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Lucid Motors

Lucid Motors – A Breakthrough In Luxury Electric Vehicle Industry.

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Lucid Motors limited is an American Electric Automobile manufacturer firm formerly known as Atieva established in 2007. It was founded by Bernard Tse and Sam Weng. Its headquarters are in Newark, California. They manufacture high-performance vehicles while focussing on innovation, sustainability, and luxury. It is known as the new generation of electric vehicles. Over 3000 employees have exceptional skills and experience in Automobile Industry. The company achieved a revenue of 27 million US dollars (2021). The firm mainly manufactures software for the supervision of individual battery cells, mechanical packaging, and battery pack controls for plug-in vehicles, aircraft, and automobiles.

History

The firm was founded as Atieva in 2007 for the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries and powertrains for other automobile manufacturers. In 2013, the firm decided to develop a car and by 2014 it secured a nine-digit round of funding to complete its mission of developing the car. They developed a custom powertrain test car with 900 HP. Its exterior was rather common to stay unrecognized. This vehicle could travel 60 mph in just three seconds (Approx.) having exceptional driving range.

In 2016, the firm decided to establish a manufacturing plant of 700 million US dollars in Casa Grande, Arizona. The state and company officials planned the plant’s construction, which was predicted to hire over 2,000 employees by the middle of the 2020s. The initial aim was to build 20,000 cars and extend up to 1,30,000 cars annually. The manufacturing plant was designed to uphold a maximum capacity of 3,80,000 cars. The decision was made to start the plant in 2017 and vehicle production by 2019. It launched its vehicles in September 2021.

The firm’s commercial production started in North America with its retail strategy. The plant’s construction was initiated in 2019 and ended in December 2020. The second phase is currently in the process of maximizing the capacity from 34,000 to 90,000 cars per year. The finalized construction with four phases will have a capacity of about 4,00,000 cars annually.

Lucid Motors
Image source: dribbble.com

Investors

Some key investors who funded their first-ever car were Tsing Capital, Venrock, Mitsui and JAFCO. Since then, they are investing in lucid motors to fuel their innovative ideas.

Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arab

On September 17, 2018, the firm announced that it will be receiving a public investment fund with a value of over one billion US dollars. It is a Saudi Arab Sovereign fund. The funding was finalized in April 2019. It was received to fund the final phase (engineering and testing) construction of the Casa Grande manufacturing plant.

Merger

The firm decided to merge with Churchill Capital Corporation in a deal of 11.75 billion US dollars

Renowned Products

Lucid Air

A sample of the Lucid Air, an entirely electric car, was launched in 2016. Its exceptional features include a projected range of 653 km and 480 horsepower with a starting price of 77,400 USD.

Project Gravity

Lucid Motors produced a concept of an electric SUV in September 2020, which is known as project gravity. Some features of project gravity were sleek headlamps, a short hood, a large windscreen with stylish and large windows, and quarter glass panels.

CEO – Peter Rawlinson

The chief executive officer of lucid motors was a VP of engineering at Tesla before joining Lucid motors. They joined the firm as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in 2013. He is a great British engineer and an entrepreneur. He was born in South Wales and attended Imperial College London.

Founders – Bernard Tse, Sam Weng

Bernard Tse is a great entrepreneur, the former VP at Tesla Motors, and a Board member. He was also the former CEO of Lucid Motors. He has over 20 years of experience in the electric vehicles industry. Sam Weng co-founded Lucid Motors with Bernard. He was also the retired executive of tesla motors and led the firm to its success.

Kiichiro-Toyoda

Kiichiro Toyoda: Journey To Transform Family Business Into An Automobile Manufacturing Company

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Whenever someone wants to buy a car, few names of famous automobile companies come into mind and Toyota is some of them. A Japanese multinational automotive firm Toyota is considered as tenth largest firm on earth by revenue. As of 2018, it was also the second-largest automobile producers worldwide. In fact, it is a pioneer to manufacture over 10 Million vehicles/Year. Toyota also reported the production of its 200 Millionth Vehicle in 2012. Also, in 2014, it was Japan’s largest listed firm by revenue and market capitalization. 

Kiichiro Toyoda set up the firm after he got inspiration from father. Kiichiro always wanted to chase his dream to manufacture an automobile. But that time, he was considering it as a risk to the family profession. Finally, in 1937 he formed Toyota, an automobile firm in Japan. Kiichiro’s colleagues often mentioned him as a “Japan’s Thomas Edison”.

