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ToyotaUk

Toyota Ventures Raises Another $300 Million to Expand Early-Stage Investments in Frontier Technology and Climate Solutions

Firm’s dedicated capital grows to over $800 million, underscoring Toyota’s dedication to investing in groundbreaking startups across the globe

LOS ALTOS, Calif. (April 10, 2024) – Toyota Ventures, the early-stage enterprise capital arm of Toyota, introduced two $150 million funds to increase its investments in startups growing disruptive applied sciences and enterprise fashions on the forefront of innovation. The addition of the new funds, Toyota Ventures Frontier Fund II (TVFF II) and Toyota Ventures Climate Fund II (TVCF II), brings the agency’s whole property underneath administration to over $800 million.  

Since its founding in July 2017, Toyota Ventures has furthered its mission of serving to Toyota uncover what’s subsequent by investing in additional than 75 startups throughout areas starting from synthetic intelligence and robotics to hydrogen options and renewable power. Toyota Ventures is based mostly within the San Francisco Bay Area and has portfolio corporations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. With these new funds, the agency can help extra entrepreneurs all over the world as they sort out powerful challenges to construct a greater future for society and the planet.  

“At Toyota Ventures, we are explorers. Our role is to understand technology trends that could advance Toyota’s mobility transformation in the near term and embrace the next generation of disruptive innovation in the long term,” mentioned Jim Adler, founder and normal companion of Toyota Ventures. “At a time when some investors have scaled back, we’re scaling up by doubling down on our initial Frontier and Climate Funds. With seismic breakthroughs in generative AI, e-fuels, space commercialization, carbon capture, and synthetic biology, it’s a crucial time to be investing for Toyota.”  

TVFF II will deal with startups on the slicing fringe of deep know-how in areas like AI, robotics, mobility, cloud, and quantum computing, with a watch in direction of increasing Toyota Ventures’ worldwide presence. The new fund shall be led by Frontier Fund companion David Sokolic, a veteran investor and working government. Portfolio corporations within the preliminary Frontier Fund embrace satellite tv for pc servicing supplier Starfish Space, biosensor maker Scentian Bio, and quantum computing software program startup Haiqu, amongst others.  

TVCF II will search out startups growing sensible, scalable options that fight local weather change and promote environmental sustainability. It will construct on the agency’s inaugural climate-focused fund, which launched in 2021 and grew to a portfolio of 18 corporations underneath the management of Climate Fund companion Lisa Coca. The first Climate Fund portfolio contains corporations in renewable power like Avalanche Energy; power storage and batteries like e-Zinc and AM Batteries; carbon seize, removing and utilization like Air Company and Living Carbon; hydrogen options like Ecolectro; and different areas aligned with Toyota’s carbon neutrality targets.  

“Innovation is a team sport, and today, more than ever, it’s important for leaders like Toyota to collaborate with up-and-coming startups to take on the critical challenges we all face in a rapidly evolving world,” mentioned Gill Pratt, chief scientist of Toyota Motor Corporation, CEO of TRI, and board member at Toyota Ventures. “These new funds underscore our dedication to supporting entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and I’m thrilled to continue this journey alongside the Toyota Ventures team and portfolio.”  

Going past capital, Toyota Ventures goals to leverage Toyota’s international community, deep technical experience, and strategic partnerships to help startups in its portfolio. It has a portfolio help workforce devoted to offering steering in product and enterprise improvement, fundraising, advertising and marketing, and different areas to assist corporations scale successfully. Some of the agency’s early portfolio corporations that proceed to companion with Toyota embrace aerial ridesharing pioneer Joby Aviation and autonomous car chief May Mobility.  

Entrepreneurs searching for early-stage funding are invited to be taught extra and submit an internet pitch on the Toyota Ventures website.  

Supporting quotes and testimonials  

“The team at Toyota Ventures has been instrumental in our growth, having gone above and beyond by not simply offering capital support but also their mentorship in navigating various challenges and paving pathways into Toyota as an early customer,” mentioned Dor Skuler, co-founder and CEO of Intuition Robotics.  

