Summary

• Ford to retrench 474 workers in South Africa
• UK tax changes impact European orders for Ranger
• Plug-in hybrid Ranger not meeting expected volumes

Ford’s South African plants not fully utilizing 200,000 vehicle capacity

GQEBERHA, South Africa, (Reuters) – The South African arm of Ford Motor has attributed the planned retrenchments to lower European orders for its Ranger pickup truck, driven by recent tax changes in the UK and sluggish export volumes for its plug-in hybrid Ranger model.

Last month Ford sent an official notice to unions, notifying them of its intention to retrench 474 workers at its Silverton car manufacturing plant in Pretoria and Struandale engine plant in Gqeberha. Continue reading “Ford retrenchments in South Africa tied to UK tax shift, lower volumes”

Summary

• GM, Ford, Toyota report strong Q3 sales gains
• End of the EV tax credit spurred temporary EV sales surge
• Average new vehicle price rose to $45,795 in September

(Reuters) – U.S. auto sales are expected to rise about 6% for the third quarter, as Americans continue to buy cars at a surprisingly strong pace despite tariffs and other uncertainties.

Several of the largest automakers on Wednesday reported healthy U.S. sales gains for the July-to-September period. General Motors and Ford each said vehicle sales rose 8%, and Toyota Motor’s North American unit reported a 14% increase. Continue reading “US auto sales keep motoring higher despite uncertainty”

Summary

• Dealerships adopt cautious approach, reducing EV inventory
• Ford CEO predicts EV sales to drop to 5% of total U.S. vehicle sales
• Automakers struggle to provide long-term support without tax credit incentives

DETROIT, (Reuters) – Automotive executives are bracing for a freefall in U.S. electric-vehicle sales following the disappearance of a critical $7,500 tax break for buyers.

“It’s a game-changer,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said during a Detroit event on Tuesday, just hours before the federal subsidy expired. Continue reading “End of EV tax subsidy sparks worries of collapse in US electric car sales”

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Mexico’s auto industry warned of a “complex outlook” ahead of the 2026 review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), with executives citing concerns over tighter rules of origin and scrutiny of Asian content in components.

Speaking at the CIAN automotive conference, heavy-vehicle manufacturers expressed concerns about meeting current USMCA trade requirements while adjusting to existing rules. The agreement mandates that a certain percentage of vehicle parts originate from North America to qualify for tariff-free access. Continue reading “Mexico auto industry warns of complex outlook ahead of USMCA review”

(Reuters) – Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday became the first person ever to achieve a net worth of nearly $500 billion, propelled by a rebound in the EV company’s shares and surging valuations of the tech entrepreneur’s other startups this year.

His net worth stood at $500.1 billion as of 4:15 p.m. E.T., according to Forbes’ billionaires index. Continue reading “Musk becomes first person to hit $500 billion net worth, Forbes list shows”

Summary

• Analysts expect Tesla’s Q3 deliveries at 441,500 vehicles
• U.S. tax credit expiry accelerates EV demand before deadline
• Tesla hikes car-leasing prices in U.S.
• China demand, seasonality could cushion Q4 delivery drop

(Reuters) – Tesla is set to report its strongest quarter of the year on Thursday thanks to a U.S. rush to secure a $7,500 EV tax credit that expired earlier this week, but analysts expect the boost to be short-lived and European weakness to persist.

The quarterly tally will help gauge how far U.S. subsidies lifted sales, as China leans on Tesla’s expanded six-seater Model Y L launched in September while Europe slumped after the electric-vehicle maker’s aging lineup struggled to compete and CEO Elon Musk’s politics dampened buyer sentiment. Continue reading “Tesla to book best quarter of 2025 as buyers rush before EV credit expiry”

Summary

• Honda, Suzuki expansion into Indian town has hotels for expats thriving
• Gujarat’s alcohol ban means foreigners need permits to drink
• Japanese investment in India up 27% from four years ago

VITHALAPUR, India, (Reuters) – In India’s Gujarat, eating meat or seafood is frowned upon, but in the state’s dusty industrial town of Vithalapur, hotels with names like Osaka Palace are churning out ramen and tempura – all to please the Japanese auto engineers and managers who now reside in them.

