• Volksfest 2024, the Brand’s annual festive celebration extravaganza will commence on September 14th and culminate on 31st October, and can be availed across Volkswagen dealerships in India
• Avail exciting benefits and offers across the Volkswagen product range comprising of the Taigun, Virtus and Tiguan
• Bringing festivities closer to customers, the Brand will also be present across key markets in India at premium malls, offering customers curated experience and engagement zones
• This Volksfest customers can experience the ‘Trust Drive’, a unique concept for customers to test drive the safest Volkswagen they love and witness the impeccable confidence and capability these cars deliver
• Customers can also avail attractive benefits on Add-on warranty, Service Value Packages and Value-added services

Continue reading “Volkswagen India Drives in the Festive Season With The Launch of Volksfest 2024”

• Strengthens presence in Punjab and Chandigarh: the new touchpoint in Mohali enhances accessibility in Punjab with 11 sales and 7 service touchpoints in the state.
• German-engineered and safe product portfolio: Consumers in the state can opt for India’s safest product portfolio from Taigun and Virtus, along with the globally acclaimed Volkswagen Tiguan
• Commitment to offer exceptional customer service: Volkswagen Mohali is committed to offer world-class customer service and experience with their team of eight trained executives.

Mumbai: Volkswagen India has further bolstered its presence in Punjab with the inauguration of a new sales touchpoint in Mohali. This expansion further reinforces the Brand’s commitment to providing premium mobility solutions to its customers in the state. Continue reading “Volkswagen India Introduces a New Sales Touchpoint In Mohali, Punjab”

Summary

• Ford to restart output at India plant for export
• Type of manufacturing, export market not disclosed

BENGALURU, (Reuters) – Ford Motor said on Friday it plans to restart manufacturing at its factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, two years after it ended production in India, the world’s third-largest car market. Continue reading “Ford says to restart India production for exports after two-year gap”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – BYD, has significantly ramped up hiring, increasing its workforce to more than 900,000 people as of Friday, a senior manager said, making the Chinese electric vehicle giant one of the largest employers in the country.

The move comes as the Chinese government has been prioritising a push to create more jobs, for college graduates in particular as its economy falters. Continue reading “Chinese EV giant BYD ramps up hiring as Beijing prioritises employment”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China is disappointed at the EU Commission for ignoring efforts by industry to find solutions, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Friday, after the bloc rejected offers from electric vehicle makers for minimum import prices.

The European Commission said it had received offers from electric vehicle makers in China for minimum import prices into Europe as a way of avoiding hefty tariffs but had rejected them. Continue reading “China disappointed at EU ‘ignoring’ tariff efforts”

Summary

• USTR maintains tariffs of 100% on Chinese EVs, 50% on chips, 25% on batteries, steel
• USTR doubles duties on Chinese face masks, surgical gloves, syringes
• China tariff exclusions added on five machinery categories
• Industry groups warn of higher tariffs disrupting supply chains

(Reuters) – The Biden administration on Friday locked in steep tariff hikes on Chinese imports, including a 100% duty on electric vehicles, to boost protections for strategic industries from China’s state-driven industrial practices. Continue reading “US locks in steep China tariff hikes, some industries warn of disruptions”

(Reuters) – Uber Technologies on Friday it would expand its partnership with Alphabet’s Waymo to bring ride hailing to Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, early next year.

Shares of Uber rose 5%, while Alphabet was up around 2%. Continue reading “Uber, Waymo to expand autonomous ride hailing to Austin, Atlanta”

Summary

• Northvolt’s troubles trigger doubts about its ability to produce enough batteries for Europe
• Northvolt to buy cathode active materials from Asian suppliers, source says
• Delivery issues triggered BMW contract cancellation, sources says
• Northvolt’s struggles raise questions about future gigafactories and joint ventures, industry analysts say

STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Northvolt’s shock decision this week to shrink its operations and cut jobs has sparked fears that Europe’s best shot at a home-grown electric vehicle battery champion may stall, sector experts and people familiar with the situation told Reuters. Continue reading “Struggling Northvolt stokes fear for Europe’s battery future”

Source : PTI | Electric two-wheeler startup Warivo Motor India is looking to nearly double its topline to around INR 120 crore this fiscal on the back of its entry into high-speed electric-scooter segment, according to top company officials. The company, which has been present in low-speed (top speed of up to 25 kmph) so far, on Friday launched its high-speed scooter CRX with price starting at INR 79,999 (ex-showroom).

