Car Manufacturers Expect To Make Billions From Subscription Services
General Motors thinks it can generate $25 billion in revenue annually by 2030 purely through software and subscriptions. They’re not alone, as Stellantis and Ford are investing in such services, with the former expecting to take home $23 billion each year. But not everyone is convinced. Automotive and smart mobility analyst at Gartner, Mike Ramsey said: “I’m skeptical that any of these car companies will get anything close to the multiples they’re talking about from services… If they try to shake people down for heated seats, like BMW is considering, that’s probably not going to go over very well.”
Toyota and Lexus have unveiled an unprecedented fifteen new electric concepts, showcased to the world all at once. After much pushback from EV adoption, Toyota looks as if it’s got an electric option for almost every category. It includes the Toyota bZ range, comprising of the bZ4X, and four new cars based on the e-TNGA architecture. There was also the Lexus RZ, an LFA-looking successor, and a large SUV, an autonomous shuttle, and EV sports cars, among many others.
Toyota GR Sports Concept Could Become The MR2 Of The Electric Era
The as-yet-unnamed GR Sports Concept was one of the more interesting cars unveiled in Toyota’s mass debut of EV concepts. And that’s because the two-seater will likely evolve into a production car in the coming years. It could make a case for an MR2 successor focusing on driving dynamics. Solid-state battery tech could mean weight savings over conventional EVs, and rear-mounted battery motors would result in something — in theory, and spirit at least — close to the original.
Six More Women Come Forward With Sexual Harassment Suits Against Tesla
Six new lawsuits have been filed in Alameda County Superior Court against Tesla, claiming sexual harassment. Details of verbal and physical abuse were revealed, while the women say that they used various methods to protect themselves from harassment because of Tesla’s inaction. They stacked boxes, bought baggy clothes, skipped breaks, and asked to be moved away from their harassers. These new lawsuits join two more launched by Jessica Barraza and Erica Cloud.
Justice Served? YouTubers Sentenced For Speeding In Top Gear-Inspired Video
David Murray and Timur Khayrov were charged with dangerous driving and were handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after they uploaded a video inspired by Top Gear to YouTube. The duo was filming for their YouTube channel “Vehicle Villians.” In the video, both drivers drove over 100 mph (160 km/h) on public roads, which was spotted online by a police officer. In addition to the suspended prison sentences, both were handed 18-month driving bans and must retake their test before getting their licenses back. Moreover, they will have to serve 200 hours of community service and pay £689 ($910) on costs and a victim surcharge.
2023 Mercedes EQE SUV Spied Preparing For Upcoming Battle With BMW iX
Set to slot below the upcoming EQS SUV the new EQE SUV will do battle with the BMW iX when it debuts. Spotted undergoing cold-weather testing in Scandanavia, we can see that the basic design follows the footsteps of the EQE and EQS sedans, with streamlined bodywork and a rakish windscreen. It will likely share the same powertrain options as the EQE as well, with outputs ranging from 288 hp (215 kW / 292 PS) to over 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS).
What Else Is Making The News
Lewis Hamilton Knighted
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgK6ALq9az/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Perhaps a decent consolation prize to the defeat last Sunday, seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton has officially received his knighthood. Hamilton appeared at Windsor Castle alongside his mother Carmen and is only the fourth F1 driver in history to be knighted. He added his name to a list that includes Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss, and Sir Jack Brabham.
Instagram Blocked User Called Metaverse, Apologises
An Australian tech expert and artist had been told she was “pretending to be someone else” and was then blocked over her Instagram name of “Metaverse.” Just days earlier, Facebook, the parent company that owns Instagram, rebranded itself to Meta, reports the New York Times. The social media platform has since apologized but did not comment on whether it had anything to do with Facebook’s name change.