Source : PTI | New Delhi: Tata Passenger Electric Mobility on Wednesday said it has secured an order to supply 2,000 units of XPRES-T electric sedans from integrated fleet electrification platform Vertelo. The company, a unit of Tata Motors, has inked a non-binding memorandum of understanding, with Macquarie managed Vertelo for the delivery of EV units.

The company will begin deliveries of the cars to Vertelo in a phased manner, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM) said in a statement. Continue reading “Tata Passenger Electric Mobility to supply 2,000 XPRES-T units to Vertelo”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Chinese-backed Swedish electric vehicle (EV) maker Polestar Automotive is accelerating efforts to produce more vehicles outside China in view of rising geopolitical tensions, its CEO said.

Asked how Polestar is preparing for the possibility a European probe into Chinese-made EVs might lead to increased tariffs, Thomas Ingenlath said the automaker was exploring the idea of speeding up exporting the Polestar 3 made in South Carolina to the European Union. Continue reading “Polestar speeds plans to make more cars outside China as EU-China tensions rise”

Summary

• Targets 15% market share in China by 2030
• Expects to sell 4 million cars annually in China by 2030
• Expects price war to continue

BEIJING/FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – Volkswagen aims to keep its Chinese market share roughly stable until the end of the decade, the head of its China business said, betting heavy investment will support sales despite a raging price war with local electric vehicle (EV) rivals. Continue reading “Volkswagen aims to keep China market share stable as price war rages”

(Reuters) – General Motors CEO Mary Barra’s total compensation in 2023 fell 4% to $27.8 million, the largest U.S. automaker said Wednesday.

The Detroit automaker also said GM President Mark Reuss’ total compensation in 2023 rose to just under $18 million, up from $14.3 million, while Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson’s compensation rose to $11.1 million last year, up from $10.2 million. GM general counsel Craig Glidden, who was also named president and chief administrative officer at self-driving unit Cruise last year, received $11.5 million. Continue reading “GM CEO Barra compensation fell 4% in 2023 to $27.8 million”

(Reuters) – Ford Motor Co posted first-quarter earnings on Wednesday that beat Wall Street’s expectations, bolstered by a strong performance in its commercial vehicle division and an increase in its hybrid vehicle sales.

The company said it expects to achieve the higher end of its projected annual guidance of $10 billion to $12 billion in earnings before interest and taxes. Ford shares rose more than 3% in after-market trading on the news. Continue reading “Ford profit beats on commercial sales; EVs still dragging”

Source : PTI | The government on Tuesday said it received bids from seven companies including Reliance Industries and JSW Neo Energy for production-linked incentives to set up battery manufacturing facilities of 10 GWh capacity with an outlay of INR 3,620 crore. The other bidders on the list included ACME Cleantech Solutions Private Limited, Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies Private Limited, Anvi Power Industries Private Limited, Lucas TVS Limited, and Waaree Energies Limited.

The bids for manufacturing facilities with a cumulative capacity of 70 GWh came in response to a global tender issued by the Heavy Industries Ministry on January 24 this year. Continue reading “Reliance, JSW Neo Energy and 5 others bid for govt incentives to set up battery manufacturing units”

Source : PTI | German automaker Volkswagen has rolled out two new variants of its popular sports utility vehicle Taigun, the company said on Tuesday.

Widening its product portfolio, the company has launched Taigun GT Line equipped with a 1.0L TSI engine at INR 14.08 lakh, while the Taigun GT Plus Sport 1.5L TSI will be available at INR 18.53 lakh, both ex-showroom prices. The two new variants were formally unveiled at the Volkswagen Annual Brand Conference which showcased its all-electric vehicle ID.4 in March. Continue reading “Volkswagen India launches new variants – Taigun GT Line and GT Plus Sport”

Reuters – The European Union launched an investigation into China’s procurement of medical devices on Wednesday in a latest effort to protect home-grown manufacturers.

It has also launched several probes into whether Chinese clean tech producers are dumping subsidised goods on its market and whether Chinese-owned companies unfairly benefit from subsidies while operating inside the EU. Continue reading “EU probes on Chinese subsidies and imports”

STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Swedish automaker Volvo Cars said on Wednesday it expects good demand for its vehicles this year after a rise in first-quarter unit sales, though operating earnings missed forecasts due to lower revenues and losses at its Polestar business.

