Looking to fill up on auto news? We’ve clocked some miles traversing the Web for all things auto-related. Pull in, grab a coffee and digest some of the week’s most interesting news with us.
“What is driving car makers to attend tech show?” BBC News
There’s “a fresh determination to merge automotive and technology,” at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), writes the BBC’s Jane Wakefield, and some bold new visions of the future have been unveiled. Among them was the launch of a much-anticipated electric vehicle from Chinese company Faraday Future, which is aiming to “redefine the world of mobility,” while Volkswagen displayed a tech-loaded concept electric minivan that could go into production in the next decade. Features on the VW include voice and gesture-controlled doors and an infotainment dashboard connected to the home, to turn on lights and let in friends. The show is currently taking place in Las Vegas.
Read the full article in BBC News
“Tesla who? Faraday reveals futuristic electric car,” NBC News
Faraday Future revealed its FFZERO1 concept electric car at CES, projecting it would feature a 1,000 horsepower engine taking it from 0-60 mph in under three seconds. The driver “will be able to use virtual and heads-up displays, and interact with the car in real-time or from his or her smart phone,” reports NBC News. The company’s Variable Platform Architecture will enable it to “design different cars around the same modular base,” and its first manufacturing plant will be in North Las Vegas.
Read the full article in NBC News
“Ford will let you talk to your car through Amazon Echo,” Engadget
As today’s cars become ever more connected, Ford has announced it is introducing capabilities to let you talk to your car, like asking it to get the motor running while you’re still in your home. The automaker is to utilize Amazon Echo, which it will support through Sync Connect, to talk to Echo’s Alexa. Echo support will be available later this year, reports Engadget.
Read the full article in Engadget
“BMW gets serious about replacing mirrors with cameras,” Car and Driver
Further technological strides are being taken to replace mirrors with cameras and digital displays, although they will remain in concept cars until government regulations change. BMW showcased its innovations within the i8 concept at CES, which features a screen mounted in the normal rearview mirror position. BMW says it provides a panoramic, blind-spot-free view behind and to the sides of the vehicle, with a greater viewing angle than those available from interior and exterior mirrors, as reported by Car and Driver.
Read the full article in Car and Driver
“US car sales set record,” CNN Money
Low gas prices, easy credit, strong job growth and pent-up demand caused Americans to buy more cars in 2015 than ever before, CNN Money tells us. A strong finish to the year took full-year sales of cars and trucks to just under 17.5 million, up six percent on 2014 and ahead of 2000’s previous record of 17.4 million. Sales have been steadily climbing since 2009 when “massive job losses and tight credit sent car sales plunging to 10.4 million,” according to CNN Money, and it is forecast that the growth will continue in 2016.
Read the full article in CNN Money
See you next week for more automotive news. Drive safe.
Written by:
With 10 years of experience in auto finance, Rob Looker helps car shoppers find the right vehicles with the right financing so they can enjoy the road ahead. When he’s not creating content, he’s often behind the wheel, exploring new…
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