Soaring insurance costs hit as US buyers get a break on car prices
What overcapacity? China says its industries are simply more competitive

What overcapacity? China says its industries are simply more competitive

(Reuters) The last day of U.S. Secretary Janet Yellen’s trip to China coincided with the strongest retort yet from Beijing officials over her claims that China is flooding global markets with cheap goods, particularly in the new green industries.

As Yellen laid out plans to formalise dialogue with China over excess industrial capacity in electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels and batteries, saying Washington would not accept U.S. industry being “decimated”, the Chinese finance ministry issued a statement saying it had already “fully responded” to her concerns. Continue reading “What overcapacity? China says its industries are simply more competitive”

Focus: Soaring insurance costs hit as US buyers finally get a break on car prices

Focus: Soaring insurance costs hit as US buyers finally get a break on car prices

(Reuters) – A new form of sticker shock has hit American car buyers like Darin Davis.

In January, when the 56-year-old Dallas real estate agent renewed the insurance on the pearly-white 2024 Cadillac XT4 that he bought just a few months earlier, the rate nearly doubled. Continue reading “Focus: Soaring insurance costs hit as US buyers finally get a break on car prices”

Maruti Suzuki applies for Bharat-NCAP safety ratings for some vehicles

Maruti Suzuki applies for Bharat-NCAP safety ratings for some vehicles

Source : PTI | Maruti Suzuki has applied for Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat-NCAP) safety ratings for some of its vehicles, a senior government official has said. Last year, Tata Motors’ SUVs Safari and Harrier became the first recipients of the safety rating for adult and child occupant protection as per Bharat-NCAP. The SUVs were given 5-star rating.

In August last year, the government launched Bharat-NCAP, India’s very own and independent safety performance evaluation protocol for automobiles. Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki applies for Bharat-NCAP safety ratings for some vehicles”

Elon Musk confirms India visit, says looking forward to meet PM Modi

Elon Musk confirms India visit, says looking forward to meet PM Modi

Source : PTI | New Delhi: American electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday confirmed his visit to India and his planned meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, he wrote, “Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi in India.”

Earlier in the day, sources said Musk is expected in India the week of April 22. He is likely to announce the company’s investment plans in the country during his visit, the sources said. Continue reading “Elon Musk confirms India visit, says looking forward to meet PM Modi”

Musk to meet Modi in India; sources say announcement on investment likely

Musk to meet Modi in India; sources say announcement on investment likely

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Tesla chief Elon Musk said he will visit India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and two sources told Reuters the billionaire entrepreneur is expected to make an announcement on investment and a factory in the country.

“Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India!”, he said in a post on X after Reuters first reported details of Musk’s planned India visit this month. Continue reading “Musk to meet Modi in India; sources say announcement on investment likely”

German premium carmakers struggle to revive demand in China

German premium carmakers struggle to revive demand in China

BERLIN, (Reuters) – German premium carmakers took a further hit to their Chinese sales in the first quarter, data from the companies showed on Wednesday, with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz also struggling with supply chain troubles.

Sales in China fell 3.8% at BMW, 12% at Mercedes-Benz and 24% at Porsche, the companies said, indicating that efforts by authorities and automakers to jumpstart demand in the world’s second-biggest economy are not yet seeing results. Continue reading “German premium carmakers struggle to revive demand in China”

Uber boosts safety features aimed at women passengers

Uber boosts safety features aimed at women passengers

(Reuters) – Uber Technologies said on Wednesday that it is boosting its safety features for passengers around the world, as it looks to minimize risk and ensure security for women at night.

The features allow passengers during a ride to select up to four safety preferences including encrypted audio recordings, PIN verification and live location sharing. Continue reading “Uber boosts safety features aimed at women passengers”

US NTSB chair vows to be ‘fierce advocate’ for safety in new term

US NTSB chair vows to be ‘fierce advocate’ for safety in new term

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy will tell lawmakers she is committed to winning approval of safety recommendations and scrutinizing federal agencies.

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee is holding a hearing Wednesday on President Joe Biden’s nomination of Homendy to serve a new term heading the board that investigates air, rail, marine, pipeline and highway accidents. Continue reading “US NTSB chair vows to be ‘fierce advocate’ for safety in new term”

Chinese car manufacturing in Italy could force tough decisions, says Stellantis CEO

Chinese car manufacturing in Italy could force tough decisions, says Stellantis CEO

TURIN, Italy, (Reuters) – Chinese car manufacturing in Italy could force some tough decisions for Stellantis including plant closures, the head of the Franco-Italian group, Italy’s sole major automaker, said on Wednesday.

