Automotive News; Stellantis CEO is working on a deal to increase the company’s annual output in Italy
London,20 November, 2023, (Oilandgaspress): – A U.S. judge dismissed an antitrust lawsuit accusing Elon Musk’s electric car company Tesla (TSLA.O) of forcing customers to pay high prices and suffer long waits for repairs by monopolizing the markets for vehicle maintenance and replacement parts.
Mercedes-Benz Mobility is driving the digitalization of its leasing and financing business globally. It is already possible to apply for contracts online in many markets. Since November, private customers in Germany have been able to handle every step of the leasing process online and conclude a legally binding leasing contract completely digitally via the national subsidiary. The selection of the financing option and the conclusion of the leasing contract are an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz online purchasing process. In the new online leasing process, customers are independent of service hours. If questions arise during the process or if customers would like advice, personal contact will continue to be available via the Mercedes-Benz Customer Contact Center. The seamless linking of interaction options online and at the respective Mercedes-Benz dealership enables customers to conclude contracts easily, quickly and flexibly.
The financing and leasing process has been integrated into Mercedes-Benz’s online sales since 2019. Customers can choose their desired form of financing and use the integrated rate calculator to calculate the individual rates for their desired vehicle. If a customer selects “leasing” as a financing option, he or she is now able to carry out all steps, including the legally binding conclusion of the contract and the necessary identification, completely digitally and independently. Previously, the process was started digitally and then the request was completed via the Customer Contact Center. Read full article
The Hyundai KONA Electric has been named EV of the Year in the 2024 Hispanic Motor Press Awards. The recognition marks two consecutive years for the Kona which offers customers electric and internal combustion powertrains, including a sporty N Line version. The 14th Annual awards program recognizes the best vehicles for Hispanic consumers based on advancements in technology, cleaner mobility solutions, safety features, infotainment, styling, driving satisfaction, and value.The Hispanic Motor Press Awards is the premier independent Hispanic awards presented in the country for the Hispanic community to help, educate, and pre-select the best vehicle options in the market. The jury panel is comprised of national Hispanic journalists, content creators, and influencers who assess the vehicles while considering key purchase drivers for Hispanic families in quality, reliability, style, safety, and value. Read full article
BMW Group and UNICEF are announcing their long-term partnership under the slogan “BRIDGE. Educating young people for tomorrow, today.”
The partnership will contribute to UNICEF’s global aim to reach 10 million children and young people each year through education. The BMW Group’s long-term support, with an initial commitment over seven years, will help provide science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education and skills development to children and young people in Africa, Asia and Central and South America.
STEM-related jobs are the engine of global economic growth, yet millions of these jobs are projected to go unfilled due to a gap in skills. The problem is more acute in low- and middle-income countries and much more prevalent among girls and women. Today, women constitute a minority in both STEM education and careers, representing only 28 per cent of engineering graduates, 22 per cent of artificial intelligence workers and less than one third of tech sector employees globally. Read full article
Huge honour for Opel Automobile GmbH: An expert jury from the German Motor Sport Federation (DMSB) has presented the Rüsselsheim-based brand with the 2023 DMSB Sustainability Award. In doing so, the highest German motorsport authority has recognised the pioneering concept of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe”, which is held with the near-production battery-electric Opel Corsa Rally Electric. Corsa product manager Helen Walter accepted the honorary award worth €10,000 on behalf of the company. The ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” will enter its fourth season in 2024. Last season, teams from seven nations demonstrated the strong performance and outstanding reliability of the 100 kW/136 hp Corsa Rally Electric, which has a torque of 260 Nm, at eight races in Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland. The electric motor, battery, inverter, and onboard charger come from the production vehicle, which also reduces costs for the private teams. During the events, the cars are charged with green electricity from a completely sustainable charging infrastructure. This is fed from the public medium-voltage network and distributes the electricity via its own transformer to up to 18 charging cubes in the service park. Each vehicle therefore has its own power source, which enables simultaneous charging and servicing of the rally cars. Thanks to this innovative solution, the fast electric vehicles from Rüsselsheim drive locally emissions-free. Read full article
Bentley continues to fuse craftsmanship and functional design with luxurious detailing. Offering a wide range of products for the home, the wardrobe and children, Bentley’s unwavering attention to detail and heritage is infused in each and every one, from the perfectly fitting T-shirt through to an ingenious children’s trike.
