Author: Central Desk

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Chery Automobile have inked a Letter of Intent that revitalizes their 12-year partnership, setting a fresh course for the CJLR (Chery Jaguar Land Rover) collaboration with a sharp focus on electric vehicles (EVs) amid China’s rapid shift to electrification. This collaboration merges Chery’s dominant position in the Chinese auto market with JLR’s renowned design heritage. The strategic move will see CJLR adopting Chery’s pioneer EV architecture to develop an exclusive range of electric vehicles under the revitalized Freelander brand. JLR CEO Adrian Mardell articulated the venture’s renewed focus: “Today we are taking this important strategic…

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) today disclosed that the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 will be the premier model rolling out from its new production facility in Georgia. This new move underscores Hyundai’s ambitious drive to capture a larger share of the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market. Set to start production by the end of the year, the Georgia Metaplant will focus on assembling the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5, with plans to produce all trim lines except the IONIQ 5 N. This facility will become the primary production site for the IONIQ 5 in the U.S. Oscar Kwon, President and…

The foremost authority in automotive safety solutions Autolive, has unveiled a groundbreaking development in sustainable manufacturing including, airbag cushions crafted entirely from recycled polyester. This new innovation underscores the company’s dedication to reducing its environmental impact and aligning with global sustainability goals. Through strategic collaborations with major suppliers, Autoliv has engineered yarns, fabrics, and cushions from 100% recycled materials, specifically designed for airbag production. Extensive testing confirms these new airbag cushions uphold the safety standards of traditional polyester airbags while slashing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 50% at the polymer production level. Jordi Lombarte, Chief Technology Officer at Autoliv,…

Global NEVS, a leader in automotive market analytics, has launched a unified model standard designed to streamline market insights and enhance decision-making across the automotive industry. This new standard aims to provide a holistic view of the global car market by integrating data from 60,000 suppliers covering over 1,700 auto parts. The initiative addresses the challenge of differing model names across countries, simplifying comparisons and analysis. For instance, the Toyota Corolla is known by various names in different markets, such as Ka Luo La, Lei Ling, and Hua Guan in China. In 2023 alone, 69 million passenger vehicles were sold…

Polestar, the distinguished electric vehicle manufacturer, is actively expanding its commercial footprint and retail operations with an ambitious plan to penetrate seven new markets by 2025, with an expanding product range. This involves transitioning to a non-traditional agency sales model across Europe, offering customers enhanced flexibility and access to Polestar vehicles. This month, Sweden and Norway adopted this new sales model, with other major markets poised to follow in the second half of the year. Despite these shifts, customers retain the ability to purchase their preferred Polestar models online or through an enlarging network of Polestar Spaces and service points.…

Toyota’s Chairman Akio Toyoda, a direct descendant of the founder, faces a challenge at the forthcoming annual shareholders’ meeting on June 18. Influential proxy advisory firms are mobilizing shareholders to oppose Toyoda’s reappointment, citing deep concern following a vehicle testing scandal. Recent revelations of fraudulent vehicle certification tests have marred Toyota’s renowned quality image. Despite assertions that these issues did not compromise safety or prompt recalls, the repercussions have been profound. The production suspension of three models and a sharp decline in share prices, with a market value loss of around 3 trillion yen ($18 billion), highlight the crisis’s impact.…

New Delhi (India): Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), the Indian subsidiary of South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Co., has filed draft papers with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise approximately $3 billion through an initial public offering (IPO). The targeted valuation for this IPO is between $18 billion and $20 billion. If successful, this IPO will be India’s largest ever, surpassing the previous record of $2.7 billion set by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) in 2022. The IPO will be a pure offer for sale (OFS) by the promoter, involving up to 142,194,700 equity shares…

A recent surge in copper prices to a ten-year high poses a significant challenge for the U.S. automotive industry, particularly for electric vehicle (EV) production, as copper is a vital component. The price increase threatens to raise production costs, potentially leading to higher car prices and dampened consumer demand. One of the main drivers of increased copper consumption is the growing demand for EVs, which require significantly more copper than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. As the EV market expands, copper demand is expected to rise further, potentially exacerbating price pressures. To mitigate the impact of rising copper prices, automakers…

Nio, a leader in electric vehicle innovation, has introduced the Power Swap Station 4.0. This advanced generation station features an automated battery swap system compatible with various brands and vehicle models, reassessing convenience and efficiency in electric vehicle support. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the Power Swap Station 4.0 includes six ultrawide-field-of-view LiDARs and four Orin X chips, achieving a formidable computing power of 1,016 TOPS. Users can initiate an automatic battery swap with a simple tap on the center display or remotely, eliminating the need to be inside the vehicle. Outperforming its predecessor by 22%, the station completes swaps in…

Nissan has introduced the all-new Townstar Crew Van, expanding its light commercial vehicle (LCV) lineup with a model designed to cater adeptly to the varying demands of European enterprises. This latest version builds on the successful L2 Townstar, offering enhanced space utilization and versatility, essential for businesses seeking additional operational capabilities. The Townstar Crew Van distinguishes itself through exceptional adaptability, allowing rapid reconfiguration of its interior to suit changing cargo needs. Its second-row seats, engineered for one-handed operation, can be folded down in seconds, transforming the vehicle into a secure, five-seater workspace. This adjustment not only maximizes passenger comfort with…