Bangalore – May 26^th, 2026: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) yesterday announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka to expand its operations in India by establishing the “TKM Bizintel Hub” at KWIN City, Bangalore. This initiative reflects the strong collaboration and a shared commitment to strengthening engineering capabilities and digital innovation.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Shri. Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Dr. M.B. Patil, Honorable Minister, Large and Medium Industries, Government of Karnataka and senior ministers along-with senior officials from Toyota Kirloskar Motor. Continue reading “Toyota Kirloskar Motor Signs Strategic MoU with Government of Karnataka to Establish “TKM Bizintel Hub””

Source : PTI | The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is stepping up efforts to strengthen last-mile connectivity across its network, with nearly 92,000 commuters using services such as e-autos, bike taxis, public bicycles and e-rickshaws every day.

Speaking about the challenge of ensuring seamless travel beyond metro stations, DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar said the corporation has partnered with several mobility providers and is exploring newer alternatives to make commuting more convenient for passengers. Continue reading “DMRC expands last-mile network, eyes more commuter-friendly mobility options”

Source : PTI | India’s transportation fuel demand growth is expected to slow sharply in the second half of 2026 as government-led fuel conservation measures, elevated crude oil prices and a weakening rupee weigh on mobility and consumption trends, according to energy analysts.

Petrol and diesel prices have been hiked by about ₹5 per litre each in three instalments since May 15 as oil companies passed on a part of soaring international oil prices to consumers. The price hikes came just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens and government departments to conserve fuel, encourage remote working and reduce non-essential travel as elevated energy prices pressure foreign exchange reserves and threaten to widen the current account deficit.

Continue reading “Fuel austerity clouds demand outlook; India’s annual product growth forecast cut 40%”

Source : PTI | Hindalco Industries on Monday said its aluminium exports to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, have marginally gone up after the company filled the supply gaps created by West Asia crisis.

Nearly 70 per cent of the company’s aluminium is absorbed by the robust domestic market and exports are 25-30 per cent.

As per the company, outbound shipments have inched up as the company took the opportunity from the West Asia crisis, exporting aluminium at good prices. Continue reading “Aluminium exports to Japan, Korea and Taiwan rise marginally after West Asia supply gaps: Hindalco”

Source : PTI | Petrol prices were raised by ₹2.61 a litre and diesel by ₹2.71 on Monday, the fourth increase in less than two weeks that extended a delayed pass-through of soaring global crude oil costs triggered by the Iran conflict.

The latest increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly ₹7.5 per litre.

In Delhi, petrol prices rose to ₹102.12 per litre from ₹99.51, while diesel climbed to ₹95.20 from ₹92.49, according to industry sources. Continue reading “Petrol tops ₹100 across most cities, diesel nears ₹100 as prices raised for fourth time”

Source : PTI | The Gujarat government on Monday appealed to citizens to not indulge in panic buying of petrol and diesel, asserting that sufficient fuel stock is available across the state.

Supplies remain normal despite rumours of shortages circulating on social media, it added. Continue reading “Gujarat asks citizens not to resort to panic fuel buying”

BANGKOK, (Reuters) – Car production in ​Thailand dropped to its lowest level ‌in five years in April, the Federation of Thai Industries said on Monday, due to export disruptions ​from the war in the Middle ​East and higher energy prices.

• Auto production dropped ⁠0.44% in April from a year earlier ​to 103,794 units, following a 2.69% rise ​in March.
• Domestic sales rose 2.54%, partly from bookings at the Bangkok Motor Show, coming in at 48,394 ​vehicles, said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, president of the ​FTI auto club, at a press conference.
• Thailand auto exports ‌dropped ⁠8.43% to 60,190 units.
• Thailand is Southeast Asia’s biggest auto production centre. It is an export base for some of the world’s ​top carmakers, ​including Toyota, ⁠Honda and Chinese brands like BYD and Great Wall Motors, who ​have invested in recent years to ​supply ⁠locally and to export markets.
• The FTI maintained its forecast that car production will rise by ⁠3% ​to 1.5 million units in ​2026, after a 0.9% dip to 1.455 million last ​year.

