Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Ford, General Motors are among top automakers who would be deploying advanced technology in the production of new vehicles in 2016.
Already attention is shifting to electricity away from internal combustion engines and driverless vehicles to constrain the future of the sector.
Tesla’s massive investment in electronic cars last year may remain a force to reckon with in 2016. Tesla made a long-range of electric cars a quickly expanding reality.
Founder and CEO, Elon Musk’s reputation for disruption was well earned in 2015, as the organisation showed that battery-powered cars are not only possible but desirable, with sales of the Model S the company’s first mass-market luxury sedan than can travel 300 miles, at a steady 55mph, on a single charge growing exponentially in the U.S., China, and across Europe.
Tesla is also planning to roll out Model X, a seven-passenger, all-electric luxury SUV in Q1 2016 and to develop its more affordable Model III to bring battery power to the common man. It is partnering with Panasonic to build a “gigafactory” that will allow enough battery capacity to build up to half a million vehicles a year.
Though Mercedes-Benz shows it technological muscle through 2015 and created serious competition, Ford and Toyota in early move in 2016 may be cutting off the wings of Google and Apple to dominate the dashboard
For Toyota, the plan to develop hydrogen-powered cars for the everyman may become the factor that will make the brand remain at the top of the ladder in 2016.
Just like it did for its recently unveiled Prius, Toyota is looking forward to ubiquitous and top-of-mind for green-thinking consumers. The automaker is gearing up to introduce its hydrogen-powered sedans in California, Japan, and Germany in Q1 this year.
Mercedes-Benz was a leader last year with 70 percent of its latest S-Class luxury sedan drawing upon autonomous features to let the driver sit back and relax. Its traffic jam assist lets the car take over in slow-moving traffic (up to 37 m.p.h.), steering, braking, and accelerating without the driver’s help.
In addition to early move to lead autonomous driving technology, Ford made the best-selling vehicle in America, the F-150, 700 pounds lighter, disrupting three industries—steel, aluminum and automotive.
General Motors’ 4G LTE wireless connectivity technology is factor to watch in 2016. With the technology, GM made embedded wireless connectivity the new in-vehicle standard. The company was the first automaker to implement 4G LTE wireless connectivity across its new models, effectively turning its vehicles into mobile phones on wheels. With a plan to boost investment in 2016, about 90 percent of G.M.’s 2015 model year vehicles across its four brands—Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC—are equipped with 4G LTE.
