Author: Central Desk

Stellantis has become the latest major automaker to join GlobalPlatform, a technical standards body that develops secure-by-design digital frameworks for connected devices. The move strengthens cross-industry collaboration on cybersecurity standardization for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The company, which manages 14 leading auto brands including Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, FIAT, Jeep, Opel, Peugeot, and Vauxhall, will align its technologies with evolving automotive use cases and regulatory requirements through the partnership. As part of the move, Bill Mazzara, North American Regulatory Lead and Technical Fellow for Product Cybersecurity at Stellantis, has been appointed co-chair of the GlobalPlatform Automotive Task Force. Stellantis joins a growing…

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has confirmed plans to produce its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in Europe, with manufacturing to take place at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) in Kolín. The announcement was made at a ceremony at the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček, and Toyota Motor Europe President Yoshihiro Nakata. The project represents a major milestone for both Toyota and the Czech Republic. TMMCZ’s plant will expand from 152,000 to 173,000 square meters to accommodate the new BEV and its battery assembly, including…

Continental has taken a major step toward industrial-scale rubber recycling with the acquisition of an exclusive patent family and the commissioning of a pilot facility to produce purified pyrolysis oil. For the first time, the company is harnessing the industrial potential of pyrolysis technology to recover high-quality raw materials from waste rubber, aiming to systematically replace fossil resources. Developed by British start-up LowSulphurFuels, the purification process transforms oil derived from pyrolysis into a form suitable for industrial use. The thermal technique breaks down vulcanized rubber into its basic chemical components, producing a gaseous energy source, recovered carbon black, and a…

The Indian government has identified 10 highway stretches where green hydrogen trucks will soon begin operations, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Tuesday. The initiative, aimed at curbing vehicular pollution and advancing road transport decarbonization, will include hydrogen refuelling stations to be established by Indian Oil Corporation and Reliance Petroleum. According to Gadkari, the pilot corridors will include Greater Noida–Delhi–Agra, Bhubaneswar–Puri–Konark, Ahmedabad–Vadodara–Surat, Sahibabad–Faridabad–Delhi, Jamshedpur–Kalinganagar, Thiruvananthapuram–Kochi, and Jamnagar–Ahmedabad, among others. These routes are expected to serve as testing grounds for hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles, laying the foundation for broader commercial adoption. The minister noted that leading commercial…

Tata Motors has confirmed a global information technology security incident that has disrupted operations at its luxury vehicle subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The company disclosed that the issue, detected across JLR’s IT systems, is under investigation with cybersecurity teams actively working to contain and resolve the matter. While Tata Motors did not disclose the full scope of the incident, reports suggest that some production and internal operations have been affected. JLR has implemented contingency measures to minimize disruption and maintain business continuity. The company assured stakeholders that critical safety and customer-facing systems remain operational, though certain processes may experience…

German auto industry is facing a deepening crisis, with new figures showing the loss of 51,500 jobs over the past year. The steep decline underscores the growing strain on one of the country’s most vital industries, as global competition and economic challenges mount. Employment in the sector now stands well below pre-pandemic levels. According to data from the federal statistics office Destatis, the auto industry’s 7% workforce reduction represents the sharpest decline of any industrial sector. Overall, German industry shed 114,000 positions during the same period, reflecting a broad downturn in manufacturing. Exports have also been hit hard. Shipments of…

With the growing concerns over the use of E20 fuel in older vehicles, the Indian auto industry has clarified that manufacturers will continue to honour warranties, regardless of what is specified in vehicle user manuals. Senior executives of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing vehicle makers in India, made the assurance during a press interaction on Saturday to address consumer worries. As India pushes ahead with its ethanol-blending program, the introduction of petrol mixed with 20% ethanol has raised apprehensions among vehicle owners. Many fear that potential damage, performance issues, or reduced engine life resulting…

Chinese automotive electronics manufacturer Heilongjiang Tianyouwei Electronics has confirmed plans to establish a wholly owned subsidiary in Morocco with an investment of €65 million. The company’s board unanimously approved the decision on Wednesday, marking a major step in Tianyouwei’s strategy to expand its international footprint. The new unit, tentatively named Tianyouwei Electronics Morocco, will be incorporated as a limited liability company with an initial capital of €12 million. The investment package will cover land acquisition and the construction of industrial facilities, according to documents cited in local reports. Tianyouwei specializes in research, development, design, production, and sales of advanced automotive…

Hyundai CRADLE, the global open innovation hub of Hyundai Motor Group, partnered with UNCAGED Innovations, a biomaterials company specializing in next-generation leather alternatives. The collaboration aims to create sustainable, animal-free leather for automotive interiors using grain byproducts. The initiative reflects Hyundai Motor Group’s leadership in material innovation and its commitment to environmental responsibility, advancing the development of scalable solutions for sustainable mobility. The companies will co-develop high-performance, bio-based leather alternatives to replace traditional leather in vehicle interiors. According to Hyundai, the new material offers substantial environmental benefits, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 95%, water use by 89%, and energy consumption…

Drivers in the UK can now access discounts of up to £3,750 on six newly approved electric vehicles (EVs), as the government expands its Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme. From 28 August 2025, the Ford Puma Gen-E and Ford e-Tourneo Courier are eligible for the maximum grant, alongside four other models from PEUGEOT and DS Automobiles. The additions bring the total number of vehicles covered by the scheme to 28, offering savings of either £3,750 or £1,500. The initiative is part of a £650 million government program aimed at reducing upfront costs, supporting families in the transition to electric, and…