Summary

• Rivian plans cheaper R2 variants by 2027, including a $45,000 model
• R2 launch variant offers 656 horsepower and 330 miles of range
• Rivian aims to compete with Tesla’s Model Y with R2 line

SAN FRANCISCO, (Reuters) – Rivian (RIVN.O) will begin delivering its more affordable R2 line of ‌SUVs this spring with a variant priced at $57,990 and roll out cheaper options by 2027, as the electric vehicle maker looks to widen its customer base and take on Tesla’s best-selling Model Y.

Shares of the company were down nearly 4%. Continue reading “Rivian to begin R2 deliveries with $58,000 launch variant this spring”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Shares in Honda Motor (7267.T), closed down nearly 6% ‌in Tokyo on Friday after the automaker flagged its first annual loss in almost 70 years as a listed company, hit by up to $15.7 billion in restructuring costs ⁠tied to its electric-vehicle business.

Honda stock ended the day 5.6% lower at 1,368 yen, making it the second-largest decliner on the benchmark Nikkei 225 (.N225), and marking the company’s biggest one-day fall since early February 2025. Continue reading “Honda shares slide nearly 6% as automaker faces first annual loss”

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NHAI deploys 5100 women staff across 1140 NH toll plazas WAF Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (13th March 2026)”

March 2026, Ahmedabad: drivebuddyAI, a leading innovator in AI-powered driver safety and fleet intelligence, has been awarded a patent for its facial recognition system designed to operate reliably in dynamic in-vehicle environments. The innovation enables accurate identification of drivers inside the moving vehicle, enabling commercial fleets to ensure driver authenticity and driving hours compliance. Continue reading “drivebuddyAI Secures Patent for AI-based Facial Recognition”

SEOUL, (Reuters) – South Korea’s customs authorities said on Thursday that they would ramp up a crackdown ​on illegal car exports to Russia after discovering ‌a growing number of vehicles being sent to Russia via third countries such as China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Illegal vehicle exports from ​South Korea to Russia jumped more than five-fold to ​149.2 billion won ($100.78 million) last year compared to ⁠2024, when Seoul tightened export restrictions in response to ​Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Korea Customs Service said in a ​statement. Continue reading “South Korea pledges to accelerate crackdown on illegal car exports to Russia”

LONDON, (Reuters) – Elon Musk’s Tesla can soon start supplying British homes with electricity after it was granted ​a licence on Thursday, bringing a new competitor into ‌the market at a time of heightened worries over rising bills.

The country’s energy regulator Ofgem said Tesla Energy Ventures, a unit of Tesla had ​now been approved as an electricity supplier after ​a process which began last July. Continue reading “Tesla set to start supplying UK homes with electricity”

Summary

• BMW expects moderate decline in pre-tax earnings, stagnant deliveries
• Tariffs impact core EBIT margin, forecast at 4-6% in 2026
• China market challenges persist, sales slump 12.5% last year

BERLIN, (Reuters) – BMW sees little relief ahead with ongoing tariff costs and intense competition in China, warning on Thursday of a moderate decline in 2026 pre-tax earnings and a stagnation in deliveries of its cars.

BMW’s rivals Volkswagen and Mercedes ​also reported a weak 2025 dominated by trade barriers, falling China sales and electrification missteps as ​market demand for EVs diverges in key markets. Continue reading “BMW braces for another year of tariff and China struggles”

Summary

• Honda to lose as much as 570 billion yen this fiscal year
• Writedown is latest in industry grappling with EV transition
• US shares down about 8% in premarket trading

TOKYO, – Honda will fall to its first annual loss in almost 70 years as a listed ‌company, hit by up to $15.7 billion in restructuring costs at its EV business, it said on Thursday, as weaker-than-expected demand for the technology hammers automakers.

Under President Donald Trump, Washington has ended government support for EVs, forcing the likes of Ford and Stellantis to rethink their strategies and ​book hefty write-downs of their own. Continue reading “Honda flags first annual loss, hit by $15.7 billion EV charge”

Source : PTI | The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval to the Mukhyamantri Gram Parivahan Yojana-2026, under which bus connectivity will now reach every village across the state.

The cabinet meeting was held on Tuesday at Lok Bhavan under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Continue reading “UP Cabinet clears scheme to extend bus connectivity to over 59,000 gram sabhas”

Source : PTI | Under its new EV policy, the Delhi government may mandate 30 per cent of all school buses shift to electric by end of March 2030, a government document said.

According to the document, under the new EV policy likely to be tabled during the upcoming budget session of Delhi Assembly, a complete road tax and registration fees exemption is also likely for all electric cars below Rs 30 lakh. Continue reading “Delhi govt’s new EV policy may mandate electrification of 30% of entire school bus fleet by 2030”

(Reuters) – Elon Musk on Wednesday unveiled a joint project between Tesla (TSLA.O) and his artificial intelligence startup xAI, which he called “Macrohard” or “Digital Optimus” and said that it was a system capable ‌of emulating the functions of software companies.

