Author: Central Desk

Rivian Automotive has officially opened sales for its Rivian Commercial Van to fleets of all sizes across the United States. The vehicle, which serves as the platform for Amazon’s custom electric delivery van (EDV), has been designed with a strong emphasis on safety, driver comfort, sustainability, and total cost of ownership. Engineered for safety, the Rivian Commercial Van includes advanced features such as automatic emergency braking, collision warnings, and 360-degree visibility, positioning it among the safest commercial vehicles on the market today. Following the conclusion of Rivian’s exclusivity agreement with Amazon, the company has been conducting trials with large fleet…

Volkswagen has unveiled its latest entry-level battery-electric vehicle (BEV) to employees at its Wolfsburg plant in Germany, offering a preview of its front-end design. The announcement, attended by Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schäfer, highlights the company’s ongoing transition toward an all-electric lineup and its future plans for its global manufacturing headquarters. The new BEV, previously referred to internally as the ID.1, is expected to be priced at approximately €20,000 ($20,850). While Volkswagen has yet to confirm its official production name, industry insiders suggest it could revive the Up badge, previously used for a small urban vehicle discontinued in 2021. This…

China’s rapid growth in the global auto industry is reshaping market dynamics, with domestic manufacturers outperforming major international automakers. A sales analysis by Chosun Ilbo highlights that BYD and Geely Group secured the eighth and tenth spots among the world’s top automakers in 2024. BYD’s sales surged 41.5% year-on-year, climbing two places, while Geely Group saw a 22% increase, entering the top 10 for the first time. Traditional industry leaders faced setbacks. Toyota Group’s sales declined by 3.7%, Volkswagen Group by 2.3%, and Hyundai Motor Group by 1%. Automakers more reliant on the Chinese market were hit harder, while Ford,…

Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) is set to enhance the country’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure ahead of the launch of its e VITARA, with a strategic goal to establish the model as a household’s primary vehicle. The initiative includes a comprehensive ecosystem of fast chargers, after-sales support, leasing models, and financing options to encourage adoption, according to a senior company executive. Addressing a key concern among potential EV buyers, MSI plans to install fast chargers every 10 kilometers across the top 100 cities, which currently account for nearly 97 percent of India’s total EV sales. “One of the major concerns…

China’s automotive giant Geely, the owner of Volvo, has announced the integration of its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) model into DeepSeek’s R1 vehicle, marking a significant advancement in AI-driven automobile technology. According to reports, Geely will enhance its Xingrui car control system by employing a distillation training process with DeepSeek R1 on the FunctionCall AI model, which manages vehicle operations. This method refines a smaller AI model using insights and outputs from a more advanced system, leading to improved precision and efficiency. On January 11, Geely introduced the Xingrui AI model, branding it as the industry’s first fully self-developed, full-stack…

Detroit-based auto parts supplier Lear is set to reduce its global workforce by approximately 15,000 jobs this year, accounting for an 8% decline in its hourly workforce. The move comes as the company seeks to maintain profitability amid declining vehicle production in North America and Europe. By the end of 2025, Lear anticipates a total workforce reduction of 25,000 to 30,000 employees over two years. CEO Ray Scott, in a fourth-quarter earnings call, stated that restructuring investments would generate an additional $55 million in savings for 2025. Lear, a major supplier of seating and wire harnesses for both electric and…

President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on U.S. imports from Canada and Mexico could significantly raise domestic vehicle prices and squeeze profit margins for automakers, industry analysts warn. If implemented, the 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports could add $6,250 to the cost of an average $25,000 vehicle, according to an analysis by S&P Global Mobility. The report suggests that automakers would likely pass most of the increased costs onto consumers, exacerbating affordability concerns in the automotive market. “The automotive industry is at a critical juncture,” said Michael Robinet, vice president of forecasting at S&P Global Mobility. “The proposed tariffs…

Volvo Cars remains committed to expanding its product lineup with five new model launches, despite anticipating a challenging market environment in 2025. The Swedish automaker acknowledges that the global automotive industry faces significant uncertainties, including economic headwinds, heightened competition, and shifting trade policies. The company’s announcement comes on the heels of a decline in profits during the final quarter of 2024. However, Volvo is pressing ahead with its electrification strategy, introducing its first midsize battery-electric vehicle (BEV), the EX60. This model, built on Volvo’s new SPA3 all-electric vehicle platform, is currently undergoing road tests and is slated for a global…

Nissan is urgently seeking a new partner for its electric vehicle (EV) strategy after its planned merger with Honda fell through. The Japanese automaker is now exploring alternative collaborations to strengthen its position in the evolving industry of software-defined electric mobility. One potential candidate under consideration is Apple supplier Foxconn. Nissan Moves Beyond Honda At a board meeting on Wednesday, Nissan formally decided to abandon its EV partnership discussions with Honda. The split reportedly stemmed from Honda’s demand for greater control over the joint venture. According to sources familiar with the matter, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida met with Honda’s leadership…

The average lifespan of vehicles is increasing worldwide, significantly impacting the automotive aftermarket, according to a report by Messe Frankfurt, the organizers of Automechanika Birmingham 2025 and Automechanika Frankfurt 2026. This trend is driving demand for maintenance services and spare parts, with key industry influences including electromobility, digitalization, and sustainability. With a market volume exceeding $430 billion (£345bn) in 2024, the automotive aftermarket remains a crucial sector, supporting both innovation and sales. Since 2021, the market has seen continuous growth, largely due to consumers holding onto their vehicles longer. Factors contributing to this shift include rising new car prices and…