“Earlier, we were in the low-speed electric scooters segment. Now with the CRX, we are getting into the high-speed segment which will help us get more volumes.” Warivo Motor India CEO Shammi Sharma told PTI. Continue reading “Warivo forays into high-speed e-scooter segment, eyes INR 120 crore topline in FY25”

Source : PTI | Domestic passenger vehicle wholesales declined by about 2% year-on-year in August as companies curtailed dispatches to reduce inventory at dealers amid a drop in demand. According to data issued by the industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the total passenger vehicle dispatches in the domestic market stood at 3,52,921 units last month compared to 3,59,228 vehicles in August 2023, a dip of 1.8%.

Two-wheeler wholesales rose 9% to 17,11,662 units last month against 15,66,594 units in the year-ago period, it added. Continue reading “Passenger vehicle wholesales dip 2% in August as OEMs cut dispatches”

Monthly Performance: August 2024

Production: The total production of Passenger Vehicles, Three Wheelers, Two Wheelers, and Quadricycle in August 2024 was 24,91,263 units

Domestic Sales:

• Passenger Vehicles sales were 3,52,921 units in August 2024.
• Three-wheeler sales were 69,962 units in August 2024.
• Two-wheeler sales were 17,11,662 units in August 2024.

Continue reading “SIAM Motor Vehicle Data-Aug-2024”

National, September 12, 2024: Tata Power EV Charging Solutions Limited, one of India’s largest EV Charging solutions providers and a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (a subsidiary of Tata Power), today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Motors Limited (Tata Motors), India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, to set up 200 fast-charging stations for electric commercial vehicles (CV) in all metros cities viz.  Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata. This strategic move expands their ongoing collaboration, in providing sustainable mobility solutions, with a focus on easy charging solutions for small electric commercial vehicles.

As part of this initiative, Tata Motors and Tata Power will provide exclusive charging tariffs for Tata Motors’ electric CV owners, resulting in lower operating costs and increased profitability for its customers. Electric CV users across the Country, will soon benefit from access to almost 1000 strategically located fast chargers, with the planned expansion of the charging network. Continue reading “Tata Power Renewable Energy and Tata Motors sign a MoU to set up 200 fast-charging stations for electric commercial vehicles”

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – The European Commission said on Thursday it had received offers from electric vehicle makers in China for minimum import prices into the European Union as a way of avoiding tariffs, but had rejected all of them.

The Commission, which is conducting an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-built EVs, said several EV exporters had submitted price undertakings – a commitment by an exporter to respect minimum import prices in order to offset subsidies. Continue reading “EU rejects minimum price offers from Chinese EV exporters”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly voted on Thursday to approve legislation to tighten rules limiting Chinese content in vehicles qualifying for U.S. electric vehicle tax credits.

The House voted 217 to 192 to approve the bill, which has not been taken up by the Senate, to tighten the definition of Chinese components that make vehicles ineligible for U.S. EV tax credits. Continue reading “US House passes bill targeting China that would limit EV tax credits”

WASHINGTON/DETROIT, (Reuters) – General Motors is in talks to buy electric vehicle batteries that would use technology from China’s CATL and be assembled at a new plant in the United States, a person briefed on the matter confirmed on Thursday.

Crosstown rival Ford Motor already plans to license CATL technology to produce low-cost lithium-iron batteries at a battery plant it is building in Michigan under a plan announced in February 2023. Continue reading “GM in talks to buy EV batteries built with Chinese tech in US, source says”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways Secretary Anurag Jain on Thursday pitched for scrapping of pre-BS era vehicles, especially commercial heavy vehicles, citing pollution and safety issues. Bharat Stage (BS) norms were introduced in the country in 2000.

