(Reuters) – Greetings from London! Six weeks after the war in the Middle East began, unless a peace deal is in the offing then it looks like a prolonged oil shock for all of us.
High fuel prices and rising inflation could hurt car sales overall, but in the short term we have already seen a spike in interest in used EVs in Europe, Asia and the United States as consumers seek ways to avoid pain at the pump. Continue reading “The incredible shrinking Nissan”
(Reuters) – Honda is recalling 440,830 Odyssey minivans in the U.S. over a software error that may unexpectedly deploy airbags, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Wednesday.
Here are some details:
Continue reading “Honda to recall over 440,000 minivans in US over faulty deployment of airbags”
ROME, (Reuters) – Franco-Italian automaker Stellantis said on Wednesday its global shipments rose 12% year-on-year in the first quarter to an estimated 1.4 million vehicles, consolidating a sales rebound that started in the second half of 2025.
CEO Antonio Filosa, appointed last year, is focusing on regaining market share as part of turnaround efforts for a company that posted a net loss of 22.3 billion euros ($26.3 billion) last year. Continue reading “Stellantis first-quarter shipments up 12% year-on-year”
Summary
(Reuters) – Carmakers and battery companies facing a weak U.S. market for electric vehicles are scrambling to repurpose battery factories to make energy-storage systems to fuel AI’s thirst for power instead. But converting plants to new types of batteries won’t be easy, nor will the demand for energy storage materialize fast enough to absorb a glut of unused factory space for EV batteries.
The expected surge in demand for electricity and energy storage comes at an opportune time for automakers like General Motors and Ford Motor and their battery suppliers — Asian manufacturers that include Japan’s Panasonic Holdings and South Korea’s Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution. These companies over the past decade spent or earmarked more than $100 billion toward battery factories to feed a U.S. electric-vehicle market that has been decimated by the Trump administration’s pro-fossil-fuel policies. Continue reading “Carmakers navigating the costly and tricky transition to battery storage systems”
(Reuters) – Senior U.S. defense officials have held talks about producing weapons and other military supplies with top executives of companies including General Motors and Ford Motor the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the discussions.
The preliminary and wide-ranging talks, which started before the war in Iran, come as the Trump administration wants automakers and other American manufacturers to play a larger role in weapons production, the Journal said. Continue reading “Pentagon approaches automakers, manufacturers to boost weapons production, WSJ reports”
Summary
(Reuters) – Doug Field, a Tesla and Apple veteran who has led Ford Motor’s electric-vehicle and technology efforts for nearly five years, is leaving the automaker.
Ford said Wednesday that Field, who most recently was the chief EV, digital, and design officer, is leaving Ford next month. Field said he looks forward to sharing what he’s learned in his career with others. Continue reading “Ford’s advanced EV-and-tech chief to leave the company”
BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – The UK’s automotive industry group SMMT said on Thursday carmakers need clarity now on whether Britain will count as ‘Made in EU’ in the European Commission’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) policy as the ambiguity risks delaying investments.
The trade uncertainty comes at a time when both Britain and the EU face stiff competition from cheap Chinese electric vehicles. Continue reading “British carmakers seek clarity on ‘Made in EU’ rule as trade risks grow”
Dr. Vipender Sabherwal is a highly experienced general and laparoscopic surgeon based in Delhi, known for his expertise in minimally invasive and laser surgeries. He is associated with Jeewan Hospital, where he serves as a Consultant Laparoscopic & General Surgeon.
Dr. Vipender Sabherwal brings over 25 years of surgical experience, with a strong focus on advanced laparoscopic procedures. His clinical practice includes hernia repair, gall bladder surgery, gastrointestinal procedures, and laser-based treatments, with an emphasis on precision and improved patient outcomes. Continue reading “Dr. Vipender Sabherwal”
Dr. Sai Kiran Choudhary is a highly experienced pulmonologist and specialist in tuberculosis and respiratory diseases, with nearly three decades of clinical experience. Based in Delhi, he is widely recognized for his expertise in managing complex lung conditions and critical respiratory care.