In a post on his social media platform X, Musk said the project pairs xAI’s Grok large language model, acting as a high-level “navigator,” with a Tesla-developed AI agent that processes real-time computer screen video and keyboard and ⁠mouse actions. Continue reading “Musk unveils joint Tesla-xAI project ‘Macrohard’, eyes software disruption”

Summary

• Porsche CEO plans shift to high-margin sports cars for recovery
• Sales in China fell over 25% due to local competition
• Porsche forecasts modest recovery in operating return on sales for 2026

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Porsche’s (P911_p.DE) new CEO announced plans on Wednesday to draw on high-margin sports cars, such as ‌the iconic 911, to recoup losses from a turbulent 2025 marked by tariff costs, electrification missteps and the collapse of its sales in China. Continue reading “Calling 911: Porsche CEO looks to petrol classics for margin revival”

Summary

• Analysts halve 2026 delivery growth forecast to 3.8% from 8.2% in January
• Morningstar, Morgan Stanley among analysts predicting a fall
• Tesla’s cash flow expected to turn negative amid high capital expenditures
• Tesla faces competition, tax credit loss and weak demand for affordable variants

SAN FRANCISCO, (Reuters) – Tesla (TSLA.O) investors and analysts are cutting estimates for its electric vehicle deliveries and some are now expecting a third straight year of decline, pressuring profit as CEO Elon Musk refocuses on the expensive goals of launching robotaxis and humanoid robots. Continue reading “Tesla delivery slide may stretch to third year, some fear, as cash burn looms”

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Nissan Motor, Uber Technologies and British startup Wayve said on ​Thursday they will collaborate on developing robotaxis, aiming ‌to roll out a pilot programme in Tokyo by late 2026.

Uber’s first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan, the plan provides ​for Nissan Leaf electric vehicles equipped with Wayve’s ​self-driving technology to be made available to customers ⁠via Uber, the companies said in a joint statement. Continue reading “Nissan, Uber, Wayve unveil robotaxi tie-up”

(Reuters) – Steep depreciation and improving reliability are drawing more Americans to used electric vehicles, turning the pre-owned market into a key entry point for buyers priced out of new EVs as federal incentives fade.

Falling resale prices that are also driven by rapid advances in ​battery technology, range and software have pushed many second-hand EVs closer in cost to comparable gasoline vehicles, while over-the-air updates ‌and a growing charging network are easing earlier concerns about ownership. Continue reading “Falling prices steer US buyers toward used electric vehicles”

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Bankrupt U.S. auto parts maker ⁠First Brands said Tuesday that ​it had agreed to sell its ​Walbro business line to Canada-headquartered Active Dynamics Group for $50 million. The company is selling ​business units to fund its ​bankruptcy restructuring and address fraud claims.

The sale will ‌preserve ⁠600 jobs in Michigan, Arizona, and Los Mochis, Mexico, First Brands said. Continue reading “Active Dynamics buys First Brands’ Walbro business for $50 million”

Summary

• New CEO Michael Leiters to make earnings debut on Wednesday
• Recovery efforts seen focused on cost cuts, combustion engines
• Tariffs and Middle East war complicate turnaround drive

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Porsche’s new CEO is likely to double down on ​cost cuts and lean harder into combustion-engine cars as he seeks to persuade investors he can ‌revive the ailing sportscar maker in his first earnings update on Wednesday.

But global trade tensions and the potential economic shock from war in the Middle East will make any turnaround difficult. Continue reading “Porsche aims to regain speed with cost cuts and combustion engines”

Source : PTI | Auto components maker Minda Corporation on Tuesday said it has inked a joint venture pact with Turntide Technologies to offer new generation powertrain solutions for the electric vehicle industry.

Minda Corp through its wholly owned SPV will hold 49 per cent stake in the joint venture firm and Turntide will hold the remaining 51 per cent. Continue reading “Minda Corp, Turntide join hands for EV powertrain solutions”

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – U.S. container import volumes fell 6.5% in February from last year to levels typical for the post-winter ​holiday shopping season, supply chain technology provider Descartes Systems ‌Group said on Tuesday.

U.S. seaports last month handled 2,093,422 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the standard measure for container volume. That was the fourth-strongest February on record, Descartes ​said. Continue reading “US container imports fell 6.5% in February, still fourth-highest on record, Descartes says”

Summary

• Zoox expands testing to 10 U.S. markets, including Dallas and Phoenix
• New depots and Fusion Center to create hundreds of jobs
• U.S. regulators to hold autonomous vehicle safety ​forum with industry CEOs

(Reuters) – Amazon’s robotaxi unit Zoox is expanding testing to ‌Dallas and Phoenix and launching a command hub for fleet operations in Arizona, as it looks to widen its footprint in the U.S.’s increasingly competitive autonomous taxi market.

