Summary

• Compass, EnergyX sign agreement on Utah lithium project
• Compass had suspended lithium unit in 2023 over regulation
• Lithium prices have gained 75% so far this year
• EnergyX plans to invest $400 million, Compass to provide brine

(Reuters) – Compass Minerals plans to return to the lithium market by partnering ​with technology startup EnergyX to extract the mineral from Utah’s Great Salt Lake, a move that comes as prices for the ‌battery metal rise alongside the broader drive to boost U.S. output.

The companies said they have signed a memorandum of understanding under which EnergyX will invest more than $400 million and use its direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology to filter the metal from the hypersaline lake, which is estimated to contain more than 2.4 million metric tons of lithium. Continue reading “Exclusive: Compass plans lithium market return with EnergyX in Utah’s Great Salt Lake”

Summary

• All six major automakers improved supplier relations
• Landmark represents a first in Plante Moran survey history
• Toyota leads in supplier trust in survey
• Ford, Stellantis show biggest gains but face skepticism
• Suppliers wary improvements ​may not be sustained

DETROIT, (Reuters) – Global automakers improved their relationships with ‌suppliers over the past year, a prominent industry survey found, despite challenges related to tariffs, electric vehicle program writedowns and policy swings.

Ford, GM, Toyota, Stellantis, Honda and Nissan all improved their standing with suppliers on Plante Moran’s ​Working Relations Index, a first in the annual study’s 26-year history. Continue reading “Automakers achieve supplier relations milestone during bumpy year”

Summary

• Denza’s revamped flagship SUV has a 5% higher starting price
• New N9 features longer battery range, fast-charging capability
• BYD bets on Denza to grow its high-margin export strategy

Guangzhou, (Reuters) – BYD on ​Monday launched an upgraded version of its flagship SUV under the Denza ‌brand at a 5% higher starting price as China’s largest electric vehicle maker shifts away from its low-cost image and enhances profitability.

Li Hui, general manager of the Denza brand, said during an event attended ​by car owners and social media influencers in Guangzhou that the revamped model offers ​over 100 upgrades, including extended battery range and a fast-charging capability that ⁠BYD had previously described as setting “an industry benchmark.” Continue reading “BYD unveils upgraded flagship Denza SUV to bolster premium market push”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Chinese electric ​vehicle maker Xpeng said on ‌Monday it had begun mass production of its first robotaxi at ​its Guangzhou headquarters, targeting ​fully driverless operations by early ⁠2027.

The Tesla rival is ​accelerating its shift toward driverless vehicles ​and humanoid robotics as competition intensifies in the world’s largest auto ​market. Continue reading “China’s Xpeng begins mass production of robotaxis in Guangzhou”

HELSINKI/WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Truckmaker Volvo Group on Monday agreed to a $197 million settlement with the California Air ​Resources Board over alleged violations of the state’s heavy-duty ‌engine regulations.

The settlement resolves allegations that Volvo failed to properly disclose auxiliary emission control devices in over 10,000 of its ​2010-2016 model year heavy-duty engines in California that ​resulted in emissions in excess of regulatory limits, ⁠CARB said. Continue reading “Volvo Group agrees to $197 million settlement with California over excess truck emissions”

TEL AVIV, (Reuters) – Tesla chief Elon Musk said on Monday he expects fully self-driving cars without human safety monitors to become more widespread in the United States later this year, after already being introduced in Texas.

Speaking ​by video link to the Smart Mobility Summit in Tel Aviv, Musk said there ‌were self-driving cars operating in Texas without safety monitors and that would expand nationwide this year. Continue reading “Tesla’s Musk expects widespread use in US of cars without human monitors this year”

RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – Volkswagen is concerned ​about declining resale values of its vehicles as ‌lower-priced Chinese competitors expand in the Brazilian market, the company’s head in Brazil, Ciro Possobom, told Reuters on Monday.

“While new entrants ​are entering aggressively and putting downward pressure on ​prices, we believe we are well positioned,” Possobom ⁠said, adding that the company will not engage ​in a price war with Chinese competitors. Continue reading “Volkswagen flags Chinese competition in Brazil, sees limited Iran impact”

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – U.S. House lawmakers proposed bipartisan legislation that would require electric vehicles to ​pay a $130 fee to pay for road repairs annually and $35 for some ‌plug-in hybrid models.