The transformation of Vithalapur’s farmlands, which lie 75 km (46 miles) east of the state capital of Gandhinagar, owes much to increased foreign investment in Indian manufacturing – one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s key policy planks. Continue reading “In an Indian hinterland town, hotels become Japanese havens for auto expats”

PTI | More than 1.73 lakh people were killed and 4,47,969 others were injured in road accidents  across the country in 2023 with 45.8 per cent of the victims riding two wheelers, while over-speeding were found to be the two major causes of road accidents, according to a report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

Most of the road accidents, 95,984 out of the total 4,64,029, in the country in 2023 were reported during 6 pm to 9 pm, accounting for 20.7 per cent of the total road accidents. From 3 pm to 6 pm and 12 noon to 3 pm accounted for 17.3 per cent (80,482 cases) and 15 per cent (69,397 cases), respectively. Continue reading “Over 1.73 lakh killed in road accidents in 2023; over-speeding major cause: NCRB”

PTI | Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday refused to be pulled into a controversy over allegations against him with regard to ethanol blending, saying it is work of a powerful import lobby upset by his decisions.

Speaking at a programme here, the minister likened himself to a “tree that bears fruit,” and said, “I don’t respond to such criticisms because then it becomes news. The tree that bears fruit is the one people throw stones at. It is better that we avoid it.” Continue reading “Allegations work of powerful lobby hit by ethanol blending of petrol: Gadkari”

(Reuters) – Vancouver-based Lithium Americas (LAC.TO), said on Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has taken a 5% stake in the company, along with a separate 5% stake in its Thacker Pass lithium project joint venture with General Motors (GM.N).

While the total deal value was not disclosed, Lithium Americas confirmed it has finalized an agreement with the DOE to initiate the first $435 million draw from a previously announced $2.26 billion loan to support development of the Thacker Pass site. Continue reading “US government takes 5% stake in Lithium Americas and joint venture with GM”

Summary

• First Brands, Tricolor bankruptcies highlight consumer credit stress
• Lower-income households face high interest rates, labor market weakness, and tariffs
• Auto loan delinquencies rise, affecting low-, middle-income households

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Two auto sector bankruptcies have rattled parts of the U.S. credit market, raising concerns about a deterioration in the financial health of low-income households and migrant communities. Continue reading “US auto bankruptcies show rising credit pain in low-income households”

Continue reading “Kia America to recall over 39,500 vehicles in US over fire risks”

Summary

• Chinese EV makers invested more abroad than at home for first time in 2024
• Domestic spending dropped 84% in 2024 from 2022 peak, Rhodium Group data shows
• Chinese automakers focussing on Asia, MENA region

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Chinese electric car makers invested more abroad than at home for the first time in 2024, new data from Rhodium Group showed on Wednesday, as fierce domestic competition makes it almost impossible for manufacturers to turn a profit. Continue reading “Chinese automakers’ foreign investment tops domestic spending for first time, data shows”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China’s state news agency said on Tuesday some automakers were “drastically” inflating pre-sale orders, warning such a practice can mislead consumers and investors and harm the industry’s future.

The Xinhua Daily Telegraph, a newspaper published by Xinhua, didn’t name any of the automakers but alleged some asked employees to place refundable deposits to create an illusion of strong pre-sale performance while some had engaged with “a grey industry chain” offering the order-padding services. Continue reading “Chinese state media criticise some automakers for inflating car order numbers”

Bengaluru, India, September 30^th  2025 Yuma Energy, India’s fastest-growing Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) provider, today announced a landmark partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), one of the nation’s largest energy companies with a network of over 24,000 retail outlets.

This collaboration represents a significant milestone in building India’s clean mobility infrastructure. Leveraging HPCL’s extensive footprint, Yuma Energy will be able to deploy its battery swapping stations in high-demand locations, from the bustling lanes of metro cities to the busy markets of tier-2 towns, ensuring riders, delivery fleets, and businesses have access to energy that is as quick and reliable as traditional refuelling. Continue reading “Yuma Energy and HPCL Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate India’s EV Revolution”

Source : PTI | Moody’s Ratings on Monday downgraded Tata Motors’ outlook to negative from positive following a cyber attack on its British arm Jaguar Land Rover which has led to a complete production halt.

The rating agency affirmed the Mumbai-based auto major’s Ba1 corporate family rating (CFR). Continue reading “Moody’s downgrades Tata Motors’ outlook over JLR cyber incident”

(Reuters) – Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), owned by India’s Tata Motors, said on Monday it will resume some of its manufacturing operations in the coming days, as the luxury carmaker begins a phased recovery following a cyber attack earlier this month.

