By David Shepardson

By David Shepardson

By David Shepardson

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Overcoming Challenges in the Automotive Sector: AI-Powered Aftermarket Software as the Game Changer Intellinet

Continue reading “VW India’s Special Support amidst Chennai Floods | MG & JSW JV – A Tech Powerhouse | Maruti’s Debut EV Details | HMSI recalls H’ness Models | India must discourage Sales of Large SUVs | BYD’s Fix to Smear Campaigns | US EV Tax Credits For China irks Biden, China lashes back | 9th IVASS by WAF & more…”

Reuters

By Joe Cash

BEIJING, Dec 7 (Reuters) – China said on Thursday that Biden administration plans to limit Chinese content in batteries eligible for generous electric vehicle tax credits from next year violate international trade norms and will disrupt global supply chains.

The plans will make investors in the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) supply chain ineligible for tax credits should they use more than a trace amount of critical materials from China, or other countries deemed a “Foreign Entity of Concern” (FEOC).

Continue reading “China says Biden plan to shut it out of US battery supply chain violates WTO rules”

PTI

Updated On Dec 5, 2023 at 02:59 PM IST

iPhone vendors Foxconn and Pegatron, and automobile company Hyundai are among the companies that have suspended their manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu due to cyclonic conditions. Cyclone Michaung wreaked havoc across Chennai and its neighbouring districts, inundating the city, causing disruptions in flights and trains, and startling residents with a video capturing a crocodile crossing a submerged road.

Sources said that several factories in and around Chennai have temporarily suspended operations.

Continue reading “Foxconn, Pegatron, Hyundai suspend operations due to floods, cyclonic conditions in Chennai”

PTI

Updated On Dec 6, 2023 at 07:31 AM IST

New Delhi: With the 5 million metric tonnes installed capacity under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India can reduce imports of fossil fuel worth INR 1 lakh crore by 2030, Union Minister Singh said on Tuesday. In January 2023, the Union Cabinet approved the National Mission with an outlay of INR 19,744 crore with an aim to make India a global hub for manufacturing this clean source of energy. 

Green hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil fuels including natural gas, either as a source of energy or as a feedstock, thereby contributing to reduction in dependence on import of fossil fuels, the Minister for New and Renewable Energy informed the Rajya Sabha.

Continue reading “Production of 5 MMT green hydrogen can help cut INR 1 lakh cr worth fossil fuel imports: R K Singh”

PTI

Updated On Dec 7, 2023 at 08:13 AM IST

Leading car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki on Wednesday announced that its upcoming electric SUV will be manufactured in Gujarat, and a new plant will be added to the company’s existing manufacturing facility in Hansalpur, nearly 90 km from here.

Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Ltd (SMG), which runs the car manufacturing plant at Hansalpur, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki and commenced operation in February 2017.

Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki’s first EV will be a top-end SUV with 550 km range, launching next year”

PTI

Updated On Dec 7, 2023 at 09:03 AM IST

The government will take serious note of any report about ill effects of dumping lithium-ion battery waste on the environment and is promoting circular economy for recycling of various waste materials, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The issue of ill effect of lithium-ion battery waste dumping and on workers in manufacturing units of this storage system was raised by Congress member Ranjeet Ranjan during the question hour in the Rajya Sabha.

In a supplementary question, Ranjan stated that there is a research report which highlights the ill effect on the health of workers involved in the process of manufacturing lithium-ion batteries.

Continue reading “Govt to take serious note of any report about dumping of lithium-ion battery waste: Nitin Gadkari”

PTI

Updated On Dec 7, 2023 at 02:23 PM IST

Super luxury car maker Automobili Lamborghini on Wednesday said a strong order book and product portfolio in India will help it register consistent growth in the domestic market. Automobili Lamborghini, which launched its first plug-in hybrid super sports car Revuelto with V12 engine at a starting price of Rs 8.89 crore (ex-showroom) on Wednesday, said almost all its cars to be delivered in India 2024 onwards will be hybrid.

Continue reading “Strong order book will help Lamborghini see steady growth in India: Company official”

The automotive sector has experienced multiple transformations in recent years. These transformations are a result of the challenges faced by modern-day businesses. The latest transformation is the integration of artificial intelligence in aftermarket software. This technological transformation has strengthened and reshaped the automotive industry in addressing modern-day challenges. Continue reading “Overcoming Challenges in the Automotive Sector: AI-Powered Aftermarket Software as the Game Changer”

By David Shepardson and Ben Klayman

Dec 6 (Reuters) – Ford Motor (F.N) said on Wednesday it is unlikely Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles currently in dealer showrooms will qualify for federal tax credits beginning in January.

The U.S. Treasury issued guidance last week detailing new battery sourcing restrictions that take effect Jan. 1 aimed at weaning the U.S. EV supply chain away from China. The current model Mach-E currently qualifies for a $3,750 federal tax credit.

