BERLIN, (Reuters) – BMW aims to bring its first hydrogen-powered vehicle onto the market in 2028, using fuel cell technology developed with Toyota Motor Corp, the German carmaker said on Thursday.
The company said the vehicle would be an existing model with a hydrogen fuel cell drive option, without giving further details. It also did not give details on price or production volume. Continue reading “BMW plans to bring its first hydrogen car onto the market from 2028”
(Reuters) – Swedish automaker Volvo Cars slashed its margin and revenue ambitions for a second time in a year on Thursday, a day after it abandoned its EV-only target as the impact of tariffs and reduced demand for electric vehicles continue to hurt.
Slowing demand for EVs, partly due to a lack of affordable models, as well as the effects of EU, U.S. and Canadian tariffs on electric cars made in China have made market conditions increasingly difficult for automakers. Continue reading “Volvo Cars scales back margin and revenue ambitions”
Source : PTI | New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday stressed on the need to bring startups into the green hydrogen sector to bring new ideas and involve youth. Addressing a curtain raiser of the second International Conference on Green Hydrogen India 2024, Joshi said that there will be over 120 exhibitors in the event which is scheduled on September 11-13, 2024 in Delhi.
He said for pushing green hydrogen mission, we need to bring startups as it needs young blood and new ideas. Continue reading “Need to bring startups to boost green hydrogen: Pralhad Joshi”
Source : PTI | Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said two-wheeler manufacturers should provide helmet to the purchaser of the vehicle at a discount or reasonable rate as many people die in road accidents just for not wearing helmets. Addressing an event here, Gadkari said 50,029 people lost their lives in accidents in the country in 2022 when they were not wearing helmets.
“I am thinking of requesting two-wheeler manufacturers… if they can give some reasonable discount on helmets to the purchaser of the vehicle then we can save the life of the people,” he said. Continue reading “Two-wheeler makers should provide helmets to vehicle buyers at a discount: Nitin Gadkari”
(Reuters) – The United Auto Workers said on Wednesday that a battery manufacturing joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution has agreed to recognize the union at a Tennessee plant.
The UAW said a majority of the employees at the Ultium Cells facility signed cards to join the UAW and the company had agreed to recognize the union after workers at an Ohio Ultium plant overwhelmingly voted to join the union in 2022 and won a new contract earlier this year with significant wage hikes. Continue reading “GM battery joint venture agrees to recognize UAW at Tennessee plant”
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Wednesday it has closed an engineering analysis into General Motors prior recall of more than 1.3 million of its vehicles in the United States for seat belt issues.
NHTSA first opened a probe in 2019 into GM’s 2014 recall over the detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor Continue reading “NHTSA closes probe into GM recall of 1.3 million vehicles over seat belt issues”
Summary
STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Swedish automaker Volvo Cars scrapped its target of going all electric by 2030 on Wednesday, saying it now expected to still be offering some hybrid models in its lineup at that time. Continue reading “Volvo Cars abandons 2030 EV-only target”
Summary
WOLFSBURG, Germany, (Reuters) – Volkswagen has “one, maybe two” years to turn its main car brand around, its finance chief said on Wednesday, as the auto giant weighs its first ever plant closures in Germany and its powerful unions threaten a fight. Continue reading “Volkswagen warns time running out as it clashes with workers over cuts”
SAO PAULO, (Reuters) – General Motors said on Wednesday that it would begin producing its first-ever hybrid-flex vehicles that can run on 100% ethanol or gasoline alongside their batteries in Brazil.
Rival automakers Stellantis and Honda ave also announced plans this year to launch hybrid-flex vehicles in the South American country, where most cars can run on 100% biofuel made from sugarcane or corn due to the strength of its large ethanol industry. Continue reading “GM to launch its first ethanol-capable hybrid-flex vehicles in Brazil”
Summary
YOKOHAMA, Japan, (Reuters) – BYD is rolling out electric-vehicle charging stations and ramping up marketing and customer incentives in Japan, aiming to boost sales in a market that has become a stumbling block in the Chinese automaker’s global expansion. Continue reading “BYD’s global expansion push runs into stiff Japan test”
Electric vehicles (EVs) have swept the automotive industry and are slowly taking over. EVs are a more efficient, sustainable, and economical transportation option. The demand for EVs has only increased due to the sustainability factor and the significantly reduced carbon footprint. According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), there were about 10 million electric cars in 2010 and this number is only going to increase.