The Italian government has said it is talks with Tesla and Chinese automakers, including Chery Auto, to attract one of them to manufacture in Italy and increase national automotive output after years of decline. Continue reading “Chinese car manufacturing in Italy could force tough decisions, says Stellantis CEO”

US NTSB probes fatal Ford Mach-E crash in Philadelphia

US NTSB probes fatal Ford Mach-E crash in Philadelphia

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Wednesday it was opening an investigation into a March 3 fatal crash between a Ford Mustang Mach-E and two stationary cars on the I-95 interstate highway in Philadelphia.

In March, the NTSB said it was investigating the use of an advanced driver assistance system in a Ford Mustang Mach-E that was involved in a Feb. 24 fatal crash in San Antonio, Texas in which the Mach-E struck rear of a Honda CR-V that was stationary in a traffic lane on Interstate Highway 10. Continue reading “US NTSB probes fatal Ford Mach-E crash in Philadelphia”

Tesla strike in Sweden continues, union says, contradicting Musk

Tesla strike in Sweden continues, union says, contradicting Musk

STOCKHOLM/OSLO, (Reuters) – A strike by Tesla mechanics in Sweden, among the country’s longest labour disputes, continues to disrupt operations, a union said on Wednesday, and is drawing scrutiny from investors despite Elon Musk saying the storm is over.

For months Tesla has been under pressure in the Nordics, with sympathy actions since October backing Swedish IF Metall’s mechanics’ demand for a collective agreement. Continue reading “Tesla strike in Sweden continues, union says, contradicting Musk”

BMW, Croatia’s Rimac partner on high-voltage EV battery technology

BMW, Croatia’s Rimac partner on high-voltage EV battery technology

BERLIN, (Reuters) – BMW and Croatia’s Rimac have agreed to partner on high-voltage electric vehicle battery technology, they said on Tuesday, a European tie-up aimed at challenging Asian dominance in the field.

Rimac, an electric hypercar maker owned 45% by Porsche AG, is expanding its reach as a supplier of battery systems and powertrain components to other automakers, with the aim of reaching 100,000 batteries a year between 2024 and 2026. Continue reading “BMW, Croatia’s Rimac partner on high-voltage EV battery technology”

US court upholds EPA decision to approve California electric-vehicle rules

US court upholds EPA decision to approve California electric-vehicle rules

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant California a waiver to set its own tailpipe emissions limits and electric-vehicle requirements.

The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected a legal challenge from 17 Republican-led states and entities that sell or produce liquid fuels. The EPA in March 2022 under President Joe Biden restored California’s ability to set its own zero-emission vehicle sales mandate and tailpipe emissions limits through 2025, reversing a 2019 decision by then-President Donald Trump. Continue reading “US court upholds EPA decision to approve California electric-vehicle rules”

Electric vehicle retail sales grow across segments in FY24: FADA

Electric vehicle retail sales grow across segments in FY24: FADA

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Electric vehicle retail sales in India increased last fiscal with all the segments, including passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, witnessing enhanced registrations, according to automotive dealers’ body FADA. The overall sales of electric passenger vehicles rose to 90,996 units in 2023-24 as compared to 47,551 units in FY23, registering an increase of 91 per cent.

Tata Motors led the segment with registrations of 64,217 units, up 66 per cent over 38,728 units in the 2022-23 financial year.

Continue reading “Electric vehicle retail sales grow across segments in FY24: FADA”

MNRE extends deadline for R&D proposals under National Green Hydrogen Mission

MNRE extends deadline for R&D proposals under National Green Hydrogen Mission

Source : PTI | New Delhi: The New & Renewable Energy Ministry has extended the deadline until April 27 for the submission of research and development proposals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, a release said on Tuesday. The ministry on March 16, 2024, invited R&D proposals under the mission from the industry. The last date for submission was April 12.

While the ‘Call for Proposals’ is receiving encouraging responses, some stakeholders have requested more time for submission of R&D proposals, the release said. Continue reading “MNRE extends deadline for R&D proposals under National Green Hydrogen Mission”

Tesla settles case over fatal Autopilot crash of Apple engineer

Tesla settles case over fatal Autopilot crash of Apple engineer

April 8 (Reuters) – Tesla has settled a lawsuit over a 2018 car crash that killed an Apple engineer after his Model X, operating on Autopilot, swerved off a highway near San Francisco, court documents showed on Monday.