On Saturday, the British government pledged a $2 billion loan guarantee for the group to help support its supply chain in the wake of the production shutdown after the attack. Continue reading “Tata Motors-owned JLR begins phased manufacturing restart post cyber attack”

Summary

• US restricts exports to companies on its ‘Entity List’
• The new rule also captures subsidiaries of the named companies
• Ownership stakes of 50% trigger the restrictions
• China slams rule, says it undermines global supply chains
• Rule may affect Huawei, DJI, Hikvision

(Reuters) – The U.S. on Monday cracked down on companies in China and other countries that use subsidiaries or other foreign affiliates to circumvent export curbs on chipmaking equipment and other goods and technology. Continue reading “US expands export blacklist in crackdown on Chinese subsidiaries”

Summary

• First Brands files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
• Company discloses liabilities ranging from $10 billion to $50 billion
• First Brands lists assets between $1 billion and $10 billion in latest filing

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – U.S. auto parts maker First Brands filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday after disclosing liabilities exceeding $10 billion, marking the collapse of a company whose rapidly deteriorating finances have shocked debt investors in recent weeks. Continue reading “First Brands files for bankruptcy, revealing billions of dollars in liabilities”

Summary

• Elkann’s mother says note casts doubt on how Agnelli money split
• Elkann leads family holding that controls Ferrari, Stellantis
• Elkann’s lawyers say note has no bearing on inheritance deal

MILAN, (Reuters) – Ferrari and Stellantis chair John Elkann faces a new legal battle with his mother after her lawyers on Monday presented what they said was a previously undisclosed handwritten amendment to the will of her father, the late Gianni Agnelli. Continue reading “Ferrari chair faces new legal battle with mother over Agnelli inheritance”

Summary

• South Korean auto export value hit record levels in August
• Growth was largely driven by increased demand for used cars
• Russia, Central Asia and Middle East among the top export markets

INCHEON, South Korea, (Reuters) – From the muddy grounds of a former amusement park on South Korea’s coast, tens of thousands of vehicles are being packed for shipment overseas as booming used car exports help to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs on new car sales. Continue reading “South Korea’s booming used car exports cushion impact of US tariffs”

Summary

• Automakers retool existing plants to sidestep tariffs; are not building new factories
• EV commitments decline as automakers focus on gas-powered production
• Canadian auto industry disputes Trump’s claims of factory relocations

(Reuters) – President Donald Trump frequently describes a booming U.S. auto industry, fueled by new factories from Canada, Mexico and Europe that he says will soon be producing American-made vehicles for global markets – from Tokyo to Paris. Continue reading “Trump touts a boom in US auto plant construction, but carmakers’ actions tell a different story”

Summary

• Programs aim to soften impact of expiring US tax credit
• Dealers predict EV sales will plummet without subsidy
• IRS discussions led to Ford and GM’s program development- sources

DETROIT, (Reuters) – Ford and General Motors are racing to sign up car dealers for programs that would effectively extend the use of a $7,500 U.S. tax credit on leases of electric vehicles beyond the Tuesday expiration of the federal subsidy, according to dealers and documents. Continue reading “Exclusive: Ford, GM launch programs to extend use of $7,500 EV lease credit”

Source : PTI | Amid the ongoing debate over whether entry-level small cars will stage a comeback in the GST 2.0 era, hatchbacks will maintain their market relevance despite the global trend of “SUVisation” across the auto industry, according to the automotive dealers’ body Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations.

While the country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India, which enjoys a dominant position in the small car segment, expects about 10 per cent growth in the segment after the GST rate reduction, its rival Hyundai Motor India feels that micro SUVs like Exter and Punch will grow at the cost of hatchbacks as consumer preference has evolved. Continue reading “Hatchbacks will continue to exist despite ‘SUVisation’ of auto industry: FADA president”

Source : PTI | Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday flagged off 300 new DTC electric buses, saying their routes have been rationalised for better connectivity.

The rationalisation done with the help of IIT Delhi will ensure buses are plied everywhere in the city, from border areas to its innermost parts, an official statement read. Continue reading “Rekha Gupta flags off 300 new public buses”

FRANKFURT/BERLIN/STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Shares in Germany’s Daimler Truck and Traton fell on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs on heavy-duty trucks, adding to trade tensions that have hit the automotive sector hard.

Together with a barrage of tariffs in other sectors, including on pharmaceuticals, Trump said on Thursday the U.S. would impose duties of 25% on imports of heavy-duty trucks from October 1. Continue reading “Daimler Truck, Traton shares fall on Trump’s truck tariffs”

(Reuters) – Stellantis is recalling 123,396 vehicles in the U.S. due to detached trim pieces on the driver and passenger windows that can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Saturday.

The quarter trim on the driver and passenger windows may not have been properly secured, which can allow it to detach, the NHTSA said. Continue reading “Stellantis to recall over 123,000 U.S. vehicles over risk of detached trim pieces”

LONDON, (Reuters) – Britain will back Jaguar Land Rover with a 1.5 billion pound ($2 billion) loan guarantee to help support its supply chain in the wake of the luxury carmaker’s production shutdown following a cyberattack.

