PARIS, (Reuters) – Renault said it would link up with a Chinese engineering company to develop future Twingo cars priced below 20,000 euros ($21,676), as European automakers target smaller and cheaper electric vehicles to compete with Chinese peers.

“Twingo’s development is moving forward quickly, as we plan to make the development in two years,” said a spokesperson for Renault’s Ampere electric vehicles division. Continue reading “Renault to develop Twingos priced under 20,000 euros with Chinese partner”

(Reuters) – Americans still prefer to buy a standard gas vehicle over a hybrid or an electric vehicle even with the same price and features, a KPMG study, opens new tab said on Thursday.

Only one-fifth of people surveyed said they would purchase an EV over a gas-powered vehicle or hybrid vehicle.

The show of preference comes amid a global slowdown in demand for electric vehicles, resulting in global automakers such as Ford, General Motors and Mercedes rethinking their EV plans. Continue reading “Americans still prefer gas vehicles over hybrid or EVs, study shows”

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday sued South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Co, an auto parts plant and a labor recruiter over illegal use of child labor in Alabama.

The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Montgomery, Alabama, also sought an order requiring the companies to relinquish any profits related to the use of child labor. Continue reading “US sues Hyundai, others over child labor at Alabama parts plant”

“WAF AutoNews” is World’s No.1 in World Auto News &  Auto Think Tank !!
Click Here to See for yourself.

INDIA

MG Motor & HPCL Partner To Expand EV Charging Network Aiding Long-Distance Travel WAF

Volkswagen India enhances its corporate business program with the introduction of ‘Volkswagen Prime’ WAF

Nippon Paint ‘Mastering’ Markets from OE Sales to Refurbish Aftermarket MOTORINDIA Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (31st May 2024)”

Source : Mobility Outlook | MG Motor India and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) have joined forces aimed at enhancing India’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Through this collaboration the companies will install 50kW and 60kW DC fast chargers at key locations on highways and throughout cities to make EV charging more accessible for long-distance and intercity travellers.

The public charging network which supports the CCS 2 charging standard compatible with vehicles like the MG ZS EV will be available to all EV users. MG customers will be able to locate these chargers through the MyMG App, while the integrated HPCL network discovery tool will also provide access. Continue reading “MG Motor & HPCL Partner To Expand EV Charging Network Aiding Long-Distance Travel”

Summary

• Volkswagen Prime offers corporate customers differentiated mobility experience with enhanced value through personalized & value-added services, and peace of mind that includes a host of benefits
• As part of the Corporate Business offering, Volkswagen provides an Omni Channel mobility solution wherein customers can opt for Subscription and Leasing programs
• Exclusive Corporate Business Manager will be appointed to each customer to manage their end-to-end business solutions at the dealership
• Comprehensive benefits include:Free pick-up and drop service, attractive benefits on loyalty products, value added services, Tyres & battery, Express delivery and free car wash
• Pre-approval of additional repairs via Service Cam: a digital tool wherein the customer gets a video of the concerned repair for their approval and information

Continue reading “Volkswagen India enhances its corporate business program with the introduction of ‘Volkswagen Prime’”

(Reuters) – Tesla is preparing to register its ‘Full Self-Driving’ software with authorities in China in the run up to its planned rollout of the technologically advanced feature this year, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

The U.S. electric vehicle maker is also considering selling the software as a monthly subscription to users of its cars in China, its second-largest market, they said. Continue reading “Exclusive: Tesla makes push to roll out advanced FSD self-driving in China”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Toyota Motor’s April global sales and production fell from a year earlier, hurt by an intense price war in China and a decline in Japan after a production stoppage of some models and a safety test scandal at its small car unit.

Global sales fell 0.5% in April, as a 27% slump in China – the world’s biggest auto market – and a 14% drop in Japan offset double-digit growth in the United States and Europe. Toyota said its China sales fell even as it held promotional events at stores across the country. Continue reading “Toyota’s global volumes fall in April, led by drops in China and Japan”

LONDON, (Reuters) – Starting in the 1980s, European automakers steadily conquered China, racking up millions in sales with little local competition.

Now they’ll have to defend their home turf in Europe from an onslaught of formidable Chinese electric vehicles.

Chinese EV titans BYD, Chery (CHERY.UL) and Great Wall Motor are preparing a fusillade of product launches – about 20 over the next five years – and spending heavily on sales and marketing in their most important export market, according to Reuters interviews with 18 China auto executives, consultants and industry experts familiar with the Chinese automakers’ European strategy. Continue reading “How China’s EV makers aim to beat Tesla, legacy automakers in Europe”

(Reuters) – Uber Technologies unveiled a raft of measures on Wednesday, including a tie-up to offer cruises on the Seine river as it looks to meet explosive demand stemming from the upcoming Olympics in Paris.

