Car tech Gets a share of the spotlight at CES

Paul A. Eisenstein, NBC News contribution

Want you your friends receive a Glympse of what you project? This is simple, if you using the Smartphone app Glympse and drive a Ford product, equipped with the latest generation sync Infotainment system of the manufacturer. With the touch of a button and a simple voice command technology allows a driver to send a bulletin to warnings of friends where you are - and where you are.

CES is the largest trade fair in the country, and this year organizers show reporting record turnout on a still 3.250 exhibitors about 1.9 million square feet of exhibition space at the Las Vegas Convention Center are distributed. And the spin off events everywhere scattered does not include city in sin.

Traditionally, the show focuses on televisions, stereos, computers and Smartphones, but automotive technology has come in the last few years, to play a more important role. More than a dozen different car manufacturers have staked a presence on the CES 2013 together with hardware vendors, app manufacturers and other vendors seeking to burglaries in the transport industry.

CEO Alan Mulally was often as a guest as Microsoft founder of Bill Gates in the last few years, and Ford was one of the most active in the field. During this time to Mulally in Detroit still is preparing for the next week in Detroit is auto show, Ford again a highly visible role disconnecting. The manufacturer is showing off a new developer program, she hopes to make it easier for companies like Glympse come with apps that can be used with the sync system.

Improve the driving experience
Paul Mascarenas, chief technology officer at Ford said the company "Software developer is inviting to provide thoughtful, meaningful solutions that will improve the driving experience." You will be added to a growing list already iheartradio's Stitcher ratio, Pandora, and in the coming weeks, a service synchronizes k, in which stories from magazines like men's fitness and form are read aloud.

Ford is only one of many car manufacturers which expand its lineup of apps. But there are many other ways manufacturers CES to show their new technologies in-vehicle use.

Hyundai blue link system already offers a variety of connectivity, convenience, and security solutions, and the manufacturers add the next generation of Google Maps API, make sure that your navigation database up to date remains. You eliminate that need regular order and install expensive DVD-based maps updates.

As most of his competitors claimed Hyundai its latest Dragon update will improve the ability of its Infotainment system, natural language commands for music, the weather, or to recognize the way questions. And by tapping into Apple's Siri Concierge system, motorists who may have a new iPhone, easy to find the best restaurant, after the end of the show.

Automakers have long relied on proprietary hardware and software systems, but this creates a mystery: technology, which usually is expensive and often not up to date. Through connection to smartphones and use more open architecture-based technologies, makers hope with a speed closer with that of the consumer electronics industry at the same time the costs start.

Chrysler is showing off the first navigation system enabled traders. Could instead order the technology at the time of purchase, a motorists save money front and later goes back to activate the system. The technology is initially on the new Fiat 500 L, Dodge Ram 1500 pickup and Viper SRT car offered at some point too much from the rest of the manufacturer's lineup will expand is.

"With enabled merchant navigation, we have a" no customer left behind "attitude", said Marios Zenios, Vice President of UConnect systems and service for Chrysler.

Automotive-related exhibits remove all in all so Organizer up to about 100,000 square metres exhibition space CES, an increase of 5 percent 2012.

While much of the focus is on Infotainment technology, automakers are also enhanced security and control systems, such as Toyota's advanced automotive safety explore research vehicle, or AASRV, which used the manufacturer test technologies, the as "a smart, always attentive co-pilot whose capabilities to the safer driving contribute" could serve, said Mark Templin, general manager of the Japanese manufacturer's luxury brand of Lexus.

There are a number of senior executives for the this year's CES, including Audi CEO Wolfgang Durheimer. The German brand theme of the show is "Electronic trends in the next decade", and includes everything from advanced Interior, autonomous drive technology.

Not so coincidentally, Audi of this week announced that it was the first luxury car manufacturer to get a license to publicly test their self-driving vehicle technology on Nevada roads. The State is the first in the country formally a registration program for autonomous vehicles - introduce who claim some proponents until end of Decade for sale can be offered.

Audi driver through traffic at speeds of up to nearly 40 mph shows at CES a less complex pilot-controlled drive system, which helps to steer.

