All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Geely Auto Achieves Milestone in Global AI Vehicle Safety Standards

Geely Auto has made industry history by becoming the world’s first automaker to receive ISO/PAS 8800 certification—an international benchmark for artificial intelligence safety in road vehicles. The certification, awarded by Germany’s DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle), underscores the Chinese auto giant’s leadership in both engineering excellence and next-generation vehicle safety.

This achievement places Geely at the forefront of a global movement to redefine safety in the age of intelligent mobility. The ISO/PAS 8800 standard, released in December 2024 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is the first globally recognized framework to address the safety of AI systems across the entire vehicle lifecycle. It marks a major shift from traditional compliance-based approaches to a holistic, end-to-end safety model.

DAkkS, Germany’s national accreditation body and a prominent member of both the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), certified Geely’s adherence to three key areas of international safety standards: functional safety, expected functional safety, and AI safety. The certification confirms that Geely’s development processes, safety governance, and AI system designs meet the highest global standards.

Building a Safety Ecosystem for the AI Era

Geely’s approach goes beyond ticking boxes for compliance. Through strategic partnerships and sustained R&D investment, the company is building a comprehensive AI safety system encompassing everything from core functions and embedded software to chips, hardware, and the entire supply chain. This end-to-end framework was validated through an EU SGS audit, culminating in formal recognition from DAkkS.

“Safety has always been a cornerstone of our manufacturing philosophy,” a Geely spokesperson stated. “Achieving ISO/PAS 8800 certification is a testament to our vision of intelligent mobility that doesn’t compromise on protection.”

That vision is backed by substance: according to the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, Geely holds 1,562 patents related to vehicle safety technologies. This new certification adds to the company’s impressive portfolio, which already includes dual ISO 26262 functional safety certifications from DAkkS and ANAB (U.S.), as well as ISO 21448 certification for expected functional safety from ANAB.

Engineering a Culture of Safety

While the certification is a milestone, Geely views it as a starting point—not an endpoint. The automaker is rolling out specialized technical training programs across its engineering teams to ensure deep-rooted understanding and integration of AI safety principles. These programs cover AI lifecycle management, data governance, and safety requirement analysis, effectively embedding the standard into every layer of product development.

As AI continues to redefine the driving experience, the industry faces mounting pressure to ensure smart features don’t compromise driver or pedestrian safety. With this certification, Geely has taken a definitive step toward ensuring that intelligent systems are not only high-performing, but secure by design.

A New Standard for the Industry?

Geely’s success in securing ISO/PAS 8800 certification may set a precedent for other automakers, especially as regulatory bodies and consumers alike demand greater transparency and accountability in automotive AI systems. The move may also help China’s automotive sector position itself more competitively in global markets, particularly Europe.

In an industry rapidly transitioning toward autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles, Geely’s achievement demonstrates that safety need not be a casualty of innovation—instead, it can be its foundation.

Source: Geely Auto

News

Honda Reports 7.1% Sales Growth in First Half of 2025

Honda has reported encouraging sales figures for the first half of 2025, with data showing a 7.1% increase year-over-year in U.S. vehicle deliveries. The Japanese automaker sold a total of 670,765 vehicles from January through June, with June alone contributing 103,574 units — a 1.2% uptick compared to the same month last year.

Several key models have played a pivotal role in this growth, including a mix of refreshed stalwarts and new additions to the lineup. Notably, the Odyssey minivan and Passport SUV continue to perform well in the competitive U.S. market, while the all-electric Honda Prologue shows early signs of promise despite a more cautious adoption curve.

Electric Beginnings: Honda Prologue Gains Traction

Honda’s first all-electric SUV, the Prologue, continues its rollout with a notable — albeit nuanced — performance. The company moved 2,799 units in June, a staggering 237.2% increase over the 830 sold in June 2024. Year-to-date figures are even more impressive: 16,318 Prologues have been sold through June, marking a 963% jump compared to the same period last year.

Still, while the growth rates are eye-catching, the Prologue remains Honda’s lowest-selling model in the lineup so far this year. Its best month remains November 2024, when 6,823 units were sold — a high water mark that hasn’t been matched since. The numbers suggest that while the Prologue is gaining momentum, widespread consumer adoption of Honda’s EV offering is still developing. For now, the Prologue appears to be carving out its niche in a market still warming up to electric SUVs.

