PARIS, (Reuters) – Renault executives travelled to Japan this week to meet counterparts at Nissan in an effort to maximise the value of the French automaker’s stake in the Japanese firm ahead of its merger with Honda, a source close to the matter told Reuters.

Nissan and Honda said late last year they would begin formal talks on a merger that could potentially create the world’s third-largest auto group with annual output of 7.4 million vehicles. Continue reading “Renault seeking to maximize value of Nissan shares in Honda merger, says source”

(Reuters) – Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo announced on Wednesday it plans to expand testing of its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities in 2025.

After testing the Waymo Driver in multiple cities, the company says the technology is adapting successfully to new environments, leading to the expansion. Continue reading “Alphabet’s Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities”

Summary

• Recommitment to delivering new models in first half seen as positive
• Tesla’s vehicle sales profit margin misses estimates at 13.6% in fourth quarter
• Shares rise 4% after hours
• Planning fully autonomous car test in Texas soon

(Reuters) – Tesla said it was on track to roll out new, cheaper electric vehicle models in the first half of 2025 and would start testing a paid autonomous car service in June, enthusing investors and overshadowing quarterly results that fell short of Wall Street expectations on Wednesday. Continue reading “Tesla commits to cheaper cars in first half, sees autonomous vehicles ‘in the wild’ in June”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: As part of broadening its product portfolio towards clean fuel technologies, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is considering options to go beyond ICE (petrol and diesel) and electric powertrains.

This move is critical, as the passenger vehicle industry in India remains divided between adopting a direct electric vehicle (EV) approach or transitioning through hybrids before fully embracing electrification. Japanese OEMs like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar, and Honda Cars are currently selling hybrid models, while most other manufacturers are offering battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the market. Continue reading “Hyundai to explore alternate fuel technologies for India, says MD Unsoo Kim”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Legacy OEMs have crept up from behind to outwit and outpace electric-first manufacturers in the electric two wheeler segment this past year, thriving on their wide distribution networks and deep pockets. And if emerging trends from the electric three wheeler (passenger) industry are anything to go by, the same scenario may play out here too. Legacy two wheeler OEM, TVS Motor Company, is the latest entrant in the L5 (electric passenger) three wheeler segment, where old timers Bajaj Auto, Piaggio and Mahindra Last Mile Mobility are already kingmakers. And Bajaj is upping the game further, with the imminent launch of an electric three wheeler variant which has a larger body and thus the capacity to carry more passengers as well as cargo. Bajaj has also announced a new brand for e3w: Bajaj GoGo.

Continue reading “Electric passenger 3Ws: Bajaj readies bigger variant, TVS marks entry as electric-first OEMs struggle”

Source : PTI | With Indian OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) investing in multiple fuel technologies, the underlying goal remains the same: to create a sustainable ecosystem. The transition from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), CNG, or other fuel technologies is complex. Hybrid technology can act as a transitional solution, according to an EY-P report.

Hybrid EVs offer a bridge for consumers hesitant to fully transition to EVs due to concerns such as range anxiety, charging infrastructure, and cost. This technology provides better range and convenience than current EVs while emitting fewer pollutants than ICE vehicles. Continue reading “Hybrid technology, a bridge between EVs and ICE”

Source : PTI | Maruti Suzuki India reported a 16% rise in consolidated net profit for the third quarter of 2024, ending December 31. The company’s profit increased to INR 3,727 crore, up from INR 3,207 crore during the same period last year. This growth was accompanied by increased revenue, and the company also announced key leadership decisions.

Maruti Suzuki India’s net profit reached INR 3,727 crore in the third quarter. This represents a significant increase compared to the INR 3,207 crore profit reported in the third quarter of the previous year.

Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki Q3 profit jumps 16% to INR 3,727 crore”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Tata Motors is keeping a close eye on developments in China and the potential impact of US tariffs, but remains optimistic about growing demand from other regions to mitigate these challenges. The Indian automaker’s luxury arm Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), is placing its bet on increasing sales in the UK, Middle East, India, and other territories, according to the company’s top executive.

The Indian auto industry is facing external challenges due to geopolitical issues and the Red Sea crisis, which has hindered overall growth. However, Tata Motors is anticipating strong performance in FY25 despite these external pressures.

Continue reading “Tata Motors eyes global JLR demand amid caution over China market”

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Argentina next week will lift import tariffs on some low-cost electric and hybrid vehicles, while cutting taxes on higher-priced cars and motorcycles, the nation’s economy minister said on Tuesday.

Up to 50,000 imports of low-cost EVs and hybrids will be exempt from tariffs a year, Economy Minister Luis Caputo announced on X. Continue reading “Argentina lifts tariffs on low-cost EVs and hybrids, cuts some auto taxes”

(Reuters) – Automotive technology giant CDK Global has agreed to pay $630 million to settle antitrust claims that it caused hundreds of software vendors to overpay for vehicle dealership data by restricting access.