Operating income (EBIT) for the first quarter fell to 4.7 billion Swedish crowns ($434.78 million) from 5.1 billion a year ago on the back of a decline in sales due to a negative foreign exchange rate and lower contract manufacturing sales, it said. Continue reading “Volvo Cars sees good demand this year after higher Q1 unit sales”

April 23 (Reuters) – Tesla said it will lay off 6,020 employees in Texas and California ahead of its quarterly results on Tuesday when CEO Elon Musk is expected to outline the electric-vehicle maker’s strategy to combat slowing demand and falling margins.

Last week, Tesla announced a more than 10% cut in its global workforce under pressure from dropping sales and an intensifying price war among EV makers, without revealing the number of employees the job cuts would impact. Continue reading “Tesla to cut more than 6,000 jobs in Texas, California, notices show”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: There has been a significant increase in demand for women apprentices in the manufacturing sector, as factories are increasingly adopting gender-agnostic recruitment practices, a sharp departure from traditional hiring norms and underscore the industry’s commitment to fostering inclusive work environments.

According to staffing company TeamLease, in the past 8-10 months, there has been a remarkable five-fold surge in demand for young women who have completed class 10/12 to be appointed as apprentices, reflecting a shifting landscape in India’s workforce dynamics. Continue reading “Representation of women apprentices in manufacturing sector to touch 40% by year-end: TeamLease”

(Reuters) – Shares of Tesla gained on Tuesday ahead of the electric car maker’s first-quarter results, with analysts expecting its lowest gross profit margin in more than six years due to price cuts and slowing demand.

The stock rose 2.9% to $146.19 ahead of the report, due after the closing bell.

Tesla also launched an all-wheel drive performance variant of the Model 3 on Tuesday, priced at $52,990. Unlike other variants of the compact sedan, the new version qualifies for federal tax credits, according to the EV maker’s website. Continue reading “Tesla shares rise ahead of quarterly results”

PARIS, (Reuters) – Renault expects its sales growth to accelerate this year as it launches a number of new models, the French automaker said on Tuesday, as it confirmed its profit margin and cash flow forecasts for 2024 and pushes ahead with cost cuts.

Renault posted a 1.8% rise in first-quarter revenue on Tuesday, with high interest rates lifting sales at its financing arm and car sales volumes by 2.6% versus a year earlier. Continue reading “Renault says new models to lift 2024 sales, confirms profit outlook”

FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – Tesla is targeting around 400 job cuts at its German gigafactory near Berlin, or about 3% of the plant’s total workforce, it said on Tuesday, adding it was hoping to achieve this without forced layoffs.

That is less severe than group-wide efforts to slash over 10% of Tesla’s more than 140,000 global employees, a response to an intensifying price war for electric vehicles that is pressuring automakers to reduce costs. Continue reading “Tesla targeting about 400 voluntary job cuts in Germany”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China’s Xiaomi has secured locked-in orders for more than 70,000 of its SU7 electric cars as of Saturday and the company intends to keep its automotive business “100% focused” on the Chinese market for the next three years, founder Lei Jun said on Tuesday.

The smartphone maker is targeting more than 100,000 deliveries for the SU7 in 2024, he said in comments at an investor conference posted on his official WeChat account. Continue reading “Xiaomi’s SU7 orders reach 70,000, EV business to stay focused on China”

DETROIT, (Reuters) – General Motors on Tuesday posted quarterly results that topped Wall Street targets and raised its annual forecast, citing stable pricing and demand for its gas-engine vehicles, sending shares up 5%.

The Michigan automaker upped its adjusted pre-tax profit projection for the year to $12.5 billion to $14.5 billion, from its previous range of $12 billion to $14 billion. Continue reading “General Motors beats quarterly results targets, raises forecast”

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, (Reuters) – Workers at Volkswagen’s Tennessee plant have voted to join the United Auto Workers, in a seismic victory for the union as it drives beyond its Detroit base into the U.S. South and West.

A majority of eligible workers cast ballots in favor of the union, with the final tally on Friday at 2,628 to 985, or 73% for joining the UAW. Continue reading “UAW wins big in historic union vote at Volkswagen Tennessee factory”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Xiaomi’s CEO said the company will offer more details about its production capacity and delivery plan for the SU7 vehicle at the Beijing Auto Show, according to a Weibo post on Monday.

