It would appear our new Research Snapshots have gone down a treat with our readers, judging by the popularity of our review of door innovations this week.
We’ve also just posted one on glazing and there’s more on the cooker – look for electrically powered steering systems and shock absorbers to come under our analysts’ steely gaze next week.
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A surprising development this week: Johnson Controls, aka JCI, saying its auto operations – it specialises in cockpits and interiors, of course – are likely going to be sold off following a strategic review.
We drilled a little deeper and discovered this was indeed likely to happen as JCI eyes a ‘multi-industrial’ rather than ‘automotive supplier’ future though the battery business – ‘power solutions’ in JCI-speak – is likely to be retained as it serves a wider market.
We’ve been keeping an eye on quickening M&A in our beloved autobiz and have a Hot Topic you might like to check out.
Some of us were at a key auto conference this week – held conveniently almost on home turf – and, among other things, we heard Aston Martin chief and auto industry veteran Andy Palmer talking of his ideas and plans for the specialist sportscar maker.
Aston made in Alabama, anyone?
This week’s big product announcement was BMW’s redesigned 7 series, again to be built largely in Dingolfing. The bit Gadget Nut here was most interested in, of course, was the remote park by key trick, a new option in a model that has always been Munich’s technology flagship (you can bet even money it’ll eventually trickle down to your 1 series). Being the first on your block to demonstrate that would be fun.
But, as a colleague opined: “Didn’t you once have a man to do that?”
Have a nice weekend.
Graeme Roberts, Deputy Editor, just-auto.com