There is a particular focus on clothing for this Bentley Collection launch. Taking the same attention to detail Bentley applies to its road cars, Bentley has reimagined a number of core items, elevating simple designs into standout, luxury pieces. The 6-in-1 trike gets the Mulliner Edition treatment, referencing the bespoke coachbuilding of Bentley’s limited-edition production cars.
The Bentley wardrobe
The T-shirt forms the backbone of the casual wardrobe, so the luxury brand has elevated its with a silk-touch cotton jersey for ultimate softness. The flattering tailored fit ensures it is both easy to dress up or down, while details include a fine rib neckline and top-stitch detailing on the seams for a luxurious finish. Available in classic white or black, it comes complete with a subtle Bentley logo at the chest. For something sportier, look to Bentley’s newly designed polo shirt. Made from a beautiful soft-touch cotton, it is the kind of piece that could worn while traveling, while playing golf or even for an evening workout. It comes with a knitted rib collar and a short, two-button placket, while the ribbed insert on the sleeve references the piping of Bentley’s luxurious car interiors. Furthering the understated appeal is the tonal Bentley ‘B’ emblem embroidered on the chest, as well as the Bentley-branded buttons. Read full article
With almost 1,000 Bugatti hyper sports cars hand assembled since 2005, the chances of finding one underneath your Christmas tree this year are slim. But the magic of the Bugatti brand has evolved beyond automotive and into the world of luxury goods in recent years, allowing fans and enthusiasts to experience its incomparable craftsmanship and technology in all new ways. Read full article
Bugatti has always pushed the boundaries of luxury and innovation and continuously increased its customer base internationally. Last week, the company brought together its global network of partners to give them the opportunity to connect further with the brand and the Molsheim team while emphasizing the prospect of an exciting future. Hosted at the home of Bugatti design and engineering in Berlin, the World Partner Meeting 2023 gathered 36 dealers – among them four brand new partners and six ‘Partners of Excellence’– from across the globe to reinforce the close relationship that defines the Bugatti family.
The brand managers have been entrusted to embrace the brand’s ethos to craft the most extraordinary customer journeys worldwide. Working hand-in-hand with the Bugatti team, they act as brand ambassadors and are well versed in matching the world-class values of the brand. The World Partner Meeting highlighted the key role played by Bugatti partners worldwide. Whether it is personally accompanying a customer to the home of Bugatti at the Château Saint Jean in Molsheim, welcoming a customer into their state-of-the-art showroom or arranging for a customer to take part in unique Bugatti-curated experiences, Bugatti partners are fully committed to realizing incomparable interactions with customers and future clients.
Thus, the Bugatti World Partner Meeting 2023 offered a platform to collectively share an overarching passion for the brand, ensuring the dealer network endorses the common values upon which Bugatti was founded over 100 years ago. It’s these core values that make it an iconic brand today with incomparable hyper sports cars that are seen as true pieces of art. Extreme attention to detail and the pursuit of perfection have been in the brand’s DNA since Ettore formed the company. The standard of service and performance across the global Bugatti network is intended to be no less than extraordinary so that all customers are assured that the entire Bugatti ownership experience – from the very first showroom interaction through to the servicing of a car– will be unmatched and everlasting. Read More
At the World Finals 2023, Lamborghini is unveiling the Huracán STO SC 10° Anniversario, an exemplary Lamborghini Ad Personam Opera Unica celebrating a decade of Squadra Corse and the bond between the road range and world of Lamborghini motorsport with an original performance kit and a dedicated livery.
“The Huracán STO SC 10° Anniversario is not only a tribute to our racing division Squadra Corse,” commented Rouven Mohr, Chief Technical Officer of Automobili Lamborghini, “but a concrete demonstration of how experience gained in motorsport can be effectively transferred to the road product, enhancing performance and driving pleasure. We firmly believe that motorsport is the most technically sophisticated and challenging test bed, and Squadra Corse’s know-how is a valuable asset that deserves to be highlighted on unique models and limited road series with a racing vocation.”
