March 3 (Reuters) – LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is leaving OpenAI’s board to avoid conflicts of interest as he backs more artificial intelligence companies, he said in an online post.

Hoffman, who has invested in and advised the startup since its 2015 founding, said his venture capital firm Greylock is funding companies such as presentation generator Tome, which are paying for tools from OpenAI, the creator of chatbot sensation ChatGPT. Hoffman also co-founded Inflection AI, one of the highest profile startups working on technology similar to OpenAI’s.

Continue reading “OpenAI’s long-time backer Reid Hoffman leaves board”

March 3 (Reuters) – Rivian Automotive Inc (RIVN.O) on Friday said it was sticking to its official production forecast of 50,000 electric vehicles in 2023 after a Bloomberg news report said its executives had told employees it could possibly produce as many as 62,000 this year.

The 62,000 figure was said in an internal meeting and was taken out of context, the Rivian spokesperson said.

Continue reading “Rivian stands by 2023 production target despite media report”

March 3 (Reuters) – Urban scooter company Lime sued Hertz Corp on Thursday alleging unfair competition and accusing the rental car giant of improperly hiring the startup’s senior engineers.

San Francisco-based Neutron Holdings Inc, which does business as Lime, filed the lawsuitin California federal court seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction “to recover and protect its trade secrets.”

Continue reading “Scooter startup Lime sues Hertz for poaching engineers”

WASHINGTON, March 3 (Reuters) – The United States and European Union are working toward agreement in principle on a deal to make European minerals eligible for tax credits, a senior EU official said Friday.

The $430 billion U.S. Inflation Reduction Act passed in August requires rising percentages of battery minerals to come from the United States or a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partner.

Continue reading “EU, US working on deal to make EV minerals eligible for tax credits -EU official”

PTI – The collaboration will provide much-needed support for the development of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in India, and help in achieving the government’s goal of 50 percent of installed energy capacity from non-fossil fuel based sources by 2030.

The European Investment Bank and state- owned Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) Limited are exploring a partnership on financing of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in India. In this regard, Maria Shaw-Barragan, Global Director, European Investment Bank (EIB) and IREDA Chairman & Managing Directors (CMD) Pradip Kumar Das held a meeting in the national capital on Thursday.

Continue reading “European Investment Bank, IREDA exploring partnership to finance RE, green hydrogen projects in India”

PTI – The chief minister said a committee would be constituted to decide all the modalities and specifications for the prototype e-buses under the chairmanship of the state chief secretary. The state government is committed to provide best and comfortable transportation services to the people. He said that the state government is making earnest efforts to preserve and conserve the environment.

Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday asked the representatives of electric vehicles manufacturing companies to make the state-specific prototype electric buses in a time bound manner with modern technology. In a meeting with the representatives, he said that the buses should be made keeping in mind the hilly terrain, loading capacity and luggage space, a statement issued here said.

Continue reading “Manufacture Himachal- specific prototype electric buses, state chief minister tells EV makers”

PTI – The company, which on Thursday introduced an updated version of its mid-size sedan City, plans to focus on products which are over INR 10 lakh price tag powered by petrol and hybrid powertrains. The company, which is present in India through a wholly- owned subsidiary, plans to do away with diesel models in the country.

Japanese auto major Honda plans to launch at least one new model every year in India with a focus on premium products as it looks to get its business on track in the country. The company, which on Thursday introduced an updated version of its mid-size sedan — City, plans to focus on products which are over INR 10 lakh price tag powered by petrol and hybrid powertrains.

Continue reading “Honda to focus on premium products to grow India business”

MEXICO CITY, March 2 (Reuters) – Tesla Inc’s (TSLA.O) planned factory in Mexico’s northern border state of Nuevo Leon will be built on a site spanning several thousand acres, almost twice the size of its factory site in Texas, with construction slated to start in three months, a Mexican official said on Thursday.