The proposed settlement filed on Monday night in a federal court in Madison, Wisconsin, requires a judge’s approval. Continue reading “Auto tech firm CDK reaches $630 million settlement in US dealer data case”

Summary

• GM posts strong results, better outlook for 2025 than expected
• Shares slump as tariffs become likely
• Automaker has brought inventory in early due to tariff threats
• GM sold 2.7 mln vehicles in 2024

DETROIT, (Reuters) – General Motors earnings exceeded Wall Street’s forecasts on Tuesday, but investors still dumped the stock broadly on fears of tariffs that will make it hard for the automaker to hit its 2025 targets. Continue reading “GM results aren’t enough for investors, shares skid 9% on tariff worries”

Source : PTI | Hyundai Motor India reported a 19% decline in consolidated profit after tax for the third quarter of 2024, ending December 31. The company attributed the decrease to subdued demand and geopolitical factors, resulting in a profit of INR 1,161 crore compared to INR 1,425 crore in the same period last year. Despite the challenges, Hyundai maintains confidence in its business fundamentals and plans to leverage its strengths for future growth, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

The company’s total revenue also saw a slight decrease, from INR 16,875 crore in the third quarter of 2023 to INR 16,648 crore in the same period of 2024. This decline in margins was primarily attributed to subdued market demand and ongoing global geopolitical influences.

Continue reading “Hyundai Motor India reports 19% decline in Q3 profit amidst subdued demand and geopolitical challenges”

Source : PTI | Japan’s Honda Motor plans to launch a small electric vehicle priced below USD 30,000 in North America by as early as 2026, the Nikkei newspaper said on Tuesday, as it plays catch-up in the battery-powered car market.

The automaker will produce the low-cost model locally, the Nikkei said, adding it will roll it out as part of its upcoming “Honda 0 Series” EV lineup. Continue reading “Japan’s Honda eyes launching sub-USD 30,000 EV in North America”

Source : PTI | The Maharashtra government has formed a seven-member committee to explore the possibility of banning petrol and diesel vehicles in Mumbai Metropolitan Region and allowing only CNG and electric vehicles in view of the city’s worsening air quality. The panel, headed by retired IAS officer Sudhir Kumar Shrivastava, will study and submit a report with its recommendations within three months, as per the government resolution (GR) dated January 22. Continue reading “Maharashtra sets up panel to explore phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles in Mumbai”

Source : PTI | Czech carmaker Skoda is looking to turn profitable in India this year as it expects sales to double with its foraying into the high volume sub-compact SUV segment with its new offering Kylaq, according to a top company executive. Bullish on its growth aspects, the automaker expects the Indian market to break into its top five markets globally with enhanced sales volume growth.

In an interaction with PTI, Skoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing Martin Jahn said the company plans to enhance its model lineup, including electric cars, and bolster localisation to ramp up the scale of operations in India. Continue reading “Skoda looks to turn profitable in India this year: Official”

Source : PTI | The Battery Passport, often likened to an Aadhaar card for batteries, is just the tip of the iceberg, says Anil Radhakrishnan, the Chief Product Officer at Tata Elxsi, in an exclusive interaction with ETAuto at The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. It is part of a broader digital product identity initiative spearheaded by regulators and global organisations to enhance data transparency, security, and sustainability across the entire automotive supply chain.

Continue reading “Battery Passport: Transforming EV supply chains with data transparency, security and sustainability”

Source : PTI | The red bahikhata in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s hands, to be presented on February 1, 2025, holds the hope of bringing new opportunities to the country with digitalisation, localisation and other advancements.

The auto industry has pinned its hopes on this budget to transform the Indian auto sector with sustainability. This transformation requires uniformity in taxes for electric vehicles (EVs), upskilling of human resources, a strengthened local supply chain, and much more. Continue reading “Budget 2025: Auto players urge subsidy continuity, tax reduction, enhanced localisation and upskilling of human resources”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Sona BLW Precision Forgings is “actively” looking to enter the complex and competitive Chinese auto component market. This marks an about turn from what the company had said just a few quarters back – it had then pooh poohed the threat from the Chinese while pointing towards protectionist policies of the US and Indian governments and made no move to identify Chinese OEMs for supplying its own products. At that time, Sona had asserted that it was well placed to compete with the Chinese in the global automotive market. But since then, the global heft of the Chinese has increased, the US is in the midst of sweeping policy realignments and perhaps the motto – if you can’t beat them, might as well join them – best fits Sona’s current strategy. Continue reading “Sona to enter ‘challenging’ China market, dismisses threat from Trump tariffs for US revenues”

Source : PTI | Honda will begin operating a dedicated electric two-wheeler plant in India in 2028.

