🔦Autowist Report 89

New Honda EV Announcement, BMW and Tata, GM Battery Update, Tesla Wireless Charging patent

October 10, 2024

IN TODAY’S REPORT

💼BRIEFING

Top insights and analysis that is moving the needle in the automotive industry

New Honda EV Tech Announcements (Link)

Honda's 0 Tech Meeting 2024 introduced the Honda 0 Series, a new line of EVs launching globally in 2026, emphasizing "Thin, Light, and Wise" principles. The series will focus on artistic design, advanced driver assistance (ADAS), connectivity, and top-tier energy efficiency. Honda plans to release seven models by 2030, starting with the flagship based on the Saloon concept. Key innovations include a new EV platform, compact e-Axle, thin battery pack, and active aerodynamics for improved performance and range. Advanced production techniques like megacasting and CDC technology streamline vehicle construction, while the "Wise" approach delivers continuous updates, enhanced automated driving, and a dynamic driving experience. With a 300-mile range target and innovative digital UX features, Honda aims to set a new standard for electric mobility.

My take:

  1. They are really trying to leave their legacy product line. It shows not only in the naming but in the approach towards a simplified infotainment system

  2. Creating their own vehicle OS with OTA capability, and at the same time adopting megacasting for their chassis components I hope is not just high level statements but instead they are ACTUALLY building from ground up

  3. Digital UX Policy, seemed quite funny to me at first. But at the core if it there is some customer experience that they are trying to achieve. “Update agilely based on customer data” is maybe the most important line in the whole presentation.

BMW Group and Tata Technologies establish BMW TechWorks India (Link)

The BMW Group and Tata Technologies have officially launched their joint venture, BMW TechWorks India, with offices in Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai. This venture aims to leverage India's engineering and IT talent to develop software solutions for Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), automated driving, and digital services. Initially starting with 100 employees, the JV plans to scale to over 1,000 by 2025. Both companies hold a 50% share in the JV, which focuses on software development for BMW's next-gen vehicles and digital transformation initiatives.

BMW TechWorks India will play a key role in advancing BMW's global IT strategy, enhancing its production network, and developing AI-driven platforms to improve business processes. The venture offers young Indian professionals the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies in automotive software and business IT.

Executives from BMW and Tata Technologies highlighted the JV's strategic importance, with a shared goal of driving innovation and shaping the future of mobility globally. The JV also emphasizes India's role as a global innovation hub in the automotive tech ecosystem.

  1. More and more European OEMs are looking to sourcing talent from near shore and offshore as part of the cost cutting measures they have to take

  2. More importantly, OEMs are beginning to realize the actual cost of development and resources needed to achieve a dominance in the automotive software.

  3. Last week Polestar had announced their partnership with Infosys and their plan to start a tech hub in India.

  4. Previously the automotive industry have relied on off shore talent for other parts of their business like IT. But now it has extended to R&D and SW as well

GM’s Battery Update

  • General Motors (GM) is planning to launch a more affordable version of its next-generation Chevy Bolt EV in 2025, using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells.

  • LFP batteries are cheaper, less dependent on materials like nickel and cobalt, and more stable in terms of heat management than the nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells GM currently uses.

  • The adoption of LFP cells is expected to reduce costs by up to $6,000 per vehicle, making the Bolt one of the most affordable EVs in the U.S. market.

  • GM is in discussions with Japanese company TDK Corp. to manufacture LFP cells in the U.S., using technology licensed from Chinese battery giant CATL, despite regulatory challenges related to sourcing from China.

  • GM is also working with Samsung SDI and continuing its partnership with LG to expand battery production, including a new $3.5 billion plant in Indiana.

  • General Motors Co. plans to build a $145 million battery cell prototype center at its Global Technical Center campus in Warren. Construction is set to begin next month on the Battery Cell Development Center, which will focus on accelerating the development of electric vehicle battery cells, reducing costs, and addressing manufacturing challenges prior to mass production. GM expects battery cell production at the new facility to begin in 2027.

And BTW,

Tesla’s In-Car Storm Alerts to Affected Owners (Link)

Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, is expected to hit Florida, prompting evacuation orders. Many gas stations have run out of fuel, leaving gas-powered vehicles stranded, while electric vehicle (EV) charging stations remain functional. Tesla has sent storm alerts to its EV owners, offering tips on preparing their cars and maintaining battery charge. Electric vehicles have some advantages in emergencies, such as home charging and acting as power banks, but they also face risks, like potential battery fires if submerged. Tesla's proactive alerts contrast with other automakers, who were criticized for not informing their customers in affected areas about vehicle safety during floods.