Lei Jun also said Xiaomi has started deliveries for the standard and MAX versions of the SU7 ahead of schedule. Continue reading “Xiaomi CEO says will introduce production capacity, delivery plan for SU7 at auto show”

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – China’s state planner expects an intensified price war among automakers of electric cars and plug-in hybrids this year because of overhanging supply, among other issues, the government body said in a statement on Monday.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) expected more than 110 new energy vehicle models among a total of 150 new cars launched this year, intensifying competition. Continue reading “China’s state planner warns intensified EV price war on oversupply”

Summary

• So far, few models can deliver V2G
• Technology still experimental, also faces regulatory hurdles
• Could help to balance power grid, but needs to be managed

LONDON, (Reuters) – Automakers from General Motors to Volvo Cars, alongside utilities and charging app operators are calculating their financial cut as EVs that allow their owners to sell power back to grids become a more realistic prospect. Continue reading “Automakers hope for a cut as two-way EV charging becomes real”

(Reuters) – Tesla is expected to report its lowest gross profit margin in more than six years on Tuesday after a chaotic week that included major layoffs, vehicle price cuts and urgent calls by investors for clarity on product strategy.

Tesla’s chief, Elon Musk, likely will face pointed questions from investors on the post-results conference call about the fate of the so-called Model 2, a low-cost vehicle he had promised in January would be available in 2025. Continue reading “Tesla expected to post lower profit margin amid doubts on growth, product strategy”

SAN FRANCISCO, (Reuters) – Tesla on Saturday slashed the price of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver assistant software to $8,000 from $12,000 in the United States, as CEO Elon Musk reaffirms his commitment to self-driving technology.

Musk is betting the technology will become a major source of revenue for the world’s most valuable automaker. But he has for years failed to achieve the goal of self-driving capability, with the technology under growing regulatory and legal scrutiny. Continue reading “Tesla cuts price of Full Self-Driving software by a third to $8,000”

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD said on Monday its electric pickup truck will be called BYD Shark and will feature a plug-in hybrid system called Dual Mode Off-Road (DMO), which it developed for improving off-road driving experiences.

BYD made the statement on its Weibo account but did not disclose the price for the truck. The announcement comes days ahead of the Beijing Autoshow, due to start on Thursday. Continue reading “China’s BYD names electric pickup truck BYD Shark”

Source : PTI | Two-wheeler major Hero Motocorp on Sunday said it has opened an assembly facility in Nepal in partnership with its distributor CG Motors. The facility will have a capacity of 75,000 units per annum and will bring new investments and create job opportunities in the region, Hero MotoCorp said in a statement.

Four products, Xpulse 200 4V, Super Splendor, Splendor+ motorcycles and Xoom 110 scooter, which have been launched in the country, will be assembled locally at the new assembly facility located in CG Industrial Park in Nawalparasi, it added. Continue reading “Hero MotoCorp inaugurates assembly unit in Nepal”

Source : PTI | Cost and speed has now become the top priority of the firms engaged in logistics business for the last-mile delivery of goods and growth of the sector, a report has said. According to the Last-Mile Trends Report 2024, earlier the top priority was cost and satisfaction.

“In last-mile delivery now top priority is cost and speed. The needle has shifted from cost and satisfaction to cost and speed,” it said. Continue reading “Cost, speed top priority for logistics sector: Last-Mile Trends Report 2024”

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Key Tesla customer PepsiCo made initial payments for 100 Tesla Semis in 2017, intending to use the electric-truck fleet to haul its Cheetos, Lays potato chips and Pepsi soda pop to retailers.

But according to the food-and-drinks maker and one of its executives with knowledge of the deal, PepsiCo was using only 36 of Teslas promised 100 electric trucks as of this month. Continue reading “Tesla Semi trucks in short supply for PepsiCo as its rivals use competing EV big rigs”

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, (Reuters) – Workers at Volkswagen’s Tennessee plant have voted to join the United Auto Workers, in a seismic victory for the union as it drives beyond its Detroit base into the U.S. South and West.

A majority of eligible workers cast ballots in favor of the union, with the final tally on Friday at 2,628 to 985, or 73% for joining the UAW. Continue reading “UAW wins big in historic union vote at Volkswagen Tennessee factory”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Bajaj Auto on Thursday reported a 35% increase in standalone profit after tax at INR 1,936 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, riding on the back of robust sales. The Pune-based company posted a profit after tax (PAT) of INR 1,433 crore in the January-March quarter of 2022-23 fiscal.

Revenue from operations rose by 29% to INR 11,485 crore for the fourth quarter as against INR 8,905 crore in the year-ago period. Continue reading “Bajaj Auto Q4 standalone PAT rises 35% to INR 1,936cr on strong sales”

(Reuters) – Republican attorneys general from 25 states on Thursday sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to block rules intended to reduce planet-warming emissions from cars and light trucks and encourage electric vehicle manufacturing, arguing the agency exceeded its legal authority.

