WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A U.S. regulator said on Monday it is proposing a requirement that some future vehicles be redesigned to reduce the risks of serious or fatal injuries in crashes involving pedestrians amid a rise in such deaths.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the new rule aims to reduce fatalities for pedestrians who strike the hoods of vehicles, especially in pickup trucks and large SUVs that do not currently meet international pedestrian protections standards. Continue reading “US proposes new vehicle requirement to reduce pedestrian deaths”

Summary

• Company to focus on core battery business at Sweden plant
• Possible layoffs planned
• German, Canadian, south Sweden plants could face delay
• Global EV growth slower than expected

STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Battery maker Northvolt said on Monday it would suspend cathode active material production at its gigafactory in Sweden and cut costs under a plan that could lead to job losses as the company scales back its rapid expansion. Continue reading “Swedish battery maker Northvolt mulls job cuts as it seeks to save costs”

KINOKAWA, Japan, (Reuters) – Japanese Tesla supplier Panasonic Energy has finalised preparations for the mass-production of its high-capacity electric-vehicle batteries, the company said on Monday, as it seeks to start supplying the cell to automakers.

Panasonic Energy’s renovated plant in the western prefecture of Wakayama will serve as the main factory for producing the 4680 cells, which the company says have five times the capacity of its smaller 2170 cylindrical batteries. Continue reading “Tesla-supplier Panasonic Energy prepares for high-capacity EV battery production”

Summary

• Demand for plug-in hybrids surges as EV take-up slows
• Some plug-in hybrids require more PGMs than petrol cars
• PGM market volatility could pick up if supply curtailed

LONDON, (Reuters) – A surge in sales of hybrid cars as electric vehicle take-up slows is set to provide an unexpected boost to demand for platinum group metals (PGMs) in the coming years, similar to the extended lifespan now predicted for coal. Continue reading “Hybrid cars throw lifeline to platinum metals”

Source : PTI | Tolins Tyres Ltd on Friday announced that it has mopped-up INR 69 crore from anchor investors ahead of its initial share-sale opening for public subscription. BofA Securities Europe SA, NAV Capital VCC, Chhatisgarh Investments, Ashika Global Securities, Moneywise Financial Services, Vikasa India EIF I Fund, Invicta Continuum Fund I and Steptrade Revolution Fund are the anchor investors that have been allotted shares.

The company allotted a total 30.53 lakh shares to these investors at INR 226 apiece, which is also the upper-end of the price band. This aggregates the transaction size to INR 69 crore, according to a circular uploaded on BSE’s website.

Continue reading “Tolins Tyres garners INR 69 cr from anchor investors ahead of IPO”

Source : PTI | New Delhi:Auto parts manufacturer Kross Ltd on Friday said it has mobilised INR 150 crore from anchor investors ahead of its initial public offering (IPO). EastSpring Investments, Mathews Asia Funds, LIC Mutual Fund (MF), ICICI Prudential MF, Axis MF, Kotak Mahindra MF, Motilal Oswal MF, Edelweiss MF and Max Life Insurance Company are among the anchor investors.

According to a circular uploaded on BSE’s website, Kross Ltd around INR 150 crore from 19 funds including mutual funds by allotting 62.49 lakh equity shares at INR 240 per equity share — the upper end of the price band. Continue reading “Kross raises INR 150 cr from anchor investors ahead of IPO”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India has approved the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund’s (NIIF) proposal to acquire an additional stake in Ather Energy. The deal was cleared by the competition watchdog under the green channel route.

“The acquirer (India-Japan Fund) proposes to acquire certain Series G Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares of Ather,” the regulator said in an order.

Continue reading “NIIF gets CCI’s clearance to acquire additional stake in Ather Energy”

PARIS, (Reuters) – Europe’s autos industry could face fines of 15 billion euros ($17.4 billion) for carbon emissions due to slowing demand for electric vehicles, Renault CEO Luca de Meo said on Saturday.