The livery is inspired by the Lamborghini SC63, the hybrid prototype of the Hypercar/GTP class that the brand will field in the world’s most prestigious endurance races in the 2024 racing season, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring. The colours chosen for the two-tone livery are Verde Mantis (green) and Nero Noctis (black), combined with a tricolor band that runs entirely across the “cofango” and roof.
Both doors sport the “Squadra Corse 10° Anniversario” logo to celebrate Lamborghini’s Motorsport division, which boasts three consecutive GTD class wins in the 24 Hours at Daytona and more than 50 titles overall in the GT3 category.
The Squadra Corse logo is featured on the rear fin of the Huracán STO that extends from the airscoop to the opposite edge of the rear hood.
The car also mounts a full carbon fibre package that includes a Rosso Mars (red) stripe that encompasses the entire bodywork and gives the STO SC 10° Anniversario an even sportier look.
The interior trim was selected specifically for track use. The sport seats are upholstered in Nero Ade (black) Alcantara with Verde Fauns (green) stitching and fitted with four-point seat belts, and an aluminium roll bar protects the car’s occupants. The interior configuration is completed with a carbon fibre floor covering and an exclusive plaque, also made of carbon fibre, placed on the rear firewall that certifies the car’s uniqueness.
The Huracán STO SC 10° Anniversario is the first road-legal vehicle that Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse engineers, based on their know-how developed over ten years of experience on the racetracks, have created a performance kit for with the aim to improve dynamic qualities and performance on the track.
The aerodynamics have been optimized with the adoption of two brand-new front carbon fibre flicks mounted on the bonnet, which work together with a rear wing with an angle three degrees higher than the production model to increase the car’s downforce both front and rear.
The mechanical grip has been increased significantly by a set of four racing derived shock absorbers that replace the standard active components. The dampers are four-way adjustable, with rebound/compression at both high and low frequencies. Read More
Volkswagen is continuing to ramp up its electric transformation: Measuring more than 16 feet long and equipped with the best convenience features, the ID.7 is a Volkswagen positioned in the premium midsize sedan class. It offers a new drivetrain, long range, quick charging, generous space, a brand new high-tech interior concept and uncompromising quality.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, says: “In the first nine months of the year, we increased deliveries of our all-electric models by 31.8 percent to 273,000 vehicles. The ID.7 has the potential to give this another significant boost since this new product line marks the arrival of electric mobility in this important class.”
The ID.7 will be launched around the world. It all starts in Europe: the new Volkswagen can now be ordered with a 282-hp ID.7 Pro with 82kWh (gross) battery and a Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) range of up to 386 miles (621 kilometers).
The ID.7 for the European and North American markets will be produced in Volkswagen’s electric mobility factory in Emden, Germany.
Exterior
The design of the ID.7 is based on flowing and muscular lines. The front end design is defined in particular by the three-dimensional design of the hood and the LED headlights with their narrow LED strip for the daytime running lights. The side air intakes (air curtains) for the wheel housings are located low down in the bumper and have a distinctive look.
A defining element of the silhouette is the character line located below the long window shoulder. This creates powerful and positive tension in the side of the vehicle. The vehicle’s proportions also help the ID.7 to make an elegant and powerful impression. The ID.7 is 195.3 inches long and has an extended 117 in wheelbase. The short body overhangs are therefore crisply defined. With a height of 60.5 in, this is the lowest slung VW ID. model to date.
Horizontal lines emphasize the 73.3 in wide body at the rear of the car. The most dominant line is a horizontal LED strip, which extends outwards into the wraparound LED taillight clusters. Interior and technology
Thanks to its long wheelbase and the compact drivetrain, the ID.7 offers a great deal of space in both rows of seats. This is particularly evident in the rear with the generous legroom. Despite the battery being integrated into the vehicle floor and the lower body height compared to all other ID. models, the ID.7 still offers good headroom of 40.4 in at the front with the panoramic roof and 37.8 in at the rear. The electric trunklid allows access to a luggage compartment with up to 18.8 cu ft of capacity; when loaded up to the first row of seats, the volume increases to up to 56.0 cu ft.