Jesus Nava, the mayor of Santa Catarina in the state of Nuevo Leon, said in an interview that Tesla is purchasing the site from private owners. He said the land spans nearly 4,200 acres in an industrial zone, more than double the size of Mexico City’s international airport.

Continue reading “Site of Tesla Mexico factory near double size of Texas plant, local official says”

WASHINGTON, March 2 (Reuters) – The U.S. government on Thursday called on companies to ensure they comply with Russia-related sanctions imposed after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, warning that a failure to do so could lead to potential prosecution or enforcement actions.

Businesses should be aware of tactics being used to skirt restrictions and sanctions on Russia, including the use of shell companies, aliases, and obscured shipping information, among other warning signs, the U.S. departments of Justice, Commerce and Treasury said in a joint notice.

Continue reading “US urges companies to comply with Russia-related sanctions”

March 2 (Reuters) – Nevada on Thursday approved more than $330 million in tax abatement for electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) that is set to invest more than $3.6 billion in the state to expand its Gigafactory complex with two new factories.

Tesla said in January that one of the two new factories will mass produce its long-delayed semi-electric truck, and the other will make its new 4680 battery cell.

Continue reading “Tesla to get over $330 mln in tax abatement from Nevada”

HOUSTON, March 2 (Reuters) – Top energy executives and officials from around the world will descend on Houston next week just as the political fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago continues to distort global oil supply lines and put long-term energy security front of mind for governments.

Oil company chiefs and ministers will make their case for investment in all forms of energy – fossil fuels and renewables – to meet rising demand and at the same time accelerate the move toward the low-carbon industry of the future.

Continue reading “Big Oil to take centerstage at Houston meet as markets, alliances shift”

WASHINGTON, March 2 (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co (F.N) said it is recalling 98,500 older Ranger pickup trucks in the United States because replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

The new recall covers 2004-2006 model year Ranger trucks recalled in 2017 and 2018 to replace a small number of inflators that were installed incorrectly. Those original replacement inflators were replacing Takata versions that are at risk of ruptures that could pose safety risks.

Continue reading “Ford recalls 98,500 Ranger trucks over replacement air bag inflators”

March 2 (Reuters) – Italian motorbike and scooter maker Piaggio (PIA.MI) said on Thursday it was confident about its 2023 targets despite a challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop, after posting record results last year.

The producer of the iconic Vespa scooters posted a full-year net profit of 84.9 million euros ($90.22 million), beating the 79.9-million-euro analysts’ forecast provided by Refinitiv SmartEstimate, and up 41.4% from a year earlier.

Continue reading “Vespa maker Piaggio upbeat on 2023 after record results last year”

PTI – As part of the deal, four projects were launched under the Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership and they are expected to accelerate technology development through industry-academia government partnerships, collaborations with global partners to develop technology solutions among others.

Indian Institute of Technology-Madras on Wednesday inked a pact with Denmark in the presence of Danish Crown Prince Frederik Andre Henrik Christian to take up research projects on next-generation fuels and energy systems under the ‘Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership’. Besides the Danish Crown Prince, senior representatives of IIT Madras, Denmark Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard, Ambassador of Denmark to India Freddy Svane and Tamil Nadu industries department, Additional Chief Secretary S Krishnan were present during the signing of the agreement between IIT Madras and the Denmark government.

Continue reading “IIT Madras ties up with Denmark for research on next-gen fuels, energy systems”

PTI – The electric tipper is now roadworthy, adhering to all the Central Motor Vehicles rules and the first order for 20 e-tippers is in the final stage of discussions, the firm said adding that the company is shortly going to launch variants of the e-tipper and electric truck.

Olectra Greentech Limited, a group company of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), on Wednesday announced that India’s first 6×4 heavy-duty electric tipper from its stable received the country’s first homologation certificate from automobile regulatory agencies. The electric tipper is now roadworthy, adhering to all the Central Motor Vehicles rules and the first order for 20 e-tippers is in the final stage of discussions, the firm said adding that the company is shortly going to launch variants of the e-tipper and electric truck.