Continue reading “Thailand car production falls to lowest level in five years in April”

Summary

• EV to cost 550,000 euros, deliveries to start in Q4
• Luce is Ferrari’s first five-seater, has large trunk
• EV has top speed of over 310 km/h, range over 500 km

ROME, (Reuters) – Ferrari presented its first fully electric car on Monday, marking a high-stakes ‌shift by the luxury sports car maker as competitors including Porsche and Lamborghini scale back their EV ambitions, citing weak demand.

The four-door Luce, Italian for ‘light’, was developed with the help of former Apple design chief Jony ​Ive and his collective LoveFrom, and is Ferrari’s first five-seater. Continue reading “Ferrari bets on generational tech shift with Luce five-seat EV”

Summary

• Ferrari to unveil its first EV in Rome on May 25
• Luce to cost more than €500,000
• Sources describe it as a large, distinctive car
• Launch marks strategic move despite uncertain demand
• Sports car rivals delay or scrap EV plans

ROME, (Reuters) – As its sports car rivals tap the brakes on a shift ​to EVs, Ferrari will take a leap into an uncertain era on Monday with the launch of its first fully-electric car, betting ‌it can connect with drivers even without a throaty engine roar.

With a top speed of 310 kph (193 mph), Ferrari’s four-door Luce – meaning ‘light’ in Italian – will carry a price tag of more than €500,000 ($586,000). Continue reading “Ferrari’s Luce leads bold leap into uncertain electric era”

In a notable move towards redefining customer experience in roadside assistance, Global Assure has introduced an industry-first 30 Minute Service Assurance for vehicle breakdown support across select cities.

At a time when customers often face long wait times and uncertainty during vehicle breakdowns, the initiative stands out as a strong service differentiator focused on speed, responsiveness, and reliability. Continue reading “Global Assure Introduces Industry-First 30 Minute Service Assurance”

(Reuters) – Uber and DoorDash have held exploratory talks with ​investors in rival Delivery Hero ahead of a ‌possible takeover bid, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.

Multiple investors have indicated they would seek a price above 40 euros ($46.41) per share ​for the German food delivery service, the report ​said, citing people familiar with the matter. Continue reading “Uber and DoorDash sound out investors for Delivery Hero bid, FT reports”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Nissan Motor subsidiary JATCO has scrapped its plan to ​make electric vehicle (EV) powertrains in ‌Sunderland, Britain, in light of sluggish demand for Nissan’s EVs in Europe, the ​Nikkei business daily reported on ​Sunday.

In January 2025, JATCO announced ⁠a plan to invest 48.7 million ​pounds ($65.39 million) to make up ​to 340,000 units a year of EV powertrains that integrate the motor, inverter and ​reducer at a Sunderland plant ​for Nissan. Continue reading “Nissan unit scraps plan to make EV powertrains in UK, Nikkei says”

Source : PTI | Isuzu Motors India on Thursday said it has introduced a new leasing model for its crew-cab pickup truck, ISUZU D-Max S-CAB, aimed at businesses and fleet operators.

With vehicle leasing steadily evolving as a preferred option for various businesses in India, the new model aims to offer customers a smarter and more convenient way to access commercial vehicles without the burden of ownership, Isuzu Motors India said in a statement. Continue reading “Isuzu Motors India brings new leasing solution for crew-cab pickup truck”

Source : PTI | Electric vehicle giant Tesla on Friday expressed interest in establishing a sales and service centre in Hyderabad, the Telangana government said.

During a meeting with Telangana IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, Tesla India representatives expressed their interest in launching operations in the city, the state Information and Public Relations department said in a post on ‘X’. Continue reading “Tesla to establish sales and service centre in Hyderabad”

MANASSAS, Virginia, (Reuters) – U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday there were no imminent new ​U.S. tariffs expected to be imposed on semiconductors, but that it ‌was important to protect the sector with duties to facilitate reshoring of chip production.

Greer, speaking at a Micron Technology memory chip plant expansion project in the Washington, D.C., suburbs, said that ​any tariffs USTR’s long-awaited Section 232 national security investigation aimed at protecting ​the U.S. semiconductor sector needed to be properly sequenced to promote ⁠U.S. output. Continue reading “USTR Greer sees no immediate chip tariffs but says protection important for sector”

DETROIT, (Reuters) – United Auto Workers leaders called for stronger pay standards and mandates that carmakers build where they sell, ​ahead of Washington’s upcoming talks on a new trade ‌deal with Canada and Mexico.

