Kirsten Korosec
TechCrunch
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Recent articles by Kirsten:
TuSimple adds another $120 million to its self-driving trucks war chest –
Self-driving truck startup TuSimple has added another $120 million to a Series D funding round led by Sina, operator of China’s biggest microblogging site Weibo, bringing the total haul to $215 million as it seeks to expand. The company, which launched in 2015 and has operations in China, San Diego and Tucson, Arizona, hit unicorn […] → Read More
Waymo’s robotaxi pilot surpassed 6,200 riders in its first month in California –
Waymo transported 6,266 passengers in self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivans in its first month participating in a robotaxi pilot program in California, according to a quarterly report the company filed with the California Public Utilities Commission. In all, the company completed 4,678 passenger trips in July — plus another 12 trips for educational purposes. It’s a […] → Read More
With the 2020 Cadillac CT4, GM begins to expand its hands-free Super Cruise driving system –
GM’s high-end brand unveiled Thursday the 2020 Cadillac CT4, a sporty and small sedan that is designed and priced to attract younger buyers looking to enter into the luxury car market. The vehicle’s debut also marks an important expansion for GM’s hands-free driver assistance system, Super Cruise. The hands-free driving system has been lauded for its […] → Read More
Voyage raises $31 million to bring driverless taxis to communities –
Voyage, the autonomous vehicle startup that spun out of Udacity, announced Thursday it has raised $31 million in a round led by Franklin Templeton. Khosla Ventures, Jaguar Land-Rover’s InMotion Ventures, and Chevron Technology Ventures also participated in the round. The company, which operates a ride-hailing service in retirement communities using self-driving cars supported by human […] → Read More
Sidewalk Labs spins out urban data-gathering tool Replica into a company –
Replica, the data-gathering tool created within Sidewalk Labs that maps the movement of people in cities, is now a company. The newly formed company, which is headed by Nick Bowden, also announced Thursday it has raised $11 million in a Series A funding round from investors Innovation Endeavors, Firebrand Ventures, and Revolution’s Rise of the […] → Read More
Elon Musk promises to take Tesla Model S to ‘Plaid’ with new powertrain –
Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised a more powerful powertrain option in future Model S, Model X and the next-generation Roadster sports car that will push acceleration and speed beyond the current high bar known as Ludicrous mode. Musk tweeted Wednesday evening “the only thing beyond Ludicrous is Plaid,” a teaser to a higher performing vehicle […] → Read More
Audi’s off-roading electric concept would be perfect for Tatooine –
Concept vehicles are a staple of the auto show circuit. And while most will never end up as a production vehicle, they can provide insight into an automaker and clues to where it’s headed. Over at Audi, designers and engineers might have had a distant planet in mind. Or at least an expanse of wilderness. […] → Read More
Ford unveils lineup for Europe to outpace gas and diesel vehicle sales by 2022 –
Ford unveiled a range of hybrid vehicles Tuesday at the Frankfurt Motor Show as part of its plan to reach sales of 1 million electrified vehicles in Europe by the end of 2022. Ford introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Mondeo wagon, Puma compact crossover, Kuga (shown below) and Explorer SUVs as well as […] → Read More
Let’s look inside Volkswagen’s new ID.3 electric hatchback –
The Volkswagen ID.3 that debuted ahead of the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt looks like a compact hatchback. And it is. But inside customers might feel like they’re sitting in a bigger car, thanks to how engineers and designers took advantage of the electric architecture. Without having to contend with an internal combustion engine, […] → Read More
Volta Charging raises another $20 million to expand ad-supported EV charging network –
Volta Charging, the San Francisco-based company that combines outdoor digital advertising with charging stations to give electric vehicle owners free power, has added another $20 million in a follow-on to its Series C round. The company’s Series C round is now closed at $100 million. Schneider Electric Ventures, SK Innovation, Energize Ventures and a number […] → Read More
Rivian lands $350 million investment from Cox Automotive –
Rivian, the adventure-minded electric automaker that plans to produce a pickup truck and SUV, has raised $350 million from global automotive services company Cox Automotive. The two companies said Tuesday they will also “explore partnership opportunities in service operations, logistics, and digital retailing.” Further details weren’t provided. However, a statement from Rivian founder and CEO […] → Read More
Volkswagen reveals its mass-market ID.3, an electric car with up to 341 miles of range –
Volkswagen introduced Monday the ID. 3, the first model in its new all-electric ID brand and the beginning of the automaker’s ambitious plan to sell 1 million EVs annually by 2025. The ID.3 debut, which occurred at an event the evening before the first press day of the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt, is […] → Read More
Root Insurance valuation hits $3.65 billion in latest round led by DST Global and Coatue –
Root Insurance, an Ohio-based car insurance startup that uses smartphone technology to understand individual driver behavior, said Monday it has raised $350 million on a $3.65 billion valuation in a Series E funding round. The amount of the round was reported last month, citing anonymous sources. This official announcement fills in the remaining details, including that […] → Read More
Uber commits $200 million to Uber Freight expansion in bet on trucking and Chicago –
Uber Freight is establishing its headquarters in Chicago as part of Uber’s broader plan to invest more than $200 million annually in the region, including hiring hundreds of workers. Uber said Monday it will hire 2,000 new employees in the region over the next three years, most of which will be dedicated to Uber Freight […] → Read More
Porsche increases stake in electric car maker Rimac Automobili to 15.5% –
Porsche AG is increasing its stake in Croatian electric vehicle components and hypercar company Rimac Automobili. The increased stake is the latest effort by Porsche to invest more into electric mobility, particularly in battery technology. It was just 14 months ago that Porsche took a 10% stake in Rimac. Now, the German automaker is pushing […] → Read More
Porsche Taycan configurator: The 11 details that stood out –
The Porsche Taycan is here — actually two flavors, the Turbo S and the Turbo — in case you haven’t seen the deluge of media coverage. The upshot: the “lower” priced Turbo starts at $150,900 while the Turbo S begins at $185,000. While Porsche is promising cheaper variants of the Taycan next year, well-heeled drivers […] → Read More
Google Assistant, navigation and apps coming to GM vehicles starting in 2021 –
GM is turning to Google to provide in-vehicle voice, navigation and other apps in its Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles starting in 2021. GM began shipping vehicles with Google Android Automotive OS in 2017, starting with the Cadillac CTS and expanding to other brands. Android Automotive OS shouldn’t be confused with Android Auto, which is […] → Read More
Here’s every angle of the Porsche Taycan Turbo S in pictures –
Four years ago, Porsche showed off a concept that would mark a turning point — in investment, R&D and product trajectory — for the German automaker. The reaction to the Mission E, as it was called then, prompted Porsche AG to push forward with a plan to not only develop one electric car, but commit […] → Read More
Tesla Autopilot design combined with driver inattention caused crash, NTSB says –
The National Transportation Safety Board said driver inattention coupled with the design of Tesla’s advanced driver assistance system Autopilot and an over reliance on feature were behind the January 2018 crash of a Model S into a parked fire truck on a highway in Southern California. The NTSB filed Wednesday the report a day after […] → Read More
Porsche’s all-electric evolution: from sketch to Mission E concept to Porsche Taycan –
The Porsche Taycan, the German automaker’s first all-electric sports car has arrived. After four years of development, the company lifted the veil Wednesday on the Porsche Taycan. Here’s a look back at how this four-door electric vehicle developed from a few sketches to the Mission E concept, and then to the Taycan prototype and final […] → Read More