Industry News for Automotive Technology: August 3-9
Content
- Director of Google's self-driving car project leaves the company
- Automakers prepare for mobility as a service
- Automotive Research Center report contradicts concerns about harm to industry
- NADA proposes mandatory autonomous vehicle checks
- VW faces more scams
- PTEN Announces 2016 Annual Innovation Award Winners
- Mainstream Aluminum Vehicles Force Change in Industry
- Bugatti Chiron and Vision Gran Turismo Concept Sell Before Pebble Beach
Every week we bring together the latest automotive industry news and interesting content not to be missed. Here is the digest for the week of August 3rd to 9th.
Director of Google's self-driving car project leaves the company
Chris Urmson, director of the self-driving car project at Google, has announced that he is parting ways with the company. While tensions were reportedly between him and the new CEO of Google's automotive division, he didn't elaborate, simply saying he was "ready for a new challenge."
With a resume like his, chances are he won't be short of new challenges to take on.
Read the full story of Chris Urmson's departure at engadget.
Automakers prepare for mobility as a service
Automakers around the world are trying to keep up with the times and be relevant in the ever-changing automotive-related technology industry. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) startups are being bought around the world almost faster than they can be launched.
Some in the industry say the transition from private car ownership to a car-sharing economy will hurt the auto industry, so big manufacturers are getting ahead of the game by stepping into action now.
After all, the best way to stay profitable in the sharing economy is to own it.
Read the full story on the MaaS startup acquisition at Forbes.
Automotive Research Center report contradicts concerns about harm to industry
Contradictory to the above post on Mobility as a Service, a new report from the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) states that although there will be an impact on the industry, the new sharing economy won’t actually hurt car sales.
They go on to state that this actually creates many new opportunities for automakers to make money in the future if they are willing to embrace the change. Nissan is already looking to the future, partnering with a San Francisco-based electric four-wheel scooter rental service to introduce a Renault scooter sold only in Europe.
Read the full article on CAR's recent report on Wards Auto.
NADA proposes mandatory autonomous vehicle checks
As self-driving cars become more of a reality every day, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has called for mandatory regular vehicle inspections to ensure that self-driving cars are regularly serviced, comparing this to the aviation industry.
Perhaps this will lead to standardized inspection rules for all vehicles across the country, rather than individual state decisions, as the current model works.
Read the full NADA Inspection Report at Ratchet+Wrench.
VW faces more scams
By now, everyone knows all about VW Dieselgate and the massive lawsuit associated with it. If you haven't, long story short, VW has installed emissions cheat software on TDI-equipped vehicles around the world, primarily affecting 2.0-litre TDI engines. While they acknowledged that the 3.0 V6 TDI also had software installed, it is not yet known to what extent. Now regulators have uncovered more malware hidden deep in the ECM of 3.0 V6 TDI engines. This software is capable of completely deactivating all electronic emission control systems after 22 minutes of driving. This is probably no coincidence, as most outlier tests take 20 minutes or less.
Seriously guys? Come on.
Read the full post on how to cheat VW on Ratchet+Wrench.
PTEN Announces 2016 Annual Innovation Award Winners
Professional Tool and Equipment News has released the full list of its annual 2016 Innovation Award winners. The annual award is given to the best new tool in each of many categories to help potential equipment buyers decide what might be best for them and what might not. offers the best value for money.
PTEN Innovation Award. Many instruments come in, only one leaves... there is a winner in each category.
Read the full list of PTEN Award winners on the Vehicle Service Pros website.
Mainstream Aluminum Vehicles Force Change in Industry
Cars with aluminum body panels have been used for many years, but mostly exclusively on expensive sports and luxury vehicles. Step into the new Ford F-150, the best-selling car in America since 1981. This new F-150 uses aluminum bodywork and side panels for significant weight savings, improved fuel economy and towing/carrying capacity.
With aluminum body panels now adorning the nation's most popular vehicle, bodyshops will have to adapt and invest in new tools and training to be ready for more aluminum work. See what tools and tips you need to succeed with your aluminum body repair.
Read the full story, including essential tips and tools, at the Vehicle Service Pros website.
Bugatti Chiron and Vision Gran Turismo Concept Sell Before Pebble Beach
Looks like you missed your chance. An unnamed Middle Eastern luxury car collector just bought two of the most coveted cars to be shown at Pebble Beach long before the event.
While neither car is available for purchase right now, you can still see both at Pebble Beach next week. There they will make a previously planned stop so that thousands of enthusiastic fans can see the cars in person.
Find out more about the sale of these two stunning Bugattis at Forbes.com.
