(Reuters) – The head of a group representing nearly all major automakers on Wednesday called for scrapping ​the U.S. government’s 18.4-cent per gallon tax on gasoline and replacing it ‌with a vehicle fee to pay for road repairs.

John Bozzella, who heads the Alliance for Automotive Innovation that represents General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and other major car companies, said in a proposal ​first reported by Reuters the government should address the increasing financial shortfall ​in the highway trust fund by imposing a single fee on every ⁠vehicle based on weight. Continue reading “Auto industry group calls for scrapping US gas tax, adopting vehicle fee”

New Delhi, April 01, 2026: Renault India, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French automaker Renault Group, reports a robust year-on-year growth of 77% in March with total domestic wholesales of 5,046 units over 2,846 units in the same month a year ago.

Likewise, a double-digit growth trajectory was seen in the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, with total sales of 42,018units, over the 37,900 units sold in FY25 –a growth of 11%. Continue reading “Renault India March Sales Jumps 77% YoY, New Renault Duster Dispatch Begins”

Source : PTI | Gujarat-headquartered embedded electronics and power systems startup Bacancy Systems has raised ₹40 crore in a Series A funding round led by private equity investment firm Sabre Partners and growth equity fund Greenstone Capital.

Both investors have acquired minority stakes in the company through primary investments, the company said in a statement.

The fresh capital will be deployed to scale up manufacturing capabilities, accelerate product development, deepen research and development (R&D), and expand into international markets. Continue reading “Bacancy Systems raises ₹40 crore in funding round led by Sabre Partners, Greenstone Capital”

Summary

• Geely Holding chair Li Shufu says isolation is ‘self destructive’
• Volvo chair says survival depends on deeper ties with Geely brands
• Samuelsson accelerates integration
• Volvo Cars to convert $274 million of Polestar debt into shares
• After deal, Volvo Cars to own 19.9% of Polestar Geely ​Holding

GOTHENBURG, (Reuters) – Volvo Cars’ only way to survive as competition intensifies is by ‌cooperating with Geely’s other car brands, the Swedish group’s and Geely Holding’s chair Li Shufu said on Tuesday.

Stronger cross-brand cooperation and deeper integration of suppliers have been cornerstones of CEO Hakan Samuelsson’s strategy after he was brought back by Li a year ago. Continue reading “Volvo leans on Chinese parent Geely to survive in tough car market”

(Reuters) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday launched ​a probe into about ‌75,300 model-year 2006 Nissan Frontier pickup trucks due to concerns ​about potential fuel leaks.

The ​agency said the vehicles may ⁠pose an imminent fire ​hazard due to a strong, ​persistent odor of raw gasoline and sudden engine stalling during startup ​and operation, citing a ​petitioner. Continue reading “NHTSA opens probe into about 75,000 Nissan Frontier trucks over fuel leak concerns”

(Reuters) – German automaker Mercedes-Benz said on Tuesday it ​will invest $4 billion at its Alabama plant ‌through 2030 to boost SUV production as it seeks to address significant U.S. auto tariffs.

In total, luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz ​said it plans to invest more than $7 ​billion in U.S. operations in the coming ⁠years. The company is moving up to 500 ​jobs from various locations across the country into ​a new, state-of-the-art research and development hub in Atlanta. Continue reading “German automaker Mercedes-Benz to invest $4 billion in Alabama SUV plant”

Summary

• Senator Moreno seeks broader ban covering Chinese auto hardware, software, and partnerships
• U.S. carmakers and trade groups support ban, urge allies to adopt similar measures
• Trump previously expressed openness to Chinese automakers building ​plants in the U.S

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Republican Senator Bernie Moreno said ‌on Tuesday he will introduce legislation next month to toughen a U.S. government ban on Chinese automakers from entering the American market, and encouraged other countries to follow suit.

The Biden administration imposed a sweeping regulation that effectively bans all Chinese automakers from selling ​passenger vehicles in the United States in January 2025, citing national security concerns about the ability ​of vehicles to collect sensitive data on American owners. Continue reading “Republican senator proposes to widen US ban on Chinese autos”

Summary

• NHTSA notes it has 3 investigations pending into Ford BlueCruise
• NHTSA, Ford say they will review NTSB recommendations
• Neither Ford driver attempted to brake before fatal crashes

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday criticized Ford Motor’s hands-free advanced driver assistance system BlueCruise for ‌failing to ensure drivers were not distracted before they were involved in two fatal collisions in the U.S.

The agency at a three-hour hearing also faulted the lack of government regulations on driver assistance systems and raised questions about claims made by automakers. Continue reading “NTSB faults Ford driver assistance system in fatal US crashes”

The state-of-the-art facility will manufacture highly integrated 3-in-1 e-Axles, strengthening localization and supporting India’s growing electric mobility ecosystem.

