Toyota Manufacturing UK is leading a consortium of partners to evaluate the feasibility of a lightweight battery electric vehicle prototype, conforming to the L6e (light quadricycle) category. The consortium has secured funding from the UK government’s DRIVE35 programme via the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), which is a non-profit organisation … [Read more...]
Welsh plant changes hands in $3.7 billion deal
Meritor Cwmbran heavy vehicle components' plant has been bought by Cummins as part of a $3.7 billion global deal. In March last year, Meritor Cwmbran won support for a £31.9 million project to develop lightweight electric powertrains for heavy goods vehicles in the latest round of R&D funding guided by the Advanced Propulsion Centre. The two American … [Read more...]
Boost for smaller “green” automotive companies
Small and Medium Enterprises involved in development of low carbon technologies have secured long-term orders annually worth up to £1.5 million by exhibiting on a UK Government Pavilion managed by the Advanced Propulsion Centre. “Building strong international relationships has perhaps never been more important to the UK automotive industry and … [Read more...]
£86M grants for decarbonising and supply chain
The Advanced Propulsion Centre is helping to lower the barriers for Small and Medium Enterprises to contribute to decarbonising the automotive sector and anchoring the supply chain in the UK. The APC provided financial and mentoring support to 87 SMEs including £86m through its Core Competitions, and its Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) … [Read more...]
Engineering shortage – in Germany
There is a shortage of engineers, in Germany. Volkswagen said a number of its engineers had left in the wake of the ‘dieselgate’ scandal over the last three years and now the new tougher WTP emissions tests meant the company is struggling to develop engines. Last month it announced it had acquired former BMW engine expert Markus Duesmann to head up its … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 July
The technical innovations needed to deliver ambitious plans for future low carbon vehicles were revealed in a new Automotive Technology Roadmap Report. Published by the Advanced Propulsion Centre on behalf of the UK’s Automotive Council, the report draws on the expertise of 139 organisations from vehicle manufacturers and technology suppliers to … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 May
Mazda has added another stylish limited edition model to its MX-5 line-up. Marked out by its free-of-charge Eternal Blue Mica paint with contrasting black rear spoiler and door mirrors, the £25,695 RF Sport Black goes on sale from the 28 May and the gunmetal alloy wheels contrast attractively with the paint, while inside unique floor mats, scuff plates … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 April
Ford has posted the highest quarterly pretax profit in its 113-year history. European operations earned more in the first three months than in all of 2015 and the automaker reported its best-ever results in North America, thanks to F-150 sales in particular, as Ford’s profit for the quarter was $3.8 billion, up from $1.7 billion a year earlier … [Read more...]