UAW President Shawn Fain and others detailed the union’s hopes for the new pact during a Thursday presentation to media. Continue reading “UAW urges tougher labor rules in US-Canada-Mexico trade talks”

(Reuters) – Hyundai Motor is recalling 421,078 ​vehicles in the U.S. over ‌a software error that may cause an unexpected application of brakes, the ​U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety ​Administration said on Friday.

The recall covers ⁠certain 2025-2026 model Santa Cruz, ​Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In ​Hybrid Electric vehicles. Continue reading “Hyundai to recall over 421,000 US vehicles over software brake issue, NHTSA says”

(Reuters) – Tesla is recalling 14,575 Model Y ​SUVs in the U.S., ‌over a missing certification label with weight ​specifications, the U.S. ​National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ⁠said on Friday.

Tesla ​will inspect and install ​the label on affected cars, NHTSA said. Continue reading “Tesla to recall over 14,500 Model Y SUVs in US over missing weight certification label”

Summary

• Nationwide rollout planned from early 2027
• Mercedes working with German ministry and regulator
• Rivals Tesla and BMW working on similar plans

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Mercedes-Benz said on Friday it plans to ​roll out its urban point-to-point assisted driving system in Germany from the end of ‌this year, aiming to be among the first carmakers offering the technology in Europe.

The plans are part of a race to bring self-driving features to European city streets, with rivals BMW and Tesla pursuing rollouts of similar ​technology in the region. Continue reading “Mercedes targets year-end Germany rollout for urban assisted driving in race with rivals”

Source : PTI | In the wake of a series of fatal accidents on the Lakhimpur-Bahraich stretch of the national highway, the district administration has directed highway and traffic authorities to strictly implement the ‘4-Es’ strategy’ which focuses on engineering, education, emergency and enforcement.

The move comes after 10 people, including a government teacher and an engineer, were killed when a van collided with a speeding truck while attempting to overtake another vehicle in the Isanagar police station area on Monday.

Continue reading “Lakhimpur-Bahraich highway deaths prompt crackdown, focus on ‘4-Es’ road safety strategy”

Summary

• CEO says overcapacity must be addressed
• Works council decries uncertainty for staff
• Local governments open to Chinese partnerships

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Germany’s Volkswagen is not currently in talks with Chinese ​manufacturers regarding overcapacity at its car plants in Europe, although the problem does have to ‌be addressed, CEO Oliver Blume told a general assembly of workers on Wednesday.

The meeting comes amid heightened speculation over the future of Volkswagen’s German factories as falling profits, weak demand and intense competition put Europe’s biggest carmaker under pressure to scale back ​its sprawling network. Continue reading “Volkswagen is not in talks with Chinese, CEO says in bid to calm workers”

Summary

• Plans 60 new models by 2030 on all powertrains
• Refocuses spending on four core brands, van unit
• Outsources tech while leveraging on manufacturing deals
• Sees North America adjusted operating income margin 8-10% by 2030

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan, (Reuters) – Stellantis on Thursday laid out a ​60 billion euro ($70 billion) strategy that marks a shift under new CEO Antonio Filosa, combining a wave of new partnerships, a sharper focus on core brands ‌and a push to better monetise excess factory capacity.

The five-year investment, which includes 60 new models by 2030 – among internal combustion engine, hybrid and fully electric – underscores a break from the approach of former CEO Carlos Tavares, with Filosa more open to external collaboration. Continue reading “Stellantis unveils $70 billion strategy pivot under Filosa, with blitz of 60 new products”

(Reuters) – Alphabet’s Waymo said on Thursday it has suspended its robotaxi service on freeways in the United ​States and paused its operations in Atlanta, ‌Georgia as it updates software to improve performance around construction zones and flooded roadways.

