Author: Central Desk

The UK automotive industry is calling on all political parties to support its new roadmap towards sustainability and international competitiveness. The sector has issued a manifesto detailing its ambition for a 10-fold increase in annual battery electric vehicle (BEV) production, aiming to reach over 750,000 units per year by 2030. This transformative production scale-up would equate to a cumulative £106 billion worth of products at the factory gate. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), at its International Summit in London on June 27, 2023, launched the “Manifesto 2030: Automotive growth for a zero emission future.” The body urged all…

As the global trucking industry accelerates into an era of environmental consciousness, Volvo Trucks is at the forefront of the evolving haulage landscape. With the progressive investment in electric trucks by haulers, Volvo’s Electric Trucks (Heavy-duty electric FH trucks) are playing a crucial role in this transformation. The latest endorsement of sustainable transport solutions comes from Gothenburg-based Swedish transport firm, Mattson Åkeri, which recently acquired three of Volvo’s heavy-duty electric trucks. Presently, one of these trucks is under rigorous testing within the Arendal port area of Gothenburg as part of a High-Capacity Transport (HCT) project. This project aims to demonstrate…

TI Fluid Systems (TIFS), a UK-based automotive fluid systems technology firm, is set to enhance its presence in the Asian market with the launch of e-Mobility Innovation Centres (eMICs) in Nagoya, Japan, and Incheon, South Korea later this year. This development comes in the wake of the successful inauguration of TI Fluid Systems’ first eMIC in Rastatt, Germany last year. The company has unveiled plans to construct a global network of eMICs, with additional centres in the Asia Pacific and North America regions slated for announcement later this year. The eMICs aim to foster innovation in thermal management solutions for…

Epsilon Advanced Materials, an Indian based battery materials manufacturer, announced on Monday its decision to inject a $650 million investment into an electric vehicle (EV) battery components facility in the United States. This significant move was part of the joint statement issued by US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi’s recent U.S. visit, signifying growing international cooperation in the EV sector.  Epsilon’s proposed investment marks a significant milestone in the ongoing global shift towards electric mobility. The company’s planned U.S. facility aims to manufacture 50,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of synthetic graphite anodes, a key…

An extraordinary shift in the global automobile industry is on the horizon, spurred by a burgeoning oversupply of vehicles that could incite a fierce price war. This scenario starkly contrasts the record-high car prices observed in the U.S. market just last summer. This year, a UBS report forecasts an alarming oversupply in the global car market – car production is slated to exceed sales by 6%, translating to an excess of approximately 5 million vehicles. In order to sell off this stockpile, manufacturers might have to resort to aggressive price reductions. While these cuts are not expected to take effect…

The government of China has unveiled an aggressive plan, termed ‘China’s Tax Incentives’, to bolster the nation’s green car technologies sector. This includes complete tax exemptions for electric vehicle (EV) purchases for the next two years and plans to lift regulations prohibiting the large-scale operation of semi-autonomous and fully autonomous vehicles. This landmark initiative has been welcomed by key players in the industry, who view Beijing’s strategies as crucial to stabilizing the highly competitive EV market. Automakers, in particular, are enthusiastic about the prospect of planning for new model introductions and improved cost management in the wake of Beijing’s early…

Loadsmith, an innovative platform that bridges the gap between shippers and carriers, has sealed a pivotal deal with Kodiak Robotics, a front-runner in the autonomous trucking industry. The landmark agreement aims to place 800 trucks, outfitted with Kodiak’s autonomous technology, onto Loadsmith’s platform. This venture signifies a transformative step in the realm of long-haul autonomous freight transport. With the recent establishment of Loadsmith Transportation, a subsidiary dedicated exclusively to self-driving truck transportation, Loadsmith is steering the industry towards a future where autonomous freight transport is the norm. The alliance with Kodiak Robotics is poised to provide the cornerstone for this…

Achieving an industry first, Kia America has garnered the maximum awards at the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), further solidifying its standing as a prominent entity within the global automobile landscape. Four distinguished Kia models captured awards within their respective categories – Rio outperformed in the Small Car category, Forte dominated the Compact Car division, Stinger prevailed within the Midsize Premium Car class, and Carnival led the Minivan category. This notable feat highlights Kia’s competence to provide exceptional vehicles spanning multiple segments. Notably, the Kia Forte broke records by clinching the Compact Car category title for an…

Japanese autoworld leader Toyota, known for its innovative spirit, is charting a course towards a cleaner automotive future. By 2026, the company aims to debut next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) that offer zero tailpipe emissions, remarkable affordability, and enhanced efficiency. Toyota’s game-changing initiative tackles one of the major impediments to widespread hydrogen usage – the high cost. The automaker’s bold solution? Next-gen fuel cells that slice costs by half while extending range by a significant 20 percent compared to existing models. At a recent technical briefing, Toyota shared strategic plans devised to respond to the fast-paced changes in the…

The German antitrust regulator, Bundeskartellamt, is accusing Google of stifling competition in the automotive industry through the company’s software bundling approach. The regulatory body raises concerns that this strategy could potentially disfavour rivals and limit market competition. Google’s decision to offer an all-encompassing software package to car manufacturers for their infotainment systems has sparked criticism. The regulatory agency contends that Google’s practices may constitute anti-competitive behavior by potentially forcing out alternative map service providers from the market. The regulator posits that Google’s refusal to allow third-party access to its services, such as search functionality, location data, and Google Street View,…