June 2 (Reuters) – China’s electric vehicle start-ups reported stronger sales for May and forecast continued gains for June as supply chains and output begin to recover from the disruption of COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai and other cities.

Li Auto Inc (2015.HK) reported a May sales gain of 166% from a year earlier to 11,496 vehicles on Wednesday. Xpeng Inc (9868.HK) posted a gain of 78% with 10,125 deliveries. Nio Inc (9866.HK) delivered 7,024 EVs, up 5% from a year earlier. Continue reading “China EV startups say May sales up, post-lockdown output constrained”

BRUSSELS, June 2 (Reuters) – Owners of vehicles equipped with so-called defeat devices have a right to compensation from the vehicle manufacturer, an adviser to the top EU court said on Thursday in a case brought against Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE).

Defeat devices are mechanisms or software that can change vehicle emissions levels, leading to disputes over whether manufacturers use them to mask the true pollution levels of their vehicles. Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) admitted in 2015 to using software to cheat U.S. emissions tests on some diesel engines. Continue reading “Defeat device car owners can claim damages – EU court adviser”

SHANGHAI, June 2 (Reuters) – China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group conducted its first successful satellite launch on Wednesday, sending nine into low earth orbit as it builds out a satellite network to provide more accurate navigation for autonomous vehicles.

The self-designed and manufactured GeeSAT-1 satellites, were launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan. Geely said it expects another 63 to be in orbit by 2025 and eventually plans to have a constellation of 240. Continue reading “China’s Geely launches first nine low-orbit satellites for autonomous cars”

June 1 (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) Chief Executive Elon Musk has asked employees to return to the office or leave the company, according to an email sent to employees and seen by Reuters.

“Everyone at Tesla is required to spend a minimum of 40 hours in the office per week,” Musk wrote in the email sent on Tuesday night. Continue reading “Elon Musk tells Tesla staff: return to office or leave”

June 1 (Reuters) – General Motors Co’s (GM.N) Buick brand, once one of America’s pioneer auto companies, said Wednesday that its future North American lineup will be all-electric by 2030.

That target will make Buick one of GM’s lead brands, along with Cadillac, in pursuing the corporate goal of phasing out internal combustion engines by 2035. Continue reading “Buick says it will ‘fully electrify’ North American lineup by 2030”

BERLIN, June 1 (Reuters) – BMW (BMWG.DE) is still hammering out how to make good on a promise to build the world’s first fossil-free plant in Hungary, from how much energy can be generated on-site to how much storage will be needed, the carmaker’s production chief said.

The plant under construction, which BMW has said will open in 2025 and source all its electricity from renewables, will still be connected to Hungary’s grid, Milan Nedeljkovic said at a media roundtable on Wednesday. Continue reading “BMW still hammering out details of promised fossil-fuel free plant”

June 1 (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co (F.N) needs to overhaul its century-old business model – from slashing advertising spending to reworking its dealer network – if it is to earn enough profit on electric vehicles to compete with Tesla (TSLA.O) and others, the automaker’s chief executive said on Wednesday.

The shift from internal combustion vehicles to EVs is “the most exciting land grab in our industry since the Model T” introduced by Henry Ford in 1908, CEO Jim Farley said at an Alliance Bernstein conference. Continue reading “Ford may slash ad spending, revamp dealers to boost EV profit, CEO says”

June 1 (Reuters) – Eight electric vehicle manufacturers have adopted a U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation to improve emergency response guides and incorporate vehicle-specific information for fighting lithium-ion EV battery fires. Continue reading “Eight automakers adopt U.S. EV fire response recommendations”

June 1 (Reuters) – The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) said on Wednesday it is seeking to boost the number of electric delivery vehicles it plans to buy as it modernizes its network for a new delivery plan.

The USPS currently plans to buy at least 10% EVs including 10,019 of an initial $2.98 billion order of 50,000 from Oshkosh Defense (OSK.N). The Postal Service said it is exploring options for accelerating production of the initial 10,019 BEVs toward the front of the line and “anticipates taking advantage of the flexibility built into the contract with Oshkosh to increase the number of BEVs purchased in the initial delivery order.” Continue reading “USPS expects to boost purchase of electric delivery vehicles”

MILAN, June 1 (Reuters) – Italy’s Lamborghini wants to have two hybrid supersports cars in its range beyond 2030 powered by e-fuels, the head of the Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) brand was quoted as saying in a newspaper interview on Wednesday.

