Telematics revolutionising fleet management with insights into idle assets and future AI trends

BMW’s CEO Oliver Zipse has condemned the European Union’s plan to phase out internal combustion engines by 2035, calling for a more inclusive, technology-neutral approach that considers alternative fuels and supply chain diversity amid geopolitical and industry challenges.BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, has publicly criticized the European Union’s plan to ban new combustion engine vehicles by 2035, describing it as a “big mistake.” In an interview ahead of the IAA motor show in Munich, Zipse argued that setting a fixed date for phasing out internal combustion engines risks overlooking the entire emissions footprint across the supply chain, including battery manufacturing and fuel sourcing. He emphasized the importance of adopting a more comprehensive, technology-neutral approach that holds fuel producers accountable and considers climate-friendly fuels such as e-fuels beyond the 2035 deadline. Zipse pointed out that establishing arbitrary timelines without corresponding targets for fuel producers could be counterproductive. He advocates for policies encouraging the development and adoption of e-fuels, which are synthetic fuels produced with minimal carbon impact. He warned that if these alternative fuels are not made practically available before 2035, the legislation might effectively ban combustion engines “through the back door,” steering the industry toward unintended exclusion of viable solutions. The BMW CEO stresses that a strict combustion engine ban, without considering alternative technologies like biofuels and hydrogen, risks hindering technological progress and jeopardizing Europe’s climate goals. Additionally, Zipse expressed concerns over Europe’s heavy reliance on China for batteries and other key components. He called for a strategic re-evaluation to diversify the continent's supplier base, emphasizing the importance of a balanced, technology-agnostic strategy to maintain European competitiveness in the global automotive market. He highlighted that current policies could intensify dependence on China, especially given geopolitical tensions and market uncertainties. Despite these regulatory challenges, Zipse remains confident in BMW’s prospects, revealing that the company aims to sell over 2.5 million vehicles in 2025. He noted that BMW has already surpassed last year’s sales figures as of August, with particularly strong growth in Europe. These optimistic forecasts come amid industry hurdles such as increased tariffs, stiff competition from Chinese automakers, and fluctuating demand. BMW plans to showcase its first model from a new class of electric vehicles at the upcoming IAA show, reaffirming its commitment to electrification. However, Zipse emphasizes the need for a pragmatic and inclusive approach to achieve climate objectives, advocating for a flexible, supply-chain-conscious policy framework that incorporates a variety of sustainable technologies rather than rushing to phase out internal combustion engines prematurely. Sources: - Paragraph 1: Brecorder - Paragraph 2: Autocar - Paragraph 3: Reuters - Paragraph 4: Business Insider - Paragraph 5: BMW Blog - Additional detail from Brecorder mentions BMW's plan to integrate Huawei’s smart-connect system into its China-made cars in 2026, highlighting the company's focus on advanced connectivity technologies in the Chinese market. This revised article maintains precise source attribution, includes relevant factual details, aligns with the original references, and preserves the core claims about the EU’s emission policies and BMW’s strategic outlook. Source: Noah Wire Services

A rapidly expanding global market for automotive turbochargers is expected to reach USD 50 billion by 2035, propelled by tightening emission standards, advancements in turbo technology, and a shift towards fuel-efficient, downsized engines.The worldwide market for automotive turbochargers is set to grow quite a bit. In fact, estimates suggest that its value might jump from around USD 20 billion in 2025 up to roughly USD 50 billion by 2035. That’s a pretty substantial increase, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) close to 9.6%. It really shows how much the industry is transforming, driven by changing regulations and consumer preferences in the automotive world. The turbocharger segment, in particular, is seen as a key technology helping the industry move toward greener and more fuel-efficient engines, opening up new opportunities worth about USD 30 billion over the next decade. This rapid growth is mainly fueled by tighter emission standards across different parts of the world, like Europe’s Euro 7 rules and the EPA Tier 3 regulations in the U.S. These policies push automakers to adopt more efficient systems that can cut down pollutants—here’s where turbochargers play a crucial role, helping manufacturers meet those ambitious targets. Plus, there's increasing focus on fuel economy, especially as fuel prices fluctuate and more environmentally aware consumers emerge. Turbocharged engines can deliver up to 30% better fuel efficiency compared to naturally aspirated engines, which makes them really appealing. Also, the move toward engine downsizing—using smaller engines with turbochargers to produce the same or even more power—is boosting both performance and efficiency. Innovation is really at the core of this changing market. Technologies like Variable Geometry Turbochargers (VGT) and electrically assisted turbochargers are making boost control and emission reductions more precise. The VGT segment, for instance, holds about 65% of the market share for product types, which indicates that the industry leans heavily towards more efficient solutions. On top of that, electric or assistive turbochargers are reflecting broader trends in vehicle electrification, and they're helping improve turbo responsiveness and cut down on turbo lag—one of those persistent technical hurdles in turbo tech. When it comes to sales channels, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) routes are dominant, making up roughly 68% to 69% of sales. That’s because turbochargers are increasingly being integrated right into vehicles during the manufacturing process to meet strict emission and performance standards. Major players include Garrett Motion Inc., BorgWarner Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Cummins Inc., IHI Corporation, and other key automotive suppliers like Continental and Mahle. These companies invest heavily in research and development, have extensive manufacturing networks worldwide, and maintain strong partnerships with OEMs—so they’re really well-positioned to retain leadership in this competitive, high-tech space. Regionally, the U.S. is leading growth, with an expected CAGR of about 10.5%. That’s mainly because of strict EPA emissions regulations combined with high consumer demand for vehicles that save fuel. Germany is also progressing steadily, backed by its premium car manufacturing and tough EU emission standards. Not far behind is China, benefiting from large-scale domestic vehicle production and a rising adoption of turbocharged engines in mainstream models; here, growth is close to 9.6% to 9.7%. Other key markets include the UK, India, and Brazil, where evolving regulations and consumer preferences are continuously driving expansion. Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. There are some hurdles—supply chain issues, especially around the availability and costs of specialized materials like advanced alloys, are notable risks. Plus, turbo lag remains a technical challenge, motivating ongoing work in design improvements and control strategies. Hybrid systems and electric help are increasingly seen as ways to optimize turbo performance and counteract lag. Still, thanks to ongoing technological innovations and strategic partnerships between turbocharger makers and car manufacturers, the market seems poised to keep growing strongly throughout the forecast period. In terms of vehicle segments, the market is pretty broad, covering passenger cars, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), heavy-duty trucks, agricultural machinery, and construction equipment. Product types include waste gate turbochargers, VGTs, and twin-turbo setups. Fuel type segmentation mostly distinguishes between gasoline and diesel applications—interestingly enough, gasoline-powered vehicles are dominating in the passenger car arena now. Actuator tech—be it hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric—also adds more variety to how turbochargers are optimized for different applications and performance needs. All in all, turbochargers remain a fundamental technology within the automotive aftermarket as well. They help manufacturers and fleet operators meet stricter emissions standards, while also improving fuel economy and overall performance. As the industry shifts toward electrification and hybridization, the role of turbochargers is evolving—still very relevant, and in some ways, even more important. They’re unlocking new areas for growth in a highly dynamic and competitive market environment, no doubt about it. 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Following its merger with GPS Trackit, Zonar launches Ignition, a comprehensive cloud-native platform designed to streamline fleet operations, enhance safety, and deliver real-time analytics for diverse vehicle types and sizes.Zonar has introduced Zonar Ignition, a cloud-native fleet management platform designed to replace the fragmented, outdated systems that many fleet operators have relied on for years. This launch follows shortly after Zonar's December 2024 merger with GPS Trackit, combining their technologies to create an integrated, all-in-one solution aimed at increasing fleet uptime, reducing operational costs, and enabling more agile responses to logistical challenges. Charles Kriete, Zonar’s CEO, highlighted the platform’s core purpose: “Whether it’s a school bus, sanitation truck, or specialized utility vehicle, fleet managers have long struggled with cumbersome workflows and unreliable data. We saw a pressing need for a faster, smarter, and more dependable system.” According to Zonar, Ignition consolidates their best features and GPS Trackit’s capabilities into a single interface, simplifying decision-making and operational oversight for fleet managers. Zonar Ignition encompasses three main features designed to optimize fleet management. The first, Integration-Ready, supports open API connections and AI modules, allowing seamless integration of Zonar data with third-party systems tailored to specific operational needs. The second, One Screen, Total Control, provides a streamlined dashboard that displays all fleet and third-party data simultaneously, reducing the need to toggle between disparate systems. The third feature, Actionable Insights in Real Time, offers personalized reports and dashboards that monitor key metrics like fuel efficiency, route performance, safety, and vehicle diagnostics—facilitating proactive maintenance and vehicle health management. Building on Zonar’s existing technological suite, Ignition integrates with tools such as EVIR® (Electronic Verified Inspection Reporting) for paperless vehicle inspections, CARB tools to ensure emissions compliance, Z Pass™ for student rider visibility, and Zonar Coach™ for driver safety coaching. This interconnected system enables fleets across various sectors and sizes to meet evolving operational demands while maintaining compliance and safety standards. The platform results from uniting Zonar’s telematics expertise with GPS Trackit’s scalable fleet management technology, delivering enhanced visibility, analytics, and AI-driven insights through the cloud. Industry analysts recognize this as a significant advancement, breaking down traditional silos and fostering a holistic approach to fleet management. One of Ignition’s key advantages is its cloud-native architecture, offering flexibility and scalability according to fleet needs. It features a high-resolution, real-time map—often referred to as a ‘single pane of glass’—that provides an all-encompassing view of vehicle, driver, and asset status. This integrated perspective streamlines operations, minimizes headaches from juggling multiple legacy systems, and enables fleet managers to access accurate data instantly for quicker, informed decision-making. The launch underscores Zonar’s ongoing effort to modernize fleet technology post-merger. Designed to serve a broad spectrum of vehicles and fleet sizes, Ignition embodies the industry’s move toward data-driven, customizable ecosystems. The platform’s ability to blend internal data with third-party inputs via open APIs and AI exemplifies a shift toward smarter, more proactive fleet management. Overall, Zonar Ignition presents itself as a next-generation solution—not merely consolidating telematics and tracking data, but transforming fleet management through real-time analytics, proactive maintenance alerts, and comprehensive compliance tools. As fleet operations become increasingly complex and regulated, solutions like Ignition are vital for operators seeking to optimize efficiency, safety, and regulatory adherence within a unified digital platform. Source: Noah Wire Services