Continue reading “Olectra Greentech’s India’s first e-tipper receives roadworthiness nod”

SAN FRANCISCO, March 1 (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) will cut assembly costs by half in future generations of cars, engineers told investors on Wednesday, but Chief Executive Elon Musk did not unveil when it will debut a much-awaited affordable electric vehicle.

Shares fell more than 5% in after hours trade following the company’s investor day from its Texas headquarters.

Continue reading “Tesla vows to halve EV production costs, Musk keeps affordable car plan under wraps”

March 2 (Reuters) – Oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) has agreed to take a minority stake in a new powertrain engine company that French car maker Renault SA (RENA.PA) and China’s Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd (0175.HK) plan to set up jointly, they said on Thursday.

Reuters reported in January that Aramco has been involved in advanced discussions to take a stake of up to 20% in a previously announced but still-unnamed Geely-Renault powertrain company that would develop and supply internal combustion engines (ICE) and hybrid technologies.

Continue reading “Renault, Geely ink pact with Aramco for engine venture”

MEXICO CITY, March 1 (Reuters) – Tesla will open a gigafactory in Mexico, Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Wednesday, as the electric vehicle behemoth pushes to expand its global output.

Mexico on Tuesday said Tesla had chosen the northern border state of Nuevo Leon for a new factory worth more than $5 billion, calling it the “the biggest electric vehicle plant in the world”.

Continue reading “Tesla plans gigafactory in first Mexico investment”

March 1 (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) self-driving technology unit, Waymo, laid off 137 employees, in its second round of job cuts this year, the firm told Reuters on Wednesday, bringing total cuts for the year to 8% of its workforce.

Waymo has eliminated some engineering roles as part of the cuts to “focus on commercial success,” the company said in a statement. The company has now cut a total of 209 jobs this year.

Continue reading “Alphabet’s Waymo cuts more than 100 jobs in second round of layoffs”

FRANKFURT, March 1 (Reuters) – Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is reorganizing its financial services holding companies, Volkswagen Bank and Volkswagen Financial Services said on Wednesday.

“By bundling its activities in a European financial services provider, the refinancing strength of Volkswagen Bank GmbH can best be used for the growth of the leasing business in Germany and Europe,” they said.

Continue reading “Volkswagen’s financial services undergoing reorganization”

BERLIN, March 1 (Reuters) – Germany should “act reliably at the European level” and stick to the EU commitment of banning new combustion-engine cars from 2035, Germany’s Environment Minister Steffi Lemke told the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Wednesday.

She added the regulations had been “coordinated and agreed upon in long negotiations.”

Continue reading “Germany should stick to commitment of banning new combustion-engine cars from 2035 -environment minister”

SAN FRANCISCO, March 1 (Reuters) – U.S. electric vehicle startups are seeing an unsettling trend, with demand evaporating as potential customers look for deals or hold off on purchases altogether.

Quarterly reports from several companies indicated weakening interest for many of their newer products, a bad sign for companies wrestling with high costs.

Continue reading “EV startups from Lucid to Rivian see demand fade, supply chain issues linger”

PTI – GreenForest holds 6.06 per cent equity in TPREL and on conversion of the above CCPS, it will hold 9.76-11.43 per cent stake in TPREL, subject to the equity valuation on final conversion.

Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) has received an investment of INR 2,000 crore from GreenForest New Energies Bidco with allotment of 20 crore preference shares to the latter. “TPREL…has received the second and final round of investment of INR 2,000 crore from GreenForest and has successfully allotted 20,00,00,000 Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) at face value of INR 100 each at par aggregating to INR 2,000 crore on a preferential basis to GreenForest,” a statement said.

