Why the auto industry should embrace Blockchain

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Technical innovations happen constantly in small and big ways across our modern society, but relatively few breakthroughs ever have far-reaching impact.

Consider Wi-Fi and the smartphone, to name a couple. Increasingly, savvy observers are adding blockchain technology to the list of creations that could transform our universe. 

Decidedly a hot topic today, blockchain is the protocol behind bitcoin digital currency, but it was around as a...

By Mahbubul Alam, 09 December 2016, 2 comments. Categories: Best practice.

Lucid Motors set to start car production in 2018 with new Arizona factory

An electric car company to rival Tesla has chosen Arizona as the base for their car factory. 

Lucid Motors - formerly Atieva - was founded in California back in 2007. It's since developed battery technology, as well as making an aluminium prototype, which was only recently unveiled.

The company markets itself as a 'new era of luxury mobility" and claims its cars will redefine the auto experience.

Lucid said its factory site selection process began over a...

By Rachael Power, 02 December 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Best practice.

BMW, Ford and VW plan European electric vehicle charging network

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Several large motor companies are planning a high-powered DC charging network for battery electric cars covering long distances around Europe. 

The ultimate goal by the group - which includes BMW, Daimler AG, Ford, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche - is to build a "sizable" number of stations. 

The planned ultra-fast charging network, with power levels up to 350 kilowatt, is set to be quite a lot faster than the most powerful charging system already out there. 

The project is planned...

By Rachael Power, 01 December 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Best practice.

Driving towards a digital revolution: Why the customer is king

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The automotive retail sales model is on the cusp of radical change. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and dealerships are moving away from the traditional approach based on  fixed display assets and hard-copy brochures towards a new paradigm, focused around real-time visualisation.

Such innovation is delivering a new generation of virtual experiences both in store and online, driving experiential retail solutions that allow customers to digitally explore and customise their new...

By Francois de Bodinat, 28 November 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Best practice.

What areas will connected cars thrive in?

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Imagine walking up to a rental car, not filling in any paperwork; just confirming that it’s the right one on your app, hopping in and driving off into the sunset.

For anyone who has ever stood in a queue at a rental car company in an airport, this will sound like a dream. But it’s a dream that’s quickly becoming reality, thanks to Avis.

The company has made smartphone-only car rental available in the US and is trialling it at several...

By Rachael Power, 15 November 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Best practice.

Safeguarding the connected car – to secure the smart city

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With the potential to improve the entire driving experience, as well as advance safety standards across the board, there’s a good reason why many drivers are excited to see what the future of the connected car has in store.

However, alongside this excitement, there have been concerns voiced around the security of the connected car. With examples such as Nissan admitting some of its Leaf cars can be easily hacked, allowing their heating and...

By Jon Geater, 24 August 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Best practice, Regulation, Security.

The major benefits of hybrid cars – and the technologies underpinning them

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People buy cars they benefit from – whether it’s merely the compliments they receive on the colour or body or the time it takes off their commute. The problem with this is that they are uninformed about the multiple advantages of owning a hybrid model or how a hybrid works. This article will share the benefits of driving a hybrid vehicle and explain the technology that makes a hybrid unique to the automotive industry.

What is a hybrid car?

A hybrid car is a vehicle...

By Olivia Vanderwal, 18 July 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Best practice, Data & Analytics, Ecosystems.

How can Volkswagen rebuild trust with the fleet community?

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In recent times, it hasn’t been uncommon for industry sectors to face scandal or massively increased regulatory constraints; just think of the banking sector and national supermarkets, over the past few years.  But news from Volkswagen (VW) – one of the most trusted and reliable brands in the fleet business – has taken us all by surprise.

There are 29.6 million cars on the road in the UK, but with reports saying that as many as 1.5 million VW cars may have to be...

By Mark Kirby, 30 November 2015, 0 comments. Categories: Best practice, Insurance.

Connected Cars don't care about privacy, according to study

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Cars are getting more human-like in their abilities, but according to new research they don't give the same regard to privacy that (most) humans would. A study conducted by German motorists’ organisation ADAC has found that - in addition to trip and distance data - one recent vehicle reported maximum engine revolutions, the status of vehicle lights, and far more...

By Ryan Daws, 27 November 2015, 1 comment. Categories: Best practice, Contextual data, Data & Analytics, Privacy, Regulation, Security.

Why software security in connected cars starts with software developers

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Compromising the ‘Internet of Things’ seems to be one of the most ‘fashionable’ areas among today’s hackers, including connected cars. Just consider the extensive coverage given to the remote takeover of a Jeep Cherokee by security researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, which took place via a security vulnerability in the...

By Mark Warren, 26 November 2015, 0 comments. Categories: Best practice, Security.