WWF and Toyota Form Global Partnership, Join Forces on Living Asian Forest Project an

by News Feeder, 08-06-2024, 04:06 AM

WWF and Toyota Motor Corporation have entered into a five-year agreement aimed at accelerating the globe's transition to sustainability. Through this partnership, the organizations will work together to promote biodiversity conservation, raise environmental awareness and accelerate the move toward a "zero carbon" society.

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WWF and Toyota form global partnership, join forces on Living Asian Forest Project an

by News Feeder, 08-06-2024, 03:28 AM

WWF and Toyota Motor Corporation have entered into a five-year agreement aimed at accelerating the globe's transition to sustainability. Through this partnership, the organizations will work together to promote biodiversity conservation, raise environmental awareness and accelerate the move toward a "zero carbon" society.

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People behind the ProPILOT: From NASA Mission Control to the driver’s seat, scientist

by News Feeder, 08-06-2024, 01:25 AM

Space was not the final frontier for computer scientist Maarten Sierhuis.The former NASA researcher, who once designed human-robot interactions and developed collaborative intelligent systems for space exploration, now focuses his efforts a bit closer to home: the artificial intelligence that's helping power the future of Nissan's autonomous vehicles.But the passion that carried the robotics and artificial intelligence expert to the apogee of the U.S. space program hasn't cooled with his move to an earthly job as director of the Nissan Research Center (NRC) in California's Silicon Valley."Bringing this new technology to society, it will change so many things," says Sierhuis, a native of The Netherlands who has lived in the U.S. since 1989. "And call me crazy, but for me part of my drive of wanting to be thinking about these kinds of problems is that I want it to be done right."Sierhuis' has a people-first approach that's very much in line with Nissan's autonomous vehicle strategy, which is focused on providing drivers with new choices on the road toward a fully "self-driving" vehicle, which the automaker believes is at least a decade away.That means building cars and trucks in the coming years that will allow the driver to choose whether to turn over command to automated driving systems at various points during a journey, or remain in control throughout.Even when the driver is controlling the vehicle, the autonomous features must continue to monitor conditions and, in the event of imminent danger, assist the driver in avoiding an accident.Sierhuis, who holds a Ph.D. in artificial intelligence from the University of Amsterdam, says his team will apply anthropologic learnings to the design of the autonomous systems — a strategy that he has employed since the early 1990s, first at NYNEX Corp. (now Verizon) and later at NASA.That means studying how humans interact with the systems and ensuring that we "build systems that are good for people," he says.The first of the autonomous drive technologies was introduced this July. Known as "ProPilot", it allows cars to drive autonomously and safely in heavy, stop-and-go traffic on highways.In 2018, Nissan expects to unveil a "multiple-lane control" application that can autonomously negotiate hazards and change lanes during highway driving. In 2020, it plans to add the capability for the vehicle to navigate city driving and intersections without driver intervention.By that time, the Renault-Nissan Alliance plans to launch more than 10 models with significant autonomous driving functionalities in the U.S., Japan, Europe and China."I want the capability to drive myself and I want the capability to be driven...And I will decide which capability I want to have happen at that moment."Sierhuis, whose team in Silicon Valley is one of many Nissan and Renault teams working on the autonomous vehicle program around the globe, uses his daily hour-long commute from his home in San Francisco to the research center in Sunnyvale to show the advantages such a flexible system will offer."The only thing I really enjoy about commuting is that that's the time that I have to myself," he says. And if the car can drive him part of the way, "that would be to me the best thing that can happen."Drivers will have productive or relaxing options for that newfound down time: Nissan plans to roll out a suite of connected services over the next several years, including smartphone integration, access to environment and traffic information through on-board communications systems, and remote interaction with the vehicle via a mobile app."Driving through the desert with camels on the road … I literally almost drove into a sandbank because I thought I saw water on the road in front of me (that turned out to be a mirage). That was an experience I will never forget."But Sierhuis, who says he has loved driving ever since his father taught him on jungle roads in South America as a teenager says some stretches of road will definitely call for a human hand on the wheel.For example, he recalls the "incredible experience" of driving the nearly 240 miles from Dhahran to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia with his father in the early 1980s."Driving through the desert with camels on the road … I literally almost drove into a sandbank because I thought I saw water on the road in front of me (that turned out to be a mirage). That was an experience I will never forget."Contrasts like that help him explain autonomous driving to friends or acquaintances who say they aren't sure if they're comfortable turning over command of their vehicle to a machine - even one that's designed with their comfort and safety in mind. It's all about choice, he tells them."I'm one of those people. I want the capability to drive myself and I want the capability to be driven," Sierhuis says. "And I will decide which capability I want to have happen at that moment."For more stories, please visit our page on Medium.com, https://medium.com/drive-publication# # #

