(Reuters) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was looking into an incident that left a Tesla Supercharger station damaged in a city in Washington in the wee hours of Tuesday.
Electrek first reported the incident, saying an “explosion” led to a temporary shutdown of the charging station. Reuters could not independently verify if there was an explosion. Continue reading “FBI looking into Tesla Supercharger damage incident, latest in series of vandalism acts”
BERLIN, (Reuters) – The Volkswagen Group more than doubled its deliveries of battery-electric cars in Europe in the first quarter to over 150,000 from 74,400 in the same period last year, the carmaker said on Wednesday, in another sign that EV demand is picking up.
Orders for Volkswagen vehicles, both electric and combustion engine, rose 29% in Western Europe compared to last year, Volkswagen said, confirming numbers published by German newspaper Bild. Continue reading “Volkswagen’s Europe EV sales more than double in first quarter”
Source : PTI | The electric vehicle segment is set for rapid growth as its penetration in the domestic passenger vehicle segment may touch 12-13 per cent over the next 4-5 years amid favourable government policies and mainstream OEMs driving in models to cater to diverse customer needs, Hyundai Motor India Whole Time Director and COO Tarun Garg said. There is now clarity in the industry that electric vehicles are the way forward in the country, he added.
“Clarity was lacking earlier whether it would be EVs or hybrid or any other technology. Now, it is clear that all the policies favour the EVs,” Garg told PTI in an interaction. Continue reading “EV sales set for rapid growth; penetration likely to touch 12-13% over 5 yrs, says Hyundai COO”
Source : PTI | Tata Steel on Monday reported a 5 per cent fall in its consolidated steel production to 7.45 million tonnes (MT) for the last quarter of FY25, mainly due to ongoing transition at the company’s operations in the UK. The company had produced 7.85 MT in the January-March quarter of the preceding 2023-24 fiscal, with 0.31 MT coming from the UK plant.
In FY25, the consolidated steel production in India, the Netherlands, the UK and Thailand increased 3.53 per cent to 30.75 MT from 29.7 MT in FY24. Continue reading “Tata Steel consolidated output falls 5% to 7.45 MT in Q4; sales rise to 8.28 MT”
BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – The European Commission bowed to pressure from EU countries to water down countermeasures against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium, removing U.S. bourbon from its list of targets.
The European Commission had planned to impose extra duties on up to 26 billion euros ($28.4 billion) of U.S. imports in response to U.S. 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium and drew up a list of products in mid-March. Continue reading “How has the EU watered down its countermeasures to US tariffs?”
Summary
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Japan is sending a team to negotiate on trade, U.S. President Donald Trump said, adding that he spoke earlier on Monday with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who separately said he told Trump to rethink tariff policies. Continue reading “Trump says Japan sending team for talks, Japan urges him to rethink tariffs”
(Reuters) – German carmaker Mercedes-Benz said on Monday its first-quarter unit sales of cars and vans fell 7%, hit by declining demand in China and Europe.
Deliveries fell to 529,200 cars and vans in the January-March period, compared with 568,400 units last year, while sales of battery electric vehicles dropped even more sharply by 10%, to 45,500 vehicles from 50,500 a year ago, the company said in a statement. Continue reading “Mercedes-Benz Q1 deliveries fall 7% on weaker demand in China, Europe”
Summary
BRUSSELS/LONDON, (Reuters) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a call with metals industry representatives on Monday and was due to speak later to the automobile sector about how to respond to U.S. tariffs. Continue reading “EU Commission head discusses response to tariffs with auto, steel and pharma leaders”
Summary
BERLIN, (Reuters) – Volkswagen’s Audi is holding its cars which arrived after April 2, when Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on autos imports, in U.S. ports, it said on Monday, as companies scramble to work out how they will be affected by the duties. Continue reading “Volkswagen’s Audi holding cars in U.S. ports due to autos tariff”
Summary
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Peter Navarro, President Donald Trump’s top trade adviser, on Monday dismissed tech-billionaire Elon Musk’s push for “zero tariffs” between the United States and Europe, calling the Tesla CEO a “car assembler” reliant on parts from other countries. Continue reading “Trump adviser Navarro dismisses Musk as ‘car assembler’ after tariff comments”
Summary
NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – The European Union wants India to eliminate tariffs on car imports under a long-pending trade deal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is willing to sweeten its current proposal to seal the talks, sources told Reuters. Continue reading “Exclusive: After Trump, EU seeks zero tariff from India on car imports, sources say”
BEIJING, (Reuters) – China’s Horizon Robotics announced on Monday that it would cooperate with Volkswagen on advanced driver assistance solution, extending its co-operation with the German automaker.