Continue reading “Ford says unlikely Mustang Mach-E EV will qualify for US federal tax credits in January”

By Paul Lienert

Reuters

December 05, 2023

• Reinforcing the ‘Customer-First’ philosophy, Volkswagen extends complimentary Roadside Assistance to customers affected by heavy rains in Chennai 
• Volkswagen India will offer priority service support to the customers affected in the region 
• Affected customers can directly contact Volkswagen Roadside Assistance at 18001021155 or 18004191155

Reuters

Reuters

By Greg Bensinger

Dec 5 (Reuters) – General Motors’ Cruise autonomous vehicle unit has hit an “all time low,” said its new leader, while promising to restore trust with regulators and the public after the company pulled all of its vehicles from U.S. roads.

“Our integrity, our competency are being questioned and this really hurts,” said Mo Elshenawy at an all-staff meeting Tuesday, according to a transcript of the call reviewed by Reuters. “We went from an all-time high to an all-time low and from being an industry leader to temporary pausing all of our operations,” he said.

Continue reading “Exclusive: New leader of GM’s Cruise acknowledges ‘all-time low’ amid safety review”

By Gilles Guillaume

By Laura Sanicola

Dec 6 (Reuters) – There is plenty of hand-wringing on display at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai about the slow pace of reducing the consumption of fossil fuels to fight climate change. But one positive that delegates can point to is the growing fleet of electric vehicles worldwide that is already making a surprisingly big dent in demand.

Growing sales of electric vehicles in recent years have led forecasters to speed their projections for when global oil use will peak, as public subsidies and improved technology help consumers overcome the sometimes eye-popping sticker prices for battery-powered cars, according to industry experts.

Continue reading “How electric vehicles are accelerating the end of the oil age”

Source : PTI | Renewable energy firm ReNew Energy Global Plc has inked an initial pact with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a funding of USD 5.3 billion. “The MoU was signed at COP28, Dubai by ReNew’s Founder, Chairman and CEO, Sumant Sinha and Suzanne Gaboury, Director General, Private Sector Operations Department, ADB,” a company statement said.

According to the statement, the MoU identified potential investments in renewable energy projects, manufacturing, carbon offset projects, green hydrogen, to jointly support sustainable energy transition.

Continue reading “ReNew inks initial pact with Asian Development Bank for USD 5.3 bn funding”

Soruce : PTI | Construction equipment major JCB on Monday termed hydrogen-powered construction equipment a very big opportunity with the gradual scaling up of the supporting infrastructure. The company, which on Monday unveiled a backhoe loader powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, said it can scale up the model range as per the market demand.

“It’s only a matter of time before hydrogen becomes readily available in India for a variety of applications,” JCB India CEO and Managing Director Deepak Shetty told reporters here.

Continue reading “JCB terms hydrogen powered construction equipment as a big opportunity”

Source :PTI | Industry body FICCI on Monday said it has submitted its proposal to the Ministry of Heavy Industries for the continuation of the FAME scheme for the next five years, with a review at the end of three years. The time period for the current FAME II scheme is till March 2024.

Sudden withdrawal or discontinuation of upfront price incentives will lead to up to 25 per cent price increase of EVs and this may derail EV adoption momentum substantially, also impacting further investments in the EV sector, and disrupting gains made so far, noted FICCI. Continue reading “FICCI submits proposal for continuation of demand incentives for EVs under FAME III”

DETROIT, (Reuters) – General Motors (GM.N) CEO Mary Barra said on Monday the Detroit automaker is “very focused on righting the ship” at Cruise, its troubled self-driving unit but said it did not plant to say how much it will spend until its completes a pair of reviews.

Barra said at a media event an ongoing outside external safety review will guide the company’s path forward and is expected to be completed in early 2024. Continue reading “GM ‘focused on righting’ ship at self-driving Cruise unit -CEO”

In today’s fast-paced world, providing impeccable service to automobile customers goes beyond the showroom. Automobile manufacturers understand the significance of offering comprehensive support, especially when unexpected challenges arise on the road. Roadside Assistance (RSA) – a lifeline for customers facing vehicle breakdowns, towing needs, and other roadside issues. Continue reading “EFFORT’s No-Code Roadside Assistance Solution: A Game-Changer for the Automobile Industry”

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Monday opened its first battery-swapping station in Kolkata for electric vehicles (EV). The oil marketing PSU opened the facility at its retail outlet in New Town on the eastern outskirts of the city in collaboration with Sun Mobility, the company said in a statement, adding that this marks a significant step forward in promoting sustainable and accessible electric mobility solutions across the city.

Battery-swapping technology for two and three-wheeler EVs has proven to be a game-changer across India. Continue reading “Indian Oil opens its first EV battery swapping station in Kolkata”

Dec 4 (Reuters) – Ford Motor (F.N) posted a 0.5% drop in U.S. new vehicle sales for November on Monday, as the automaker worked to restart some of its key plants following a lengthy workers’ strike that impacted vehicle production.

