PARIS, March 15 (Reuters) – The Paris Court of Appeal on Wednesday rejected a request by German carmaker Volkswagen to dismiss charges of deception in a diesel emissions probe in France, Agence France Presse reported on Wednesday, citing a source close to the matter.

Volkswagen had argued it could not be charged a second time, having been hit with a 1 bililon euro fine in Germany in 2018 in the same case, the source said.

Continue reading “French court rejects Volkswagen’s request to dismiss charges in dieselgate -AFP”

Illustration by Priya Kuriyan

PTI – Hero Electric on Wednesday said it is set to roll out over 10 lakh vehicles annually in the next two to three years from its manufacturing units in India. The company, which launched new versions of its three electric scooter models priced between INR 85,000 and Rs 1.3 lakh, plans to set up a greenfield plant at Rajasthan with an annual production capacity of 20 lakh units with an investment of around INR 1,200 crore.

Hero Electric on Wednesday said it is set to roll out over 10 lakh vehicles annually in the next two to three years from its manufacturing units in India. The company, which launched new versions of its three electric scooter models priced between INR 85,000 and Rs 1.3 lakh, plans to set up a greenfield plant at Rajasthan with an annual production capacity of 20 lakh units with an investment of around INR 1,200 crore.

Continue reading “Hero Electric set to roll out over 10 lakh vehicles annually in next two-three years”

March 14 (Reuters) – A California civil rights agency suing Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) over alleged widespread race bias at its flagship assembly plant on Tuesday asked a judge to narrow the scope of his tentative ruling requiring the agency to provide more details about the probe it conducted prior to filing the lawsuit.

Lawyers from the state’s Civil Rights Department urged Judge Evelio Grillo during a court hearing in Oakland to limit a tentative ruling he issued on Monday requesting more information.

Continue reading “Tesla not entitled to more info about race bias probe, Calif. agency says”

JAKARTA, March 15 (Reuters) – Indonesian nickel company PT Trimegah Bangun Persada (TBP), a unit of the Harita conglomerate, is raising up to $647 million through an initial public offering (IPO), according to a term sheet seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The IPO would be Southeast Asia’s biggest IPO so far this year, overtaking the listing of Indonesian state-backed Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGEO.JK) that raised 9.06 trillion rupiah ($590 million) last month.

Continue reading “Indonesia nickel miner plans up to $647 mln IPO – term sheet”

TOKYO, March 15 (Reuters) – Many Japanese companies will wrap up their annual “shunto” labour talks on Wednesday, although many have made early decisions with bullish plans, responding to government pressure to help taxpayers weather rising living costs.

Major firms are expected to raise wages by 2.85%, above last year’s 2.2% and the fastest gain since 1997, according to a survey by Japan Economic Research Center (JERC). That is just shy of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s calls for companies to offer a hike of 3% and misses an ambitious 5% demanded by labour umbrella Rengo.

Continue reading “Factbox: How major Japanese firms are responding to wage hike demands”

HONG KONG, March 14 (Reuters) – Chinese battery giant CATL’s plan to raise at least $5 billion in Swiss global depository receipts (GDR) has been delayed as Beijing regulators raise concerns over the large scale of the offering, three people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

The world’s largest battery maker, formally known as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL) (300750.SZ), had expected to receive a green light for the listing in Zurich from the Chinese securities regulator by the end of January, said one of the sources. But the process is taking longer than expected, all three sources told Reuters.

Continue reading “China battery giant CATL’s $5 bln Swiss listing delayed amid Beijing regulatory concerns – sources”

WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) – Honda Motor Co’s U.S. unit said on Tuesday it would move production of its Accord sedan to Indiana in 2025 after assembling the model in Marysville, Ohio for more than 40 years, as part of its shift to electric vehicle (EV) production. Marysville will be Honda’s first U.S. auto plant to transition to making EVs.

The move comes after Honda and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution Ltd (373220.KS), (373220.KS) in October announced they would build planned $4.4 billion joint-venture battery plant at a site near Jeffersonville, Ohio and broke ground earlier this month.