The House is working on a five-year highway reauthorization bill that would authorize $580 billion ahead of the current law expiration on September 30. Most revenue for federally funded road repairs ​is collected through diesel and gasoline taxes, which EVs do not pay. Continue reading “US House lawmakers propose $130 annual EV fee to pay for road repairs”

Source : PTI | India and other oil importing nations are likely to negotiate bilaterally to secure energy supplies, potentially through coordinated transit corridors, but a return to pre-war traffic volumes is unlikely in 2026, Moody’s Ratings has said.

In a global report on geopolitical risks, Moody’s said there is little prospect of a swift and durable settlement between the US and Iran and with it the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Continue reading “India, other oil importers to bilaterally negotiate transit corridors with Iran: Moody’s”

Source : PTI | The residents of Parbhani in Maharashtra on Sunday observed ‘No Vehicle Day’ in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s austerity appeal amid the West Asia crisis, the district administration said.

Amid the war involving the US, Israel and Iran, Modi has suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of EVs, utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve foreign exchange. Continue reading “In response to Modi’s austerity appeal, Parbhani observes ‘No Vehicle Day’”

Source : PTI | The Sikkim government on Monday rolled out the implementation of the odd-even vehicle restriction norm across the state to save fuel, and strengthened public transport to minimise inconvenience to commuters, an official said.

The implementation came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to people to reduce fuel consumption and spend more wisely in view of the West Asia crisis. Continue reading “Sikkim govt rolls out odd-even vehicle restriction norm to save fuel”

PTI | The NDMC on Friday flagged off a free bus shuttle service for its employees and issued a formal order of 50 per cent concession in parking charges only for EVs for the general public at all its parking sites from May 18.

The shuttle bus services will be available from four residential areas – Palika Awas, Sarojini Nagar; Palika Gram, Laxmibai Nagar; Amrit Kaal Niwas, Jor Bagh Road; and Bapu Dham Flats, Chanakyapuri, an official statement said. Continue reading “NDMC announces free shuttle service for employees, 50% concession in EV parking for public”

PTI |The West Bengal government gave in-principle approval for handing over seven stretches of national highways to the NHAI and the NHIDCL, paving the way for long-pending infrastructure works on key road corridors in the state.

These stretches were under the national highway wing of the state’s Public Works Department (PWD), and the handover proposals had been pending for nearly a year despite repeated requests from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, according to an official statement. Continue reading “Bengal govt gives nod for handover of seven national highway stretches to NHAI, NHIDCL”

PTI | Two-wheeler market leader Hero MotoCorp has earmarked ₹1,500 crore capex for FY27 to double its scooter production capacity, according to its CEO Harshavardhan Chitale.

The company has also committed over ₹700 crore of investment in building a global parts centre in South of India, he told analysts.

“We are investing in capacity expansion, and we have committed over ₹1,500 crore of capex in FY27. And this capex is going to expand our capacity in scooters, where for some of our models that are doing very well, we are doubling our capacity,” Chitale said. Continue reading “Hero MotoCorp lines up ₹1,500 cr capex for FY27 to double scooter production capacity”

PTI | As India battles soaring energy import costs and a weakening rupee amid global oil turmoil, a Monaco-based fuel technology company says it may have found an answer hiding in plain sight: water.

FOWE Eco Solutions, through its patented Cavitech fuel emulsion technology, claims industries can slash fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent, reduce harmful emissions dramatically, and improve equipment performance—all without modifying engines or shutting plants down. Continue reading “India’s ₹1.7 lakh crore fuel crisis may have found an unlikely fix – water”

PTI | India and other oil importing nations are likely to negotiate bilaterally to secure energy supplies, potentially through coordinated transit corridors, but a return to pre-war traffic volumes is unlikely in 2026,Moody’s Ratings has said.

In a global report on geopolitical risks, Moody’s said there is little prospect of a swift and durable settlement between the US and Iran and with it the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Continue reading “India, other oil importers to bilaterally negotiate transit corridors with Iran: Moody’s”

PTI | The Sikkim government on Monday rolled out the implementation of the odd-even vehicle restriction norm across the state to save fuel, and strengthened public transport to minimise inconvenience to commuters, an official said.

The implementation came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to people to reduce fuel consumption and spend more wisely in view of the West Asia crisis.