Automakers face tougher EU CO2 targets in 2025 as the cap on average emissions from new vehicles sales falls to 94 grams/km from 116 g/km in 2024. Continue reading “Renault CEO says sector could face billions in fines as EV sales slow”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Chrysler parent Stellantis said Saturday it is recalling 1.46 million vehicles worldwide due to a software malfunction in the anti-lock brake system that can increase the risk of a crash.

The recall includes nearly 1.23 million Ram 1500 trucks from the 2019 and 2021-2024 model years in the United States, as well as about 159,000 vehicles in Canada, 13,000 in Mexico and 61,000 outside North America. Continue reading “Chrysler parent Stellantis recalls 1.46 million vehicles worldwide”

FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – Volkswagen’s CEO, who is pushing for unprecedented cutbacks in the German carmaker’s home market, said change was needed because the European market is shrinking while competition is increasing.

Speaking in an interview in Sunday paper Bild am Sonntag, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said “the pie has become smaller, and we have more guests at the table”. Continue reading “VW boss says European market shrinking amid tougher competition”

(Reuters) – Elon Musk denied a report that his artificial intelligence startup xAI has held talks for a share in future Tesla revenue in return for giving Musk’s electric vehicle maker access to xAI’s technology and resources.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Tesla would license xAI’s artificial-intelligence models to help power its driver-assistance software, full self-driving technology and share some of that revenue with the startup, according to the proposed arrangement as described to investors. Continue reading “Musk denies report his xAI in talks over Tesla revenue”

Summary

• Hires consultants for cost feasibility study, sources say
• Eyes plant will initial capacity of 250,000 EVs, source says
• Hires ex-BYD India exec Gopalakrishnan as adviser, sources says

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – India’s Reliance Infrastructure is considering plans to manufacture electric cars and batteries, and has hired a former India executive at China’s BYD Co to advise on its plans, two sources briefed on the matter told Reuters. Continue reading “Exclusive: India’s Reliance Infra weighs EV push, taps ex-BYD exec, sources say”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Japan’s Toyota Motor has slashed its electric vehicle production plans for 2026 by a third, the Nikkei business daily reported, becoming the latest automaker to roll back electric car plans as EV sales momentum wanes.

The world’s biggest automaker now plans to build 1 million EVs in 2026, compared with the company’s earlier announced sales target of 1.5 million, it said. Continue reading “Toyota cuts 2026 global EV output plans by a third, Nikkei reports”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A bipartisan group of lawmakers asked the CEOs of six major auto parts retailers if they bought products from a Chinese company that may have evaded U.S. tariffs, according to letters seen by Reuters on Friday.

Representative John Moolenaar, a Republican who chairs a House panel on China, and the committee’s top Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, along with other lawmakers, asked AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Genuine Parts, Advance Auto Parts, First Brands Group, and Factory Motor Parts to address concerns they are purchasing parts from China’s Qingdao Sunsong and its U.S.-based subsidiary. Continue reading “Lawmakers probe if US retailers bought Chinese auto parts that evaded tariffs”

Summary

• Profits from China have halved in a decade
• Europe’s car market is shrinking
• VW brand margins hit by high costs, price cuts

BERLIN/FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – In May, Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), opens new tab finance chief Arno Antlitz warned that Europe’s top carmaker had about two or three years to prepare for cut-throat competition from abroad, mainly China. Continue reading “China, price cuts and costs: the fuel driving Volkswagen’s crisis”

Source : PTI | German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz India on Thursday said India has the potential to become one of the top five markets for its Maybach brand of cars in sales volume. Launching the electric version of its first-ever all-electric Mercedes-Maybach in India, the company’s managing director and CEO Santosh Iyer said the launch of the new car models -Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV manifests the firm’s ambition to lead in digital and electric mobility with a focus on ultra-luxury segment.