The suspension comes as Waymo, which has ​been growing its robotaxi operation slowly and steadily ​for years in the U.S., has quickened ⁠the pace of expansion, as others, including Tesla and ​Amazon’s Zoox, step up their push in the sector. Continue reading “Waymo suspends freeway rides, pauses Atlanta operations amid safety fixes”

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Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (22nd May 2026)”

Newest brand campaign redefines the iconic G.O.A.T (‘Greatest of All Time’) as ‘Greatest On A Track’, reinforcing Škoda’s performance-led strengths

• Kick-starts campaign with an India and Asia Book of Records for the ‘Fastest Multi-Car Relay of a Single Manufacturer on a Circuit’
• Campaign furthers brand’s motorsport legacy and product portfolio’s dynamic abilities across the spectrum

Mumbai, May 20, 2026 – Amidst its rapid product actions and continuous network expansion, Škoda Auto India has launched its newest campaign anchoring Škoda’s performance story. The campaign launches with a record, which is one of multiple initiatives that establish that the ‘Greatest On A Track’ is a ‘Škoda On A Track’.

With its 130-year global heritage and 125 years in motorsport, Škoda Auto furthers its racing legacy with this benchmark-setting brand narrative. The brand also celebrates more than half a century of the RS (Rally Sport) badge in its cars. Furthering its key strategy pillar of Differentiation, this new campaign highlights the dynamic capabilities and safety of the Škoda Auto India range. Continue reading “‘G.O.A.T.: Greatest On A Track’. Pure Škoda DNA”

STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Tesla said on X on Wednesday ‌that its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) driver assistance software was being rolled out in Lithuania, the ​second country in Europe to ​do so after Dutch approval last month. Continue reading “Tesla launches Full Self-Driving in Lithuania”

Summary

• Japanese motor vehicle exports to Middle East fall over 90% due to Strait of Hormuz closure
• Auto lobby group says short-term impact limited, sees some production cuts
• Automakers may expand in India over long-term to reduce risks

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Japanese vehicle exports to the Middle East ​were nearly wiped out in April, government data showed on Thursday, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupted shipping ‌to a key region for global automakers like Toyota and Nissan.

The collapse suggests shipments of passenger cars, trucks and buses to the region, which is also a major destination for Japanese used cars, have largely ground to a halt following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Continue reading “Japanese auto exports to Middle East plunge in April as war disrupts shipping”

Summary

• Vitol seeks permits, third-party services to operate Rio Bravo terminal in Mexico
• Terminal offers cost advantage via pipeline from Texas
• Vitol aims to re-enter Mexico after bribery scandal led to Pemex suspending ties in 2021

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Vitol, one of the world’s biggest commodities traders, has held talks with service providers and is seeking permits ‌to operate the Rio Bravo fuel storage terminal it built six years ago in northern Mexico and left idle, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter and a document reviewed by Reuters.

The Geneva-based trader’s plan to operate the terminal underlines its intention to re-establish in ​Mexico after a bribery scandal tarnished its reputation. It coincides with a global scramble for energy supply infrastructure during ​the Iran war, which has upended supply chains. Continue reading “Exclusive: Vitol moves to open Mexico fuel terminal years after bribery scandal, document shows”

Summary

• EV demand grows in established and new European markets
• Chinese EV brands are boosted by the trend
• Some automakers consider increasing EV production

BERLIN/STOCKHOLM/LONDON, (Reuters) – Demand for electric vehicles in Europe has surged as high fuel prices linked to the Iran war propel sales of new and second-hand EVs, data exclusively shared with ​Reuters shows, providing a much-needed boost to the auto industry.

Although sales of fully electric cars grew 30% across Europe in 2025, EV adoption on ‌the continent has lagged industry expectations. Carmakers from Volkswagen to Fiat-owner Stellantis, which had invested heavily in expectation of much higher EV demand, have over the last year booked multi-billion-dollar charges to cover asset writedowns. Continue reading “Europe EV sales leap as Iran war pushes up petrol pump prices”

Summary

• VinFast to sell factories to local investors with ties to parent company
• Deal raises governance concerns, shifts debt off VinFast balance sheet
• Multi-billion-dollar operation involving multiple transactions set to close in Q3
• VinFast says it would be debt-free after deal, denies plans to sell to manufacturer

HANOI, (Reuters) – Over the last decade, Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast Auto has ​burned through billions of dollars on an aggressive expansion.