The ride-hailing platform will offer its “Uber Cruises” free of charge from July 12 to August 3, and customers can also book a day trip that includes a champagne tasting through its “Uber Bubbles” launch. Continue reading “Uber to offer Seine cruises, day trips in Paris during Olympics rush”

MILAN, (Reuters) – The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) would impose a “significant burden” on auto suppliers, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said on Wednesday as Western automakers race to cut costs and compete with Chinese peers.

Tavares said the challenge for automakers was to sell EVs, whose production costs are 40% to 50% higher, at the same price as equivalent petrol models. This forces them to cut costs at every level of their operations, including supply chains and logistics. Continue reading “EV switch to hit auto suppliers hard, Stellantis CEO says”

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – China’s Geely Holding Groupon Wednesday said it would launch a series of hybrid models in the first half of next year equipped with its next-generation, more fuel-efficient engine.

Geely’s engine achieves a thermal efficiency of up to 46.1%, according to a product certificate issued by the government-owned CATARC Huacheng Certification Co. Continue reading “China’s Geely to launch hybrids with more fuel-efficient engines”

Summary

• Company says it is reviewing construction for US factory
• The planned North Carolina plant was hailed by Biden
• Loss-making VinFast is struggling to boost US sales

(Reuters) – Vietnamese electric car maker VinFast is looking at further delaying a planned $4 billion factory in North Carolina, a person briefed on the matter said, as the loss-making company struggles to gain favour with U.S. consumers. Continue reading “Exclusive: Vietnamese EV maker VinFast considers delaying $4 bln US plant, source says”

BEIJING/BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – The European Commission’s expected move to hike tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles is set to kick off a round of talks that Chinese executives hope will soften the blow for the world’s biggest EV industry.

The provisional tariffs, expected to be announced by June 5, will be a sticker shock representing billions of dollars in new costs for Chinese electric car makers. Continue reading “China gears up to make a deal with Europe as EV tariffs loom”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Owners of nearly 84,000 older Nissan vehicles in the United States equipped with recalled, unrepaired Takata air bags should immediately stop driving them due to a safety hazard, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Wednesday.

The agency made its announcement after the Japanese automaker issued a warning on Wednesday telling vehicle owners not to drive certain vehicles – the 2002-2006 model year Nissan Sentra, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 – that were recalled in 2020 but have not been fixed. Continue reading “US tells owners to stop driving older Nissan vehicles over air bag concerns”

LONDON, (Reuters) – More countries than initially expected are adopting international climate-related disclosure standards, a global rulemaking body said on Tuesday, but cautioned that significant departures from the norms would come at a cost.

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), created to write “baseline” disclosure rules for companies to stop “greenwashing,” finalised its rules a year ago and on Tuesday gave an update on adoption. Continue reading “Momentum building behind global company climate disclosures, standards body says”

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Mexico has been consuming record amounts of electricity and occasionally more than its utility infrastructure can generate and transmit, official data showed, as scorching heat and water shortages raise the likelihood of power outages.

In the late afternoon on Monday, Mexico consumed 51,595 megawatts of electricity across the country, grid operator CENACE recorded. When demand exceeds supply, the country becomes much more prone to outages. Continue reading “Mexico’s electricity demand hits record amid extreme heat and water shortages”

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – Germany and the Czech Republic are pushing the European Union to hold talks on how to eliminate the remaining energy sources Europe imports from Russia, EU diplomats told Reuters on Tuesday.

Germany, Europe’s biggest economy and gas market, and the Czech Republic will ask Brussels to start regular high-level talks – potentially among countries’ energy ministers – on how to fully end their imports of Russian energy. Continue reading “Germany, Czech Republic seek EU talks on fully quitting Russian energy”

Summary

• Chinese overseas investment, construction bouncing back
• Africa major focus of post-pandemic engagement
• Activities weighted towards minerals extraction
• Trade up, but Africa’s deficit with China ballooning

JOHANNESBURG/NAIROBI, (Reuters) – China’s flagship economic cooperation program is bouncing back after a lull during the global pandemic, with Africa a primary focus, according to a Reuters analysis of lending, investment and trade data. Continue reading “Post-COVID, China is back in Africa and doubling down on minerals”

BRASILIA, (Reuters) – Brazil’s lower house of Congress approved on Tuesday the main text of a bill that would enact a new 20% import tax on international online purchases under $50, significantly down from a higher tax rate that was originally proposed.

The bill must still be voted on by the Senate.

