SAO PAULO, (Reuters) – Chinese automaker BYD is launching its first Brazilian-made plug-in hybrid flex-fuel car on Tuesday after a two-year investment of 100 million ​reais ($19.6 million), the company’s top executive in the country told Reuters.

The ‌Song Pro Super-Hibrido Flex Fuel, which hits dealerships across Brazil on Wednesday, features a powertrain that can run on electricity, gasoline or ethanol, Senior Vice President Alexandre Baldy said in an ​interview. Continue reading “BYD debuts first Brazilian-made plug-in hybrid flex car as sales surge”

Source : PTI | Battery Smart, a battery-swapping network for electric two- and three-wheelers, is likely to file draft papers with Sebi in September or October as it looks to tap the capital markets through an initial public offering (IPO), people familiar with the matter said.

The company has appointed SBI Capital Markets as the lead merchant banker for the proposed public issue, they said. Continue reading “Battery Smart eyes IPO filing in Sept–Oct, appoints SBI Capital Markets”

Source : PTI | The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to ensure that every road had a properly demarcated, encroachment-free space for pedestrians.

A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe asked Additional Solicitor General K M Nararaj, appearing for the Centre, to instruct the authorities concerned to make sure that the space meant for walking is not encroached upon and is properly separated from motor vehicle lanes.

Continue reading “Supreme Court directs Centre to ensure encroachment-free pedestrian spaces on all roads”

Source : PTI | The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution against the Centre’s E20 ethanol blended fuel policy, expressing concern over damage to non-compliant vehicles.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema brought the resolution in the House on the second day of the monsoon session of the Punjab Assembly here.

Continue reading “Punjab Assembly passes resolution against E20 fuel policy”

Renault Group would like to clarify that its manufacturing facility in Chennai, which produces vehicles for both Renault and Nissan, has been fully owned by Renault Group since September 2025.

While the facility is still occasionally referred to as the “Nissan plant” or “Nissan factory”, this is no longer factually accurate. The Chennai manufacturing facility is a Renault-owned plant that manufactures vehicles for both Renault and Nissan for domestic and export markets. Continue reading “Renault Clarifies: One Plant. Two Brands – Renault & Nissan. Fully Owned by Renault Group”

Source : PTI | The Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, West Bengal, on Saturday urged the state government not to scrap commercial buses older than 15 years and instead constitute a committee to examine alternatives such as engine replacement to curb pollution.

In a statement, the organisation said reports circulating on social media claiming that commercial vehicles over 15 years old would no longer be allowed to operate had created panic among bus owners. Continue reading “Bus operators urge Bengal govt to reconsider scrapping of 15-year-old vehicles”

Source : PTI | Petrol and diesel sales by India’s three state-run fuel retailers rose sharply in July as below-normal monsoon rainfall boosted fuel demand from farmers and motorists, preliminary industry sales data showed.

Petrol sales by Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) climbed 9.7 per cent to 3.45 million tonnes during July, compared with 3.14 million tonnes in the corresponding period a year ago. Continue reading “Fuel demand surges in July as weak monsoon lifts diesel, petrol sales”

(Reuters) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Friday it has opened a preliminary investigation into about 1.2 million Tesla vehicles over ​reports of suspension failures that could cause a loss of ‌vehicle steering control.

The regulator said its Office of Defects Investigation has received 156 complaints, alleging the front lower lateral link detached in certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2021-2023 ​Model Y vehicles. Continue reading “US auto safety regulator probes 1.2 million Tesla vehicles over suspension failure risks”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Chrysler-parent Stellantis ​said Friday it will recall just ‌over 1.5 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks worldwide over a seat belt issue.

The recall ​covers 2019–2026 Ram 1500 vehicles that ​may have been built with a ⁠second-row center or second-row driver side ​seat belt buckle anchor that was not ​properly attached to the vehicle body structure. The issue could impact the performance of the second-row ​seat belt system and increase the ​risk of injury to occupants. Stellantis is aware ‌of ⁠one potentially related injury tied to the recall but no fatalities. Continue reading “Stellantis to recall 1.5 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks over seat belt issue”

SEOUL, (Reuters) – China’s Chery Automobile agreed to invest $75 million in South Korean automaker KG Mobility Corp through convertible bonds, KG Mobility said. If converted ​into shares, the bonds would give Chery a stake of about ‌10% in the company. Continue reading “China’s Chery to invest $75 mln in Korea’s KG Mobility, eyes overseas markets”