Lamborghini’s Chief Executive Stephan Winkelmann told Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera that synthetic fuels would allow the automaker to have very low carbon emissions. Continue reading “Lamborghini wants hybrid cars in its range beyond 2030 with e-fuels – CEO”

BERLIN, June 1 (Reuters) – German manufacturers slightly increased outputs in May, buoyed by order backlogs, increased staffing and, in some cases, improved materials availability, but a further decline in new orders mean rough seas ahead, a survey found on Wednesday.

S&P Global’s final Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for manufacturing, which accounts for about a fifth of the economy, came in at 54.8, barely changed from a flash reading of 54.7. Continue reading “Backlogs, more staff help German factories against headwinds -PMI”

BERLIN, June 1 (Reuters) – Tesla (TSLA.O) works at twice the industry pace in many processes but still needs to ramp up highly complex factories and find qualified workers to win the electric vehicle race, Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) chief executive said on Wednesday.

The U.S. carmaker, posing a challenge to German electric vehicle production with its new plant near Berlin, had the advantage of a blank slate start and a small number of models, Diess said, making it easier to scale. Continue reading “Volkswagen’s race with Tesla will be tight, Diess says”

June 1 (Reuters) – Panasonic Holdings Corp (6752.T), which makes batteries for Tesla and other automakers, said on Wednesday it expected global car production to recover this fiscal year, but predicted that the two-year long chip shortage would continue.

“We will be running our business as we consider risks of fluctuations on vehicle production,” said Masashi Nagayasu, CEO of the Japanese conglomerate’s automotive business, which makes in-car infotainment systems and other auto components. Continue reading “Japan’s Panasonic sees global car output improving this business year”

June 1 (Reuters) – TomTom (TOM2.AS) will shed around a tenth of its global workforce, the Dutch navigation and digital mapping company said on Wednesday, as it steps up its automated mapmaking capability.

“Regrettably, this will have an intended impact on approximately 500 employees in our Maps unit,” it said in a statement. “The full assessment of the financial implications of the reset of the Maps unit is ongoing.” Continue reading “Mapmaker TomTom to cut 10% of jobs due to improved automation”

MILAN, May 31 (Reuters) – Electric vehicles are not the only effective route to reducing carbon emissions produced by the car industry, the head of Italy’s automotive lobby said on Tuesday.

Other technologies could help to decarbonise the industry, meeting the same targets on emissions while preserving know-how and jobs in Italy, said Paolo Scudieri, the chairman of automotive industry association ANFIA. Continue reading “Electric vehicles not the only way to meet CO2 targets, Italy car lobby says”

TAIPEI, May 31 (Reuters) – Taiwan’s Foxconn (2317.TW), the world’s largest contract electronics maker, said on Tuesday that the second half of the year is heading “in a better direction” as Shanghai’s COVID-19 lockdown appears to be easing.

“We are quite confident in the stability of our supply chain for the second half of this year,” Foxconn chairman Liu Young-way told the company’s annual shareholder meeting. Continue reading “Foxconn predicts more stable supply chain in the second half of 2022”

BLYTH, England, May 31 (Reuters) – Britain risks falling behind in the race to establish an electric car industry if it can’t build more battery factories – and quickly.

Ambitious plans from automakers to ramp up production of battery-powered electric vehicles (EV) and a looming change in post-Brexit trading rules that will limit options to import cheap Asian batteries mean there is no time to waste.

But a shortage of suitable sites for “gigafactories”, and the decision by some local manufacturers to import EV batteries from mainland Europe, are creating challenges that executives and politicians say the government must do more to address. Continue reading “Britain’s electric car charge faces battery challenge”

LONDON/BERLIN, May 30 (Reuters) – The humble wire harness, a cheap component that bundles cables together, has become an unlikely scourge of the auto industry. Some predict it could hasten the downfall of combustion cars.

Supplies of the auto part were choked by the war in Ukraine, which is home to a significant chunk of the world’s production, with wire harnesses made there fitted in hundreds of thousands of new vehicles every year. Continue reading “How a cheap component could help kill off combustion cars”

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited (TPEML), a subsidiary of Tata Motors Ltd, and Ford India Private Limited (FIPL), have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Gujarat (GoG) for the potential acquisition of FIPL’s Sanand vehicle manufacturing facility including (i) Land & Buildings (ii) Vehicle Manufacturing Plant, Machinery and Equipment and (iii) transfer of all eligible employees of FIPL Sanand’s vehicle manufacturing operations, subject to the signing of definitive agreements and receipt of relevant approvals. FIPL will operate its Powertrain manufacturing facilities by leasing back the land and buildings of the Powertrain unit from TPEML. Continue reading “Tata Motors signs MoU for the potential acquisition of Ford India’s Sanand plant!”