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Learning from challenges and adapting to the unexpected: An Interview with Infiniti d

by News Feeder, 06-06-2024, 04:56 PM

Alfonso Albaisa is executive design director, Infiniti Motor Company, Ltd. and also a corporate vice president. A graduate of the Pratt Institute — a top American university in the areas of industrial design and architecture based in the New York City area — Albaisa has spent his entire career with Nissan and Infiniti. Here, Albasia reveals what inspires him personally, what it's like working as part of a global design team, and more.Living together design and engineeringAlbasia: "As a child, back in Miami, my friends and I were imagining drawing and building the cars of our dreams from our own home factory (which was actually made of the deep shag carpet of my family's living room). I joined the company 28 years ago at what was then a small studio in California, but in which I quickly saw the great potential of our global company. Twenty-eight years later, there is nothing I like more than seeing my team and their engineering colleagues break down together the thousands of issues in front of them until the last bus signals the end of our day. 'O-tsukaresama,' as my friends say, in a shared sense and appreciation that we 'gave it all.' We are Japanese; we are French; we are British, European and Americans from the East, the South and from many, many other places. Our strength, or better yet, our advantage, is harnessing all that is great in us to bring to market pure excellence."I am now corporate vice president of our global design function. I'm still heavily involved with the creative side, but I am also managing our global resources. As my teams and I map out the next midterm plan, we wonder how, through management of teams, facilities and resources, we can ensure and commit that our culture will continue to be a creative community efficiently executing world-class designs. We are asking contributions from our teams in Atsugi, Harajuku, Beijing, London, Rio, Bangkok and San Diego, to consider how we work today and how we can continue improving even beyond the pace of a hyper competitive global marketplace."To make these exciting new designs come to life, we are deepening our search for new synergies with our alliance partners with joint design activities, better understanding of common/uncommon design processes, down to how we make our models while concurrently protecting each Alliance brand's iconic identity."Personally, I like the challenge. The relationship between design/planning and engineering is central because it leverages both sides of our brain – the creative as well as the logical. Down the hall from the design wing are 10,000 engineers. Bringing the best of their ideas over to the design side is a very big part of my job. Each department thinks about the same thing in a slightly different way but when we are able to find coherence within these ideas, we can create something beautiful."Related:Inspired design: The art and romance of design with Alfonso AlbaisaTaking Risks: Growing together as a team"Infiniti is an ideal place to work for a designer, as the whole culture of the company supports – better yet, requires – the process of allowing someone to come up with an idea that is fundamentally unique. Big or small, these innovative ideas are for me a form of artistry, and Infiniti is the ultimate manifestation of automotive art. Michelangelo celebrated physical beauty, and Da Vinci celebrated the beauty of ingenuity. If we could capture the hearts and minds of these two gentlemen, everyone would fall in love with our automobiles. With Infiniti, the attitude of the car and the artistry of the body and how it melds seamlessly with our advanced engineering make us unique in the automotive marketplace."To work for any brand under Nissan Corporation, you have to have a hunger for challenge, and you must learn quickly from the challenges that confront you in order to grow. The important thing is that, as you grow, you must make sure that the team