June 16, 2017 – Silicon Valley Automotive News

This week we saw some interesting developments across the Automotive ecosystem and beyond. Below are some key highlights:

• BMW using ReachNow to get ahead of Silicon Valley. Read More
• General Motors says it has made 130 self-driving Bolts. Read More
• Toyota chief says may consider acquisitions to gain auto tech access. Read More
• The Importance of wireless communication for ADAS and autonomous vehicles. Read More
• Apple‘s next big endeavor? Artificial Intelligence for the automotive industry. Read More
• Quanergy branches out into LiDAR -equipped security surveillance systems. Read More
• Lyft has been quietly catching up to Uber. Read More
• Facebook is trying to woo automakers to advertise on its platforms. Read More
• BMW iVentures announces strategic investment in Proterra. Read More
• How Tesla can become worth more than Apple, according to Morgan Stanley. Read More
• Jaguar Land Rover Invests $25 Million in Lyft. Read More
• Honeywell to acquire industrial cyber security software leader Nextnine. Read More
• The LiDAR Gold Rush. Read More
• Why Ford is panicking in self-driving cars: Alphabet is years ahead of everybody. Read More

HMP Commentary:

Large car manufacturers/OEMs are trying to monitor their risks vis-à-vis the car-sharing and ride-hailing trends as they are determined to get ahead of Silicon Valley’s new startups. As an example, BMW is now pushing it’s ReachNow, car-sharing service.

Facebook is determined to forge closer ties with automakers, Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg will attend, for the first time, the annual Facebook Automotive Summit in Detroit. It appears that their strategy is to convince automobile manufacturers that they can make money by selling ads on the social media platform and therefore increase advertising revenue. Apple is now focusing on their “autonomous systems” and is planning to sell it to any willing manufacturer who could then install it in its own cars. Uber has been embroiled by management turnovers and endured scandals with the last episode being its CEO, Travis Kalanick now put on an indefinite leave of absence as of this week. Lyft seems to be taking advantage of the situation. They were able to raise an additional $600 million in funding to fuel its expansion.

Toyota is now considering mergers and acquisitions to obtain new automotive technologies, including mostly self-driving technologies focusing on companies in the Silicon Valley. Large capital investments are pouring into the LiDAR market, as carmakers are getting prepared for autonomous and assisted driving. Quanergy Systems, the leading provider of LiDAR sensors and smart sensing solutions, just announced that it would demonstrate a first-of-its-kind security solution for intruder detection and surveillance automation. BMW iVentures, the company’s venture capital unit, has announced a strategic investment in Proterra, the leading innovator and manufacturer of heavy-duty electric mass transportation vehicles. Jaguar Land Rover has revealed its investment of $25 million in Lyft as part of an effort to build up and develop autonomous vehicles and other emerging automotive technologies.

About Harvest Management Partners LLC:

Harvest Management Partners LLC is a Silicon Valley based investment bank, specializing in company financial assessment, advisory services, plan of action development, strategic marketing, and worldwide negotiation of mergers and acquisitions.  Since 2010, Harvest Management Partners has assisted over 40 technology clients within the software, semiconductor, security, IP and automotive electronics sectors.  They are also the exclusive Silicon Valley advisors for Fiat Chrysler Automotive (NYSE: FCAU) and TE Connectivity (NYSE: TEL).  With a combined history of 60+ years of direct operational experience and relationships with venture capitalists and C-Level executives worldwide, Harvest Management Partners is well positioned to provide a comprehensive set of unique services for their clients. For more information, visit www.harvestmp.com