Author: Central Desk

Indian auto component manufacturers have substantial export potential in the global market, particularly in the independent aftermarket segment, according to a report by EY-Parthenon. The report identifies strong growth prospects for Indian suppliers in countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Poland, and across various African regions. It divides these opportunities into two categories: mature markets with large consumption and developing markets with strategic trade advantages. In mature markets, Indonesia is projected to reach an aftermarket size of $7,759 million by 2028, with demand favoring short lead times and flexible order quantities. Brazil’s aftermarket, expected to be worth $12,091 million, benefits…

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has privately urged President Donald Trump to reconsider his proposed tariffs, warning they could inflict serious damage on the state’s economy and jeopardize nearly 600,000 auto industry jobs. In a discreet Oval Office meeting, her third in-person encounter with the president but the most low-profile to date, Whitmer, a Democrat, presented a slide deck detailing the potential economic fallout. She argued that the tariffs, aimed at boosting American manufacturing, are instead harming Michigan’s automotive sector, home to General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. The tariffs include a 50% levy on steel and aluminium, 30% on parts from…

India’s top tyre manufacturers are recalibrating their global operations as U.S. tariffs on Indian imports reach 50%, among the highest worldwide. The latest 25% punitive levy, announced by President Donald Trump over India’s trade with Russia, is expected to impact auto component and tyre exports to the U.S., a market that accounts for 27% of India’s auto component exports and 17% of tyre exports. JK Tyre Managing Director Anshuman Singhania downplayed the potential disruption, noting that U.S.-bound shipments make up just 3% of the company’s exports from India. These volumes are being reallocated to markets including Mexico, Latin America, Brazil,…

Lyten, a global leader in lithium-sulfur battery technology, has entered into a binding agreement to acquire all remaining Northvolt assets in Sweden and Germany, marking a major expansion in its European footprint. The acquisition includes Northvolt Ett and Ett Expansion in Skellefteå, Northvolt Labs in Västerås, and Northvolt Drei in Heide, along with all of Northvolt’s remaining intellectual property. “This is a defining moment for Lyten,” said Dan Cook, CEO and Co-Founder of Lyten. “These assets will significantly accelerate our mission to deliver clean, locally sourced batteries and energy storage systems in North America and Europe, just as demand is…

Chery Group, the parent company of LEPAS, has achieved major milestones in 2025, becoming the fastest-rising automaker in this year’s Fortune Global 500 list. Climbing 152 spots to rank 233rd, Chery’s surge reflects its growing global presence. Just a month prior, Chery crossed a historic mark as cumulative exports surpassed 5 million units, an unprecedented feat for Chinese automotive brands. This ‘Double 500’ achievement signals Chery’s international competitiveness and significantly strengthens the globalization of LEPAS. As the flagship of Chery’s international strategy, LEPAS promotes a future-focused mobility vision through the integration of distinctive design, intelligent safety, and advanced platform capabilities.…

Isuzu Motors has established its first overseas leasing company, Isuzu Financial Services Australia. (IFSA), marking a major strategic milestone for the Japanese automotive group. Scheduled to commence operations in October 2026, IFSA will serve as a dedicated leasing entity for the Australian market. The new venture is a joint initiative between Isuzu Australia (IAL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Isuzu, and Tokyo Century Corporation. IFSA has been capitalized at AUD 50 million, with IAL holding an 80% stake and Tokyo Century owning the remaining 20%. Rising transportation costs and growing demand for vehicle uptime and operational efficiency in Australia have…

Tata AutoComp Systems, one of India’s leading auto-component manufacturers, is set to enter a joint venture with Japan’s Ichikoh Industries to strengthen its presence in the automotive lighting market. The partnership will lead to the acquisition of Valeo Lighting Systems (VLS), currently part of Valeo India. The acquisition will be carried out through a newly established 50:50 joint venture company (JVC) formed by Tata AutoComp and Ichikoh. Ichikoh, a Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed company and 61.2% owned by French automotive supplier Valeo, brings decades of lighting technology expertise to the collaboration. Definitive agreements for the formation of the JVC and the…

Chinese automotive interior parts manufacturer Kuntai is expanding its global footprint with a $13.7 million (100 million RMB) investment in Morocco. The new facility, operated by its subsidiary Kuntai Hongjing, will focus on producing car floor mats and carpets, integrating research, production, and sales operations in a single location. Targeting European markets, Kuntai aims to leverage Morocco’s strategic advantages, including geographic proximity to Europe, competitive labor costs, free trade agreements with the EU, and significantly reduced shipping times and logistics costs. Products exported from Morocco also benefit from duty-free access and protection against anti-dumping measures, enhancing cost-effectiveness and competitiveness. Kuntai,…

Tesla has been ordered to pay $243 million in damages by a Florida jury over a 2019 crash involving a Model S operating on Autopilot, marking a major legal blow to the electric carmaker. The case centered on the death of 27-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and severe injuries sustained by her then-boyfriend, Dillon Angulo. The Miami federal court awarded $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. While Tesla was held liable for 33% of the compensatory damages ($42.6 million), the majority of the blame, 67%, was assigned to the driver, George McGee, who was not a…

Harley-Davidson has announced plans to launch a new entry-level motorcycle globally by 2026, marking a major expansion of its product portfolio. The upcoming model, named Sprint, is expected to be priced under $6,000 and will first debut in the United States before reaching international markets. The development was confirmed by Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz during a recent earnings call. Zeitz revealed that the Sprint has been in development since 2021 and is now ready for market introduction. Alongside the Sprint, the company is also preparing to introduce another entry-level cruiser to its global fleet. Reflecting Harley-Davidson’s iconic design language,…