As EVs are fairly new in the market, building customer trust is an essential factor. Delivering a machine that works efficiently is important. Through this blog we will be talking about pre-delivery inspections (PDI), the transition from traditional delivery inspections to software-driven inspections and their benefits. Continue reading “Automating EV Delivery Inspections: Benefits of Software-Driven Automation”
(Reuters) – Automaker Stellantis on Tuesday named Bob Broderdorf as the head of Jeep North America.
Broderdorf, who previously served as senior vice president for the company’s Ram brand operations and head of sales operations at Dodge, will now be overseeing strategy, sales and marketing for Jeep in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Continue reading “Stellantis names new head of Jeep North America, makes other executive changes”
Summary
BEIJING, (Reuters) – China said on Tuesday it planned to start an anti-dumping investigation into canola imports from Canada, after Ottawa moved to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, lifting prices of domestic rapeseed oil futures to a one-month peak. Continue reading “China hits Canada with anti-dumping probe on canola imports, Ottawa deeply concerned”
Source : PTI | New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India on Tuesday said it has donated INR 3 crore to the PM CARES fund for flood relief across various states. The company’s contribution aims to support the government’s relief and rebuilding efforts across the country, the auto major said in a statement.
“We stand in solidarity with the individuals and families affected by the recent natural calamities. In times of crisis, it is a collective responsibility to stand together and rebuild,” Maruti Suzuki India MD and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said.
Continue reading “Maruti contributes INR 3 cr to PM CARES fund for flood relief”
Source : PTI | New Delhi: Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Monday called gig workers of food delivery companies as ‘Pradushan Yodha’ (warriors against pollution) as he spoke about the importance of electric vehicles. Addressing thousands of delivery partners, commonly known as ‘gig workers’, at an event organised by delivery companies Zomato and Blinkit at Talkatora Stadium, he called them the backbone of India’s economy.
“You are ensuring that millions of people can receive household essentials in minutes and enjoy meals from their favourite restaurants with just a click. Your dedication keeps our cities running smoothly.
Source : PTI | New Delhi: In a bid to ensure road discipline on highways and roads, the S. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih directed Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala to apprise the court of the steps taken to comply with Section 136A read with Rule 167A of the Motor Vehicles Act.
It said after the state government and Union territories decide about the use of electronic enforcement devices for issuance of challans, they shall ensure that fines for violation of provisions of the MV Act are made based on footage from electronic devices.
Source : PTI | Sixty-six % of road traffic deaths in Southeast Asia are of pedestrians, motorised two-wheeler riders and cyclists while the highest traffic fatalities in India are among two- and three-wheeler riders, according to the latest WHO report. The “WHO South-East Asia Regional Status Report on Road Safety” was launched during “Safety 2024”, the 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 2024.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, 30 % of reported road traffic deaths involved users of powered two- and three-wheelers. Continue reading “Pedestrians, cyclists, two-wheeler riders constitute 66 % of road fatalities in Southeast Asia: WHO”
Summary
BEIJING, (Reuters) – China said on Tuesday it plans to start an anti-dumping investigation into canola imports from Canada, after Ottawa moved to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, lifting prices of domestic rapeseed oil futures to a one-month peak. Continue reading “China hits Canada with anti-dumping probe on canola imports in response to EV tariffs”
(Reuters) – Electric vehicle maker Polestar said on Tuesday it has appointed former Stellantis finance executive Jean-Francois Mady as its CFO, days after replacing long-time CEO Thomas Ingenlath.
This marks the fourth executive change at the Geely-backed EV maker in the past few months as it looks to battle fresh tariffs in the European Union and rising competition from U.S.-based Tesla and legacy automakers. Continue reading “EV firm Polestar taps former Stellantis finance executive as CFO”
SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – Tesla plans to produce a six-seat variant of its Model Y car in China from late 2025, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said, as the U.S. automaker strives to increase the appeal of its best-selling yet aging electric vehicle (EV).
