New Delhi: Hero MotoCorp on Friday said it has commenced customer deliveries of its first electric scooter VIDA V1. The first electric vehicle of the brand was delivered in Bengaluru. Deliveries in Jaipur and Delhi will follow, the company said ina statement.

“Our vision with VIDA is to establish future oriented mobility trends that will benefit the customers as well as the planet. With the commencement of customer deliveries, we are beginning to realise our vision,” Hero MotoCorp Chairman and CEO Pawan Munjal said. Continue reading “Hero MotoCorp commences deliveries of VIDA V1 electric scooter”

Source : PTI : New Delhi: Tata Motors on Friday said the acquisition of Ford India’s manufacturing plant at Sanand through its subsidiary will be completed on January 10, 2023. In August this year, the company had announced that its arm Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEML) would acquire Ford India Pvt Ltd’s (FIPL) Sanand plant in Gujarat for Rs 725.7 crore.

The acquisition included the entire land and buildings; vehicle manufacturing plant along with machinery and equipment and transfer of all eligible employees of FIPL’s vehicle manufacturing operations at Sanand. Continue reading “Tata Motors to complete acquisition of Ford India’s manufacturing plant in January”

Source : PTI : A total of 16,397 persons were killed in road accidents in 2021 due to not wearing seat belt, of which 8,438 were drivers and remaining 7,959 were passengers, according to a report by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The report titled ‘Road accidents in India — 2021’, further said during 2021, a total of 46,593 persons were killed in road accidents due to not wearing helmet, of which 32,877 were drivers and 13,716 were passengers.

A total of 4,12,432 road accidents occurred in 2021 which claimed 1,53,972 lives while 3,84,448 people were injured Continue reading “Not wearing seat belt claimed 16,397 lives in road accidents in 2021, says Ministry data”

MEXICO CITY, Dec 30 (Reuters) – Worker representatives at German automaker Audi’s Mexico plant have extended a strike deadline to Jan. 11 from Jan. 1 as they aim to reach an agreement with the firm over pay raises, a union document seen by Reuters on Friday showed.

The Independent Union of Audi Mexico Workers (SITAUDI) and Audi had previously negotiated two options to raise wages for the plant’s 4,000 unionized employees in the central state of Puebla. Continue reading “Audi workers in Mexico extend strike deadline to Jan. 11”

BRUSSELS, Dec 29 (Reuters) – The European Commission gave a guarded welcome on Thursday to guidance by the United States meaning that EU companies could partially benefit from the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, but said further improvements were required. Continue reading “EU gives guarded welcome to U.S. guidance on EV tax credits”

Dec 29 (Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury Department said on Thursday that electric vehicles leased by consumers can qualify starting Jan. 1 for up to $7,500 in commercial clean vehicle tax credits, a decision that makes those assembled outside North America eligible.

South Korea, Europe and some automakers this month sought approval to use the commercial electric vehicle tax credit to boost consumer EV access. Automakers said the credit could be used to reduce leasing prices. Continue reading “U.S. Treasury says consumer leases can qualify for EV tax credits”

Dec 29 (Reuters) – The United States will introduce incentives on Jan. 1 for delivery firms and other companies to switch to electric trucks as part of a broad push to get polluting, workhorse vehicles off roads and out of neighborhoods.

The first-of-its-kind incentives, established under President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), will offer tax credits of $7,500 or $40,000 depending on the size of the electric vehicle (EV). Delivery companies like FedEx (FDX.N) and Amazon.com (AMZN.O) would qualify at the $7,500 level for many of their electric trucks. Continue reading “Biden tax credits aim to jolt electric delivery truck demand”

SHANGHAI, Dec 29 (Reuters) – Honda (7267.T) will recall just over 200,000 hybrid vehicles due to issues with brake pedal sensors in some models, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said in a statement on Thursday.

A total of 105,608 hybrid vehicles produced between Oct. 8, 2018 and Sept. 7, 2020 by the Japanese carmaker’s venture with Dongfeng Motor Group Co. (600006.SS) would be recalled, along with another 95,081 units from Honda’s manufacturing partnership with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. (601238.SS) made between August 27, 2018 and August 6, 2020. Continue reading “Honda to recall 200,000 hybrid vehicles made in China -regulator”

BEIJING/SHANGHAI, Dec 29 (Reuters) – Jordan Li, a restaurant owner in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu, hopes desperately that next month’s Lunar New Year holidays will help him make up for business lost this year because of COVID-related travel and other restrictions.

Although infections have risen sharply since the central government lifted most of its pandemic-control curbs this month, Li thinks people will still travel to Chengdu. He envisions a different problem: a lack of workers to handle the demand. Continue reading “Analysis: China’s services sector eyes recovery after reopening, but challenges loom”

Source : PTI :India is aiming to double the size of its automobile industry to Rs 15 lakh crore by the end of 2024, making it one of the world’s top countries in this sector, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. Gadkari also said that his ministry will carry out project works worth Rs 5 lakh crore next year, of which Rs 2 lakh crore will come from the government and the rest will be raised from the capital market.