Glimpse to Founder Life

Early life

He was born on 11 June 1894 in Japan at Aichi Prefecture. His father Sakichi was a well-known businessman. As well, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works’ founder. After his father’s death, Kiichiro’s brother became head of the Loom works business. However, Kiichiro always wanted to chase his dream to set up an automobile manufacturing unit. Thus, he persuaded his brother to invest in the expansion of the family business into an idea of automobiles division. 

Backstory

The family background of Kiichiro was strong enough to support his idea of perusing the automobile business. In fact, the Toyoda family had experienced inventing steam, electric looms, and oil. Also, his father was known to the fact that his son would solidify the mechanical prowess the family had in history. So, he encouraged his son to follow his dream. Finally, the decision of Kiichiro changes the family business’s automatic loom manufacture unit to the automobile manufacturing unit by setting firm in 1937. 

Later Life 

He devoted his whole life to building a strong foundation for the company. It was not an easy journey to transform the structure of the family business. Obviously, he had financial support from the family business. But one needs a belief and strong will to take the risk to alter the business. In 1950, Kiichiro resigned after serving for a long time. However, he died just two years after his resignation in 1952. Unfortunately, he would never know the success that would come to him. Even after a huge loss, the company thrived impeccably.

Achievements

Toyota Motor Corp. introduced the compact Corolla Model in 1966. However, it became the best-selling car in the world as of 1997. In fact, over 35 million models were sold at that time. Also, Toyota focused on developing fuel-efficient models, which later became the center of attraction in America. Additionally, the firm also launched the 4Runner sport utility vehicle as well as Camry compact car. In 1989, the company launched the luxury car Lexus. As of 2001, the company introduced the first-ever mass-produced hybrid vehicle all over the world. However, this vehicle called Prius was introduced in Japan in 1997. Furthermore, the had produced over 100 million vehicles in Japan by the end of the 1990s. 

Later successes 

After Kiichiro’s death, his cousin Eiji Toyoda served to flourish it further. He builds the Kiichiro’s successful expansion into a world-class conglomeration of engineering. Also, he assists in the launch of the most prominent luxury brand in Japan. Today, it is one of the leading automobile manufacturers universally. In the year 2018, Toyota was also the second-largest automobile manufacturer on the earth. Also, the firm set the record to manufacture over 10 Million vehicles/Year.

Mazda logo

Mazda Motor Corporation : Success Story that Seems Unreal

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Zoom Zoom! This magical sound will invoke a sense of enthusiasm and passion for driving in the minds of all automobile junkies. There is absolutely no doubt about that. Mazda Motor Corporation is one of the biggest Japanese automobile brands which have managed to capture the interest of the market for vehicles all over the world.

The Unusual Beginning

Initially located in Hiroshima, and named as Tokyo Cork Kogyo Company Ltd, Mazda was founded by Jurigo Matsuda in the year 1920. It’s funny how one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturing firm started out as a mere cork manufacturing factory! This is a classic example of how all giants have a humble beginning. Diversification was the concept that triggered their success. The firm slowly started expanding its production from making corks to include machined products. Soon enough, the firm rebranded itself as Tokyo Kogyo, dropping the term ‘Cork’ from it. Later, the company started manufacturing machine tools also.

Cork to Cars

Jujiro Matsuda Mazda Motor Corporation
Image Source: evomalaysia.com

The year 1931 was quite a bit unusual for Tokyo Kogyo. They did something that nobody had ever attempted to do. They introduced a three-wheel truck into the market. The concept was so bizarre yet so catchy. This was crazy enough for the firm to attract the attention of their target customers. The idea took off in 1945 when there was a high demand for military supply production.

It was only in the year 1960, that the company manufactured its very first passenger car, modelled Mazda R360 coupe. This was a major turning point for the company, and soon, it entered into an agreement with Felix Wankel to manufacture the German company’s famous rotary engine. This rotary engine has a lot of significance, as it has given a certain set of characteristics to the vehicles to increase its efficiency.

The Real Revolution

The release of the Mazda Cosmo Sports 110S model, in 1967, brought the real revolution, as the car featured the German rotary engine. Ever since then, the firm started expanding its market across the European continent. Soon enough, after the year 1970, Mazda started expanding their production and reached to the US as well. Later on, the Ford Motor Company purchased a 25% stake in Tokyo Kogyo, leading the two firms to work together.

