WASHINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) – Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG.N) and a Westinghouse generator maker have agreed to drop some restrictions on who repairs their products, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday.

The agency voted last year to make it a priority to push manufacturers to stop requiring consumers to use licensed dealers to repair items ranging from smartphones to farm equipment. Critics say the practice raises prices for consumers and shuts out independent repair shops. Continue reading “FTC revs up ‘right to repair’ fight with Harley-Davidson agreement”

TOKYO, June 24 (Reuters) – Toyota Motor (7203.T)shares slipped after it recalled some of its first mass-made all-electric cars, launched two months ago, because of a risk of wheels coming loose, a setback to its ambitions to electrify its model range.

Toyota, the world’s largest automaker by sales, said on Thursday it would recall 2,700 bZ4X SUVs globally. Continue reading “Toyota, Subaru shares drop on “embarrassing” recalls of first EVs”

June 23 (Reuters) – When Duana Malcolm had her blue Hyundai Sonata sedan ‘wrapped’ as a mobile advertising board, the part-time delivery driver did not expect to make an extra $200 per month.

Malcolm is one of the many rideshare drivers looking for alternate sources of income to cushion the impact of soaring gas prices and higher costs for everything from tires to servicing, as U.S. inflation touches a more than 40-year high. Continue reading “Gas at $5 tips some U.S. rideshare drivers to wrap cars in ads”

June 23 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden rarely mentions electric car maker Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) in public. But privately his administration has leaned on the company to help craft a new policy to allow electric vehicles (EVs) to benefit from the nation’s lucrative renewable fuel subsidies, according to emails reviewed by Reuters.

The Biden administration contacted Tesla on its first day in office, marking the start of a series of meetings on the topic between federal officials and companies linked to the EV industry over the months that followed, according to the emails. Continue reading “Biden administration leans on Tesla for guidance in renewable fuel policy reform”

TOKYO/HONG KONG, June 23 (Reuters) – Bidders for Toshiba Corp (6502.T) are considering offering up to 7,000 yen ($51.41) per share to take the troubled Japanese conglomerate private, three people familiar with the situation told Reuters, valuing the deal at about $22 billion.

Toshiba, which is exploring strategic options, said this month it had received eight initial buyout proposals and two for capital alliances that would see it remain listed. Continue reading “Exclusive: Bidders weigh offers valuing Toshiba at up to $22 billion – sources”

SHANGHAI, June 23 (Reuters) – Germany’s BMW (BMWG.DE) said on Thursday that production has formally begun at a new plant in China with an investment of 15 billion yuan ($2.24 billion) as the carmaker accelerates electric vehicle (EV) production.

The Lydia plant, BMW’s third car assembly facility in China, located in the northeastern city of Shenyang, Liaoning province, will increase BMW’s annual output in the world’s biggest auto market to 830,000 vehicles from 700,000 in 2021, the company said. Continue reading “BMW starts production at new $2.2 bln China plant to ramp up EV output”

WASHINGTON, June 22 (Reuters) – U.S. auto regulators said Wednesday they want to require automakers to collect more crash data from event data recorders (EDRs)- more commonly known as “black boxes.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Wednesday proposed requiring black boxes to collect 20 seconds of pre-crash data at a higher frequency rate to help better understand the actions that lead to a crash. Continue reading “U.S. wants automakers to collect more ‘black box’ crash data”

SHANGHAI/SEOUL, June 23 (Reuters) – Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has supplied electric vehicle (EV) batteries to South Korea’s Kia Corp (000270.KS), the companies said on Thursday, marking Kia’s first use of non-Korean EV batteries for sales at home.

The South Korean automaker, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS), has chosen batteries from CATL for its electric Niro crossover SUV, aiming at expanding its range of battery suppliers, a South Korean newspaper reported on Wednesday. Continue reading “CATL has supplied EV batteries to S.Korea’s Kia – CATL spokesperson”

BRUSSELS, June 22 (Reuters) – Swedish truckmaker Volvo (VOLVb.ST) and Paccar’s DAF Trucks can be sued for compensation by a Spanish claimant over a truckmakers’ cartel, Europe’s top court said on Wednesday, in a ruling that could spur more claims against the cartel members.

Both companies, Daimler and Italy’s Iveco were fined a record 2.9 billion euros ($3 billion) in 2016 by the European Commission for fixing prices and coordinating on the introduction of new emission technologies. Continue reading “Volvo, DAF Trucks can be sued in Spanish cartel case, EU court says”

MOSCOW, June 23 (Reuters) – Russia is increasing gasoline and naphtha supplies to Africa and the Middle East as it struggles to sell fuel in Europe, while Asia is already taking bigger volumes of Russian crude, Refinitiv Eikon data showed and sources said.

