DETROIT, Aug 16 (Reuters) – The future may belong to electric cars, but for U.S. automakers, trucks will rule for years to come.

Automakers in North America plan to build more big pickups and sport utility vehicles than electric vehicles well into the late 2020s, chasing sales trends that run counter to the Biden administration’s goal of boosting EVs to half the market by 2030, according to internal production forecasts viewed by Reuters.

The popularity of Detroit’s big trucks is a challenge both to the industry and efforts by lawmakers and regulators to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other exhaust gas pollutants from combustion engines.

Continue reading “Detroit sticks with trucks, SUVs despite lofty 2030 goals for EVs”

DETROIT, Aug 13 (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co (F.N) said late on Friday it will ask the U.S. Patent Office to rescind trademarks obtained by rival General Motors Co (GM.N) for the terms “Cruise” and “Super Cruise,” escalating a brawl GM began by suing Ford over its use of “Blue Cruise” for an automated driving system.

The legal fight between the two Detroit automakers turns on whether “cruise” is a generic term for technology that allows the car to take over some share of driving tasks from a human motorist.

The clash underscores the intensity of competition among established automakers to be seen as leaders in automated driving technology, competitive with Silicon Valley rivals Tesla Inc (TSLA.O), Alphabet Inc(GOOGL.O) ‘s Waymo unit and others.

Continue reading “Ford counterattacks in ‘cruise’ dispute with GM”

Ben Klayman

Reuters 2 min read

Ford Motor Co’s (F.N) electric vehicle battery joint venture with South Korea’s SK Innovation Co Ltd (096770.KS) will extend beyond North America into Europe, a senior Ford executive said on Wednesday.

In May, Ford announced the joint venture with SK to produce about 60 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually in battery cells and array modules, starting in the middle of this decade, with the potential to expand. The deal, which still needs to be finalized, includes plans for two North American plants. read more

Continue reading “Ford battery venture with SK Innovation will extend to Europe, executive says”

Reuters

2 min read

China’s ride-hailing giant Didi Global Inc (DIDI.N) said on Thursday that rumours about a possible management change are not true.

“Didi is actively and fully cooperating with regulators’ cybersecurity probe, market rumours about management change at the company is not true,” Didi said in a Weibo post.

Continue reading “Didi denies management changes amid cybersecurity probe”

Reuters

2 min read

The Chinese government has asked automakers to strengthen data protection and store locally generated key data in the country.

Automakers need to get regulatory approval for both when they need to export critical data and before they update in-car systems, according to a new policy published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on its website.

Continue reading “China urges automakers to strengthen data protection”

Reuters

1 min read

The Biden administration’s supply chain team remains in touch with auto industry executives about issues driving up prices, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday.

Short-term disruptions in shipments of automotive semiconductors is now becoming a long-term problem and is driving average prices of new and used vehicles to luxury-car levels, fueling inflation fears and causing concern in the White House.

Continue reading “White House says it remains in touch with auto executives about high car prices”

David Shepardson, David Lawder

Reuters 4 min read

Mexican auto parts company Tridonex on Tuesday agreed to ensure worker rights, pay severance and back wages to dismissed employees to settle an early labor rights complaint under the new North American trade deal.

The agreement announced by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and Tridonex parent Cardone Industries Inc aimed to settle complaints that the company’s workers were being denied the rights of free association and collective bargaining.

Continue reading “U.S. reaches deal with Mexican auto parts factory in USMCA labor complaint”

Reuters

2 min read

China’s vehicle sales slid in July for a third consecutive month, hit hard by flooding in some areas of the country, COVID-19 outbreaks in other areas and the global shortage of semiconductors.

The world’s biggest auto market saw sales drop 11.9% from the same month a year earlier to 1.86 million vehicles, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

Continue reading “China auto sales tumble for a third straight month in July”

Aditi Shah, Yilei Sun

Reuters 5 min read

Great Wall Motor (601633.SS) has decided to re-allocate to Brazil a portion of its $1-billion investment in India, as the Chinese automaker has been unnerved by a year-long delay in winning government approvals, three sources told Reuters.