“Currently our automobile industry is Rs 7.5 lakh crore and we want to take it to Rs 15 lakh crore by the end of 2024, making it one of the largest automakers in the world, creating huge job opportunities,” Gadkari said at a virtual session of Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Continue reading “India aims to double auto industry size to Rs 15 lakh crore by 2024 end: Nitin Gadkari”

Source : PTI : New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced authorization certificates for the dealers of registered vehicles to identify the authenticity of a dealer, a move that will promote ease of doing business and transparency. MoRTH in a notification issued on December 22, has
amended chapter Il of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 to build a comprehensive regulatory ecosystem for the pre-owned car market

According to the notification, the procedure for intimation of delivery of vehicle between the registered owner and the dealer has been detailed, and the powers and responsibilities of a dealer in possession of registered vehicles have also been clarified Continue reading “Road transport ministry introduces authorisation certificates for car dealer to check malpractices”

Dec 28 (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) Chief Executive Elon Musk told employees that they should not be “bothered by stock market craziness” after the company’s shares fell nearly 70% this year on jitters over softening demand for electric vehicles and Musk’s distraction with running Twitter.

In an email sent to staff on Wednesday and reviewed by Reuters, Musk said he believes that long term, Tesla will be the most valuable company on earth. Continue reading “Musk tells Tesla workers not to be ‘bothered by stock market craziness’”

TOKYO, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) reported on Monday a 1.5% rise in November global vehicle output, reaching a new record of 833,104.

Domestic production slid 3.3% to 266,174 vehicles, while overseas output rose 3.8% to an all-time high of 566,930 for the month. Continue reading “Toyota’s Nov global vehicle production rises 1.5% to record 833,104”

SHANGHAI, Dec 24 (Reuters) – Tesla suspended production at its Shanghai plant on Saturday, according to an internal notice and two people with knowledge of the matter, bringing ahead a previous plan to pause most work at the plant in the last week of December.

The U.S. automaker cancelled the morning shift and told all workers at its most productive manufacturing hub they could start their break, said the people and the notice seen by Reuters. The company did not give a reason. Continue reading “Tesla suspends production at Shanghai plant”

Source PTI : New Delhi: The Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles on Thursday hit out at the government for holding back incentives under the FAME II scheme. In response to a reply made by Union Heavy Industries Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the ministry has received complaints regarding misappropriation of subsidies under the FAME India Phase II scheme by some electric vehicles manufacturers, the industry body said the allegation is “invalid in the context of the issue at hand.”

The government is probing 12 automakers, including Hero Electric and Okinawa Autotech, for alleged misappropriation of subsidies under the Rs 10,000 crore FAME II scheme. Continue reading “EV makers not misappropriating subsidies under FAME scheme, says SMEV”

MILAN, Dec 23 (Reuters) – Stellantis (STLA.MI) has entered exclusive talks with France’s Faurecia (EPED.PA) and Michelin (MICP.PA) to buy a “substantial” stake in their Symbio joint venture, a fuel cell system maker for hydrogen mobility, the three companies said on Friday.

Stellantis, the world third-largest carmaker, launched hydrogen-powered mid-size vans late last year and aims to expand its hydrogen offer to large vans in Europe in 2024 and in the U.S. in 2025, “while further exploring opportunities for heavy-duty trucks”. Continue reading “Stellantis in talks to buy ‘substantial’ stake in hydrogen mobility company Symbio”

MEXICO CITY, Dec 22 (Reuters) – Worker representatives at automaker Audi’s Mexico plant have set a Jan. 1 deadline to reach an agreement with the company over pay raises without launching a strike, the union said on Thursday.

The Independent Union of Audi Mexico Workers (SITAUDI) and Audi had previously negotiated two options to raise wages for the plant’s 4,000 unionized employees in the central state of Puebla. Continue reading “Audi union in Mexico sets Jan. 1 strike deadline as workers eye higher pay”

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate Finance Committee has asked eight major automakers, including General Motors (GM.N), Tesla (TSLA.O) and Ford Motor (F.N), to disclose whether any of their components are linked to alleged forced labor use in China, according to letters made public on Thursday.

In June, a U.S. law took effect banning the import of forced-labor goods from Xinjiang, in a pushback against Beijing’s treatment of China’s Uyghur Muslim minority, which Washington has labeled genocide. Continue reading “U.S. Senate committee asks carmakers about Chinese supply chain”

Dec 22 (Reuters) – Used-car retailer CarMax Inc (KMX.N) said on Thursday it was pausing some hiring, halting share buybacks and cutting expenses after reporting an 86% drop in third-quarter profit as the industry struggles to offload inventory amid waning demand.

