Author: Central Desk

Signs of recovery in Brazil’s manufacturing sector are emerging, led by the automotive industry and spurred on by a healthier macroeconomic climate. Encouraging factors such as declining inflation rates, tax breaks for car buyers, and improved GDP growth forecasts have significantly enhanced industrial prospects in the country. Brazil’s automobile producers are ramping up production, preparing for a significant increase in sales driven by a government scheme to reduce car prices, set to take effect in June. This boost in the automotive industry – a sector that greatly influences petrochemicals demand – is expected, as Brazil’s inflation continues to decline, hitting…

Toyota Motor is set to amplify its electric vehicle (EV) battery production with a substantial boost from a 120 billion yen ($853 million) government subsidy, according to Nikkei sources. This fiscal stimulus is a strategic move by Japan’s industry ministry, aimed at intensifying domestic production and mitigating supply chain risks associated with EV technology. These funds form part of a larger 330 billion yen budget allocation by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for the development of storage batteries, a sector identified as crucial to the nation’s economic security. This financial assistance demonstrates Japan’s determination to counter similar initiatives…

Rockwell Automation, a leading global entity in industrial automation and digital transformation, recently made public the findings of their 8th annual “State of Smart Manufacturing Report: Automotive Edition”. The study uncovers vital trends and strategies in the automotive industry, offering critical insights for manufacturers and policy-makers. The report analyses the responses of 197 leaders spanning automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and electric vehicle makers across 13 top manufacturing nations. It brings to light the ongoing evolution of the automotive industry, underlining the importance of quality pursuit, process automation’s impact, smart manufacturing adoption, and technology’s role in risk mitigation, workforce challenges, cost reduction,…

Russia’s Central Automobile and Engine Research and Development Institute (NAMI) announced Wednesday it has acquired a 100 percent stake in a factory formerly owned by the German automotive parts supplier, Robert Bosch. The factory, known for producing sophisticated systems such as anti-lock brakes, was an integral part of Bosch’s operations. NAMI’s latest acquisition forms part of a wider trend following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led many major global automakers to withdraw from Russia. Capitalizing on this, NAMI has been purchasing assets from these companies, stepping into the void they’ve left behind. In line with this trend, NAMI had previously…

The United States is bracing for the long-awaited return of the iconic Toyota LandCruiser, specifically the Prado model. This announcement comes two years after the U.S. confirmed it would no longer offer the LandCruiser 300 Series for sale. The new Prado is set to debut in 2024, with an anticipated reveal later this year. Toyota broke the news through a social media post with the intriguing caption, “Nothing better than a comeback story. The legend returns… #LetsGoPlaces.” The post was accompanied by various images of the historic LandCruiser badge. This 2024 model will draw design inspiration from the Lexus GX,…

The UK government heavily focused on enterprise, employment, education, and everywhere – the four ‘E’s. However, environmental issues, specifically, the significance of sustainability in the automotive sector, received relatively little attention. The need to address this gap is urgent, considering that approximately 30% of global carbon emissions come from transport, with 72% of these emissions originating from road transport such as cars, vans, and buses. Hydrogen fuel technology presents an innovative solution for a more sustainable automotive industry. The technology could potentially transform the sector and contribute significantly to achieving net zero carbon emissions. Countries like Japan and France have…

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment announced a $5.6 billion partnership with H, in a move to advance the development, manufacturing, and sales of electric vehicles in the Kingdom. The significant deal was unveiled at the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh on Sunday. In a colossal stride towards diversification, the agreement forms over half of the $10 billion plus investments pledged on the first day of the business conference. The range of investment sectors included technology, renewable energy, agriculture, real estate, metals, tourism, and healthcare. The venture signals a key shift in the relations between Saudi Arabia, the world’s…

Electric car batteries are powerful but can be hazardous. However, they are tested thoroughly for safety. Even though they can get very hot and potentially catch fire, safety features like cooling systems and firewalls make them safe to use. Electric cars are becoming more popular because they’re better for the environment. But people often wonder, are the batteries dangerous? To understand this, we need to look at how these batteries work and the safety steps taken by those who make them. Before they’re used, electric car batteries go through tough safety tests, including crash tests and fire tests. The design…

Seeking to infuse new life into the UK’s automotive industry, China’s notable automaker, Chery Motors, is initiating preliminary discussions with UK representatives. This move could pave the way for potential manufacturing in Britain, offering a substantial boost to the UK’s auto sector which is currently facing considerable challenges. Chery has ambitious plans to start selling cars in the UK next year and is now contemplating the idea of local production. Notably, Chery already has a successful partnership with British auto heavyweights, Land Rover and Jaguar, in China. Several opportunities for investment in UK manufacturing are being explored. These include teaming…

As we embrace the smart world, digital car keys are becoming a standard feature for many vehicles. These keys, which can be stored on your smartphone or other handheld devices, employ Bluetooth technology to connect with your car, effectively unlocking doors and starting engines without a traditional key. However, this modern convenience has been blindsided by a significant security issue. Researchers have unveiled a surprising finding – a small, budget-friendly device, costing less than $50, can exploit these digital car keys, posing a real threat to vehicle safety. Dr. Eva Gilmore, a cybersecurity expert at Stanford University, explains how this…