The ID.7 interior has been designed from scratch. The dominant detail in the interior is the clearly structured, horizontal dash panel. The trim and the horizontal band of air vents are integrated into the linear design. Read More
Volkswagen of America, Inc. showcased all three models comprising its upcoming North American lineup of electric vehicles at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. Open to the public Nov. 17-26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the show marks the first time the ID. Buzz, ID.7 and ID.4 have appeared together at an auto show.
“It’s amazing to see our family of electric vehicles together for the first time here at the Los Angeles Auto Show,” said Pablo Di Si, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “Our ID.4 has proven to be the right EV at the right time for the U.S., and will be even better for 2024. The ID. Buzz, our new three-row microbus, and the ID.7, our first all-electric premium sedan, each offer a distinct design aesthetic—something special that consumers have come to expect from Volkswagen.”
Unveiled in Huntington Beach, California, earlier this year, Volkswagen’s all-electric ID. Buzz pays homage to the brand’s iconic Microbus with a retro design equipped with advanced EV technology and driver-assistance features. With a 91-kWh skateboard-style battery mounted under the floor, the ID. Buzz offers 282 horsepower on the rear-wheel-drive model and approximately 330 horsepower for the all-wheel-drive model. The exterior retains the classic boxy shape with retro cues and bold colors, while the interior is spacious and tailored, offered in three color and trim choices uniquely curated for North America. The vehicle features an available electrochromic panoramic sunroof, multicolor ambient lighting, and comfortable seating for all three rows with a multitude of adjustments and heating and ventilation options. Modern technology includes a fully-connected infotainment experience with wireless device connectivity and multiple charging ports. The ID. Buzz will be available Fall 2024. Also slated for the second half of 2024, the ID.7 is the first all-electric Volkswagen in the upper midsize sedan class. Excellent aerodynamics and a new, highly effective drivetrain ensure long ranges. The ID.7 Pro with an 82 kWh battery has a manufacturer’s estimated potential range of up to 386 miles/621 kilometers (based on the European WLTP cycle; EPA-estimated range is not yet available). With 282 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque, the ID.7 offers the most powerful and highest-torque electric motor in a Volkswagen EV model so far. Exceptional travel comfort is emphasized, with a spacious interior and premium technology. Available features include the DCC® adaptive damping system, Climatronic® seats with cooling and heating as well as massage function, Park Assist Plus with Memory, and an electrochromic panoramic sunroof. The glass roof and many other functions of the ID.7 can also be operated by means of natural voice commands using the new IDA voice assistant. The range of options is rounded out with a 700-watt harman/kardon sound system boasting 14 high-end loudspeakers for an impressive audio experience. Read More
The new Toyota C-HR combines stand-out styling, an engaging drive and classleading efficiency with a focus on European customer expectations of premium quality and sustainability. Inspired by a vision of a ‘concept car for the road’, it stays true to its heritage by taking another bold step forward.
The iconic coupe silhouette pioneered by its predecessor is further emphasised by a wider, more confident stance, enhanced by sharp character lines and a new level of sophisticated design execution.
With sales of more than 840,000 in Europe since its 2017 introduction, the original Toyota C-HR was a breakthrough model for Toyota, bringing the brand to a style-conscious audience thanks to its unconventional design inside and out, fun to drive character and superior quality.
The new Toyota C-HR has been engineered specifically for the expectations of European customers through its local design, engineering and production, exploiting innovative developments, including real-time data from drivers across the continent. Premium features such as the Toyota-first flush door handles, dynamic 64-colour interior ambient lighting and shade-less panoramic roof are part of a holistic and
personalised user experience which puts the customer at the heart of the vehicle. The new Toyota C-HR delivers driving excitement and a confident, quiet ride through innovative technologies and a comprehensive upgrade to the vehicle dynamics. Its range of hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric powertrains use Toyota’s latest hybrid technology to deliver more power via an engaging and efficient driving experience.