members around you learn and grow with you."My Favorite Car: The Infiniti FX – Inspiration at first sight2003 Infiniti FX"In 1999 or 2000, working at Nissan Design America, I saw some photographs from Japan of three models of a project that I really did not know much about, a completely new category of vehicle. At first glance, it was a 'wow' moment. At second glance: 'WOW.' They were part SUV, part sports coupe. But you have to realize that 16 years ago, crossovers did not exist. This combination of aspects was so fresh and unseen. I just stared at the images: 'What are these cars?' One of the vehicles was what would become the first Infiniti FX. It was amazing to me that something so visually powerful could possess such simplicity in its design."What made it visually powerful was its silhouette, its gesture! It was like an egg that had bitten into an aircraft carrier. The hood was so long and horizontal, yet the cabin so tight and arced. It had so much attitude. I remember when I saw the first one on the road three years later, I simply smiled, knowing how back in Japan, they had really pulled it off, making such an effortlessly iconic vehicle and keeping true to the original vision."It is vehicles like the FX and Murano, Z and G coupe, Qashqai and JUKE, that have left such a powerful impression on customers around the globe – setting our Nissan and Infiniti brands apart as innovators. I do feel that when we are at our best, we can create cars that make the public react at first glance to say 'wow, this is fresh' and 'this is right for me.' As we embark on evolutions of these icons and the creation of completely new ones, let's make sure we continue to deliver this surprise that feels so right."A Passion for Design and Sailing: Harmony in nature"Away from work, my other passion is sailing. I am a single-handed sailor, meaning I like to sail alone and over long distances, my favorite distance being about 36 hours. Physically, you get tired, so you must consider your endurance. Especially at night, you see less but feel and hear more: the influence of the wind and waves on the boat, the sounds and vibration of the rigging. When sailing at speed and at night, you sense when boat and sails are optimized. It is not quiet, but there is a silence or harmony, because both boat and sails are in the right place. This is like nothing I ever experienced before – how the simple elements of nature can propel such a heavy object effortlessly. It is humbling."Sailing at night in the open ocean can bring a surprise every minute, and considering every risk while staying positive and keeping a challenger spirit opens doors you did not expect. And for me, the design process is very much like this. You want to create something different, something new; its success is not guaranteed, but you're still hungry for that, so you are chasing the idea that is pushing yourself all the time. But a design without planning and harmony regardless of newness cannot survive."What you find is that, as you grow as a designer, you are able to manage all of the inputs from management, all the criteria from engineering, and all the feedback from the markets to find a solution which is harmonic, clear and beautiful."Infiniti QX30Embed this image on a website using the embed code here. Infiniti Q60Embed this image on a website using the embed code here. Click image to enlarge About Infiniti Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017. Infiniti design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.Infiniti is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies.From the 2016 season, Infiniti is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.More information about Infiniti, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at InfinitiUSA.com. For the latest news on Infiniti, visit InfinitiNews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube. # # # ContactNick Twork Director Corporate Communications Infiniti Americas (615) 725-4038 [email protected]e Bazemore Senior Manager Infiniti USA Communications (615) 725-3210 [email protected]

