Author: Central Desk

Hyundai and Toray Industries have entered into a strategic joint development agreement to collaborate on next-generation materials and components for advanced mobility. Signed on 24 October at Hyundai Motor Group’s Seoul headquarters, the agreement focuses on creating high-performance composites for future applications, including high-speed vehicles, lunar exploration rovers, and robotics. It builds on the strategic cooperation agreement that the two companies initiated in April 2024. Under the new partnership, Hyundai Motor Group will lead vehicle-level design, performance evaluation, and material suitability studies through its Materials Research & Engineering Center. Toray Group will develop intermediate materials and moulded products using its…

Former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has predicted that electric vehicle maker Tesla may struggle to survive the next decade, citing intensifying competition from Chinese automaker BYD and Elon Musk’s divided attention across multiple ventures. In an interview with French newspaper Les Echos, Tavares said that Tesla’s dominance in the EV market is under growing threat. “We can’t rule out that at some point, he’ll decide to leave the automotive industry to refocus on humanoid robots, SpaceX, or artificial intelligence,” he remarked, suggesting that Musk’s focus may shift away from Tesla entirely. Tavares attributed BYD’s rise to its operational efficiency and…

Indian automakers are gearing up to strengthen their footprint in South Africa as several leading manufacturers plan to upgrade their existing assembly operations into full-fledged production units and establish new manufacturing plants. According to News South Africa, the move aligns with South Africa’s renewed efforts to attract global automakers and revitalize its struggling automotive sector. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau confirmed that both Indian and Chinese automakers have shown strong interest in expanding their investments in the country. Tau has been holding talks with international carmakers as part of a broader strategy to revive the local auto industry,…

China’s Wingtech Technology, the parent company of Dutch chipmaker Nexperia (a key automotive chip supplier), has warned that its financial performance could suffer significantly if it fails to regain control of its seized subsidiary by the end of 2025. In its quarterly earnings report released on Friday (October 24), the Shanghai-listed electronics firm said, “If control of Nexperia cannot be restored before the end of 2025, the company may face temporary downward pressure on revenue, profit, and cash flow,” according to Bloomberg. The warning highlights rising tensions surrounding the global semiconductor industry. While Wingtech reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings, with semiconductor…

A cyber-attack that forced Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to shut down operations for five weeks has driven UK car production to its lowest September level since 1952, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). JLR halted all manufacturing after its IT systems were compromised, suspending production at its three UK plants in Solihull, Wolverhampton, and Halewood. As a result, the company did not produce a single vehicle in September, causing overall UK car output to fall by 27% to just over 51,000 units. The SMMT attributed most of the decline to JLR’s shutdown, noting that…

Uber and Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide have officially launched robotaxi passenger rides in Riyadh, making Saudi Arabia the latest country to introduce self-driving vehicles to the Uber platform. This marks the first time autonomous vehicles are publicly available on Uber in the Kingdom. The service allows passengers travelling between Roshn Front and Princess Noura University to book a WeRide robotaxi GXR directly through the Uber app. The initiative has been approved by the Transport General Authority (TGA) and follows the initial operational phase of autonomous vehicles inaugurated in July by Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics…

AUMOVIO, formerly the Automotive group sector of Continental, invested $110 million in its manufacturing facility in New Braunfels, Texas. The investment is part of a multi-year strategic growth plan designed to increase production capacity for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The project will also strengthen the company’s North American operations and support its long-term growth and profitability goals. The expansion includes a 65,000-square-foot addition and a premium automated warehouse, more than doubling the existing production floor space. Once completed, the project is expected to create around 100 new high-paying jobs, with full operations targeted for August 2027. “This expansion is…

OPES Solar Mobility has inaugurated Europe’s first production facility dedicated to flexible, vehicle-integrated solar panels in Zwenkau, near Leipzig, Germany. The 12,000-square-meter plant will create 120 jobs and manufacture modules for commercial and recreational vehicles, supplying electrical systems in both diesel and electric platforms to extend driving range and improve battery longevity. Following ramp-up, OPES plans to deliver modules to more than 15 partners and customers across Europe, Africa, and South America for integration into camper vans, refrigerated trailers, city buses, and truck cabins. Developed over several years with the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics and the Fraunhofer Institute for…

Changan Automobile has officially entered Indonesia, with two new models set to premiere at Gaikindo Jakarta Auto Week (GJAW) 2025 from November 21–30 at ICE BSD City, Tangerang. The vehicles will target Indonesia’s premium, style-focused urban SUV segment. “We will officially launch a new product as a first step in introducing Changan’s advantages to the Indonesian people,” said Ariadi, Chief Marketing Officer of PT Indomobil Transport (DIT), at a GJAW 2025 press conference in Senayan on Thursday, October 23. Changan described its Indonesian debut as a key milestone to showcase a smart, environmentally friendly, and human-oriented vision of future mobility,…

Continental is deepening its commitment to sustainable tire manufacturing by increasing the integration of renewable and recycled materials across its production processes. The company, which currently uses an average of 26% renewable and recycled content in its tires, aims to raise that share to at least 40% within the next five years. In alignment with circular economy principles, Continental is encouraging suppliers to develop sustainable raw materials for tire production. A key focus is on finding eco-friendly alternatives to traditional reinforcing materials, mainly steel and textiles, that provide structural integrity and performance throughout a tire’s lifespan. These materials make up…