The re-allocation, which could range up to $300 million, comes as the sources said the maker of popular sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-ups was close to acquiring a former Daimler (DAIGn.DE) plant in Brazil to build cars.

Continue reading “EXCLUSIVE Great Wall Motor to shift some India investment to Brazil after approval delays -sources”

Aftab Ahmed, Aditi Shah

Reuters 5 min read

India is considering slashing import duties on electric cars to as low as 40%, two senior government officials told Reuters, days after Tesla Inc’s (TSLA.O) appeals for a cut polarised the country’s auto industry.

For imported electric vehicles (EVs) with a value of less than $40,000 – including the car’s cost, insurance and freight – the government is discussing slashing the tax rate to 40% from 60% presently, the officials told Reuters.

Continue reading “EXCLUSIVE India considers sharp import tax cuts on EVs after Tesla lobbying – sources”

David Shepardson

Reuters 3 min read

A group of 28 U.S. House Democrats on Monday asked congressional leaders to back $85 billion in funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a big jump over funding proposed in a bill before Congress.

The current $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill under consideration has $7.5 billion in EV charging infrastructure funding, but Democrats plan to add additional funding in a separate measure that could spend up to $3.5 trillion.

Continue reading “28 U.S. House Democrats want $85 billion in EV charging infrastructure funding”

Aditi Shah

Reuters 4 min read

Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE), the world’s second-largest carmaker, is calling for lower import duties on electric cars in India to help drive demand for clean vehicles, echoing Tesla’s recent pitch which has divided the country’s auto industry.

Cutting duties on electric vehicles (EVs) even to 25% – from current levels as high as 100% – would not pose a “big threat” to domestic players, but would help to drive investment, the German carmaker’s India head told Reuters in an interview.

Continue reading “VW joins Tesla in call for lower import tax on EVs in India”

Reuters

1 min read

Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) is telling workers at its Nevada battery factory they will be required to wear a mask indoors starting Monday regardless of vaccination status, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

Workers at the Reno, Nevada-area facility had previously been required to wear a mask if they were not vaccinated, but could avoid that requirement if they were, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Continue reading “Tesla mandates masks at Nevada battery factory – WSJ”

Norihiko Shirouzu

Reuters 4 min read

France’s Renault SA (RENA.PA)said on Monday it is looking to revive business in China by forming a hybrid vehicle joint venture with Geely Holding Group (GEELY.UL), a year after it ended its previous operation in the world’s largest car market.

The two companies have signed a framework agreement to set up the joint venture, which would make and sell Renault-branded petrol-electric hybrid cars in China using Geely’s technologies, supply chains and manufacturing facilities while Renault would focus on sales and marketing.

Continue reading “France’s Renault, China’s Geely to explore new hybrid-focused venture”

David Shepardson, Jeff Mason

Reuters 4 min read

 President Joe Biden took a step toward his goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions on Thursday with an executive order aimed at making half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 electric, a move made with backing from the biggest U.S. automakers.

The administration also proposed new vehicle emissions standards that would cut pollution through 2026, starting with a 10% stringency increase in the 2023 model year.

Continue reading “Biden seeks to make half of new U.S. auto fleet electric by 2030”

David Shepardson

Reuters 4 min read

President Joe Biden’s administration on Thursday said it would propose reversing the Trump-era loosening of vehicle emissions rules with a new plan to boost efficiency 10% in the 2023 model year and aiming for a fleet average of 52 miles per gallon by 2026.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal also calls for a near 5% stringency increase in each model year from 2024 through 2026. But it would not seek to reverse former President Donald Trump’s rollbacks in fuel efficiency standards for the 2021 or 2022 model years.