Its Horizon Superdrive smart driving solution will land in VW models through VW software unit Cariad’s research and development with Carizon – Cariad’s joint venture with Horizon Robotics, according to a company statement. Continue reading “China’s Horizon Robotics announces partnership with Volkswagen on advanced smart driving tech”
(Reuters) – Shares of India’s Tata Motors sank 10% on Monday, set for their worst day in over three years, as its luxury car unit Jaguar Land Rover paused exports of its British-made cars to the U.S. after President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff came into effect.
The slide on the day has taken the stock’s tumble to 22% since Trump announced the import duties on March 26. In that period the benchmark Nifty 50 has dropped 6.3%, including a 4% slump on the day. Continue reading “India’s Tata Motors slides 10% after luxury arm JLR pauses exports to US”
TOKYO, (Reuters) – Nissan Motor is considering shifting some domestic production of U.S.-bound vehicles to the U.S., the Nikkei reported on Saturday, as President Donald Trump ramps up trade tariffs on nations worldwide.
As early as this summer, Nissan plans to reduce production at its Fukuoka factory in western Japan and shift some manufacturing of its Rogue SUV to the United States to mitigate the impact of Trump’s tariffs, the business newspaper said, without citing the source of its information. Continue reading “Nissan considers transferring some domestic production to US, Nikkei says”
TOKYO, (Reuters) – Toyota aims to have about 15 electric vehicle models developed on its own by 2027 and is targeting production of about 1 million cars a year by then, the Nikkei newspaper said on Sunday.
Toyota declined to comment, saying the information was not announced by the company. Continue reading “Toyota to boost EV models to 15, targets producing 1 million by 2027, Nikkei says”
Summary
BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – European Union countries will seek to present a united front in the coming days against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, likely approving a first set of targeted countermeasures on up to $28 billion of U.S. imports from dental floss to diamonds. Continue reading “EU seeks unity in first strike back at Trump tariffs”
Source : PTI | The Delhi government has announced the construction of a 5.5-kilometer-long elevated road in the Pushta Sonia Vihar area, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity in the trans-Yamuna region. The project, with an estimated cost of ₹500 crore, has received approval from the Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, according to Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma.
‘The local MLA and Minister Kapil Mishra has been pushing for this project. Due to the presence of many trees in the area, we have decided to construct a flyover instead of a conventional road. After discussions with the chief minister, the project has been approved, and work will commence following deliberations with the Flood Department,’ Verma said.
Source : PTI | BMW Group India is unfazed by the prospect of Tesla entering the electric vehicle market here and feels it will help grow the segment, according to its Managing Director and CEO Vikram Pawah. The group, which sold a total of 1,249 units of electric cars in India across two brands — BMW and MINI — has already sold 646 units in the first quarter of 2025 and is keeping its forecast of 15 per cent of its total sales in India coming from EVs, Pawah told PTI in an interview.
“I think the market should grow. Anytime there’s more competition, we’ve seen that the market grows,” he said when asked how BMW is looking at how the EV market will shape up with Tesla entering India.
Source : PTI | With cars and transport vehicles becoming more connected and software-driven, automotive cybersecurity is likely to become a standard feature much like airbags or traction control, according to industry experts. While many global players are racing to build cybersecurity solutions for the auto sector, some mobility platforms have begun testing Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) and Vehicle Security Operations Centers, they said.
