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BMW will make plug-in hybrid versions of all models

Late last year, BMW made it clear that it would be making plug-in hybrid versions of all of its "core models." The first of those will be the X5 xDrive40e. At the New York Auto Show this week, BMW North America CEO Ludwig Willisch told AutoblogGreen that this enhanced PHEV plan is going to be applied to "every new model." We were asking Willisch if he views Tesla as a competitor to the Bavarian automaker. "I wouldn't say I don't see any competition," Willisch said, "but I still see that a BMW 5 Series and a Tesla are totally different animals." What about the rumored i5 or an i7, we started to ask – "which we don't have" Willisch interrupted – that could happen, couldn't it? "Not any time soon," Willisch said. "What we will have are plug-in hybrids. With the introduction of every new model there will be a plug-in hybrid version of that, too." There are people who are asking if the i brand will expand to a truck or a larger sedan, "but this is all the future," Willisch said. "It's not now and it's not the next couple years." Related Video:

German companies team up with telecom to spur development of talking cars

With connectivity and communications becoming an ever larger part of the automotive world, German automakers Audi, BMW, and Daimler formed the 5G Automotive Association with Intel, Nokia, Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Huawei. The goal is to develop new technologies to take advantage of LTE and 5G advancements, create standards, and overcome regulatory issues. If they succeed, it will be easier for them companies to develop and implement new technologies. For instance, we could see smarter traffic management, and maybe platooning, advance further in the autonomous sector. By acting as a group, they will also be able to address regulatory issues more easily. All of these companies are capable of developing advanced vehicle communication systems on their own. Audi, in fact, has been pursuing vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology and launched a stoplight timer in models in some cities. Still, the alliance offers the potential to save time and develop new ideas. Related Video: Image Credit: Audi Auto News Audi BMW Mercedes-Benz Technology Emerging Technologies Infotainment Autonomous Vehicles 5g Connectivity v2v intel vehicle to vehicle communications vehicle to infrastructure technology v2i

VW could look outside its own ranks for next CEO

Companies have two options when coming up with succession plans – hire within, or go outside its ranks. Either choice comes with advantages and disadvantages, to be sure. Hiring within means generally getting someone familiar with the company and its culture and traditions, while going outside is ideal if you're looking to shake things up and bring in fresh ideas. It's unclear which avenue the Volkswagen Group will go down when it comes time to replace its head man, Herr Professor Doctor Doctor Herr Martin Winterkorn, but he isn't ruling out a trip outside of Wolfsburg. Winterkorn has already given the reins of the VW brand to former BMW board member Herbert Diess, while Andreas Renschler, a former Daimler board member, is heading up VW's truck group. Now, Winterkorn has made some statements to a German weekly that indicate the most important thing about his successor isn't necessarily his (or her, though no women appear to be on the short-list) previous employer, Motoring.com.au is reporting, so much as his qualities as a leader and an engineering background. "A Volkswagen boss has to have a big affinity to our products. He needs to be close to customers and he needs to have a relationship with dealers," Winterkorn told Stern. "Like always, it depends on the personality and it also helps if the candidate is an engineer." Motoring throws out a couple of potential candidates from within, including Porsche boss Mathias Muller, Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler and engineering guru Ulrich Hackenberg, in addition to both Diess and Renschler. And while each candidate has a lot of potential, the only thing that's guaranteed right now is what Winterkorn has already said: "The decision about who will succeed me is not an easy one for the supervisory board."