According to a notification issued by the state transport department, the new arrangement would come into effect from May 18. Continue reading “Sikkim govt rolls out odd-even vehicle restriction norm to save fuel”

Summary

• Volkswagen under pressure to cut costs, address overcapacity
• Works council, IG Metall open to solutions but stress plant commitments
• Proposed solutions include partnerships in defence or with Chinese

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Top labour representatives at Volkswagen said they would not allow plants ‌to be closed, while remaining open to proposals to secure the future of under-used production sites in Germany, according to a joint statement to Reuters on Friday.

Volkswagen is looking to cut excess capacity in its German production network without resorting to factory closures – something ruled out under a 2024 restructuring deal with unions – with defence partnerships and Chinese collaboration floated as possible ⁠options. Continue reading “Volkswagen labour leaders stand by ‘red line’ on plant closures”

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – A judge hearing an Australian class action lawsuit against Tesla (TSLA.O), on Friday questioned whether the Elon Musk-led automaker was taking the discovery process seriously and warned it could expect “a really bad time” if it ‌failed to cooperate.

Federal Court judge Tom Thawley gave the warning after a lawyer representing 10,000 Australian Tesla drivers complained that the U.S.-listed car company had produced just 2,000 documents after an eight-month discovery process. Continue reading “Australian judge criticises Tesla for ‘gobsmacking’ slow progress in class action lawsuit”

Summary

• All six major automakers improved supplier relations
• Landmark represents a first in Plante Moran survey history
• Toyota leads in supplier trust in survey
• Ford, Stellantis show biggest gains but face skepticism
• Suppliers wary improvements may not be sustained

DETROIT, (Reuters) – Global automakers improved their relationships with ‌suppliers over the past year, a prominent industry survey found, despite challenges related to tariffs, electric vehicle program writedowns and policy swings.

Ford (F.N), GM (GM.N), Toyota (7203.T), Stellantis (STLAM.MI), Honda (7267.T) and Nissan (7201.T), all improved their standing with suppliers on Plante Moran’s Working Relations Index, a first in the annual study’s 26-year history. Continue reading “Automakers achieve supplier relations milestone during bumpy year”

(Reuters) – Tesla (TSLA.O), raised the prices of its Model Y cars in the United States ‌on Saturday, according to its website.

The company increased the price of its Model Y premium all-wheel drive and Model Y premium rear-wheel ⁠drive by $1,000 to $49,990 and $45,990 respectively.

The company also raised the price of its Model Y Performance all-wheel drive to $57,990 in the United States, up $500 from earlier, the website showed. Continue reading “Tesla raises prices of Model Y cars in the US for the first time in two years”

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng (9868.HK), said on ‌Monday it had begun mass production of its first robotaxi at its Guangzhou headquarters, targeting fully driverless operations by early ⁠2027.

The Tesla (TSLA.O), rival is accelerating its shift toward driverless vehicles and humanoid robotics as competition intensifies in the world’s largest auto market. Continue reading “China’s Xpeng begins mass production of robotaxis in Guangzhou”

(Reuters) – Ford Motor’s (F.N),  energy unit said on Monday it has signed a five-year deal to supply up to 20 gigawatt-hours of storage capacity ‌to renewable power developer EDF.

Under the deal, EDF can procure up to 4 GWh of DC Block battery energy storage systems (BESS) annually from the carmaker’s unit, Ford Energy.

Ford Motor’s shares were up about 3.6% in premarket trading. Continue reading “Ford unit signs five-year energy storage deal with EDF”

Summary

• Ford criticises European push for EVs
• New models include a small electric SUV and a small EV
• Chinese automakers have rapidly expanded in Europe

LONDON, (Reuters) – Ford (F.N), will launch seven new ‌models in Europe by 2029, it said on Monday, as it seeks to grow its flagging passenger car sales, fight off fierce competition from Chinese rivals and maintain an edge in the continent’s commercial vehicle market.

“Our plan is to actually grow our market share… in a marketplace that is almost fracturing in terms of the number of competitors,” Jim Baumbick, Ford’s European ⁠president, told Reuters. “We need to stand out in a crowd.” Continue reading “Ford set to launch seven European models as it seeks to grow sales and fend off China”

TEL AVIV, (Reuters) – Tesla chief Elon Musk said on Monday he expects fully self-driving cars without human safety monitors to become more widespread in the United States later this year, after already being introduced in Texas.