Dr. Sai Kiran Choudhary holds qualifications including MBBS, Diploma in Tuberculosis Diseases (TDD), and MD in Tuberculosis & Chest Diseases from Gujarat University. His strong academic background supports his specialization in pulmonary medicine and critical care. Continue reading “Dr. Sai Kiran Choudhary”
Dr. Kenshuk Marwah is a highly experienced ophthalmologist and retina specialist, known for his expertise in advanced eye care and surgical interventions. He specializes in vitreo-retinal diseases, cataract surgery, LASIK procedures, and pediatric retinal care.
Dr. Kenshuk Marwah is currently working as a Senior Vitreo-Retina Consultant, where he focuses on diagnosing and treating complex retinal conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and macular disorders. His clinical expertise also includes cataract and refractive surgeries, reflecting a comprehensive approach to ophthalmology. Continue reading “Dr. Kenshuk Marwah”
Geetanjali Vikram Kirloskar is a prominent business leader in India’s automotive sector, known for her leadership at Toyota Kirloskar Motor and her role in strengthening India–Japan industrial collaboration.
Geetanjali Vikram Kirloskar serves as Chairperson and Managing Director at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, where she plays a key role in strategic decision-making, corporate governance, and long-term business direction. Her leadership focuses on sustainable mobility, localization, and strengthening Toyota’s presence in India. Continue reading “Geetanjali Vikram Kirloskar”
Vivek Vikram Singh is a prominent business leader in the global automotive technology sector, serving as Managing Director and Group CEO of Sona Comstar, a leading automotive systems and components manufacturer.
Vivek Vikram Singh has played a key role in transforming Sona Comstar into a globally competitive mobility technology company, with a strong focus on electrification, precision engineering, and innovation-led growth. His leadership has driven the company’s expansion across international markets and strengthened its position in the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. Continue reading “Vivek Vikram Singh”
Nand Kumar Nair is a seasoned automotive journalist and media professional with over two decades of experience in television and digital news. He is currently working as Editor – Auto at TV9 Network (Associated Broadcasting Co. Pvt Ltd), where he leads automotive content, programming, and editorial strategy.
Nand Kumar Nair joined TV9 Network in March 2025 and is responsible for shaping automotive coverage, including product reviews, industry analysis, and mobility trends. His role involves team leadership, content planning, and delivering high-impact automotive journalism across platforms. Continue reading “Nand Kumar Nair”
Summary
NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – The more than 3 million U.S. truckers who move goods for everything from grocery stores to factories to construction sites are grappling with the highest diesel prices in years, compounding pressure on the industry as Iran war-related oil price spikes also threaten to weaken freight demand.
Diesel is the second-largest operating expense for truckers and the national average retail price has jumped $1.89, or 50%, since the start of the Iran war effectively halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy flows. Crude oil prices, which underpin diesel and gasoline, also surged, driving up transportation costs and prices for many consumer goods. Continue reading “US truckers’ diesel spending hits record high on Middle East conflict”
BERLIN, (Reuters) – Volkswagen is expected to take a hit to first-quarter earnings from the decision to end production of its ID.4 electric SUV at the German carmaker’s Tennessee plant, analysts said on Tuesday after a call with management.
Volkswagen will book a charge equivalent to 60% to 75% of its original $800 million investment to retool the Chattanooga plant to produce the model, Bernstein analysts said.
A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed that Bernstein’s calculations were correct. Continue reading “Volkswagen faces Q1 charge after halting EV production in Tennessee, analysts say”
SEOUL, (Reuters) – South Korean AI chip startup DEEPX will expand its partnership with Hyundai Motor Group to develop a computing platform for generative AI robots using its second generation of low-power chips, its top executive said, as it gets set for an IPO.