BERLIN, May 29 (Reuters) – German carmaker Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) said on Sunday it was taking seriously an investigation by Brazil’s public prosecutors into alleged human rights violations in the country as reported by German media.

“We can assure you that we take the possible events at Fazenda Rio Cristalino, to which the investigation by the Brazilian investigating authorities refers, very seriously,” Volkswagen said in an emailed statement, referring to a cattle farm in Brazil. Continue reading “VW says taking Brazil human rights probe seriously”

WASHINGTON, May 27 (Reuters) – U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai said on Friday the vote by General Motors (GM.N) workers at a pickup truck plant in Mexico to approve a new contract “demonstrates the significant benefits of true collective bargaining.”

This month, Reuters reported GM agreed to an 8.5% wage hike with a new, independent union at its plant in the central Mexican city of Silao. Tai said that under labor protections of the USMCA trade deal, “workers no longer have to tolerate contracts negotiated behind their backs and have the right to vote on an agreement after it’s negotiated.” Continue reading “U.S. says GM Mexican plant workers’ vote shows bargaining benefits”

SEOUL, May 27 (Reuters) – South Korea’s POSCO Chemical Co Ltd (003670.KS) said on Friday it plans to invest in a $633 million battery cathode materials plant in Canada with U.S. automaker General Motors Co (GM) (GM.N).

The South Korean materials maker said in a regulatory filing that it plans to invest $278 million through September 2024 on the joint venture plant with GM. Continue reading “POSCO Chemical plans to invest in $633 mln battery materials plant with GM”

WASHINGTON, May 26 (Reuters) – Joby Aviation Inc (JOBY.N) said on Thursday it had received a certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that would allow it to begin its air-taxi operations commercially with a conventional airplane.

Although the certification gives the necessary clearance and is a significant milestone, the company still has additional regulatory hurdles to clear before its five-seater aircraft can legally fly passengers. Continue reading “Joby receives FAA nod to start air taxi services commercially”

New York, May 25 (Reuters) – Oil prices rose on Wednesday, buoyed by tight supplies and as U.S. refiners drove processing activity to their highest level since before the coronavirus pandemic started.

Brent crude futures for July settled up 47 cents to $114.03 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for July delivery ended up 56 cents to $110.33 a barrel. Continue reading “Oil edges higher on tight supply, rising U.S. refining activity”

May 26 (Reuters) – Two months into harsh COVID-19 lockdowns that have choked global supply chains, China’s economy is staggering back to its feet, but businesses from retailers to chipmakers are warning of slow sales as consumers in the country slam the brakes on spending.

Car sales in the world’s largest auto market have slowed dramatically, gamers are buying fewer consoles, and people are unwilling to replace their existing smartphones, laptops and TVs, as prolonged COVID curbs crimp spending power and put more people out of jobs. Continue reading “Global firms warn of sluggish China demand due to lengthy COVID curbs”

International Soft Launch by AutoNxt Automation Pvt Ltd

Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS), ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, May 23-25, 2022

H.E. Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, inaugurated the international soft launch of indigenously made smart electric tractors by Mumbai based startup, AutoNxt Automation Pvt Ltd at the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi earlier today, May 25, 2022, Wed. This was next to the other stalls by British Volt, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Hyundai, Nissan, and other global auto giants that were exhibiting and are actively foraying into the global EV space. This event was the first of its kind in the UAE and was attended by hundreds of investors, clients, vendors, partners and OEMs in the global EV ecosystem from several countries. H.E. Sudhir commented, “AutoNxt is looking to change the way farming is done and transform the lives of farmers around the world with their indigenously made smart electric tractors. With the Make In India focus, India is clearly emerging as the next big EV player on the global field.” Continue reading “This Made in India Smart Electric Tractor can revolutionise Farming Globally”

BERLIN, May 25 (Reuters) – European antitrust regulators gave unconditional approval to a Volkswagen-led (VOWG_p.DE) consortium’s bid for car rental firm Europcar (EUCAR.PA), Volkswagen said on Wednesday, confirming a Reuters report last week that approval was expected.

France’s stock market regulator AMF has set June 10 as the end of the initial acceptance period for investors to tender their stock. If not enough investors tender, the period can be extended by a further 10 days, Volkswagen said. Continue reading “Volkswagen receives EU regulator approval for Europcar bid”

BEIJING, May 26 (Reuters) – If global automakers think they can extend their dominance in China into the electric era, they may be in for a shock.