The settlement was made on the eve of the trial over the high-profile accident involving Tesla’s driver-assistant technology. Tesla faces a series of lawsuits over crashes related to the alleged use of Autopilot, putting the automaker at risk of large monetary judgments and reputational damage. Continue reading “Tesla settles case over fatal Autopilot crash of Apple engineer”

China’s first-quarter EV sales growth slowest in a year

China’s first-quarter EV sales growth slowest in a year

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Sales of electric passenger vehicles in China rose 10.5% in March from the same month a year earlier, industry data showed on Tuesday, as automakers led by popular BYD deepened discounts and offered financing tools to boost sales.

For January-March, sales totalled 1.03 million EVs, up 14.7% on year and the slowest quarterly growth since the second quarter of 2023, the data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) showed. Continue reading “China’s first-quarter EV sales growth slowest in a year”

EV maker Lucid beats first-quarter delivery estimates as price cuts boost demand

EV maker Lucid beats first-quarter delivery estimates as price cuts boost demand

(Reuters) – Lucid reported first-quarter deliveries above market expectations on Tuesday as price cuts helped boost demand for its luxury electric sedans, sending its shares up about 3%.

The electric-vehicle startup handed over 1,967 vehicles in the first quarter, compared with estimates of 1,745, according to eight analysts polled by Visible Alpha. Continue reading “EV maker Lucid beats first-quarter delivery estimates as price cuts boost demand”

US court upholds EPA decision to approve California electric-vehicle rules

US court upholds EPA decision to approve California electric-vehicle rules

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant California a waiver to set its own tailpipe emissions limits and electric-vehicle requirements.

The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected a legal challenge from 17 Republican-led states and entities that sell or produce liquid fuels. The EPA in March 2022 under President Joe Biden restored California’s ability to set its own zero-emission vehicle sales mandate and tailpipe emissions limits through 2025, reversing a 2019 decision by then-President Donald Trump. Continue reading “US court upholds EPA decision to approve California electric-vehicle rules”

Japan’s Mazda may temporarily reroute Baltimore auto shipments, CEO on CNBC

Japan’s Mazda may temporarily reroute Baltimore auto shipments, CEO on CNBC

(Reuters) – Mazda Motor will probably have to temporarily move shipments to another port from Baltimore to avoid delays, the automaker’s CEO said in a CNBC interview.

The Port of Baltimore ranks first in the U.S. for volume of autos and light trucks and farm and construction machinery handled and a cargo ship crash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March has restricted shipments. Continue reading “Japan’s Mazda may temporarily reroute Baltimore auto shipments, CEO on CNBC”

SIAM and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Lead Automotive Industry Towards Circular Economy through EPR Workshop

SIAM and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Lead Automotive Industry Towards Circular Economy through EPR Workshop

Mumbai, 9th April 2024: In its endeavour to promote sustainable mobility, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body for the automobile industry, collaborated with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to jointly organize a “Circularity Workshop” on “Extended Producer Responsibility Regime: An Innovative Policy Tool for Fostering a Sustainable Circular Economy in the Automotive Industry.” This workshop was conducted on 8th April 2024 in Mumbai, under SIAM’s Chakriyata (चक्रीयता) initiative, which aims to facilitate meaningful discussions and develop actionable strategies for sustainable mobility through waste management, recycling, and other circularity principles Continue reading “SIAM and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Lead Automotive Industry Towards Circular Economy through EPR Workshop”

Maruti Suzuki eyes 3 lakh exports in FY25, 8 lakh by 2030

Maruti Suzuki eyes 3 lakh exports in FY25, 8 lakh by 2030

Source : PTI | On the back of record exports last fiscal, Maruti Suzuki India is confident of its overseas shipments crossing 3 lakh units in FY25 as part of gradual scaling up to meet the target of up to 8 lakh units by 2030, according to a senior company official. The company plans to launch more models in its various export markets that span over 100 countries while also enhancing distribution network, having taken best practices from India such as making bank finance available at dealerships, strengthening service facilities and parts availability to the export markets.

Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki eyes 3 lakh exports in FY25, 8 lakh by 2030”

Hyundai Motor, Kia to partner with India’s Exide Energy on EV batteries

Hyundai Motor, Kia to partner with India’s Exide Energy on EV batteries

SEOUL, (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Corp on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with India’s Exide Energy Solutions Ltd to supply batteries for their electric vehicles in a bid to boost competitiveness in the world’s No.3 auto market.

