Continental, Drivetrain innovations, Chalmers University, GKN & Huaya.

Optimised power electronics: Continental says its 3rd generation of power electronics for hybrid and electric vehicles will be ready for serial production this August. According to the supplier, the latest series is six times more powerful than the first generation, while also being lighter (8 instead of 12 kilos).
greencarcongress.com

Reversed innovation: A new analysis by the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) looking at the 18 biggest automotive manufacturers concludes that while together they created 1,220 innovations, only 11 dealt with electric drivetrain technologies. That is down to the level of 2008 and also hybrid technology lost its inventive force as only 50 innovations, 12 less than in 2013, were counted.
auto-motor-und-sport.de (in German)

Plug-in cost calculation: Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology came up with a convex optimisation algorithm that takes into account various parameters affecting the costs of a plug-in hybrid. The tool helps to calculate development costs of hybrid systems quicker.
nanowerk.com, phys.org

850 million dollars are to be invested by the Chinese Joint Venture of GKN Automotive and Huaya Automotive to fulfil demand for new drivetrain technologies like hybrids. By the end of the year, the partners intend to finish construction of a new technical centre in Shanghai.
automotiveworld.com, gkn.com