Self-Driving Vehicles
06-14-17 | 04:46 PM
#438
Toyota may use acquisitions to catch up in tech, self-driving
Toyota revamping technology strategy
Source
TOYOTA CITY - Toyota may consider mergers or acquisitions to procure new automotive technologies, including self-driving technologies, the company's president said on Wednesday, adding that it had to compete more aggressively against its rivals.
At an annual shareholders meeting, President Akio Toyoda said the world's second-biggest automaker, which took longer to warm to self-driving cars and electric vehicles (EVs) than its rivals, would be more aggressive in expanding in these areas, conceding he may have focused too much on preserving the status quo.
"The auto industry is undergoing big changes, and issues and ideas which we may have thought were far off in the future could affect us tomorrow. That's why we need to go on the offensive while also preserving our areas of strength," he said.
"We've been investing 1 trillion yen ($9.08 billion) each year for R&D, expanding capex and buying back shares, but this may not be enough. We need to consider all our options, including M&A, to survive in the future."
As the rise of self-driving cars increasingly blurs the lines between automakers and technology companies, global automakers are trying to expand their role beyond making cars into transportation service providers, raising their research and development budgets and investing heavily in technology companies.
Toyota has invested $1 billion in an artificial intelligence research institute, and has struck up technology partnerships with Microsoft and Uber.
It has also opened up to more companies beyond its group suppliers, including tech company Nvidia, to procure more software for its automated driving systems.
The automaker plans to launch a car in 2020 which can drive itself on highways. Meanwhile, rival Nissan is already aiming to get cars that can drive autonomously on city streets in that same year and General Motors says it has begun to mass-produce self-driving test vehicles.
Toyota also has yet to ink a major capital tie-up with outside companies, after GM has scooped up US autonomous driving technology company Cruise and partnered with ride services firm Lyft, while Ford has acquired ride-sharing service Chariot.
Toyota late last year set up an electric car division, belatedly entering a market where Nissan, GM, Volkswagen and other automakers already have offerings, as it continues to bet on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as the zero-emission car of the future.
At an annual shareholders meeting, President Akio Toyoda said the world's second-biggest automaker, which took longer to warm to self-driving cars and electric vehicles (EVs) than its rivals, would be more aggressive in expanding in these areas, conceding he may have focused too much on preserving the status quo.
"The auto industry is undergoing big changes, and issues and ideas which we may have thought were far off in the future could affect us tomorrow. That's why we need to go on the offensive while also preserving our areas of strength," he said.
"We've been investing 1 trillion yen ($9.08 billion) each year for R&D, expanding capex and buying back shares, but this may not be enough. We need to consider all our options, including M&A, to survive in the future."
As the rise of self-driving cars increasingly blurs the lines between automakers and technology companies, global automakers are trying to expand their role beyond making cars into transportation service providers, raising their research and development budgets and investing heavily in technology companies.
Toyota has invested $1 billion in an artificial intelligence research institute, and has struck up technology partnerships with Microsoft and Uber.
It has also opened up to more companies beyond its group suppliers, including tech company Nvidia, to procure more software for its automated driving systems.
The automaker plans to launch a car in 2020 which can drive itself on highways. Meanwhile, rival Nissan is already aiming to get cars that can drive autonomously on city streets in that same year and General Motors says it has begun to mass-produce self-driving test vehicles.
Toyota also has yet to ink a major capital tie-up with outside companies, after GM has scooped up US autonomous driving technology company Cruise and partnered with ride services firm Lyft, while Ford has acquired ride-sharing service Chariot.
Toyota late last year set up an electric car division, belatedly entering a market where Nissan, GM, Volkswagen and other automakers already have offerings, as it continues to bet on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as the zero-emission car of the future.
06-15-17 | 10:42 AM
#441
Rookie
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 50
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
maintaining the status quo as in evolving the same tired old platforms and tired old motors to help milk spectacular margins from SUV sales? sounds like it'll never stop.
why invest in future technology and sportscars when you can remain profitable while putting in minimum effort? there is little incentive
why invest in future technology and sportscars when you can remain profitable while putting in minimum effort? there is little incentive
06-16-17 | 05:41 AM
#442
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: NY
Lexus should just partner with Google -- Google is already using Lexus cars for their prototypes.
06-17-17 | 11:11 AM
#443
Source: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/te...acts/teenagers
06-17-17 | 11:31 AM
#444
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,656
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
As a blanket statement, I'd have to disagree with that.....depends on where you are. In many areas, crime and drug-addiction take many lives prematurely.
06-17-17 | 05:21 PM
#446
and millions of 'intelligent' people would rather not drive if they don't have to. they can focus on work, play, or hell even rest, to get to their destination more prepared and in many cases far less stressed. i for one, can't wait.maintaining the status quo as in evolving the same tired old platforms and tired old motors to help milk spectacular margins from SUV sales? sounds like it'll never stop.
why invest in future technology and sportscars when you can remain profitable while putting in minimum effort? there is little incentive
why invest in future technology and sportscars when you can remain profitable while putting in minimum effort? there is little incentive
09-10-17 | 06:46 PM
#449
Congress Unites To Spread Self Driving Cars Across America
Can't say I'm too surprised by this, self driving technology has come a long way. Good to see support coming from the government on this and them working together on it. Not too long ago some folks here doubted self driving cars would ever happen.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/congress...-car-law-bill/
ON WEDNESDAY, THE House of Representatives did something that’s woefully uncommon these days: It passed a bill with bipartisan support. The bill, called the SELF DRIVE Act, lays out a basic federal framework for autonomous vehicle regulation, signaling that federal lawmakers are finally ready to think seriously about self-driving cars and what they mean for the future of the country.
