The lean startup: How to stay lean when your company takes off
The Lean Startup concept, developed by Eric Reis roughly two years ago, has been embraced by the startup community. And though I think it’s the best and most consistent framework available for entrepreneurs to methodically evaluate their ventures, what happens when you get a product into the market that customers actually want and your business starts to grow? Does the “lean” focus end there?
So far, there isn’t enough data to show what happens next. … Continue Reading
Ford and Toyota begin work on joint electric car powertrain
Car manufacturers Ford and Toyota announced today that the companies will collaborate on a hybrid-electric car powertrain for sport utility vehicles and light trucks.
Ford and Toyota will jointly develop a rear-wheel drive electric powertrain and then introduce the powertrain in separate vehicle lines for each company. The light trucks and SUVs should arrive sometime later this decade, the companies said in an official announcement.
“The companies are likely looking to reduce cost of the … Continue Reading
Google self-driving Prius gets into first accident, thanks to human error
For the first time, one of Google’s much-hyped self-driving cars has been in a car accident, according to auto blog Jalopnik. But it’s actually a mere human’s fault.
Google said the accident, in which a Google-owned Toyota Prius rear-ended another Prius, happened when a driver — rather than the car’s computer — was in control. The accident, which happened earlier this week, occurred not far from Google’s Mountain View, Calif., headquarters.
“Safety is our top … Continue Reading
Tesla Motors inks $100M deal with Toyota
Electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors has made a deal to supply Toyota with electric powertrains.
The powertrains, which Tesla uses in its Model S and Tesla Roadster cars will now ship in Toyota’s RAV4 car in a deal that will net the company $100 million, according to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The powertrain system includes a battery, charging system, inverter, motor, gearbox and associated software that are deployed in Tesla’s … Continue Reading
California electric car rebate program runs dry
A California program that gives hybrid and pure-electric car buyers a rebate between $1,500 and $5,000 has run out of funding for the remainder of the state’s fiscal year ending June 30.
The state of California allocated $7 million last year for rebates to qualified electric car buyers. The popularity of the federally-mandated Cash for Clunkers program sent car buyers out in droves. Spurred on by high gas prices, early adopters were eager to go … Continue Reading