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Mardenborough and Chiyo dominate Japanese Formula 3 at Fuji

by News Feeder, 06-06-2024, 04:56 PM

It was a #NISMOnation domination at #F3jp for @Jannthaman & @KATSUMASA_CHIYO. Read more at https://t.co/4aXcpTvmaD pic.twitter.com/9gX0KOCPEz— Nissan NISMO (@NISMO) July 18, 2016OYAMA, Japan –NISMO athletes Jann Mardenborough and Katsumasa Chiyo have dominated the latest round of the Japanese Formula 3 by taking a win each at Fuji International Speedway.Mardenborough was dominant in the lead up to race day, topping the times in both practice sessions and scoring pole for both races.The former GT Academy winner was a massive 1.902 seconds faster than the chasing pack in qualifying in damp conditions for the first race. Mardenborough and Chiyo were 1-2 in both sessions.Mardenborough scored his second win of the season in the opening race with Chiyo in fourth. In Sunday's race, the Japanese GT500 ace and former Bathurst 12-Hour winner Chiyo pounced on a late race restart to pass his teammate Mardenborough to score his first Formula 3 win of the season.Chiyo also scored the fastest lap in both races.Mardenborough now leads the championship by five points with seven races still remaining in the championship."It was probably my strongest race weekend ever," said Mardenborough. "Now I'm leading the championship which is great. It would have been cool to win today and I was leading until the last three laps when the safety car came out. Chiyo got a good slip-steam and got by me. I'm really pleased with the whole weekend. We've been very strong and pulling a gap to the TOMS car which is our main rivals who are now second and third in the championship."One of the better weekends. Loved every session. Points leader and Sugo SuperGT next weeke… https://t.co/xPnPNaocev pic.twitter.com/LletlxGNlN— Jann Mardenborough (@Jannthaman) July 17, 2016 Mardenborough switches back into Super GT GT300 mode this weekend alongside Kazuki Hoshino, while Chiyo returns to his GT500 role alongside veteran Satoshi Motoyama."I was on the inside of grid on the start and the track was still a little damp,” said Chiyo. “I had wheelspin at the start and dropped back to third but worked my way up to second. My pace was pretty good and I tied to push every lap to try to catch up to Jann. The gap was quite big but finally a safety car came out and gave me a big chance. My restart timing was just perfect and I am very happy to get my first win of the season."NISMO CalendarJuly 23-24 FIA WEC, Nuburgring, Germany Super GT, Sugo, Japan Australian Supercars, Queensland Raceway, Queensland, Australia Micra Cup, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, CanadaJuly 30-31 Spa 24 Hours, Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium Pirelli World Challenge, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Ohio, USAAugust 6-7 Super GT, Fuji Speedway, JapanAugust 13-14 Micra Cup, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada # # #ContactJane Johnstone Marketing Communications Director Global Motorsport Communications Nissan/NISMO Phone: +44 7979 710646 Email: [email protected] Ryan Marketing and PR Manager Phone: +1 678 644 0404 Email: [email protected]

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Honda Summer Sales Campaign Celebrates American Pop Music and the Moment You Lock Eye

by News Feeder, 06-06-2024, 11:26 AM

Honda is celebrating its annual Summer Clearance Event with the debut of six new music-themed videos that bring to life the love-at-first-sight feeling that happens when someone finds their dream ride—a new Accord, Civic, CR-V, Fit or Odyssey. Dubbed "Now Is the Moment," the integrated campaign will begin to air on TV today, as well as in digital and social media placements, along with print, radio and fun in-dealership materials. A celebration of America's love for a diverse array of musi...

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[Feature] Ring Return for Toyota GAZOO Racing

by News Feeder, 06-06-2024, 05:48 AM

Toyota GAZOO Racing returns to action just a month after its heartbreaking Le Mans 24 Hours, determined to respond with a strong result in the 6 Hours of Nürburgring, the fourth round of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

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Infiniti breaks new sales records in first half of 2016 in Europe