“Toyota Ventures has been a committed strategic partner to Revel since 2018, working with us hand-in-hand as we expanded our business into all-electric rideshare and public fast charging infrastructure in dense cities like New York,” mentioned Frank Reig, co-founder and CEO of Revel. “Beyond financial investments, Toyota Ventures has been essential in creating new relationships to support and develop our mission — the best kind of partner a founder can ask for.” 

“The Toyota Ventures team had a deep level of understanding and appreciation of the technical aspects around the large problems we are solving in the green hydrogen space,” mentioned Gabriel G. Rodríguez-Calero, co-founder and CEO of Ecolectro. “On top of this, the level of guidance we received was well beyond the technical aspects of our business, and it has created enormous value for Ecolectro. Toyota Ventures’ unique approach and engagement shows the holistic support they provide around our whole business beyond just capital.”  

“AM Batteries has experienced significant growth over the past year, thanks in no small part to the invaluable support from Toyota Ventures, “ said Lie Shi, CEO of AM Batteries. “In the time we’ve been working together with Lisa Coca and her team, it has become clear that Toyota Ventures possesses a deep understanding of how corporate venture capital can effectively cultivate successful alliances with startups. Their insight, financial backing, and partnership have been pivotal as we chart the course for AM Batteries’ future endeavors.”

About Toyota Ventures
Toyota Ventures is the early-stage enterprise capital arm of Toyota. Founded in July 2017, its mission is to find what’s subsequent for Toyota by serving to startups carry disruptive applied sciences and enterprise fashions to market rapidly. With greater than $800 million in property underneath administration, the agency is devoted to investing in gifted entrepreneurs all over the world who’re driving innovation in frontier applied sciences and local weather options. For extra details about Toyota Ventures and its portfolio corporations, please go to www.toyota.ventures.

News

Spec Showdown: BMW R 1300 GS vs KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

There are journey bikes, after which there are Adventure Bikes, with each capital letters and a capital idea firmly lodged in your thoughts. Throughout the a long time, BMW Motorrad has labored exhausting to maintain its unique Gelände/Straße spirit intact by means of a number of iterations. Fans can (and can) argue over how effectively it is finished, however it’s tough to disclaim that it is managed to remain high of thoughts within the class all this time.

BMW is not the one sport both in or out of city, although. KTM is nothing if not aggressive, so it naturally introduced the battle to BMW within the premium journey section as effectively. While the GS might need the historical past, the 1290 Super Adventure R is right here to maintain BMW on its toes.

Sure, you may say that BMW was all the time going to proceed to develop the GS platform till it reached its current completely reimagined R 1300 GS form. But evolution would not exist in a bubble, and is often influenced by exterior components. 

Racing is at its most enjoyable when it is a shut competitors, not when there is a single chief and everybody else simply queues behind them. In that spirit, let’s have a look at which mega journey bike wins the specs battle on paper, we could? Please word: All specification info is supplied by the producers.

Engine, Power, and Torque

  2024 BMW R 1300 GS 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Displacement 1,300cc 1,301cc
Engine Type Air and liquid-cooled boxer twin with BMW ShiftCam (double overhead cams, chain-driven) 75-degree liquid-cooled V-twin
Power 145 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and 110 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm 118 kilowatts (about 158.2 horsepower) and 138 newton-meters (about 101 pound-feet) of torque at unspecified revs
Gearbox Six-speed gearbox Six-speed gearbox

With BMW Motorrad’s ground-up reimagining of its flagship GS, the brand new engine developed for the R 1300 GS is almost an identical in displacement to KTM’s tried-and-true LC8 V-twin. It’s a boxer (or flat twin) reasonably than a V-twin, and which configuration you like is essentially all the way down to your private desire.

On paper, the R 1300 GS is barely down on horsepower as in comparison with the 1290 Super Adventure R. At the identical time, it has 9 extra peak pound-feet of torque on faucet than the 1290. The undeniable fact that KTM would not listing the revs for both its peak horsepower or torque figures can also be not terribly useful.