– Pune, India – On Saturday March 28, Valeo inaugurated a new state-of-the-art manufacturing line dedicated to electric powertrain systems at its Pune plant in the presence of Velusamy R, President, Automotive Business, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited and Xavier Dupont, Valeo Power Division CEO. Continue reading “Valeo Inaugurates New Electric Powertrain Manufacturing Line in Pune”

• The Meet brings together 400+ principals to integrate road safety education into student learning.

New Delhi, March 31, 2026: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in association with Delhi Traffic Police, Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd., and Hindustan Times, organized the Annual Principals’ Meet 2026 for school principals in Delhi under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Connecting Road Awareness with Education.” The initiative aims to strengthen the link between education and responsible road behavior by bringing together school leaders and key stakeholders.

Held as part of SIAM’s ‘सुरक्षित सफर (Safe Journey)’ initiative, the program continues to promote road safety awareness among students through schools, with strong CSR support from SIAM member companies. More than 400 principals from schools across Delhi-NCR participated in the meet, reaffirming their commitment to fostering safer road practices among young learners. Continue reading “SIAM hosts Annual Principals’ Meet 2026 to Promote Road Safety Education in Schools”

DETROIT, (Reuters) – General Motors is idling a Detroit electric vehicle plant until April 13, extending downtime ​that began on March 16, the ​company said on Monday.

“Factory ZERO will temporarily ⁠adjust production to align EV production with ​market demand,” a GM spokesperson said. The temporary ​layoff affects 1,300 workers. Continue reading “GM idles Detroit EV plant, temporarily laying off 1,300 workers”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Japanese auto parts maker Denso said on Tuesday it aims for sales ​of 8 trillion yen ($50 billion) and a return ‌on equity of 11% by 2030, despite missing a lower ROE target in an earlier plan.

The Toyota supplier flagged both opportunities ​and challenges for future growth in a statement, ​as changes around mobility accelerate in areas such ⁠as autonomous driving and software-defined vehicles. Continue reading “Toyota supplier Denso targets 11% return on equity by 2030”

Source : PTI | Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister M Ramprasad Reddy on Saturday said over 1,000 buses have been checked across the state and 236 penalised for lacking proper documents.

Reddy’s remarks come in the wake of four ghastly bus accidents claiming 45 lives, of these 33 charred to death, and injuring several others within six months.

“We are taking intense action to avoid road accidents. Across the state, we checked 1,036 buses. Cases have been registered, and penalties were slapped against 236 buses without proper documents,” he said in an official press release. Continue reading “Over 1k buses checked in Andhra, over 200 penalised for violations: Transport minister”

Source : PTI | Auto components maker Omax Autos Ltd on Friday confirmed a ransomware attack on the company’s IT infrastructure and said it is assessing and identifying the extent of any potential loss or impact arising from the incident.

The company’s IT department had initially suspected a cyber security incident on March 26, 2026, which has now been confirmed on Friday as a ransomware attack on the company’s IT infrastructure, Omax Autos Ltd said in a regulatory filing. Continue reading “Omax Autos cyberattack highlights growing risks for auto industry”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Toyota Motor said on Monday global production fell for a fourth ​successive month in February, dragged down ‌by weaker output in Canada as the automaker changed production from the old to the ​new RAV4 sport utility vehicle. Continue reading “Toyota’s global output falls for a fourth month in February on model change”

(Reuters) – General ​Motors will increase the production ‌of its heavy-duty trucks, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

The company will ​run its truck plant in ​Michigan for six days a week, ⁠starting in June, to help ​boost production, the report said.

GM told ​Reuters it was making strategic adjustments to its Flint Assembly’s production schedule to align ​with stronger demand. Continue reading “GM to increase heavy-duty truck production, WSJ reports”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – BYD is “highly confident” of reaching its 2026 overseas sales target of 1.5 million vehicles or even higher, the ​company told analysts during its post-earnings call on Monday.

The ‌Chinese EV giant said overseas markets could eventually account for about half of its business, according to two people with direct knowledge of the ​call.

BYD said in January that its export target for ​this year would be 1.3 million vehicles, down from ⁠as much as 1.6 million units its management told Citi in ​November. Continue reading “China’s BYD confident of reaching 1.5 million unit overseas sales in 2026”

Summary

• Middle East luxury car market crucial for high-margin sales
• Luxury carmakers face potential output cuts amid demand slump
• Many Gulf luxury showrooms temporarily closed after war outbreak

LONDON/BERLIN/MILAN, (Reuters) – A laser-engraved hood inspired by Arabian architecture and a matching wood-trim interior are among the luxuries Rolls-Royce featured in a one-off Phantom Arabesque model commissioned by a Dubai customer it showcased in February before ​the Iran war.

