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Porsche employees take pay cuts so they can build Mission E

Porsche's 13,000 workers in Zuffenhausen, Germany, agreed to work more and at adjusted wages to ensure that the factory can build the production version the Mission E electric performance sedan. Their sacrifices could save the German sports car maker several hundred million euros, according to Reuters. The Zuffenhausen site was possibly in danger of losing the Mission E because workers there receive higher wages than Porsche's other factories. The specific savings from these concessions reportedly include increasing the workweek by one hour to 35 hours and eliminating portions of pay increases between 2016 and 2025. Porsche didn't officially confirm the precise cuts, but a spokesperson told Reuters: "Employer and employees have jointly drawn up measures that have led to the decision of producing the Mission E model at Zuffenhausen." Porsche plans to invest about $768 million into the Zuffenhausen factory over the coming years. That money will help create over 1,000 new jobs and will build a new paint shop, assembly plant, and upgrade the engine factory to produce electric motors. The expansion will also allow the company to move all production of the Cayman and Boxster to Zuffenhausen by August 2016 rather than the current strategy of outsourcing some of the models' assembly to Osnabruck, Germany. The Mission E should enter production by 2020, and Porsche Executive Board Chairman Dr. Oliver Blume promises it to be the "most sophisticated model in this market segment." The concept at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show offered a glimpse at the next-gen technology by presenting a swoopy EV sport sedan with all-wheel drive and a total of 590 horsepower from two electric motors. Porsche claimed the concept could reach 62 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds and go nearly 311 miles on the European testing cycle.

Pick up your Porsche in Atlanta, get free track time

Want to pick up a new Porsche from the factory? That's an option, but you have to fly out to Germany and then have your car shipped back Stateside. If that sounds like too much globetrotting, Porsche Cars North America is now offering the next best thing at its new US headquarters. It even includes some extras you don't get with factory delivery. The company's New Vehicle Delivery program allows customers to order a new Porsche at their local dealership and then pick it up at the Porsche Experience Center at One Porsche Drive in Atlanta. After touring the facility, customers get acquainted with their new cars with help from an expert then lap the on-site test track for an hour and a half and grab lunch at the company's gourmet Restaurant 356. The best part is, unlike the many options Porsche offers, PEC delivery adds nothing to the price of the car. You will, of course, have to cover the gas to get back to wherever you and your car live. Porsche has already kicked off the program. The first participant, Tracy Blumenthal, came out from California to pick up her new Cayenne S E-Hybrid. As a special bonus for being the first customer, former Le Mans class winner David Donohue took her for a ride in the 918 Spyder. Sounds like a pretty good day, if you ask us, especially when you get to go home with a new Porsche at the end. Related Video: Porsche Launches New Vehicle Delivery Program at Experience Center in Atlanta April 25, 2016 Atlanta, Georgia. Porsche Cars North America has launched its New Vehicle Delivery program at the Porsche Experience Center (PEC) in Atlanta. The program enables customers to place a factory order for a new vehicle through any authorized Porsche dealer in the U.S. and take delivery directly from the experiential destination, located at One Porsche Drive in Atlanta. California forensic accountant and attorney Tracy Blumenthal was the first official customer to participate in the program today when she picked up her new Cayenne S E-Hybrid sport utility vehicle. "We are thrilled to launch the New Vehicle Delivery program as another premium offering at our Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta," said Andre Oosthuizen, Vice President, Marketing, for Porsche Cars North America.

Hyundai Blue Link Android smartwatch app will start your car

We knew Hyundai would be bringing its Blue Link smartwatch app to the Consumer Electronics Show, and now that CES is upon us, the app's workings have been revealed. Once you get the free Blue Link app on your smartphone and your Android smartwatch and pair them up with the app, it's all systems go. Through either touch or voice commands, you can remotely lock or unlock your car doors, start and stop your engine, flash the lights and honk the horn, or have your watch locate your car. It works on every Hyundai with first- or second-gen Blue Link (which is all of them in the case of first-gen and the 2015 Genesis, Sonata and Azera for second-gen). The watch app isn't quite ready yet, but the company says you'll be able to get it sometime in Q1. There's a video above showing Hyundai's offering at work, and a press release below with more information below. HYUNDAI BLUE LINK TO DEBUT SMARTWATCH APP WITH VOICE RECOGNITION AT 2015 CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW AND PEPCOM'S DIGITAL EXPERIENCE - Next Generation Blue Link System to Launch on 2016 Elantra GT and Veloster - The Blue Link smartwatch app works with first and second generation Blue Link equipped Hyundai models Fountain Valley, Calif., Jan. 2, 2015 – Smartwatch sales are skyrocketing and starting early in 2015 Hyundai owners will be able to connect with their cars using these wearable devices and the Hyundai Blue Link® smartwatch app. Hyundai will debut and demonstrate the Blue Link smartwatch app at Pepcom's Digital Experience and at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES®). Pepcom's Digital Experience takes place before CES on Jan. 5 and Hyundai's exhibit (North Hall, booth #2818) at CES will be open Jan. 6-9, 2015. Hyundai's cloud-based Blue Link platform allows features like remote start and service information to be quickly accessed through devices like smartwatches and smartphones. Hyundai partnered with Station Digital Media to develop the Blue Link smartwatch app. "This new app expands Hyundai's exploration into how wearable technology and Blue Link fit into a customer's lifestyle," said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director, customer connect and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. "Connecting to your car through a smartwatch and voice recognition was previously something seen only in science fiction movies. Now, we can provide this capability to owners of Hyundai vehicles equipped with Blue Link." The app is easy to use.