Jaguar Land Rover’s shutdown has lasted nearly a month, and the government had been exploring options to support the company and its supply chain, with some small suppliers saying they had one week left at most before they ran out of cash. Continue reading “Britain pledges $2 billion loan guarantee for Jaguar Land Rover”

SAO PAULO, (Reuters) – Workers for Toyota in Brazil voted overwhelmingly on Sunday to approve a plan for temporary layoffs following storm damage to one of the Japanese carmaker’s factories in the state of Sao Paulo, according to a statement from the workers union.

Heavy rain and winds on September 22 severely damaged Toyota’s Porto Feliz factory, a facility where engines are manufactured, initially forcing the company to halt production there and at its Sorocaba facility, where vehicles including the Yaris, Corolla and Corolla Cross are assembled. Continue reading “Toyota workers in Brazil approve temporary layoff plan, union says”

Source : PTI | The Maharashtra transport department has taken action against nearly 7500 taxis, auto rickshaws and two-wheelers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region between April 1 and August 25 for violations and collected fines totalling ₹1.63 crore, an official said on Thursday.

The transport department has also registered FI₹against some app-based aggregators at Azad Maidan, Samata Nagar and Amboli police stations for illegally ferrying passengers using private two-wheelers through their platform. Continue reading “Nearly 7500 taxis, rickshaws, bikes fined ₹1.63 cr by Maharashtra transport department in MMR”

Source : PTI | Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said that there are no sanctions on the purchase of Russian crude oil, and the world will face serious consequences if the supplies are disrupted.

Citing the case of Iran and Venezuela, he said India has always complied with sanctions as a responsible member of the international community.

Continue reading “No sanctions on buying oil from Russia: Hardeep Puri”

(Reuters) – India’s Tata Motors on Friday named insiders Shailesh Chandra as managing director and CEO and Dhiman Gupta as chief financial officer, as the carmaker reshapes its top team amid disruption at Jaguar Land Rover.

Chandra will take charge on October 1 for three years, the company said. Continue reading “Tata Motors names insiders Shailesh Chandra as CEO, Dhiman Gupta as CFO”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla urged the Trump administration not to repeal vehicle emissions standards or the long-standing U.S. finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health.

Tesla said in comments posted on Thursday that the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to repeal the standards “would give a pass to engine and vehicle manufacturers for all measurement, control, and reporting of GHG emissions for any highway engine and vehicle.” Continue reading “Tesla urges Trump administration to keep vehicle emissions rules, climate finding”

(Reuters) – BMW is recalling over 196,000 vehicles in the U.S. as the engine starter relay may corrode, leading to overheating and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Friday.

The issue affects multiple models including Toyota Supra and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles, the U.S. auto safety regulator said. Continue reading “BMW to recall over 196,000 US vehicles due to engine starter defect”

LONDON, (Reuters) – Jaguar Land Rover’s production shutdown after a cyberattack is hitting businesses in Britain’s West Midlands region, a survey showed on Friday, with firms already making redundancies or cutting staff hours in response.

The government is considering financial support for the luxury carmaker, which is owned by India’s Tata Motors, after the cyberattack halted production at the start of this month. It has extended the shutdown until October. Continue reading “Jaguar Land Rover shutdown driving suppliers to cut jobs and reduce hours – survey”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China will require export licences for electric cars from next year, the commerce ministry said on Friday, as it moves to curtail unfair competition from unregulated traders and safeguard the reputation of Chinese auto brands overseas.

Sellers of EVs will be required to follow existing rules that permit only automakers and their authorised companies to apply for export licenses. Gasoline vehicles and hybrids are already subject to licence management under the current framework. Continue reading “China to require EV export permits to safeguard Chinese brand image overseas”

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(Reuters) – Britain’s vehicle production dropped 18.2% in August to 38,693 units, industry data showed on Thursday, with attention now on how a cyberattack that has shut Jaguar Land Rover’s plants will hit September production.

The outage at Britain’s largest carmaker, Jaguar Land Rover, which produces about 1,000 cars a day across three UK factories, has paralysed operations and disrupted the wider supply chain, raising concerns about jobs and the economy. Continue reading “UK car output falls in August as JLR cyberattack threatens September production”

Summary

• US notice lists exemptions for EU aircraft and parts
• EU generic pharmaceuticals, compounds to avoid tariffs
• US confirms exemptions for certain EU natural resources
• German auto shares up on confirmation of 15% tariff rate

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s administration said on Wednesday it was formally implementing the U.S. trade agreement with the European Union, confirming that a 15% duty rate for EU autos and auto parts began on August 1 and listing tariff exemptions for generic pharmaceuticals, aircraft and aircraft parts. Continue reading “US implements EU trade deal, 15% autos tariffs retroactive to Aug 1”