The development is likely to increase competition for Asian customers between Russia and other big fuel exporters – Saudi Arabia and the United States – which are the top three suppliers to Asia. Continue reading “Russia seeks new fuel markets in Africa, Middle East as Europe turns away”

BARCELONA, June 22 (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co (F.N) said on Wednesday it will start producing electric vehicles in Spain later this decade but that would imply “significant” job cuts at its Spanish factory and another one in Germany amid its ambitious electrification push in Europe.

The U.S.-based carmaker said in a statement it had chosen its plant in Valencia as the preferred site to assemble vehicles based on a next-generation electric vehicle (EV) architecture. Continue reading “Ford sees ‘significant’ job cuts as it picks Spain for EV production”

DOHA, June 22 (Reuters) – Germany’s Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is optimistic that the carmaker can meet its 2022 targets in China despite COVID-19 lockdowns, its chief executive said on Wednesday.

“We’re still optimistic that we can meet our 2022 targets in China because we have a recovery plan in place, a huge incentive programme from the government into automotive demand,” said Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen AG, told the Qatar Economic Forum. Continue reading “Volkswagen CEO says optimistic about meeting China target in 2022”

TOKYO, June 22 (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) on Wednesday cut its July global production plan by 50,000 vehicles as semiconductor shortages and COVID-19 parts supply disruptions continued to curb output.

The world’s largest car maker by volume expects to make 800,000 vehicles next month, it said in a statement. Continue reading “Toyota cuts July global production plan by 50,000 vehicles”

PARIS, June 22 (Reuters) – Peugeot, one of Stellantis’ (STLA.MI) French brands, unveiled its new 408 model on Wednesday, betting the “fastback” sedan will attract motorists suffering from sports-utility vehicle (SUV) fatigue.

SUVs have been hugely popular in recent years in Europe, reaching a record 46% share of new sales in France in May, the same level as traditional sedans. Continue reading “Stellantis looks beyond SUV era with new Peugeot 408”

June 22 (Reuters) – Piedmont Lithium Inc’s (PLL.O) first steps toward securing lithium supplies will be in Quebec or Ghana, not the United States, as an intensifying North Carolina regulatory review delays the miner’s goal of anchoring America’s electric vehicle battery renaissance.

The delay has forced Piedmont to expand its strategy beyond its proposed North Carolina mine – a project it has touted as the best way to help secure American energy independence, but one that now faces a regulatory quagmire – and fund mines abroad. Continue reading “Piedmont Lithium looks abroad amid North Carolina uncertainty”

June 21 (Reuters) – Labor union Unite on Tuesday rejected Rolls-Royce’s (RR.L) latest pay offer, which included a 2000 pound ($2,455) cash lump sum to much of the aircraft engine maker’s British workforce, saying it fell short of expectations.

The British company earlier in the day said it was offering the lump sum to about 70% of its UK workforce to help them steer through rising living costs. Continue reading “Rolls-Royce latest pay offer to workers rejected by British union”

WASHINGTON, June 21 (Reuters) – General Motors Co (GM.N), Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Chrysler parent Stellantis NV (STLA.MI) said on Tuesday they are making masking optional for workers at all U.S. facilities.

In mid-May, the Detroit Three automakers and the United Auto Workers — which have a COVID-19 joint task force — reinstated a requirement that employees wear masks in southeastern Michigan, which was dealing with high COVID-19 rates. Continue reading “Detroit Three automakers to make masking optional at all U.S. plants”

June 21 (Reuters) – Trevor Milton, the billionaire founder and former chief executive of Nikola Corp (NKLA.O) has asked a federal judge to block evidence related to his “wealth, lifestyle or spending habits” at his trial for fraud charges.

A court filing from Monday showed that Milton’s lawyers told U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that details of Milton’s wealth were “unfairly prejudicial” and could mislead the jury. Continue reading “Nikola founder asks judge to block evidence of ‘wealth’, ‘lifestyle’ in fraud case”

WASHINGTON, June 21 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday said a potential suspension of the federal gasoline tax would have some, but not significant, impact on highway funds.

Biden said he would decide by the end of the week on whether to ask Congress to suspend the tax to help with high gas prices. The revenue from the gas tax is used to help fund highway and other transportation projects. Continue reading “Biden says U.S. gas tax holiday would have no major impact on highway funds”

June 21 (Reuters) – Shifting political winds during the U.S. November mid-term elections could spell trouble for automakers’ hopes of getting billions of dollars in consumer tax credits that would help the United States compete with Chinese and European rivals.