Tesla has asked suppliers to prepare accordingly for a double-digit increase of Model Y output at its Shanghai factory, said one of the people, who declined to be named as the plan is not public. Continue reading “Exclusive: Tesla plans six-seat Model Y, production slated for 2025 in China, sources say”
Summary
BERLIN/FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – Volkswagen boss Oliver Blume, already battling slowing demand for electric cars and Chinese rivals, must now put aside his mantle as team player to tackle yet another tough opponent, Germany’s powerful labour unions. Continue reading “From peace-maker to taboo-breaker, VW boss Blume takes on the unions”
BERLIN, (Reuters) – An electric vehicle made in China by Volkswagen’s CUPRA brand would be “wiped out” if the European Commission followed through with planned import tariffs of 21.3% on the vehicle, the brand’s CEO told Reuters.
Raising the price of the Tavascan, an all-electric SUV selling for around 52,000 euros ($57,500), to cover the costs was not an option in the current European economic environment, said Wayne Griffiths, who heads up the SEAT and CUPRA brands under Volkswagen’s SEAT S.A. subsidiary. Continue reading “Exclusive: Volkswagen’s CUPRA ‘at risk’ from planned EU tariffs, says brand CEO”
PARIS,(Reuters) – France’s new car registrations entered a decline last month, as concerns over the economy weigh on consumer appetite.
New car registrations in August plunged 24.3% compared with the same month a year ago, data from French car lobby Plateforme de la filière automobile (PFA) showed on Sunday, while registrations for the first eight months of the year shrank by 0.5%. Continue reading “France’s car sales shrink as political turmoil weighs”
QUITO, (Reuters) – General Motors’ factory in Ecuador will shutter production on Friday amid pressure from local competitors, but will still sell vehicles in the Andean country.
The Cadillac and Chevrolet maker said in April it would close its production operations in Ecuador and neighboring Colombia. Continue reading “General Motors Ecuador factory closes doors for good”
BERLIN,(Reuters) – German automaker BMW is recalling electric Mini Cooper SE vehicles due to problems in their batteries, which could potentially affect more than 140,000 autos worldwide, a company spokesperson told Reuters on Monday.
Around 39,000 vehicles could be affected in Germany, the company said in a statement on Monday, adding that there are no known accidents or injuries in this context. Continue reading “BMW worldwide recalling Mini Cooper SE electric models, company says”
Summary
BERLIN, (Reuters) – Volkswagen is considering closing factories in Germany for the first time, in a move that shows the mounting price pressure Europe’s top carmaker faces from Asian rivals. Continue reading “Volkswagen considers historic German plant closures in cost drive”
Source : PTI | The Maharashtra government has hiked fees for “choice numbers,” commonly known as VIP numbers, for new vehicles, which will translate into revised INR 6 lakh charge for the most sought-after ‘0001’ number for four-wheelers in high-demand areas like Mumbai, Pune, and other cities. Interestingly, the new fees mean that an out-of-series VIP number will cost up to INR 18 lakh in major cities including Mumbai and Pune, which incidentally is the cost of new cars in the mid-segment.
As per the transport department’s notification dated August 30, the cost for the coveted number ‘0001’ will rise to INR 5 lakh for four-wheelers, up from the current INR 3 lakh. For two and three-wheelers, the fee will increase to INR 1 lakh, doubling from the existing INR 50,000.
Source : PTI |New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said state finance ministers should consider reducing Goods and Services Tax (GST) on flex-fuel vehicles to 12 % in the GST Council meeting. Addressing IFGE’s India Bio-Energy & Tech Expo, Gadkari also said there is a need to reduce imports of fossil fuels and encourage the use of biofuel.
“We need support from finance ministers of different states. The (Union) finance minister assured me that we will try to convince all the finance ministers. Continue reading “Gadkari asks state FM’s to consider reducing GST on flex-fuel vehicles to 12 %”
(Reuters) – Mazda on Friday named Tatsuro Omura as the chief financial officer of its North American operations.
Omura previously served as the automaker’s general manager for business structure strategy department in Japan. Continue reading “Mazda North America names Tatsuro Omura as CFO”
(Reuters) – The California Department of Motor Vehicles on Friday issued draft regulations on the operation of autonomous vehicles on highways, paving the way for self-driving trucks to commence long-haul deliveries.