The company’s shares fell as much as 12% to $52.10 and were at more than a two-and-a-half year low, dragging other auto retailers down with it. Continue reading “CarMax results hit by ‘used-vehicle recession’; buyback paused”

Competition organised as a part of Road Safety Initiative of SIAM- सुरक्षित सफर (SAFE JOURNEY)

New Delhi, 23 December 2022: With the vision of promoting safe mobility across the nation from a grass-root level, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organised the 8th Inter-School Competition on ‘Road Safety’, scheduled between 22nd December, 2022 and 23rd December, 2022. Under the Road Safety Initiative of SIAM- सुरक्षित सफर (SAFE JOURNEY), this event was conducted in association with Delhi Traffic Police and Gyan Mandir Public School, Naraina Vihar, New Delhi. The two-day long competition witnessed students participating in a multitude of activities, aimed at sensitising them to issues pertaining to ‘Safe Mobility’. Continue reading “SIAM hosts 8th Edition of Inter-School Competition on ‘Road Safety’”

PARIS, Dec 22 (Reuters) – French carmaker Renault (RENA.PA) has issued a 210 billion yen ($1.6 billion) bond that will mature in December 2026 and carry a coupon of 2.80%, it said on Thursday, adding this highlighted its appeal to Japanese investors.

“The final orderbook amounted to close to 300 billion yen, underlying the high confidence of Japanese retail investors in the Renault Group strategy as well as its ongoing transformation,” Renault said. Continue reading “Carmaker Renault issues 210 bln yen bond”

Dec 21 (Reuters) – TuSimple Holdings Inc (TSP.O) said on Wednesday it will lay off 25% of its workforce, or nearly 350 employees, as the self-driving truck company seeks to chart a course out of the economic upheaval that has been raging throughout the year.

The company said it expects to record a one-time charge of nearly $10 million to $11 million, most of which would be recorded in the fourth quarter. Continue reading “TuSimple to lay off 25% of workforce”

Dec 21 (Reuters) – U.S. total new vehicle retail sales are expected to decline in December as high vehicle prices and rising borrowing costs pushed consumers to cut back spending, a report from industry consultants J.D. Power-LMC Automotive showed on Wednesday.

“Elevated pricing, coupled with repeated interest rate increases, continue to inflate monthly loan payments,” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading “U.S. new vehicle sales to fall in December as high prices deter buyers – report”

Dec 21 (Reuters) – Solid Power Inc (SLDP.O) said on Wednesday it will offer some intellectual property rights related to its solid-state batteries to BMW (BMWG.DE) and allow production of the battery cells at the automaker’s facilities in Germany.

Colorado-based Solid Power will license the cell design and manufacturing processes to BMW, which will pay the company $20 million through June 2024, subject to certain conditions. Continue reading “BMW to make Solid Power’s battery cells under expanded agreement”

Dec 21 (Reuters) – Another wave of layoffs are coming at electric-car maker Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) in the next quarter, news website Electrek reported on Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Tesla is also going to freeze hiring, according to the report. The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Continue reading “Tesla to freeze hiring, lay off employees next quarter – Electrek”

Beersheva, Israel, Dec 21 (Reuters) – An Israeli-made electric vehicle designed to fly commuters on short trips far above streets overcrowded with cars has made its maiden unmanned flight, a milestone the developer says will help it reach the market in the next two years.

The test-phase voyage may not look out of the ordinary at first given the huge progress made in drone technology. Another propellered aircraft rising vertically off the ground and then thrusting forward high in the sky. Continue reading “Israeli startup makes inroads with personal flying vehicle”

Source PTI : New Delhi: Globally diversified natural resources firm Vedanta Ltd on Tuesday said it has rolled out an EV policy for its employees, under which incentives ranging from 30 to 50 per cent will be provided on purchase of eleciric vehicles. As part of its commitment towards net-zero carbon, the company has pledged 100 per cent of its light motor vehicles to be decarbonised by 2030.

The incentives would be given to various employee grades for purchase of four- and two-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs), it said. Continue reading “Vedanta announces incentives for purchase of EVs by employees”

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) – General Motors Co (GM.N) said Tuesday it is recalling 140,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs in North America because the carpet could catch fire after a crash where a front seat belt pretensioner deploys.

The U.S. automaker said the recall covers various 2017 through 2023 model year Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles due to rare instances of front seatbelt pretensioner exhaust gases coming in contact with floor carpeting fibers, after a vehicle crash, which could cause a fire. Continue reading “GM recalls 140,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs over fire risks”

Dec 20 (Reuters) – BlackBerry Ltd (BB.TO), said on Tuesday the sales cycles for its cybersecurity software have become longer and it expects the current macroeconomic environment to pose more challenges in the near term.