The energy is so shut, it is tough to find out a winner till we discover out what every of those unhealthy bikes weighs. 

Round One Winner: Draw

Chassis

  2024 BMW R 1300 GS 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Frame Two-part design with a primary body, a confused member engine, and a bolt-on rear subframe Powder-coated tubular house body
Front Suspension EVO-Telelever  WP XPLOR 48mm entrance fork 
Rear Suspension EVO-Paralever with single-sided swingarm, central WAD spring strut, and adjustable spring preload Fully adjustable PDS monoshock with an exterior handwheel
Wheels and Tires Cast aluminum 19-inch entrance and 17-inch rear wheels on the bottom and Triple Black; cross-spoked 19-inch entrance and 17-inch rear wheels with aluminum rings on the Trophy and Option 719 Tramuntana. Tires are Metzeler Tourance Next 2. Wheels are tubeless spoked aluminum items by Akront with an O-ring seal at every nipple for additional airtightness, with a 21-inch entrance and an 18-inch rear wheel. Tires are Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41s.
Brakes Front brakes are a pair of four-piston BMW-branded Brembo radial calipers with 310mm floating brake discs; rear brake is a single two-piston floating caliper and a single 285mm brake disc Front brakes are a pair of Brembo four-piston mounted calipers with 320mm discs. In the rear is a single 267mm brake disc.
Other notes   The 1290 Super Adventure R comes with a WP steering damper fitted as commonplace gear.

In the chassis division, the R 1300 GS comes with a separate bolt-on rear subframe, which may come in useful within the occasion of harm. One benefit of a bolt-on subframe is that if one thing occurs to it, you solely have to exchange it reasonably than a whole bike body as a result of it is a separate (and cheaper) piece. 

Suspension-wise, it looks as if it is extra a matter of desire than a transparent case of 1 being miles higher than the opposite. 

In phrases of wheels, the R 1300 GS affords a selection of both solid or spoked wheels in a 19-inch entrance and a 17-inch rear dimension, relying on what sort of driving you propose to do. The 1290 Super Adventure R comes with tubeless spoked aluminum wheels in a 21-inch entrance and an 18-inch rear dimension.

Tires are each respectable adventure-focused choices, and the true query right here is as soon as once more private desire reasonably than one thing quantifiable. Both the Metzeler Tourance Next 2 and the Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41 have their devoted followers.

In the brake division, it is Brembo vs. Brembo, with the KTM having barely bigger entrance brake discs and the BMW having a barely bigger rear brake disc. However, the 1290 Super Adventure R comes with a inventory steering damper, which the R 1300 GS doesn’t.

Round Two Winner, by a hair: 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

Dimensions

  2024 BMW R 1300 GS 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Wheelbase 59.8 inches 62.1 inches
Suspension Travel Front: 7.5 inches; Rear: 7.9 inches Front: 8.7 inches; Rear: 8.7 inches
Seat Height 33.4 inches 34.6 inches
Curb Weight 523 kilos 487.2 kilos dry weight (the one official weight given). Since the gasoline tank holds 6.1 gallons, and since a gallon of gasoline weighs about six kilos, it may possibly maintain roughly 36.6 gallons of gasoline. That means it weighs no less than 523.8 kilos on the curb; in all probability a bit extra with all different fluids on board.
Fuel tank capability 5 gallons 6.1 gallons in a particular three-part gasoline tank

The 1290 Super Adventure R has a barely longer wheelbase than the R 1300 GS. It additionally has 8.7 inches of suspension journey entrance and rear, which is larger than the 7.5 inch entrance and seven.9 inch rear suspension journey provided on the R 1300 GS. 

However, the BMW is barely extra accessible to a greater diversity of riders with its 33.4-inch seat peak. The KTM, against this, has a 34.6 inch seat peak, which is over an inch taller. Seat peak by itself is not all the pieces, however it’s one thing to remember.

Although KTM provides an unhelpful dry weight and never a curb weight, a bit basic math exhibits that the curb weights between the 2 ought to be roughly the identical. The KTM may be barely heavier, however not by a lot.

