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Seven Automakers Unite to Create a Leading High-Powered Charging Network Across North America

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Seven major global automakers – BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, Stellantis NV – will create an unprecedented new charging network joint venture that will significantly expand access to high-powered charging in North AmericaTargeting to install at least 30,000 high-powered charge points in urban and highway locations to ensure customers can charge whenever and wherever they needWith a focus on delivering an elevated customer experience, the network will provide reliability, high-powered charging capability, digital integration, appealing locations, various amenities while charging, and use renewable energyCharging stations will be accessible to all EV customers, offering both Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectorsFirst stations are scheduled to open in the summer of 2024

NEW YORK, July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Seven of the world’s leading automakers – BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, Stellantis NV – are creating a joint venture to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in North America, by making EV charging more convenient, accessible and reliable. 

The joint venture will include the development of a new, high-powered charging network with at least 30,000 chargers to make zero-emission driving even more attractive for millions of customers. 

With the generational investments in public charging being implemented on the Federal and State level, the joint venture will leverage public and private funds to accelerate the installation of high-powered charging for customers. The new charging stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker using Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS) and are expected to meet or exceed the spirit and requirements of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. 

The joint venture aims to become the leading network of reliable high-powered charging stations in North America. 

The joint venture is expected to be established this year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. 

The first stations are expected to open in the United States in the summer of 2024 and in Canada at a later stage. Each site will be equipped with multiple high-powered DC chargers, making long-distance journeys easier for customers. In line with the sustainability strategies of all seven automakers, the joint venture intends to power the charging network solely by renewable energy.

Elevated Customer Experience

The new high-powered charging network will elevate the entire EV experience and drive EV adoption. 

The network will provide a seamless, vehicle integrated, best-in-class charging experience, based on renewable energy and supported by the quality, reliability, and resources of world-leading automakers. 

Focused on customer comfort and charging ease, the stations will be in convenient locations offering canopies wherever possible and amenities such as restrooms, food service and retail operations either nearby or within the same complex. A select number of flagship stations will be equipped with additional amenities, delivering a premier experience designed to showcase the future of charging. 

Initial plans call for the deployment of charging stations in metropolitan areas and along major highways, including connecting corridors and vacation routes, aiming to offer a charging station wherever people may choose to live, work and travel.

The functions and services of the network will allow for seamless integration with participating automakers’ in-vehicle and in-app experiences, including reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment applications, transparent energy management and more. In addition, the network will leverage Plug & Charge technology to further enhance the customer experience.

An Open Network to Drive Electric Vehicle Growth 

As more electric vehicles are introduced and the rate of consumer adoption increases, the demand for fast and reliable public charging also grows in parallel. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, as of July 2023, there are 32,000 publicly available DC fast chargers in the United States for use by 2.3 million electric vehicles, a ratio of 72 vehicles per charger. The NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) estimates that 182,000 DC fast chargers will be needed to support 30-42 million plug-in vehicles expected on the road by 2030.

With U.S. electric vehicle sales expected to exceed 50% of total U.S. sales by 2030, the expansion of reliable charging infrastructure will become even more critical to widespread electric vehicle adoption. 

The creation of a best-in-class charging network will ensure that the EV infrastructure will support current and projected EV sales and will foster the adoption of electric vehicles. 

Comments from JV Founding Partners

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse: “North America is one of the world’s most important car markets – with the potential to be a leader in electromobility. Accessibility to high-speed charging is one of the key enablers to accelerate this transition. Therefore, seven automakers are forming this joint venture with the goal of creating a positive charging experience for EV consumers. The BMW Group is proud to be among the founders.”

GM CEO Mary Barra: “GM’s commitment to an all-electric future is focused not only on delivering EVs our customers love, but investing in charging and working across the industry to make it more accessible. The better experience people have, the faster EV adoption will grow.”

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe: “The creation of EV charging services is an opportunity for automakers to produce excellent user experiences by providing complete, convenient and sustainable solutions for our customers. Toward that objective, this joint venture will be a critical step in accelerating EV adoption across the U.S. and Canada and supporting our efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.”

Hyundai CEO Jaehoon Chang: “Hyundai’s investment in this project aligns with our ‘Progress for Humanity’ vision in making sustainable transportation more accessible. Hyundai’s expertise in electrification will help redefine the charging landscape and we look forward to working with our other shareholders as we create this expansive high-powered charging network.”