DEEPX is in talks with the government and investors to raise more than 600 billion won ($408 million) in an ongoing funding round, in the run-up to a potential IPO in South Korea, DEEPX CEO Lokwon Kim said. Continue reading “Korean AI chip startup DEEPX, Hyundai work on robots powered by generative AI”
(Reuters) – Uber has committed more than $10 billion to buying thousands of autonomous vehicles and taking stakes in their developers, breaking from its asset-light “gig economy” business model to avoid disruption from robotaxis, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Uber did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Continue reading “Uber commits $10 billion to robotaxis in strategy shift, FT says”
(Reuters) – Used car retailer CarMax reported a fourth-quarter loss on Tuesday, hurt by a goodwill impairment charge and shrinking margins from used vehicles.
Shares of the Richmond, Virginia-based company fell 6.8% in premarket trading.
The used-car sector has struggled to move inventory at profitable prices, with softening consumer demand and import tariffs squeezing margins across the industry. Continue reading “CarMax posts quarterly loss on goodwill charge, weak used-car demand”
(Reuters) – Lucid on Tuesday named former Schindler top boss Silvio Napoli as its next CEO and said it is raising more than $1 billion as the electric vehicle maker shores up liquidity during a crucial and costly manufacturing ramp-up.
Shares of the company closed down about 5% as some analysts said the fundraise, made up of stock offerings and investments, would do little to ease liquidity pressures and more money would have to be raised at terms that dilute existing shareholders. Continue reading “Lucid taps former Schindler chief as CEO, raises $1 billion to shore up liquidity”
New Delhi, 14 April 2026
World Auto Forum (WAF) convened top industry leadership at the 3rd edition of its ‘WAF Sunday Brunch (WSB)’ held at the Vasant Vihar Club, New Delhi, bringing together key decision-makers from the automotive, finance, healthcare, and allied sectors.
WAF also unveiled “WAF First – Top Leaders Only” A community of Top leaders, on invitation only! Check out the WAF First Members here https://worldautoforum.com/category/waf-first/
Saitama, Japan – Marelli, a global Tier 1 automotive supplier, today announced the appointment of Frederick “Fritz” Henderson as the company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Henderson succeeds David Slump, who will continue to serve on Marelli’s Board of Directors through the company’s emergence from the ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring process.
Separately, the Ad Hoc Group of lenders to Marelli today announced their plan to appoint Laurent Favre as Marelli’s future Chief Executive Officer at the conclusion of Henderson’s tenure as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Continue reading “Marelli Announces Leadership Appointments”
(Reuters) – Electric vehicle company Slate Auto on Monday said it has raised $650 million in a Series C funding round, as the Jeff Bezos-backed firm gears up to deliver its first vehicles late this year.
The company has touted its pickup trucks as being affordable and hopes to capitalize on the lower price tag to draw in customers grappling with high cost of living.
Slate did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on its valuation. Continue reading “Bezos-backed EV firm Slate Auto raises $650 million”
Summary
(Reuters) – After a key setback in the first trial of its kind before a federal jury, Uber is expected to return to court on Tuesday to face a second woman’s claims that she was sexually assaulted by a driver she booked through the app.
The jury trial in Charlotte, North Carolina federal court, which is expected to last about three weeks, will help determine whether a recent $8.5 million verdict in Arizona was a fluke or a sign of real trouble for Uber as it faces more than 3,300 similar lawsuits that have been consolidated in federal court. Continue reading “Uber faces second driver sexual assault trial following $8.5 million verdict”
BEIJING, (Reuters) – Electric vehicle maker BYD said a fire broke out at a parking garage in a Shenzhen industrial park on Tuesday morning.
The garage was a parking area for “test and scrapped vehicles” and the fire had been extinguished, the carmaker said in a statement on Tuesday.
No casualties were reported, the company added. Continue reading “China’s BYD says fire broke out at parking garage in Shenzhen; no casualties”
(Reuters) – High petrol prices in Europe steered car buyers towards EVs in a record-beating March, and led to the first month of global EV sales growth this year, data by consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence showed on Tuesday.