Summary

• Separation options include spin off, sale or closure of China business, WSJ reports
• Executives also discuss separate sales entity for Shanghai exports, Journal says
• Gigafactory Shanghai has annual production capacity of more than 950,000 vehicles

(Reuters) – Elon Musk dismissed as “fake news” a report that executives at his ​electric vehicle company Tesla have been told to prepare for a separation of its China business ahead of a potential merger with ‌his space exploration firm SpaceX. Continue reading “Musk dismisses report of Tesla’s potential China business sale”

Summary

• Air taxi developers turn to defense market due to delays certifying civil versions
• Share prices of largest developers have fallen by more than 50% in last year
• Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have boosted interest in uncrewed aircraft

(Reuters) – Aerospace startups that have long promised to ​develop electric air taxis are increasingly focusing on a market with fewer regulatory hurdles and more money to spend: the military. Continue reading “Air taxi developers pivot to military market amid civil certification delays”

Summary

• Chinese EV, battery firms flock to invest in Spain’s auto sector
• Deals involve varying terms on local employment, tech transfer
• Officials, industry seek EU backing for common standards
• EU negotiating tougher trade measures in coming weeks

MADRID, (Reuters) – As Spanish regions jostle to draw Chinese battery and carmakers to produce on their turf, many of the same players are also pushing Brussels to lock in tough, EU-wide foreign investment rules to ​ensure Spain’s economy isn’t harmed by a race to the bottom. Continue reading “Spain courts Chinese firms but looks to EU for ground rules”

Source : PTI | The Delhi government is likely to extend the pink ticket facility for women passengers in DTC buses till August 15, senior officials said on Friday.

In an earlier direction issued by the transport department, ‘Pink Saheli’ smart card was supposed to be made mandatory from the month of August. Continue reading “Delhi govt likely to extend Pink ticket facility for women passengers till August 15”

Source : PTI | The Centre of Excellence for Road Safety at IIT Madras has organised its first-ever international hackathon.

The Centre introduced a dedicated BIMSTEC track, bringing together students, engineers, researchers, and problem-solvers from across India and the rest of the BIMSTEC region – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, a release from IIT Madras on Friday said. Continue reading “IIT Madras brings BIMSTEC nations together for its first-ever AI-powered road safety hackathon”

Source : PTI | Over-speeding caused 82,124 road accidents in India in 2025, accounting for around 16 per cent of all road accidents, Parliament was informed on Thursday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said driving on the wrong side and lane indiscipline caused 4,089 accidents, followed by jumping red lights (276) and the use of mobile phones while driving (136). Continue reading “India reports 82,124 over-speeding accidents in 2025; road crashes cross 5.13 lakh”

Summary

• Q2 revenue rises 27% to $1.66 billion
• Software and services revenue climbs 37% to $515 million
• Company forecasts narrower adjusted core loss and lower capex

(Reuters) – Rivian Automotive beat quarterly revenue ‌estimates and raised annual delivery forecast on Thursday, buoyed by optimism over the rollout of its lower-priced R2 SUV and growth in its software business as it expands beyond its premium lineup. Continue reading “Rivian beats quarterly revenue estimates as R2 launch, software business gain traction”

SHANGHAI/BEIJING, – Tesla is considering a separation of its China business to pave the way for a potential merger with SpaceX, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person familiar with ​the talks.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the report. Tesla and SpaceX did not ‌immediately respond to requests for comment. Continue reading “Tesla’s China operations, the EV maker’s global production powerhouse”

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Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (31st July 2026)”

Summary

• Tighter inventories let automakers rely less on incentives
• Dealers say pricier renewals are weakening customer loyalty and return traffic
• Edmunds says fewer off-lease returns helped lift three-year-old used-car prices 43%

DETROIT, (Reuters) – Vehicle leasing has declined in the United States in recent years, curbing what has long been a preferred route to new wheels for many car ​shoppers. Continue reading “Why Americans are leasing fewer cars”

Summary

• Zoox’s exemption to rules requiring human controls comes with added reporting requirements
• Company allowed to deploy 2,500 vehicles annually for two years
• NHTSA aiming for new autonomous vehicle safety standards by end of Trump administration

SAN DIEGO, (Reuters) – Amazon’s Zoox unit won ​U.S. approval on Wednesday for limited commercial deployment of its novel steering-wheel-free robotaxis, a first for the autonomous ride industry, ‌the U.S. auto safety agency said Thursday. Continue reading “Amazon’s Zoox wins first US approval for paid robotaxis without human controls”