Beyond its class-leading efficiency on the road, the new Toyota C-HR further reduces its environmental impact by the introduction of new recycled and animal-free materials, as well as advanced technologies to reduce vehicle weight and cut CO2 emissions during production. Read More
Proterra Inc. and Proterra Operating Company Inc. are in a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy process in the US. Volvo Group has been selected as the winning bidder in an auction for the business and assets of the Proterra Powered business unit at a purchase price of USD 210M. The transaction between Proterra Inc. and Proterra Operating Company as sellers and Volvo is subject to approval by the bankruptcy court in the US. In addition, closing of the transaction, which is expected early 2024, will be subject to merger clearance and certain other conditions.
The assets to be acquired include a development center for battery modules and packs in California and an assembly factory in South Carolina. With this acquisition, Volvo Group will complement the current, and accelerate its future, battery-electric road map.
The transaction has no material impact on the Volvo Group financial performance. Read More
CRH, the global leader in building materials solutions, and Volvo Group, the leader in transport and infrastructure solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate net-zero innovations in the design and deployment of on-road vehicles and off-road equipment used in construction with a focus on next generation technology deployment, scaling cutting-edge technology, and operational efficiency. Leaders from Volvo Group and CRH met in Eskilstuna, Sweden on November 13 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on opportunities to accelerate the transition to net-zero. Both organizations are on ambitious journeys to reduce emissions. Volvo Group’s target is to have 35% fully electric sales by 2030 and be net-zero in its value chain by 2040. CRH is targeting a 30% reduction in group-wide emissions by 2030 and to become a net-zero business by 2050. CRH is the leading building materials solutions business in North America and Europe. With operations in 29 countries, it has been a long-standing key customer of many Volvo Group companies.
From the extraction and processing of raw materials, through to transport across the supply chain, to the point of use in construction, there are many types of equipment and vehicles in use across CRH, and many opportunities to drive down emissions. CRH, through its Innovation Centre for Sustainable Construction, will provide its expertise to identify opportunities to maximize the value of sustainable innovation in construction. Volvo Group’s brands – Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, Mack Trucks and Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) – will contribute with their expertise in sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions to the partnership.
Both companies have previously successfully collaborated in projects for both on-road and off-road segments of the CRH business. This includes the first fully electric concrete mixer in the UK, developed by Renault Trucks and deployed by Tarmac, a CRH Company, and the introduction of the first Volvo FM Electric truck in France, operated on behalf of Eqiom, a CRH Company. Earlier this year, Volvo CE delivered North America´s first machine made of fossil free steel, An A30G Articulated Hauler (first fossil-free steel articulated haul truck). This unit is now operating at Pennsy Supply, a CRH company in North America. Additionally, both companies jointly participated in a Net Zero Roads event held in the UK in October 2023 testing the Volvo L120H Electric wheel loader, L25 Electric compact wheel loader, EC230 Electric crawler excavator at various Tarmac operational sites. Volvo CE also plans to demo an L120H Electric wheel loader at a European CRH site in early 2024. Read More
| Oil and Gas Blends | Units | Oil Price US$/bbl | Change |
| Crude Oil (WTI) | USD/bbl | $77.42 | Down |
| Crude Oil (Brent) | USD/bbl | $82.28 | Down |
| Bonny Light | USD/bbl | $79.64 | Down |
| Saharan Blend | USD/bbl | $80.40 | Down |
| Natural Gas | USD/MMBtu | $2.89 | Down |
| OPEC basket 17/11/23 | USD/bbl | $81.08 | Down |
ChargePoint has appointed Rick Wilmer as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 16, 2023. In conjunction with the appointment, Mr. Wilmer has joined the ChargePoint Board of Directors.
Since joining ChargePoint as Chief Operating Officer in July 2022, Mr. Wilmer has been responsible for Product Management, Development, Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain, as well as Customer Experience. Prior to ChargePoint, Mr. Wilmer’s career spanned more than 30 years in global technology, operations and customer support. He brings business and financial acumen to ChargePoint from his prior leadership roles, including the position of CEO at Pliant Technology, Leyden Energy, Mojo Networks and Chowbotics.
