Source : PTI | New Delhi, The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations on Thursday asked for the reduction in GST rates on entry-level two-wheelers to 18%, saying the segment has not recovered from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at the Auto Retail Conclave here, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) President Manish Raj Singhania said in the ongoing fiscal so far, while the retail sales of total vehicles have grown by around 7%, the entry-level two-wheeler segment is yet to witness the robust growth seen.

“Although the two-wheelers segment experienced year-on-year growth, we are still 20% behind the pre-COVID levels,” Singhania said. Continue reading “FADA seeks reduction in GST rates for entry-level two-wheelers to 18%”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said dealers of automobiles should also open vehicle scrapping facilities. Addressing the fifth Auto Retail Conclave, Gadkari said the government is encouraging a circular economy, and accordingly the government will give permission to dealers to start vehicle scrapping facilities.

He also noted that India is encouraging use of alternate fuel and biofuel and pointed out that the government is working to make India the largest manufacturer of green hydrogen. Continue reading “Auto dealers should also open vehicle scrapping facilities: Nitin Gadkari”

Source : PTI | India and Mongolia reviewed the progress of the central Asian country’s first oil refinery which is being built with assistance from New Delhi. The review of the project was done during the three-day visit of Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, to Mongolia which concluded on Thursday.

Kumar held discussions with Mongolian state secretary in the foreign ministry N Ankhbayar and called on minister of education and science L Enkh-Amgalan and minister and chief cabinet secretary D Amarbayasgalan. Continue reading “India, Mongolia review oil refinery project”

TOKYO, Sept 15 (Reuters) – The U.S. state of Indiana could well become the most-favoured location for Subaru (7270.T) to establish an electric vehicle production site in the world’s biggest economy, the Japanese automaker’s chief executive said.

Subaru sees the years to 2028 as a key period for building up its EV sales so that it will eventually hit an annual sales target of 600,000 battery-powered vehicles by 2030 that will make up half of its global sales. Continue reading “Japan’s Subaru sees Indiana as possible U.S. EV production site”

DETROIT, Sept 14 (Reuters) – With just over 30 hours to go before a strike deadline he set, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain on Wednesday rolled out the latest, unprecedented twist in his unorthodox campaign to win a historic contract for nearly 150,000 workers at the Detroit Three automakers.

For the first time in the UAW’s history, the union could order members at all three of Detroit’s automakers — General Motors, Ford and Stellantis NV — to walk off the job starting after their contracts expire at 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, Fain said in a Facebook video address Wednesday evening. Continue reading “Auto union chief Shawn Fain quotes Malcolm X, shines on Facebook as takes on Detroit Three”

DETROIT, Sept 15 (Reuters) – The United Auto Workers union launched simultaneous strikes at three factories owned by General Motors, Ford and Chrysler parent Stellantis early on Friday, kicking off the most ambitious U.S. industrial labor action in decades.

The walkouts at the “Detroit Three” will halt production of the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, along with other popular models. UAW President Shawn Fain said the union will hold off for now on more costly company-wide strikes, but said all options are open if new contracts are not agreed. Continue reading “U.S. auto workers launch first simultaneous strike at Detroit Three”

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Source : PTI | New Delhi: Tata Power Delhi Distribution on Tuesday announced its strategic partnership with the US-based cyber security and data analytics software company Utiltyx. . The partnership aims to enhance the company’s preparedness against future threats and challenges related to cyber security, a company statement said.

The association is aimed at augmenting IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) visibility, adding strengths to the capabilities of Tata Power-DDL to fight cyber threats and providing credible & real-time analytics for its distribution grid, thereby preparing the power distribution infrastructure for future threats and growth, the statement said. Continue reading “Tata Power Delhi Distribution ties with US-based Utiltyx to ensure cyber security, seamless power supply”

COPENHAGEN, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Sweden’s Volvo (VOLVb.ST) will begin serial production of heavy battery electric trucks at its Ghent factory in Belgium, the truckmaker said in a statement on Thursday.

The Ghent factory is the largest production site for Volvo trucks with a yearly capacity of around 45,000 trucks, the company said.