Governments worldwide have capped fuel prices to shield motorists from soaring costs after the war in Iran, which erupted on Feb. 28, disrupted a key shipping route carrying about 20% of global oil supplies. Continue reading “Surging petrol prices drive record EV sales in Europe in March”
Summary
YOKOHAMA, Japan, (Reuters) – Nissan Motor plans to streamline its global automobile lineup by exiting low-performing ones and deploy its artificial intelligence driving technology across 90% of its array over the long term as it targets a revitalisation after years of turmoil.
Japan’s fourth-biggest automaker said in a statement on Tuesday it will reduce the number of its models to 45 from 56. It will target annual sales of 1 million vehicles each in the U.S. and China by the 2030 financial year and grow its annual sales volume in Japan to 550,000 cars by that time. Continue reading “Nissan to trim global car lineup, boost use of AI driving tech”
SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – Geely Auto on Monday launched its i-HEV Intelligent Hybrid system, aiming to challenge the dominance of Japanese automakers in the conventional hybrid vehicle segment by improving fuel efficiency and intelligence capabilities.
The i-HEV system integrates an AI-driven energy management platform that analyses real-time environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and altitude to help boost energy efficiency, Geely said in a statement. Continue reading “China’s Geely launches new hybrid system to challenge Japanese dominance”
Summary
RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – Brazil’s secretary of labor inspection was fired for adding Chinese automaker BYD to a registry of employers accused of subjecting workers to conditions described by the government as similar to slavery, two people close to the matter told Reuters.
Luiz Felipe Brandao de Mello disobeyed an order from Labor Minister Luiz Marinho to leave the electric vehicle maker off Brazil’s labor abuse “dirty list,” said the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss the matter. Continue reading “Brazil’s top labor inspector fired for adding China’s BYD to ‘dirty list,’ sources say”
Sonia Nagpal Minocha is a seasoned banking and financial advisory professional with over 25 years of experience, specializing in NRI taxation, wealth management, and investment advisory. She is the CEO and Founder of Tax Insight, where she focuses on delivering expert solutions in NRI taxation and GST consulting.
Sonia Nagpal Minocha brings deep expertise in managing NRI banking, client relationship management, and financial planning. Her career reflects strong capabilities in strategy development, implementation, and analytical problem-solving across complex financial domains. Continue reading “Sonia Nagpal Minocha”
Vikram Juneja is a seasoned professional in the automotive and mobility sector, known for his expertise in sales training, dealer development, and customer experience. With extensive industry experience, he has built strong capabilities across both B2C and B2B sales environments.
Vikram Juneja specializes in designing and executing sales training programs that enhance frontline performance, improve dealer effectiveness, and drive customer engagement. His work spans across industries including automobiles, electric vehicles (EVs), paints, and tyres, reflecting a diverse and adaptable professional background. Continue reading “Vikram Juneja”
Jatin Minocha is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 25 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial consulting. With a strong foundation in finance and business strategy, he has delivered innovative and result-oriented solutions across diverse industries.
CA Jatin Minocha has extensive expertise in designing robust internal control systems and developing effective MIS reporting frameworks that enhance organizational efficiency and decision-making. His advisory capabilities include foreign exchange risk management, business consulting, and strategic planning, where he supports both conceptualization and execution of business initiatives. Continue reading “CA Jatin Minocha”
Ashok Vashist is a leading entrepreneur in India’s corporate mobility and fleet management sector, known for building scalable transportation solutions and transforming employee commute services.
Ashok Vashist is the Founder and CEO of Wise Travel India Limited (WTi Cabs), a major player in corporate mobility, employee transportation services, and fleet solutions. He has over two decades of experience in the travel, logistics, and mobility industry, contributing to the evolution of organized corporate transport in India. Continue reading “Ashok Vashist”
Manav Kapur is an entrepreneur and automotive industry leader known for his role in scaling Steelbird International, one of India’s leading auto component and helmet manufacturers. He has played a significant role in driving innovation, brand expansion, and global outreach within the mobility ecosystem.