Continue reading “Honda to move Accord production to Indiana as part of EV shift”

HELSINKI, March 14 (Reuters) – Nokian Tyres (TYRES.HE) said on Tuesday it had been informed that Russia’s Governmental Commission on Monitoring Foreign Investment has approved the Finnish group’s sale of its Russian operations to PJSC Tatneft (TATN.MM).

Nokian Tyres last year said it would sell the Russian tyre making business in response to the war in Ukraine.

Continue reading “Nokian Tyres says sale of its Russia business could come at lower price”

MILAN, March 14 (Reuters) – The Silk-FAW start-up comprising U.S. automotive engineering and design company Silk EV and Chinese automaker FAW (000800.SZ) has abandoned plans to build a production plant in Italy, according to a local government document reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday.

Silk-FAW signed an agreement in 2021 with local authorities in the northern Emilia-Romagna region to build a production facility and research centre in the city of Reggio Emilia, in an area known as Italy’s “Motor Valley” – home to brands including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati.

Continue reading “Silk-FAW drops plan to build Italian plant for electric sports cars”

SHANGHAI, March 14 (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) Chief Executive Elon Musk and Chinese electric vehicle and battery maker BYD Co Ltd (002594.SZ), on Tuesday denied a media report that said the U.S. company was ending cooperation with BYD on battery supplies.

The Korean Economic Daily on Sunday cited industry sources as saying Tesla had not asked BYD for an additional supply of batteries for certain Tesla Model 3 vehicles after their supply deal expired earlier this year.

Continue reading “Musk, China’s BYD deny report on Tesla ending battery supply cooperation”

March 14 (Reuters) – Shares of Uber Technologies (UBER.N) and Lyft Inc (LYFT.O) rose on Tuesday after a California court ruled that drivers can be treated as independent contractors rather than employees, removing some future regulatory risks for the rideshare companies.

Analysts expect the decision will likely be challenged before the California Supreme Court, which could take months to decide whether to accept the case, and over a year to issue a ruling. For now, though, the ruling means companies like Lyft, DoorDash (DASH.N) and Uber have avoided a substantial hit to their earnings.

Continue reading “Uber, Lyft shares surge after court decision to treat drivers as contractors”

PTI – Jammu and Kashmir will put on sale lithium block discovered last month, Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Monday. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries.

Jammu and Kashmir will put on sale lithium block discovered last month, Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Monday. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries.

Continue reading “J&K to auction lithium block discovered in Feb: Mines Minister”

• Move comes shortly after Scout plant announcement
• Plant in Canada can also qualify for IRA subsidies
• BASF also picked Canada for EV battery materials plant

WOLFSBURG, Germany, March 13 (Reuters) – Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) chose Canada to build its first battery cell plant outside Europe, granting its cars access to both Canadian and U.S. subsidies as it works to localise electric vehicle production chain in the region.

Continue reading “Volkswagen picks Canada for first battery cell plant outside Europe”

March 13 (Reuters) – A California state appeals court on Monday revived a ballot measure allowing app-based services such as Uber Technologies Inc (UBER.N) and Lyft Inc LYFT.O> to treat drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, in a major victory for the industry.

A three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based court reversed a lower court ruling in 2021 that the ballot measure, known as Proposition 22, was unconstitutional.

Continue reading “California court upholds treating app-based drivers as contractors”

BERLIN, March 13 (Reuters) – Germany has formed an alliance with Italy and some Eastern European countries opposing the planned phase-out of internal combustion engines from 2035, and they want to make their own proposal.

Transport ministers from the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia met on Monday to discuss changes to the European Union’ plans.

Continue reading “Germany forms alliance against phase-out of internal combustion engines by 2035”

MEXICO CITY, March 13 (Reuters) – U.S. automaker General Motors (GM.N) has agreed to hike salaries by 10% this year at its largest Mexico factory, the local union said on Monday, making for one of the biggest recent raises in the sector in Mexico.

The increase, at GM’s pickup truck plant in the central city of Silao, will go into effect for one year as of March 25 and tops last year’s deal for 8.5% pay raises, said the Silao union, SINTTIA.

Continue reading “GM and union reach deal for 10% pay hike at Mexico pickups plant”

PRAGUE, March 13 (Reuters) – Transport ministers from the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia will meet on Monday to discuss potential changes to proposed EU vehicle emissions limits.