That negligible weight distinction may additionally be value it because the KTM’s three-part gasoline tank carries a full 1.1 gallons extra, which may make a major distinction in your journey.

Round Three Winner: 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

Electronics and Other Features

  2024 BMW R 1300 GS 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Electronics Suite Four experience modes as commonplace,dynamic traction management, engine drag torque management, dynamic brake help, hill begin management, dynamic cruise management, and tire strain monitoring (RDC). Motorcycle stability management, lean-sensitive cornering ABS, offroad ABS, tire strain monitoring system, self-canceling flip indicators, experience modes together with offroad, offroad traction management and ABS, cruise management, KTMConnect bluetooth connectivity
Lighting LED LED
Display 6.5-inch full-color TFT sprint 7-inch scratch resistant TFT sprint with a six-way illuminated change dice on the handlebar
Other options   Phone pocket with an built-in USB socket, so you do not even want a cellphone mount for those who’re not planning to have a look at your cellphone whereas driving anyway. Adjustable footpegs. Adjustable windscreen.

BMW continues to make a big selection of packages out there on the R 1300 GS, however they’re all choices and usually are not included a normal gear. To maintain issues so far as we may, we included solely inventory options when tallying up this showdo

Round Four Winner: Once once more, the 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R simply barely edges out the R 1300 GS competitors. 

Price and Warranty

  2024 BMW R 1300 GS 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
MSRP (US; examine along with your native BMW seller for those who’re in one other geographic space) $18,895

US pricing not out there on the time of writing. However, the UK value is £ 18,199, or about $23,169. 

For what it is value, US pricing for the 2023 1290 Super Adventure R, which is principally the identical bike however with completely different paint and graphics, began at $20,299. We’d anticipate the 2024 to be priced barely larger than that.
Warranty Three years or 36,000 miles within the US; could range by area elsewhere on this planet KTM North America affords a 12-month guarantee throughout the board on all its R fashions; could range by area elsewhere on this planet

Both on its MSRP and on US guarantee phrases, the winner is obvious. However, there is a dialogue available about whether or not the KTM’s value is larger as a result of it contains extra commonplace options, or the BMW’s value is decrease as a result of many options that individuals may need are solely out there as choices reasonably than fitted as commonplace.

For instance, the BMW R 1300 GS affords DSA, however that is an possibility and never a normal characteristic. It’s a factor that might be very good to have certainly, however it prices additional.

Round Five Winner: 2024 BMW R 1300 GS

Overall Winner: 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

Spec Showdown Winner: 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

The 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R’s base value prices a bit extra, however with the bottom bike, you arguably get a bit extra bang on your buck than with the bottom 2024 BMW R 1300 GS.

However, it is value noting that if manufacturing unit customization and options are extra your bag, BMW affords a number of packages filled with extra options at extra prices. KTM affords its justifiable share of paid choices as effectively.

If you might have particular concepts in thoughts for what you need in your subsequent massive journey bike, your outcomes could range primarily based on what options you need, and what extra prices these options incur from both producer.

We Ride Bikes, Not Spec Sheets

While having primary info in thoughts is useful, none of what we have advised you right here immediately can inform you how you may really feel when driving every of those two bikes. If you are significantly contemplating both a 2024 BMW R 1300 GS or a 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R as your subsequent bike, we would recommend that you simply do your greatest to get a check experience on each bikes and see what fits you greatest.

Maybe the ergonomics on one swimsuit you higher than the opposite, or maybe one bike carries its weight in a means that you simply significantly dislike. There’s no technique to know for certain till you throw a leg over and spend no less than a bit time within the saddle.

Our greatest recommendation to you, for those who’re significantly cross-shopping these (or actually any) two bikes, is all the time to hunt out a check experience on each earlier than making choices and forking over your hard-earned money. 

News

This Guy Is Traveling Around the World on His Honda Wave 125i Adventure Bike

If you spend time in Bangkok, Thailand, you’ll notice a lot of Honda Wave bikes. These small bikes and scooters are popular for getting around crowded cities. The Honda Wave 110i is more common than its slightly larger sibling, the Wave 125i, mainly due to the price difference. However, for riders who want to travel the world on a small adventure bike, the Honda Wave 125i is the choice. Australian rider Tom Kaczmarczyck is doing just that and has made detailed modifications to his bike, which he discusses in a video.