Manav Kapur serves as Executive Director at Steelbird International, where he focuses on business strategy, product development, and international market expansion. His leadership has contributed to strengthening the company’s position in both domestic and export markets. Continue reading “Manav Kapur”
Harsh Vashist is an entrepreneur and social impact leader known for his work in holistic wellness, skill development, and community-driven initiatives. He is the founder of HuHaHo (Human Happiness Hope), an organization focused on promoting health, happiness, and social well-being.
Harsh Vashist has been associated with multiple ventures across sectors including wellness, infrastructure, and healthcare. His leadership roles include Director at DV Infra and Realities and Managing Director positions in organizations focused on automotive and healthcare domains. Continue reading “Harsh Vashist”
Bhimsen Gulabani is a transformation-focused automotive professional with over 25 years of experience across customer experience, sales, marketing, and after-sales operations in both Indian and global markets.
Bhimsen Gulabani has held leadership roles at leading automotive companies including Renault India and Kia India, where he has driven customer-centric transformation initiatives and strengthened brand experience across touchpoints. Continue reading “Bhimsen Gulabani”
Atul Sood is a senior leader in India’s automotive industry, known for his extensive experience in sales, marketing, and business strategy within the passenger vehicle segment. With over two decades of experience, he has played a key role in driving growth and strengthening brand positioning for Toyota in India.
Atul Sood is associated with Toyota Kirloskar Motor, where he leads sales and strategic initiatives, focusing on enhancing customer experience, expanding market reach, and improving overall business performance. His leadership emphasizes building a strong dealer network, driving customer-centric strategies, and adapting to evolving market dynamics. Continue reading “Atul Sood”
I. V. Rao is a distinguished automotive engineering professional known for his long-standing contribution to India’s passenger vehicle industry, particularly through his leadership at Maruti Suzuki.
I. V. Rao has over three decades of experience with Maruti Suzuki, where he held multiple senior leadership roles across product development, engineering, and production engineering. His work played a significant role in shaping cost-effective vehicle development and strengthening India’s automotive manufacturing capabilities. Continue reading “I. V. Rao”
Saravdeep Lally is the owner of Lally Motors Ltd, an established automotive dealership based in Kapurthala, Punjab. He is responsible for overseeing the overall business operations, including sales performance, customer experience, and strategic growth of the dealership.
Saravdeep Lally leads the organization with a hands-on approach, managing day-to-day operations while driving business development and market expansion. His role involves strengthening customer relationships, ensuring service quality, and maintaining strong partnerships within the automotive ecosystem. Continue reading “Saravdeep Lally”
Rajesh Loomba is a prominent entrepreneur in India’s corporate mobility sector, known for building one of the country’s largest chauffeur-driven transportation companies. He leads ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality, a major player in employee transportation services and corporate travel solutions.
Rajesh Loomba has been associated with the company since 1996, playing a pivotal role in transforming it into a professionally managed, large-scale mobility platform with operations across multiple cities. Continue reading “Rajesh Loomba”
Mumbai, April 01, 2026 – Škoda Auto India continues its strong growth trajectory into 2026, recording its highest-ever quarterly sales in Q1 (January–March) with 20,028 units sold. This is a growth of 17% over the 17,138 cars sold in the same period last year. Building on a landmark 2025, Škoda Auto India has sustained its growth surge and is continuing to break its own records, further accelerating its momentum in the Indian market. Škoda Auto India’s performance has been led by the strong and consistent demand for the Kylaq, which recently crossed the 50,000 sales milestone, the introduction of the new Kushaq, steady contribution from the Slavia, and the continued demand for the Kodiaq in the premium SUV segment. Continue reading “Škoda Auto India continues surge; records highest-ever quarterly sales in Q1 2026”