It was in the year 1984 that the firm officially changes its name from Tokyo Kogyo to Mazda Motor Corporation. Mazda then developed a US production facility, which was located in the suburban areas of Detroit. All these major changes took place in a very short span of time, and the company saw exponential growth in their market value and revenue. The name Mazda slowly began to make a mark in the automobile industry, and it is safe to say that the company has come a long way from manufacturing quirky three-wheeled trucks to becoming the super players in the market.

A major event in the timeline of Mazda Motor Corporation took place, when the firm sold its 50% share of the Detroit plant to Ford Motor Corporation, and thus, created a joint venture named AutoAlliance International Inc.

The Downfall and Rise

After a long success streak, in 1994, Mazda faced its first downfall. The company fell into loss, and this, maintained to be for another 5 years. Following which, Ford took over the major shares of operations in Mazda and named Henry J Wallace as the President. It was for the very first time in history that a non-Japanese had headed a Japanese firm. After a few years, in 1999, Mazda regained its lost glory as the firm attained its profit status after a long six years.

Mazda Motor Corporation Today

Mazda now positions itself as the high-end Japanese Automobile technology giant, which started out as a cork manufacturing factory somewhere in Hiroshima. The firm still has its headquarters in Hiroshima and is headed by Akira Marumoto, who is the Representative Director of the firm. The automobile giant now focuses more on the manufacture and sales of passenger cars and commercial vehicles, with a net worth of 284 billion dollars. With their vision to make driving more fun and carefree, they have developed several successful models that have been accepted wholeheartedly by the customers all over the globe. The network of Mazda has spread over countries like the US, Germany and China. The success story of Mazda Motor Corporation is truly an inspiration for all the beginners, who envision making it big in the business world.

dodge

Dodge: Story of Classic Vintage and Disputed Success Since 1900

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The two brothers, John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge, started carving a niche in the world of automobile, since 1900. And in this journey of 119 years, Dodge has become a connoisseur of high-style vehicles. It is well known for producing high-powered cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and minivans. The company’s headquarters is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.

Early History of Dodge Brothers

The Dodge brothers grew an interest and skill for machines from their father, who specialized in making engines for marine automobiles. Before founding Dodge, the two brothers worked at the Murphy Boiler Works, in Detroit. In 1897, they established Evans & Dodge Bicycle Company with Fred S. Evans but sold it after a couple of years.

In 1990, the two were established for manufacturing chassis components and other required parts for the automobile industries. The company started flourishing from the very beginning, due to their excellent work and two prime customers, Old Motors and Ford Motor. Initially, they had a workspace in the Boydell Building, but later a plant was built in Mark Avenue. Dodge started receiving huge contracts from Ford, and hence, the main factory was established in Hamtramck, in 1910, to sign in for even higher orders.

Dodge Brothers
Image Source: davidsiwik.net

Relationship with Ford

The once started contract with Ford, an investment of $10,000 brought the entrepreneurs $1.7 million profit and $3.8 million in dividends from their stock, in 1914. The business relationship between these two companies started becoming harsh after Ford reduced the dividends to the stockholders, and the brothers filed a suit in 1916 against the company. This lawsuit proved quite profitable to the company, as it received 10 per cent of the dividend $19 million in 1918. And later, they received a return of $32 million from their total production for Fords.

Founding Dodge Motors

In 1914, Dodge Motors was established with a capital of $5 million. In the same year, they designed their first car- Dodge Model 30/35 touring car. The two brothers already had a reputation in the U.S market for selling the best quality motor parts, and in 1916, their cars were ranked the second best in the U.S.

The company also supplied light wheeled vehicles to the U.S Army and nearly 12,800 cars and trucks were supplied during World War I.

The Unstable Acquisitions

The death of both the Dodge brothers in the year of 1920 led to the constant downfall of the company for the next few years. In 1925, from the second position in the U.S market, it shifted to the fifth place, resulting in selling the company to an investment group, Dillion, Read & Co. Frederick Haynes remained the president of the company, even after it was sold to a different owner.

In October 1925, Dodge acquired 51% interest in Graham brothers for $13 million, and later, acquired the remaining part in May 1926. The Graham brothers established Graham-Paige Company to build a new series of passenger cars, but none of this could take the company to its previous position. So, in 1928, Dodge was again sold to Chrysler Corporation, and it started building Chrysler trucks.

The Chrysler Age

Under the leadership of Chrysler, many new models were launched one modifying the other. In 1932, a new factory was built in Los Angeles, California, to build Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and Plymouth vehicles.