Now the Middle East market, which in volume terms accounts for less than 10% of sales at most luxury carmakers but punches far above its weight in ‌profit, is under threat just as demand is weakening almost everywhere around the globe. Continue reading “Luxury carmakers’ gold-leafed Gulf profits under threat from Iran war”

• Milestone achieved within 9 months from start of operations
• Estimated avoidance of 16,800 metric tonnes* CO_2e (carbon dioxide equivalent)

Manesar/ New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India Limited (“Maruti Suzuki”) today announced that the Manesar in-plant railway siding has attained a milestone of 1 lakh vehicle dispatches since its start of operations in June 2025. It has resulted in an estimated avoidance of 16,800 metric tonnes* CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). Continue reading “Strengthening Green Logistics: Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar in-plant automobile railway siding crosses a milestone of 1 lakh vehicle dispatches”

New Delhi/ Manesar/ Hansalpur: Maruti Suzuki India Limited (“Maruti Suzuki”) has commenced ‘Jagriti’, its flagship event aimed at enhancing awareness on safe driving behavior and health among truck drivers associated with its logistics service providers. The event, being held between 23^rd to 28^th March 2026, is a part of Maruti Suzuki’s broader sustainability efforts.

The five-day event is being conducted at Maruti Suzuki’s facilities in Manesar (Haryana) from 23^rd March and Hansalpur (Gujarat) from 24^th March onwards, covering drivers engaged in the movement of finished vehicles and spare parts. Nearly 4,000 truck drivers are expected to benefit from ‘Jagriti’. Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki commences Jagriti: a 5-day road safety and health awareness event for truck drivers”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Volkswagen’s software partnership with Rivian a ​cornerstone of CEO Oliver Blume’s turnaround strategy for ‌the German auto group, has passed a key milestone, bringing the U.S. partner closer to its next ​tranche of funding.

Winter tests of the ​first vehicles using the software have been ⁠successfully completed, Volkswagen said on Friday.

“We’re accelerating ​towards the future,” Blume said. Continue reading “VW’s software partnership with Rivian clears investment hurdle”

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – India has asked automakers and parts suppliers to tighten production schedules ​to conserve fuel amid fears of shortages caused by disrupted ‌oil and gas imports from the Gulf due to the Iran war, a government memo seen by Reuters shows.

The heavy industries ministry has also urged companies to shift ​factory operations from oil-based fuels to electricity and to use recycled ​aluminium or alternative materials as shortages and costs rise, according ⁠to the March 25 advisory. Continue reading “India asks auto industry to optimise production as Iran war hurts energy supplies”

Summary

• Profit falls 19% to 32.6 billion yuan, missing analyst view
• Revenue growth 3.5%, weakest in six years
• Headcount shrinks by 10% in 2025
• Slips to fourth place in China in Jan-Feb from top in 2025

BEIJING, (Reuters) – BYD , China’s biggest electric automaker by sales, on Friday ​posted a bigger-than-expected profit drop and disclosed a headcount fall for the first time, hurt by weak sales in its home market.

Net profit ‌fell 19% to 32.6 billion yuan ($4.72 billion), BYD said in a stock exchange filing, its first annual profit drop in four years and steeper than an average 12.1% fall expected by analysts polled by LSEG. Continue reading “BYD’s annual profit drops for first time in four years as price war hurts margins”

Source : PTI | The government on Friday said it has disbursed incentives worth ₹15,554 crore so far under the production-linked incentive scheme (PLI) for the electronics sector.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said that under the automobiles and auto components sector, about ₹2,377.56 crore of incentives have been disbursed so far. Continue reading “Govt disburses PLI incentives worth ₹15,554 cr for electronics sector”

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Source : PTI | New Delhi: Around 8,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production capacity has been commissioned in India till February 2026, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

The government has set a target of 5 Million Metric Tonnes per annum by 2030 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).

“Around 8,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production capacity has been commissioned in India till February 2026,” Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Continue reading “India commissions 8,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production capacity till Feb 2026”

Source : PTI | The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has reintroduced 3×2 seating buses into its fleet after nearly two decades, officials said.

The buses have a 3×2 seating configuration with a total capacity of 56 seats, higher than conventional models, aimed at improving passenger comfort and efficiency, they said. Continue reading “Maharashtra re-introduces 3×2 seating buses; Fadnavis launches new service”

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – The union ​representing workers at ‌a General Motors plant in Silao, ​Mexico has ​proposed a 10% salary ⁠increase for ​the 2026-2028 contract, ​union leader told Reuters on Wednesday.