Now, a plan to sell its two main factories and shift $7 billion worth of debt off its books has sparked concerns ‌about governance at billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong’s Vingroup conglomerate. Continue reading “Vietnamese EV maker VinFast’s move to shift $7 billion in debt raises ‘red flags’”

Paris/Mailand, (Reuters) – Die Opel-Mutter Stellantis und ihr chinesischer Partner Dongfeng bündeln ihre Kräfte für den Bau und Vertrieb von Elektroautos in ​Europa. Die beiden Unternehmen hätten eine vorläufige Vereinbarung zur Gründung ‌eines Gemeinschaftsunternehmens unterzeichnet, teilten sie am Mittwoch mit. Stellantis werde 51 Prozent und Dongfeng 49 Prozent an dem Joint Venture halten. Ziel sei es ​unter anderem, Fahrzeuge der chinesischen Premium-Elektromarke Voyah in einigen europäischen ​Märkten zu verkaufen. Zudem prüfen die Partner eine lokale ⁠Fertigung von Dongfeng-Modellen im Stellantis-Werk im französischen Rennes. Continue reading “Stellantis und Dongfeng planen Joint Venture für E-Autos in Europa”

(Reuters) – Hyundai Motor is recalling 54, 337 vehicles ​in the U.S. over ‌a fire risk linked to the overheating of hybrid power ​control unit, the ​U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety ⁠Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday.

Here ​are further details:

• The recall ​covers certain 2024-2026 Elantra Hybrid vehicles.
• Overheating in the hybrid power control ​unit under high ​electrical loads can cause affected vehicles ‌to ⁠fail to start or enter reduced‑power mode, the auto regulator said.
• In some cases, ​the ​overheating ⁠could lead to localized thermal damage to ​the assembly and ​internal ⁠components, the agency added.
• Dealers will update the affected software ⁠free ​of charge, ​NHTSA said.

Continue reading “Hyundai to recall over 54,000 vehicles in US over fire risk, NHTSA says”

Summary

• ASML CEO: Chip market to remain supply-limited for a while
• EU should ease AI regulation to keep pace with US, Asia
• Calls for clear export control rules to China
• Fouquet had contact with Musk about TeraFab project
• ASML developing second advanced-packaging tool

ANTWERP, Belgium, (Reuters) – The booming global semiconductor ​market will be “tense” with tight supply for the foreseeable future, the head of chip-making machine giant ASML told Reuters, with demand from AI, ‌satellites and robots outpacing what the industry can produce.

In a rare interview on the sidelines of a tech event in Antwerp, ASML Chief Executive Christophe Fouquet said that there would likely be sporadic bottlenecks throughout the supply chain of the chip market which could hit $1.5 trillion by 2030. Continue reading “Exclusive: ASML CEO sees tight supply in booming chip market as AI demand soars”

Summary

• Two new EX30 battery fires prompt Thai watchdog to weigh civil action
• Volvo faces complaints as customers await battery fixes after global recall
• Repair timelines vary, with some markets ​waiting until late-2026 for replacements

STOCKHOLM/BANGKOK, (Reuters) – Two new battery-related ‌fires involving Volvo Cars’ EX30 has prompted Thailand’s consumer watchdog to consider civil action, adding to pressure on the Swedish automaker as it grapples with a global recall of the electric SUV.

Reuters reported in February that Volvo would recall more than ​40,000 EX30s and replace battery modules due to a defect that could cause packs to overheat ​and potentially catch fire. Continue reading “Volvo Cars faces Thai legal threat after fresh EX30 fires”

Summary

• Japan turns to AI robots amid labour shortages
• Transportation equipment makers lead AI robot adoption
• Majority say cash holdings decision should be left to each firm

TOKYO, (Reuters) – One-third of Japanese companies are already using or considering deploying AI-powered robots, with automakers and other transportation equipment manufacturers ​leading the way, a Reuters survey showed on Thursday.

The Japanese government expects the introduction of AI robots into the workplace ‌to be key in coping with the country’s chronic labour shortage and cementing its position as a leading industrial robot supplier. Continue reading “One in three Japan firms using or considering AI robots: Reuters poll”