Author: Central Desk

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…

Audi has unveiled a redesigned version of its myAudi app, integrating artificial intelligence features co-developed with CARIAD and powered by ChatGPT technology. The updated application bridges the vehicle, smartphone, and web interfaces through a unified design, enhancing user interaction and connectivity. A key addition is the AI assistant, capable of accessing the car’s logbook and answering technical queries from the onboard manual, offering real-time support to drivers. The app also features a digital key function that enables users to lock, unlock, and start their vehicles via smartphones or smartwatches, eliminating the need for a physical key. A newly introduced shopping…

Kia Corporation has inaugurated the Kia Qazaqstan LLP Plant in Kostanay, Kazakhstan, marking a major milestone in the nation’s industrial development and a significant investment by a leading global automaker in Central Asia. The opening ceremony was attended by senior leaders from both nations, including Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who delivered a congratulatory address online, and First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar. Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song and Allur Group Chairman Andrey Lavrentyev were also present, alongside government officials and business partners. President Tokayev described the event as a symbol of strong cooperation between Kazakhstan and South Korea,…

U.S. automakers are grappling with severe supply-chain disruptions, forcing production halts at several major factories operated by Ford and Stellantis. The shortages, spanning aluminum, semiconductors, and rare-earth minerals, have stalled assembly lines and put thousands of workers on temporary unemployment. Jeep SUV production in Michigan was suspended last week due to an aluminum shortage and is not expected to resume until early next month. Ford has also paused output at three plants, including facilities in Michigan and Kentucky, where many employees are now collecting unemployment benefits. The Kentucky Truck Plant, which produces the high-margin Super Duty trucks, some retailing for…

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced the Land Cruiser FJ, a new variant designed for recreational users seeking customizable off-road capabilities. The model is scheduled for launch in Japan around mid-2026 and will make its public debut at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, running from 30 October to 9 November at Tokyo Big Sight. The FJ marks the fourth distinct series in the Land Cruiser lineup, joining the 300 Series flagship, the 70 Series heavy-duty model, and the 250 Series introduced in 2024. It features a wheelbase 270mm shorter than the 250 Series, resulting in a minimum turning radius of 5.5…

China is intensifying its strategic focus on intelligent and connected vehicles, with senior officials outlining a new phase of policy acceleration aimed at shaping the future of mobility. The announcement came during the 2025 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference, a three-day event organized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Ministry of Transport, and the Beijing municipal government. Xin Guobin, vice-minister of MIIT, described intelligent and connected vehicles as a ‘strategic direction’ for the automotive sector’s transformation. He revealed that MIIT will draft a development plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030), covering both intelligent connected…

BMW Charging and MINI Charging have teamed up with Digital Charging Solutions (DCS) to introduce a fleet application that simplifies monitoring and centralized billing for electric vehicle (EV) fleets. The solution links individual charging accounts of fleet drivers to a central company account, with all charging sessions automatically invoiced and consolidated into a single payment for the business. The application is aimed at small and medium-sized companies managing up to 50 EVs. It provides a central dashboard showing all charging sessions and generates one combined invoice. The system comes with no setup costs and includes automatic reimbursement for fleet drivers.…

Experts at the 2025 NCAP World Congress have called for stronger international collaboration to enhance vehicle safety standards amid the accelerating electrification and intelligent transformation of the global auto industry. The congress, held in Shanghai last week, brought together representatives from 11 regional New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) organizations spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. Over the past five decades, NCAP has shaped consumer awareness and encouraged automakers to adopt advanced safety technologies as standard features. Iain Cameron, chairman of Global NCAP, stressed that as technology evolves “faster than ever,” closer cooperation among global partners is vital to ensure…