Information Technology

Dealerships need chat feature tailored to fixed ops

The chat feature on most dealership websites, as it pertains to fixed ops, could use an overhaul.

Continental bans WhatsApp, Snapchat on company devices

Global auto supplier Continental said it will forbid its 240,000 employees from using WhatsApp or Snapchat on any of its company-issued mobile devices.

Why BMW will move cautiously with over the air updates

The car will soon be the most power computer that most people have access to, BMW Group head of digital services Dieter May told Automotive News Europe in an interview.

VIDEO: AutoNews Now: New weapon to foil car hackers?

New weapon to foil car hackers?; M-B holds onto U.S. luxury sales lead; Aptiv to offer self-driving Lyft fleet in Vegas; Fire hits parts plant; GM, BMW join blockchain consortium.

Tech giants put China at forefront of change

An explosion of ingenuity is radiating from China in how to develop, engineer and market cars. Long derided as a fast follower, China has suddenly blossomed as the innovation nation.

VIDEO: First Shift: GM to use OnStar to turn connectivity into cash

GM to use OnStar to turn connectivity into cash; Ford working to amass sweeping Detroit campus; U.S. to freeze mpg?; Subaru's new U.S. HQ; Last Wrangler JK ends an era for Jeep fans.

GM positions OnStar as revenue center, brand builder

General Motors is reorienting its OnStar business to generate more revenue from connectivity services and better position its core auto brands as technological showcases that can compete against innovative brands such as Tesla.

Toyota goes out on a limb with V2V

Toyota is hoping to break an awkward silence in the discussion over getting vehicles to talk to one another.

Toyota looks for a breakthrough with reworked cars

The relatively low-volume Avalon and Corolla hatchback offer a preview of stablemates that are more critical for Toyota North America: the reworked Lexus ES, which will debut this week in Beijing, and the coming Corolla sedan.

Tesla's key statistic in Autopilot defense comes under scrutiny

Tesla's ardent defense of its Autopilot system is getting heat from safety advocates who question a key data point the company has been citing to plead its case.

GM offers in-dash fuel payments in 3-city pilot program

The feature is being piloted in roughly 1 million Chevrolet vehicles at select Shell stations in the Detroit, Seattle and Houston metropolitan areas.

VIDEO: AutoNews Now: Toyota plans U.S. 'talking' vehicles in 2021

Toyota plans 'talking' U.S. vehicles in 2021; Selling VW Jetta as value play; Diess' U.S. profit focus; NADA: Dealerships relying more on incentives for profits; Tip from Geely's Li.

VIDEO: First Shift: A push for single, higher fuel octane level

Why some are pushing for single, higher octane level; VW's Diess vows faster decisions; Trump: No NAFTA timeline; NTSB kicks Tesla off probe; Actor Wahlberg backs distraction fight.

TomTom bets on the future of autonomous driving

Self-driving cars may not be on the road anytime soon, but that isn't stopping Dutch navigation device maker TomTom from investing in high-definition maps needed when autonomous driving becomes the norm.

OnStar rebranding efforts put safety first

GM plans to relaunch the OnStar brand in a national ad campaign, directing focus back to safety and security from connectivity. This is the first national marketing campaign for OnStar in six years.

Ford device links older vehicles to smartphones

After a one-year delay, Ford Motor Co. has begun to offer a plug-in device that lets owners of older Fords use their smartphone to start, lock and unlock the vehicle, as well as other functions.

Feds reject CDK's purchase of Auto/Mate

CDK Global's planned acquisition of Auto/Mate, a smaller provider of dealership management systems, has been blocked by the Federal Trade Commission. The move would have bolstered CDK's positioning at the lower end of the DMS market and removed a smaller rival.

Texting repair info boosts sales, satisfaction

Audi of Wallingford in Connecticut uses a Web-based application that allows its service advisers to text repair updates, videos and files to customers, increasing sales and customer satisfaction.

Ford set to replace 75% of N.A. lineup in 2 years

Ford says it aims to supplant Toyota as the top seller of hybrid vehicles in the United States in three years as part of a dramatic reshaping of its lineup to focus heavily on utility vehicles and pickups. The automaker plans to replace more than 75 percent of its North American lineup and add four nameplates within the next two years.

Continental subsidiary gets big lift in battle against hackers

When Continental bought Israel's Argus Cyber Security the supplier said the hacking-preventer would become part of its software subsidiary, Elektrobit. Alexander Kocher, the unit's head, said the addition of Argus helped it eliminate a crucial "blank spot" from the car to the cloud, as he explained to Automotive News Europe.

Suppliers race to gain foothold in lucrative, untapped cybersecurity sector

Automotive cybersecurity is still in its infancy but developments have accelerated since 2015 and suppliers such as Bosch, Harman, Cisco, Honeywell, NNG, Irdeto, Karamba and Continental-owned Argus, are already well positioned to benefit from the predicted boom.

Porsche aims to use Blockchain to secure customer data during digital transactions

Porsche aims to use a decentralized form of bookkeeping known as Blockchain to keep customers' financial data safe from hackers during online transactions.

SXSW: A weird place to talk tech?

The arts and culture festival is where lots of business leaders come to talk about the future.

Automakers still figuring out if 5G is worth it

The cellular industry is plowing ahead with 5G, but will it make sense for the auto industry to tap into the network?

VIDEO: AutoNews Now: Geely chair Daimler's biggest solo shareholder

Geely chair Daimler's biggest solo shareholder, Senators seek Daimler probe; Cashing in on car's data; VW's '18 outlook; Buick Envision gets family makeover; Mustang painted-pony promo.