General Motors Co (GM.N), Ford Motor Co (F.N), Chrysler-parent Stellantis NV (STLA.MI) and Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) have pledged to invest more than $170 billion through 2030 to bolster EV development, production and sales. Continue reading “Electric automakers make last-ditch plea for more tax credits before U.S. election”

PARIS, June 21 (Reuters) – Carmaking partners Renault (RENA.PA) and Nissan (7201.T) face legal action in France from customers who have suffered problems with some engines made between 2012 and 2016.

Christophe Lèguevaques, a lawyer for the MyLeo legal platform involved in the lawsuit, said the companies had just been notified of the group action representing some 1,100 people. Continue reading “Renault and Nissan face legal action in France over engine problem”

BERLIN, June 21 (Reuters) – Germany’s government will not agree to European Union plans to effectively ban the sale of new cars with combustion engines from 2035, Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Tuesday.

In its bid to cut planet-warming emissions by 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels, the European Commission has proposed a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035. That means it would be impossible to sell combustion engine cars from then. Continue reading “Germany rejects EU plan for ban on new fossil-fuel cars from 2035”

June 21 (Reuters) – U.S. startup Redwood Materials Inc on Tuesday said Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) has become the latest auto industry giant to join its comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling and remanufacturing initiative.

Redwood Materials, whose partners include automaker Ford Motor Co (F.N) and EV battery maker Panasonic Holdings Corp (6752.T), is building a closed-loop battery ecosystem aimed at lowering EV costs by lessening dependence on imported materials while also reducing the environmental impact. Continue reading “Toyota joins Redwood Materials’ EV battery recycling initiative”

BUDAPEST, June 21 (Reuters) – German carmaker Audi’s Hungarian unit will invest 120 billion forints ($320.2 million) to ramp up electric engine production at its factory in western Hungary, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Tuesday.

Szijjarto said Audi, which earlier said it could substantially boost output at the plant, would start manufacturing the new engines from 2025, adding 500 jobs at the plant, which Audi says is the world’s biggest engine factory. Continue reading “Audi to invest $320.2 million to boost electric engine output in Hungary”

DUBAI, June 21 (Reuters) – Electric carmaker Tesla (TSLA.O) will reduce its salaried workforce by roughly 10% over the next three months, Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Tuesday.

The cuts would amount to about a 3.5% reduction in total headcount at the company, Musk said at the Qatar Economic Forum organised by Bloomberg. Continue reading “Tesla to cut salaried workforce by 10% over next 3 months, says Musk”

TOKYO, June 21 (Reuters) – Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T) said on Tuesday its joint venture in China with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co (601238.SS) has begun building an electric vehicle factory in Guangdong province with an initial investment of 3.49 billion yuan ($522 million).

The Japanese automaker is aiming to start the factory’s operation in 2024, it said in a statement. The new factory has an annual production capacity of 120,000 units. Continue reading “Honda China venture begins construction of Guangdong EV factory”

June 21 (Reuters) – A record 42 million people around the United States are expected to hit the road for trips over the July 4 Independence Day weekend, AAA said Tuesday, absorbing historically high fuel costs to crowd the highways.

The average U.S. retail price of gasoline recently broke through $5 per gallon for the first time in history. While that is not a record from an inflation-adjusted basis, it still represents an increase of nearly $2 per gallon from a year earlier. Despite the higher cost, gasoline demand is only 1% below the average for this time of year in the United States. Continue reading “Record number of travelers to hit U.S. roads for July 4 weekend, AAA says”

SHANGHAI, June 20 (Reuters) – Tesla (TSLA.O) cars will be prohibited from entering the Chinese coastal district of Beidaihe, site of a secretive annual summer party leadership conclave, for at least two months starting on July 1, a local traffic police official told Reuters on Monday.

The decision by the Beidaihe authorities comes just weeks after Tesla cars were also barred from driving on to some roads in the central city of Chengdu in early June, which coincided with a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the city. Continue reading “Tesla cars barred for 2 months in Beidaihe, site of China leadership meet”

June 17 (Reuters) – Japan’s Sony (6758.T) and Honda Motor (7267.T) on Thursday officially agreed to an equally owned joint venture that will start selling electric cars in 2025.