The Maybach EQS 680 SUV starts at INR 2.25 crore onwards (all India ex-showroom). Continue reading “India to become one of top five markets for Maybach brand: Mercedes”

New Delhi – September 6^th, 2024 : Revfin, India’s leading EV financing company, has advanced its sustainable mobility strategy by taking over 15,000 vehicles, valued at Rs. 100 Crore, operating on the SUN Mobility platform. This significant move highlights Revfin’s dedication to accelerating electric vehicle adoption and transforming fleet operations across India. The portfolio is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing Revfin’s operations and influence in the country. The announcement was jointly made by Mr. Sameer Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Revfin and Anant Badjatya, CEO of SUN Mobility, underscoring the collaborative efforts between the two companies to advance the electric mobility agenda.

This deal not only broadens Revfin’s operational footprint but also reinforces Revfin’s commitment to expanding its mobility business vertical, with a strategic focus on driving EV adoption among fleet operators. Continue reading “Revfin Accelerates EV Expansion with Takeover of 15,000 Vehicles operating on SUN Mobility’s Platform”

Source : PTI | Travel booking platform EasyMyTrip.com on Thursday announced it is venturing into the electric bus manufacturing market through its new subsidiary Easy Green Mobility. Easy Green Mobility will manufacture EV buses, with YoloBus (another subsidiary of EaseMyTrip) serving as its operating arm.

EaseMyTrip is investing INR 200 crore for extensive R&D, product development, and setting up a manufacturing plant over a period of 2-3 years.

Continue reading “EaseMyTrip ventures into electric bus manufacturing”

Summary

• Unions urge VW execs to the negotiating table
• Carmaker threatens plant closures, end to job guarantees
• Union open to discuss all alternatives
• 4-day week, in place in 90s, was ‘conceivable’ option

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Germany’s biggest union pledged to leave no idea unexplored, including a move to a four-day week, to counter Volkswagen management’s threat of closing domestic plants for the first time in its history and dissolving decades-old job guarantees. Continue reading “Unions pledge to leave ‘no idea unexplored’ in tackling VW crisis”

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• Volkswagen India announced its partnership with Red Bull to showcase sporty athleticism of the Taigun GT Plus Sport as it propelled renowned wakeboarder Dominik Hernler’s historic jump
• Dominik Hernler, Red Bull’s top wakeboard athlete, achieved the historic feat in the backwaters of Kerala, jumping over five traditional snake boats
• Volkswagen’s association with Red Bull for this feat, is core to the DNA of the Taigun which is best known for its power and precision handling while accelerating over smooth and rough surfaces

Mumbai: Volkswagen India announced its partnership with Red Bull and its top wakeboarding athlete Dominik Hernler, in his attempt to create history with a momentous jump over five traditional snake boats in the backwaters of Kerala. Powering Hernler’s brilliance, the Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport displayed extreme performance, accelerating powerfully over smooth and rough surfaces. Continue reading “Volkswagen India Partners With Red Bull Showcasing Sporty Athleticism at Its Best With Wakeboarder Dominik Hernler’s Historic Feat”

Summary

• CEO cites market conditions, plans to reapply for DOE loan later
• Company faces financial stress amid 83% drop in lithium prices
• Piedmont cancels Tennessee project, N.Carolina plans face delays
• Company selling shares in Ghana project, seeks to offload supply

(Reuters) – Piedmont Lithium has pulled its application for a debt package from a popular U.S. government loan program and is scaling back ambitious expansion plans across two continents, as tumbling prices of the electric vehicle battery metal force the U.S. miner to conserve cash. Continue reading “Piedmont Lithium pulls US government loan application as prices slump”

(Reuters) – Tesla shares rose 2.6% before the bell on Thursday after the electric automaker stuck to its plans to launch the Full Self-Driving (FSD) advanced driver assistance software in China and Europe pending approval from regulators.

This comes about a month ahead of the company’s unveiling of its robotaxi product, “Cybercab”, underpinned by the technology that helps drivers accelerate, brake and steer in cities and highways with human supervision. Continue reading “Tesla shares gain on plans to launch Full Self-Driving in Europe, China”

STUTTGART, (Reuters) – Daimler Truck expects a further slowdown in demand for commercial vehicles and its new CEO must take measures to adjust for that, the German company’s Chairman Joe Kaeser said on Thursday.

