Company, business and industry news (other)

Autonomous vehicles are intended to make urban traffic more efficient and safer. However, in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Waymo's robotaxis are increasingly coming under scrutiny for parking violations. The vehicles operated by the Alphabet subsidiary received a total of 589 parking tickets for illegal parking in San Francisco alone in 2024. The imposed fines there amounted to 65,065 US dollars.

dpa) Elon Musk is an enthusiastic supporter of Donald Trump. However, his car manufacturer Tesla warns that the president's tariffs could harm the company.

At the latest meeting of the IRU Taxi Group (International Road Union), which meets biannually, Gregor Beiner, board member of the Federal Association of Taxis and Rental Cars (BVTM), was elected Vice President of the IRU Taxi Group.

(dpa/tk) In the wage dispute of public transportation in MV, the signs continue to point to confrontation. The union wants to increase the pressure with further warning strike days this and next week.

The Alphabet subsidiary Waymo is now offering its autonomous ride service in several cities in Silicon Valley. Customers in Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and parts of Sunnyvale can use the driverless vehicles in the future. The new service area covers 70 square kilometers. Previously, the service in this region was only accessible to company employees.

(dpa/lsw) - The toll for drivers on highways has already failed once. It cost more than 240 million euros. Nevertheless, the District Council is making a new attempt in light of the exploratory talks.

The telephony provider Peoplefone Germany has recently started offering a mobile tariff that is ideal for the taxi business: With Mobile-5-Turbo, businesses receive a phone and SMS flat rate to all German networks. The data volume is 5 GB per calendar month, which is more than sufficient for data exchange via a taxi app.

The Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV) is up in arms against the minimum wage increase to 15 euros proposed by the SPD. According to the TMV, the middle class must absolutely be relieved to avoid the risk of more and more taxi companies having to give up.

Hello Taxi! No question – the Mercedes W123 series is an automotive legend. The top-class model from Swabia is considered timeless, elegant, and indestructible. This is especially true for the 300 Diesel. On a tour through Florida, the ivory-colored exile Swabian attracts attention not only because of its taxi sign on the roof.

Taxi companies that have so far managed their INSIKA data through the Hamburg service provider Tesymex must find a new solution by the end of March. Due to the liquidation of the company, alternatives such as Starksoft, Taxiwin, and Hale are available.

In numerous German cities, municipalities offer vouchers for women to enable discounted taxi rides during nighttime hours. These measures aim to increase the safety of women on their way home at night.

All good things come in threes - ÜSTRA is being struck again! The union ver.di has called for a full-day warning strike on March 13, 2025. The renewed strike represents a certain challenge for the taxi industry - but not a problem.

(dpa) It has been the best-selling product of the Volkswagen brand for years: the VW currywurst. And while car sales are flagging, the sausage is rushing from record to record.

Mobility means more than just getting from A to B – it can also fulfill special wishes and lead to unforgettable moments. Freenow is continuing its successful "Round Up and Donate" initiative and is now supporting the Wünschewagen project of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland e. V. (ASB).

(dpa) Significantly less profit is coming from China, which was once a major source of earnings. In addition, there are restructuring costs. This impacts the earnings. Despite cost-cutting measures, VW is paying its employees a higher bonus.

A car manufacturer can take two paths with its bestseller: either stick with what is tried and tested or undertake a comprehensive overhaul. Tesla has chosen the latter and given the Model Y a thorough refresh.

In three weeks, the time has come – this year's PBefG Symposium, in collaboration with the German Association of Cities, builds on the successes of the last two years: Already 110 representatives from authorities across Germany have registered for the event format with the motto “Update 2025: Securely using PBefG instruments – cities learning from cities.”

Mercedes-Benz receives approval to test special marking lights for automated driving in Germany. The Stuttgart-based automotive company establishes turquoise as the color of automated driving

Starting from May 1, 2025, taxi rides in the state capital can also be booked at a fixed price. The multi-mobility app Freenow, with a focus on the taxi business, will integrate the new pricing model directly into the app starting May 1.

Seven was yesterday. The A6 was A6 and remains A6 – also as Avant with a combustion engine. Apart from the name that is little more than declarative, expectations are particularly high for the new luxury model from Ingolstadt. As a chauffeur's wagon or a luxury taxi, the Ingolstadt model could certainly impress.

(dpa/bb) The dispute between Tesla and the regional water supplier is stubborn. An agreement on a new water contract for the electric car factory is not in sight despite lengthy negotiations.

(dpa) The European automotive industry is under pressure, and politics wants to help. EU Commission President von der Leyen now says where the journey should go.

The private local radio "Die neue Welle" is joyfully reporting that the platform provider Uber is now also available in Karlsruhe. The platform is well-known to most people and has already been active in the city with its delivery service Uber Eats. Karlsruhe - the next city where Uber is challenging the taxi industry.

Berlin has taken on a nationwide pioneering role in securing the future of the taxi and rental car industry, declared Thomas Kroker, President of the Taxi and Rental Car Association Germany (TMV). They welcome the fact that CDU and SPD in the Berlin House of Representatives have jointly set the course for fair competition on the streets of the capital.

The emergency motion in the House of Representatives on Thursday to better protect taxis as a public service was approved by all parties. The Federal Association of Taxis and Rental Cars (BVTM) welcomes the action plan and urges the swift implementation of minimum prices.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) is, on behalf of the entire industry, a partner of Deutsche Bahn AG. Among other things, in employee mobility and disruption management, Deutsche Bahn has been relying on the flexible solutions of the taxi industry since 2006. 

