The China-Sweden Research Centre for Traffic Safety (CTS), with Volvo Car Group in a leading role, is now starting a close-up study of driving behaviour in the Chinese megacities Beijing and Shanghai. The insight into how drivers handle these exceptionally busy traffic environments is an important part of Volvo Cars’ aim to develop safety systems that help drivers all over the world to avoid accidents.
Daily Archives: May 1, 2014
Test loopholes take gloss off Europe’s cleaner cars
New cars sold in the European Union last year emitted 4 percent less carbon dioxide than those sold the previous year, data from the European Environment Agency showed, although environmental campaigners said the improvement was exaggerated.
The decline in carbon dioxide emissions from cars to an average of 127 g/km means carmakers easily achieved the European Union target of cutting emissions to 130 g/km two years ahead of a 2015 deadline.
UK APC selects four powertrain projects for $51M in funding
UK Business Secretary Vince Cable recently announced the first four automotive technology projects to be funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) with grants totaling £30.3 million (US$51 million); the projects that will help develop next-generation engines (including the Ford EcoBoost) and see Formula 1 technology applied in buses and excavators.
The jointly funded government and industry APC will invest around £1 billion (US$1.7 billion) over the next 10 years to develop, commercialize and manufacture greener and more efficient technologies for engines of vehicles of the future. The four projects are the winners of an up to £75 million competition that the Technology Strategy Board launched in partnership with the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) and the Automotive Council in December 2013.
VW’s Scania bid nearing success as buyout offer extended
Volkswagen Group is edging closer toward taking full control of its Swedish truck division Scania, after its buyout offer won broad support from shareholders and fell just short of an acceptance threshold.
GM Performance and Racing Center to house electric motor lab and gear center
General Motors has begun construction of a facility for advanced race engine design and development, as well as an electric motor laboratory and gear center. The new GM Performance and Racing Center (GMPRC) is located next to the GM Powertrain Engineering headquarters in Pontiac, Mich.