Summary

• Adjusted operating income misses expectations
• Group revenue rises by 13%, North American market up 32%
• Shares fall as much as 8% in early trade

MILAN, (Reuters) – Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa cautioned that a major strategic overhaul would take time to bear fruit ​after the world’s No. 4 automaker reported weaker-than-expected second-quarter results on Thursday, knocking its shares. Continue reading “Stellantis CEO warns turnaround will take time after weak quarter”

Summary

• Automakers selling pickups in US doing well
• Traditional automakers struggling in China
• Declines in China spread to world’s top-seller Toyota

LONDON, (Reuters) – From Fiat to Ferrari, results on Thursday highlighted a growing gap between the carmakers raking in cash ​by selling gas-guzzling pickups to Americans and those struggling to compete with Chinese rivals in a world ‌that is slowly embracing electric. Continue reading “Pickup truck profits highlight growing divide among global automakers”

While the world moved to Dry Sanding in Paint Stripping, Filler, Putty and Primer Sanding, Clear Coat Sanding has always been a challenge for most Abrasive Manufacturers. The Production Line methodology adopted for pre-paint booth operations, come to a grinding halt in the Post Paint Booth steps. Most of the conventional body shops shift to Wet Sanding, as the worry of clear coat damage plays on their minds.

The Result: Pile Up of Vehicles for Paint Correction and Polishing! Continue reading “Why the Automotive Refinishing Industry Is Moving Towards Dry Clear Coat Sanding?”

• First among all Suzuki manufacturing sites globally to reach 1 million annual capacity
• Hansalpur facility continues to remain India’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturing facility at a single location

Hansalpur /New Delhi, 30 July 2026: Maruti Suzuki India Limited (“Maruti Suzuki”) today commenced commercial production at the fourth plant (Plant D) of its Hansalpur facility in Gujarat. The fourth plant, with annual capacity of 250,000 units, enhanced Hansalpur facility’s total annual production capacity from 750,000 units to 1 million units. This marks the first time in Suzuki’s history that the total annual production capacity at a single manufacturing facility has reached 1 million units. It also makes Maruti Suzuki’s Hansalpur facility India’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturing facility at a single location. Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki’s Hansalpur facility attains 1 million annual capacity with the start of production at fourth plant”

Source : PTI | Crude oil prices reversed early losses to trade higher at ₹8,224 per barrel on Thursday, tracking gains in global benchmarks amid fresh US airstrikes on Iran, which revived concerns over supply disruptions in West Asia.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), crude futures for the August delivery climbed by ₹110, or 1.36 per cent, to ₹8,224 per barrel.

Continue reading “Crude oil rebounds to ₹8,224 on MCX as US-Iran tensions stoke supply fears”

LONDON, (Reuters) – Rolls-Royce raised its full-year outlook far beyond market ​expectations after it posted a 46% jump in first-half operating profit ‌on a better performance in the civil aircraft aftermarket and increased demand in defence.

The British engineering ​company said it now expected to ​make £4.7 billion to £4.9 billion in underlying operating ⁠profit, up from previous guidance of £4.0 billion to £4.2 ​billion. Continue reading “Rolls-Royce hikes profit forecast after strong first half”

(Reuters) – Mercedes-Benz is recalling 310,667 vehicles in ​the U.S. due to ‌risk of failure to detect an open door, ​the U.S. National Highway ​Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said ⁠on Thursday.

The recall ​includes models such as CLA, ​A-Class, C-Class, CLE, GLA/GLB, and GLC vehicles, the NHTSA ​said, adding that ​dealers will replace the driver’s door ‌lock ⁠free of charge. Continue reading “Mercedes-Benz to recall more than 310,000 US vehicles citing risk of failure to detect open door”

Summary

• Q2 pretax earnings fall 35% to €1.7 billion
• Source says 8,000 job cuts sought with severance programme
• China sales plunged 30% in Q2

BERLIN, (Reuters) – BMW will review working practices once ​deemed “untouchable”, the carmaker pledged on Thursday, after a 35% drop in second-quarter pretax profit underscored the pressures ‌driving a shake-up across Germany’s auto sector. Continue reading “BMW to review practices once deemed ‘untouchable’ as profit slumps”

ROME, (Reuters) – Ferrari has hit ​its annual sales target for its first-ever ‌electric vehicle on the back of strong demand from China, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, ​citing people familiar with the matter.