In Bamberg, representatives of smaller cities, taxi centers, and cooperatives met at the end of last week for the Anti-Uber Alliance (AUA). With about 60 participants, the first meeting of the community of suffering and interest initiated by Christian Linz from the LVBTM was well attended.

The Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV) is relying on the new government and emphasizes the desire for cooperation. According to TMV, urgent issues in infrastructure, economy, and administration must be addressed in the new legislative period.

(dpa-AFX) The car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz expects even stronger headwinds and a significantly worse result this year. CEO Ola Källenius attributed this on Thursday to a continuously challenging environment.

(dpa/lni) In Bremerhaven, drivers can now also refuel with hydrogen if they have a suitable car. The new facility was opened by a prominent guest.

(dpa/sa) From cars to motorcycles to trucks, the numbers have increased. Who were the losers in 2024?

(ots) With a foreign trade volume (sum of exports and imports) of 252.8 billion euros, the United States was Germany's most important trading partner in 2024 for the first time since 2015.

(dpa) Recently, negative headlines have been piling up for Mercedes. The proud automaker has several areas of concern. What is the issue?

(dpa/lni) Are electric cars retreating or are they the future? This question also occupies many VW employees in Emden. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz provides a clear answer to this during a visit to East Frisia.

(dpa) Continental is tightening its cost-cutting measures. To prepare the struggling auto supplier division for the stock market launch, more jobs are to be cut there.

EIT InnoEnergy appoints Christian Bauer as the new DACH CEO.

(ots) Even once successful companies sometimes fail to maintain their market position, leaving a sale as the only chance to survive. This is demonstrated by the example of the flying taxi company Lilium, which, once a promising start-up, suddenly found itself insolvent and is now searching for investors or buyers.

(dpa) On calm winter days, coal and gas power plants are currently ramped up. In the future, however, others are increasingly supposed to take over. Which ones could those be?

Confidence in the range of electric vehicles is increasing significantly in Germany - this is a result of the latest Shell Recharge E-Mobility Study. Shell is presenting the annual study for the seventh time as a key player in the industry.

The Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV) makes a clear appeal to the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV). Public mobility with foresight must necessarily include taxis.

(ots) Although the expansion of public charging infrastructure continues to advance, local providers still dominate the regional charging station market.

(dpa) The ramp-up of e-mobility is stalling. However, according to a survey, customer resistance to the new technology is decreasing. But there are still plenty of problems.

(dpa) China's economy has been struggling with weak consumption and trade disputes for some time. China's top executives have now come together in Beijing. Observers see a specific reason behind the meeting.

(ots) The decision of the Federal Council regarding the regulation of the transition of the national emissions trading under the Fuel Emissions Trading Act (BEHG) into the European Emissions Trading System ETS-2 can lead to a significant increase in fuel prices without additional measures - with correspondingly negative consequences for businesses and consumers, warns the Central Association of German Motor Trades (ZDK) on Friday in Berlin.

Ordered via an app, a car with an empty driver's seat pulls up, remotely controlled from the headquarters, it then brings the boarding passengers to their destination: Already 49 percent of Germans are familiar with remote-controlled driving, while 47 percent have not heard of it yet.

(dpa) Porsche is wielding the red pencil in the crisis: The sports car manufacturer wants to reduce staff to cut costs. Two locations are affected. However, the bonus is also to be capped.

A representative survey commissioned by the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) has revealed that 60 percent of Germans support the demands of the taxi associations for minimum prices for platform operators.

(dpa) A document gave the impression that a US department wants to spend 400 million dollars on Tesla cars. Incorrectly recorded, it is now said. Trump wants to dispel concerns about Tesla CEO Musk.

(dpa/bb) A letter claiming responsibility suggests: The attack on the railway line in Berlin was aimed at Tesla. Brandenburg's Interior Minister warns of high criminal energy.

(dpa/fn) Cooperation in key areas, yes, merger no. A merger between number two and number three of the Japanese car manufacturers is off the table.

(dpa) 3,000 euros for hunting associations are causing a stir in connection with the Northvolt settlement. Were community representatives therefore biased when they cleared the way for the construction of the factory?

(dpa) To promote electric cars in Germany, from the perspective of the ADAC president, a reliable charging infrastructure and lower electricity prices are necessary. He also perceives a "grave mistake" by the politicians.

The Taxi Center Erlangen and FREENOW have formed a groundbreaking partnership. Through this collaboration, even more taxis can now be conveniently booked via the mobility service provider's app.

UTA Edenred expands the fuel network in Finland through a partnership with the Finnish energy company Oy Teboil Ab (“Teboil”).

(ots/PRNewswire) As early as December, Hyundai Mobis announced its latest development of a new movable sound system that is synchronized with the movement of the display installed in the driver's seat (cockpit).

(ots) In the first three months (November 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025) of the new fiscal year 2024/2025 at Sunny Cars, it is now apparent that holiday cars are enjoying great popularity this year.

(dpa-AFX) - The automotive supplier and connection technology specialist Norma Group felt the effects of the weak industry development last year.

Shiftmove, a pioneer in digital fleet management, is further advancing its growth following the acquisition of the French fleet management specialist Optimum Automotive – and is strengthening its leadership team with two proven experts.

(dpa) Those who sell their car in Frankfurt am Main receive an annual pass for bus and train. Other cities also want to promote the transition in transportation with such or similar incentives.

The ACV Transportation Transition Paper is now available as an interactive digital brochure on the ACV website.