Chrysler was very inventive about war vehicles, and Dodge was already popular for its contribution in the U.S army. During World War II, the company (Dodge America) built over 400,000 trucks for the war, and Chrysler Canada built over 180,000 Dodge trucks for British and the Commonwealth militaries.

Postwar, a lot of new models came up, and again, stabilized the name of the company. The Dodge Custom 4-door sedan (1946), Coronet (1956 ), and Coronet 440 sedan (1967) were some of the bestsellers of the comoany during that period.

The oil crisis of 1973 led to a change in the design of many car models, and the number of imported cars from the company’s Japanese partner, Mitsubishi increased. An entire series of luxurious cars were introduced, like Dodge Charger, 1977 Dodge Diplomat sedan, and 1976 Dart 4-door sedan.

Chrysler introduced ‘K-Car’ in the 1980s, but it was replaced by LH, a 1990s leading vehicle, to launch some of the high-rated cars, like LH Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde and Eagle Vision.

The Modern Age

In 1998, Chrysler Corporation merged with Daimler-Benz AG, and Dodge became the new company’s low-price division.

In 2009, Fiat came in a joint venture with Chrysler under Sergio Marchionne, with the UAW, and the U.S Government to form Chrysler Group LLC. For this partnership, the U.S government-provided a loan which was repaid with interest in 2011, five years prior to the date. In 2014, both Chrysler LLC and Fiat merged to form Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and announced that the company will be based in London.

Rolls-Royce : Success Story Of A Motor Car Brand That Over a Century Old

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Rolls-Royce, a renowned motor car company, established in 1904, has been through many phases of accomplishments both alone and in a joint venture with other superior automobile companies around the world.

The two masterminds behind this colossal empire, Henry Royce and Charles Rolls met each other in May 1994, after Royce built his first motor car. With the partnership of a majestic car designer and an aviation pioneer, the company started producing the best cars world has ever witnessed.

Henry Royce

Sir Frederick Henry Royce was born in Alwalton, Huntingdonshire on 27 March 1863. He was an engineer and a car designer by occupation. Since his father died, when he was very young, there was always a financial crisis in the family. But luckily, Royce along with Ernest Claremont started a business of electric fittings, in 1884 with some of their savings. And, by the next decade, the company started building dynamos and electric cranes, when the idea of motor car company struck Royce’s mind. He was so fixated on the idea that he built his own motor car in 1904, which eventually, led to the meeting between him and Rolls.

Rolls-Royce founders
Image Source: telegraph.co

Charles Rolls

Charles Stewart Rolls was born in Berkeley Square, London on 27 August 1877. He was a motor car promoter and an aviator by occupation. Since a very young age, Charles was interested in developing engines, so he studied mechanical and applied science from Trinity College. Apart from engineering, he had the skills of a true businessman. In January 1903, he established one of Britain’s first car dealership, his father being the capital investor. Engaging himself into the business world resulted at the beginning of an era when he co-founded Rolls-Royce.

History of Rolls-Royce

The beginning of the tale dates back to 4th May 1904, when these two men met at the Midland Hotel, Manchester, through Henry Edmunds, a friend of Charles Rolls. In 23rd December 1904, both of them settled to an agreement and decided the trading name of their company, i.e. Rolls-Royce. In the same month, the first car of Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce 10 hp, was launched at the Paris Salon. In March 1906, Rolls-Royce Limited was formed with Royce as the chief engineer and works director, while Rolls managed the financial section of the business. In the same year, the six-cylinder Silver Ghost was released, which then, gained immense popularity and was known as ‘the best car in the world’. By 1907, the company started receiving awards for the exquisite design engineering that increased the reliability of the cars. The partnership ended with the death of Rolls in 1910.

In the year 1914, in response to the First World War, Royce started designing aero engines. And the first aero engine- Eagle. It was the first engine that motorized the first flight from England to Australia. In October 1928, Royce started designing the ‘R’ engine, and within a span of one year, the ‘R’ engine set a new record of airspeed (357.7 miles per hour). This led to the winning of Schneider Trophy in 1929. In 1931, the ‘R’ engine established a new world record of speed 400 miles per hour. In 1933, Royce launched PV-12, and the first test of this engine was completed in 1934, one year after Royce died. And this engine was known as the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine.

During the Second World War, the company got transformed into a huge aeronautical tycoon, because of the rising demand for the Merlin. In the year 1944, under the supervision of Sir Frank Whittle, the development of the aero gas turbine began. It had a good technological lead. In 1953, the company entered the civil aviation market with the Dart in the Vickers Viscount. This was a strategy to finally gain the acceptance for gas turbines by the aeronautical industry.