China Strikes Back At EU, Threatens Tariffs On Luxury Cars (Link)

China is retaliating against the European Union's planned tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) by considering tariffs on European luxury cars with internal combustion engines (ICE). This comes after China imposed a 30.6-39.0% tariff on European brandy and hinted at potential tariffs on European agricultural imports like pork and dairy. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has expressed strong opposition to the EU's protectionist practices, arguing that the tariffs violate World Trade Organization rules. China's move could significantly impact European automakers, particularly luxury brands from Germany and Italy that export high-performance vehicles to China.

⚡ROUNDUP

Key headlines shaping the auto industry this week

  • Honda Introduces Next-Gen Tech for Honda 0 Series Models at Honda 0 Tech Meeting 2024 (Link)

  • GM’s Ultium battery gets the ultimatum (Link)

  • GM plans $145M battery cell plant in suburban Detroit (Link)

  • GM adopting LFP batteries, could cut $6,000 from EVs (Link)

  • In-Car HMI UX Evaluation & Benchmarking: Hyundai KONA (Link)

  • As Florida Braces for Hurricane Milton, Tesla Sends In-Car Storm Alerts to Affected Owners (Link)

  • TomTom provides enhanced navigation to Iveco commercial vehicles (Link)

  • Volvo Ditches Deputy CEO in Leadership Efficiency Drive (Link)

  • Lucid Partners with Rental Firm SIXT in Germany, Prices Start at €999 per Month (Link)

  • China’s Weekly NEV Registrations: Tesla 1.8k, Nio 4.5k, BYD 67.6k, and More (Link)

  • China Strikes Back At EU, Threatens Tariffs On Luxury Cars (Link)

  • Audi aligns product development for the future (Link)

  • View photos of the $2.1M 2026 McLaren W1 (Link)

  • Automated Driving Tech Is a Celebration of Human Ineptitude (Link)

  • Can Nissan Save Itself With LFP Batteries? (Link)

  • Geely Holding records highest-ever monthly auto sales in Sept. 2024 (Link)

  • India regulator issues notice to Ola Electric over consumer rights concerns (Link)

  • Tesla’s head of vehicle programs jumps to Waymo ahead of robotaxi reveal (Link)

  • Stellantis And Renault Shoot Down Merger Rumors, But Speculation Isn’t Over (Link)

  • Nissan buys into Ford, BMW, and Honda’s home EV charging business (Link)

  • Rivian cuts production outlook amid parts shortage (Link)

  • AVL Cell Tester™ ECO Redefines Battery Cell Research & Development (Link)

  • BMW Group and Tata Technologies establish BMW TechWorks India – a joint venture to drive automotive software and business IT innovations (Link)

  • Honda Zero first drive: an EV without the baggage (Link)

  • Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II: The most advanced, driver-focused V12 Rolls-Royce ever created (Link)

  • MAN eTruck includes MAN DigitalServices package as standard (Link)

🔬PATENTS

Fresh Innovations from global automotive OEMs

Summary

This disclosure describes a system and method for improving wireless charging by automatically adjusting settings based on measurements of the charging system. It works by briefly disturbing (or "perturbing") one of the two coils involved in wireless charging. These coils transfer power wirelessly between a charging pad and a vehicle. The system measures how the coils respond to this disturbance, estimates important characteristics of the charging system, and then adjusts the wireless charging settings to ensure optimal charging of the vehicle's battery pack. This system enhances wireless EV charging by adjusting to environmental changes and optimizing performance in real-time.

Key Innovations in Wireless Charging System:

  • Parameter estimation for resonant converters

  • Adaptive control for coil inductance variations

  • Real-time adjustment of charging settings

  • Coil perturbation to measure system responses

Technical Features:

  • Estimation of self-inductance, coupling coefficient, and turns ratio

  • Frequency sweep to find self-resonance frequencies

  • Real-time circuit parameter calculations and adjustments

Parameter Estimation Process:

  • Perturb coils to estimate self-resonance frequencies and system parameters

  • Measure and calculate inductances, turns ratio, and coupling coefficient

Advantages:

  • Improved efficiency with inductance variations

  • Real-time safety and performance optimization

  • Suitable for various environmental conditions

  • Potential for bidirectional power transfer

🐦AUTO BUZZ

Top posts, tweets, and videos from the automotive industry

📈MARKET SNAPSHOT

This week’s key movers in the automotive stock market

Top Winners:

  1. Renault S A

  2. GM

  3. Aston Martin

Top Losers:

  1. Polestar

  2. NIO

  3. Nissan

📆CALENDAR

Upcoming auto industry events and and earnings calls