This article was written by Michael A. Strong for TheDetroitBureau.com.

DETROIT, MI (03.24.22) – Toyota is partnering with Aurora Innovation to begin testing autonomous vehicles on U.S. roads, running a shuttle that includes trips to or from the airport. The service comes as other companies, such as Waymo, Cruise and others are in the midst of extensive studies underway.

The Japanese automaker is using specially equipped Sienna minivans for the trials. The minivans don’t use a driver, but there are two support personnel in the van to ensure it operates safely. The vehicles are retrofitted with Aurora technology and are driving through a variety of scenarios, including highways and runs to and the airport.

“The route showcases Aurora’s ability to safely operate at highway speeds, a key technical differentiator that allows it to prioritize popular and lucrative rides,” the U.S. company told Reuters in a statement.

Growing segment

The push by Toyota and Aurora isn’t much of a surprise as more and more automakers are playing in it. In fact, General Motors just spent $2.1 billion buying Japan’s SoftBank’s share of its own AV subisidiary, Cruise Automation.

GM also said it will invest an additional $1.35 billion in Cruise as part of its focus on bringing autonomous vehicle technology to market. The company has held a majority stake in Cruise since 2016, though the San Francisco-based operation has received significant capital from several other investors, including both SoftBank and Honda.

“We continue to believe our investment represents an extraordinary opportunity for creating long-term shareholder value,” GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra said in a statement.

Cruise has been testing prototype vehicles for several years on public roads, using them as part of a pilot ride-sharing service. It recently received approval from California regulators to begin offering rides to paying customers using fully driverless vehicles. That will begin in San Francisco, though GM CEO Barra has indicated the goal is to quickly expand to other U.S. markets.

The next step is to begin production of the Cruise Origin, a toaster-shaped shuttle designed to serve as the primary vehicle for a commercial driverless ride-sharing service.

Industry analysts have long contended that pulling the driver out of the equation is the critical step towards making ride-sharing a viable alternative to vehicle ownership.

View the full article at TheDetroitBureau.com.

NEW YORK, NY (03.23.22) – In collaboration with the Recording Academy, The GRAMMY Channel returns to SiriusXM to celebrate the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

To salute this year’s nominees, The GRAMMY Channel will feature artists, music and albums from across the GRAMMY Awards’ fields and categories, including top nominees Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, H.E.R., Jon Batiste, Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo and more, all leading up to the live broadcast of Music’s Biggest Night on April 3 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

Listeners can also expect to hear music from GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees such as Bonnie Raitt and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, as well as exclusive interviews with music’s biggest stars from behind the scenes at the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards.  For a complete nominations list, visit: https://www.grammy.com/awards/64th-annual-grammy-awards-2021.

The limited-edition channel will begin March 23 and run through April 6 on SiriusXM channel 105.

SiriusXM is available to subscribers in their car, on their phone and connected devices at home with the SXM App. Streaming access is included with all of our trials and most popular plans. Go to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.

RIVERSIDE, CA (03.21.22) – On Thursday, March 17th, area Diamond Audio rep Steve Zanki presented The 2021 Diamond Audio Top Dealer for the Western States plaque to store Manager Jose Quiroz at the company’s Riverside store. Zanki’s Z Marketing covers Southern, CA.

“Advanced Car Stereo Riverside has done a great job and I really enjoyed presenting the Diamond Audio plaque to Jose in their showroom in front of the Diamond Audio display. They have been a strong supporter of the Diamond Audio brand and very deserving of receiving the award,” Zanki related.

Tony DeStefano, Advanced Car Stereo Riverside Owner, offered to The 12volt Central Studios, “Business has been very good at our store. We have been a Diamond Audio dealer for 3 years. Their product line across the board, and inventory availability, has certainly been instrumental in our strong business. Horns, 6x9s, 6.5s and the micro amps have been especially strong. Steve really keeps us up to date with the latest from Diamond Audio.”

Advanced Car Stereo Riverside has been serving the Riverside area for 29 years.The company’s showroom features great signage for the brands they stock and impressive amounts of inventory is stacked on the floor and fills the showroom shelves in the 8,000 square foot free-standing building in Riverside.

Riverside Car Stereo Riveside is active on social media and has nearly 4000 followers on Instagram. Images posted include attention grabbing images of vehicle parked in front of the store for branding and eye-catching installations.

Visit diamondaudio.com for more.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (03.18.22) – Puerto Rico is a strong market for DS18. DS18 staff members are on a tour with many dealer stops planned across the island. The DS18 Team will also be attending shows over this coming weekend as they show all at DS18 ‘We Like It Loud’.

The 12volt Central Studio is scheduled to report on stops along the way and will post a full article next week showcasing stops as Rob Ferro-Mr DS18, Yery Sanz-Cookie and Jorge Maldonado travel on the DS18 Puerto Rico Tour.

For more see 12voltnews.com