"At Audi, you would be hard to find an innovation that is nowadays associated with electronics is not pressed", said Ricky Hudi, head of electrical/electronics development of the Audi.

It is probably no surprise that the car industry is a such a great welcome to CES. The consumer-electronics industry has to fight in the last few years and is on the lookout for the next "big thing". And in-car technology could be just that view that Rhapsody, another music app, the Ford Sync now few will take 40 percent of subscribers using the service on the road.

The most advanced of today's cars have now more digital technology on board, than found in typical at home and in the next few years, that even the cheapest Econoboxes could apply to. So expect, automakers, see disconnect a higher profile on the CES trade show for many years.

Read More

Range Rover sheds pounds, aims to gain share

The new Range Rover Evoque is the smallest and lightest model ever to wear the Land Rover nameplate.

Few vehicles can match the off-road capabilities of the typical Land Rover sport-utility vehicle. But when it came time to introduce the new Range Rover Evoque the British maker dug even deeper to reinforce its claims – more than 100 feet beneath the streets of Liverpool.

The media preview – staged in a long-abandoned network of railroad tunnels – was intended to show that the distinctive new Evoque could handle anything the typical buyer would likely run into. But the reality is that few will ever experience anything rougher than a gravel road or un-shoveled driveway. So why design a vehicle carrying all the extra hardware – and weight – of the typical Land Rover? 

While the iconic British brand isn’t likely to abandon the classic SUV that has been its foundation for the last 60 years, Land Rover is planning some major changes, and the Evoque is the first sign of what’s in store.

Apparently, the new crossover-ute has struck the right chord.  It has been named Motor Trend magazine's SUV of the Year and is a semi-finalist for North American Truck of the Year, an award that will be presented at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The Range Rover Evoque is the first car-based crossover produced by the luxury brand, now owned by India’s Tata Motors, rather than the classic body-on-frame SUV.  With its funky, coupe-like styling, the new model is both the smallest and, at just north of 3,500 pounds in base configuration, the lightest model ever to wear a Rover badge. 

That reflects the reality of today’s automotive market. Motorists are generally downsizing as they struggle to deal with crowded city streets and rising fuel prices. That doesn’t mean they want to give up style, performance, space or functionality, however. 

So while Evoque abandons the low-range gearbox found on the classic Range Rover and other, less expensive Land Rover models, it carries over the Terrain Response Control system that, with the touch of a button, takes the guesswork out of driving on different surfaces, such as mud-and-ruts, gravel, snow-and-ice or standard pavement. 

It does that by revising the settings of all manner of vehicle operations. In one of the off-road modes, Evoque’s ride height increases by several inches. Throttle response changes appropriately. In snow, you’ll start out in second gear. Transmission and brake-intervention systems like ABS and electronic stability control also are reprogrammed for optimum traction and handling.

That dependence on electronic, rather than mechanical, technology will become increasingly apparent in future products, as will the wedge shape of the Evoque, explained Gerry McGovern, the brand’s design director, acknowledging, “Land Rover needs redefining.”

The process began with the unveiling of the LRX concept vehicle in January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show.  Company officials admit they weren’t sure what to expect, but the strong response to the show car convinced them to move forward with the project that became Evoque, which was launched while the brand was still owned by Ford Motor Co., then brought to market by Tata, which acquired both Land Rover and sibling British brand Jaguar in March 2008.

“We knew we had something very special on our hands, something that could change the perception of the brand," said Land Rover managing director Phil Popham

The buzz kept building as the maker carefully doled out details of the project and by the time of the recent media preview there were already 20,000 orders in hand.  Significantly, 80 percent of those buyers have never before owned a Land Rover product.

Considering initial reviews, the new Range Rover Evoque very well could become one of – if not the – best-selling model in the brand’s history.  Long little more than a niche player, Land Rover is aiming to take itself at least a bit more mainstream.  That doesn’t mean it will walk away from classic truck-based SUVs. Quite the contrary. 

It revealed an all-new concept version of the big Defender model at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, McGovern describing it as a “vision of the 21st Century” SUV. A production version should roll into showrooms in a couple of years.