The move will expand testing ​operations to 10 markets across the country, Zoox said on Monday, adding ​the two Sun Belt cities to existing sites including Las Vegas, ⁠the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Austin, Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington, ​D.C. Continue reading “Amazon’s Zoox to launch command hub in Arizona, expand testing to Dallas and Phoenix”

Summary

• Archer accuses Joby of hiding China ties for competitive advantage
• Joby calls Archer’s claims ‘nonsensical’
• Archer’s allegations come in countersuit to Joby’s lawsuit

(Reuters) – Electric air-taxi ​maker Archer Aviation accused rival Joby Aviation in a countersuit filed ‌Monday of defrauding the U.S. government and hiding close ties to China that it used to gain an unfair competitive advantage.

In the countersuit filed in U.S. federal court, Archer said that “Joby and/or ​its agents fraudulently misclassified thousands of pounds of Chinese-origin aircraft materials as ​consumer goods…in an apparent effort to evade U.S. tariffs and foreign-influence ⁠oversight.” Continue reading “Air-taxi maker Archer accuses rival Joby of illegal China ties”

Summary

• Chinese truckmakers plan European sales in 2026, including BYD and Geely’s Farizon
• Chinese expected to undercut European electric truck prices by 30%
• Europe’s Scania produces in China to acquire know-how to better compete

ANTWERP/SODERTALJE, Sweden, (Reuters) – Chinese electric freight trucks are rolling into Europe at pace this year, following the trail blazed by Chinese EVs and threatening to upend the market with better technology and lower prices.

Reuters has identified more than half a dozen Chinese ​manufacturers planning to launch European heavy truck sales in 2026. They include EV giant BYD; Geely Holding (GEELY.UL) unit Farizon; China’s top-selling electric truck brand Sany; Sinotruk; and startups Windrose and SuperPanther. Continue reading “European freight truck makers brace for wave of low-cost Chinese rivals”

Summary

• French automaker facing intense competition
• Aims to broaden model range, expand sales outside Europe

GUYANCOURT, France, (Reuters) – Renault plans to sell half of its Renault brand cars overseas by 2030 and grow volumes by ​over a fifth, it said on Tuesday, as it looks to tap growth outside Europe to remain competitive in ‌a tough global market.

The French automaker faces intensifying competition from low-cost Chinese players including BYD and Chery as well as traditional rivals like Stellantis in its key European market, creating mounting price pressure that has eroded profit margins. Continue reading “Renault plans push beyond Europe to boost sales by 2030”

Source : PTI | The Maharashtra government suspended the issuance of new autorickshaw permits from Monday in a bid to curb rising traffic congestion and urban pollution, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said.

A release from his office said the suspension will remain in force until the state cabinet takes a decision on the criteria for granting new autorickshaw permits. Continue reading “Maharashtra govt suspends issuance of autorickshaw permits to curb congestion, pollution: Sarnaik”

Source : PTI | The impact of global crude price rise on inflation is not estimated to be substantial at this point as India’s inflation is near the lower bound, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

In reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the price of both global crude oil and the Indian basket has been on a declining trajectory for the past one year, till the geo-political clashes commenced in West Asia on February 28, 2026. Continue reading “Global crude price rise not to have substantial impact on inflation: Sitharaman”

Source : PTI | The Maharashtra government on Monday revoked the provisional licence issued to some motorbike aggregators as they did not fulfil certain requirements, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said.

Speaking in the legislative council, Sarnaik said the e-bike policy was to give employment to the sons of soils, adding that in states like Goa, tourist prefer bikes because it is cheaper for a single person rather than taking an autorickshaw or taxi.

Continue reading “Maharashtra govt has revoked provisional licence of bike taxi aggregators: Transport minister”

Source : PTI | Petrol and diesel prices will not be increased for now despite international crude oil rates crossing $100 per barrel, top government sources said on Monday.

Officials said the government is closely monitoring global oil markets, but there is no immediate plan to raise retail fuel prices. Oil marketing companies are expected to absorb the current cost pressure for the time being.

Continue reading “No immediate hike in petrol, diesel prices despite crude crossing $100/barrel”

• Renault Group is moving into high gear, turning the success story of the Renaulution plan into a success system that is both sustainable and global.

• With the new strategic plan futuREady, the Group is seeking to maintain its growth dynamic and become the reference European carmaker.

• futuREady revolves around the product and the customer experience, technological innovation and operational excellence. At the same time, it is based on a strong commitment to employees, suppliers, dealer networks and partners.

