California new vehicle dealers association says direct sales plan violates unfair competition laws, California franchise rules. A federal court has denied motions to dismiss the central claims in the California New Car Dealers Association’s (CNCDA) lawsuit challenging Volkswagen’s use of Scout Motors to sell vehicles directly to consumers, bypassing its franchised dealer network. The ruling, […]
Thatcham Research Finds Tesla’s Mega-Cast Parts Can Cut Repair Costs
Two-year study challenges early insurance industry concerns about large aluminum castings as other vehicle manufacturers plan to adopt the technology. Tesla’s large-scale aluminum casting technology can reduce repair costs compared to traditional steel structures when properly designed, according to a two-year study by UK-based Thatcham Research released Thursday. The UK automotive research organization crash-tested Tesla […]
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Announce Joint Venture
Volkswagen Group to invest up to $5 billion in Rivian. New venture to create software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms for both companies’ future EVs. Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) and Volkswagen Group (XETRA: VOW / VWO3) announced their intention to form an equally controlled and owned joint venture (JV) to create next-generation electrical architecture and software technology. […]
Audi and Volkswagen Donate 78 Damaged Vehicles to Collision Repair School Programs
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), Audi of America, and Volkswagen of America announced that they have partnered to donate 78 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles to collision repair school programs throughout the United States. These donations will enhance the education of thousands of collision repair students and support the next generation of the automotive workforce. […]
Ford and VW to Wind Down Argo AI Autonomous Vehicle Joint Venture
In another sign that the projections on when autonomous vehicle technology would hit the market were overly optimistic, Ford and Volkswagen announced October 26 that their Argo AI autonomous vehicle joint venture will be wound down to allow the companies to focus on other advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technologies. According to Ford, in 2017 […]
Volkswagen Plans to Use New 3D printing Process in Vehicle Production
Volkswagen is pressing ahead with the use of 3D printers in car production including components used in the A-pillar of the T-Roc convertible. For the first time, the newest process – known as binder jetting – is being used to manufacture components at the company’s main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany. Whereas conventional 3D printing uses […]
Volkswagen AG Approves Car-O-Liner Resistance Spot Welder
Car-O-Liner announced it has received another prestigious approval from Volkswagen Automotive Group for its VAS 6755A fully automatic resistance spot welder. “We are proud to announce the newest addition to our Volkswagen-approved systems, the Car-O-Liner VAS 6755A welder,” said Tim Garner, market development manager for Car-O-Liner. “The VAS6755A resistance welder was certified by third-party testing […]
Volkswagen Car-Net selects CCC Information Services for Insurance Telematics Services
CCC Information Services Inc. and Volkswagen Car-Net announced today that CCC has become the automaker’s exclusive provider of insurance telematics services for the newest generation of VW Car-Net, included in most model year 2020 and 2021 vehicles. Upon customer consent, the CCC X data exchange will utilize driving data from Volkswagen Car-Net, the automaker’s connected […]
Volkswagen Announces Free Towing to Certified Collision Repair Facility, Parts Restrictions Starting in January
Volkswagen announced October 1 to its Certified Collision Repair Facility (CCRF) participants that Volkswagen customers, in warranty or not, can receive a free courtesy tow to the nearest VW certified collision center. Starting in January 2020, Volkswagen customers who are subscribed to its Car-Net service will have access automatically, or they can call Volkswagen Roadside […]
Ford and Volkswagen Expand Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Collaboration
Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen AG today announced they are expanding their global alliance to include electric vehicles – and will collaborate with Argo AI to introduce autonomous vehicle technology in the U.S. and Europe. Volkswagen CEO Dr. Herbert Diess, Ford President and CEO Jim Hackett as well as Argo AI CEO Bryan Salesky announced […]