“I am honored to be appointed CEO, and I am excited to guide ChargePoint into our next chapter of growth and evolution,” said Mr. Wilmer. “I look forward to working with our amazing employees, customers and partners to make a positive difference for them and the planet we all share.” Wilmer succeeds Pasquale Romano, who has served as ChargePoint’s CEO since 2011. Mr. Romano will remain as an advisor to ensure a seamless transition. ChargePoint also announced that Chief Financial Officer Rex Jackson has departed the company, effective today. Mansi Khetani, who is currently ChargePoint’s Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, has been named interim CFO and ChargePoint will commence a search to identify a permanent candidate.
Bruce Chizen, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “On behalf of the ChargePoint Board of Directors, we thank Mr. Romano and Mr. Jackson for their incredible contributions, and wish them the best in their future endeavors. We are fortunate to have Mr. Wilmer as a seasoned executive with a track record of success at ChargePoint to usher the company into its next chapter of growth.” Read full article
ChargePoint , a leading provider of networked solutions for charging electric vehicles (EVs), announced certain preliminary third quarter financial results for fiscal year 2024. The Company will report its full third quarter financial results and update full year revenue and fourth quarter fiscal 2024 guidance on an investor conference call to be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. PST (4:30 p.m. EST).
As announced separately and effective today, ChargePoint has appointed Rick Wilmer as President and Chief Executive Officer and named Mansi Khetani as Interim Chief Financial Officer.
“Our core markets of North America and Europe both came under pressure late in the third quarter, with revenue falling far short of expectations. Overall macroeconomic conditions, along with fleet and commercial vehicle delivery delays impacted anticipated deployments with government, auto dealership and workplace customers,” said Rick Wilmer, President and CEO of ChargePoint.
Over the past 18 months in his prior role as Chief Operating Officer, Wilmer has completed a thorough analysis of ChargePoint’s supply chain, manufacturing partnerships and inventory management approach. “The ChargePoint board and I are committed to significantly improving operational execution to ensure that the Company is building a stronger, more resilient business for the benefit of all stakeholders. Our first steps are to take an additional non-cash inventory impairment charge related to product transitions and to better align inventory with current demand. We remain committed to our goal of generating positive adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of calendar 2024,” said Wilmer.
Preliminary Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Performance
Revenue of $108 to $113 million, as compared to $150 to $165 million as previously expected.
ChargePoint expects to take a non-cash impairment charge of $42 million resulting in GAAP gross margin of negative 23% to negative 21% and non-GAAP gross margin of negative 19% to negative 17%.
Pre-impairment non-GAAP gross margin of 19% to 21%, as compared to 22% to 25% as previously expected.
ChargePoint expects GAAP operating expenses of $129 million to $131 million. Non-GAAP operating expenses of $80 million to $82 million, as compared to $81 million to $84 million as previously expected.
As of October 31, 2023, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash was approximately $397 million, which includes $232 million of at-the-market share offering gross proceeds, as previously announced on October 11, 2023.
As of October 31, 2023, ChargePoint’s $150 million revolving credit facility remains undrawn, and the Company has no drawn debt maturities until 2028. Read full article
Rolls-Royce announced that it has successfully completed compatibility testing of 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on all its in-production civil aero engine types. This fulfils a commitment, made in 2021, to demonstrate there are no engine technology barriers to the use of 100% SAF.
A ground test on a BR710 business jet engine at the company’s facility in Canada, completed the test regime. Other engines tested as part of the programme were: Trent 700, Trent 800, Trent 900, Trent 1000, Trent XWB-84, Trent XWB-97, Trent 7000, BR725, Pearl 700, Pearl 15 and Pearl 10X.
Testing has involved a variety of ground and flight tests to replicate in-service conditions. All the tests confirmed the use of 100% SAF does not affect engine performance. Read full article
After being named “Group CEO 2023” by Automotive News at the beginning of September 2023, Luca de Meo has just been named “the most powerful person in the automotive sector” by British magazine Autocar Business.