Continue reading “Tata Power Renewable Energy gets INR 2,000 cr infusion from GreenForest”

Feb 28 (Reuters) – General Motors Co (GM.N) is cutting hundreds of executive-level and salaried jobs as it looks to cut costs and streamline operations, a person briefed on the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

The global reductions are in the “low hundreds,” the person said.

GM Chief People Officer Arden Hoffman said in a letter to employees on Tuesday the Detroit automaker is “committed to $2 billion in cost savings in the next two years, which we’ll find by reducing corporate expenses, overhead, and complexity in all our products.”

Continue reading “GM cutting hundreds of jobs to reduce costs”

SHANGHAI/SAN FRANCISCO, March 1 (Reuters) – Tesla (TSLA.O) is readying a production revamp of its top-selling Model Y, according to three people with knowledge of the plan.

The changes to the Model Y – code-named Project Juniper at Tesla – involve the exterior and interior of the crossover electric vehicle with a target of starting production in 2024, according to two of the people, who asked not to be identified because the planning remains private.

Continue reading “Exclusive: Tesla readies revamp of Model Y codenamed ‘Juniper’”

March 1 (Reuters) – Aston Martin (AML.L), a London-listed luxury carmaker, said it expects profitability to improve this year and to turn free cash flow positive in the second half as it begins deliveries of its next-generation sports cars in the third quarter.

The company on Wednesday forecast wholesale volumes of about 7,000 units for 2023, slightly below average market expectations of 7,134, but its outlook of for an adjusted core profit margin of about 20% came in ahead of analysts’ average view.

Continue reading “Aston Martin says profitability to improve this year after tough 2022”

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Reuters) – Malaysia on Wednesday said electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) will open an office in the Southeast Asian country and establish a network of charging stations for its cars.

Tesla’s application to import battery-run EVs into Malaysia has been approved, and the company will also open showrooms and services centres, Malaysia’s trade ministry said in a statement.

Continue reading “Electric vehicle maker Tesla to open office in Malaysia”

Feb 28 (Reuters) – Rivian Automotive Inc (RIVN.O) on Tuesday forecast 2023 production well below analysts’ estimates as it grapples with lingering supply chain bottlenecks, and announced a recall of more than 12,700 vehicles, sending its shares down more than 8%.

The recall, Rivian’s third since it went public in November 2021, was triggered by an issue with a sensor in the front passenger seat-belt system. However, the company estimated that fewer than 100 vehicles will require the part to be replaced.

Continue reading “Rivian shares fall as supply chain snarls hamper production forecast”

MEXICO CITY, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) will build a new assembly plant in northern Mexico, the country’s president announced on Tuesday, marking a push by the electric vehicle maker to broaden operations outside the U.S. in a deal an official said was worth over $5 billion.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said “the whole Tesla company” was coming to Mexico to build a “very big” automotive plant, noting that potential investment in batteries was still pending. He did not reveal what models it would produce.

Continue reading “Tesla plant gets green light in northern Mexico”

PTI – India’s fuel demand witnessed the sharpest rebound in February as petrol and diesel consumption rose by double digits after a winter lull in the previous month, preliminary industry data showed on Wednesday. Petrol sales of state-owned fuel retailers jumped 12 per cent to 2.57 million tonne in February, as compared to 2.29 million tonne of consumption in the same period of last year.

India’s fuel demand witnessed the sharpest rebound in February as petrol and diesel consumption rose by double digits after a winter lull in the previous month, preliminary industry data showed on Wednesday. Petrol sales of state-owned fuel retailers jumped 12 per cent to 2.57 million tonne in February, as compared to 2.29 million tonne of consumption in the same period of last year. Sales were 1.57 per cent higher than in COVID-marred February 2021 and 20 per cent more than in the same period of 2020.

Continue reading “Petrol, diesel sales surge in February after winter lull”

DETROIT, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Stellantis NV (STLAM.MI) Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said the automaker is “looking for a solution” for an Illinois assembly plant scheduled to stop producing Jeep SUVs on Tuesday, but the high costs of producing electric vehicles there may make it hard to keep the plant open.

