture with Isuzu Motors Co. in Morain, Ohio, is constructing a components plant in nearby Brookville.
Design and Evolution
Not exactly Darwinism, but an approach where change in process can reap benefits. Chris Chapman talks about how better designs can come to be.
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Group
Veoneer Exits Braking JV
Veoneer Inc. has agreed to sell its 51% stake in a brake systems joint venture to partner Nissin-Kogyo Co. and Honda Motor Co. for $176 million.
Carmakers Back Trump on California Emissions Stance
Major carmakers—including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Nissan and Toyota—are backing the Trump administration’s position that California is barred by federal law from setting its own fuel economy standards and zero-emission vehicle sales quotas.
XL Buys Quantum’s Electrification Unit
Boston-based XL (formerly XL Hybrids), which supplies hybrid powertrain systems for commercial vehicles, has acquired Quantum Fuel Systems LLC’s electrification division.
Dana Buys e-Powertrain Specialist
Dana Inc. has acquired Canada’s Nordresa Motors Inc., which integrates electric drivetrains into commercial vehicles.
MG Brand Debuts Pickup Truck in Thailand
SAIC Motor Corp. has launched a pickup truck in Thailand under its British MG brand.
Toyota Fuel Cell Bus Adds V2X, Safety Features
Toyota Motor Corp. is launching an updated version of its Sora fuel cell bus that features new safety systems and vehicle-to-everything communications.
GM Is Down with Diesels
General Motors is one company that is clearly embracing the diesel engine.
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Group
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Five More Japanese Carmakers Join Toyota-Softbank Venture
Monet Technologies Corp., the 8-month-old joint venture between Softbank and Toyota to develop autonomous ride-hailing and delivery services, has signed up five more Japanese carmakers.
Japan-Backed Mapping Startup to Buy Detroit-Based Ushr
Dynamic Map Platform Co. Ltd., a 30-month-old map platform developer backed by Japanese carmakers, has agreed to buy Detroit-based rival startup Ushr Inc.
Report: Nvidia to Supply Self-Driving-Tech for Isuzu Trucks
Isuzu Motors Ltd. reportedly is in final negotiations with Nvidia Corp. to use the California-based chipmaker’s self-driving-car technology for commercial vehicles, The Nikkei reports.
Toyota, Isuzu End Diesel Partnership
Toyota Motor Corp. and Isuzu Motor Ltd. have agreed to dissolve their 12-year-old capital alliance on diesel engine development.
Four Carmakers in Talks with Kenya’s Local Assembler Simba Corp.
Kenya’s closely held Simba Corp. tells Bloomberg News it is in talks with four carmakers about assembling their vehicles locally.
Carmakers Balk at S. Africa’s Ambitious Expansion Goals
South Africa wants local carmaking operations to more than double annual output and employment by 2035.
Remembering Isuzu
In two weeks it will be Halloween here in the U.S.
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Group
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Volvo Trucks to Launch Electric Model Next Year
AB Volvo plans to begin selling electric trucks next year in Europe, targeting urban distribution applications.
Japan Tests Truck Platooning
Four of Japan’s makers of commercial trucks are testing multi-vehicle platooning systems on Tokyo area expressways.
VW to Double Production in Kenya
Volkswagen AG says it intends to double output at its factory in Thika, Kenya, and may add a second model there.
Honda Targets Tech Tie-Ups Over Cross-Equity Deals
Honda Motor Co. plans to accelerate its recent push to partner with other companies on emerging technologies—but don’t expect any equity deals with other carmakers.
Isuzu Readies Electric Midsize Commercial Truck
Isuzu Motors Ltd. plans to introduce its first high-volume electric commercial truck next year.
SE Asia Braces for Boom in EVs
Southeast Asia is scrambling to prepare for a major shift in its car markets from piston to battery power, the Financial Times says.
