Author: Central Desk

Traditionally a peak month for upscale vehicle transactions, Israel’s December luxury car sales have taken an unexpected detour from the anticipated surge in purchases. This shift underscores a broader narrative of economic caution that permeates realms previously considered immune to downturns, like the luxury car segment. Historically, the final month of the year Israel has been synonymous with a spike in luxury car sales, supported by elaborate marketing strategies from dealers aiming to capitalize on consumer desires for the newest models. This trend, particularly pronounced with premium brands such as Mercedes, which enjoyed a place among top sellers, has seen…

Nio, an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, embarks on a groundbreaking endeavor, weaving humanoid robots into its production processes. At the helm of this ambitious project stands Yi Peng, Nio’s Head of Humanoid Robots for Intellectual Engineering, who unveiled detailed insights at the China Humanoid Robot Ecology Conference 2024 in Shanghai. The journey commenced in 2023, marking a pivotal turn in Nio’s approach to manufacturing with the assembly of a specialized humanoid robot ‘squad.’ A collaboration spotlight occurred with UBTech Robotics, a leader in humanoid robotics, demonstrating the Walker S robot’s adeptness in quality inspections within Nio’s factory setting, a testament…

G20 sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO, Amitabh Kant, has thrown down the gauntlet for Indian electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, urging them to pivot towards the global market with their electric two-wheelers. During an address at Ather Energy’s community day, Kant pointed to India’s rapid ascension in EV adoption as a beacon for potential international dominance, especially given its status as the premier two-wheeler exporter globally. “Now is the time for Indian EV companies like Ather to not only make 2 two-wheelers for the domestic consumers but also for the world,” Kant proclaimed. This directive comes against a backdrop of…

Tesla Inc. is gearing up to reveal its much-anticipated Robotaxi on August 8, as announced by CEO Elon Musk via a post on the social media platform X. This strategic move arrives at a time when Tesla faces intensified competition from more affordable Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) Following the Robotaxi announcement, Tesla’s shares experienced a surge of up to 5.1% in postmarket trading in New York, despite a 34% decline in the company’s stock value up to the close of trading on April 5. Interestingly, the announcement came shortly after Musk was surpassed by Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg as…

Ford Motor Company announced today significant strides in its commitment to electric vehicle (EV) innovation and sustainability. At the heart of this commitment is the restructuring of its Oakville, Ontario assembly plant. Originally slated for the launch of new electric vehicles by 2025, the timeline has now been adjusted to 2027. This delay aligns with Ford’s strategic vision to synchronize with the evolving consumer market for three-row EVs and to leverage breakthroughs in battery technology for enhanced durability and value. Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford, emphasized the company’s dedication to establishing a profitable EV sector, underpinned by prudent…

The dawn of 2024 witnessed Nikola Corporation, through its HYLA brand, assert its dominance in the realm of zero-emissions transportation. This period marked a significant achievement: the production of 43 Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and the successful wholesale of 40 units to U.S. clients. These accomplishments reflect Nikola’s unwavering dedication to pioneering clean energy solutions and its operational prowess, alongside the escalating demand for environmentally friendly commercial vehicles. Steve Girsky, Nikola’s CEO, articulated optimism regarding the company’s trajectory. Emphasizing the essence of commitment beyond goal setting, Girsky highlighted the dual focus on the rollout of hydrogen…

Humax, a leader within the global mobility platform arena, has unveiled a strategic alliance with Uber Carshare, an Australian innovator in car-sharing services. This collaboration heralds a transformative approach to urban mobility, making it more seamless and user-centric worldwide. Uber Carshare, originally known as Car Next Door before its acquisition by Uber in January 2022, has revolutionized urban transit. Providing an efficient, flexible, and cost-effective solution, the platform enables users to secure a vehicle and embark on their journey within five minutes. With operations extending to nine cities across Australia and recent expansions into the US and Canada, Uber Carshare…

April 2024 marks a transformative phase for automotive diagnostics as MAHLE Aftermarket introduces its sophisticated second-generation tools: MAHLE TechPRO 2 and BRAIN BEE Connex 2. This release signals a pivotal shift towards enhanced efficiency, user-centric design, and digital security within vehicle diagnostics, affirming MAHLE’s dedication to pioneering solutions that address the dynamic demands of the automotive industry. These advanced diagnostic instruments feature a radically redesigned user interface engineered for optimal usability. This design ensures workshop teams navigate through applications with unparalleled ease, promising streamlined diagnostic processes. The interface’s strategic layout provides immediate visibility to essential tools, significantly abbreviating the time…

Casablanca, the North African economic titan, steps into the future of urban mobility with the launch of its sophisticated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This pivotal development, characterized by the deployment of 40 cutting-edge Mercedes-Benz CapaCity L buses from Daimler Buses to Casa Transports SA, signifies a transformative approach to public transport within the bustling metropolis. Tasked with the operation of these high-capacity vehicles, RATP Dev will oversee the buses’ journey along the newly minted BRT corridors, inaugurated at the outset of March 2024. This initiative distinguishes itself through the implementation of dedicated lanes, ensuring uninterrupted service—a testament to the…

AVL, alongside industry frontrunners Microsoft, Hexagon, Synopsys, and Tracetronic, has unveiled the Autonomous End-to-End-Testing (ADET) initiative, poised to revolutionize autonomous driving development. Testing autonomous vehicles is a multifaceted challenge, demanding rigorous evaluation across diverse real-world scenarios. To expedite new function development, AVL and partners have engineered a cutting-edge toolchain automating testing from software simulation to real-world road scenarios. ADET’s digital toolchain facilitates seamless data exchange and collaboration among manufacturer and supplier teams. Leveraging Microsoft Azure’s cloud infrastructure, the initiative enables efficient planning, rapid implementation, and comprehensive evaluation of test scenarios. Bernhard Mueller-Bessler, Head of Virtual Mobility at Hexagon, emphasized collaboration,…