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Stellantis wants to outfit cars with AI software to drive revenue

MILAN — Carmaker Stellantis announced a strategy Tuesday to embed AI-enabled software in 34 million vehicles across its 14 brands, hoping the tech upgrade will help it bring in 20 billion euros ($22.6 billion) in annual revenue by 2030. CEO Carlos Tavares heralded the move as part of a strategy that would transform the car company into a “sustainable mobility tech company,” with business growth coming from features and services tied to the internet. That includes using voice commands to activate navigation, make payments and order products online. The company is expanding existing partnerships with BMW on partially automated driving, iPhone manufacturer Foxconn on customized cockpits and Waymo to push their autonomous driving work into light commercial vehicle delivery fleets. StellantisÂ’ embrace of artificial intelligence and expansion of software-enabled vehicles is part of a broad transformation in the auto industry, with a race toward more fully electric and hybrid propulsion systems, more autonomous driving features and increased connectivity in automobiles. Ford and General Motors also are banking on dramatically increased revenue from similar online subscription services. But the automakers face immense competition for monthly consumer spending from movie and music streaming services, news outlets, Amazon Prime and others. Stellantis, which was formed from the combination of PSA Peugeot and FCA Fiat Chrysler, said the software would seamlessly integrate into customers' lives, with the capability of live updates providing upgraded services over time. New products will include the possibility to subscribe to automated driving features, purchase usage-based car insurance or even increase the power of the vehicle with a tune-up to add horsepower. As a baseline, Stellantis generates 400 million euros in revenue on software-generated services installed in 12 million vehicles. To meet the targets, Stellantis will expand its software engineering team of 1,000 to 4,500 in North America, Asia and Europe. More than 1,000 of the expanded team will be retrained in house. Stellantis also announced a new partnership with Foxconn to develop semiconductors to cover 80% of the companyÂ’s needs and simplify the supply chain. The first microchips from the partnership are targeted to be installed in vehicles in 2024.

Exotic cars caught on video racing on neighborhood streets in Beverly Hills

A pair of supercars caught on camera racing around a quiet Beverly Hills neighborhood last week has residents fearing for their safety. The video shows a white Porsche 911 and a yellow Ferrari LaFerrari as they clipped parked cars and blew through stop signs while residents of the upscale community watched in horror. Freelance cameraman Jacob Rogers shot the video of the supercar shenanigans. He later confronted a man outside the house where the Ferrari eventually parked. He asked the man if he cared that he was endangering people's lives. The man became combative and claimed he had diplomatic immunity. "He told me verbatim, 'I could have you killed and get away with it,'" Rogers told NBC Los Angeles. "I told him, 'the press is allowed to be here on the sidewalk on a public street.' He said, '(Expletive) America' and threw a cigarette at me." The Ferrari's plates are from the oil-rich country of Qatar. The race ended with the Ferrari pulling into the driveway of a $45,000-per-month rental home, its engine compartment smoking. Police can be seen arriving in the neighborhood. Los Angeles police are currently investigating the incident. Even though the LaFerrari was still smoking when police arrived they haven't filed charges because no officer witnessed the illegal activities. When police approached the owner of the vehicle he denied doing anything illegal and again claimed diplomatic immunity. Police told NBC they are in contact with the State Department about the man's diplomatic status and the legality of the cars in the neighborhood. Beverly Hills isn't the only swanky zip code plague by hotshot supercar owners. Some of the most expensive homes in London can be found In the Knightsbridge neighborhood - and some of the most expensive cars as well. This summer, the local council of Knightsbridge and nearby Chelsea began exploring a Public Space Protection Order that would fine drivers who rev their engines, drag race on residential streets or blare music, according to Reuters UK. News Source: NBC Los Angeles Government/Legal Ferrari Porsche Racing Vehicles Supercars Videos illegal

LaFerrari gets shakedown from Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso is quite cool behind the wheel, as evidenced by an earlier video where he gave a full interview while actively hooning a Ferrari F12 around the Nürburgring. So when you see the Spaniard somber-faced and sweating while hustling a Ferrari LaFerrari around the Scuderia's Fiorano test track, you know the new hypercar is pretty demanding.
Alonso doesn't give commentary on this one (except to the engineers at the end), but he does wrestle the 949-horsepower hybrid around the track. It does look like a handful. Take a look below for the full video.