Vehicles: Page
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Key IP Challenge: Protecting Vehicle Software
Computer files need to be protected against hacking, copying and other unauthorized use. Here are some ways to do that.
By Jake Grove • April 6, 2017 -
Smarter Approach to EV Battery Requirements Could Lower Costs
Experience with EVs may be giving automakers and battery suppliers the confidence to cut back on some of the costly over-engineering.
By David Zoia Editor • April 6, 2017 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
TrendlineTop 5 stories from WardsAuto
Automakers are evaluating their long-term strategies, revisiting their product mix, and approach to both retail and manufacturing approach along the way.
By WardsAuto staff -
Enthusiasts Bound to Rally ’Round Chevy Sport Truck
Chevrolet amps up its ’18 Tahoe and Suburban models with RST – Rally Sport Truck – special editions featuring trim and performance upgrades. RST options include the first application of General Motors’ 6.2L V-8 in a Tahoe.
By Bob Gritzinger • April 6, 2017 -
Panelists: Sharing, Autonomy Will Help More Than Hurt Industry, Society
While drivers’ jobs may go away, new jobs to service and maintain shared fleets will be created, says Uber’s Marakby.
April 5, 2017 -
Hyundai Introduces New Engine in Ioniq, Niro Hybrids
Hyundai engineers make efficiency gains on direct-injection, cooled-exhaust-gas-recirculation systems that give the Blue grade of the Ioniq hybrid class-leading fuel economy in the U.S.
April 5, 2017 -
Diesel Being Burned in Court of U.K. Public Opinion
Carbuyer.co.uk’s survey shows 61% of respondents have been put off buying a diesel car while 33% say they’re unaffected by the negative stories and 6% say they weren’t aware of any diesel-related news.
By Paul Myles • April 5, 2017 -
Chinese-Owned London Taxi Opens Dedicated EV Plant
London Taxi, which has manufactured the black cab in the U.K. for 69 years, puts the all-new EV on sale in London in the fourth quarter of this year and globally in early 2018.
By Alan Harman • April 5, 2017 -
Honda Details Front-Engine, Front-Wheel-Drive 10AT on Odyssey
The new 10-speed automatic is destined for wide application within Honda’s U.S. lineup, including the next-generation Accord sedan and most Acuras, WardsAuto forecasts.
April 4, 2017 -
Using Behavioral Economics to Accelerate Autonomous Future
Human behavior often can lead us to delay or forgo adopting new technology (in this case, shared and autonomous vehicles), even if that technology provides demonstrable benefits.
By Derek Pankratz • April 4, 2017 -
Honda Civic Cabin Overcompensates for Past Sins
“Our goal was to make the very best compact-class car in the world,” says Civic Interior Engineering Project Leader Mike Narazaki.
By Gary Witzenburg • April 3, 2017 -
’18 Chevy Equinox Plays It Down Middle
The ’18 Equinox is redone from head to tail in a bid to surge ahead of key competitors such as the newly redesigned Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue.
By James M. Amend • April 3, 2017 -
Ford Designers Seek to Fit Familiar With Futuristic
Designing controls familiar to drivers becomes critical when crossing into the area of high-tech infotainment systems with their plethora of hands-free technologies such as gesture control and voice command.
By Paul Myles • April 3, 2017 -
How Auto Brands Can Use Data for Smarter Tech Partnerships
With sophisticated consumer insights and data available today, brands can get a much quicker and more accurate snapshot of their customers’ preferences – and how those overlap with the offerings of a potential technology partner.
By Rochelle Bailis • March 31, 2017 -
Acura MDX Hybrid Set at Low End of Large-Luxury Scale
The new Acura hybrid CUV will undercut the Lexus RX 450h and Infiniti QX60, as well as plug-in hybrid CUVs from BMW, Mercedes and Volvo.
March 30, 2017 -
Spanish Market Slow to Connect to Electrification
That EVs and PHEVs represented 0.004% of the 1.15 million registrations nationwide last year reflects a lack of charging infrastructure and, to a lesser degree, cost.
By Jorge Palacios • March 29, 2017 -
Oz Government’s Vehicle-Emissions Data Challenged
“Our test results are a warning to Australians to take the government’s promises of fuel and cost savings with a grain of salt, and expect those savings to be significantly less than what’s promised,” Australian Automobile Assn. CEO Michael Bradley says.
By Alan Harman • March 29, 2017 -
Swedish Heritage, Authentic Materials Define Volvo XC90 Interior
All of the interior materials are authentic. If something looks like leather or aluminum or open-pore Scandinavian wood, it is, because the decision was made to invest in such materials.
By Gary Witzenburg • March 29, 2017 -
Panasonic Takes Over Spanish Electronics Supplier
Since Panasonic bought into FICOSA the companies have launched new products such as an electronic rearview mirror that works with cameras and have accelerated the development of modules used in connected and autonomous cars.
By Jorge Palacios • March 28, 2017 -
Four Phases and Other Trends in Upcoming Autonomous-Vehicle Age
This transportation evolution will affect everything from urban planning to logistics. New business services – and sectors – will emerge, while some established companies will see their business model come under pressure.
By Kelly Brock • March 27, 2017 -
Toyota C-HR Agile, But Imperfect
Toyota’s first swipe at the small-CUV segment in the U.S. is strong on handling and style, but needs a torquier engine and more interior color and technology.
March 27, 2017 -
Detroit Diesel Makes Most of $1.2 Billion Investment
The 80-year-old plant’s owner, Daimler, has boosted efficiency and productivity while growing the product portfolio to include new engines, transmissions and turbochargers, with new medium-duty engine production starting later this year.
March 24, 2017 -
Honda Europe Engineer High on Hydrogen
Thomas Brachmann, chief project engineer-R&D Europe for Honda, says storing surplus liquefied hydrogen in an inert state in gas tanks could be a much more efficient power source than batteries that degrade.
By Paul Myles • March 24, 2017 -
Sitting Up for Consumer Comfort
The quality of the mechanisms used for seat adjustment is becoming more and more important to accommodate various drivers’ needs and individual preferences. Furthermore, good seat adjustment is crucial for road safety.
By Mirko Hundertmark • March 24, 2017 -
’17 Mazda CX-5 No Joke
“When you are driving the vehicle, get a mental picture of my crisis,” the vehicle’s program manager says tongue-in-cheek.
By Steve Finlay • March 23, 2017 -
While Trump’s EPA Fiddles, FCA Diesel Problem Burns
On Jan. 12, the EPA dropped a bomb on FCA, charging the automaker with using “defeat” devices to allow its award-winning 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6 to emit illegal levels of pollution. Two months later, answers remain elusive.
By Bob Gritzinger • March 22, 2017