Passport Sales Surge Ahead of New Model Transition

Meanwhile, the Honda Passport has been a major contributor to the brand’s upward trajectory. June sales rose to 4,433 units, a 67.7% improvement over the previous year. For the first half of 2025, Passport sales totaled 27,068 — up 66.1% from 16,293 during the same period in 2024.

Part of this surge can be attributed to the transition to the updated 2026 Passport, which began arriving at dealerships in February. Honda hasn’t released a breakdown of how many of those sales were for the new model versus the outgoing version, but the overall upward trend suggests healthy consumer interest in the rugged midsize SUV.

Odyssey Continues to Win Over Families

The family-focused Honda Odyssey is also enjoying a resurgence following its recent update roughly a year ago. The minivan saw a 38.1% year-over-year sales increase in June, totaling 9,542 units. Over the first six months of 2025, Odyssey sales climbed 27.4% to 50,033 units — a significant jump in a segment that has faced increasing pressure from three-row SUVs.

Acura Holds Steady With Modest Gains

Over at Honda’s premium marque, Acura, the trend is similarly positive. The brand posted a 6.8% increase in year-to-date sales, totaling 68,386 units. In June, 10,912 Acura vehicles were sold — a 5.4% rise from the same time last year. While not explosive, these gains reflect stable demand for Acura’s performance and luxury-oriented lineup.

Steady Climb, Bright Horizon

Honda’s mid-year performance paints a picture of a brand with a balanced portfolio. Legacy nameplates like the Odyssey and Passport are anchoring sales, while new entrants like the Prologue are gradually finding their footing. With strong year-over-year gains and a clear strategy for electrification, Honda appears to be on a steady climb in 2025 — blending innovation with reliability to maintain its competitive edge in a shifting automotive landscape.

Source: Honda

News

BMW M Prepares to Unleash a New Limited-Run Dream Machine

BMW M, the performance arm of the Bavarian marque, is cooking up something special. While details remain under tight wraps, the brand has officially confirmed that a new, limited-run model is in the works—one that will join BMW’s growing portfolio of “small series” collector-grade vehicles.

Think of it as the spiritual successor to the modern-day 3.0 CSL or a realization of bold concepts like the Skytop and Speedtop. This future model, although still shrouded in secrecy, has been green-lit and is actively moving through the development pipeline.

At the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales at BMW M, shed some light on the project’s momentum. “We are discussing things, but we need to find the right time to do it,” she told BMW Blog. “Be assured, we share the same dream and passion. We have been talking with Adrian van Hooydonk [Head of BMW Group Design] and the team who does the small series planning, and there is a slot reserved for BMW M.”

This reserved slot hints at a product that may not be entirely ground-up but will almost certainly wear an exclusive badge. As with the M4-based 3.0 CSL unveiled in late 2022—limited to just 50 units and commanding a price tag north of €750,000 —the new model will likely be based on an existing platform. From a business standpoint, developing an all-new chassis or drivetrain solely for a short-run vehicle would be cost-prohibitive.

Still, the M division isn’t content with building garage queens. According to Neubauer, the goal isn’t just to appease collectors but to stir the souls of enthusiasts across a wider demographic. “I truly believe that we need a brand shaper which is more of a very limited one, the dream car, at a higher price point for very few collectors,” she said. “From there, probably also not a huge series of cars, but probably a small series in order to make more customers happy at a reasonable price point.”

As for the powertrain, speculation is already mounting. With the upcoming electric M3 on the horizon, the community is bracing for a major pivot in M’s performance philosophy. However, this particular special model could be one last hurrah for the internal combustion purist. Whether it arrives with a high-revving inline-six, a twin-turbo V8, or something altogether new, remains to be seen—but fans of analog driving are watching closely.

Whatever the final result, BMW M’s next small-series creation promises to be more than just a swan song. It will be a statement of intent—one that speaks to the brand’s storied past while looking toward an electrified, but still exhilarating, future.

Source: BMW