“Our profitability is not yet where competitors are, that has to change in the medium to long term”, Kaeser told a press conference after Karin Radstrom was announced as the company’s next CEO late on Wednesday. Continue reading “New CEO must adapt Daimler Truck to weaker market, chairman says”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – BMW aims to bring its first hydrogen-powered vehicle onto the market in 2028, using fuel cell technology developed with Toyota Motor Corp, the German carmaker said on Thursday.

The company said the vehicle would be an existing model with a hydrogen fuel cell drive option, without giving further details. It also did not give details on price or production volume. Continue reading “BMW plans to bring its first hydrogen car onto the market from 2028”

(Reuters) – Swedish automaker Volvo Cars slashed its margin and revenue ambitions for a second time in a year on Thursday, a day after it abandoned its EV-only target as the impact of tariffs and reduced demand for electric vehicles continue to hurt.

Slowing demand for EVs, partly due to a lack of affordable models, as well as the effects of EU, U.S. and Canadian tariffs on electric cars made in China have made market conditions increasingly difficult for automakers. Continue reading “Volvo Cars scales back margin and revenue ambitions”

Source : PTI | New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday stressed on the need to bring startups into the green hydrogen sector to bring new ideas and involve youth. Addressing a curtain raiser of the second International Conference on Green Hydrogen India 2024, Joshi said that there will be over 120 exhibitors in the event which is scheduled on September 11-13, 2024 in Delhi.

He said for pushing green hydrogen mission, we need to bring startups as it needs young blood and new ideas. Continue reading “Need to bring startups to boost green hydrogen: Pralhad Joshi”

Source : PTI | Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said two-wheeler manufacturers should provide helmet to the purchaser of the vehicle at a discount or reasonable rate as many people die in road accidents just for not wearing helmets. Addressing an event here, Gadkari said 50,029 people lost their lives in accidents in the country in 2022 when they were not wearing helmets.

“I am thinking of requesting two-wheeler manufacturers… if they can give some reasonable discount on helmets to the purchaser of the vehicle then we can save the life of the people,” he said. Continue reading “Two-wheeler makers should provide helmets to vehicle buyers at a discount: Nitin Gadkari”

(Reuters) – The United Auto Workers said on Wednesday that a battery manufacturing joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution has agreed to recognize the union at a Tennessee plant.

The UAW said a majority of the employees at the Ultium Cells facility signed cards to join the UAW and the company had agreed to recognize the union after workers at an Ohio Ultium plant overwhelmingly voted to join the union in 2022 and won a new contract earlier this year with significant wage hikes. Continue reading “GM battery joint venture agrees to recognize UAW at Tennessee plant”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Wednesday it has closed an engineering analysis into General Motors prior recall of more than 1.3 million of its vehicles in the United States for seat belt issues.

NHTSA first opened a probe in 2019 into GM’s 2014 recall over the detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor Continue reading “NHTSA closes probe into GM recall of 1.3 million vehicles over seat belt issues”

Summary

• Volvo Cars drops 2030 as target for fully electric lineup
• Says plug-in hybrids will be critical part of profit growth
• Demand for EV’s has slowed
• Shares fall more than 7%

STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Swedish automaker Volvo Cars scrapped its target of going all electric by 2030 on Wednesday, saying it now expected to still be offering some hybrid models in its lineup at that time. Continue reading “Volvo Cars abandons 2030 EV-only target”

Summary

• VW executives, workers meet at company headquarters
• Carmaker wants to end job guarantees, close plants
• Unions vow resistance
• Investors say company must make tough choices

WOLFSBURG, Germany, (Reuters) – Volkswagen has “one, maybe two” years to turn its main car brand around, its finance chief said on Wednesday, as the auto giant weighs its first ever plant closures in Germany and its powerful unions threaten a fight. Continue reading “Volkswagen warns time running out as it clashes with workers over cuts”

SAO PAULO, (Reuters) – General Motors said on Wednesday that it would begin producing its first-ever hybrid-flex vehicles that can run on 100% ethanol or gasoline alongside their batteries in Brazil.

