Automotive IT News and Facts
Purchasing departments at German companies more often than not manage without IT systems that are tailored to their requirements. According to a survey conducted last year by Germany’s RAAD Research, fewer than 20 pc of 230 German companies interviewed use software that specifically supports the purchasing function. Instead, many use a mixture of Excel spreadsheets [...]
Gentex said it will supply a new auto-dimming mirror with a camera-based driver assistance system for the 2013 Ford Explorer. The Michigan-based supplier said the system will use a multi-function camera combined with algorithmic decision-making to provide high-beam control, lane keeping and driver alert functions. Gentex developed the system together with Mobileye, a maker of [...]
The 16th International Forum on Advanced Microsystems for Automotive Applications will take place in Berlin May 30-31. The conference, which will focus on “Smart Systems for Safe, Sustainable and Networked Vehicles,” will look at how the car is changing and how IT is playing a greater role in this development. “ICT, components and smart systems [...]
General Motors plans to stop advertising on Facebook because campaigns on the site don’t seem to have an impact on car sales, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The Journal says the decision highlights growing doubts among marketers over the effectiveness of advertising on the social media Web site. Facebook is in [...]
McLaren will use SAP software to better handle data flows, optimize its infrastructure and improve group operations. The British automotive racing technology company said it had signed a new contract with SAP to use the business software maker’s solutions, including the SAP Hana database. Ron Dennis, executive chairman of McLaren said analysis of large amounts [...]
Infineon CEO Peter Bauer is stepping down for health reasons, but the Germany-based semiconductor group immediately announced he would be succeeded by another board member, Reinhard Ploss. Infineon said in a press release that Bauer had been suffering from osteoporosis for several years and that his condition had “significantly worsened” recently. “Due to the uncertainties [...]
Audi opened a new 3,500 square meter high-voltage battery facility near its main plant in Ingolstadt, Germany, underscoring its intention to make electric vehicles a more important part of its product lineup by the end of the decade. By 2020, the Volkswagen Group premium car division wants to offer an electric e-tron model in every segment [...]
TRW, in an attempt to further simplify in-car controls, has developed a capacitive touchpad that recognizes handwriting. The US-based automotive supplier said the touchpad, which will be ready for production this year, will mark a major improvement in the human machine interface (HMI) because it can be used by car drivers and passengers in a [...]
Clarion is launching a Cloud-based infotainment service to add to its offering of traditional in-car products. The US-based division of Japanese electronics group Hitachi said its “Smart Access” cloud-based telematics service, which will be launched in June in North America and Japan, features smartphone connectivity and the ability to access a wide range of smartphone [...]
Toyota set a modest sales goal for the electric version of its RAV4 as it unveiled the newest version of one of its best-selling SUVs in the US. The Japanese carmaker, which continues to lead sales of hybrid-electric vehicles with the Prius, said it plans to sell only 2,600 units of the RAV4 EV in [...]