Speaking by video link to the Smart Mobility Summit in Tel Aviv, Musk said there ‌were self-driving cars operating in Texas without safety monitors and that would expand nationwide this year. Continue reading “Tesla’s Musk expects widespread use in US of cars without human monitors this year”

Source : PTI | India’s electric vehicle (EV) battery demand is projected to grow 10 times from 20 GWh in 2025 to 200 GWh by 2032, industry body Indian Energy Alliance (IESA) said on Thursday.

Citing a study, IESA said the EV opportunity in is no longer limited to vehicle manufacturing; the largest strategic gains may lie in component localisation and supply chain development as India positions itself as a global manufacturing hub. Continue reading “India’s EV battery demand to grow 10 times to 200 GWh by 2032: IESA”

Source : PTI | The decision to raise petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per litre will provide only limited relief to state-run fuel retailers, while adding modest inflationary pressure and doing little to offset mounting losses from elevated global crude prices, analysts said on Friday.

The fuel price increase – the first in more than four years – comes after a sharp rally in oil prices following the Iran conflict disrupting flows through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up costs for oil marketing companies (OMCs) and increasing pressure on government finances.

Continue reading “Petrol, diesel price hike offers limited relief to retailers as crude surge keeps pressure intact”

Source : PTI | From travelling by metro and electric vehicles to shifting meetings online, Delhi ministers have begun adopting alternative transport and energy-saving measures following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce fuel consumption and cut unnecessary expenditure.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday held a meeting of BJP legislators at the Delhi Secretariat and urged them to take the government’s decisions and initiatives to every household. Continue reading “Metro, EVs, virtual meetings – Delhi Ministers adopt fuel-saving measures”

Summary

• Musk seeks $150 billion in damages, removal of OpenAI CEO Altman
• Motives of Musk, Altman questioned during closing arguments

OAKLAND, California, (Reuters) – A lawyer for Elon Musk hammered at the credibility of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Thursday, near the end of a trial over whether to hold the ChatGPT maker and ​its leaders responsible for allegedly transforming the nonprofit into a vehicle to enrich themselves.

OpenAI’s lawyers fought back, claiming the world’s richest person waited too long to claim OpenAI breached its founding ‌agreement to build safe artificial intelligence to benefit humanity, and couldn’t claim he was essential to its success. Continue reading “Musk accused of ‘selective amnesia,’ Altman of lying as OpenAI trial nears end”

Summary

• Xi warns that mishandling Taiwan issue could lead to conflict
• Leaders will meet again on last day of Trump’s visit
• US officials tout deals on farm goods, beef and Boeing jets
• Trump seeks Chinese help on opening Strait of Hormuz

BEIJING, (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping are set to meet on Friday to wrap up ​a two-day state visit that has featured pomp and business deals but also a warning from Xi that mishandling the Taiwan issue could send relations spiraling.

Trump is on the first ‌visit by a U.S. president to China, America’s main strategic and economic rival, since his last in 2017, and has been seeking tangible results to beef up his dented approval ratings ahead of crucial midterm elections. Continue reading “Trump says Xi is ‘all business’ as talks resume after Taiwan warning”

(Reuters) – Toyota Motor has sought approval to build a new vehicle ​assembly line at its existing manufacturing ‌complex in Texas with about $2 billion in planned investment, according to a filing.

• Construction ​at the proposed project in ​San Antonio, named “Project Orca”, is expected ⁠to begin by the end ​of 2026, with vehicle production targeted ​to start in 2030, the filing with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts showed.
• Toyota’s ​plans to invest $1.05 billion in ​buildings and other property improvements and $950 million in ‌machinery ⁠and equipment.
• The project is expected to create 2,000 new jobs from 2028 to 2030.
• “We regularly evaluate our ​manufacturing footprint ​to ensure ⁠we remain competitive and aligned with customer demand. ​This reflects our long-term commitment ​of ⁠investing in the North American region, local manufacturing/jobs, and suppliers,” Toyota said ⁠in ​a statement to Reuters.

Continue reading “Toyota files to build $2 billion assembly line in Texas”

SYDNEY,(Reuters) – A judge hearing an Australian class action lawsuit against Tesla on Friday questioned whether the Elon Musk-led automaker was taking the discovery ​process seriously and warned it could expect “a really bad time” if it ‌failed to cooperate.