In 1960, the company launched RB211 (three shafts high-bypass turbofan engine). By 1961, many small companies came under the acquisition of Rolls-Royce, and in 1966, the company merged with Bristol Siddeley. By 1987, it became the only company in Britain to power engines in air, land, and even, in the sea. In 1990, the company formed a joint venture with BMW of Germany.

In 1995, acquisition of Allison Engine Company in Indianapolis led to many successful defence programs. By the end of the 1990s, the company globally dominated the marine power systems, and by the end of an entire century, BMW took the responsibility of the Rolls-Royce cars.

In 2005, the company opened its 6,000 square meter Marine facility in Shanghai. In 2006, the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 ran for the first time. Many more engines were developed in the next few years, which served airways all over the world. In May 2011, the company received a contract for building nuclear-powered submarines by the UK government.

Currently, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (BMW Subsidiary) has its headquarters in Goodwood, West Sussex with more than 1300 employees beating its own sales record every year. The other sections of this gigantic industry are also carrying out projects with their magnificent technologies to create a better tomorrow.

BMW : One of the Oldest Aircraft Manufactures and the Leading Motorcars Giant of Today’s Time

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Humans have always been obsessed with speed. Ever since the emergence of automobiles, our top priority has been to build a machine, which is faster, and at the same time, reliable. One company that has gained the trust of the millions around the world is BMW.

Bavarian Motor Works or Bayerische Motoren Werke is a Germany based automobile manufacturing giant. Founded in the year 1916, by Franz Josef Popp, BMW has a total workforce of more than a hundred thousand employees. The company headquarters are located in Munich, Bavaria and, Germany. It is an international acclaimed manufacturing unit and the most reliable and trusted brand in the global market.

BMW headquarters
Image Source: bmwblog.com

The company is the twelfth largest motorcars producer company in the world. Awarded at several events, the motorcars manufacturer hold Guinness World Record for longest sustained drift by BMW M5 model. BMW produces cars in Germany, China, India, South Africa, UK and US. Today, it is the most desirable car brand besides Mercedes and Audi.

The Emergence of the Company

During the initial days, BMW started as an aircraft-manufacturing firm named Rapp Motorenwerke. By the end of 1918, the manufacturing unit of the firm was forced to cease the aircraft engine manufacturing, and later, in the year 1923, it switched to motorcycle production. The transmission was not that easy, however, it bought golden luck for the company. Soon, the firm started manufacturing and producing motorcycles on a commercial scale.

In 1930, the firm regained authorization to manufacture aircraft parts. But by the end of 1959, due to the cost constraints, the firm had to discontinue the aircraft production. The company then decided to switch to automobile manufacturing, which proved to be a vital changing phase in the future of the firm.

Transition as Automobile Manufacturer

Right after the switch, BMW bought Hans Glas in 1966. The first car released by the company was Dixi. The car’s design was based on Aston seven model. The Dixi had a top speed of 75mph, which was pretty fast in those times. In 1992, BMW acquired a big California based industrial studio, and later, annexed British Rover Group.

Rover brought bad omen for BMW, and as a result, the company decided to sell Rover to Phoenix Consortium. The company ever since then involved exponentially in car designing and manufacturing process. It has a customary blue and white logo derived from ancestral Rapp Motorenwerke. The company has estimated more than six assembly lines and four operating division mainly BMW Motorrad, Mini, BMW Motorsport and BMWi. In order to meet the requirement of the global market, the company has tripled its production units in recent years. At present, the company has a revenue of astounding $97.48 billion. The brand has established its name as one of the leading car manufacturers. The BMW cars are quite popular among celebrities as well.

Car Racing Industry and BMW

The BMW brand has dominated the Formula1 tournaments as well. The advanced engineering solution has not only evolved the cars for a better result but into a racing machine. Every year a significant number of BMW cars take part in competition around the world. BMW is not only deluged with success but clients and media attention. European golf events, PGA Championship, Football clubs and United States Olympic Committee are just a few of many clients that BMW looks after as a prominent sponsor.

Awards and Recognitions

According to several magazine and tableau, BMW is among the top 10 automobile manufacturing companies in the world. It earned 2012’s best buy award in engine and premium compact car category. In 2011, the company won The Red dot award for product designing. It was also awarded the Euro Car body award in 2017. Recently, BMW M5 has been voted the world’s best performance car of 2018.