Technologies

Today, our smartphones run our lives, from planning and booking, to paying for goods and services. And soon, our vehicles will be able to do the same.
AI and connectivity technology in cars has enabled breakthroughs in driver and passenger convenience, comfort, efficiency, and safety.
Car buyers and fleet managers now place great value on connectivity and software features, not just on vehicle performance. And as technical capability increases, the benefits of connected vehicle technology will become even more significant.

In the midst of a transformation from traditional drive technology to electric or electrified powertrains in the automotive industry, Jan Oehmicke, Vice President for the DACH region, MG Motor Europe, explains to the Arval Mobility Observatory the strategic pillars upon which the company will evolve in the coming years.

Light commercial vehicles account for a disproportionate number of vehicles in cities, where reducing emissions is high priority. CSR targets, fuel costs and exclusion zones are also providing strong change motivators for LCV fleet managers. This combination means LCVs are rapidly going electric. As manufacturers increase the choice of models, and drivers express a preference for driving electric commercial vehicles (eLCVs), fleet managers find themselves making different choices, particular for their urban fleets.

The established landscape of car brands is being shaken up by the global shift to electric vehicles. Accelerated by changing customer expectations, a hunger for new technology and a simplified manufacturing process, the opportunity for new electric car brands is enormous. New players, particularly from Asia, are emerging. This article makes a concise outlook of the current market state and highlights the new entrants on the EV market.

From the semi-conductors and the raw material shortage to a growing need for rare earth, European countries are sensing more than ever their dependence on Asia for their supply chain. The resulting supply chain shortage experienced by Europe has progressively ignited a supply chain transition in the light of taking back control of its raw material and battery value chain.
This article goes through the reasons why car manufacturers are experiencing such a supply chain shortage and highlights some actions that companies and countries are taking, in order for them to decrease their dependency on Asia.

Data is core to our lives and businesses, and the mobility industry is not an exception. While there are still some concerns about privacy and digital protection, sharing data between users, public authorities and mobility-related organisations seem to present endless benefits. Open data is key to solve important challenges related to urban planning, road safety, and business efficiency as well as an important driver of seamless mobility experience for users. Combined with V2X application, the usage of digital insights from mobility users and vehicle sensors is getting gradually an indispensable enabler for successful business and sustainable cities of tomorrow.

​​​​​​​Last July, the European Union proposed a zero-emissions target for new cars by 2035, an effective ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035. The European Commission also proposed a 55% cut in CO2 emissions from cars by 2030 versus 2021 levels and a 100% cut in CO2 emissions by 2035. In parallel, several countries have already announced accelerated timelines for the sale of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to be banned in 2030 or 2035. The continued acceleration of electrification is putting a significant pressure on OEMs to meet these targets and is spurring the development of electrification strategy for the coming years.

But what kind of decisions and investments have they already decided?