“If look at pre-BS vehicles, these do so much of pollution. The vehicles which are from before 2000 do pollution 15 times (more). Do you think such vehicles should run when there is so much of problems happening in our country due to pollution,” Jain said. Continue reading “Pre-Bharat stage vehicles should be scrapped, says top official”

Source : PTI | Electric two-wheeler buyers can avail a maximum subsidy of up to INR 10,000 in the first year of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme to be rolled out soon, Union Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy said on Thursday. Addressing a media briefing, Kumaraswamy said the subsidy under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme for electric two-wheelers has been fixed based on battery power at INR 5,000 per kilowatt hour but the overall incentive will not exceed INR 10,000 in the first year.

In the second year, it will be halved by INR 2,500 per kilowatt hour, and the overall benefit will not exceed INR 5,000.

Continue reading “Electric two-wheeler buyers can avail subsidy of up to INR 10,000 in first year of PM E-DRIVE: Min”

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Volkswagen has entered into a cooperation with the German start-up Revoltech GmbH from Darmstadt. The aim is to research and develop sustainable materials based on industrial hemp. These could be used as a sustainable surface material in Volkswagen models from 2028. The material made from 100% bio-based hemp uses residues of the regional hemp industry. It can be produced on existing industrial plants and recycled or composted at the end of its service life in an automobile. The first presentations of the innovative material have already received a very positive response and feedback from customers.

Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Technical Development: “In our search for new materials, we are very open to new ideas from many different industries. At Technical Development, we place a strong focus on innovative, creative and sustainable solutions for holistic, resource-saving vehicle development.” Continue reading “Imitation leather from industrial hemp: innovative and sustainable material for future car interiors”

Source : PTI | Automobile dealers using demonstration vehicles or demo cars for promoting sales can claim input tax credit (ITC) under the GST law, the has said. However, no ITC would be available if demo cars are used by dealers for their own purpose during the course of the business.

In a circular, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said authorised dealers are required to maintain demo vehicles at their sales outlet as per dealership norms which are used for providing trial runs and for demonstrating features of the vehicle to the potential buyers.

Continue reading “Automobile dealers can claim ITC on demo cars used for promoting sales: CBIC”

(Reuters) – The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary investigation into some electric vehicles manufactured by Vietnam’s VinFast, it said on Thursday, over reports that the Lane Keep Assist System was not functioning correctly.

The investigation into about 3,118 VinFast vehicles follows allegations in 14 reports by drivers of VinFast 2023 and 2024 models that the system “has difficulty detecting lanes on the roadway, provides improper steering inputs and is difficult to override by the driver”, NHTSA said in a statement. Continue reading “US auto safety regulator opens probe into some VinFast cars”

ROME, (Reuters) – Stellantis said on Thursday it would suspend production of the fully electric Fiat 500 small car for four weeks due to sluggish demand.

The global slowdown in sales of electric vehicles (EVs), partly due to diverging policies on green incentives, has pushed automakers worldwide to adjust their EV plans.

“The measure is necessary due to the current lack of orders linked to the deep difficulties experienced in the European electric (car) market by all producers, particularly the European ones,” Stellantis said in a statement. Continue reading “Stellantis pauses production of electric Fiat 500 due to poor demand”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao will visit Europe in the coming days for discussions on the European Union’s anti-subsidy case against China-made electric vehicles (EVs) as a vote on imposing more EV tariffs looms.

Wang will hold talks with the European Commission’s Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on Sept. 19, a spokesperson at the Chinese ministry said at a regular news conference. Continue reading “China’s commerce minister to visit EU as EV tariff vote looms”

MILAN, (Reuters) – Chinese carmaker Chery Auto is ready to spend billions of euros to ensure its Omoda and Jaecoo brands are embraced by European customers within three years, the head of the two brands for the Italian market told Reuters.