The new import tax rate for purchases that cost $50 or less was set on Tuesday following negotiations between lawmakers and the administration of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, which had previously expressed its opposition to the unpopular tax proposal. Continue reading “Brazil’s Congress advances bill to tax low-cost online orders”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Brazil has overtaken Belgium as the largest export market for Chinese new energy vehicles, industry data showed, as Chinese carmakers increase sales to non-European markets amid European Union’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles.

Exports of pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars to Brazil soared 13-fold year-on-year to 40,163 units in April, making it the biggest export market for a second straight month, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Continue reading “Brazil surpasses Belgium as top export market for Chinese EVs, hybrids, data shows”

Summary

• Announcement after CEO Tavares meets unions
• Hybrid 500e to be produced in Mirafiori from Q1 2026
• Company to allocate new hybrid Jeep Compass SUV in Melfi
• Fiat Panda to keep being made in Italy until 2029

MILAN, (Reuters) – Fiat owner Stellantis said on Monday it would build a hybrid version of its 500e small electric car at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, amid a slowdown in electric car sales. Continue reading “Stellantis to introduce Italy-made hybrid versions of Fiat 500 EV, Jeep Compass”

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – China’s BYD launched on Tuesday the latest version of a plug-in hybrid technology that improves fuel and cost savings, intensifying competition with the likes of Toyota and Volkswagen that still sell mainly gasoline cars.

BYD’s chairman Wang Chuanfu unveiled the fifth generation of the hybrid technology that achieves a record low fuel consumption of 2.9 litres per 100 km (62.1 miles) on depleted batteries at an event in Shaanxi province’s capital Xian. Continue reading “BYD unveils new hybrid tech as battle with gasoline rivals heats up”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis has recommended Toyota Motor shareholders vote against re-electing Chairman Akio Toyoda at the Japanese automaker’s annual general meeting in June, saying the board was not sufficiently independent.

Toyoda, the grandson of the company’s founder and previously its chief executive, last year was re-elected to the board with around 85% approval, a drop from the previous year’s almost 96%. Continue reading “Proxy firm Glass Lewis recommends vote against Toyota chairman”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Toyota Motor showcased next-generation engines on Tuesday that can be used in cars as varied as hybrids and those running on biofuel, as it targets tougher emissions standards and doubles down on its strategy of selling more than just EVs.

At a media event with peers Subaru and Mazda Motor, the world’s biggest automaker by volume displayed in-development 1.5 litre and 2.0 litre engines with significantly reduced volume and height versus current engines. Continue reading “Toyota showcases compact engines adaptable to different fuels”

DETROIT, (Reuters) – The United Auto Workers (UAW) union is seeking a new election at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama after losing a vote there last week, according to a petition filed on Friday with the National Labor Relations Board.

The union accused Mercedes of engaging “in a relentless anti-union campaign” including the firing of employees who were pro-union and holding frequent captive-audience meetings to spread anti-union views, according to the filing. Continue reading “UAW asks US board for new unionization vote at Mercedes’ Alabama plant”

MILAN, (Reuters) – Fiat owner Stellantis is expected to announce on Monday a hybrid version of its 500e small electric car to be produced at its Mirafiori plant in Italy, two sources familiar with the matter said, confirming a report by Automotive News Europe.

The announcement is expected at a meeting scheduled in Turin between CEO Carlos Tavares and unions, which have been asking for a new high-volume, cheaper model for Mirafiori to revive its output. Continue reading “Stellantis to announce Italy-produced hybrid version of 500 EV, sources say”

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Oil prices steadied in Asian trading on Monday as markets awaited an OPEC+ meeting on June 2 where producers are expected to discuss maintaining voluntary output cuts for the rest of the year.

The Brent crude July contract was up 18 cents to $82.30 a barrel as of 0409 GMT. The more-active August contract rose 25 cents to $82.09. Continue reading “Oil prices steady as markets turn focus to OPEC+ meeting”

DUBAI, (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia is planning a multi-billion-dollar share sale in energy giant Aramco as soon as June in what would be one of the region’s biggest stock deals, two people familiar with the matter said.

The offering could raise around $10 billion, one of the people said. The preparations are ongoing and the details could still change, the sources said, who were speaking on condition of anonymity because the matter is private. Continue reading “Exclusive: Saudi Arabia plans Aramco share sale as soon as June, sources say”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: State-owned oil and gas giants including IndianOil, ONGC and GAIL (India) Ltd have been slapped with fines for the fourth straight quarter for failing to meet listing requirements of having the requisite number of directors on their board. Stock exchanges imposed a cumulative fine of INR 34 lakh on oil refining and fuel marketing giants Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), explorers Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL), gas utility GAIL, and refiner Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) for not meeting the listing requirement in the January-March quarter, stock exchange filings showed. Continue reading “IOC, GAIL, ONGC fined for fourth straight quarter for failure to appoint directors”

Source : PTI | Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover expects to grow faster than the luxury car segment this fiscal, as it bolsters localisation and expands product range, according to a top company executive. The company, which is set to commence local assembly of Range Rover and Range Rover Sport in India, witnessed a sales growth of 81% in 2023-24 fiscal year at 4,436 units, as compared to FY23.