The South Korean auto duo said in a statement that the partnership with Exide Energy, a unit of Exide Industries Ltd, aims to localise their EV battery production in India, specifically focusing on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells. Continue reading “Hyundai Motor, Kia to partner with India’s Exide Energy on EV batteries”

Bangkok motor show reports 28% rise in orders, Toyota leads sales

Bangkok motor show reports 28% rise in orders, Toyota leads sales

BANGKOK, (Reuters) – Thailand’s Bangkok International Motor Show recorded a 27.5% rise in orders, with Toyota leading sales, while traditional cars still dominated despite electric vehicles gaining pace, its organiser said on Monday.

Orders for 53,438 cars and 5,173 motorcycles were booked during the event held from March 27 to April 7, Grand Prix International said in a statement. Continue reading “Bangkok motor show reports 28% rise in orders, Toyota leads sales”

Toyota tightens oversight over scandal-hit small car unit Daihatsu

Toyota tightens oversight over scandal-hit small car unit Daihatsu

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Japan’s Daihatsu Motor said on Monday it will streamline the way it reports on development and certification to its parent Toyota Motor, as the compact car maker seeks to overcome a safety test certification scandal.

The move comes more than a month after a new president from Toyota took up the reigns at Daihatsu, facing the daunting task of putting the small-car unit back on a growth track. Continue reading “Toyota tightens oversight over scandal-hit small car unit Daihatsu”

Ferrari steps up battery know-how though no plans to make them

Ferrari steps up battery know-how though no plans to make them

BOLOGNA, Italy, (Reuters) – Ferrari wants to increase its expertise in battery cells given their importance in its shift to electrified vehicles, but it has no plans to manufacture them itself, its CEO Benedetto Vigna said on Monday.

The Italian luxury sports car maker has been selling hybrid-electric cars since 2019 and has promised its first-fully electric vehicle at the end of next year. Ferrari, which sold just shy of 14,000 cars last year, might not have the scale to produce its own cells profitably. Continue reading “Ferrari steps up battery know-how though no plans to make them”

Adani to invest INR 2.3 lakh crore in renewable energy, manufacturing capacity

Adani to invest INR 2.3 lakh crore in renewable energy, manufacturing capacity

Source : PTI | Adani Group will invest about INR 2.3 lakh crore through 2030 in India’s most ambitious renewable energy expansion and solar and wind manufacturing capacity addition ever as it shrugs off a short-seller attack to pursue its trademark rapid growth plans. Adani Green Energy Ltd, India’s largest renewable energy company, will invest about INR 1.5 lakh crore in expanding capacity to generate electricity from solar energy and wind power at Khavda in Gujarat’s Kutch to 30 gigawatts from 2 GW currently and another INR 50,000 crore in 6-7 GW of similar projects elsewhere in the country, a top company official said. Continue reading “Adani to invest INR 2.3 lakh crore in renewable energy, manufacturing capacity”

China’s commerce minister due in Paris for electric vehicle talks

China’s commerce minister due in Paris for electric vehicle talks

PARIS, (Reuters) – China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao is due in Paris on Sunday for talks that are expected to cover China’s fast growing export of cheap electric vehicles (EVs) into the European market.

Four sources briefed on Wang’s trip told Reuters in late March that the discussions would focus on a European Commission investigation into whether China’s EV industry has benefited from unfair subsidies. Continue reading “China’s commerce minister due in Paris for electric vehicle talks”

NexGen Energia launches affordable electric two-wheeler at INR 36,990

NexGen Energia launches affordable electric two-wheeler at INR 36,990

Source : PTI | Noida-based e-mobility company NexGen Energia on Thursday said it has launched an affordable electric two-wheeler with price starting at INR 36,990. The electric two-wheeler was unveiled by businessman-actor Suniel Shetty on Wednesday, the company said.

“The scooter starts from INR 36,990 and is our most affordable two-wheeler yet. The launch marks an important step towards making electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible and affordable for the coming generation,” NexGen Energia said. Continue reading “NexGen Energia launches affordable electric two-wheeler at INR 36,990”

Brazil imports of Chinese electric vehicles surge ahead of new tariff

Brazil imports of Chinese electric vehicles surge ahead of new tariff

BRASILIA, (Reuters) – A flood of electric vehicles from China boosted Brazilian car imports in the first quarter of 2024, ahead of rising import tariffs aimed at protecting local production.

