Short Torque

JAC VW rolls out production model

Volkswagen's third joint venture in China, JAC Volkswagen, rolled its first production model off the assembly line on Friday. Inspired by Volkswagen's Seat brand, the SOL E20X is a purely electric sport utility vehicle, equipped with an AI-driven speech dialogue system, as well as innovative mobility solutions such as smart charging and smart parking. Volkswagen's partners in mobility services have placed orders for the model, said JAC Volkswagen. The joint venture has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Alibaba's Tmall in an effort to provide a streamlined digital retail experience. Through this, JAC Volkswagen said it will be able to offer Chinese customers fully comprehensive service, both online and offline.

Toyota, Suzuki discuss projects

Toyota said Friday that it has started discussing new joint projects with Suzuki in the fields of technological development, vehicle production, and market development. Since their memorandum of understanding in early 2017, the two Japanese carmakers have been pursuing concrete forms of cooperation and have announced the mutual supply of vehicles for the Indian market. Toyota said it will help Suzuki to develop a compact powertrain. The two also plan to sell Suzuki models in African markets using each of their sales networks as well as strengthening cooperation in logistics and services.

SkyRail to come to Brazilian city

BYD has signed a landmark agreement to construct its SkyRail in the Brazilian city of Salvador, a project that will be the first of its kind for the Chinese carmaker in Latin America. Construction for the $689 million project will be divided into two phases, and is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018 and be operational in 2021, said BYD. The 20 kilometer route will connect with the existing subway, providing seamless transportation for the city of 3.8 million residents. Launched in October 2016, the SkyRail, which features an automated driving system of the highest level, is currently operational in the western Chinese city of Yinchuan.

Investment in head up displays upped

Continental said it is increasing investment to hold close to 18 percent of DigiLens Inc, the Silicon Valley-based company in holographic waveguide projection technology. Continental first invested in DigiLens in 2016, and through a strategic partnership to jointly develop a waveguide head-up display that fulfills automotive requirements, the technology is now ready for industrialization. DigiLens' holographic waveguide technology enables head-up displays for different applications including automotive, aviation and motorcycle helmets. Its head-up display products double the field of view, making a much larger display required for augmented reality applications, while reducing the component volume to one-sixth of the traditional size.

(China Daily 05/28/2018 page19)