Author: Central Desk

A coalition of eight European Union nations, comprising of France, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, have raised concerns over the stringent EU emission regulations set to take effect in 2025. This group, accounting for nearly one-third of the EU’s 27 members, believes the forthcoming Euro 7 regulations are unattainable and have challenged the laws in a collective statement. The joint paper opposes any fresh exhaust emission rules and the introduction of new testing requirements for cars and vans. This coalition’s collective voting power could potentially block the proposal, as reported by Reuters. This isn’t the…

Significant development, Skoda, a brand under the Volkswagen (VW) Group, has been tasked with the future development of the group’s EA 211 series internal combustion engines. This strategic move comes as VW Group increases its focus on battery-electric vehicles. The EA 211 series engines are slated to power 50 model lines across seven VW Group brands, including Audi, Cupra, and VW itself. These engines are available in three-cylinder and four-cylinder configurations, with sizes ranging from 1.0 liter to 1.6 liters. They are extensively used in mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and non-electrified models, primarily in the European market. Skoda has been traditionally…

Ford Lithium Deals: In a strategic move to increase electric vehicle production and take advantage of the U.S. government’s tax credits, Ford Motor Co. (F.N) announced a series of fresh deals on Monday to source battery-grade lithium. This decision comes amidst surging demand for eco-friendly vehicles, which has prompted North American automakers to secure steady raw material supplies, trying to catch up with the market leader, Tesla Inc. (TSLA.O). The U.S. automaker inked a long-term agreement with Nemaska Lithium, a Canadian lithium company, for the supply of lithium products, including lithium hydroxide. The deal aligns with Ford’s aim of escalating…

Germany has always been renowned for its robust and innovative automobile industry. Yet, when it comes to digitalization and the evolution of electromobility, it appears to lag. Bernd Maier-Leppla, an industry commentator, astutely observed, “The further development of the automobile, of electromobility, depends directly on future digital know-how”, adding that such expertise is sorely lacking in Germany. Just recently, a wave of concern swept through the German automotive industry. VW’s digital spin-off, “CARIAD,” underwent yet another leadership change, indicating dissatisfaction at the highest echelons. This situation underscores the precarious relationship between VW and automotive IT, a critical issue that has…

Amidst the constantly evolving automotive industry, one technology stands tall as a revolutionary driver of enhanced road safety: Automotive RADAR. As revealed by the latest report published by Allied Market Research, the global automotive RADAR market, valued at $4.08 billion in 2020, is projected to reach an impressive $10.06 billion by 2028, indicating a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.6%. Asia-Pacific currently spearheads the market, bolstered primarily by China’s dominance, which is expected to persist during the forecast period. Meanwhile, India is witnessing considerable growth, attributed to increased purchasing power and a rising demand for passenger vehicles in the…

ARAI Conference: In the pursuit of revolutionizing the automobile industry, The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is ready to host the fourth edition of the International Conference on Automotive Materials and Manufacturing (AM&M) 2023. The conference will be held at ARAI’s Homologation Technology Centre (HTC), Chakan, Pune, from May 31 to June 2. This event is the result of a strategic alliance between ARAI, SAE India, and ASM International (Pune chapter). Last year’s conference was shifted to an online platform due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but this year it is scheduled to take place in person. The conference’s organizational…

With Europe’s commitment to transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), the traditional automotive industry is feeling the tremors. The stringent EU laws, forbidding sales of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035, and a broader aim to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, are inadvertently opening doors for Chinese EV manufacturers, while causing concern for their European counterparts. China’s giant strides in the EV domain have placed them in a favorable position, with leading manufacturers like Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Great Wall, and BYD holding an estimated 20% cost advantage over Europeans. Consequently, this is sending ripples across Europe’s…

With the advent of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, traditional automakers are confronting multifaceted challenges to ensure their future relevance. In light of these predicaments, American automotive giant Ford has recently lobbied for post-Brexit EU trade requirements on rules of origin for electric vehicles to be deferred until 2027, up from the current year of 2024. The proposed extension aims to allow Europe’s nascent battery supply chain to mature adequately and fulfil the burgeoning demand for EVs. As stated by Ford, these tariffs, if imposed without delay, would unnecessarily burden consumers and potentially retard the progression to electric propulsion. The…

The global lead market, having experienced a considerable 12% drop in prices this year, is poised to receive a shot in the arm from China’s burgeoning automobile industry. Analysts predict an upward trend for the remainder of the year, supported by a forecasted growth in global demand of 1.7%. The main application of lead in the automotive industry lies in its use in batteries, alongside other uses in ammunition, weight belts, and soldering. Over the course of 2023, the price of lead saw a plunge of more than 12%, with a significant 5% decline witnessed in the previous month alone.…

Sweden is set to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) industry with the construction of the world’s first permanent e-motorway. This innovative development will charge electric vehicles while in transit, eliminating the need for extended charging stops. The game-changing project is targeted for completion by 2025, subject to the determination of the best-suited technology. Addressing the Challenge of Heavy Goods Vehicles The team, headed by Jan Pettersson, director of strategic development at Trafikverket (Sweden’s transport authority), is particularly interested in finding the most effective solution for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The power needs of these vehicles are immense due to their…