It added the plant will be building three of its different models – the Volvo FH, the Volvo FM and the Volvo FMX Electric. Continue reading “Volvo to start production of electric trucks at Ghent factory”

Sept 13 (Reuters) – Battery components maker Sunrise New Energy (EPOW.O) said on Wednesday that it had received interest for its products from electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc (TSLA.O).

Sunrise shares rose as much as 11% to $1.87 in morning trade.

The China-based company, through its joint venture, manufactures and sells graphite anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Tesla uses lithium-ion batteries to power its cars. Continue reading “Tesla shows interest in Sunrise New Energy’s battery components”

Summary

• Investigation ramps up EU-China tensions
• Probe will set tone for upcoming bilateral talks
• China’s EV market share in Europe has been growing
• Analysts warn of China retaliation if EU levies tariffs
• China says EU probe is protectionist

SHANGHAI/BEIJING Sept 14 (Reuters) – Beijing on Thursday blasted the launch of a probe by the European Commission into China’s electric vehicle (EV) subsidies as protectionist and warned it would damage economic and trade relations, as shares in Chinese EV makers slipped. Continue reading “Beijing blasts ‘protectionist’ EU probe as China EV stocks slip”

Source : PTI | Leading carmakers Maruti Suzuki India and Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday said the percentage of diesel cars in passenger vehicle sales is expected to come down with stricter emission regulations, increasing the cost of ownership. On a day when Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari spoke of the need to levy an additional 10 per cent tax on diesel-run vehicles to help cut emissions, although clarified that there is no proposal under the government consideration to impose such a tax, the automakers pointed out that already sales of diesel passenger vehicle have been declining. Continue reading “Maruti, Hyundai say diesel passenger vehicle sales likely to come down with stricter emission norms”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: Tata Power Delhi Distribution on Tuesday announced its strategic partnership with the US-based cyber security and data analytics software company Utiltyx. The partnership aims to enhance the company’s preparedness against future threats and challenges related to cyber security, a company statement said.

The association is aimed at augmenting IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) visibility, adding strengths to the capabilities of Tata Power-DDL to fight cyber threats and providing credible & real-time analytics for its distribution grid, thereby preparing the power distribution infrastructure for future threats and growth, the statement said. Continue reading “Tata Power Delhi Distribution ties with US-based Utiltyx to ensure cyber security, seamless power supply”

Summary

• Lithium industry working to reduce DLE water use
• DLE seen as fully commercial by 2025
• Lithium industry boosting freshwater recycling

PITTSBURGH, Sept 13 (Reuters) – The mining industry is working to boost freshwater recycling while also developing direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies as it races to reinvent how the battery metal is produced for the green energy transition, executives said. Continue reading “Lithium tech developers eye ways to boost water recycling”

Summary

• EU opens anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs
• Investigation to last up to 13 months
• Chinese share of European EV market up to 8% this year

BRUSSELS, Sept 13 (Reuters) – The European Commission launched an investigation on Wednesday into whether to impose punitive tariffs to protect European Union producers against cheaper Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports it says are benefiting from state subsidies. Continue reading “EU to investigate ‘flood’ of Chinese electric cars, weigh tariffs”

Source : PTI | Passenger vehicle wholesales in the country rose 9% year-on-year in August on the back of strong demand for utility models, including SUVs, industry body SIAM said on Monday.

Overall passenger vehicle dispatches to dealers rose to 3,59,228 units last month from 3,28,376 units in August 2022. Utility vehicle sales increased 34% year-on-year to 1,81,825 units. Continue reading “Powered by utility vehicles, PV dispatches to dealers increase 9% in August: SIAM”

Source : PTI | Leading carmakers Maruti Suzuki India and Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday said the percentage of diesel cars in passenger vehicle sales is expected to come down with stricter emission regulations, increasing the cost of ownership. On a day when Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari spoke of the need to levy an additional 10 % tax on diesel-run vehicles to help cut emissions, although clarified that there is no proposal under the government consideration to impose such a tax, the automakers pointed out that already sales of diesel passenger vehicle have been declining.