Chery Auto is launching Omoda and Jaecoo in Europe this year, with an initial focus on petrol engine vehicles. After sales started in Spain, Italy, Poland and Britain, more countries will be added in the coming months, as well as hybrid and fully electric models. Continue reading “China’s Chery plans investment drive to build Omoda, Jaecoo brands in Europe”

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – China’s commerce ministry has warned the country’s carmakers of the risks of making auto-related investments overseas at a recent meeting, said two people briefed about the matter, as they seek global expansion to counter slowing growth in their home market.

At a meeting held in early July, the ministry told local carmakers not to invest in India, citing a directive from the central government, “strongly advised” against investing in Russia and Turkey, and used a more gentle tone to highlight risks in building factories in Europe and Thailand, one of the people said. Continue reading “China warns carmakers of risks in building plants overseas, sources say”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – General Motors and Hyundai Motor Co said on Thursday they have agreed to explore future collaboration across key strategic areas including potential joint vehicle development, supply chain issues and clean-energy technologies.

The U.S. and Korean automakers said they had signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to consider ways to “leverage their complementary scale and strengths to reduce costs and bring a wider range of vehicles and technologies to customers faster.” Continue reading “GM, Hyundai Motor to explore joint vehicle development projects”

FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – Volkswagen and union IG Metall will start talks at the end of September over a new labour agreement for six of its German plants after a job security scheme was cancelled by the carmaker earlier this week.

Europe’s top carmaker has clashed with workers over proposals to shut German factories for the first time in its history, which are suffering from high labour and energy costs as well as intensifying competition. Continue reading “Volkswagen, IG Metall union to start talks about new labour deal a month early”

Source : PTI | For 98.1 per cent of respondents from Bengaluru, EV transition of fleets by companies is ‘very important’ to ‘somewhat important’ in reducing air pollution and emissions, according to a study released by Sustainability Mobility Network (SMN) on Monday. The study, ‘Consumer Perceptions & Insights in the Last Mile Delivery Sector for the Transition to Electric Vehicles (EV)’, has also concluded that more than 80 per cent of respondents from Bengaluru are willing to switch to a brand with strong emission reduction commitments.

Last-mile delivery refers to the transportation of goods from its distribution hub to the door of the customer. As of 2024, the last mile delivery sector alone is responsible for the emission of 5 lakh tonnes of CO2, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Continue reading “98.1% Bengaluru respondents push for EV transition of fleets for last mile delivery: Study”

Source : PTI | JSW MG Motor India intends to move away from conventional internal combustion engine vehicles as it focuses on new energy vehicles for the future, company Director Parth Jindal said on Wednesday. The company, which on Wednesday launched its electric crossover utility vehicle ‘MG Windsor’ — the first launch after JSW Group invested in MG Motor India — has set a target to introduce a new car every four to six months and is eyeing over 50 per cent of its total sales to come from electric vehicles in 2024.

“We want to bank on the new energy vehicles (NEVs). So, whether that is strong hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery electric vehicles, these will be the cornerstone of MG going forward,” Jindal said in an interaction with reporters on the sidelines of the launch. Continue reading “Intend to move away from conventional vehicles, focus on NEVs: JSW MG Motor Director Parth Jindal”

BENGALURU, (Reuters) – Ford Motor held talks with India’s Tamil Nadu state to explore producing vehicles for export, the state’s chief minister said, potentially signalling that the U.S. carmaker could restart production in India after exiting the country three years ago.

Ford stopped producing cars in India for domestic sale in 2021 after struggling to boost volumes and pulled the plug on exports in 2022, effectively exiting the world’s third-largest car market which is dominated by Asian rivals. Continue reading “Ford in talks to restart making cars in India for export, minister says”

BANGKOK, (Reuters) – As sales of electric vehicles miss expectations in Southeast Asia’s largest market, Thailand’s main group of manufacturers, comprising large Chinese and Japanese firms, seeks to extend production deadlines set in a government scheme of incentives.