“We need to find a solution for the fact that the technology that has been decided is 40% more expensive” than combustion vehicles, Tavares told reporters during a videoconference. That means changes in the automaker’s production footprint, he said.

Continue reading “Stellantis seeks ‘solution’ for shuttered Illinois Jeep plant, CEO says”

PTI – Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Ocior Energy will invest INR 40,000 crore in Kutch district of Gujarat to set up a facility to produce 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen and ammonia per annum, said an official release.

The Gujarat government on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ocior Energy India Pvt Ltd for the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia with an investment of INR 40,000 crore. As per the MoU, signed in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Ocior Energy will invest INR 40,000 crore in Kutch district of Gujarat to set up a facility to produce 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen and ammonia per annum, said an official release.

Continue reading “Ocior Energy signs MoU with Gujarat govt to invest INR 40,000 cr in green hydrogen, ammonia”

PTI – Deloitte predicted the Indian semiconductor market will reach USD 55 billion by 2026 with more than 60 per cent of the market being driven by three industries — smartphones and wearables, automotive components, and computing and data storage.

India is poised to emerge as a major player in 5G, semiconductor and chip technology, live sports, and AVOD with private deployment networks likely to take off in a big way during 2025-2028, according to consultancy Deloitte. It has also projected the Indian semiconductor market to be worth USD 55 billion by 2026.

Continue reading “Indian semiconductor market to reach USD 55 billion by 2026: Deloitte”

PTI – Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said before the end of 2024, Uttar Pradesh will have road infrastructure like in the US and the picture of the state will change with development of roads. Gadkari said UP will become the leading state in the country and called upon farmers to become a provider of food as well as energy.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said before the end of 2024, Uttar Pradesh will have road infrastructure like in the US and the picture of the state will change with development of roads. Gadkari said UP will become the leading state in the country and called upon farmers to become a provider of food as well as energy.

Continue reading “UP will have America-like road infra by 2024: Gadkari”

By Dave Graham and Daina Beth Solomon

MEXICO CITY, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) will build a new plant in northern Mexico, the country’s president said on Tuesday, marking a push by the electric vehicle maker to broaden operations outside the U.S. in a deal said by a source to be worth at least $1 billion.

Without providing details, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said “the whole Tesla company” was coming to Mexico, describing the investment as an “automotive plant” that would be “very big” and noting that potential investment in batteries was still pending.

Continue reading “Tesla plant gets green light in northern Mexico”

MILAN, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said on Tuesday it will invest a total of $155 million in three plants located in Kokomo, Indiana, to produce new electric drive modules (EDM) that will be fitted in electric vehicles which the carmaker will assemble in North America.

Production is expected to start in the third quarter of 2024, following retooling, the company said.

“With the investment, more than 265 jobs will be retained across all three plants,” it said.

Continue reading “Stellantis to invest $155 million in U.S. to produce new electric drive modules”

DOHA, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Uber Technologies Inc’s (UBER.N) Middle Eastern business Careem will cease operations in Qatar from Tuesday, the company said in a message sent to customers in the Gulf Arab state on Monday.

The surprise announcement comes two months after the soccer World Cup in Qatar, when Careem-branded vehicles were part of the tournament’s official plans to transport visiting fans, alongside cars from Uber and local taxi provider Karwa.

Continue reading “Uber’s Mideast business Careem to cease operations in Qatar”

TOKYO, Feb 27 (Reuters) – Nissan Motor Co Ltd (7201.T) on Monday raised its electrified car sales goals and said it would boost power train production in the United States, as it looks to catch up in a segment dominated by newer automakers such as Tesla Inc (TSLA.O).

The Japanese automaker was a pioneer in electric vehicles (EVs) with its all-battery-powered Leaf but has struggled alongside many legacy automakers in the face of increasing competition from nimbler new entrants.

Continue reading “Nissan raises global EV targets; to boost U.S. input”