Author: Central Desk

Signaling a significant shift in the semiconductor industry, Renesas Electronics Corporation, a leading supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, and Wolfspeed, Inc., the global pacesetter in silicon carbide technology, announced a ten-year wafer supply agreement today. The $2 billion deposit by Renesas will ensure a steady supply of silicon carbide bare and epitaxial wafers from Wolfspeed, thereby enabling Renesas to ramp up production of silicon carbide power semiconductors by 2025.  The signing ceremony of the deal, which emphasizes the companies’ shared vision for a silicon to silicon carbide transition in the semiconductor industry, was held at Renesas’ headquarters in Tokyo.  The…

Kia has officially launched the 2023 facelifted Seltos in India, boasting improved exterior styling, added features, and a new turbo-petrol power option. The South Korean automaker will open bookings for the revamped SUV to existing Seltos owners starting July 14, 2023, through the new K-Code program. Other potential buyers can place their orders from July 15. The updated Seltos features an enlarged ‘Tiger Nose’ grille and redesigned LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), which extend into the center of the grille. A modified front bumper and tri-element fog lamps add to the SUV’s fresh look. One significant change in the 2023…

Experiencing an economic revival after the Covid-19 pandemic, China’s automotive industry reported peak sales this June. Among many thriving manufacturers, BYD spearheaded the surge by delivering 253,046 vehicles within the month, an uptick of 88.2% compared to the previous year. BYD, a top domestic producer of new-energy vehicles (NEVs), also announced a significant sale of 240,535 NEVs for June. By the month’s end, the company’s cumulative sales of NEVs exceeded a noteworthy 4.6 million. Following close on BYD’s heels, GAC Group’s Aion brand chalked up 45,013 NEV sales. The prosperous scene extended beyond established manufacturers, as emerging entities such as…

Leaders from the UK Auto Industry ask for comprehensive political aid during their shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). Representatives of this industry, including top executives from DHL Supply Chain, Alexander Dennis, and Volvo Trucks, aired this appeal at the annual Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) conference. The looming threat of Rules of Origin tariffs, due to take effect six months from now following the UK-EU trade deal, alarms these leaders. They express concern about these tariffs compromising the competitiveness of UK-manufactured and supplied EVs on the global market. Mike Hawes, SMMT’s CEO, stresses the urgency of crafting a…

Stellantis, the multinational automobile manufacturer, announced today its commitment to investing in a new ‘grEEn-campus’ at its Mirafiori site in Turin, Italy. The transformation program aims to foster innovative, sustainable, and collaborative designs, thus consolidating Stellantis’ automotive design, research and development, and central functions. The new campus will join other Stellantis facilities in Poissy, France, and Rüsselsheim, Germany. The grEEn-campus is conceived as a hotbed for ideas, intended to stimulate creativity and efficiency and provide an attractive work environment. The transformation aligns with Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 strategy, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038. The campus name symbolizes the…

Mercedes-Benz is commemorating 30 years of the storied G-Class with a special edition: the G500 ‘Final Edition’. This particular model could be the last G-Class powered by a V8 engine and is to be produced in a limited series of just 1,500 units, underlining the marque’s commitment to exclusivity and design excellence. Exterior Highlights The G500 Final Edition is available in a carefully curated palette of three colors: Opalith White Magno, Olive Magno, and the standard Metallic Obsidian Black, with each color limited to just 500 units worldwide. This exclusive model showcases the brand’s Manufaktur paint scheme, demonstrating Mercedes-Benz’s attention…

BYD, the second most popular electric vehicle brand in Australia after Tesla, has announced plans to construct a series of “Megastores” across the country. This is part of a deal between EVDirect, BYD’s Australian distributor, and established car distributor, Eagers Automotive. The initial Megastores are scheduled to open in Sydney and Brisbane by early spring this year. They aim to provide a novel experience for potential EV buyers by offering educational insights about the BYD brand and its offerings. “The BYD Megastore concept initiates a fresh chapter of automotive retail. It presents customers with a unique, immersive, and educational journey…

Reaffirming its commitment to American utility truck manufacturing, Komatsu has resumed production of the revered HM400-5 articulated haul trucks at its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This marks a triumphant return of truck production to the United States after a hiatus of over a decade when the production was based in the Ibaraki plant in Japan. Prominent for its 473-HP engine and the capacity to navigate challenging landscapes, the HM400-5 truck serves the construction, quarry, and mining industries effectively. Regardless of operators’ experience, this formidable truck offers excellent performance, consistently delivering productive outcomes. A celebratory event at the Chattanooga plant recently…

June sales for China’s EV leaders – Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto – soared, marking a notable rebound as buyers flocked back to the market. This resurgence indicates a promising upturn for an industry pivotal to China’s economic recovery. Li Auto, based in Beijing, reached a new milestone of 32,575 deliveries in June, marking a 15.2% increase from May. This success represents the third consecutive monthly sales record for the company. Meanwhile, Shanghai’s Nio delivered 10,707 cars in June, an increase of three-quarters from the previous month. Guangzhou-based Xpeng saw its highest monthly sales for 2023, with a 14.8% increase…

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is set to unveil a state-of-the-art compact SUV at the 30th GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show scheduled for August 10. The vehicle, the first of its kind to feature four driving modes including an innovative “Wet” mode, is anticipated to offer drivers enhanced comfort and security across diverse weather and road conditions. As a prelude to the world premiere, Mitsubishi released a teaser video showcasing the SUV’s sleek design, along with a glimpse into the ‘Dynamic Sound’ – a groundbreaking sound system developed in partnership with Yamaha Corporation. Designed as the “Best-suited buddy for an exciting life,”…