Author: Central Desk

The auto industry was abuzz in late July when German automotive giant Volkswagen announced its agreement to acquire a 4.99 percent stake in Chinese electric vehicle (EV) upstart, Xpeng. This strategic move not only paves the way for the co-development of two EV models tailored for the Chinese market but also grants Volkswagen the keys to Xpeng’s coveted suite of technologies, including their state-of-the-art driving assistance system. This collaboration heralds China’s rapidly changing automotive landscape, noted by Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng in a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency. Traditionally, technological know-how was a one-way street, flowing predominantly from foreign…

China’s prominence in global automobile exports surged, solidifying its position as the world’s top vehicle-exporting economy. In July, overseas shipments rose by 63%, amounting to 310,000 vehicles, compared to the previous year. This uptick brought the cumulative total to an impressive 2.65 million units over the first seven months of 2023. Data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) reveals 80% (248,000 units) of July’s exports came from local brands. This trend reflects China’s burgeoning automotive sector as it outpaces Japan. Recent data shows China leading by 15.8% over Japan, with 2.34 million vehicles exported during the first half of…

The frontier of V2G Power, where renewable energy and technology converge, looms closer each day, materializing prominently through the Vehicle-to-Grid power system. Vehicle-to-Grid, or V2G, transforms electric vehicles (EVs) from mere power consumers to potential power contributors back to the grid. This innovative approach heralds a potential transformation of our power infrastructure, fostering an era of reduced carbon footprints and leading us toward a greener world. At its essence, V2G technology operates on a straightforward premise. Parked and plugged-in EVs can use their idle batteries as makeshift energy reservoirs. When the grid experiences high demand, these stored reserves can be…

The automotive landscape is being dramatically reshaped, introducing us to ‘Biometrics Vehicles’—a future where our cars understand and respond to us more than ever before. At the center of this transformation is biometric technology, which is revolutionizing the dynamics of driver-vehicle interaction through enhanced security, personalization, and user convenience. While biometrics, a technology that recognizes individuals based on unique physical or behavioral attributes, isn’t new to the auto realm, its current trajectory is redefining vehicle experiences. Luxury car brands have, for years, employed fingerprint recognition for added security. Today, however, the technology’s purview extends to a gamut of features, promising…

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in India could skyrocket to an annual figure of 10 lakhs by the decade’s close, as forecasted by Tata Motors. The company also envisions these eco-friendly vehicles comprising half of their sales by then. This Mumbai-based automotive giant recently celebrated the milestone of selling over 1 lakh EVs. Current data shows electric models account for 14-15% of their total quarterly sales. Reflecting on the exponential growth, Shailesh Chandra, the Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, noted, “Five years back, electric vehicles used to sell just 90 units a month. Today these sell 8,500 to 9,500…

Rising tensions between Stellantis, Chrysler’s parent company, and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union mark the approach to the expiration of the four-year contracts binding major automakers. Stellantis North America Chief Operating Officer Mark Stewart conveyed a potent message, urging all parties to embrace economic realism. This communication, accessed by Reuters, underscored the automaker’s dedication to collaborating with UAW on realistic terms. Such a stance emerges as a direct response to UAW’s ambitious agenda for contract enhancements. UAW’s aspirations encompass pay increments of over 40% within the forthcoming four years, significant additional leave provisions, and the re-establishment of defined-benefit pensions,…

Since 2022, San Franciscans have entered a new era marked by the rise of fully autonomous vehicles. Many have chosen Waymo One’s autonomous service as their go-to mode of transportation. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has granted Waymo its coveted driverless deployment permit. This green light sets the stage for an expanded, fare-based autonomous ride-hailing landscape in San Francisco. As a result, the city anticipates a progressive influx of riders eager to embrace this innovative mode of transport. Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, radiates optimism. “Today’s permit marks the true beginning of our commercial operations in San Francisco. We’re…

Signifying the expanding dominance of Chinese automobile brands on the global stage, GWM introduced its brand with flair in Vietnam’s bustling capital, Hanoi. The global reveal of its HAVAL H6 HEV coincided with the inauguration of its first dealership in Vietnam, marking a transformative chapter for the ASEAN automotive narrative. Prominent Vietnamese dignitaries and local media gathered, with GWM and its Vietnamese ally, TAG Group, to witness this pivotal transition. Cheng Jinkui, who helms GWM in the ASEAN territory, remarked during the press event, “As a representative enterprise of the rise of Chinese automobile brands, GWM has firmly adopted a…

Canadian auto industry marks a crucial juncture today. Unifor, an auto workers and trade union in Canada begins transformative contract discussions with the Canadian arms of Detroit’s Big Three: Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. Approximately 18,000 Unifor members, integral to these agreements, grapple with issues resonating far beyond Canadian borders. Despite employers’ soaring profits, wages stagnate against surging inflation. Pensions, especially for industry newcomers, dangle on the precipice of uncertainty. Through economic tremors and past bankruptcies, the union has tirelessly upheld senior member plans, yet these schemes have remained static for over a decade. Specific challenges afflict the auto sector.…

Amidst financial setbacks from the pandemic and other challenges, Ford’s Bahia plant in Brazil ceased operations. Yet, the tides of economic power are shifting. China’s burgeoning influence, represented by its EV titan, BYD Co., is now negotiating the acquisition of this erstwhile industrial behemoth. If successful, it would earmark BYD’s largest EV footprint outside its Asian stronghold. This trajectory embodies the aspirations of Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. While the US treads cautiously around China’s technological prowess, Lula perceives China as Brazil’s industrial phoenix. China has been channeling substantial investments not just in Brazil, but also in nations…