Author: Central Desk

Hyundai and Kia have launched major global promotions this month, offering discounts of up to $16,900 to protect their market share from the impact of new U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles. Facing the financial pressure of Washington’s April 3 decision to impose a 25% tariff on foreign-made vehicles, the South Korean automakers are taking proactive steps to offset a potential decline in U.S. demand. Hyundai Motor is currently running aggressive promotional campaigns across its six overseas business regions: Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Central and South America. These include notable price cuts on popular SUV models…

Ni Jun, CATL’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, at Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery maker, has called on Chinese authorities to step in on the intensifying EV price war, warning that unregulated discounting could destroy the sector. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Tianjin on Wednesday, Ni Jun cautioned that unchecked price cuts were threatening the survival of smaller players. “One big player cannot always lower prices [to gain market share] while driving out all other small rivals,” he said. “If it continues to do so without proper [regulatory] oversight, all of its rivals will…

Donald Trump’s tariff hikes and repeal of EV mandates are reshaping trade and automotive regulatory policies. As of June 4, the U.S. has doubled tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports, excluding the UK, from 25% to 50%. Canada is expected to impose retaliatory duties in October, while the European Commission has hinted at similar countermeasures, urging a ‘credible threat’ to negotiate favorable terms with Washington. Trade friction with China remains complex despite a recent de-escalation. While both nations have stepped back from tariffs that once approached 145%, the U.S. will still impose a total 55% tariff on Chinese imports.…

Bosch aims to invest over €2.5 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) by the end of 2027, with a focus on advancing its capabilities in mobility, manufacturing, and consumer products. The initiative aims to position the German technology and engineering company as a global leader in applied AI while unlocking new growth opportunities across its key business areas. According to Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Bosch Board of Management, AI’s rapid progress is creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation and commercial expansion. “The breakthroughs in AI make it possible to open up completely new chapters in technology, accelerate the development of innovations,…

India aims to attract global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, including Tesla, through the launch of a dedicated EV policy portal under the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI). Introduced by Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, the platform marks a strategic effort to strengthen the country’s EV manufacturing base and demonstrate openness to global players. “Tesla can also apply; we are still open to Tesla,” Kumaraswamy said at the portal’s launch, adding that formal invitations would soon be sent to embassies in countries such as the United States, Germany, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and the…

The UK automotive sector has committed to building on the government’s newly released Industrial Strategy to revitalize its global competitiveness, unveiling a 10-point plan aimed at restoring the UK’s position among the top 15 vehicle manufacturing nations by 2030. The strategy, which includes a proposed £50 billion boost to the economy over the next decade, was unveiled alongside the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) annual Summit in London. Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of SMMT, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a pivotal moment for the industry. “Government’s long-term Industrial Strategy, including the Drive35 £2.5 billion auto capital and…

As Europe strives to meet its climate goals while maintaining global competitiveness, Daimler Truck is pointing to hydrogen as a vital part of the continent’s sustainable transport strategy. Marking Germany’s ‘Hydrogen Week,’ the company has published an article by Dr. Andreas Gorbach, Head of Truck Technology and Member of the Board of Management, highlighting hydrogen’s indispensable role in the decarbonization of road freight. Dr. Gorbach emphasizes that achieving climate neutrality in transport should not be a binary choice between battery-electric or hydrogen technologies. Instead, he advocates for a dual-track approach that develops both electric charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructures in…

Polestar and Volvo have unveiled a new audio experience for music lovers, particularly fans of The Beatles, through a unique collaboration with London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios. The Geely-owned brands are introducing an ‘Abbey Road Studios Mode’ in their electric SUVs equipped with Bowers & Wilkins sound systems. The feature is being delivered as a free over-the-air software update to the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3. It will also be built into the upcoming Volvo ES90 from the factory. All models come with a high-end 25-speaker, 1610-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system with Dolby Atmos. The new mode includes four…

European mass-market carmakers Renault, Volkswagen, and Skoda continue to face challenges in expanding their footprint in India, with sales declining over the last three financial years, according to industry data released by JATO Dynamics. Renault experienced the sharpest drop, with sales falling to 37,900 units in FY 2024–25 from 45,439 units in 2023–24, and 78,926 units in 2022–23. Skoda’s sales saw a slight year-on-year improvement to 44,866 units from 44,522 units, but still fell short of the 52,269 units sold in 2022–23. Volkswagen recorded 42,230 units sold in 2024–25, down from 43,197 units in the previous year, after selling 41,263…

South Korea’s major industrial players are increasing their investments in electric vehicle battery recycling, anticipating the sector’s pivotal role in the evolving EV battery supply chain, even as the industry grapples with a downturn, the Korea Herald reported. Leading the charge is LG Energy Solution, the country’s largest battery manufacturer, which has established joint ventures in both Europe and the United States. In Europe, LG partnered with France’s Derichebourg, while in the U.S., it joined forces with Toyota Tsusho. These ventures mark LG’s direct entry into the global recycling market. SK Ecoplant, the construction and engineering subsidiary of SK Group,…