The Power List ranks the world’s 100 most influential automotive heads, based on the following criteria: global reach and influence, spending power, share of voice, technological influence, future growth potential and market capitalisation. Read full article
Baker Hughes Rig Count: U.S. +2 to 618 Canada -3 to 196
U.S. Rig Count is up 2 from last week to 618 with oil rigs up 6 to 500, gas rigs down 4 to 114 and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 4.
Canada Rig Count is down 3 from last week to 196, with oil rigs down 2 to 123, and gas rigs down 1 to 73.
International Rig Count is up 22 rigs from last month to 962 with land rigs up 27 to 743, offshore rigs down 5 to 219.
| Region | Period | Rig Count | Change |
| U.S.A | 17 November 2023 | 618 | +2 |
| Canada | 17 November 2023 | 196 | -3 |
| International | October 2023 | 962 | +22 |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the introduction of the new Honda SENSING 360+*1 omnidirectional safety and driver-assistive system which removes blind spots around the vehicle and contributes to collision avoidance and the reduction of driver burden while driving.
Starting with the Honda CR-V that went on sale in China in 2022, Honda began offering the current Honda SENSING 360 omnidirectional safety and driver-assistive system. This system removed blind spots around the vehicle by realizing 360-degree sensing*2 with a total of five units of millimeter-wave radar in front and at each corner of the vehicle, contributing to the avoidance of collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians and reducing the burden on the driver.
In addition to the functions of the current Honda SENSING 360, Honda SENSING 360+ will newly adopt a driver monitoring camera and high-definition maps to improve functions to monitor the driver’s condition and to control the vehicle, respectively, to further reduce driver burden. By reducing health-related or human error-triggered collisions with such new technologies, Honda will strive to offer vehicles which enable everyone to enjoy the freedom of mobility with complete peace of mind and encourage people to want to go out more actively and go farther in their vehicles. Honda is planning to begin applying the new Honda SENSING 360+ to Accord which will go on sale in China in 2024 before expanding the application on a global basis. Read More
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. held rally event at the Aoyama Welcome Plaza within the Honda Global Head Office in Tokyo, ahead of the NTT Japan Rugby League One 2023-2024 season, which begins on Saturday, December 9, 2023. At the event, Manabu Ozawa, a Managing Executive Officer of Honda, introduced Honda’s approach to sports activities, which is based on its desire to become the “power” that supports people who take on challenges through sports. Then, Kieran Crowley, who begins his first season as the new head coach of the MIE Honda HEAT, explained his vision for an innovative team building approach, including recruiting of new players and coaches. Other members who shared their passionate feeling and commitment for this season at the event included the team’s General Manager Yoshihito Maeda, the captain Ryo Furuta and other key players, including Franco Mostert, who contributed to the South Africa national team’s victory in the recently concluded 2023 Rugby World Cup, and up-and-coming players such as Viliami Afu Kaipouli. Read More
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced that the gasoline model and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model of the Outlander crossover SUV have earned a maximum five-star rating in the 2022 Latin NCAP1, an automobile assessment program for vehicles sold in Latin America. Mitsubishi Motors remains committed to its safety philosophy of achieving a mobility society with zero traffic accidents through continued efforts to develop safety technologies and to spread knowledge about traffic safety.
The Outlander employs Mitsubishi Motors’ high-rigidity RISE2 body and seven SRS airbags to ensure collision safety performance and comes equipped with advanced safety features such as Forward Collision Mitigation system (FCM) to enhance preventive safety performance. These features have also earned the model the highest five-star ratings in JNCAP3 in Japan, as well as in the ANCAP4 in Australia and New Zealand.