The automaker aims to double its business in India over the next three years. Continue reading “Jaguar Land Rover aims for rapid growth in India luxury car market”

(Reuters) – Proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis said on Saturday it has urged Tesla shareholders to reject a $56 billion pay package for Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, which if passed would be the largest pay package for a CEO in corporate America.

The report cited reasons like the “excessive size” of the pay deal, the dilutive effect upon exercise and the concentration of ownership. It also mentioned Musk’s “slate of extraordinarily time-consuming projects” which have expanded with his high-profile purchase of Twitter, now known as X. Continue reading “Proxy firm advises shareholders to reject Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay package”

Source : PTI | French automaker Citroen announced on Friday that they have appointed former Indiacricket captainMahendra Singh Dhoni as their brand ambassador in India. Dhoni will start his association with Citroen by featuring in an upcoming campaign that is set to launch soon, as mentioned by the company in a statement.

“We believe that our association with one of India’s finest cricketers, Dhoni, will go a long way in reinforcing our commitment to the Indian market. His humility and dedication to excellence perfectly match our brand’s ideology. Our shared commitment to sustainability and shaping the future of mobility further enhances our connection, as stated by Citroen India Brand Director Shishir Mishra. Continue reading “Citroen appoints MS Dhoni as brand ambassador of India”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it has learned of nine additional incidents that raise concerns about the performance of Alphabet’s Waymo self-driving vehicles.

Earlier this month, the U.S. auto safety regulator opened an investigation after 22 reports of its robotaxis exhibiting driving behavior that potentially violated traffic safety laws, or demonstrating other “unexpected behavior,” including 17 collisions. Continue reading “US safety probe into Waymo self-driving vehicles finds more incidents”

(Reuters) – For chip designer Nvidia, the generative artificial intelligence boom is a gift that keeps on giving.

After riding a demand surge sparked by Big Tech’s rush to roll out chatbots, Nvidia now expects new AI models that are capable of creating video and engaging in human-like voice interactions to spur more orders for its graphics processors. Continue reading “AI-generated videos to drive more demand for Nvidia chips, CEO Huang says”

(Reuters) – Tesla has left out its goal of delivering 20 million vehicles a year by 2030 in its latest impact report published on Thursday, another sign the company was moving away from electric cars as it shifts focus to robotaxis.

CEO Elon Musk had said in 2020 that Tesla aspired to sell 20 million vehicles by the end of the current decade – twice as many as those sold by Toyota, the world’s largest automaker. It had reiterated the goal in its 2021 and 2022 impact reports. Continue reading “Tesla drops delivery goal of 20 million vehicles a year from latest report”

PARIS, (Reuters) – Tesla founder Elon Musk told tech investors in Paris on Thursday he opposed U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), an about-face from his January warning that trade barriers were needed or China would “demolish most other car companies in the world.”

On Thursday, Musk said he did not favour measures that distorted the market. Continue reading “Elon Musk now says he opposes US tariffs on Chinese EVs”

“WAF AutoNews” is World’s No.1 in World Auto News &  Auto Think Tank !!
Click Here to See for yourself.

INDIA

MG Motor India signs pact with Vertelo to deliver 3,000 EVs WAF

Volkswagen CFO: in concrete discussions over car partnerships in India WAF

India’s Pre-Owned Car Market Set To Reach 10.92 Million Units By FY2028: IBB Report 2023 car&bike Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (24th May 2024)”

Summary

• Volkswagen CFO: Indian market has clear potential
• Volkswagen CFO: in very good discussions on partnerships
• India accounted for 1% of Volkswagen deliveries in 2023

MUNICH, (Reuters) – Volkswagen is in concrete talks about partnering up on passenger car production in India, the group’s finance chief said on Thursday, adding it was tough to earn money in the market that still presents a “clear” opportunity. Continue reading “Volkswagen CFO: in concrete discussions over car partnerships in India”

SEOUL, (Reuters) – Kia Corp launched on Thursday the company’s first compact electric sports utility vehicle built on its dedicated EV platform, betting it can win over buyers through competitive pricing even as momentum in the global EV market stalls.

The EV3 is one of more than 31 electric models that Hyundai Motor Group – which includes Hyundai Motor Co, Kia Corp and premium brand Genesis – plans to introduce in the period through to 2030. Kia said in April that it aims to sell about 1.6 million EV units in 2030. Continue reading “Kia shrugs off slowing EV demand to launch compact electric SUV”