Next-generation vehicles face cybersecurity risks like tampering with internal vehicle network, GPS signal spoofing and remote control of steering and braking systems and others. Continue reading “Cybersecurity likely to become must-have feature in next-gen connected vehicles: Experts”
Source : PTI | The electric vehicle segment is set for rapid growth as its penetration in the domestic passenger vehicle segment may touch 12-13 per cent over the next 4-5 years amid favourable government policies and mainstream OEMs driving in models to cater to diverse customer needs, Hyundai Motor India Whole Time Director and COO Tarun Garg said. There is now clarity in the industry that electric vehicles are the way forward in the country, he added.
“Clarity was lacking earlier whether it would be EVs or hybrid or any other technology. Now, it is clear that all the policies favour the EVs,” Garg told PTI in an interaction.
(Reuters) – Nissan Motor said on Thursday it will not take new orders from the U.S. for two Mexican-built Infiniti SUVs, following auto tariffs levied by U.S. President Donald Trump, in a drastic scale-back of its operations at a joint venture plant.
Nissan also said it will now maintain two shifts of production of the Rogue SUV at its Smyrna, Tennessee, plant after announcing in January it would end one of the two shifts this month. Continue reading “Nissan says it will not take new US orders for Mexican-built Infiniti SUVs”
Summary
(Reuters) – Automakers are offering deals to anxious customers to ride a short-term surge in shopping, while also warning lawmakers that they will have to raise prices dramatically if tariffs remain in place for long. Continue reading “Automakers provide stable pricing for now, but warn of future hikes”
DETROIT, (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor is keeping sticker prices on its current model lineup steady for the next two months, the company said Friday, in an effort to ease shoppers’ concerns that fallout from tariffs will affect dealer lots.
“We know consumers are uncertain about the potential for rising prices and we want to provide them with some stability in the coming months,” José Muñoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor said in statement. Continue reading “Hyundai to keep vehicle prices steady until June amid tariff uncertainty”
Summary
(Reuters) – CEO Elon Musk pledged Tesla would return to growth this year after the company posted its first-ever sales decline in 2024. But the odds look stacked against him. Continue reading “Tesla investors brace for another year of sales decline as Musk backlash grows”
Source : PTI | Recyclers in India have collected 2,570.26 metric tonnes of lithium-ion waste batteries from electric vehicles (EVs) over the past three years, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh shared this information in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question from Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury.
However, he did not disclose the total amount of lithium-ion waste batteries generated from EVs. Continue reading “Recyclers collected over 2,500 metric tonnes of lithium-ion EV waste batteries since 2022: Govt”
MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Sweden’s AB Volvo will increase its investment in the truck factory it is building in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon to $1 billion, Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Thursday.
Volvo announced in August that it had chosen a site on the outskirts of the industrial hub Monterrey in northern Mexico as the site for its new North American heavy-duty truck factory, putting construction costs at the time at $700 million. Continue reading “Volvo to boost Mexico plant investment to $1 billion, minister says”
Summary
DETROIT, (Reuters) – Stellantis NV said on Thursday it was temporarily laying off 900 workers at five U.S. facilities and pausing production at one assembly plant each in Mexico and Canada, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs were announced. Continue reading “Stellantis to temporarily lay off 900 US workers as tariffs bite”
Summary
DETROIT, (Reuters) – General Motors plans to increase production of light-duty trucks at its Fort Wayne, Indiana, assembly plant, it said in a webcast sent to plant employees on Thursday and viewed by Reuters, after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on auto imports. Continue reading “Exclusive: GM to increase truck production in Indiana following Trump’s tariffs”
Source : PTI | German luxury carmaker BMW on Thursday reported a 7 per cent increase in its car sales in India at 3,914 units in the January-March period of 2025, its best ever first quarter sales, riding on its sports activity and electric vehicles. The group, which had sold 3,675 units in the first quarter of 2024, is looking at a double digit sales growth in 2025.
The BMW brand clocked 3,764 units while MINI recorded 150 units in the first quarter of 2025, BMW Group India said. Continue reading “BMW India sales up 7% at 3,914 units in Q1 2025”
Source : PTI | Rising input costs to meet mandatory safety requirements as well as growing consumer preference for features such as six airbags in all variants are making carmakers increase prices despite sluggish demand, according to industry players. Marker leader Maruti Suzuki India on Wednesday announced that it will increase prices of various models by Rs 2,500-62,000, from April 8, the second hike this year after increasing by up to Rs 32,500 across various models from February 1. Continue reading “Rising input costs to meet safety norms, consumer demand force carmakers to hike prices”
Source : PTI | The latest tariff measures by the US administration will not have any material impact on India’s passenger vehicle exports due to meagre volumes of such shipments, ICRA said on Thursday.
