Interview with door2door
Today we kick off a new series in which we speak one-on-one with innovative start-ups and companies in the mobility sector. Up first are the public transport visionaries at door2door.
5 fast facts about light commercial vehicles
The digitisation of life is having a major impact on the automobile landscape and has created a new business model for many companies. LCVs are coming, and here are five fast factsabout them you need to know.
The transformation of business mobility
In an interview with Norbert van den Eijnden, CEO Alphabet International, he is talking about how the transformation of business mobility has vastly evolved since the 1960s.
Three questions to René Grosspietsch
We are back with our latest series “Three questions to…”. This time we have the pleasure to interview René Grosspietsch, Head of Autonomous Driving Cooperations and Eco System at BMW Group.
'Given the choice, many companies opt for eco-friendly solutions'
With electric vehicles (EVs) now commonplace on city streets, electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) are coming to light as the next frontier in emobility. We sat down with Twan van den Elsen, Manager Product and Channel Development at Alphabet International, to learn about what needs to happen for eLCVs to gain traction in company fleets.
China strives to drive connectivity
If you closely follow our activities, you may have heard about a big milestone: Alphabet recently rolled out in China. The mobility industry in China is quite unique. For one, in the course of just a few decades, it’s become home to the world’s largest automobile industry.
What’s next for carsharing?
Carsharing and the sharing economy make regular appearances here on the Alphabet blog. Frankly, it is a topic we at Alphabet never tire of, especially when it involves keeping people moving. Today I am back with a fresh new perspective that looks at where things stand – and where it all might be heading.
When we share, everyone profits
Whether it’s renting a flat for leisure or business travel or opting in to a carsharing scheme, people worldwide are in the middle of a sharing frenzy. Why book a traditional hotel or procure your own car when there are excellent alternatives based in the economy of sharing? Ones, by the way, that are typically more affordable and often more
For businesses big and small: Insights on Alphabet’s new campaign
Recently we heard Carsten Kwirandt’s perspective on Alphabet’s new marketing campaign. Today, I’m following up on the topic by speaking with Uwe Hildinger. As Chief Sales Officer, he sees the new campaign from the client perspective as well as that of Alphabet headquarters. Moreover, his years of experience at Alphabet Germany give him first-hand
‘Driving your business’: Insights on the new campaign
Alphabet is excited to announce the upcoming release of a new marketing campaign. In today’s interview, Carsten Kwirandt, Head of Marketing and Business Development, shares his insights with me and all the readers of what shaped the campaign idea and how it reaches out to the target audiences.
Do or don’t: Acoustic warning devices on electric cars
Beep, click, vroom. Well, maybe not the last one. Electric cars have many similarities to combustion vehicles, but the sound they make isn’t one of them. While city dwellers are quietly celebrating the prospect of less noise pollution, there is a potentially dangerous flipside. The quietness of silent cars makes it hard for pedestrians and cyclists
Charging electric vehicles: what you need to know
Today, when you’ve got to charge, the cable is your best friend. But by following some good charging practices, you can make the most of the time you have left with the maybe-one-day-archaic charging cable. Here are my top 4 tips for choosing the right charging solution.
Why companies today should focus on Total Cost of Mobility
In the fleet management industry, everybody knows the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) as a standard for evaluating the cost of running a fleet. But nevertheless, companies big and small have to pay attention to gain a more accurate look at what they are really spending while travelling from A to B. Not only by paying attention to the fleet but with a
Should you switch to electric? The eMobility advice tool gives you the answer
Still driving a petrol-fuelled car, but seriously wondering if an electric or plug-in hybrid one might be the smarter choice? The online eMobility advice tool knows the answer. Developed by an expert team here at Alphabet, the tool helps drivers worldwide to easily answer the question: Which type of vehicle – combustion, electric or plug-in hybrid
First aid basics: What to do in case of an accident
A good friend of mine’s daughter who’s about to take her driving license test recently took a first aid course. Which got me thinking: is my first aid know-how up to par? Sure, I’ve taken a course or two, but, honestly, it’s been awhile. Would I know what do if I were to encounter an accident – or be involved in one myself? My motto in life:
Next destination: What happens to your car when the lease is up.
Picture this. You receive a company car and it’s your faithful companion for 48 months. Chauffeuring you to appointments, protecting you from sun, rain and snow, carrying your belongings from A to B. Then one day, it’s time to part. The lease is up – marking the end of your time together.
How to safely drive light commercial vehicles
Today there´s a growing number of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) on the road. But, neither passenger car drivers nor lorry drivers, are aware of the recommended LCV safety precautions. Here, Bernd Herbener, moderator for traffic safety at Auto Club Europe (ACE), gives us all some invaluable insight and expert tips on improving safety at the wheel
The connectivity and digitalisation boost
After perusing some of the latest survey, studies and reports a few weeks back, I realised I’d found proof of what I’d observed for a while now: core business and services are more important than ever in fleet management. They are really back in town. Why? Two words: connectivity and digitalisation.
“Everything you do, you must speed up”
Today we’re back with the latest in our series “Three questions to…”. Up this time: Hugh Dickerson, Senior Industry Head Automotive at Google, who we caught up with at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Checkpoint breathalyser – Sweden combats drink driving with Alco-Gates
Drink driving is dangerous. So dangerous that throughout Europe one in four traffic fatalities involves alcohol. Despite the alarming facts, getting behind the wheel after enjoying a beer is not uncommon in many European countries. For those who do and are checked by the police, the roadside alcohol breath test ultimately decides if that last sip
And the winner of a license number is …
Buy a car, get the license number, now you’re ready to hit the road. At least that’s standard procedure in a large part of the world. But since the introduction of quotas for license numbers, things work a little differently in China’s metropolises. In Shenzhen, for example, the eighth and latest Chinese city to introduce a quota, license numbers