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PSA starts production at Kenitra plant in Morocco

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Groupe PSA has started production at the Kenitra plant in Morocco. The project was launched with the signing of an agreement between Groupe PSA and the Kingdom of Morocco on 19 June 2015.

Four years on, the factory is up and running and includes the roll-out of a complete ecosystem for Groupe PSA in Morocco, with a steering centre based in Casablanca for the Middle East and Africa region and an operational R&D centre.

Groupe PSA has a network of 62 local suppliers, with 27 new supplier sites set up to meet the needs of the Kenitra plant.

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Bosch and Daimler to pilot automated driving in California

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Bosch and Daimler have chosen in a city located in the San Francisco Bay in Silicon Valley, California, as the pilot location for a first test fleet developing fully-automated and driverless driving.

Bosch and Daimler will offer customers a shuttle service with automated vehicles on selected routes. Daimler Mobility Services is envisaged as the operator of this test fleet and the app-based mobility service.

The pilot project will demonstrate how mobility services such as car sharing (car2go), ride-hailing (mytaxi) and multi-modal platforms (moovel) can be intelligently connected to shape the future of mobility.

[Read more…] about Bosch and Daimler to pilot automated driving in California

Continental inaugurates new fuel cell laboratory with German university

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Continental AG is expanding its fuel cell technology sector, opening the newly established Fuel Cell Laboratory for Fuel Cell Technology with the Chemnitz University of Technology Professorship of Advanced Powertrains (ALF).

With the installation of a large hydrogen tank (H2 Tank) in February 2019 at a laboratory belonging to ALF, a central requirement for the expansion to more extensive measuring capabilities was put into place.

ALF, headed by Prof. Dr. Thomas von Unwerth, has an excellent reputation in the field of research and development of fuel cells.

[Read more…] about Continental inaugurates new fuel cell laboratory with German university

Magna signs first complete vehicle manufacturing joint venture in China

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Magna, BAIC Group and the Zhenjiang government celebrated the signing of a framework agreement governing their electric vehicle manufacturing joint venture in Zhenjiang, China, which marks another milestone of their continued cooperation.

The transaction, which is pending regulatory approval and other closing conditions, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The joint venture, which is to be controlled by an affiliate of the BAIC Group, is Magna’s first investment in a complete vehicle manufacturing facility outside Europe.

[Read more…] about Magna signs first complete vehicle manufacturing joint venture in China

World’s largest hydrogen fuelling station launched in Shanghai

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SAIC Motor and Shanghai Chemical Industrial Park have jointly launched a hydrogen fuel cell car refuelling station, which is currently the largest and highest-level of its kind in the world.

The Chinese auto maker has developed three types of new energy vehicles – electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs)– and mastered several FCV core technologies.

The company has participated in the formulation of 15 national standards on FCV and is the first Chinese auto maker to have achieved the commercial application of hydrogen fuel cell in passenger cars and commercial cars.

[Read more…] about World’s largest hydrogen fuelling station launched in Shanghai

Stäubli charging system installed for electric vehicles at Long Beach port

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Stäubli’s Quick Charging Connector (QCC), a rapid charging system for the automatic charging of electric vehicles, have been incorporated in high powers chargers installed by Tritium at the Port of Long Beach, California, USA.

SSA Marine, which manages the terminal at the Port of Long Beach, is transforming 33 diesel-powered tractors by retrofitting them with all-electric drivetrain systems.

Tritium, an Australian company that designs and manufactures fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles, will install its Veefil High Power Chargers (HPCs), type PK 175kW DC to power SSA Marine’s fleet of terminal tractors.

[Read more…] about Stäubli charging system installed for electric vehicles at Long Beach port

Hyundai launches first car with solar roof charging system

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Hyundai Motor is launching its first car with a solar roof charging system.

The automaker says the “groundbreaking eco-friendly technology” will provide vehicles with additional electrical power, as well as increasing fuel efficiency and driving range.

Hyundai Motor’s solar roof charging system makes its debut on the New Sonata Hybrid. The system supports the vehicle’s electric power source, improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. [Read more…] about Hyundai launches first car with solar roof charging system

Kodiak Robotics expands into Texas and begins first autonomous freight deliveries

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Kodiak Robotics, a startup developing self-driving technology for long-haul trucking, has started making its first commercial deliveries with a safety driver behind the wheel.

Kodiak achieved this milestone just 16 months after the company was formed. Kodiak also announced it will be supporting its growing testing and freight operations from a new facility in North Texas.

Kodiak operates as a true freight carrier, with self-driving trucks operating on “middle mile” highway routes. [Read more…] about Kodiak Robotics expands into Texas and begins first autonomous freight deliveries

GM to invest additional $20 million in Texas plant

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General Motors is investing an additional $20 million at Arlington Assembly to upgrade plant conveyors in preparation for the launch of GM’s new SUVs.

GM has invested more than $1.4 billion in Arlington Assembly since 2015 to build a new paint shop and for body shop and general assembly area upgrades.

The new upgrades at Arlington are scheduled to be completed next year.

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Groupe PSA tests test vehicle-to-infrastructure communications in Spain

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For the first time in an urban environment, The Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia and Groupe PSA are testing the contribution that communication technologies can make to the development of automated vehicle functions.

The aim is to see how well vehicles can communicate with the surrounding infrastructure in a complex urban environment.

The tests carried out in Vigo related to: an automated valet parking system; autonomous driving in an urban environment; optimal speed regulation when approaching a traffic light; and protection of vulnerable users.

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