by News Feeder, 03-06-2024, 06:44 PM

Infiniti in Europe: Best June – 154 percent sales increase over June 2015, and best H1 – 177 percent up compared to the first half of 2015Q30 as best-selling Infiniti model in Europe ever with 6,438 models sold in H1/2016ROLLE, Switzerland – Infiniti finished the first half of 2016 with a new sales record. In Europe, the car manufacturer sold 9,535 vehicles in the past six months – up 177 percent over the same period last year. In June, 1,586 vehicles were sold across the continent, marking an increase of 154 percent.Across the highly competitive EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa), 16,251 Infiniti cars were sold in the first half of 2016 – up 45 percent compared to the results from the same period of 2015. In June, 2,838 customers have bought a new Infiniti in EMEA – 46 percent more than in June 2015. The strongest model in Europe was again the premium active compact Infiniti Q30, which found 6,438 customers year-to-date.Within Europe Infiniti was most successful in France: During this year, 2,190 Infiniti cars have been sold across the country so far – an increase of 260 percent in comparison to the same period of the year before. In June, sales went up to 448 vehicles – more than twice as many as in June 2015. In the UK, in the first half of 2016, 1,565 customers chose a new Infiniti – an increase of 157 percent over the first half of 2015.In June, 569 cars were sold in the UK, which corresponds an increase of 447 percent. In Italy, since January, 1,119 cars were sold, almost five times as much as in the same time frame of 2015, when 192 cars were sold there. In June, 277 customers have bought a new Infiniti, up 889 percent versus June 2015. With 1,208 vehicles cars sold, Infiniti in Germany was able to increase its sales by 152 percent compared to H1 of 2015. Furthermore, in June 124 vehicles were sold, making up an increase of 51 percent comparing to June 2015."We are very proud of the sales achievements we have made in 2016 this far," said François Goupil de Bouillé, vice president of Infiniti Europe, Middle East and Africa. "The results highlight the trust that customers have in our vehicles. With the QX30 premium active crossover, the newly upgraded Q50 sports sedan and the all-new Q60 premium sports coupe to be launched later this year, we are confident to continue our success in Europe."Worldwide Infiniti sold more than 110,200 vehicles in the first half of 2016, which corresponds to an increase of 7 percent over the same period last year. In the month of June, more than 19,300 cars were sold, up 15 percent versus June 2015, and in the second quarter of the year (April-June), Infiniti set a new record with almost 53,000 vehicles sold representing an increase of 4 percent.About Infiniti Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.Infiniti design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.Infiniti is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies.From the 2016 season, Infiniti is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.More information about Infiniti and its industry leading technologies can be found at http://www.infinitipress.eu and at http://www.infiniti.eu. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube. # # # ContactPeter Trampert EMEA PR Coordinator Infiniti Europe, Middle East & Africa Phone: +41 21 822 51 97 Mobile: +41 78 643 85 94 [email protected]y Steeden Manager PR and Media communications Infiniti UK Phone: +44 (0) 1923 899153 Mobile: +44(0) 7796938516 [email protected]

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Nissan strengthens customer notification measures for rear door stay recall in Japan

by News Feeder, 02-06-2024, 06:07 AM

YOKOHAMA, Japan (June 29, 2016) – In the interest of customer safety, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is implementing additional customer notification measures in Japan for an existing recall related to the rear door stay in certain vehicles.The recall was initially filed with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on April 14 this year. Nissan is taking these further actions following an incident involving an uninspected vehicle, in which a gas stay rupture injured a vehicle user.On July 16, Nissan will post a notice on its Japanese corporate website and in Japanese newspapers, requesting that affected customers bring their vehicles in for inspection as soon as possible. Nissan will also be requesting that users of the involved vehicles refrain from using the rear door until inspection.As of this time, Nissan has received 13 reports of incidents related to this recall, all of which have been in Japan:Prior to initial recall announcement: Five incidents involving a Serena minivanAfter recall announcement: Seven incidents involving a Serena minivan; one incident involving an NV200 vanThere has been only one report of injury.Recall details Date filed with MLIT: April 14, 2016 Description: The paint coating applied to the rear door stay does not comply with design requirements for anti-rust treatment. As a result, the outer tube of the gas stay may corrode and crack, resulting in rupturing of the stay and detachment from the vehicle. If such a rupture occurs when the back door is open, the stay might injure a person nearby. Action: Authorized Nissan retailers will inspect the rear door stay for corrosion, and where corrosion is confirmed the back door gas stays will be replaced. Owners of vehicles in which no corrosion is found will be contacted again to have the stays replaced in line with parts availability.Involved models (Japan only)ModelProduction periodWingroadMay 2012 - December 2015X-TrailNovember 2013 – January 2016SerenaNovember 2010 – January 2016AD / AD ExpertMay 2012 – December 2015e-NV200September 2014 – March 2016NV200 VanetteApril 2009 – November 2015Landy (Suzuki)December 2010 – December 2015Familia Van (Mazda)May 2012 – December 2015Delica Van (Mitsubishi)September 2011 – November 2015Delica D:3 (Mitsubishi)September 2011 – November 2015Lancer Cargo (Mitsubishi)May 2012 – December 2015 Number of involved vehicles (Japan only): Approx. 727,000###

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[Mitsubishi Corporation] New Seafood Processor to Add Economic Dynamism in Northeaste

by News Feeder, 02-06-2024, 03:46 AM

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