Kia CEO Ho Sung Song: “Kia’s engagement and investment in this high-powered charging joint venture is set to increase charging access and convenience to current and future drivers and therefore accelerate the transition to EVs across North America. Kia is proud to be an important part of this joint venture with other reputable automakers as we embark on a journey towards seamless charging experiences for our customers and further strengthening Kia’s brand identity in the EV market.”

Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Källenius: “The fight against climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. What we need now is speed – across political, social and corporate boundaries. To accelerate the shift to electric vehicles, we’re in favor of anything that makes life easier for our customers. Charging is an inseparable part of the EV-experience, and this network will be another step to make it as convenient as possible.”

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares: “We intend to exceed customer expectations by creating more opportunities for a seamless charging experience given the significant growth expected in the market. We believe that a charging network at scale is vital to protecting freedom of mobility for all, especially as we work to achieve our ambitious carbon neutrality plan. A strong charging network should be available for all – under the same conditions – and be built together with a win-win spirit. I want to thank each colleague involved, as it is a milestone example of our collective intelligence to listen and serve our customers.”

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seven-automakers-unite-to-create-a-leading-high-powered-charging-network-across-north-america-301886078.html

SOURCE BMW Group; General Motors; Honda; Hyundai; Kia; Mercedes-Benz Group; Stellantis NV

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Kyndryl Announces Operational Leadership Rotation

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NEW YORK, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, announced today a leadership rotation in some Delivery, Practice and Country roles.

Xerxes Cooper will become Global Leader of Kyndryl Delivery, responsible for leading Kyndryl’s delivery organization that provides mission-critical enterprise technology services to thousands of customers in more than 60 countries. Previously, Cooper was President of Kyndryl Strategic Markets where he grew signings, increased new business wins, scaled Kyndryl Consult and improved profitability. 

Petra Goude has been appointed President of Kyndryl Strategic Markets overseeing select countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America. Previously, Goude led the Core Enterprise and zCloud practice, where she drove digital transformation for customers by modernizing their mission-critical core systems with the breadth and depth of Kyndryl’s capabilities.

Jamie Rutledge has been named President of Kyndryl U.S. He was previously the Global Leader of Kyndryl Delivery, where he was instrumental to the development of Kyndryl Bridge, the Company’s AI-enabled operating platform. As part of the Company’s 3A’s strategy, Rutledge successfully led the Advanced Delivery initiative, substantially growing the adoption of Kyndryl Bridge and its use of GenAI and Agentic AI, delivering new value for customers.

Hassan Zamat has been appointed Global Practice Leader for Core Enterprise and zCloud, which provides world-class services for customers as they design, modernize and manage their hybrid IT environments. In his previous role, he led Kyndryl’s Accounts initiative as part of the Company’s 3A’s strategy, which has had a significant positive impact on Kyndryl’s transformation.

“These exceptional leaders have been instrumental in executing our 3A’s strategy – delivering success for our customers and profitable growth for Kyndryl,” said Elly Keinan, Group President, Kyndryl. “Each has been essential to implementing our key growth initiatives, such as collaborating with our Alliance partners, modernizing customers’ technology environments with GenAI and Agentic AI, and cultivating our culture as an employer of choice.”

About Kyndryl
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services offering advisory, implementation and managed service capabilities to thousands of customers in more than 60 countries. As the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, the Company designs, builds, manages and modernizes the complex information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.

Kyndryl Investor Contact:
investors@kyndryl.com

Kyndryl Media Contact:
press@kyndryl.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kyndryl-announces-operational-leadership-rotation-302451235.html

SOURCE Kyndryl

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Virtual Summit Provides Actionable Insights for Entrepreneurs

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The 2025 National Small Business Week Virtual Summit featured free, educational workshops and panels focused on issues facing small business owners.

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 National Small Business Week Virtual Summit brought together more than 20,000 registrants and 7,000 attendees for two days of expert insights and networking with industry leaders. Held May 6-7, the event was co-hosted by SCORE – the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors – and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Recordings of the sessions are available on-demand at no cost on SCORE’s website.

Throughout the summit, entrepreneurs connected with like-minded business owners, received real-time guidance from industry mentors, and gathered resources specifically designed for small business success. Sixty entrepreneurs received free, one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions from SCORE mentors during the event, gaining instant answers from experts on critical business issues.

Insights from experts
Sessions covered topics such as AI, e-commerce, cybersecurity, finance and more. At the AI sessions, experts shared best practices for how entrepreneurs can take advantage of new tools. John Lawson, president of ColderIce Media, shared his insights in The Small Business AI Advantage: Practical Tools to Grow Your Business. John suggested that entrepreneurs start small to test how AI works for your business. “Commit to a two-week trial period of implementation on different things, and then measure the results,” advised John. “Track both the time and the stress that was saved by implementing these AI tactics.”

