Author: Central Desk

Chinese auto giant GAC Group has committed to investing $1 billion in Brazil. The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Beijing between Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and GAC Group President Feng Xingya. The dialogue between Alckmin and Xingya centered on enhancing economic and trade cooperation, with GAC planning to establish a robust presence in Brazil. This makes GAC the first Chinese automaker to set up a full R&D and production line in Brazil, encompassing gasoline, electric, full hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Feng Xingya outlined the company’s vision: “In the next 5 years, GAC, along with its supply chain,…

South Korea’s leading mobile camera module maker, LG Innotek, aims to dominate the automotive sensing market by generating 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) in annual sales by 2030. Leveraging its expertise in mobile camera modules, the company focuses on high-performance light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems and advanced automotive camera modules. CEO Moon Hyuk-soo announced, “We will leverage our mobile camera module-developing expertise to foster our automotive sensing solution business as another global leading sector that generates 2 trillion won in annual sales by 2030.” LG Innotek accelerates its entry into the LiDAR market with a high-performance LiDAR unit directly…

The Sharjah Old Cars Club (SOCC) has announced a five-year strategic plan designed to establish Sharjah as a premier destination for vintage car enthusiasts worldwide. This initiative reflects the club’s commitment to celebrating automotive heritage while promoting a deeper appreciation for the art and sport of vintage cars. SOCC’s strategy focuses on leadership, sustainability, and the cultural value of vintage cars, with the goal of placing Sharjah at the forefront of the global vintage car scene. Main objectives include enhancing community satisfaction, preserving automotive heritage, and fostering innovation and creativity within the club. Achieving 100% customer satisfaction, 95% service quality,…

In the ‘Meet Rizta’ event happened in Nagpur, attended by Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, Ather Energy co-founder Swapnil Jain articulated a compelling vision for the future of Indian electric two-wheelers. He posited that these vehicles excel beyond international offerings in both design and technology, positioning India as a potential leader in the global electric vehicle (EV) market. Jain’s declaration underscored the developments by Indian manufacturers and the country’s potential as a technology exporter. Indian electric two-wheelers excel beyond any globally available model, presenting a unique opportunity for India to lead in design and technology. Jain…

Solaris Bus & Coach has landed remarkable contracts to supply 88 electric buses to Nobina, Sweden’s prominent public transport operator. Solaris’ mission is to provide environmentally friendly urban transport solutions, with the new fleet set to operate across Skåne, Värmland, and Malmö by 2024 and 2025. Nobina’s order includes articulated Urbino 18 electric buses and Urbino 15 LE electric models, the latter specifically customized for the Scandinavian market and approved for interurban services. The breakdown features 55 Urbino 15 LE electric buses for Skåne, 15 for Värmland, and 18 Urbino 18 electric buses for Malmö. Olivier Michard, Member of the…

Volkswagen has revolutionized driver-vehicle interaction by integrating ChatGPT, the advanced AI research tool, into its latest models equipped with the new-generation infotainment system. This upgrade enhances the IDA voice assistant’s capabilities, providing drivers with a more interactive and intuitive experience across vehicles such as the all-electric ID. family, the new Golf, Tiguan, and Passat. Kai Grünitz, a Member of the Brand Board of Management responsible for Development, highlighted Volkswagen’s dedication to making advanced technologies widely accessible. “Volkswagen has a long tradition of democratizing technologies. As a volume manufacturer, we make these technologies accessible to large numbers of people. By seamlessly…

Toyota Texas is set to solidify its U.S. presence with a substantial $531 million investment, creating over 400 high-quality jobs in San Antonio. It underscores Toyota’s commitment to reinvesting in American operations and enhancing production capabilities. The investment targets the construction of a new 500,000-square-foot facility for drivetrain parts production, highlighting Toyota’s confidence in its U.S. operations and commitment to innovation and job creation. “Our team members are ready for this new opportunity to grow our plant’s capabilities and workforce,” said Susann Kazunas, President of Toyota Texas. “They are highly capable, innovative and have a steadfast commitment to our products.…

Dongfeng Motor Corporation, a leading name in the Chinese automotive industry, has taken a new step forward in revolutionizing its production processes by integrating ForwardX’s futuristic autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This move initiative highlights Dongfeng’s dedication to innovation and efficiency in the rapidly evolving automotive sector. Establishing a robust infrastructure for independent new energy vehicles, Dongfeng allocates core resources to enhance its competitive edge. The surge in demand for new energy vehicles has revealed the limitations of traditional manual operations, particularly in automotive welding workshop logistics. These manual processes have hindered the flow of information and dampened inventory management efficiency,…

Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), China’s premier automotive lithium-ion battery maker, has initiated the construction of its inaugural battery plant in North China, specifically within the industrious confines of Beijing E-town, the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area. This new launch of CATL represents an augmentation of CATL’s auto sector chain. With production planning to start in 2026 after two construction phases, the facility will occupy approximately 260,000 square meters. This development leverages Beijing’s major role as a main innovation in the automotive industry, an essential production base endowed with a wealth of talent. Wu Yingming, chairman of CATL’s supervisory board, highlights the…

A major cyberattack has hit CDK Global, a major provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) for car dealerships, causing the company to shut down its systems. This disruption affects over 15,000 car dealerships across the United States, heavily reliant on CDK’s platform for daily operations. Extent of the Attack CDK Global’s platform manages essential functions for car dealerships, including customer relationship management (CRM), financing, payroll, support and service, inventory, and back-office operations. Dealerships connect to CDK’s data centers via an always-on VPN to access these services. Overnight, CDK took its IT systems, phones, and applications offline to contain the attack’s spread. Brad…