With “I-Fu-Do-Do” or authentic and majestic in Japanese as the product concept, the Outlander is Mitsubishi Motors’ flagship model which brings together its expertise in electrification and all-wheel control technologies. To date, approximately 210,000 units5 of the gasoline model have been sold in more than 40 countries around the world. Following the launch in Japan in 2021, the redesigned PHEV model has been introduced in New Zealand, Australia and North America, reaching a total of 50,000 units6 sold thus far. Read More
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is celebrating dealer partners who go above and beyond for their communities. They provide more than just a great place to buy a car – they help their hometowns thrive in the good times and heal in the challenging times. They rise to the occasion, whatever the occasion may be.
Rath Mitsubishi is a family-owned and operated dealership located in Springdale, Arkansas, and part of the Rath Auto Resources group. After starting as a pre-owned car dealership in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the group expanded, and Rath Mitsubishi began selling new Mitsubishi vehicles in early 2020.
Now, David Rath is the general manager of the store and assists his wife in building her non-profit to pay forward a kind gesture that was extended to them during times of difficulty for their new family. Read More
(Reuters) – U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Monday the federal government will do everything it can using existing regulatory powers to ensure that General Motors (GM.N) robotaxi unit Cruise and other autonomous vehicles are deployed safely.
Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt resigned on Sunday, a day after apologizing to staff as the company undergoes a safety review of its U.S. fleet. Cruise pulled all of its vehicles from U.S. testing after an Oct. 2 accident in San Francisco that involved another vehicle and ended with one of Cruise’s self-driving taxis dragging a pedestrian.
“We’re going to do everything we can with the authorities we do have, which are not trivial,” Buttigieg told reporters.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of Buttigieg’s department, has opened an investigation into whether Cruise is taking sufficient precautions to safeguard pedestrians.
In October, the California Department of Motor Vehicles ordered Cruise to remove its driverless cars from state roads, calling them a risk to the public and saying the company had misrepresented the safety of its technology. Read More
(Reuters) – Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Kia (000270.KS) see strong U.S. demand for electric vehicles (EVs), senior executives at the South Korean automakers told Reuters ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The comments run against industry fears that inflation and higher interest rates will undermine the boom in EV sales. Other major EV makers from Tesla (TSLA.O) to Ford Motor (F.N) have pushed back EV-related factory buildouts in the face of economy-related concern. Read More
ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), announced the first large scale deployment of its new Express Plus Power Link 2000 DC fast charging platform. The Power Link system, capable of delivering charging speeds up to 500kW, debuted today as the charging hardware and software driving the fastest public charging network in North America: Mercedes-Benz HPC NA.
“With the deployment of Express Plus Power Link 2000, ChargePoint is setting a new standard by offering sustained, ultra high speed charging for all EV drivers,” said Rick Wilmer, COO of ChargePoint. “We congratulate Mercedes-Benz on the launch of their HPC NA network, and we look forward to boosting the availability of fast, reliable public DC charging on North American roads.”
Express Plus is a modular DC fast charging platform. The architecture is based upon Power Blocks, which in turn house up to five Power Modules to reach a desired charging specification. The Power Blocks deliver power that can be dynamically shared amongst Power Link charging stations, which are the actual units that plug into a vehicle. Featuring liquid-cooled cables with hardware designed and tested to deliver a reliable charging experience, these stations can simultaneously charge two vehicles at one time, at sustained high speeds of up to 500kW. Power Blocks intelligently and dynamically allocate power based on what specific vehicles can accommodate as they charge.
Offered under ChargePoint’s Express Plus architecture, the Power Link 2000 station debuts with a number of critical features that both EV drivers and site hosts have long been waiting for. Most notable is the ability to charge two vehicles simultaneously at very high speeds from the same charging station. Offering charging speeds of up to 500kW – a rate even faster than current EVs are capable of charging – Express Plus is designed to meet the charging needs of both current and future EVs. Notably, Power Link 2000 uses a proprietary cooling architecture to deliver these peak speeds for sustained periods of time, meaning an EV driver can charge and go without unexpected additional dwell times.
ChargePoint software combines with the Express Plus Power Link 2000 to enable a seamless driver experience. Long awaited features making their debut include preferential charger access via a reservation system, and automatic payment functionality via “Plug & Charge.” While authentication via card, app or user interface are possible, it is not required for drivers of vehicles that have enabled these services. Read More
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