“It is a natural phenomenon that as the emission regulations keep tightening, the cost of acquisition will keep increasing, and this process (decline in diesel vehicle percentage) will be much faster going forward,” Maruti Suzuki India Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales) Shashank Srivastava told reporters here on the sidelines of SIAM annual convention. Continue reading “Diesel PV sales likely to come down with stricter emission norms”

Source : PTI | In a strongly-worded message, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday suggested the auto industry not to import components unnecessarily if the exporting country is not giving equal access to Indian players. He however said that companies can import quality products if those are not available or manufactured domestically.

“Where things are being unnecessarily imported without India getting an equal opportunity in those countries I would be tempted….,” he said here at the annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. Continue reading “Piyush Goyal talks tough to auto industry on unnecessary import of components”

Source : PTI | Production of the first sof advanced chemistry cell batteries in India is likely to commence by January 2024, Union Minister Mahindra Nath Pandey said on Tuesday. In May 2021, the government approved the PLI (Production Linked Incentives) scheme for manufacturing ACC (Advanced Chemistry Cell) batteries at an estimated outlay of INR 18,100 crore.

ACCs are the new generation advanced energy storage technologies that can store electric energy, either as electrochemical or chemical energy and convert it back to electric energy as and when required. Continue reading “Production of advanced chemistry cell batteries in India likely to start by Jan 2024: Mahindra Nath Pandey”

DETROIT, Sept 12 (Reuters) – Ford (F.N) plans to double production of hybrid F-150 pickup trucks in 2024, accelerating the automaker’s pivot toward gas-electric powertrains as a hedge against reluctance among U.S. truck buyers to go all-electric.

Ford said it is tooling up to equip 20% of the best-selling model-line in the U.S. market with gas-electric powertrains in 2024. For the 2024 model year, the hybrid powertrain will be offered at the same price as a truck equipped with a six-cylinder “EcoBoost” combustion powertrain, the company said. Continue reading “Ford doubles down on hybrid pickup trucks”

WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (Reuters) – Korean automakers Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Kia Corp (000270.KS) on Tuesday asked a U.S. judge to reject lawsuits filed by 17 cities for failing to install anti-theft technology in millions of their vehicles.

The lawsuits come after thousands of Hyundai and Kia thefts that use a method popularized on TikTok and other social media channels. The cities suing Kia and Hyundai include New York, Cleveland, San Diego, Milwaukee, Columbus and Seattle. Continue reading “Hyundai, Kia urge US court to reject cities TikTok-inspired theft lawsuits”

WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (Reuters) – The White House on Tuesday said it strongly opposes a Republican bill set to be voted on this week by the U.S. House of Representatives that would prevent California from receiving federal waivers to set standards limiting the sale of new gas-powered motor vehicles.

The bill faces long odds of winning approval in the Senate, where Democrats have made boosting electric vehicles a top priority. But it might pick up some Democratic support in the House, and the future of cars could be a potent political issue in the 2024 election for Congress and the White House. Continue reading “White House opposes bill to strip California of vehicle emissions authority”

Sept 12 (Reuters) – A federal committee on Tuesday recommended imposing royalties on U.S. hardrock mining for the first time, a move it said could increase domestic production by providing funds for the agencies in charge of issuing new mining permits.

The proposal was part of a suite of recommendations aimed at increasing supply of the materials like lithium, cobalt and nickel that are needed for a domestic electric vehicle (EV) industry that is key to President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. Continue reading “US committee recommends royalties on minerals for EVs in sweeping reform proposal”

Source : PTI | “Last month saw the highest ever August month sales for passenger vehicles and three-wheelers,” Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Vinod Aggarwal said in a statement.

Passenger vehicle wholesales in the country rose 9% year-on-year in August on the back of strong demand for utility models, including SUVs, industry body SIAM said on Monday.

Continue reading “Powered by utility vehicles, PV dispatches to dealers increase 9% in August: SIAM”

NEW DELHI, Sept 12 (Reuters) – India’s road transport minister on Tuesday said he will propose an additional 10% tax on diesel vehicles and warned automakers of even higher levies to come to force them away from diesel-burners and cut fuel emissions and pollution.