As part of reciprocal tariffs on about 60 countries to counter higher duties on American products imposed globally, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced 27 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India, saying New Delhi imposes high import duties on American goods. Continue reading “ICRA says US tariffs not to have any impact on passenger vehicle exports”
WAF AUTO THINK TANK
When Can We See Hydrogen Cars in India? CarPhD
Can Any Car Company Overtake Maruti Suzuki in India? WAF Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (04th April 2025)”
Source : PTI | The Indian automobile industry does not expect to have any significant impact by US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement as autos are not covered in it, besides there are limited exports to the US, industry body SIAM said on Thursday. It is to be noted that automobiles are not covered in this order since they are already subject to Section 232 tariffs at 25 per cent, announced earlier in President Trump’s order on March 26, 2025, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Director General, Rajesh Menon said in a statement.
“We don’t expect any significant impact on the Indian automobile industry since there are limited exports to the US, but we will continue to monitor the situation,” he noted. Continue reading “Don’t see any significant impact on Indian auto industry by US reciprocal tariff: SIAM”
Source : PTI | With US President Donald Trump revving up the tariff war, German luxury carmakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz in India on Thursday called for more free trade based on low tariffs and reduced trade barriers, saying it will be a win-win situation for all.
As part of reciprocal tariffs on about 60 countries to counter higher duties on American products imposed globally, the US on Wednesday announced 27 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India saying New Delhi imposes high import duties on American goods. Continue reading “BMW, Mercedes-Benz call for free trade based on low tariffs, reduced trade barriers”
Summary
DETROIT, (Reuters) – Ford Motor announced discounts across multiple models starting Thursday, leaning on its healthy inventory to offer customers thousands of dollars off as competitors hike prices to absorb tariff costs. Continue reading “Ford offers across-the-board discounts, jumping on recent tariff-induced sales bump”
Summary
Beyond safety, the cabin of the all-new Tiguan R-Line offers a world of safety with segment leading 9-airbags, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control, Front & Rear Disc Brakes and much more Continue reading “Progressive beyond performance, safety beyond features; the all-new Tiguan R-line”
Source : PTI | Indian auto component makers having manufacturing facilities in Canada and Mexico will face no significant impact of US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff war as the two countries have been exempted from additional duties. Due to the existing order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) related to fentanyl and migration, the White House confirmed that the new tariffs announced on Wednesday will not apply to Canada and Mexico.
Subsequently, US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) compliant goods from both the countries will attract zero duty while non-compliant items will face a 25 per cent tariff.
by WAF THINK TANK
For decades, Maruti Suzuki has dominated the Indian automobile market. With an extensive lineup of affordable, fuel-efficient cars and a widespread service network, the brand has built an almost unshakable presence. However, as competition grows and consumer preferences evolve, one question arises: Can any car company surpass Maruti Suzuki in India?
Maruti Suzuki’s Market Dominance
Maruti Suzuki has been India’s largest car manufacturer for over 40 years, consistently holding a 40–50% market share. Models like the Alto, Swift, WagonR, Baleno, and Brezza have become household names. The company’s strengths include: Continue reading “Can Any Car Company Overtake Maruti Suzuki in India?”
(Reuters) – India was slapped with a reciprocal tax by the United States on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump raised trade barriers on all goods entering America.
Below are some of the key points:
A flat 26% tariff was imposed on all goods being exported by India to the United States, amidst reciprocal tariffs in the range of 10%-49% unveiled by Trump for other countries. Continue reading “How will Trump’s reciprocal tariffs impact Indian exports?”
Summary
SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – The government backers of China’s largest auto show have clashed over who has the rights to organise it, sowing confusion among automakers and would-be attendees just weeks before the opening of the showpiece event in the world’s biggest auto market. Continue reading “China’s main auto show cast in unwelcome spotlight as government backers clash”