Alejandra Morales, ​head of ​SINTTIA, said workers will vote ‌on ⁠the proposal April 9 and 10. The ​union ​has ⁠set a strike deadline for ​April 15 ​if ⁠an agreement with management is ⁠not ​met. Continue reading “A Lyft rideshare driver passes through the Second Street Tunnel”

(Reuters) – Ride-hailing company Lyft said on Wednesday it will roll out a temporary driver-relief program ​in the United States, as higher gasoline ‌prices squeeze earnings for gig workers.

A sharp rise in fuel costs, driven by energy supply disruptions linked ​to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, ​is hurting gig workers. Continue reading “Lyft rolls out driver-relief program as US fuel prices climb”

Summary

• Porsche SE reports 9% decline in 2025 adjusted earnings after tax
• Hundred million euro investment announced in defence fund
• Porsche SE says committed to Volkswagen

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Porsche ​SE announced increased investments in defence on Thursday after bearing the brunt of a drop in ‌2025 earnings at its core investments Volkswagen and Porsche AG.

Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have driven investor interest in the defence and technology stocks, while it has declined in Germany’s weakened automotive sector. Continue reading “Volkswagen’s biggest investor increases defence focus after earnings slump”

(Reuters) – Uber Technologies has partnered with Pony.ai and autonomous vehicle startup Verne to roll out the first commercial ​robotaxi service in Europe, with operations set to ‌start in the Croatian capital Zagreb.

Under the deal, Chinese robotaxi firm Pony.ai will supply the autonomous driving technology, while Croatian ​startup Verne will serve as the fleet owner ​and manage day-to-day operations, the companies said on ⁠Thursday. Continue reading “Uber, Pony.ai and Verne team up to launch Europe’s first robotaxi service in Croatia”

SEOUL,(Reuters) – Hyundai Motor on Thursday said it would seek to more than double its China sales in the medium ​term and it planned to launch ​36 new models in the North ⁠American market by 2030.

Here are some details: Continue reading “Hyundai Motor aims to double China sales, launch 36 new models in North America”

Summary

• Iran war disrupts oil trade, boosting petrol prices
• Used EV sales rise across Europe amid high fuel costs
• EV makers highlight cost of petrol in marketing

PARIS/STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Petrol price spikes triggered by the war in Iran are boosting used electric vehicle sales across Europe, online car platforms told Reuters, in an early sign that ​pain at the pump is pushing consumers away from combustion engines.

“There is currently an electric car bonanza in the used market,” said Terje Dahlgren, ‌an analyst at Norway’s largest used-car marketplace Finn.no, adding that EVs have recently overtaken diesel models as the site’s best-selling fuel type. Continue reading “Used EV sales jump in Europe as Iran war drives up petrol prices”

SEOUL, (Reuters) – General Motors which received a South Korea government rescue package in ​2018 to stay in the Asian country, said on ‌Wednesday it plans to invest $600 million in its local unit to upgrade manufacturing facilities and products.

The U.S. automaker is adding a $300 million investment to another $300 million ​spending plan announced in December, it said.

The investment will go ​towards modernising its two plants in South Korea by adopting ⁠the latest models of press machines, GM said. The funds ​will also be spent on upgrading production capabilities, improving product quality and ​boosting technological competitiveness for small-size sport utility vehicles at its plants in South Korea. Continue reading “GM to invest $600 million in its South Korean unit”

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Czech carmaker Skoda, which is owned by Volkswagen , will withdraw from the Chinese market by ​mid-2026 after struggling to keep up in the ‌region’s rapid shift towards electric vehicles, the company said on Wednesday.

After serving as Skoda’s largest market for years with deliveries ​of over 300,000 between 2016 and 2018, ​sales in China dwindled to just 15,000 last ⁠year, as foreign automakers face tough competition from local ​brands. Continue reading “Volkswagen’s Skoda brand to end China sales this year”

Source : PTI | Data and intelligent systems will play a major role in the coming years, as they enable vehicles to improve regularly, offer data-based services, and create new revenue opportunities even after purchase for manufacturers, according to a top official of electric mobility firm Matter Motor.

The company’s founder and Group CEO Mohal Lalbhai said the auto industry is moving beyond traditional mechanical systems and the next step is software-defined mobility, where intelligence sits at the centre and keeps improving the vehicle over time.

Continue reading “Data, intelligent systems to create add’l revenue opportunities for auto sector: Matter Motor”

(Reuters) – Toyota is recalling 144,200 vehicles ​in the U.S. as ‌rearview camera images may not display when ​the vehicle ​is placed in reverse, increasing ⁠the risk ​of a crash, the ​U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on ​Wednesday.

Here are some ​details:

The recall includes certain 2022-2025 ‌Lexus ⁠NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles, according ​to ​the ⁠NHTSA. Continue reading “Toyota to recall over 144,000 U.S. vehicles over rear view camera issue, NHTSA says”