Author: AWJ Research Desk

Unifor (A Canadian general trade union) members commenced voting on a new tentative agreement with Ford Motor Co. on Saturday, marking a pivotal move in labor negotiations. Awaiting member ratification, this agreement primarily focuses on significant wage increments and pension enhancements, also reflecting upon the transition to electric vehicles and new investments—a matter closely observed by United Auto Workers (UAW) members on strike in the U.S. Unifor, the representative union, highlighted a proposed 15% wage increment over the three-year contract duration. Online voting began Saturday morning, with the ballot box scheduled to close by 10 a.m. Sunday. Representing 5,680 Ford…

Shenzhen’s ambition to evolve into the “next-generation world-class automobile city” takes a massive leap with the city preparing to host the Automotive World China 2023 (AWC 2023 China) this October. Recognized as the innovative heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen stands as a pivotal hub for the new energy vehicle industry on the global stage. The upcoming AWC 2023 resonates with Shenzhen’s “20+8” strategy, emphasizing its commitment to the domain of intelligent connected vehicles. Slated for October 11th to 13th at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, AWC 2023 promises an international gathering spot for the…

Under the proposed Automobile Scrap Policy, from 2026 onwards, automobile manufacturers may be mandated to incorporate 20% recycled metal, sourced from scrapped vehicles, into the production of new vehicles. This recycling threshold is expected to gradually increase, with the ultimate goal of enabling the sector to recycle up to 30% of materials. Global pressure to increase sustainability and mitigate the environmental impact of industries is the driving force behind this innovative policy. According to the proposal of the Environment Ministry’s Extended Production Responsibility (EPR) policy for vehicle manufacturers, the new policy will make manufacturers responsible for recycling a proportion of…

San Francisco-based startup ‘Ample’ has announced a new global partnership with Mitsubishi Fuso to implement its innovative ‘EV Truck Battery Swap’ Revolution in the latter’s electric trucks. This partnership marks an essential step towards the electrification of last-mile delivery vehicles, a rapidly growing segment of the automotive market. Ample’s battery swap technology aims to drastically reduce charging times for electric vehicles, thereby enhancing their practicality and appeal. The company has pioneered modular battery swap stations, which can fully recharge an electric vehicle within minutes. These stations, initially tested in San Francisco, have successfully reduced the typical swap process from ten…

Our world is undergoing an Auto Revolution, a transformation that is shaking up the auto industry before our eyes. Traditional vehicles powered by internal combustion engines are making way for groundbreaking, environmentally-friendly alternatives in this era of change. Yes, the leaders of this new era are electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs). If the current rate of growth does not slow down, it is expected that by 2075, conventional vehicles will be completely extinct. Our planet craves for a robust and sustainable tomorrow. To contribute to this goal, it is essential to understand the distinguishing factors between…

Major foreign automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Tesla Inc., experienced a notable dip in sales in South Korea in H1 of 2023. This comes despite the country witnessing a 10.7% year-on-year surge in overall car sales, as per recent government data. A slump in EV sales was the primary driver behind the underperformance of these foreign automakers in the South Korean market, marking the first such decline in four years. Data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, shows the market share of foreign carmakers reduced by 2.5 percentage points to…

Automotive heavyweight Bosch anticipates hydrogen technology as a pivotal player within the future trucking industry. The company’s projections for this industry suggest a potential $3.5 billion revenue stream from hydrogen combustion engines, fuel cells, and electrolyzers—devices responsible for hydrogen production. A recent press release marked the debut of fuel-cell module production at Bosch’s Stuttgart-Feuerbach plant, located within Germany’s borders. Nikola, known for its Tre Class 8 fuel-cell semi truck, is set to receive the inaugural fuel-cell modules. Preparations are underway for Nikola to commence truck production at its Coolidge, Arizona facility this year, utilizing Bosch fuel cells, courtesy of a…

The initial six months of 2023 witnessed Korean auto exports hitting an all-time high of US$35.7 billion, a meteoric rise of 46.6% year-on-year. With the addition of auto parts exports, the total climbs to a staggering US$47.3 billion, as stated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). June saw Korean car manufacturers shipping out over 241,900 general vehicles, thereby adding US$6.23 billion to the half-yearly sum. Eco-friendly vehicle exports soared to more than 68,100 units, valued at US$2.21 billion, thus paving the way towards the Korean government’s ambitious objective of amassing US$80 billion from automotive exports this year.…

As we step into a new epoch of sustainable mobility and tech innovation, Automotive Intelligent Lighting takes the spotlight, redefining vehicle aesthetics and substantially upgrading safety and energy efficiency. Distinct from traditional lighting systems that need manual adjustment, Automotive Intelligent Lighting, alternatively known as ‘adaptive lighting’, is an innovative system that auto-adjusts the direction and intensity of headlights to match the driving environment. This leap in lighting technology results from two crucial advancements: the rise of energy-efficient Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and the dawn of autonomous vehicles. LEDs, known for their superior durability and optimal performance, make an excellent match…

While the automobile industry is abuzz with the carbon-neutral promise of synthetic e-fuels, Renault’s sports brand, Alpine, is steering the conversation towards a different direction: hydrogen. Revealed in their strategic roadmap earlier this week, Alpine stands poised to champion an innovative use of hydrogen as a fuel source for internal combustion engines, with a particular focus on the high-speed world of motor racing. This hydrogen-backed future aligns with the European Union’s mandate that all new cars sold from 2035 onwards be zero emission. Synthetic e-fuels recently won an exemption, thanks to significant lobbying from Germany and Italy. Interestingly, hydrogen combustion…