Rival automakers Stellantis and Honda ave also announced plans this year to launch hybrid-flex vehicles in the South American country, where most cars can run on 100% biofuel made from sugarcane or corn due to the strength of its large ethanol industry. Continue reading “GM to launch its first ethanol-capable hybrid-flex vehicles in Brazil”

Summary

• BYD’s expansion in Japan hindered by consumer scepticism
• Automaker faces subsidy cuts in Japan, increase in marketing costs
• BYD aims for 100 quick chargers in Japan by end of next year

YOKOHAMA, Japan, (Reuters) – BYD is rolling out electric-vehicle charging stations and ramping up marketing and customer incentives in Japan, aiming to boost sales in a market that has become a stumbling block in the Chinese automaker’s global expansion. Continue reading “BYD’s global expansion push runs into stiff Japan test”

Electric vehicles (EVs)  have swept the automotive industry and are slowly taking over. EVs are a more efficient, sustainable, and economical transportation option. The demand for EVs has only increased due to the sustainability factor and the significantly reduced carbon footprint. According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), there were about 10 million electric cars in 2010 and this number is only going to increase.

As EVs are fairly new in the market, building customer trust is an essential factor. Delivering a machine that works efficiently is important. Through this blog we will be talking about pre-delivery inspections (PDI), the transition from traditional delivery inspections to software-driven inspections and their benefits. Continue reading “Automating EV Delivery Inspections: Benefits of Software-Driven Automation”

(Reuters) – Automaker Stellantis on Tuesday named Bob Broderdorf as the head of Jeep North America.

Broderdorf, who previously served as senior vice president for the company’s Ram brand operations and head of sales operations at Dodge, will now be overseeing strategy, sales and marketing for Jeep in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Continue reading “Stellantis names new head of Jeep North America, makes other executive changes”

Summary

• China plans anti-dumping probe into Canola imports from Canada
• Beijing will also look at some Canadian chemical imports
• Investigation follows Canadian tariffs on Chinese EV imports
• China is world’s biggest oilseed importer
• Canada accounts for majority of China’s canola imports

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China said on Tuesday it planned to start an anti-dumping investigation into canola imports from Canada, after Ottawa moved to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, lifting prices of domestic rapeseed oil futures to a one-month peak. Continue reading “China hits Canada with anti-dumping probe on canola imports, Ottawa deeply concerned”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India on Tuesday said it has donated INR 3 crore to the PM CARES fund for flood relief across various states. The company’s contribution aims to support the government’s relief and rebuilding efforts across the country, the auto major said in a statement.

“We stand in solidarity with the individuals and families affected by the recent natural calamities. In times of crisis, it is a collective responsibility to stand together and rebuild,” Maruti Suzuki India MD and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said.

Continue reading “Maruti contributes INR 3 cr to PM CARES fund for flood relief”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Monday called gig workers of food delivery companies as ‘Pradushan Yodha’ (warriors against pollution) as he spoke about the importance of electric vehicles. Addressing thousands of delivery partners, commonly known as ‘gig workers’, at an event organised by delivery companies Zomato and Blinkit at Talkatora Stadium, he called them the backbone of India’s economy.

“You are ensuring that millions of people can receive household essentials in minutes and enjoy meals from their favourite restaurants with just a click. Your dedication keeps our cities running smoothly.

Continue reading “Delhi transport minister calls gig workers ‘Pradushan Yodha’, exhorts them to adopt EVs”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: In a bid to ensure road discipline on highways and roads, the S. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih directed Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala to apprise the court of the steps taken to comply with Section 136A read with Rule 167A of the Motor Vehicles Act.

It said after the state government and Union territories decide about the use of electronic enforcement devices for issuance of challans, they shall ensure that fines for violation of provisions of the MV Act are made based on footage from electronic devices.

Continue reading “SC directs states to implement provision for electronically monitoring speeding vehicles”