The aim is to make the EU’s planned Euro 7 standard “acceptable for the EU automotive industry and its customers,” Czech Minister Martin Kupka said on Twitter, ahead of the meeting due later in Strasbourg.

Continue reading “Group of EU countries to explore changes to car emissions law”

WOLFSBURG, March 13 (Reuters) – Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) battery needs are covered until 2028 by its three confirmed factories in Europe – the Salzgitter plant in Germany, Northvolt’s plant in Sweden and a planned plant in Valencia, board member Thomas Schmall said on Monday.

The carmaker is still targeting 240 gigawatt hours of battery cell production capacity in Europe but could do this with fewer than the originally planned six plants, Schmall said.

Continue reading “Volkswagen: no rush to decide on new European battery plants”

WOLFSBURG, March 13 (Reuters) – Porsche (P911_p.DE) CEO Oliver Blume characterised the debate over e-fuels as “emotional” and said there was no conflict between electrification and building out e-fuel production during a press call on Monday following the carmaker’s results.

Porsche is the strongest advocate for e-fuels as a carbon-free way of driving combustion engine cars among all German carmakers amid a debate in Europe over whether to allow new combustion engines to be powered by e-fuels after 2035.

Continue reading “Porsche CEO: There is no conflict between e-mobility and e-fuels”

MADRID, March 13 (Reuters) – Stellantis (STLAM.MI) is in talks with the Spanish government regarding the production of small electric vehicles in the country, newspaper Cinco Dias reported on Monday citing unidentified sources at the Industry Ministry and the carmaker.

The company is negotiating with the government conditions of state aid to be granted to the project, the newspaper said.

Continue reading “Stellantis in talks to assemble electric cars in Spain, Cinco Dias reports”

NEW DELHI, March 13 (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) said on Monday it has agreed to a potential acquisition of General Motors’ (GM.N) plant in India, a move that could finally allow the U.S. automaker to exit a country where it stopped making cars in 2017.

A final deal is subject to meeting certain conditions including obtaining “regulatory approvals from relevant government authorities and all stakeholders related to the acquisition”, Hyundai said in a statement.

Continue reading “Hyundai Motor lines up to buy General Motors’ India plant”

PTI – The Delhi Transport Corporation is likely to add 100 more electric buses to its fleet by March-end or the first week of April. The new additions will take the Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) electric bus fleet to 400.

The Delhi Transport Corporation is likely to add 100 more electric buses to its fleet by March-end or the first week of April, officials said on Sunday. The new additions will take the Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) electric bus fleet to 400.

Continue reading “Delhi to add 100 electric buses to DTC fleet by April first week”

PTI – India is considering to discuss a mechanism with Australia for a smooth supply of their critical minerals under the comprehensive free trade agreement amid a huge demand in the domestic market, according to sources. India and Australia have implemented an economic cooperation trade agreement (ECTA) in December 2022, and now negotiations are on for expanding the scope of that agreement into a comprehensive pact (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement or CECA).

India is considering to discuss a mechanism with Australia for a smooth supply of their critical minerals under the comprehensive free trade agreement amid a huge demand in the domestic market, according to sources. India and Australia have implemented an economic cooperation trade agreement (ECTA) in December 2022, and now negotiations are on for expanding the scope of that agreement into a comprehensive pact (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement or CECA).

Continue reading “India mulling to discuss mechanism with Australia under FTA for smooth supply of critical minerals”

PTI – Acsia Technologies Private Limited, a technopark- based global automotive software technology and research company has acquired Arctictern Solutions GmbH, a German automotive software services start- up. Acsia, which delivers end-to-end solutions and services for auto-makers and Tier-1 suppliers for Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) has acquired the German entity which is based out of Karlsruhe and expects to partner with more car makers and Tier-1 for software development, technology consulting and cloud services.

Acsia Technologies Private Limited, a technopark-based global automotive software technology and research company has acquired Arctictern Solutions GmbH, a German automotive software services start-up. Acsia, which delivers end-to-end solutions and services for auto-makers and Tier-1 suppliers for Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) has acquired the German entity which is based out of Karlsruhe and expects to partner with more car makers and Tier-1 for software development, technology consulting and cloud services.