But even such traditional offerings will undergo some dramatic changes, according to Popham, who revealed a corporate goal of trimming anywhere from 800 to 1,100 pounds of weight off the typical Land Rover product. That will be critical if the marque hopes to meet tough new emissions and mileage requirements going into effect in most of its key markets.

Expect also to see a shift to more high-tech powertrains, he hinted. There’ll be more diesels – and very likely a diesel for the U.S. market.  The Range Rover Evoque, meanwhile, will be the first Land Rover offering to get a hybrid-electric drivetrain.  Even conventional gasoline powertrains will be downsized and turbocharged – like the turbo 2.0-liter direct injection 4-cylinder engine offered in the new crossover.

While rising fuel prices have clearly had an impact on the utility vehicle market, sales have remained surprisingly strong.  But Land Rover officials recognize they can’t keep practicing business as usual. The new Evoque gives a hint of the alternative future they’re mapping out.

A look at how dealers can profit from Land Rover's winning SUV, with Ryan Ambrifi, Land Rover of Milford, CT managing partner.

Read More

GM to share electric car tech with Chinese

DETROIT — Under pressure from the Beijing government General Motors has agreed to provide access to its proprietary electric vehicle technology to its lead Chinese partner.

The move is raising numerous concerns, critics contending that China is, for one thing, using unfair pressure to gain access to technologies that will later be used by its own domestic manufacturers to compete with foreign brands like GM.

But the U.S. automotive giant contends the move will help it maintain a lead in the rapid electrification of the industry – especially since China, now the world’s largest automotive market, is making a rapid push into battery power to curb its dependence on foreign oil and reduce its endemic pollution problems.

Living in poverty Cartoons: Poverty is no laughing matter, but these cartoons may help ease the pain.

Extreme couponing sparks backlash Maybe we should be working longer The economic toll of single parenthood USPS needs to act more like a business

“We can accomplish far more by working together than we can by working separately,” said Tim Lee, president of GM International Operations, during a signing ceremony with the maker’s lead Chinese partner, the government-owned Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corp., or SAIC.

The move followed a first-time meeting of the General Motors Board of Directors in China. The huge and fast-growing market last year generated more vehicle sales, on a unit basis, than the U.S., and GM is expecting to more than double volume to 5 million by 2015. In April, the automaker announced plans to invest between $5 billion and $7 billion to achieve that target.

The huge expansion of the Chinese auto market has created problems, leading to a significant increase in oil imports and worsening the Asian nation’s already serious urban pollution problem. That has led Beijing to press for a rapid shift to battery-powered vehicles. GM is planning to launch the new Chevrolet Volt in China later this year and will also market a European version of the plug-in hybrid, the Opel Ampera.

GM officials contend the new alliance with SAIC will help them “to lead the auto industry in new energy vehicle technology,” said Lee, who described the shift to battery propulsion as a “very aggressive and challenging project.”

But critics note that GM has also faced significant pressure from China to accept the partnership, government regulators threatening to withhold sales incentives for the Volt were GM to have rejected the technology sharing agreement.

Such a move might violate international trade agreements, critics argued. But the more serious concern is that GM may now lose control of key intellectual property. Protection of IP rights has become a critical concern with Chinese businesses routinely ignoring trademarks and copyrights on everything from pop music and movies to pharmaceuticals and automotive design.

GM and SAIC are already involved in 10 separate partnerships, including the operation of the U.S. maker’s first Chinese plant, in Shanghai. They recently launched the new Baojuan brand to help expand sales in China’s second-tier cities.

GM sales in China rose 30% last year and have increased another 5.4% through August, even though overall demand in the market has been slipping in recent months.

To underscore the importance of the Chinese market, GM CEO Dan Akerson met with 700 employees at the PATEC technical center the maker operates with SAIC in Shanghai. That facility will be taking a significant role in the development of battery vehicles specifically for China. But critics warn that SAIC could also use its new knowledge to develop vehicles it plans to sell in direct competition to GM.

Under the strange bedfellow rules of the Chinese auto industry, SAIC not only partners with GM but also its German arch-rival Volkswagen AG. Longer-term, critics warn that SAIC intends to become a serious automotive contender on its own.

Copyright 2011 The Detroit Bureau. All rights reserved.

Read More