The stock Wave 125i has a few notable features. It is fuel-injected and has 17-inch wheels rather than smaller scooter wheels. The bike comes with a choice of alloy or spoked wheels, with the latter being the less expensive option. It also has tubed tires, which may not suit all riders but are favored by adventure riders. The Wave 125i shares a small air-cooled 125cc engine with the Grom and is known for its simplicity and availability of parts. It has a four-speed gearbox and a solid mount, minimizing vibrations on long journeys.

The 2022 Wave 125i weighs just over 227 pounds and is praised for its lightweight and low center of gravity. Tom has added various practical accessories to enhance his bike’s overlanding capabilities, including OEM Honda accessories designed for the Wave 125i and other Honda models modified to fit his bike. He has also made aftermarket additions such as a modified windscreen, heated grips, and hand guards. Additionally, Tom has modified the electrical system of the bike to better handle its requirements.

Tom has already traveled over 49,709 miles across Southeast Asia and Australia and plans to take his Wave 125i around the world. You can follow his adventures on his Facebook page.

Motorsport

GMF Capital Acquires Motorsport Network Media LLC

New York, June 28, 2023 – GMF Capital (GMF), a leading private investment firm and family office for Gary Fegel, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Motorsport Network Media LLC (MSNM), a global digital media platform in the motorsport and automotive industries. The terms of the acquisition involve GMF Media, an affiliate of GMF Capital, acquiring the controlling majority stake in MSNM, with an option to purchase the remaining minority interest at a later date.

MSNM is recognized as the world’s largest independent motorsport and automotive media platform, boasting over 40 million monthly users and more than 15 million followers on social media. Under GMF’s control, the acquisition includes nearly 50 flagship motorsport and automotive digital properties such as Motorsport.com, Autosport, Motorsport-Total, GPOne, Motor1.com, and InsideEVs.com. Additionally, the deal encompasses the Motorsport Network brand name, Motorsport.tv (a leading video platform for live and on-demand streaming), and the Autosport Awards (the world’s premier motorsport racing annual awards ceremony).

Gary Fegel, the Founder and Principal of GMF Capital, expressed excitement regarding the acquisition: “We are excited to acquire Motorsport Network Media’s impressive, world-class portfolio of media assets, which are primed for significant growth with the surging popularity of motorsport, particularly Formula 1, in the U.S. and internationally. We will leverage the brands’ market-leading position across the motorsport and automotive industries and push the business to the center of fandom. Our acquisition will allow the business to aggressively pursue new growth opportunities, which will benefit employees, advertisers, partners, and tens of millions of users worldwide.”

This acquisition marks GMF’s first foray into the sports, automotive, and media category. Since its establishment in 2013, GMF Capital and its affiliates have invested over $5.5 billion primarily in private equity, real estate, and alternative investments.

The President of Motorsport Network, James Allen, expressed confidence in the future of the media business: “Today’s announcement marks the next exciting chapter for Motorsport Network and our leading media business. We have had significant acquisition interest in our media assets over the years but found in GMF Capital a buyer that truly values what we have built and shares our vision for the future. The media franchise has continued strong performance, and we believe it will thrive under GMF Capital’s direction.”

About GMF Capital:

GMF Capital was established in 2013 by Gary Fegel as a single-family office to invest capital on behalf of himself, his family, and like-minded investors. With offices in New York City and Switzerland, GMF Capital and its affiliates have invested over $5.5 billion primarily in private equity, real estate, and alternative investments. Before founding GMF Capital, Fegel served as a Senior Partner at Glencore Plc, one of the world’s largest commodity trading and mining companies.

For more information about GMF Capital, please visit www.gmfcapital.com.

