Important Innovations Collection

Audi, BMW & Daimler Go Hydrogen Along With Asian Automakers                            Source: BMW & Other Hydrogen Vehicles Europe Joining Japan, South Korea & China in Development of Green Hydrogen Cars Big German automakers, including BMW and Audi, are betting that hydrogen fuel cell technology is extremely important to the future of driving, along with battery electric cars.  The current global consensus is that electric battery vehicles, your current and future EV, are the primary key to the near term, global automotive future.  But the new twist from top automotive executives is the growing support building around the upcoming emergence of hydrogen powered cars, which are clean, zero emissions and much quicker to re-fuel.  BMW and Audi, in particular, are ramping up their hydrogen vehicle development plans. They know that EV's remain a big part of the zero emissions future of...

Daimler & China's Geely to Develop Next-G Combustion Engine                                                Source:  2021 Mercedes New Engine for Hybrids German based automotive company Daimler and China's automaker Geely have just announced a partnership to develop a next generation combustion engine for use in hybrid vehicles.  The surprise announcement came as many governments, including the European Union, are tightening regulations on auto emissions.  Daimler says the new engine will be modular and highly efficient.  It will be manufactured in both China and Europe for use in hybrid drivetrains. Daimler Saving Money Daimler sets the bar in global automotive innovation and luxury. Geely is a huge automotive powerhouse.  It owns Volvo, the US based flying car company Terrafugia, Geely Auto, Lotus, Proton and has a 9.69...

Partner to Develop Self-Driving Semi Trucks                                                            Source:  Daimler Trucks and Waymo Driverless Big Rigs Daimler and Alphabet/Google Waymo announced today that they are collaborating on the development of self-driving Class 8 semi trucks.  Specifically, they plan on incorporating Waymo's automated system into Daimler's Freightliner Cascadia semi trucks.  These are very big rigs capable of hauling 33,000 pounds. Big Win for Waymo This is a big win for Waymo which has been trying to collaborate with major, established automakers.  Waymo CEO John Krafcik, during a conference call about the deal, said it will take some time to develop the braking, steering and other technologies needed to bring fully self-driving semi trucks to market in high volum...

Daimler and Geely Source:  Daimler Smart Car Global Tie-Ups To Create New EVs German luxury automaker Daimler and China's electric automaker Geely are exploring ways to deepen their cooperation in the research and development of electric vehicles.  The two companies have formed a China based venture to build electric Smart cars.  They've also joined forces to build a premium ride hailing venture.  And, among their projects, each has invested in Volocopter, a state of the art, electric multirotor helicopter/flying taxi service, based in Germany. Geely Operations and Expansions China-based Geely is a global automotive force.  It owns Volvo, Lotus and Terrafugia, the US based flying car company.  It also owns Lynk & Co. based in Sweden. Geely Chairman Li Shufu says he plans to roll out Lynk & Co. cars in Europe sometime in late 2020.  Lynk & Co. says it offers a new kind of mobility: simple pricing, flexible ownership and car sh...

Daimler and Volvo's New Fuel Cell Joint Venture Source:  Daimler Toyota's Hydrogen Powered Smart City Volvo and Mercedes' parent company Daimler have announced a joint venture to develop and make hydrogen fuel cell systems for big, heavy duty trucks - the biggest polluters on global highways. Daimler's truck division is spearheading the effort.  Volvo is pouring in $652 million for a 50% stake in the venture.  This new JV is an important look at the future of greener highways. Hydrogen's Advantages Electric vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells have significant advantages.  They provide much longer range, quick refueling times and emit water, not noxious carbon dioxide pollution.  In Japan, both Toyota and Honda are selling fuel cell Electric Vehicles.  In fact, Toyota, in particular, is betting the future will be driven by hydrogen fuel cells.  At the base of Mount Fuji, Toyota is building a small, smart city t...

BMW & Daimler Looking for New Mobility Services Partners Source:  BMW Blog - Car2Go Car2Go Driving FAS Two global luxury brands are leading the way on new, automotive mobility for drivers.  BMW and Daimler have just announced FAS. It's a 50-50 collaboration of Daimler's Car2Go car sharing business with BMW's DriveNow, ParkNow and e-ChargeNow.  This is a burgeoning space for the automotive industry, a menu of new car sharing, parking and electric car recharging services. These mobility services could prove to be the ultimate and most important on the ground driving services for consumers before the era of flying vehicles takes-off by the mid 2020's. FAS Forward FAS is designed to give customers a wide choice across brands for the new menu of services.  Daimler and BMW are looking for collaborators as well as financial investments in the new venture.  The personal mobility space is just starting to accelerate.  These ventures are more ...

BMW's New CEO Wants New Innovation Source:  BMW CEO Oliver Zipse Urges Staff to Embrace Innovation, Change & Overtake Mercedes BMW's new CEO Oliver Zipse is urging employees to embrace innovation and change in order to overtake and beat Daimler Mercedes-Benz in sales.  Demand for luxury cars has been slowing down.  BMW has been losing ground to Daimler over the past five years and has watched Tesla pull ahead in electric vehicle sales.  The global automotive industry is being jostled by pressing consumer demands for electric and autonomous vehicles.  That technology is very expensive to research, design and develop.  Mr. Zipse became BMW's CEO on August 16, 2019.  On the job just two days, he's pushing BMW to embrace change and develop new innovation. New Models, New Innovation CEO Zipse says he's preparing to launch new models and his goal is to have BMW far better than competitors in products, services, costs, processes and structure....

Daimler's Breakthrough:  New Cascadia Source:  Daimler's Cascadia Semi that's Semi-Autonomous Daimler's Freightliner new Cascadia is a semi-truck that is a breakthrough semi-autonomous vehicle.  Daimler unveiled the truck innovation at the CES 2019. Level 2 Driver's Assistance It has what's called Level 2 driver's assistance features.  That's what is provided in semi-autonomous cars.  In a truck that can haul 80,000 pounds that is remarkable innovation. Tech Helping to Make for Safer Roads The tech includes adaptive cruise control, assistance to stay within the lane (Lane keep assist), blind spot monitoring and full automatic breaks for pedestrians and cyclists.  It is technology to keep roads and travel safer. For more news blogs on innovation, go to  amazon.com/author/ekane