Continue reading “U.S. EPA shoots to push vehicle fuel efficiency to 52 mpg by 2026”

Reuters

1 min read

Ford Motor Co (F.N) confirmed Thursday it hopes to cut 1,000 U.S. salaried positions as it offers voluntary incentives to leave to some white-collar employees in select areas.

The No. 2 U.S. automaker said the “action is to further enable us to match our business priorities with the critical skills needed to turnaround our automotive operations.”

Continue reading “Ford to offer salaried buyouts, hopes to cut 1,000 U.S. positions”

Reuters

2 min read

Australia’s consumer watchdog filed a court case against Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday alleging that the company downplayed the risks involved with the use of Takata airbags in its vehicles.

The defective airbags, which in rare instances lead to a rupture in inflator and send potentially deadly metal fragments flying, have resulted in the world’s largest automotive recall impacting 100 million vehicles.

Continue reading “Australia takes Mercedes to court for downplaying Takata airbag risks”

Paul Lienert

Reuters 3 min read

British-based Zapp Scooters plans to begin selling its new i300 electric two-wheeler this fall in Europe and early next year in the United States, the company said on Wednesday, as the electric motorbike segment grows increasingly crowded.

Founded by Thai entrepreneur Swin Chatsuwan, a former investment banker now based in the UK, four-year-old Zapp is going to market with a build-to-order business model, according Tony Posawatz, a Zapp investor and adviser who was formerly with General Motors Co (GM.N).

Continue reading “Zapp Scooters poised to enter crowded electric motorbike segment”

Nate Raymond, Tina Bellon

Reuters 3 min read

A coalition of app-based companies, including Uber Technologies Inc(UBER.N), Lyft Inc(LYFT.O) and DoorDash Inc(DASH.N), on Wednesday took the first step to put a measure before Massachusetts voters that would define their drivers as independent contractors entitled to minimum benefits but avoid having them declared their employees.

If placed on the ballot next year, the proposal could make Massachusetts the epicenter for an expensive fight over the legal rights of gig workers, after a heated battle in California ended last year with voters cementing their contractor status.

Continue reading “Group backed by Uber, Lyft pushes Massachusetts gig worker ballot measure”

Vera Eckert

Reuters 3 min read

Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) will invest in Germany’s H2 Mobility network of hydrogen fuelling station operators, it said on Thursday, as it looks to support infrastructure for fuel cell-powered vehicles.

A partner in the project since 2017, Hyundai Motor’s German subsidiary will become a seventh shareholder shortly, it said, having received approval from Germany’s cartel office.

Continue reading “Hyundai to take stake in German hydrogen fuelling group H2 Mobility”

David Shepardson

Reuters 4 min read

U.S. President Joe Biden will sign an executive order on Thursday setting a target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles and propose new vehicle emissions rules to cut pollution through 2026, the White House said.

Biden’s goal, which is not legally binding, won the support of major U.S. and foreign automakers who warned it would require billions of dollars in government funding.

Continue reading “Biden to set target for 50% EVs by 2030; industry backs goal”

Tina Bellon, Akanksha Rana

Reuters 3 min read

Uber Technologies Inc (UBER.N) on Wednesday reported widening losses as it spent more to entice drivers to return to its platform, sending shares of the ride-hail and food delivery company down in after-hours trade.

Investors sold the shares despite Uber management’s assurances that the company can deliver a sharp turnaround in profitability even as New York and other major cities reimpose some pandemic restrictions.

Continue reading “Uber posts $509 mln adjusted loss on driver incentives even as trips rise”

Reuters

2 min read

British new car sales fell by 29.5% to their lowest July level since 1998 as the ‘pingdemic’ of people self-isolating alongside supply shortages hit demand, according to an industry body.

Whilst July 2020 was boosted by being the first full month dealerships were open across Britain after the initial lockdown, this year has been hit by a semiconductor shortage in the industry and people having to self-isolate due to catching COVID-19 or being in contact with someone who had.

Continue reading “UK new car sales fall to lowest July level since 1998”

PTI

2 min read

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Tuesday said it has issued a notification to exempt battery operated vehicles from the payment of fees for issue or renewal of registration certificate.