The lawsuit challenging the regulations for passenger vehicles, finalized on March 20 by President Joe Biden’s administration, was filed by attorneys general from states led by Kentucky and West Virginia in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Continue reading “States sue to block US rules curbing tailpipe emissions in cars, light trucks”

(Reuters) – South Korea’s Hyundai said on Friday that it had paused advertising on X, formerly known as Twitter, and is speaking to the Elon Musk-owned social media platform directly about brand safety issues.

It was not immediately clear why the auto giant had paused the advertisements on the site, and Reuters has sought a comment. Meanwhile, X did not immediately respond to a Reuters’ request for comment. Continue reading “Hyundai pauses ads on X over brand safety issues”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Nissan Motor slashed its annual operating profit estimate by 14.5% on Friday, citing lower-than-expected vehicle sales and other factors.

Japan’s third-largest automaker by volume now estimates an operating profit of 530 billion yen ($3.43 billion) instead of 620 billion yen for the year that ended in March. Net profit is now estimated at 370 billion yen instead of 390 billion yen. Continue reading “Nissan cuts annual operating profit estimate by 14.5% on lower sales”

BARCELONA, (Reuters) – Chinese carmaker Chery said on Friday a newly-acquired Barcelona plant will be one of its main exporting facilities worldwide, aiming to produce 150,000 vehicles a year by 2029 in a joint venture with Spanish firm EV Motors.

Production will begin at the end of the summer at a plant that Japanese carmaker Nissan shut down in 2021. Chery (CHERY.UL) will start production of its Omoda 5 electric vehicle (EV), and hire 150 former Nissan workers, said EV Motors’ chief executive Pedro Calef at the plant’s presentation. Continue reading “Chinese carmaker Chery says Spanish plant to be among main export facilities worldwide”

(Reuters) – Tesla is recalling 3,878 Cybertrucks to fix an accelerator pedal pad that could come loose and get lodged in the interior trim, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday.

A trapped accelerator pedal could cause the vehicle to accelerate unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash, the auto safety regulator said in a notice. Continue reading “Tesla to recall 3,878 Cybertrucks over faulty accelerator pedal, NHTSA says”

DETROIT, (Reuters) – U.S. automakers General Motors (GM.N) and Ford face a challenge in common when they report first-quarter results next week: Explaining to investors where profit growth will come from in the months ahead as EV growth slows.

The slowdown in global electric-vehicle demand, intensifying competition from Chinese automakers and high U.S. borrowing costs have forced the U.S. automakers to delay investments and ratchet down costs over the past 12 months. With China’s economy slowing and U.S. inflation running hot, a macroeconomic growth boost looks a long way off. Continue reading “GM and Ford count on gas-powered trucks as EV growth slows”

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Volkswagen India Launches ‘Volkswagen Experiences’ To Elevate Customer Engagement WAF Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (19th April 2024)”

Source : Mobility Outlook | Volkswagen India has announced a new customer community initiative, ‘Volkswagen Experiences’ or ‘VWe’, designed to foster a closer relationship between the brand and its enthusiasts through unique, community-driven experiences. The ‘VWe’ initiative aims to transform the traditional vehicle ownership model into a more interactive and lifestyle-oriented experience. It offers Volkswagen customers and fans opportunities to engage deeply with the brand through tailored experiences that highlight the distinctiveness of Volkswagen’s products and the lifestyle they embody. Continue reading “Volkswagen India Launches ‘Volkswagen Experiences’ To Elevate Customer Engagement”

Source : PTI | MG Motor India on Thursday said it has partnered with the Epsilon Group for EV charging solutions and battery recycling. As part of the collaboration, the automaker has signed an MoU with two Epsilon Group subsidiaries – Power EV, for charging solutions and LICO, for battery recycling and second-life expertise.

As per the agreement, Power EV will provide Custom Charging technology to develop AC and DC charging solutions for charging solutions for MG’s EVs. Continue reading “MG Motor’s new partnership promises extended battery life for EVs. Here’s How”

MG Motor India is driving towards tier III and IV cities of the country with plans to establish 100 new touchpoints by the end of the ongoing fiscal year as part of its strategy to fuel the next phase of growth, a senior company official said on Wednesday.

With JSW Group coming in as an investor and becoming a joint venture partner with China’s SAIC, last month the company announced plans to invest Rs 5,000 crore and had set a target of selling one million units of passenger electric vehicles in India by 2030 when the total market is expected to be 10 million units annually. Continue reading “MG Motor India plans to expand network in tier III, IV to drive next phase of growth”