There is, undeniably, some very impressive R&D work going on with things like stereoscopic displays and augmented reality. These technologies hold out the hope of an improved and safer experience – for the driver and passengers. Just imagine. Passengers could stream 3D movies and I seem to recall there has also been progress on creating sound bubbles or zones inside cabins. And I loved the image that came with this article about an initiative at JLR.
Jaguar Land Rover developing next-gen 3D cockpit displays
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JLR was also in the news this week over a proposed parts distribution facility. It’s a major investment – if it gets approved by the planning authority.
China is not an easy place for automotive firms to do business as the economy slows and people wonder where the US-China trade spat is heading. Ford, among others, has not had an easy time there and has been looking to change things for a while, but progress has been slow. The pressure is on to get China operations right-sized and in line with demand (but flexible and able to grow), with the right products, the right local manufacturing set-up and the right distribution network. The new Ford chief there – Steven Armstrong – will have quite a job to do (he did pretty well in Europe, which explains why he is going).
Ford’s Armstrong moves to Changan Ford JV
Ford also caught my eye over an intriguing esports initiative. The crossover between gaming and future mobility scenarios/modelling is something Ford has flagged before, but the main driver to this looks to be product placement with a big audience.
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By GlobalDataVolkswagen‘s iconic corporate logo is one of the best in the business. You’d want to be very careful if updating it as part of a broader brand makeover. Well, after dieselgate perhaps, maybe it is not such a bad idea to have a break of sorts with the past, all hail to the e-mobility driven future. It will be interesting to see what VW announces next month at the IAA. And a ‘sound logo’? Wow. (Alas, I guess the opening ICE notes in Kraftwerk’s Autobahn is not quite how they are thinking; it might well be more like this: ‘Canto’ from Nissan. Gregorian chants anyone?)
Volkswagen to show new logo at IAA
Something to keep an eye on is FCA-Renault merger talks. I have little doubt that conversations have or may well be taking place, but getting all the ducks in a row – particularly so that Nissan/Tokyo/Paris are all happy, Turin/Auburn Hills a given – won’t be straightforward after the last proposed deal’s rapid collapse. The industrial logic for the combination remains very strong, however – and that’s why I think the story may still have legs.
Further Fiat-Renault merger talks rumoured
It is, of course, August and the sloooow news season. Here is a question you don’t hear often: Do you associate Suzuki with lunar exploration? Me neither. But Suzuki is clearly lifting its horizons and good on them.
‘By supporting the design of the HAKUTO-R spacecraft, Suzuki will contribute to the lunar economy, in alignment with ispace’s vision of expanding the Earth’s economy to the Moon and, ultimately, expanding human presence into outer space.’ So take that. There you have it. A car company that really wants to take us on the longest of long journeys.
Suzuki to help with lunar exploration tech
We’ve a public holiday on Monday (26th August), so we’ll be back online, and on terra firma, on Tuesday.
Have a nice weekend.
Dave Leggett
Editor, just-auto
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