With each passing year, the ties between automakers and global technology firms become stronger. More and more car companies are leaning on the electronics industry for things like infotainment tech, self-driving software, and even electric powertrain components, which is part of the reason why CES is becoming the most relevant auto show around.
Aston Martin further proved this at CES 2016 by partnering with Chinese Internet and technology company Letv, the product of which was an infotainment showcase called the Autolink Rapide S. As it turns out, CES was just the beginning.
Letv has since been rebranded as LeEco, and will partner with Aston Martin to develop a fleet of next-generation connected EVs. The two brands will work together on research and development, production, manufacturing, and even sales of the vehicles, which will be sold by Aston Martin, LeEco, and the highly-hyped Faraday Future. According to the British automaker, it will be responsible for providing whole vehicle technology, while LeEco will be responsible for powertrain and IOV components.
“Aston Martin are dedicated to developing a range of low- and zero-emission cars,” said Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer. “We have been encouraged by the project speed and technical depth shown by LeEco in the development of the RapidE concept towards full production. Bringing the RapidE to market by 2018 is an important milestone for both companies.”
First out of the gate will be a production version of Aston Martin’s RapidE concept, which will come to market in 2018 and be built in Gaydon, England.
Before the RapidE silently creeps into dealerships, Aston will premiere the DB11 sports car, as well as the replacements for its Vanquish and Vantage models. Each vehicle will ride on an all-new platform that will eventually revamp the majority of the Aston Martin lineup.
Volkswagen’s newest EVs in China are making its American and European models look unusually conservative.
With Xpeng’s help, VW has introduced 800-volt charging and advanced urban driving assistance. The new VEGA technology package brings its locally developed vehicle platforms and CEA electronic architecture under one umbrella. Bloomberg reports that Volkswagen intends to update VEGA every three months. Western buyers can find pieces of that package, but not the whole thing in a Volkswagen.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?