In a statement, the ministry said it has also exempted battery operated vehicles from the payment of fees for assignment of new registration marks.

Continue reading “E-Vehicles Exempted From Registration Certificate Fees”

Reuters

1 min read

Nissan Motor Co’s (7201.T) Chinese battery partner Envision AESC said on Wednesday it would spend 50 billion yen ($460 million) to build a new battery plant in Japan’s Ibaraki prefecture north of Tokyo.

Over the long term, Envision could invest over 100 billion yen in the plant, which would start mass production in 2024, the company said.

Continue reading “Nissan’s battery partner to spend over $450 mln on new plant in Japan”

Orathai Sriring, Liz Lee

Reuters 5 min read

Fresh outbreaks of the Delta coronavirus variant in Southeast Asia have crippled its factory sector, disrupting global supplies of goods such as rubber gloves, semiconductors and SUVs and threatening the $3 trillion region’s recovery.

A series of factory surveys this week showed business activity across most Southeast Asian economies fell sharply in July, a contrast to more resilient manufacturing economies in Northeast Asia and the West, where business growth has slowed but remained in expansion. read more

Continue reading “Southeast Asia’s factory powerhouses hit by vaccination woes, Delta”

Maki Shiraki, Norihiko Shirouzu

Reuters 5 min read

Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) posted a record quarterly operating profit on Wednesday as pandemic-hit sales rebounded, but refrained from raising its full-year estimate, citing rising COVID-19 cases and a global chip shortage.

The world’s biggest automaker by vehicle sales stuck by its forecast made in May for an operating profit of 2.5 trillion yen ($22.93 billion) for the current fiscal year, trailing an average forecast for a 2.88 trillion yen operating profit, according to 24 analysts polled by Refinitiv. read more

Continue reading “Toyota posts record profit but cautious on outlook as chip crunch weighs”

Tom Polansek, Aishwarya Venugopal

Reuters 2 min read

Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N), Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) and Detroit’s Big Three automakers joined a growing list of U.S. companies that are changing their vaccination and masking policies as the Delta variant triggers renewed pandemic restrictions.

Microsoft said on Tuesday all employees, vendors and guests will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter its U.S. buildings, while meatpacker Tyson Foods said it was mandating vaccinations for its workforce.

Continue reading “Tyson Foods, Microsoft mandate vaccinations, U.S. automakers mask up”

Aditi Shah

Reuters 3 min read

The use of hydrogen power for mobility is an “interesting alternative” for India, especially as it would reduce dependence on lithium imports, the chairman of Maruti Suzuki (MRTI.NS), India’s top-selling carmaker, said on Monday.

Demand for lithium for batteries is soaring as governments across the world push automakers to meet stringent targets for cutting carbon emissions, partly by phasing out internal combustion engines.

Continue reading “India’s top carmaker sees hydrogen as ‘interesting alternative’”

Aditi Shah

Reuters 3 min read

Indian automakers are making a renewed push for more time to meet tighter rules on fuel efficiency, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, as companies still reel from the financial impact of COVID-19, sources told Reuters.

The industry body leading the push, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), is expected to meet the transport minister on Tuesday to seek a one-year delay in complying with the rules, due to take effect from next April, said the sources, who have direct knowledge of the plans.

Continue reading “Indian carmakers renew bid to delay tougher fuel efficiency rules -sources”

Ernest Scheyder

Reuters 3 min read

German-Australian start-up Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (VUL.AX) said on Monday it has signed a deal to supply lithium to Renault SA (RENA.PA), the latest move by an electric vehicle maker to lock down supply of the battery metal ahead of a projected surge in demand.

Vulcan will supply 6,000 to 17,000 tonnes of lithium annually to the French automaker from its geothermal brine deposits in Germany starting in 2026, the companies said. The five-year deal is renewable if both parties agree.

Continue reading “Renault locks in lithium supply from Vulcan Energy in five-year deal”