Federal Court judge Tom Thawley gave the warning after a lawyer representing 10,000 Australian Tesla drivers complained that the U.S.-listed car company had produced just 2,000 documents after an ​eight-month discovery process. Continue reading “Australian judge criticises Tesla for ‘gobsmacking’ slow progress in class action lawsuit”

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Summary

• SK Hynix set to follow Samsung Electronics into trillion dollar club
• SK Hynix’s current market capitalisation at about $942 billion
• Asian AI chip stocks have surged amid strong demand

SEOUL, (Reuters) – SK Hynix is on the verge of topping a $1 ‌trillion market value, just weeks after Samsung Electronics crossed the milestone, as strong demand for artificial intelligence places South Korea at the heart of Asia’s AI boom.

SK Hynix shares have risen more than 200% this year, after rising an eye-watering 274% in 2025, driven by AI-related ​demand for both conventional memory chips and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI servers. Continue reading “AI boom puts SK Hynix on cusp of $1 trillion market value”

Source : PTI | Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced a series of austerity measures, including halving the number of vehicles in the convoys of his cabinet colleagues, and cancelling foreign tours of ministers and officials.

The BJP-led government’s move came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel and foreign exchange in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted global energy supplies. India relies heavily on West Asia for crude oil and gas imports.

Continue reading “Maharashtra govt enforces fuel-saving measures, ministers asked to use public transport”

YOKOHAMA, Japan, (Reuters) – Nissan forecast more than $1 billion in profit for its fiscal year on ​Wednesday, predicting a relatively modest hit from the Iran war and an increasing impact ‌from cost-cutting.

The conflict was likely to hurt this year’s operating profit forecast of 200 billion yen ($1.27 billion) by less than 15 billion yen, Nissan said, adding that the estimate only covered the first half of the current business year. Continue reading “Nissan predicts profit above $1 billion this fiscal year, modest Iran war hit”

Summary

• Honda expects 500 bln yen op profit in the current fiscal year
• Honda expects additional EV writedown of 500 bln yen
• Honda scraps long-term EV sales target
• Honda indefinitely suspends Canada EV project

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Honda Motor posted its ​first annual loss in nearly 70 years as a listed company on Thursday, hit by more than $9 billion in costs ‌to restructure its electric-vehicle business, and the firm scrapped its long-term EV sales target.

Revealing its worst financial report since Honda listed on the stock market in 1957 underscores how risky an aggressive bet on EVs can be for a legacy automaker when it slams into weaker-than-expected demand. Continue reading “Honda posts first annual loss on $9 billion EV writedown, scraps EV sales goals”

Enhancements elevate accessibility, sportiness and premium luxury, with an added layer of advanced technology across the Kodiaq range

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are now available on the Kodiaq
• Lounge variant enhances accessibility with a compelling value-luxury proposition
• Sportline variant showcases Škoda Auto’s motorsport DNA with additional features
• Selection L&K redefines premium with comprehensive, all-round, all-terrain luxury
• Proven 2.0 TSI engine delivering 150kW and 320Nm of torque continues duties
• Seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission standard across the range
• Prices start from ₹ 36,99,000 /- (ex-showroom)

Mumbai, 11th May 2026 – Following the introduction of the new Kushaq, Škoda Auto India continues its strong product momentum with a series of updates to its second-generation Kodiaq. With these enhancements, the brand comprehensively refreshes its luxury 4×4 flagship while reinforcing its philosophy of “Luxury, As It Should Be.” Continue reading “Škoda India defines “Luxury, As It Should Be” with Kodiaq”

Source : PTI | The country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Wednesday said it has committed ₹1,372 crore towards dedicated green logistics infrastructure, as it aims to increase share of rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35 per cent by 2030-31.

The company, which crossed 30 lakh cumulative vehicle dispatches through railways, currently has 26.5 per cent of its total dispatches coming from rail outbound logistics, said Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL). Continue reading “Maruti Suzuki earmarks ₹1,372 cr on green logistics, crosses 30 lakh dispatches via rail”

Source : PTI | The Bihar government on Wednesday approved amendments to its Electric Vehicle policy with the aim of ensuring that at least 30 per cent of all new vehicles sold in the state by 2030 are EVs.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. Continue reading “Targeting 30% EV sales by 2030, Bihar govt nod to policy amendments”