Between January and March, passenger car imports rose 46.4% from the same period last year to $1.5 billion, according to data released on Thursday by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services. Continue reading “Brazil imports of Chinese electric vehicles surge ahead of new tariff”

Volkswagen EVs ‘can’t keep up’ in China, CEO tells newspaper

Volkswagen EVs ‘can’t keep up’ in China, CEO tells newspaper

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Volkswagen wants to avoid setting “utopian” goals for its market share in China, its CEO told German newspaper FAZ on Friday, adding that anything above 10% was “very respectable” given the intense competition.

The carmaker “cannot keep up at the top of the table at the moment” in China’s EV space, CEO Oliver Blume told FAZ. He added that new models due for release in coming years would improve the automaker’s standing. Continue reading “Volkswagen EVs ‘can’t keep up’ in China, CEO tells newspaper”

Yellen says global concerns growing over China’s excess industrial capacity

Yellen says global concerns growing over China’s excess industrial capacity

GUANGZHOU, China, (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Friday that concerns are growing over the global economic fallout from China’s excess manufacturing capacity, making the issue the main focus of four days of economic meetings with Chinese officials.

China is too large to export its way to rapid growth and would benefit by reducing excess industrial capacity which is pressuring other economies, Yellen said in remarks to an audience of about 40 representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Guangzhou. Continue reading “Yellen says global concerns growing over China’s excess industrial capacity”

Stellantis output in Italy down 10% in Q1, trade union says

Stellantis output in Italy down 10% in Q1, trade union says

MILAN, (Reuters) – Production of passenger cars and vans at Stellantis’ Italian plants fell 9.8% year-on-year in the first three months of this year to 170,415 units, the FIM-CISL union said on Friday.

The automaker is holding discussions with the Italian government over a plan to reverse a multi-year trend of falling production in the country and take it back to one million units by the end of this decade, implying an overall output growth of around 25% compared to last year. Continue reading “Stellantis output in Italy down 10% in Q1, trade union says”

Exclusive: Tesla scraps low-cost car plans amid fierce Chinese EV competition

Exclusive: Tesla scraps low-cost car plans amid fierce Chinese EV competition

Summary

  • Entry-level Tesla car won’t be built, three sources tell Reuters
  • Tesla to focus on self-driving taxis instead, sources said
  • Strategy shift comes as Tesla faces competition from China EV makers including BYD

(Reuters) – Tesla has canceled the long-promised inexpensive car that investors have been counting on to drive its growth into a mass-market automaker, according to three sources familiar with the matter and company messages seen by Reuters. Continue reading “Exclusive: Tesla scraps low-cost car plans amid fierce Chinese EV competition”

Nippon Paint unveils Mastercraft, for exemplary automotive aftermarket body and paint work, powered by sustainable technology

Nippon Paint unveils Mastercraft, for exemplary automotive aftermarket body and paint work, powered by sustainable technology

Gurugram/New Delhi, 5 April 2024: Asia Pacific’s leading paint and coating company, Nippon Paint has launched its consumer facing automotive body and paint repair service brand, Mastercraft. Mastercraft promises exemplary body and paint work, car decoration services and ultra-fast velocity repairs, backed by Japanese precision and technology. Continue reading “Nippon Paint unveils Mastercraft, for exemplary automotive aftermarket body and paint work, powered by sustainable technology”

Ford delays some North American electric SUV, truck production

Ford delays some North American electric SUV, truck production

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Ford Motor said on Thursday it had delayed the planned launches of three-row EVs in Canada and its next-generation electric pickup truck built in Tennessee as the slowdown in EV demand globally forces automakers to revise production plans.

Ford said separately it was boosting hybrid electric vehicle offerings and by 2030 expects to offer hybrid powertrains across its lineup of gas-powered vehicles. Continue reading “Ford delays some North American electric SUV, truck production”

Telangana govt in talks with Tesla to set up electric car plant

Telangana govt in talks with Tesla to set up electric car plant

Source : PTI | The Telangana government is holding discussions with Tesla by putting in all efforts to establish their plant in the state, Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu said on Thursday.

In a message on X Sridhar Babu said since December 2023 the state government has been actively focusing on major investment opportunities by global giants, and as part of its focus, Tesla’s planned investment initiatives in India are also being tracked. Continue reading “Telangana govt in talks with Tesla to set up electric car plant”