A wide variety of electric models will be produced here by combining modules that are common for multiple models. Additionally, for batteries, the core component of electric models, Honda has been working with battery manufacturers to establish specifications suited to the characteristics of two-wheelers and ensure stable procurement. Continue reading “Honda to operate dedicated electric 2-wheeler plant in India by 2028”

(Reuters) – Mercedes-Benz told investors on Monday it expected the adjusted margin of its passenger car division to be above its 6%-7% forecast for the fourth quarter of 2024, according to analysts at Bernstein Research and Jefferies.

The luxury carmaker, which is due to report full-year results on Feb. 20, was confident it would achieve its full-year margin target of 7.5%-8.5%, the analysts’ notes said. Continue reading “Mercedes-Benz expects higher margin on car division in fourth quarter, analysts say”

(Reuters) – Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will rise by at least 17% this year to over 20 million cars, helped by an extension of China’s auto trade-in subsidies, research firm Rho Motion forecast on Tuesday.

Europe, the world’s second-biggest EV market, will return to sales growth as CO2 emission targets come into effect and cheaper models become available, but the pace will remain slower than in 2023, Rho Motion Head of Research, Iola Hughes, said. Continue reading “EV car sales to top 20 million in 2025, research firm says”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Monday threw out consumer protection rules adopted by the Biden administration to ban bait-and-switch tactics and prohibit auto dealers charging for add-on costs that do not benefit new car buyers.

In response to legal challenges brought by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and a Texas dealer group, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said in a 2-1 decision that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had violated procedural rules in writing the regulation without giving advance notice of the planned regulation. Continue reading “US court throws out Biden-era rules designed to protect car buyers”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Volkswagen’s CEO has spoken to the carmaker’s Chinese joint venture partners about their interest in investing in Europe but was not aware of any concrete decisions on their part, a VW spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The spokesperson declined to comment on whether any discussions have taken place with joint venture partners on the topic of acquiring Volkswagen’s own plants. Continue reading “VW CEO says talking to Chinese partners about their Europe expansion plans”

Summary

• GM posts strong results, better outlook for 2025 than expected
• Shares slump as tariffs become likely
• Automaker has brought inventory in early due to tariff threats
• GM sold 2.7 mln vehicles in 2024

DETROIT, (Reuters) – General Motors on Tuesday posted fourth-quarter 2024 results and a 2025 earnings forecast ahead of Wall Street expectations, but shares fell sharply in trading Tuesday as investors weighed the threat of tariffs that could hit the automaker’s business. Continue reading “GM results top Wall Street targets; shares slump as tariff threat looms”

Source : PTI | Automobile exports from India rose 19% year-on-year in 2024 led by a robust dispatch of two-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, according to SIAM data. Overall shipments rose to 50,98,810 units last year, up 19% from 42,85,809 units exported in 2023.

“Last year saw revival in demand for the Indian automobiles from emerging markets like Latin America and Africa,” Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Director General Rajesh Menon told PTI when asked about reasons for exports growth last year.

Continue reading “Demand revival in emerging markets aids automobile exports grow 19% in 2024”

Source : PTI | Ahead of the Union Budget, Tata Technologies on Monday called for increased allocation toward upskilling initiatives aligned with Industry 4.0 to create a future-ready workforce. In order to achieve India’s ambitious goals outlined in the roadmap for a USD 5 trillion economy, the budget should prioritise innovation-driven policies, investments in emerging technologies, and the development of products in India, for India and the world, Tata Technologies CEO & MD Warren Harris said in a statement.

Key growth drivers such as smart manufacturing, AI, digital transformation, and software-defined vehicles (SDVs) require strong government backing through incentives for R&D, skill development, and infrastructure enhancement, he noted. Continue reading “Hike allocation for upskilling initiatives in Budget to create future-ready workforce: Tata Tech”

Source : PTI | TVS Motor, a leading player in the two and three-wheeler segment, is planning to make a foray into the electric cargo vehicle space, an official said on Monday. The company, which launched its electric three-wheeler passenger vehicle in the eastern metropolis, is hoping to roll out the cargo variant during the last quarter of the current financial year.

“We launched the electric three-wheeler in Kolkata along with UP, Bihar, J&K and Delhi in the passenger segment. The company aims to make a foray into the electric cargo three-wheeler segment during the fourth quarter of the current financial year”,

Continue reading “TVS Motor plans to enter electric 3-wheeler cargo vehicle segment”

Summary

• JMAT aims for higher cash conversion levels by 2026
• Steps follow pressure from top investor Standard Investments

(Reuters) – British autocatalyst maker Johnson Matthey said on Monday it would review its executive pay and cut its capital expenditure in its hydrogen technologies business to boost its cash following pressure from its top investor. Continue reading “Johnson Matthey to review executive pay, cut spend in hydrogen technologies”

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – Tesla has joined BMW and Chinese producers in filing a challenge at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) against EU tariffs on China-made electric vehicles, according to a filing on the court’s website on Monday.