Continue reading “Kerala based automotive software company Acsia, acquires German start- up”

PTI – Manufacturers of braking equipment for automotive and non-automotive applications, Brakes India has unveiled ZAP brake pads with advanced friction technology for electric vehicles, the company said on Saturday. The ZAP brake pads with enhanced corrosion protection and quiet braking has been specifically designed and formulated to suit the requirements of the customers of battery operated vehicles.

Manufacturers of braking equipment for automotive and non-automotive applications, Brakes India has unveiled ZAP brake pads with advanced friction technology for electric vehicles, the company said on Saturday. The ZAP brake pads with enhanced corrosion protection and quiet braking has been specifically designed and formulated to suit the requirements of the customers of battery operated vehicles.

Continue reading “Brakes India unveils specially designed brake pads for EVs”

PTI – Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India on Friday said it has launched H’ness CB350 and CB350RS bikes with latest emission norms. The price of H’ness CB350 trims start from INR 2.09 lakh while CB350RS variants are priced upwards of INR 2.14 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India on Friday said it has launched H’ness CB350 and CB350RS bikes with latest emission norms. The price of H’ness CB350 trims start from INR 2.09 lakh while CB350RS variants are priced upwards of INR 2.14 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Continue reading “HMSI launches H’ness range compliant with latest emission norms”

By Ernest Scheyder and Stephanie Kelly

HOUSTON, March 10 (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin said on Friday he is “totally opposed” to allowing Chinese battery maker CATL to access U.S. tax dollars that finance electric vehicle purchases as part of its partnership with Ford Motor Co (F.N).

The blunt statements from Manchin, who wrote the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in a bid to develop a domestic EV battery industry, come amid rising tension over how the landmark legislation is implemented and who can benefit.

Continue reading “CERAWEEK-U.S. Senator Joe Manchin blasts Ford’s battery deal with China’s CATL”

WASHINGTON, March 10 (Reuters) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that she agreed with President Joe Biden during a meeting at the White House on Friday to have a dialogue concerning incentives to the clean technology industry.

Describing her meeting with Biden as “very good,” von der Leyen said they agreed to work on giving EU-sourced critical raw materials access to the U.S. market.

Continue reading “EU’s von der Leyen says she and Biden agreed to dialogue on clean tech”

PTI – Auto component industry body ACMA on Thursday said it has joined other global associations to lend support to the global right to repair movement. The Automotive Components Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) said it has become party to the new right to repair position statement to support the automotive aftermarket.

Auto component industry body ACMA on Thursday said it has joined other global associations to lend support to the global right to repair movement. The Automotive Components Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) said it has become party to the new right to repair position statement to support the automotive aftermarket.

Continue reading “ACMA joins global Right to Repair movement for vehicles”

PTI – Earlier this month, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations also said passenger vehicle sales grew 11% in February. FADA expects sales to rise in March on pre-buying ahead of a regulatory change that would increase prices from April and as automakers dish out promotional offers in the final month of India’s fiscal year.

Indian automakers dispatched nearly 2.92 lakh passenger vehicles, the highest ever for February so far, driven by strong demand for cars and utility vehicles, industry body SIAM said on Friday. The total passenger vehicle dispatches from companies to dealers last month increased 11 per cent to 2,91,928 units from 2,62,984 units in February 2022.

Continue reading “Passenger vehicle dispatches in fast lane; record best-ever February performance: SIAM”

PTI – The National Green Tribunal has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to pay a compensation of INR 2 crore for failing to comply with environmental norms while constructing an eight-lane highway from Mukarba Chowk to Singhu border in Delhi.

The National Green Tribunal has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHA ) to pay a compensation of INR 2 crore for failing to comply with environmental norms while constructing an eight-lane highway from Mukarba Chowk to Singhu border in Delhi. The tribunal was hearing a petition claiming the generation of dust because of the non-sprinkling of water at village Khampur and other stretches, and not following the principles of compensatory afforestation and non-compliance with the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy.

Continue reading “NGT slaps INR 2 cr compensation on NHAI for flouting environmental norms”

PTI – Acting on a directive of the Supreme Court, the ride- hailing service firms have applied for aggregator licences at Mumbai’s Tardeo RTO, which has jurisdiction over the entire island city.