• The product remains front and centre of this strategy. Renault Group will launch 36 new models between now and 2030, accelerating electrification and also its international line-up.

• Over the medium term, Renault Group aims to generate consistently robust and resilient financial results, with a Group operating margin of between 5% and 7% of revenue and an Automotive free cash flow superior or equal to €1.5 billion per year on average.

Continue reading “Renault Group launches futuREady opening a new strategic era”

Source : PTI | Ride-hailing firm Uber has entered into intercity bus ticketing on its app, with India becoming its first market globally to roll out the service, the company said on Friday.

The company has partnered with Ixigo’s AbhiBus to launch the service. Continue reading “Uber makes foray into intercity bus ticketing starting from India”

Source : PTI | To promote women’s empowerment and inclusivity in toll operations,  NHAI has deployed over 5,100 female staff during day shifts to manage toll booths at over 1,140 toll plazas across the National Highways and Expressway networks in the country.

By encouraging greater involvement of women in frontline operational roles, NHAI aims to promote gender inclusivity and social empowerment, alongside improving service delivery at National Highway toll plazas across the country, an official statement said on Friday. Continue reading “NHAI deploys 5100 women staff across 1140 NH toll plazas”

Source : PTI | There is a need to relax criteria for India’s PLI scheme for automobiles to enable electric vehicle start-ups to benefit and contribute to the country’s green mobility journey, according to Euler Motors Founder & CEO Saurav Kumar.

The high ceiling for revenue and investments outlined in the PLI for the auto sector has meant that a company like Euler Motors, despite being among the top players in the electric small trucks and three-wheeler cargo segment, has not been able to participate in the scheme, Kumar told PTI in an interview. Continue reading “Need relaxation of auto PLI criteria to enable EV start-ups participation: Euler Motors”

Source : PTI | Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday travelled in a DTC bus and interacted with commuters to inspect the implementation of the Saheli Pink Smart Card initiative.

Launched by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, the smart card allows women and transgender residents of the national capital to travel free of cost in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses. Continue reading “Delhi CM hops on DTC bus to check implementation of Saheli Pink Smart Card”

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will hold a national autonomous vehicle safety forum on Tuesday that will include ​the CEOs of self-driving companies Waymo, Zoox and Aurora.

The Trump administration is ‌looking for ways to speed up deployment of robotaxis and address regulatory barriers, while also scrutinizing safety issues. The meeting will include a discussion with Alphabet-unit co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, Amazon’s Zoox CEO Aicha Evans ​and Aurora CEO Chris Urmson. Continue reading “US agency to hold self-driving safety forum with CEOs of Waymo, Zoox, Aurora”

(Reuters) – The Japanese ​government has approached ‌Japan Display about ​operating ​a cutting-edge factory ⁠in ​the U.S. ​as part of its $550 billion ​investment ​and loan package ‌in ⁠the country, Nikkei Asia reported ​on ​Saturday.

Reuters ⁠could not ​immediately verify ​the ⁠report. Continue reading “US, Japan eye $13 billion Japan Display plant as part of investment package, Nikkei Asia reports”

Summary

• Rohm a significant player in power chips used in EVs
• Companies agreed to form strategic partnership in May
• Rohm shares end day up by daily limit of 18%; Denso ​falls 3.4%

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Toyota supplier Denso has made a bid ‌for chipmaker Rohm, a potential $8.3 billion deal that will expand the auto parts giant’s hold on power management chips used in electric vehicles and data centres.

Denso, a pillar of the Toyota group ​and one of the world’s largest makers of automotive components, has approached ​the Kyoto-based chipmaker about acquiring its shares, Rohm said in a ⁠statement on Friday, adding that nothing had been decided. Continue reading “Toyota’s Denso bids for chipmaker Rohm in potential $8.3 billion deal”

(Reuters) – The U.S.-Israel war with Iran, which entered its seventh day on Friday, threatens to disrupt the shipment of vehicles from Asia to the Middle East, a major export market for Asian automakers.

Chinese, Indian, South Korean and Japanese automakers export cars ​worth billions of dollars to the Middle East through the Strait of Hormuz and shipping along ‌the route has ground to a halt over fears of attacks by Tehran. Continue reading “China, India lead car exports worth billions of dollars to the Middle East”

(Reuters) – Ford has issued two ‌separate recalls affecting a total of 1.74 million vehicles in which defects could cause rearview-camera images to display incorrectly when the vehicle is ​in reverse.

One of the recalls affects about 850,000 ​Ford Bronco and Ford Edge models. It is related ⁠to a computer module that may overheat and shut ​down, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying as intended, ​the regulator said in a statement. Continue reading “Ford to recall 1.74 million vehicles in US over rearview camera issue, NHTSA says”