Real-life examples
Alongside industry experts, successful small business owners shared what they’ve learned from their own experiences. Natasha McCray, owner of 1818 Farms in Mooresville, Ala., described her experience with e-commerce and how her business has benefitted from user-generated content, saying, “Customer reviews are one of the most important things you can have on your website.” Hear more from Natasha and other small business owners in Expanding Your Business Through E-Commerce, available on-demand.

Brice Sokolowski, inventor and founder of Vaucluse Gear LLC, spoke about the challenges of managing retail payment options during Money Matters: Mastering Payment Methods for Small Business Success: “As an entrepreneur, you can think you’re doing things alone, but you’ve got SCORE on your side, you’ve got financial institutions helping you…all of these resources are here.”

Mentoring makes a difference
SCORE mentor Mark Dobson led a session about how to develop a quality business plan. Mark encouraged small business owners to invest in this foundational work and partner with a mentor to improve the odds of your business succeeding. “Owning a business is empowering,” said Mark. “You now control your own destiny.”

To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit SCORE.org.

About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories.

Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

CONTACT:
SCORE
202-968-6428
media@score.org

Visit SCORE’s media resources to connect with expert small business interview sources and news updates.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virtual-summit-provides-actionable-insights-for-entrepreneurs-302451233.html

SOURCE SCORE

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M3 Technology Advisors Rebrands to Reflect Industry Shift in Business Communications

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M3 Technology Advisors, formerly Ninety-Nine 90 Communications, has rebranded to reflect the evolution of business communications. As analog and legacy systems give way to cloud-based phone systems and CX platforms, M3 helps clients make informed decisions with transparent pricing, hands-on support, and unbiased vendor guidance.

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — M3 Technology Advisors, formerly known as Ninety-Nine 90 Communications, today announced a rebrand to better reflect the evolving needs of the businesses it supports. The original name was inspired by the 9,990 ft elevation at Park City Mountain Resort — a nod to the high-altitude, skiable terrain that inspired the company’s founding mantra: “Communications. Elevated.”

“We started M3 to give businesses what carriers don’t — honest answers, fast support, and transparent pricing,” said Connor Moody, Founder and Lead Advisor. “We act as an extension of our clients’ tech teams — without charging for our services.”

Now, as M3, the company is embracing a forward-facing identity that reflects how business communications have evolved. The industry has shifted from analog systems and per-minute billing to a modern tech stack built on reliable internet connectivity, cloud-first phone platforms, and CX-driven contact center tools powered by AI. The rebrand to M3 reflects the company’s continued focus on transparent pricing, vendor-neutral guidance, hands-on support, and deep industry expertise — with a back-office team of former engineers and carrier specialists from companies like Zoom, RingCentral, and AT&T.

“We started M3 to give businesses what carriers don’t — honest answers, fast support, and transparent pricing,” said Connor Moody, Founder and Lead Advisor. “We act as an extension of our clients’ tech teams — without charging for our services.”

The name change doesn’t mean a change in approach. M3 continues to deliver the same strategic support and client-first service it always has, including:

💬 Transparent vendor guidance – unbiased, expert-backed recommendations🛠️ Support escalation – real help when vendors are slow to respond❌ No markups or reselling – M3 often beats vendor-direct pricing💳 Direct carrier billing – clients continue to be billed directly by the providers they choose

“Clients trust us because we stay with them — not just through setup, but through every challenge after,” said Lexi Houghton, Client Success Manager at M3. “They know we care, and that we’ll always show up when it counts!”

The rebrand comes at a moment when many businesses are reevaluating their tech stack. M3 is positioned to meet that need with expert guidance and a personable, hands-on approach.

👉 Learn more at www.m3techadvisors.com

About M3 Technology Advisors

M3 Technology Advisors is an independent technology brokerage that helps businesses navigate reliable network connectivity, phone systems, and cloud-based contact center solutions. With a back-office team of former engineers and carrier specialists, M3 delivers vendor-neutral guidance, hands-on escalation support, and transparent pricing – often securing better rates than working directly with carriers. Founded in 2016 and based in San Clemente, California, M3 is built on trusted partnerships and solutions that scale with your business.

Media Contact

Lexi Houghton, M3 Technology Advisors, 1 (949) 264-9990, support@m3techadvisors.com, www.m3techadvisors.com

Twitter, LinkedIn

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/m3-technology-advisors-rebrands-to-reflect-industry-shift-in-business-communications-302448833.html

SOURCE M3 Technology Advisors

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