The Canadian technology company said revenue from the cybersecurity business would remain flat in the first half of 2023, but grow in the latter half of the year. Continue reading “BlackBerry warns of economic impact on cybersecurity business”

MILAN, Dec 20 (Reuters) – Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo and the second largest shareholder in Ferrari (RACE.MI), set up a family trust this month to manage his stake of around 10% in the Italian luxury sports carmaker, a U.S. regulatory filing showed.

The move outlines plans for succession in relation to the group’s shareholding structure. Continue reading “Ferrari heir sets up succession with trust for supercar firm stake”

MEXICO CITY, Dec 20 (Reuters) – Mexican private equity manager AINDA expects to raise $600 million for a new fund by early next year and will launch projects in Colombia, its top executive told Reuters, as the company seeks to grow its portfolio of public works investments.

AINDA, which focuses on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) projects, also aims to expand along with the Mexican government’s nearshoring push, in a bid to grow operations in its home country, CEO Manuel Rodriguez said. Continue reading “Mexico’s AINDA seeks $600 mln to kickstart fund, Colombian business”

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) – With a revamped $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit taking effect Jan. 1, the U.S. Treasury Department said on Monday it will delay until March its release of proposed guidance on the required sourcing of electric vehicle batteries.

The announcement means some electric vehicles that will not meet the new requirements may have a brief window of eligibility in 2023 before the battery rules take effect. Continue reading “U.S. Treasury will delay EV battery sourcing guidance until March”

Summary

• This content was produced in Russia, where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine.

MOSCOW, Dec 19 (Reuters) – South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS), formerly one of Russia’s biggest car makers, has begun laying off workers at its St Petersburg factory, which has stood idle since March, largely due to the effects of Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine. Continue reading “Hyundai lays off staff after idling Russian plant since March”

BERLIN, Dec 19 (Reuters) – Tesla’s (TSLA.O) German plant produced 3,000 cars last week for the first time, the carmaker tweeted late on Sunday – but the milestone was reached over two months later than planned in both Berlin and Austin, Texas, according to a memo seen by Reuters.

The memo, which Reuters reported on in September, projected 3,000 units in weekly output from the Gruenheide plant near Berlin in the first week of October and from Tesla’s plant in Austin, Texas, in the first week of November. Continue reading “Tesla hits 3,000 cars a week in Berlin, Austin later than planned”

Summary

• Economic slump to deepen through H1 2023 – fin min
• Sales tax breaks on fuel oil, cars extended by 4-5 months
• President Yoon’s govt to unveil policy blueprint on Wed

SEOUL, Dec 19 (Reuters) – South Korea on Monday flagged a deeper economic slowdown than expected at least through the first half of next year, and extended sales tax breaks on some fuel oil products and passenger cars by a few months. Continue reading “South Korea flags economic slump deepening for while”

SEOUL, Dec 19 (Reuters) – South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) said on Monday it plans to invest 4 trillion won ($3.1 billion) from this year to 2026 in a facility making batteries for electric vehicles and other goods.

The project in Ochang, South Korea, will include R&D and production facilities and related infrastructure, and is expected to add 1,800 employees, the company said in a statement. Continue reading “LG Energy Solution to invest $3.1 bln in S.Korea battery facility”

Summary

• Surpluses of low-carbon aluminium as production ramps up
• Automakers, consumers pay modest premiums for green metal
• Climate benefits as aluminium most energy-intensive metal

LONDON, Dec 17 (Reuters) – Aluminium makers are set to boost low-carbon metal output by 10% in 2023 and churn out even more in the years ahead, driving down the cost for carmakers seeking climate-friendly supplies and shrinking the industry’s hefty carbon footprint. Continue reading “Analysis: Bumper green aluminium output is good news for carmakers, and climate”

NEW DELHI, Dec 17 (Reuters) – Indian banks are reluctant to lend to electric-bus makers for supply to ailing state transport operators over concerns on recovery of dues, hurting the country’s goal of curbing vehicle emissions, said banking, industry and government sources.

The lack of funding is limiting the ability of e-bus makers to participate in federal government tenders to supply to states, the sources told Reuters, threatening to slow the electrification of major public transport now reliant on diesel. Continue reading “India’s e-bus ambition hits financing speed bump”

Source PTI : Coal is dirty it makes up for 40 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, its mining wreaks havoc on the environment and burning it produces pollutants like mercury which are linked to acid rain and particulate matter that causes respiratory illnesses. But the war in Ukraine has caused a mini-energy crisis globally, pushing its use to record levels this year.

And India, the world’s third largest energy consumer, was at the forefront of the global rise in coal usage as it fell back on the easiest available fossil fuel in the face of a surge in oil and gas prices that threatened to derail the economic recovery from the pandemic. Continue reading “Coal is here to stay despite India’s ambitious renewable energy goals”