However, sales of Ford’s electric vehicles such as its F-150 Lightning pickup truck and Mustang Mach-E, jumped 43.2% to 8,958 units from a year earlier. Continue reading “Ford’s November US vehicle sales slip, EV sales rise”

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana, (Reuters) – Start-up tech firms are racing to transform the way rare earths are refined for the clean energy transition, a push aimed at turbocharging the West’s expansion into the niche sector that underpins billions of electronic devices.

The existing standard to refine these strategic minerals, known as solvent extraction, is an expensive and dirty process that China has spent the past 30 years mastering. MP Materials (MP.N), Lynas Rare Earths (LYC.AX) and other Western rare earths companies have struggled at times to deploy it due to technical complexities and pollution concerns. Continue reading “Insight: Western start-ups seek to break China’s grip on rare earths refining”

Source : PTI | New Delhi, The proposed 5 per cent blending of biogas with natural gas supplies in the country can cut LNG imports worth USD 1.17 billion annually, says a study by the Indian Biogas Association (IBA). The study comes against the backdrop of the government’s recent mandate to blend one per cent biogas with piped natural gas (PNG) supplies in the country from April 1, 2025 under the compressed biogas blending obligation (CBO) scheme.

The biogas blending is proposed to be further increased to 5 per cent by fiscal year 2028-29. Continue reading “Proposed 5% biogas blending with natural gas can cut LNG imports worth USD 1.17 bn: IBA”

TOKYO, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Toyota Motor (7203.T) said on Monday it would increase its line-up of battery electric vehicles in Europe to six models by 2026 and it expected such vehicles to make up more than 20% of new car sales in the region by then.

The world’s largest automaker by sales said in a statement it expected to sell more than 250,000 battery-powered vehicles annually in Europe by 2026, as it seeks steep growth in a market where it has long been overtaken by rivals. Continue reading “Toyota plans to expand battery EV line-up in Europe to 6 models by 2026”

SHANGHAI, Dec 4 (Reuters) – China’s electric vehicle giant BYD (002594.SZ) said on Sunday it would make permanent its system offering tipsters who report smear campaigns against the company up to 5 million yuan ($700,918).

The company in June 2022 increased the maximum amount providers of such information could receive from 1 million yuan to 5 million yuan, saying that policy was valid for a year. The minimum amount is 50,000 yuan. Continue reading “China’s BYD says will keep reward system for smear campaign tipsters”

BRUSSELS, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Electric vehicle drivers hoping to top up their batteries at one of Repsol’s (REP.MC) 1,600 Spanish charging stations might well be disappointed, with nearly half lying dormant because they have no power connection.

Such gaps are evident across the European Union, where last week the European Commission announced plans to upgrade the bloc’s power grids. These are due to be implemented in 18 months and include addressing EV charging station power shortages. Continue reading “EV charging growth plans slowed by EU’s power grid problems”

COPENHAGEN, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Volvo Cars’ (VOLCARb.ST) sales grew 8% in November from a year earlier to 63,682 cars, the Sweden-based group said on Monday.

Volvo Cars, which is majority-owned by China’s Geely (0175.HK), said in a statement that its fully electric and hybrid cars in November made up more than 50% of all cars sold in Europe, its biggest market. Continue reading “Volvo Cars’ November sales rise 8%”

BEIJING/SHANGHAI, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Sales of U.S. automaker Tesla’s (TSLA.O) China-made electric vehicles (EVs) skidded 17.8% in November from the same month a year earlier, to 82,432 cars, China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data showed on Monday.

That marked the biggest fall since December 2022 when Tesla’s sales of China-made EVs fell 21% on the year as the U.S. automaker reduced output and cut prices to deal with rising inventories and weakening demand. Continue reading “Tesla’s China-made EV sales fall 17.8% in Nov, biggest drop since Dec 2022”

HANOI, Dec 4 (Reuters) – The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has signed a letter of interest with electric vehicles maker VinFast to consider the Vietnamese company’s application for a $500 million loan for expansion, VinFast said on Monday.

The loan, which will be used to support VinFast’s establishment of lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, is subject to a comprehensive review and approval process by DFC, the carmaker said in a statement. Continue reading “US DFC considers $500 mln loan to Vietnamese EV maker VinFast”

BELGRADE, Dec 3 (Reuters) – Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday he expects automaker Stellantis (STLAM.MI) to produce an electric Fiat Panda city car in the central town Kragujevac.

Vucic who spoke after meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni did not give any specific date for the production launch. Continue reading “Serbia’s Vucic says electric Fiat Panda model to be produced in Serbia”

Source : PTI | Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) on Friday said it is recalling a certain number of H’ness CB350 and CB350RS units to inspect and replace faulty parts. It has been identified that due to an improper process being followed to manufacture the rubber parts of rear stop light switch there are chances of crack development on the rubber, the two-wheeler maker said in a statement. .

This might cause water entry and corrosion inside the switch, leading the light to malfunction, it added. Continue reading “HMSI recalls H’ness CB350, CB350RS to replace faulty parts”