Kings of the combustion age such as General Motors and Volkswagen are falling behind local players in the booming electric vehicle (EV) market in China, a country that’s key to funding and developing their electric and autonomous ambitions. Continue reading “Global automakers face electric shock in China”

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, May 25 (Reuters) – The U.S. business of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has agreed to plead guilty to criminal conduct and pay roughly $300 million in penalties to resolve a multi-year emissions fraud probe surrounding vehicles with diesel engines, people familiar with the matter said.

FCA US LLC, now part of Stellantis NV (STLA.MI), has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal conspiracy charge arising from its efforts to evade emissions requirements for more than 100,000 older Ram pickup trucks and Jeep sport-utility vehicles in its U.S. lineup, the people said. Continue reading “EXCLUSIVE Stellantis unit FCA reaches plea deal in U.S. emissions probe -sources”

HOUSTON, May 25 (Reuters) – Oil prices rose in early trade on Wednesday, boosted by tight supplies and the prospect of rising demand from the upcoming start of the U.S. summer driving season.

Brent crude futures for July rose 46 cents, or 0.4%, to $114.02 a barrel by 0020 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for July delivery was up 58 cents, or 0.5%, to $110.35 a barrel. Continue reading “Oil prices climb on prospects for tighter supply as demand rises”

WASHINGTON, May 24 (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor America (005380.KS) will recall 281,000 vehicles in North America over seat-belt pretensioners that could explode and project metal fragments, causing injuries.

The recall, which comes after three injury reports, covers some 2019-2022 Accent, 2021-2023 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, front driver or passenger-side seat-belt pretensioners could explode upon deployment. Dealers will secure seat-belt pretensioners with a cap. Continue reading “Hyundai to recall 281,000 North American vehicles over exploding part”

WASHINGTON, May 24 (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co (F.N) will pay $19.2 million to resolve allegations it falsely advertised real-world fuel economy and payload capacity for some hybrids and pickup trucks, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office said on Tuesday.

The multi-state settlement covers 2013–2014 C-Max hybrids and 2011–2014 Super Duty pickups. In 2013, Ford lowered the advertised fuel economy ratings on its C-Max hybrid by up to seven miles per gallon and sent checks to owners of $550 to make up the difference in fuel costs. Continue reading “Ford to pay U.S. states $19.2 mln over false advertising claims”

SEOUL, May 24 (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor Group said on Tuesday it plans to invest 63 trillion won ($49.86 billion) in South Korea through 2025 to strengthen its competitiveness in different business fields, including electrification, robotics and urban air mobility, as well as autonomous driving technology.

The South Korean auto group on Sunday announced its plans to invest more than $10 billion in the United States by 2025 to enhance collaboration with U.S. firms in advanced technology, which includes its $5.5 billion investment for new electric vehicle and battery facilities in Georgia. Continue reading “Hyundai Motor Group to invest $50 billion in South Korea through 2025”

MILAN, May 24 (Reuters) – Uber Technologies Inc (UBER.N) has clinched a deal to integrate its ride-hailing app with Italy’s largest taxi dispatcher as it seeks to boost its presence in the eurozone’s third-largest economy, the company said on Tuesday.

The move is part of Uber’s strategy of working with established taxi operators, tapping into a recovery in demand after the pandemic-driven downturn. Continue reading “Uber seals taxi deal to expand its business in Italy”

May 23 (Reuters) – Stellantis NV (STLA.MI) and Samsung SDI (006400.KS) plan to announce on Tuesday they will build a new battery plant in Indiana as the Chrysler-parent ramps up electric vehicle production plans, sources briefed on the matter told Reuters.

The companies in October announced they were signing a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture for lithium ion battery production in North America and said the plant was targeted to start in 2025 and aimed to have an initial annual production capacity of 23 gigawatt hours, with the ability to increase to up to 40 gigawatt hours in the future. Continue reading “Stellantis, Samsung SDI to build new JV battery plant in Indiana -sources”

TOKYO, May 24 (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) will cut its global production plan by about 100,000 to roughly 850,000 vehicles in June due to the semiconductor shortage, it said on Tuesday.

The company did not change its estimate of producing about 9.7 million vehicles worldwide by March 2023. Continue reading “Toyota to cut global production plan by 100,000 in June”

BERLIN, May 23 (Reuters) – Lockdowns in China are having greater impact on global supply chains than the war in Ukraine and will be felt even after they are lifted, said the head of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s (DPWGn.DE) freight business.

China renewed COVID-19 lockdowns in major centres in March and April, hitting production and consumption and heightening risks for parts of the global economy heavily dependent on the country. Continue reading “DHL exec says China lockdowns will hit supply chains more than Ukraine war”