Honda, like bigger rival Toyota Motor (7203.T), has been slower to shift to electric vehicles (EV) than global automakers and is under pressure from investors to make cars that are carbon-free and equipped with newer technology such as self-driving features. Continue reading “Sony, Honda sign JV to sell electric cars by 2025”

LONDON, June 16 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government on Thursday to quickly come up with new measures to support the domestic car industry, which has seen sales crater since the invasion of Ukraine.

Amid a crunch on demand from Russian buyers and severe logistics problems as a result of Western sanctions, car sales slumped a record 83.5% in May, according to Association of European Businesses (AEB) data. Continue reading “Putin says government must support domestic car industry, wants new plan soon”

June 16 (Reuters) – Lyft Inc (LYFT.O) has reached a $25 million settlement to resolve shareholder claims that the ride-hailing company concealed safety problems, including sexual assaults by drivers, prior to its 2019 initial public offering.

The preliminary all-cash settlement was filed on Thursday with the federal court in Oakland, California, and requires approval by U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam Jr. Continue reading “Lyft reaches $25 million settlement of claims it hid safety problems before IPO”

WASHINGTON, June 16 (Reuters) – Volkswagen AG’s (VOWG_p.DE) top U.S. executive said on Thursday the United States faces major challenges in ramping up battery production to facilitate a shift to electric vehicles including attracting skilled workers, mining for key metals and supply chain issues.

Scott Keogh, chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America, told an Automotive News forum in Washington that the move to EVs is the single biggest “industrial transformation in America.” Continue reading “VW U.S. chief warns of industry challenges with EV battery shift”

LONDON, June 16 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government on Thursday to quickly come up with new measures to support the domestic car industry, which has seen sales crater since the invasion of Ukraine.

Amid a crunch on demand from Russian buyers and severe logistics problems as a result of Western sanctions, car sales slumped a record 83.5% in May, according to Association of European Businesses (AEB) data. Continue reading “Putin says government must support domestic car industry, wants new plan soon”

June 16 (Reuters) – Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) and its Porsche AG unit have agreed to a class-action settlement worth at least $80 million to resolve claims it skewed emissions and fuel economy data on 500,000 Porsche vehicles in the United States, court documents show.

The settlement, filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, must be approved by a federal judge. It covers 2005 through 2020 model year Porsche vehicles after owners accused the automaker of physically altering test vehicles that affected emissions and fuel economy results. Continue reading “Porsche to pay $80 mln to resolve fuel economy claims on U.S. vehicles”

June 16 (Reuters) – Four senior executives at Vietnam’s VinFast have left the electric vehicle startup as it prepares to launch its first overseas model and roll out a network of showrooms in the United States and Europe, the company said.

The recent round of departures comes as VinFast prepares to start construction of a $4-billion factory in North Carolina, open its first showrooms in California, moves toward a potential initial public offering of shares and seeks financing from the U.S. government. Continue reading “VinFast parts ways with four top executives as it readies expansion”

BERLIN, June 16 (Reuters) – Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) Audi has filed a lawsuit in a Munich court against Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio (9866.HK) over an alleged infringement of Audi’s trademark rights, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported on Thursday.

According to Audi, Nio’s decision to name two of its models ES6 and ES8 infringes Audi’s trademark for its own model designations S6 and S8, Handelsblatt reported. Continue reading “Audi files lawsuit against Chinese EV maker Nio over trademark rights – Handelsblatt”

June 16 (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) said on Thursday it plans an additional domestic factory line production suspension in June and July due to semiconductor shortages and a COVID-19 outbreak at one of its suppliers.

Thursday’s announcement is the third time the world’s largest automaker by sales has adjusted its June production plans, which are down about 12% from its original plan. Continue reading “Toyota to halt more Japan production in June, July”

MARANELLO, Italy, June 16 (Reuters) – Electric and hybrid models should make up 80% of Ferrari’s (RACE.MI) sales by 2030, the luxury carmaker told investors on Thursday, vowing to produce “even more unique” cars as it leans on partners to make the costly shift to zero-emission driving.

“Everything we do will always focus on being distinctively Ferrari,” chairman John Elkann said as the company unveiled its new business plan. Electrification “will allow us to make even more unique cars.” Continue reading “Ferrari says going electric means ‘even more unique’ cars”

June 16 (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) again raised prices for all its car models in the United States in response to persistent global supply-chain problems and soaring raw material costs.

The electric carmaker increased its Model Y long-range price to $65,990 from $62,990, its website showed on Thursday, after delaying the deliveries of some long-range models in the United States by up to a month. Continue reading “Tesla to charge more for cars in United States as inflation bites”