+++ APPLE is remaining remarkably secretive about its self-driving ambitions but, American media have learnt something intriguing about the ongoing venture. According to sources close to the project, Apple is developing a self-driving shuttle service which will ferry employees between different Apple buildings. It is thought that this shuttle will be a commercial vehicle from an existing automaker that’ll feature an Apple-developed autonomous driving system. A few years ago, Apple’s intent to venture into the automotive world was the industry’s worst kept secret. Dubbed project ‘Titan’, the technology company wanted to to follow in the footsteps of Tesla and launch its very own vehicle to massively disrupt the market. However, last year we learnt that Apple had scaled-back these ambitions and was instead focused solely on developing self-driving systems. Apple’s upcoming shuttle service is dubbed PAIL, for Palo Alto to Infinite Loop, and will ferry employees from the company’s office in Cupertino, California down the road to Palo Alto. While the service isn’t up and running just yet, it will act as a crucial tool for the company to test its technologies in real-world conditions. Back in April, Apple was given approval from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to test its autonomous technology in three self-driving Lexus RX 450h SUVs. +++
+++ A new patent registration from AUDI explains how the company aims to achieve reduced tailpipe emissions for vehicles using both an electric motor and a combustion engine. The new idea refers to a new way of driving (by selecting the hybrid vehicle’s most efficient navigation route) but also the system is dynamic and can adjust based on the model’s current operation mode and the future predictions. Audi’s hybrid-oriented navigation system would survey the route and then plan to maximize the efficiency and use of the electric motor for the selected course. The drivetrain’s status is also taken into account, so the possibilities could differ if the route involves either a fully charged battery or one that needs topping out soon. In that instance, the technology takes into account the best ways for the combustion engine to recharge the battery and adjust the route to max that feature as well. The system is also designed smart: the navigation settings could offer the drive the option to solely rely on the battery or a combination of ICE and EV, with the owner even able to select a point from where the vehicle would only use the electric motor. Audi’s patent is not for autonomous vehicles alone, and given that humans don’t necessarily do as the computer says, the system would again adapt if the EV range changes along the route. According to Audi, plug in hybrid owners, especially, “ideally want to cover the entire route with electric driving capability”. +++
+++ British car manufacturers could be on the verge of receiving post BREXIT tariffs because not enough of their components are sourced from local suppliers. Generally, UK firms must prove that 50 to 60 percent of a product’s components come from within the UK to escape tariffs. However, the Automotive Council states that on average, UK cars are only 44 percent British-made. Carmakers are currently permitted to classify parts sourced from Europe as British-made, allowing them to escape tariffs. However, when the country leaves the European Union, all of that will change as rules of origin policies are enforced, forcing brands to research using local suppliers at potentially higher prices. A spokesman from Honda has already said that the company is already investigating new suppliers for the Civic, currently manufactured in the town of Swindon. “If we have a free-trade agreement with the EU after Brexit, then we’ll have to have rules for determining whether the cars coming out of the U.K. really are considered British cars”, said Peter Holmes, an economist at the U.K. Trade Policy Observatory. Secretary general of European auto supplier association CLEPA, Sigrid de Vries, says that a number of car companies are “considering various options”. “Changes will be complex and painful. The automotive industry is a prime example of how the EU internal market has helped underpin competitiveness in the face of global competition: The sector operates on the global market place”, she confirmed. +++
+++ FERRARI CEO Sergio Marchionne seems to be moving away from building a modern version of the Dino sports car, due to other priorities, including the possibility of a Ferrari SUV. The Dino (which went without a Ferrari badge) was a mid-engined, rear-drive sports car produced by Ferrari from 1968-1976. The Dino badge was in honour of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari’s son Alfredo (nicknamed ‘Dino’) who was a racing driver and engineer, credited with the 1.5-litre V6 that would later see service in early formula racers. He died in 1956 at the age of 24 from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The Dino was an attempt by Ferrari to offer a lower-cost sports car to take on the Porsche 911, also fitted with a 6-cylinder motor (flat-6 and rear mounted), which would distinguish itself from the more premium Ferrari V12 