The challenge will open a new front in Brussels’ conflict with Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, the EU stepped up its probe into Musk’s social media platform X over content moderation. Continue reading “Tesla joins court challenges to EU tariffs on Chinese EVs”

Summary

• Investors await details on Tesla’s lower-cost model for growth
• FSD software boosts Tesla’s profit margins, analysts say
• Stock has soared over 60% since Trump election victory in November

(Reuters) – Tesla investors will look for more details on the automaker’s lower-priced model when it reports quarterly results on Wednesday as some expect the cheaper car to help the company hit its goal to increase deliveries by up to 30% this year. Continue reading “Tesla investors pin hopes on cheaper EV model to boost sales after lackluster 2024”

(Reuters) – Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will invest 65 million pounds ($80.71 million) to expand its luxury paint services in the UK and Slovakia to meet increased demand for personalised cars from high-end clients, it said on Monday.

The luxury car maker joins rival Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a unit of BMW, in trying to cash in on the trend. Continue reading “JLR to invest $80 million to meet demand for custom luxury car colours”

Source : PTI | A  lithium refinery project with an investment of INR 42,532 crore is expected to be launched in Nagpur this year, a release said on Saturday. An agreement was signed at Davos, Switzerland, by the Maharashtra government and Vardhaan Lithium (I) Pvt. Ltd to establish lithium refinery at Butibori in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Continue reading “INR 42,532 cr lithium refinery project to be launched in Nagpur this year”

Source : PTI | Two-wheelers are a necessity and not luxury in the current Indian context and taxes on these vehicles must be reduced as the industry is staring at a single-digit growth next fiscal with affordability becoming an issue, according to a senior executive of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India. There is also a requirement for income tax rationalisation to enable middle-income people start spending again, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) Director Sales and Marketing Yogesh Mathur told PTI in an interview. Continue reading “Two-wheelers not luxury, tax cut needed to spur demand: HMSI”

Source : PTI | Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 concluded on Wednesday after witnessing around 200 product unveils across automotive, components and technology, with the government planning to seek industry views to make it an annual affair. As per the organisers, the second edition of the event saw participation from over 1,500 exhibitors and footfalls of over 8 lakh people, making it one of the largest mobility events globally. Continue reading “Govt to seek industry input on making Bharat Mobility Expo an annual event”

Source : PTI | An assembly line to enhance local manufacturing capabilities was inaugurated by Ezz LCV, the authorisied distributor of TVS Motor Company in Giza, Egypt, the two wheeler manufacturer said. Established at an investment of about USD 6.5 million, the state-of-the-art facility would have a total production capacity of one lakh units per year, thereby expanding Ezz LCV’s ability to meet growing market demand. Continue reading “TVS Motor’s distributor Ezz LCV sets up new assembly line; to boost local manufacturing in Egypt”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors, a junior partner of Nissan Motor, is considering not joining a planned merger between Nissan and Honda Motor, sources told Reuters on Friday.

Mitsubishi Motors plans to remain listed while continuing its cooperative relationship with both companies, three sources said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak about the matter publicly. Continue reading “Mitsubishi Motors considering not joining planned Nissan-Honda merger, sources say”

PALO ALTO, California, (Reuters) – A joint venture between U.S. electric pickup and SUV maker Rivian and Volkswagen is in talks with other automakers about supplying their software and electrical architecture, a senior Rivian executive said on Thursday.

The German automaker agreed in November to invest $5.8 billion in the joint venture, which will integrate advanced electrical infrastructure and Rivian’s software technology for both companies’ future electric vehicles. Continue reading “Rivian says other automakers ‘knocking on door’ about tech from VW joint venture”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Tesla will fix software for some imported Model S and X, and China-made Model 3 and Y cars over safety hazards, totalling more than 1.2 million units, China’s market regulator said.

The action, effective Friday, is described as a product recall under Chinese regulations. Continue reading “Tesla to fix software for over 1.2 million imported and China-made cars, says regulator”

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – BMW has joined Chinese producers in filing a challenge at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) against EU tariffs on China-made electric vehicles (EVs), according to a filing on the court’s website.

The EU imposed tariffs on China-made EVs at the end of October after an anti-subsidy investigation. The rate for BMW, which manufactures the electric Mini Cooper and electric Mini Aceman in China, is 20.7%. Continue reading “BMW joins Chinese EV makers in filing EU court challenge to tariffs”