Nitin Gadkari made the comments at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) annual conference in New Delhi, where executives of Tata Motors (TAMO.NS), Mahindra and Mahindra (MAHM.NS), Maruti Suzuki (MRTI.NS) and foreign carmakers such as Mercedes (MBGn.DE) and Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) had gathered.

Continue reading “India ‘Say bye to diesel’: India warns automakers of higher taxes in pollution fight”

BERLIN, Sept 12 (Reuters) – Germany’s Renk, which makes gearboxes for tanks, said on Tuesday it planned an initial public offering (IPO) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange this year to fund expansion of its international operations and gain access to new financing options.

It said the offering would comprise existing shares owned by Renk’s majority owner, private equity group Triton, which bought the company from carmaker Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) three years ago. Continue reading “German gearbox maker Renk plans Frankfurt IPO this year”

Sept 12 (Reuters) – New investments in the United States and Europe aim to challenge China’s stranglehold on a key ingredient used in most electric vehicle batteries – graphite – but industry experts said that will be an uphill battle.

The focus is shifting to a new front: Synthetic graphite, an element developed in the late 19th century, but only redirected toward EVs in the past decade.

Its application is growing quickly. Synthetic graphite could account for nearly two-thirds of the EV battery anode market by 2025, estimates Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Continue reading “Focus: Synthetic graphite for EV batteries: Can the West crack China’s code?”

Sept 11 (Reuters) – A prolonged coordinated strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union against the Detroit Three automakers could cut production by thousands, potentially pushing up vehicle prices and exacerbating supply-chain disruptions, analysts said.

The auto industry is on edge as the current four-year contracts between the UAW and General Motors (GM.N), Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Stellantis (STLAM.MI) for hourly U.S. workers expire on midnight Sept. 14, after which the union’s chief has warned of a possible coordinated strike. Continue reading “Potential UAW strike could cut production, push up vehicle prices, analysts say”

Source : PTI | A well defined payment security mechanism for long-term contracts would help support large-scale rollout of electric buses in the country, according to Ashok Leyland Chairman Dheeraj Hinduja . In an interaction with PTI, he also emphasised on the importance of subsidies in faster adoption of electric mobility in India.

“So I would say two areas, one, the subsidies or whatever benefits that the government can consider for promoting electric vehicles is of course welcome, and then some type of payment security mechanisms are also required. It would help the industry to grow at a faster pace,” Hinduja said. Continue reading “Payment security mechanism, subsidies to help in growth of electric mobility: Chairman, Ashok Leyland”

Source : PTI | The traffic violations in the southern state have come down after the Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras have become operational, Kerala Transport Minister Antony Raju said on Sunday. After inaugurating a leadership camp organised for the volunteers of the National Service Scheme (NSS), he said the state used to report around 4.5 lakh traffic violations every month, which was reduced to 2.5 lakh after installing the AI cameras.

The minister said Kerala was able to prove that the AI cameras were in fact beneficial for the society as it was able to save the lives of several people. Continue reading “Traffic violations have reduced in Kerala after AI cameras installation: Transport Minister”

Source : PTI | G20 countries on Saturday said they will aim to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and expedite efforts to phase down coal power in line with national circumstances but did not commit to a phase-out of all polluting fossil fuels, including oil and gas. The language on coal aligns with what was agreed upon in the previous G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia.

The bloc, which represents 85 % of the world’s GDP and contributes 80 % of emissions, however, said it will uphold their 2009 promise made in Pittsburgh to eliminate and rationalise inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Continue reading “G20 aims to triple renewable energy capacity; no mention of fossil-fuel phase-out”

Sept 11 (Reuters) – Self-driving technology maker Mobileye Global (MBLY.O) named insider Moran Rojansky as its chief financial officer on Monday, succeeding Anat Heller who left the role in June for personal reasons.

Rojansky, 43, has been with the Israel-based company since 2016 and most recently served as its interim finance chief. She has previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, also known as PwC. Continue reading “Mobileye appoints insider Rojansky as CFO”

BEIJING, Sept 11 (Reuters) – Western sanctions against Russia are boosting demand for China-made cars, and this surge could continue as long as these sanctions remain in place, an executive with China’s auto association said on Monday.

