VOXX Automotive and ESS Ink Deal
VOXX Automotive Corp. announced it is partnering with Emergency Safety Solutions, Inc. (ESS), to make Hazard Enhanced Location Protocol (H.E.L.P.™️) available to virtually every passenger and commercial vehicle on the road.
"There are more than 280 million vehicles on the road today in the U.S. that would benefit from this lifesaving technology being built in, which presents an incredible roadway safety opportunity,” said Pat Lavelle, President and Chief Executive Officer, VOXX International Corporation.
“The interfacing of enhanced factory hazard lights and GPS-based digital alert technology is cutting edge. Our goal is to greatly reduce these preventable incidents, related injuries, and deaths. This really is a game changer to help us achieve that objective.”
Explosive Growth Lands Merchants Fleet on Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies List for Second Time
Merchants Fleet announced it has been named to Inc 5000’s list of fastest-growing private companies in America for the second time in three years.
The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
“We are proud to be the fastest-growing in our industry, and now again seen as one of the fastest growing in the world,” said Brendan P. Keegan, Chairman, CEO and President of Merchants Fleet.
Women May Be Better at Semi-Autonomous Driving Than Men
August 12, 2022 - One study published in Scientific Reports suggests that, in a situation where the driver needs to reestablish control over a level-three semi-autonomous vehicle, women may respond more quickly and take over the vehicle more stable than their male counterparts.
The study analyzed how well different drivers were able to take over a level-three automated vehicle in situations where a driver would need to reestablish their full attention to the act of driving.
The study also notes its limitations. The test took place on a simulator, so some of the natural driving inclinations were lost. Researchers also noted that men and women often engage in different distracted activities while behind the wheel in the real world that were not simulated (i.e. women applying makeup while driving), so real-world findings could be different.
Companies Improve Electric Vehicle Infrastructure as Fleets Expand
Transitioning commercial fleets to cleaner options has companies quickly adding electric vehicles but also increasing their focus on infrastructure improvements to make those transitions successful.
IKEA is adding more than 225 chargers for its delivery fleet as part of a target of zero-emissions home deliveries by 2025. IKEA is also adding public charging stations to 25 US locations and there will be more than 200 of what the company says are “ultra-fast” chargers. Delta is supplying EVgo with 1,000 fast chargers that have speeds up to 350 KW. EVgo says it has the nation’s largest public fast charging network, with more than 850 charging locations across 60 metropolitan areas.
Rivian has developed a fleet management system that Amazon is already using in its electric delivery vehicles. The Rivian platform is designed to centralize electric delivery vehicle management and increase fleet efficiency. Rivian says the system is based on a subscription model, and all Amazon electric delivery vehicles have it installed.
Does ESG Really Matter – And Why?
Across industries, geographies, and company sizes, organizations have been allocating more resources toward improving ESG (environmental, social, and governance). More than 90 percent of S&P 500 companies now publish ESG reports in some form, as do approximately 70 percent of Russell 1000 companies.
A major part of ESG growth has been driven by the environmental component of ESG and responses to climate change. But other components of ESG, in particular the social dimension, have also been gaining prominence. One analysis found that social-related shareholder proposals rose 37 percent in the 2021 proxy season compared with the previous year.
Many companies today are making major decisions, such as discontinuing operations in Russia, protecting employees in at-risk countries, organizing relief to an unprecedented degree, and doing so in response to societal concerns. They also continue to commit to science-based targets and to define and execute plans for realizing these commitments. That indicates that ESG considerations are becoming more—not less—important in companies’ decision making.