The state agency is planning a framework which would initially require safety drivers for both light- and heavy-duty operations. Continue reading “California issues draft regulations for operating autonomous trucks”
(Reuters) – Ford will recall 90,736 vehicles as engine intake valves in the vehicles may break while driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Saturday.
The recall impacts certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine, the NHTSA said. Continue reading “Ford to recall 90,736 vehicles over engine valve issue, US regulators say”
SANTIAGO, (Reuters) – Mining giant Rio Tinto and Chinese EV-maker BYD are among the six companies eligible to proceed with proposals to develop a lithium project in Chile’s Altoandinos salt flats, state-run mining company ENAMI said on Thursday.
The salt flats in the northern region of Atacama are one of the areas where the Chilean government is aiming to boost lithium production in partnership with the state by kicking off new projects. Continue reading “Rio Tinto, BYD and LG Energy eligible for Chile’s Altoandinos lithium project”
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Thursday gave a strong endorsement to Canada’s decision to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles and 25% on Chinese steel and aluminum as she finalizes U.S. duties planned at similar rates.
In a statement issued by her office, Tai applauded Canada’s decision to take strong action against China’s “state-directed, unfair, and anti-competitive non-market policies and practices, which threaten the existence of our market-oriented industries.” Continue reading “US trade chief Tai lauds Canada’s steep new tariffs on Chinese EV, metals”
(Reuters) – General Motors was ordered by a federal appeals court to face a class action claiming it violated laws of 26 U.S. states by knowingly selling several hundred thousand cars, trucks and SUVs with faulty transmissions.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a lower court judge had discretion to let drivers sue in groups over Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles equipped with 8L45 or 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmissions, and sold in the 2015 through 2019 model years. Continue reading “GM must face big class action over faulty transmissions”
NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Elon Musk and his electric vehicle company Tesla won the dismissal of a federal lawsuit accusing them of defrauding investors by hyping the cryptocurrency dogecoin and conducting insider trading, causing billions of dollars of losses.
The decision was issued on Thursday night by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan. Continue reading “Elon Musk, Tesla win dismissal of lawsuit claiming they rigged dogecoin”
SEOUL, (Reuters) – Uber Technologies Inc’s CEO on Friday expressed commitment to the South Korean market, where it is an underdog to local tech group Kakao and said the platform will attract more taxi drivers for growth.
“The fact is that a taxi driver who uses the Uber app will make more money, will be more busy,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told reporters in Seoul. Continue reading “Uber CEO says growth in South Korea promising despite underdog status”
Source : PTI | The two-wheeler industry is expected to witness robust sales in the upcoming festive season, riding on the back of strong revival in rural demand and bountiful monsoon so far, according to TVS Motor Company Senior Vice President – Head Commuter Business Aniruddha Haldar. In an interaction with PTI, he noted that the growth in the two-wheeler industry is also being driven by rising acceptance of scooters in the rural areas.
“In the first few months of this fiscal, we have seen the two-wheeler industry growing at 13%, which is higher than what we have seen in the recent years. Continue reading “Two-wheeler industry expects robust growth in upcoming festive season: TVS”
WAF THINK TANK
Road accidents claim more lives than wars, militancy, Naxalism: Nitin Gadkari HTAuto Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (30th August 2024)”
New Delhi, August 29, 2024: The 11th World Auto Forum (WAF) Awards Presentation Ceremony was an unforgettable evening that celebrated the finest achievements in the automotive and mobility industries. Held with great fanfare, the event brought together key industry players, innovators, and thought leaders from across the globe.
The WAF Awards are recognised for their unparalleled rigour and transparency. A dedicated research team from DMS, IIT Delhi plays a crucial role in supporting the jury’s selection process each year, ensuring highest standards are maintained. The jury, composed of industry veterans and experts, use a multi-tiered evaluation process that includes extensive analysis of performance metrics, innovations, and contributions to Marketplace, Business & Society.
New Delhi, August 29, 2024 – In a rapidly evolving world of technology, AI, Blockchain, and Cloud Computing are no longer futuristic concepts—they are integral to the automotive and mobility sectors. The 8th WAFit! Summit 2024, held at Aerocity, New Delhi, united industry leaders and experts to explore these transformative technologies. The summit offered valuable insights into the application, challenges, and future potential of these innovations in shaping the industry.
