Author: Central Desk

Renault Trucks has reached a groundbreaking milestone in France’s decarbonisation efforts, becoming the first manufacturer in the country to obtain road homologation for an electric retrofitted truck. The 12-tonne Renault Trucks D, originally equipped with an internal combustion engine, has been converted into a battery-electric vehicle and is set to play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions in the logistics sector. The retrofitted truck will be leased through Clovis Grand Paris, Renault Trucks’ leasing partner, to Extime, the operator of duty-free stores at Paris Airport. It will be used for frequent shuttle trips between warehouses and the airport, taking…

Robert Bosch, the world’s largest automotive supplier by revenue, plans to cut 5,500 jobs globally, including 3,800 positions in Germany, as the automotive industry faces declining demand. The reductions will primarily impact roles related to automated driving and car steering products in Germany, according to the IG Metall union and a Bosch spokeswoman. “The automotive industry is suffering from significant overcapacity,” Bosch stated, adding that the exact number of layoffs will be determined through negotiations with labor representatives. The company also noted that competition and price pressures have intensified. Bosch, a private company with components used in nearly all of…

Humax, a global innovator in EV charging solutions, has partnered with Kelvelec, a leading distributor in the electrical industry, to expand the availability of Humax’s EV charger range across the UK. This collaboration aims to enhance accessibility for electrical wholesalers, installers, and retailers while reinforcing Humax’s position in the growing UK EV market. As part of the partnership, Kelvelec will distribute Humax’s full lineup of residential and commercial charging solutions. This includes the Humax 7.4kW Smart Home Charger, launched in March 2024, designed for fast and reliable at-home EV charging. Equipped with smart features such as app control and seamless…

Nissan Motor has called for a reassessment of the UK government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, urging a more flexible and realistic approach to the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The company warned that the current policy could strain the automotive sector, jeopardizing jobs and investments. Industry Concerns Over Rigidity The ZEV Mandate requires automakers to ensure that 22% of their new car sales in 2024 are purely electric, with non-compliance leading to heavy financial penalties. Nissan argues that this aggressive target does not align with current market realities. The company proposed a two-year monitoring period for 2024 and 2025,…

Ford Motor Company has unveiled a comprehensive restructuring plan aimed at securing long-term sustainability and enhancing its competitive edge in Europe. This decision follows substantial challenges in the region, particularly in the passenger vehicle segment, which has faced mounting losses amid the rapid shift to electrified vehicles and intensifying market competition. Workforce Adjustments As part of its restructuring efforts, Ford plans to reduce its European workforce by approximately 4,000 positions by the end of 2027. The reductions, pending consultations with European social partners, will predominantly affect operations in Germany, with the UK also experiencing some impact. Minimal changes are expected…

UK ministers met with automotive industry leaders to discuss the zero-emission vehicles (Zev) mandate and its impact on the sector. The meeting addressed industry challenges, incentives for EV adoption, and the transition to zero-emission transport. The Zev mandate, effective from January 1, 2024, requires 22% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK to be zero-emission, primarily fully electric. This target will increase annually, reaching 80% by 2030. Non-compliance could result in penalties of £15,000 per excess polluting vehicle, unless manufacturers use flexibilities such as credit purchases or future sales adjustments. The Government has committed to banning new…

Hyundai Motor and General Motors (GM) are collaborating to develop a pickup truck targeted at the Latin American market, marking a strategic partnership to expand their presence in this key segment. Strengthening Ties The initiative follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on September 12, 2024, for comprehensive cooperation. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung and GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra met in the United States earlier this month to review progress and discuss further collaboration. “During the latest meeting, the two leaders reviewed the progress made since the MOU was signed,” a Hyundai Motor official stated.…

China’s auto sector continues to redefine global standards, with leading manufacturer BYD achieving a major milestone by producing its 10 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV). This landmark achievement, celebrated at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show, reflects the rapid growth of the company and the country’s burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market. BYD’s partnership with Game Science, the creator of the popular video game Black Myth: Wukong, highlights the company’s cultural integration by digitizing Chinese heritage. This fusion of technology and tradition demonstrates BYD’s multifaceted approach to market leadership. The EV Boom in China China’s EV sector has witnessed exponential growth. BYD,…

United States government is set to enhance vehicle crash ratings by incorporating advanced safety technologies, a significant update aimed at improving both driver and pedestrian safety. These changes, mandated by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, will take effect starting with the 2026 model year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalised these updates, which include introducing pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot warning, and systems to prevent vehicles from moving into another vehicle’s blind spot. These additions mark a shift in the evaluation criteria for automobiles, focusing not only on protecting occupants during collisions but also…

India is set to transform its automotive sector with the introduction of 5G M2M Automotive technologies starting in 2025. According to the India Connected Consumer Report 2025 by Techarc, the country will bypass 4G technology, adopting advanced 5G connectivity and AI to turn vehicles into “smartphones on wheels.” These advancements will bring real-time data processing, enabling applications like communication tools, OTT entertainment, music streaming, vehicle diagnostics, and online shopping directly to cars. Consumer interest in connected cars is surging, with 55% of respondents reporting recent exposure to related news or information. Additionally, 22% indicated plans to include connected cars in…