Latest technology/r&d news and analysis articles 
High-tech innovations and research developments including current and future automotive technologies
UK/JAPAN: Suzuki forms fuel cell JV with UK company
7 February 2012
Suzuki and UK-based Intelligent Energy have formed a joint venture to manufacture fuel cell systems for the Japanese company’s next generation of fuel cell vehicles.
GENEVA PREVIEW: Look, honey, we shrunk the hybrid powertrain
6 February 2012
A more compact version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system used in larger models, like the Prius and Auris, will make its debut in Toyota Europe's Yaris hybrid due out later this year.
PRODUCT EYE: Renault Kangoo Maxi Z.E.
1 February 2012
White Van Man might well be in danger of losing his innate haste and stress, should he get behind the wheel of the new EV version of Renault's Kangoo van.
GENEVA PREVIEW: Updated global debuts list
30 January 2012
An updated version of just-auto's list of world premiere concepts and production models due to take their bows at the Geneva motor show's 6 March press day.
US: Ford to expand EcoBoost model range
27 January 2012
Ford is to increase the number of models sold in the United States equipped with its fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines from seven to 11 this year.
GERMANY: Ford triples park assist option output
26 January 2012
Ford Europe said on Wednesday it has now tripled production of its optional 'Active Park Assist' system, which helps drivers parallel park to meet demand from Focus and C-Max buyers. The system will also be offered on the redesigned Kuga on sale later this year.
UK: just-auto surveys the global auto industry
24 January 2012
just-auto has launched its latest annual survey of the auto industry to identify key trends and forecasts for the year ahead.
SWEDEN: Volvo in road train 'platoon' demonstration
24 January 2012
The SARTRE project (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) - with Volvo Car Corporation as the only participating car manufacturer - has successfully completed the first test demonstrations of a multiple vehicle platoon.
GERMANY: Mercedes to save on R&D budget
23 January 2012
Mercedes-Benz aims is targeting billions of euros in cost reductions annually by cutting the number of vehicle platforms and using more common parts across segments.
US: Honda delivers Fit EV to home city
23 January 2012
Honda's US unit has delivered a Fit [Jazz] EV battery-electric vehicle to the city of Torrance - south of Los Angeles where it is based - as part of an electric vehicle demonstration programme ahead of the retail market launch in California and Oregon this summer. The EV was displayed at the Detroit auto show this month.
US: Panel tells NHTSA to improve technical expertise
20 January 2012
A scientific panel has backed a US government finding that electronic software played no role in the sudden acceleration of Toyota vehicles which caused massive recalls two years ago.
UK: Government and industry join on hydrogen fuel cell project
18 January 2012
A claimed ground breaking project to ensure the UK is well positioned for the commercial roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles has been launched, business minister Mark Prisk announced on Wednesday (18 January).
US: Mercedes announces 'mbrace2' at CES
12 January 2012
Facebook, Yelp and Google will be incorporated into Mercedes-Benz's 2013 line, the carmaker announced at CES.
GENEVA PREVIEW: Updated global debuts list [Peugeot 208 added]
11 January 2012
Some additions to just-auto's list of world premiere concepts and production models due to take their bows at the Geneva motor show in March.
DETROIT SHOW: VW chases segment leadership with Jetta Hybrid
11 January 2012
It already offers four- and five-cylinder petrol engines as well as a 2.0-litre diesel. Now the US market's Volkswagen Jetta is going after leadership of the compact segment by adding a petrol-electric powertrain to the mix.
US: Daimler and Google deepen strategic partnership
11 January 2012
Today at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Daimler and Google announced a deepening of their strategic partnership
GENEVA PREVIEW: Toyota Yaris Hybrid
10 January 2012
The Detroit show hasn't even opened its doors to the public but this industry never sleeps - Toyota Motor Europe has just released details of the Yaris Hybrid, a world premiere for March's Geneva show.
US: Delphi developing wireless in-vehicle device charging
10 January 2012
Delphi says it will display its Wireless Device Charging System at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES; Las Vegas) next week.
DETROIT SHOW: Mercedes-Benz launches lighter SL-Class
9 January 2012
Mercedes-Benz is trumpeting a weight loss of over 100kg for the first new SL-Class in eleven years. The car is 50mm longer and 57mm wider than the existing R230 model.
DETROIT SHOW: Cadillac ATS gets CUE interface
9 January 2012
The new ATS launched at the Detroit show is the latest Cadillac to get CUE that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data. It is designed to be unique for each user and is completely customisable, much like an iPhone, tablet or personal computer home page and icons can even be transferred from the centre display to the instrument cluster in front of the driver with a flick of a finger.
Q&A with Delphi Powertrain Systems
5 January 2012
In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with Steve Kiefer, vice president Delphi and president Delphi Powertrain Systems and Prasad Kadle, director of advanced engineering, Delphi Thermal Systems about the clever ways in which Delphi designs its systems to ensure that CO2 is affordable.
Q&A with Productiv
3 January 2012
Productiv is a new company setting out to industrialise new and emerging green technologies and speed their introduction into the global automotive supply chain. It is supported by some heavyweight players, including the Carbon Trust, Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) and Welsh Automotive Forum. Productiv has three locations including a head office at the new SMMT building near Westminster in London; an engineering centre at the MIRA Technology Park near Coventry; and a production office at Bridgend, South Wales. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with Productiv’s CEO about the company’s business model and aims for 2012.
UK: Survey predicts 'high-tech' growth
3 January 2012
A survey by General Electric suggests that 'high-tech' businesses in the UK are expecting to grow in 2012.
December 2011 management briefing: Review of 2011 (part 2)
23 December 2011
Like any year in the auto industry, 2011 saw its fair share of company ups and downs, industrial comings and goings, and a fair old sprinkling of corporate drama. Added to the mix this year were devastating natural disasters. We covered it all on just-auto. Editor Dave Leggett sifts through the lot and picks out a few highlights from the year just gone, month by month. Part two covers the second half of the year.
US: Magneti Marelli system will connect cars to the Cloud
23 December 2011
Magneti Marelli has demonstrated a Linux-based prototype of what it claims is the first open-source infotainment system.
SOUTH KOREA: Kia launches EV with petrol engine sound
22 December 2011
Kia Motors has launched its first plug-in car, the Ray EV.
DETROIT PREVIEW: Lexus LF-LC hybrid supercar concept
22 December 2011
Following the breaking of a media embargo by multiple media, Toyota has issued an image of the Lexus LF-LC, a concept for the forthcoming North American International Auto Show.
December 2011 management briefing: Review of 2011 (part 1)
20 December 2011
Like any year in the auto industry, 2011 saw its fair share of company ups and downs, industrial comings and goings, and a fair old sprinkling of corporate drama. Added to the mix this year were devastating natural disasters. We covered it all on just-auto. Editor Dave Leggett sifts through the lot and picks out a few highlights from the year just gone, month by month. Part one covers the first half of the year.
Q&A with Federal-Mogul’s Powertrain Division
15 December 2011
Continuing its series of interviews with leading automotive powertrain suppliers, Matthew Beecham talked with Gian Maria Olivetti, vice president for Technology and Innovation, Powertrain Division, Federal-Mogul about its Advanced Corona Ignition System.
GERMANY: Opel slows Ampera awaiting US battery verdict
15 December 2011
Opel will postpone customer deliveries of its plug-in hybrid Ampera in Europe for an unspecified period of time, Financial Times Deutschland reported, citing the automaker.