Advisors:

Legal counsel to GMF Capital: Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

Legal counsel to Motorsport Network LLC: Snell & Wilmer LLP

Media Contacts:

For GMF Capital:

info@gmfcapital.com

zach.groen@finnpartners.com

For Motorsport Network:

mediarelations@motorsport.com

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Group Prioritizes Profitability and Cash Flow through Strategic Alignment and Performance Programs

Volkswagen Group is undergoing a strategic alignment to strengthen its profitability and cash flow. During its Capital Markets Day, the Group introduced leadership principles that emphasize customer orientation, entrepreneurship, and team spirit. The Group has assigned the responsibility for achieving return targets to each of its brands. For the first time, each brand will launch its own performance program with a focus on strengthening profitability, cash flows, and reducing capital intensity. This marks a shift from pure volume growth to prioritizing sustainable value creation based on the “value over volume” principle. The Group is also realigning its architecture, battery, software, and mobility services to fully leverage economies of scale. Regionally, Volkswagen is focusing its investments on the most lucrative profit pools globally, refining strategies for growth markets like China and North America. With a brand-focused approach and performance programs, the Group aims to achieve a strategic return on sales target of 9 to 11 percent by 2030.

“Our focus is on implementation, speed, and performance,” says Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen Group. He further emphasizes the importance of clear priorities, operational and strategic focus, and the benefits this realignment brings to customers, investors, and the team.

The new steering model introduces direct responsibility for financial targets, strategy, and brand identities to the brands. The performance programs, managed at the brand group level, provide a framework for further development. By shifting the focus from volume to value creation, the brands aim to strengthen market positioning and improve performance in terms of margins, product mix, and vehicle features. Additionally, the brands will explore new business models such as mobility services to tap into additional profit opportunities. To support this, the Group will optimize economies of scale and implement cost-saving measures in various areas.

Volkswagen Group has adopted a new approach that prioritizes sustainable value creation over volume growth. Arno Antlitz, CFO and COO of Volkswagen Group, explains that the steering model focuses on profitability, lower fixed costs, and disciplined investment. The aim is to strike a balance between brand emotional power and scale benefits provided by technology and services offered by the Group.

The realignment also includes an explicit designation of the brand groups, which will be named Core, Progressive, Sport Luxury, and Trucks. This move aims to reinforce the Group’s commitment to technology platforms that provide an exceptional customer experience. The platforms cover architecture, battery, software, and mobility services allowing the brands to leverage scale benefits and increase profitability. In terms of technology, Volkswagen Group plans to establish the group-wide platform SSP by 2024, alongside competitive architectures such as PPE and the second-generation MEB+. The battery strategy and ramp-up of PowerCo will enhance flexibility and competitiveness through the Unified Cell concept.

CARIAD, the Group’s internal software supplier, will support the launch of new electric vehicles like the Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron. The next-generation E³ 2.0 will be developed in collaboration with CARIAD, VW, and Audi in a Software-Defined-Vehicle hub, reinforcing Volkswagen Group’s commitment to digitalization and e-mobility.

Volkswagen Group aims to strengthen its financial robustness and has set specific key performance indicators (KPIs) for each brand group, as well as the CARIAD and PowerCo technology platforms. The KPIs focus on operating results, return on sales, net cash flow, cash conversion rate (CCR), and investment ratio. The Group plans to develop its management incentive scheme further to include selected financial targets for brand and brand group performance. The Group’s sales growth target is set at 5 to 7 percent annually until 2027 and will be aligned with industry developments thereafter. The strategic return on sales target is expected to reach between 9 and 11 percent by 2030.

Volkswagen Group is also refining its regional strategies, particularly in China and North America. In China, the Group aims to maintain its position as the most successful international OEM by developing products tailored to the Chinese market. In North America, Volkswagen Group plans to expand its market share by investing in new electric vehicles and establishing a battery cell factory in Canada. Additionally, the relaunch of the Scout brand will focus on all-electric vehicles in the high-margin pickup and Rugged SUV segment.

The Capital Markets Day serves as the kick-off for a closer engagement with the capital market. Volkswagen Group plans to host further events to provide investors and analysts with more detailed information about brand group strategies, technology areas, and regional approaches.