The scheme helped lure investment of more than $1.44 billion in new production facilities from Chinese EV car makers, such as BYD Motors and Great Wall Motor making Thailand a regional hub in turning out electric vehicles (EVs). Continue reading “Exclusive: Thailand’s EV makers seek to renegotiate govt incentives as sales slow”

Summary

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visits China
• He says EU should reconsider import tariffs on Chinese EVs
• Sanchez says EU and China should find a compromise

KUNSHAN, China, (Reuters) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday the European Union should reconsider proposed import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, and urged Brussels and Beijing to find a compromise that avoids a trade war. Continue reading “Spanish PM urges EU to reconsider tariffs on Chinese EVs”

(Reuters) – Stellantis said on Wednesday it would invest more than $406 million in three facilities in Michigan to develop a platform that can be shared for both electric and hybrid vehicles.

One of the facilities, the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, would become its first in the U.S. to build fully EVs, the Chrysler-parent said. Continue reading “Stellantis to invest over $406 mln in Michigan plants in EV, hybrid push”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Germany’s largest industrial union, IG Metall, demanded a pay rise of 7% for almost four million workers in the country’s auto, electrical and metal industries as collective bargaining talks got under way on Wednesday.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT?

IG Metall has said it is prepared to strike alongside the talks, potentially piling more pressure on manufacturers already faced with the threat of de-industrialisation, as Europe’s biggest economy struggles to remain competitive as a business location. Continue reading “German union ready to strike as industrial sector pay talks start”

Summary

• BMW now expects EBIT margin of 6-7% in 2024
• Continental says some braking systems need to be replaced
• BMW shares down 11.7%, Continental shares down 10%

(Reuters) – BMW cut its 2024 profit margin outlook on Tuesday due to sluggish demand in its key Chinese market and problems related to a braking system supplied by Continental sending the carmaker’s shares to a near two-year low. Continue reading “BMW cuts 2024 outlook on Continental brake issues, shares plunge”

(Reuters) – Lawmakers in the most populous U.S. state approved a proposal that requires automakers selling internet-connected cars to do more to protect domestic abuse survivors, in what appears to be the first measure in the nation addressing the issue to pass a legislature.

As automakers add ever more sophisticated technology to their cars, instances of stalking and harassment using features such as location tracking and remote controls have begun to emerge. Continue reading “California passes requirements on carmakers and domestic violence”

Summary

• Redundancies possible at six plants from June 2025
• “We must enable Volkswagen to reduce costs,” executive says
• Works council vows resistance
• VW open to bringing talks with unions forward

FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – Volkswagen said on Tuesday it was scrapping a range of labour agreements including a guarantee of jobs until 2029 at six German plants, raising the prospect of redundancies from next year that worker representatives have vowed to resist. Continue reading “Volkswagen scraps decades-old job guarantees, paving way for lay-offs”

Source : PTI  | For 98.1 per cent of respondents from Bengaluru, EV transition of fleets by companies is ‘very important’ to ‘somewhat important’ in reducing air pollution and emissions, according to a study released by Sustainability Mobility Network (SMN) on Monday. The study, ‘Consumer Perceptions & Insights in the Last Mile Delivery Sector for the Transition to Electric Vehicles (EV)’, has also concluded that more than 80 per cent of respondents from Bengaluru are willing to switch to a brand with strong emission reduction commitments.

Last-mile delivery refers to the transportation of goods from its distribution hub to the door of the customer. As of 2024, the last mile delivery sector alone is responsible for the emission of 5 lakh tonnes of CO2, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.

Continue reading “98.1% Bengaluru respondents push for EV transition of fleets for last mile delivery: Study”

Summary

• BMW now expects EBIT margin of 6-7% in 2024
• Continental says some braking systems need to be replaced
• BMW shares down 11.7%, Continental shares down 10%

(Reuters) – BMW cut its 2024 profit margin outlook on Tuesday due to sluggish demand in its key Chinese market and problems related to a braking system supplied by Continental, sending the carmaker’s shares to a near two-year low. Continue reading “BMW cuts 2024 outlook on Continental brake issues, shares plunge”