Ride-hailing service providers Ola and Uber have applied to the Maharashtra government for aggregator licences, a Regional Transport Office (RTO) official said on Friday.

Continue reading “Uber, Ola apply for aggregator licence in Maharashtra”

HANOI, March 10 (Reuters) – Vietnam’s automaker VinFast on Friday said it will push back its plan to start operations of its electric vehicles factory in the United States until 2025, citing a procedural delay.

The unit of conglomerate Vingroup JSC (VIC.HM) flagged the plan to build a $4 billion EV factory in North Carolina’s Chatham County on 712 hectares (1759 acres) of land in March last year, with commissioning targeted for July 2024.

Continue reading “VinFast delays US electric vehicle plant operation to 2025”

March 10 (Reuters) – It’s crunch time at Tesla Inc (TSLA.O), where Elon Musk is looking to crack the code for making better, cheaper batteries.

The electric-vehicle maker is recruiting Chinese and Korean materials suppliers to help lower the cost and boost the energy of its newest battery cells, even as the company struggles with battery-related performance and production issues that have helped delay the launch of its futuristic Cybertruck, according to people familiar with the plans.

Continue reading “Exclusive: Tesla taps Asian partners to address 4680 battery concerns”

SEOUL, March 10 (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor is reviewing “various options” for its Russia plant but no details have been decided yet, the automaker said in a regulatory filing on Friday.

The clarification comes after a report by Yonhap news agency on Thursday that Hyundai was negotiating the sale of its manufacturing plant in Saint Petersburg, Russia with a Kazakhstan company, citing Russian media.

Continue reading “Hyundai Motor says various options under review for Russia plant”

March 9 (Reuters) – General Motors Co (GM.N) on Thursday said it was offering buyouts for most of its salaried employees and expects to take a pre-tax charge of up to $1.5 billion to cover the costs.

The announcement comes as layoffs by U.S. companies in the past two months touch their highest since 2009, with the tech sector accounting for more than a third of the over 180,000 job cuts announced.

Continue reading “GM offers salaried employee buyouts, will take up to $1.5 bln charge”

WASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio on Thursday introduced legislation that takes aim at Ford Motor’s (F.N) deal to use technology from Chinese battery company CATL (300750.SZ) as part of the automaker’s plan to spend $3.5 billion to build a battery plant in Michigan.

Rubio, the top Republican on the Intelligence Committee, introduced legislation that would block tax credits for electric vehicle batteries produced using Chinese technology, saying it would “significantly restrict the eligibility of IRA tax credits and prevent Chinese companies from benefiting.”

Continue reading “Rubio takes aim at planned Ford US battery plant using Chinese technology”

TOKYO, March 10 (Reuters) – Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T) plans to electrify 100% of its fleet by 2035 through active introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles (EV), the Yomiuri Shimbun daily said on Friday.

Mitsubishi is a junior member of the partnership of French carmaker Renault SA (RENA.PA) and Nissan Motor Co (7201.T), which last month announced a deal to redesign their alliance.

Continue reading “Mitsubishi Motors to electrify 100% of its fleet by 2035 – Yomiuri”

PTI – Energy and environment solution provider Thermax on Friday announced its foray into the green hydrogen market in partnership with Australia-based Fortescue Future Industries (FFI). Thermax and FFI plan to explore opportunities to jointly develop fully integrated green hydrogen projects for commercial and industrial customers in India.

Energy and environment solution provider Thermax on Friday announced its foray into the green hydrogen market in partnership with Australia-based Fortescue Future Industries (FFI). Thermax and FFI plan to explore opportunities to jointly develop fully integrated green hydrogen projects for commercial and industrial customers in India, a statement said.

Continue reading “Thermax partners with Fortescue Future Industries to foray into green hydrogen market”

WASHINGTON, March 8 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to agree on Friday to begin negotiations on ensuring free-trade agreement-like status for the European Union, two sources familiar with the plans said on Wednesday.

The leaders are set to meet in Washington on Friday.

Continue reading “US, EU to launch talks on free-trade-like status, easing EV trade dispute -sources”