FORD has invested $75 million ($A100 million) in Velodyne, a Californian company that makes laser sensors for autonomous cars. The “Lidar” sensors help autonomous cars scan the road and plot a safe course. The new sensors will be fitted to the side mirrors of Ford’s Fusion (also known as the Mondeo) hybrid self-driving cars that the company plans to publicly roll out in 2021.
SG Fleet, one of four listed Australian fleet services groups, posted a $47 million net profit – up 16.1 per cent on last year – for the 2015-16 financial year and said it is now actively looking for further acquisitions to build its business. The profit included costs associated with SG’s purchase of Melbourne-based novated specialist nlc. After those costs, profit after tax was $51.2 million, or 26.4 per cent more than a year earlier. SG also recently bought UK-based Fleet Hire and, in Australia, has entered into an exclusive arrangement with share car business GoGet to offer their vehicles to SG Fleet customers, including a government agency.
HOLDEN is staying on the track after signing a three-year motorsport agreement with Triple Eight Race Engineering. The new single factory-backed team will be known from the 2017 season as Red Bull Holden Racing Team. Holden also confirms the next-generation, imported Commodore will race from 2018. The new factory-backed Red Bull Holden Racing Team will develop, build and race with the next-generation Commodore Supercar from 2018. Red Bull replaces Walkinshaw Racing.
HYUNDAI Motor Company is in discussions with Google about further partnerships. The two companies have some common areas that may require cooperation, said Hyundai Motor president Jeong Jin Haeng. Jeong didn’t give further details or confirm if the auto-maker is considering developing autonomous cars with Google. Hyundai has been among the most active automakers adopting Apple’s CarPlay and Google-parent Alphabet’s Android Auto. Unlike rival car-makers, Hyundai has not entered into joint ventures or alliances to make niche models and electric vehicles though is now looking for partnerships with technology companies.
LAND Rover has slotted its new in-house 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Ingenium engine into the 2017 model Range Rover. It claims the engine, also fitted into the new Jaguar F-Pace SUV, has emissions as low as 164g/km CO2 and is capable of a combined fuel economy of 6.2L/100km. Yet it said the engine provides performance “in line” with the outgoing 3.0-litre TDV6 V6 turbo-diesel. The new Ingenium engine is also lighter, providing improved responses, enhanced agility and superior dynamics. Land Rover will also introduce new technology such as the Advanced Tow Assist feature that aids manoeuvring when towing large loads. The driver can set the direction of a trailer when reversing using the Terrain Response 2 rotary dial and the vehicle will make all the necessary steering adjustments automatically.
VOLVO has teased its new V40 and XC40 models, based on the short-wheelbase CMA platform, that will go on sale in 2018. The cars will be shown publicly at the Geneva motor show in March. The 40-series models will use a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine which is derived from the existing 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine family. The CMA platform will be shared with cars from Volvo parent company, Chinese vehicle-maker Geely.
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