models, all of which outperformed the Porsche. The first road-going Dino built by Ferrari (early 206 GT cars were built by Fiat for homologation purposes) was the 1968 Dino 206 GT, designed by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina. In 1968, the 206 GT was superseded by the 246 GT, and eventually, the eight-cylinder 308 GT4 2+2. Marchionne told a group of analysts on a recent earnings call that an entry-level sports car might diminish the brand’s exclusivity by downgrading from its V12 and V8 models. He also questioned the need to build cheaper sports cars to attract younger buyers, noting the brand’s incredibly young customers in Asia who can afford the cars, priced as they are. It’s a surprising move, given Marchionne told a media gathering at this year’s Geneva motor show, he wanted to boost sales to around 10,000 units; not by selling more of the current models, but by producing new Ferrari models. “We need to explore ways to attract customers to traditional values of the brand such as style, performance and sound before downgrading the entry-level price for the brand”, said Marchionne. Nevertheless, a final decision on the Dino and possibly news on an SUV, is not likely before Ferrari holds an investor day to announce its next 5-year plan first quarter 2018. +++
+++ At this point, it’s probably safe to say very few, if any, people know what’s going on at FIAT CHRYSLER Automobiles (FCA). Maybe a Chinese automaker will buy the entire company? Or not? Or maybe a different automaker will buy Jeep? In case you weren’t confused enough, the latest report says FCA’s next move might actually be to split Maserati and Alfa Romeo off into a separate company. According to Bloomberg, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and the entirety of their operations may soon split from the rest of FCA, allowing the remaining companies to focus on selling mass-market vehicles. But the alleged reason isn’t necessarily to sell more cars. It’s to make a merger with another automaker more likely. Bloomberg‘s source says several other options are being weighed as well, so FCA may still change its mind. Regardless, don’t expect a decision before 2018. If Maserati and Alfa Romeo did split off into their own company, Bloomberg says analysts estimate they’d be worth about $8.3 billion together, and the parts businesses would be worth approximately another $5.9 billion. But as it stands right now, Maserati doesn’t have nearly the brand cachet of the recently spun off Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo is far from an actual BMW or Mercedes-Benz competitor. Both brands will need serious injections of cash to become more competitive. Then again, FCA could always sell off Maserati and Alfa Romeo like it considered doing last year. Maybe a Chinese company would be more interested in that deal. +++
+++ A German government minister has decided to ditch his TESLA Model S after experiencing too much range anxiety. Automotive News has discovered through Germany’s Freedom of Information Act that member of the Green Party and the environment minister of North Rhein-Westphalia, Johannes Remmel, started to use a fleet Model S to see how it would handle his usual driving routine. Despite being a proponent of electric vehicles, Remmel returned the Model S after just 43 trips due to its insufficient range. According to a senior aide, the car wasn’t suitable for the minister’s commutes, despite being advertised with a range of 500 km. In fact, the aide claims it was impossible for Remmel to even achieve 400 km on a single charge, meaning the minister could only travel for about 150 km before knowing he’d have to turn back in order to make it home without running out of charge. What’s more, it is reported that in one instance, Remmel was forced to stop for about 90 minutes to top up just 10 kWh of energy at a conventional charging station. When you’re a busy government minister, that’s obviously a grave inconvenience. We know that in perfect hypermiling conditions, the Model S 100D can travel over 1,000 km on a charge. However, Remmel’s experience shows that range anxiety remains an issue for some drivers. +++
+++ One of the earliest investors in UBER says the ride-hailing company should join forces with Tesla to create the ultimate transportation company. Angel investor Jason Calacanis said that Elon Musk could act as the chief executive of both Uber and Tesla and keep founder Travis Kalanick as a board member of Uber. “If those two companies were together, they would beat everybody at transportation. They’re on a collision course for sure”, Calacanis said. Of course, a tie-up between Tesla and Uber is highly improbable but for what it’s worth, Calacanis does have tight relationships with both companies, while also being an early supporter of Musk and the proud owner of a Model S serial number 00001. Of course, he also has a vested interest in the matter and would stand to make a lot of money if Uber and Tesla teamed up. At the moment, the two firms are operating in distinct areas of the automotive market. However, both are developing self-driving software and Tesla intends on eventually launching fully-autonomous taxis, just like Uber. +++