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| For those who don't read forrin, this is the Denza 500. |
IT used to be “go west, young man” for the entrepreneur hoping to strike it big, but in the motor trade, east seems to be where it’s at for any company looking to grow these days.
Which is why Ford and Mahindra last week announced a joint development to build sport utilities and a small electric vehicle; and Daimler and BYD Automotive Industry on Monday launched the new Denza 500 battery electric vehicle from their joint venture, Shenzhen Denza New Energy Automotive company.
The one exception is Jaguar Land Rover, which company on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership with to develop the world’s first premium, self-driving, electric vehicle with Waymo in Phoenix, Arizona, which is about as far west as one can get in the U.S.
In India
Ford and Mahindra signed five new memoranda of understanding (MoUs) that further strengthen their strategic alliance and accelerate the development of key products for consumers in India and emerging markets.
The MoUs are non-binding, but mark the progress made by the two companies since announcing their alliance in September 2017.
Under the initiatives, Mahindra and Ford will leverage their strengths in the utility vehicle space to co-develop a midsize sports utility vehicle (C-SUV).
Built on the Mahindra platform, the new SUV will drive engineering and commercial efficiencies and will be sold independently by both companies as separate brands.
Mahindra and Ford also agreed to evaluate co-development of a compact SUV and electric vehicle, along with sharing powertrain portfolios, including the supply of Mahindra powertrains to extend Ford’s product range.
Building on the collaboration, Mahindra and Ford also announced plans to co-develop a suite of connected car solutions for consumers.
Teams from both companies will work together for a period of up to three years to develop further avenues of strategic co-operation, including support for Mahindra in global emerging markets using Ford’s manufacturing and distribution network and addressing future mobility needs.
Mahindra owns a majority stake in Ssangyong Motor Company in Korea, has forayed into the shared mobility space with investments in ridesharing platforms in the U.S., and is developing products like the GenZe – the world’s first electric connected scooter.
Ford was among the first global automakers to enter India in 1995 and now employs some 14 000 people in New Delhi, Chennai, and Coimbatore.
In China
In 2017, Denza achieved its best sales in China yet, with retail sales volume increasing by 85% year-on-year, outpacing the industry average, thanks to the strong customer reception of the Denza 400 model.
The brand also expanded its reach through selected Mercedes-Benz dealer partners, which now offer sales and after-sales service for Denza vehicles.
The new Denza 500 featuring “tiger eye” LED headlights and rippling LED taillights, while inside sees a nine-inch touchscreen. Upgraded connectivity services include charging solutions and the Denza smartphone app.
Via the Denza application, WeChat account, or car navigation system, Denza owners can quickly locate over 112 000 charging piles across China.
A new battery and additional weight reductions allow increased energy efficiency, providing an extended range of around 500 km.
The new Denza 500 was tested in a wide range of harsh conditions, including severe winter testing at temperatures as low as –40°Celsius.
In Arizona, U.S.
Jaguar Land Rover and Waymo (formerly Google self-driving car project) will work together to design and engineer self-driving Jaguar I-PACE vehicles.
In a statement the companies said this long-term strategic collaboration will further Waymo and Jaguar Land Rover’s shared goals: “to make cars safer, free up people’s valuable time and improve mobility for everyone”.
Waymo is building the world’s most experienced driver. Waymo’s vehicles have self-driven over five million miles on public roads across 25 U.S. cities, and five billion miles in simulation.
Today, Waymo is the only company in the world with a fleet of fully self-driving cars — with no one in the driver’s seat — on public roads.
Waymo will launch the world’s first driverless transportation service in 2018, starting in Phoenix, Arizona.
With this service, members of the public will be able to use Waymo’s fully self-driving cars every day to go to work or to go play.
Waymo Jaguar I-PACEs, equipped with Waymo’s self-driving technology, will start testing later this year.
On-road testing and capturing real-world data will allow Waymo and Jaguar Land Rover engineers to refine technology and deliver optimum safety and reliability.
Up to 20 000 I-PACEs will be built in the first two years of production and be available for riders of Waymo’s driverless service, serving a potential one million trips per day.