Chinese automakers are also seeking to assemble vehicles in Russia and localise production, Xu Haidong, deputy chief engineer at the China Association of Auto Manufacturers (CAAM), told reporters. Continue reading “Western sanctions to sustain surge in China auto exports to Russia-CAAM”

Production: The total production of Passenger Vehicles1 , Three Wheelers, Two Wheelers, and Quadricycle in August 2023 was 23,85,901 units

Domestic Sales:
• Passenger Vehicles2 sales were 3,59,228 units in August 2023.
• Three-wheeler sales were 64,763 units in August 2023
• Two-wheeler sales were 15,66,594 units in August 2023.

1 BMW, Mercedes, JLR, Tata Motors & Volvo Auto data are not available.
2 BMW, Mercedes, JLR & Volvo Auto data are not available. Tata Motors Domestic Sales data included only in this document. Continue reading “Auto Industry Performance of August-2023”

Sept 11 (Reuters) – Tesla’s (TSLA.O) Dojo supercomputer could power a near $600 billion jump in the automaker’s market value by boosting the adoption of robo-taxis and its software services, Morgan Stanley analysts said, sending the electric vehicle maker’s shares up 6% in premarket trading on Monday.

Tesla, already the world’s most valuable automaker, started production of the supercomputer to train artificial intelligence (AI) models for self-driving cars in July and plans to spend more than $1 billion on Dojo through next year. Continue reading “Tesla jumps on prediction supercomputer unit could add $600 bln to mkt value”

LONDON, Sept 11 (Reuters) – BMW (BMWG.DE) said on Monday it will invest 600 million pounds ($750 million) in its UK plants to take its Mini brand all-electric by 2030, giving a fresh boost to Britain’s car industry after years of Brexit-related uncertainty.

From 2026, the German premium carmaker will make two electric models at its Mini plant in Oxford – the Mini Cooper 3-door and the compact crossover Mini Aceman. Continue reading “BMW to invest $750 mln in UK plants to take Mini fully electric”

Source : PTI | New Delhi: India and the US on Friday expressed their support for building a resilient global semiconductor supply chain while reaffirming a pledge to sustain high-level engagements between governments, industries and academic institutions. In a joint statement issued their bilateral talks here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joseph Biden called upon the two governments to continue the work of transforming the India-US Strategic Partnership across all dimensions based on trust and mutual understanding.

The meeting was held soon after Biden arrived in New Delhi to participate in the G20 Summit to be chaired by Prime Minister Modi. Continue reading “Modi, Biden express support for building resilient global semiconductor supply chain”

NEW DELHI, Sept 9 (Reuters) – Global leaders announced a multinational rail and ports deal linking the Middle East and South Asia on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi.

The pact comes at a critical time as U.S. President Joe Biden seeks to counter China’s Belt and Road push on global infrastructure by pitching Washington as an alternative partner and investor for developing countries at the G20 grouping. Continue reading “US, India, Saudi, EU unveil rail, ports deal on G20 sidelines”

Sept 8 (Reuters) – A Nikola (NKLA.O) electric semi-truck caught fire near the company’s Phoenix headquarters in Arizona, it said on Friday, the second such incident this week involving the firm’s vehicle.

The company’s shares fell about 15% to 88 cents, and are down nearly 55% since Nikola announced in August a recall of all battery-powered electric trucks it had delivered and paused sales after an investigation into some earlier fires. Continue reading “Nikola semi-truck catches fire in second incident in a week”

Sept 8 (Reuters) – China’s Gotion High-tech Co Ltd (002074.SZ) will set up a $2 billion electric vehicle (EV) lithium battery manufacturing plant in Manteno, Illinois that would create about 2,600 new jobs, the state governor’s office said on Friday.

Global EV battery makers and automakers have been eyeing the North American market for setting up new manufacturing plants as they look to diversify supply chains and attract incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act. Continue reading “China’s Gotion to set up a $2 billion lithium battery plant in Illinois”