The luxury ​sports car maker had aimed to sell ⁠just under 500 units of the Luce ​model this year, and the quota was ​filled in less than two months since the car’s May 25 launch, the newspaper said. Continue reading “Ferrari has already hit 2026 sales target for Luce EV, FT says”

MEXICO CITY,(Reuters) – South Korea’s Kia ​will produce and sell fully electric vehicles in Mexico, ‌managing director for the company Horacio Chavez said on Wednesday.

The car manufacturer will invest $649 million in Mexico, Chavez added during President Claudia ​Sheinbaum’s daily press conference. Continue reading “Kia to invest $649 million to bring electric car production to Mexico”

Summary

• Discounting is rife in the market, says industry boss Hawes
• Chinese can produce good vehicles at cheaper cost, he says
• Says he’s not aware of any UK manufacturer ​requesting tariffs

LONDON, (Reuters) – A wave of Chinese entrants into Britain’s ‌car market is piling pressure on traditional manufacturers, forcing them to offer deeper discounts to compete with lower-cost imports, the head of the country’s main automotive industry body said on Thursday. Continue reading “Chinese carmakers piling pressure on UK rivals, auto industry chief says”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – BMW said on Wednesday it will cut ​several thousand jobs in Germany by the end of 2027 ‌under a voluntary redundancy programme, the latest German carmaker to axe staff in response to squeezed profits and weak demand.

BMW’s severance programme, agreed between the company and the works council, targets the administration ​and development divisions, with production operations excluded, a company spokesperson said. Continue reading “BMW to cut several thousand jobs in latest blow to German auto sector”

(Reuters) – Italian luxury sports carmaker Lamborghini reported an over 8% drop in its half-year operating profit ​on Wednesday, reflecting sector-wide fragility spurred by ‌tariffs and the conflict in the Middle East.

The Volkswagen-owned luxury brand’s operating profit was €395 million ($450 million) in the first ​half of 2026, versus €431 million a year ​ago. The operating margin fell to 22.7% ⁠from 26.5% in the same period last year. Continue reading “Lamborghini’s operating profit falls as geopolitical turmoil shakes luxury car sector”

Summary

• Works council says 6,000 protest against Neckarsulm site closure
• Volkswagen has said plant could close if no alternative found
• Auto group pursuing sweeping overhaul to revive its fortunes

NECKARSULM, Germany, (Reuters) – Thousands of Audi workers demonstrated on Wednesday against the possible closure of the ‌German automaker’s Neckarsulm plant as parent Volkswagen pushes ahead with a group overhaul expected to include tens of thousands of job losses. Continue reading “Thousands of Audi workers protest over threatened plant closure”

PARIS, (Reuters) – Renault swung back to a profit in ​the first half of ‌2026 versus a large one-off loss in the same period ​last year, with ​electric vehicle sales up sharply ⁠despite intense competition from ​expanding Chinese brands.

The French carmaker ​on Wednesday reported first-half revenue of 30.25 billion euros ($34.43 billion), up ​9.4% from 27.64 billion ​euros a year earlier. The company ‌posted ⁠a net profit of 700 million euros versus a 11.14 billion euro loss ​in the ​same ⁠period of 2025. Continue reading “Renault swings to profit in first half despite intense Chinese competition”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Toyota Motor said on Thursday its global ​first-half production and sales fell ‌for the first time in two years, as weaker demand ​in China and a ​model changeover for its popular ⁠RAV4 sport utility vehicle ​weighed on results. Continue reading “Toyota’s first-half global output, sales fall for first time in two years on China weakness”

Source : PTI | The government on Wednesday said some rubber parts and gaskets in BS-III vehicles, introduced from April 1, 2005, and manufactured before 2016, may need to be replaced when operated with E20 fuel (petrol containing 20 per cent ethanol).

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that with regard to the concern of vehicle mileage due to the use of E20 fuel, automobile manufacturers and vehicle/engine testing agencies have clarified that vehicle mileage is influenced by a host of factors beyond just fuel type. Continue reading “BS-III vehicle rubber parts may require replacement when operated with E20 fuel”

Source : PTI | Electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy on Wednesday announced the rollout of a pothole alert feature for its customers with Gen 2 and above scooters.

The feature alerts riders to potholes, broken road patches, uneven roads and speed breakers ahead while navigating, using road intelligence built from data generated by Ather’s connected scooter fleet, Ather Energy said in a statement. Continue reading “Ather Energy rolls out pothole alert feature to its Gen 2, above electric scooters”