Author: Central Desk

BMW Group has successfully tested humanoid robots in their production line for the first time. The trial, which lasted several weeks at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, featured Figure 02, the latest humanoid robot from California-based company Figure. The robot demonstrated remarkable dexterity by inserting sheet metal parts into specific fixtures, which were subsequently assembled into chassis components. This development marks a significant step towards integrating advanced robotics into automobile manufacturing. By automating challenging and tiring tasks, the use of humanoid robots like Figure 02 aims to enhance both efficiency and worker safety. Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of…

Bipartisan cooperation emerged as the U.S. Senate Budget Committee gathered on Wednesday to chart a course for strengthening the U.S. electric vehicle market. Led by Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, the session highlighted the pressing need to elevate the nation’s standing in the global EV sector. Democratic Chairman Whitehouse underscored the explosive growth of the global EV market, noting that electric vehicles accounted for 20% of global sales in 2023. “We want to be a part of that action,” Whitehouse asserted, stressing the strategic importance of securing a competitive position. Senator Graham, representing South Carolina, emphasized…

Continental AG is assessing a strategic plan to separate its Automotive group sector into an independent entity, following a thorough review by its Executive Board. This initiative aims to fully realize the potential of Continental’s varied business segments amidst rapidly changing automotive markets. Evaluation and Timeline The Executive Board will reach a final decision on the spin-off by Q4 2024. Pending approval from both the Executive and Supervisory Boards, the proposal will be presented at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on April 25, 2025. With shareholder consent, the spin-off is projected for completion by the end of 2025. Preparations are currently…

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (Mitsubishi Motors) has announced that its all-new Xforce compact SUV earned the highest safety rating of five stars from the 2024 ASEAN NCAP, a rigorous assessment for new vehicles within the ASEAN region. This accolade reflects Mitsubishi Motors’ dedication to a safety-first philosophy, striving for a zero-accident mobility society. The company remains focused on developing advanced safety technologies and promoting traffic safety awareness. The Xforce features the high-rigidity RISE body, designed to absorb energy and minimize cabin deformation during collisions. Additionally, six SRS airbags enhance collision safety. Advanced safety features include Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Blind Spot…

A major admission from Japan’s leading automaker, Toyota, reveals substantial lapses in vehicle certification processes, triggering a nationwide uproar. The Japanese government has ordered the company to implement ‘drastic reforms’ after new certification violations surfaced, indicating deliberate misconduct and irregularities across several models previously undisclosed. On July 31, 2024, the Japanese Transport Ministry’s corrective order required Toyota to revamp its certification operations to restore public trust and comply with legal standards. Intensive on-site inspections by regulatory officials exposed alarming discrepancies in Toyota’s vehicle certification procedures. Irregularities were identified in seven additional Toyota vehicle models, including some still in production. Initial…

France’s impending 2035 deadline to phase out new combustion engine vehicles presents a significant challenge for the automotive sector and auto workers. While optimism surges in regions like the north, where a ‘Battery Valley’ is emerging, parts suppliers in other areas feel apprehensive. The European mandate permits the sale of new petrol and diesel cars only for the next decade, necessitating a swift transformation for the industry, which employs 200,000 people in France. Severine Person, a quality control expert at Walor’s facility in Vouziers, northeastern Ardennes, expressed concerns about the shift to electric vehicles (EVs). “The transition (to electric vehicles),…

BYD, the premier manufacturer of new energy vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs), has secured a multi-year collaboration with Uber, set to roll out 100,000 new BYD EVs on the Uber platform across key global markets. Initial Focus: Europe and Latin America The collaboration targets Europe and Latin America first, providing Uber drivers access to competitive pricing and financing for BYD vehicles. Expansion plans include markets across the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, boosting EV adoption in these regions. A Synergy of Leaders Uber and BYD both dominate their fields. Uber operates the most extensive on-demand EV network worldwide,…

Ford Motor Company is evaluating a return to the Indian market, just two years after its departure in 2021. A renewed strategy, emphasizing major investments and a commitment to electric vehicles and sustainability, has been proposed. This initiative, led by CEO Jim Farley, is currently under review by Ford’s global team. Sources reveal that a comprehensive feasibility report on India’s market growth potential is now under consideration at Ford’s headquarters. “We expect a positive response,” a source indicated to the Times of India. Ford’s prior investment of over $2 billion in India saw success with models like the EcoSport mini-SUV…

The all-new 2025 Infiniti QX80 is set to make its debut at retailers across the U.S. and Canada. Production is accelerating at Infiniti’s Kyushu plant in Japan, a facility employing over 3,000 local workers and producing the luxury SUV since its second-generation launch in 2010. This plant recently underwent significant upgrades, preparing the workforce for the assembly of a more stylish, comfortable, and technologically advanced QX80. Akira Kiyota, general foreman and a core member since the prototype phase, expressed immense pride as the new QX80 rolled off the production line. “When the engine on the first car started and it…

Leading figures in Pakistan’s automotive industry announced plans to export locally assembled and manufactured vehicles, stressing the necessity of trade agreements with importing countries. Stakeholders, including Indus Motor Company and Pak Suzuki, urged the government to negotiate deals that ease tariffs and support export growth, aligning with the Auto Industry Development and Export Policy 2021-2026 (AIDEP). AIDEP, introduced in 2021, sets ambitious targets for the industry, focusing on localization and initiating exports. This policy aims to phase out incentives for local car assemblers, creating an open market for new players. Indus Motor and Suzuki have formally announced their export plans,…