Author: Central Desk

Mitsubishi Electric Mobility Corporation has entered into a capital and business partnership with Seeing Machines, a leading Australian provider of Driver Monitoring System (DMS) software, to strengthen its presence in the growing DMS market. The partnership aims to enhance road safety by leveraging advanced technologies to detect driver distraction and drowsiness. As part of the agreement, Mitsubishi Electric Mobility will invest £40 million, acquiring 15% of Seeing Machines’ newly issued shares through a third-party allotment on December 23, 2024. Additionally, the company plans to purchase an additional 6.9% of shares from existing shareholders via an over-the-counter transaction, raising its total…

China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) sector continues to attract significant investments as industry players push for innovation, market expansion, and profitability. Recent funding rounds highlight the sector’s appeal and underscore investors’ confidence in its long-term growth prospects. Changan Automobile’s NEV brand, Avatr, announced on Tuesday the completion of its Series C financing round, securing over 11 billion yuan ($1.51 billion) — the largest single fundraising in China’s auto industry this year. The funds will drive Avatr’s research and development of new NEV models, bolster its brand building, and support its overseas expansion. Avatr also plans to go public, aiming for…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio has officially unveiled its Firefly brand, aiming to challenge the BMW Mini and Mercedes-Benz Smart in the global market. The announcement was made at Nio Day 2024, held in Guangzhou, marking the debut of Firefly as Nio’s third brand, following its flagship Nio and Onvo sub-brands. The Firefly’s first model, sharing its name with the brand, was introduced as a premium boutique small car. Pre-sales for the battery electric vehicle (BEV) began today in China, priced at RMB 148,800 ($20,390), with an official launch slated for April 2025. This pricing matches the recently discounted…

General Motors (GM) is standing firm on its ambitious goal to transition entirely to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2035, according to the company’s CEO, Mary Barra. Despite setbacks and market challenges, Barra reiterated GM’s dedication to phasing out internal combustion engines in a recent interview with The New York Times. Earlier this year, concerns were raised about GM’s electric ambitions when Barra admitted during a CNBC interview, as reported by Bloomberg and Green Car Reports, that the automaker would miss its 2025 target of achieving the capacity to produce 1 million EVs annually. This delay was attributed to complications in…

South Korea’s reported consideration of an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) has drawn criticism from Chinese observers, who describe it as a ‘gesture declaration’ rather than a substantial policy move. Analysts suggest the rhetoric may reflect South Korea’s alignment with U.S. and EU trade protectionist measures, which they argue politicise economic issues. According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy stated it could explore imposing anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese EV imports if South Korean enterprises file an application. This comes as Chinese automaker BYD prepares to enter the South Korean passenger EV market…

Materials manufacturer Covestro has joined forces with GOVY Technology, a subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), to advance material solutions for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This collaboration aims to accelerate the development of efficient and sustainable urban air mobility solutions. As one of eight companies partnering with GOVY, Covestro signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the development of eVTOL technology. GOVY, established by GAC, is dedicated to creating next-generation flying cars. Covestro’s role in the project leverages its expertise in high-performance materials and sustainable innovations. “Our partnership with GAC marks a pivotal moment in urban…

The European Union is set to initiate a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry in January to address challenges facing the region’s carmakers. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the move on Thursday, emphasising the need to support the struggling sector, which she described as a source of European pride. The dialogue will involve key stakeholders, including automotive companies, trade unions, and business associations, to design measures aimed at bolstering the industry’s global competitiveness. The initiative comes at a critical time, as automakers like Volkswagen reassess strategies amid stiff competition from Chinese electric vehicle…

As the global automotive industry embraces software-defined vehicles, Egypt has taken a pioneering step by launching the Middle East and Africa’s first Android Automotive training program. This initiative, a collaboration between DXC Luxoft, ITIDA, and the Information Technology Institute (ITI), has certified its first cohort of 28 professionals, addressing the rising demand for skilled automotive software engineers. Launched in July 2024, the six-month program equips engineers with expertise in Linux, C++, Kotlin, cybersecurity, and platform integration, focusing on Android Auto and Android Automotive OS. This public-private partnership highlights Egypt’s strategic focus on fostering innovation, creating job opportunities, and meeting the global…

ChargePoint, a leading provider of EV charging solutions, and General Motors (GM) have announced a collaboration to install up to 500 ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging ports across the United States. This initiative aims to bolster EV infrastructure and make charging faster and more accessible for drivers. The charging locations are planned to be operational by the end of 2025. Key to the collaboration is ChargePoint’s Omni Port system, which supports both CCS and NACS charging ports, eliminating the need for adapters or dedicated parking spaces for specific connector types. Many of the charging stations will utilise ChargePoint’s Express Plus platform,…

This Christmas, Rudy Robot is hard at work in Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) state-of-the-art testing facility at the Gaydon Engineering Centre, enduring temperatures as low as -40°C to ensure the durability and quality of vehicle doors for the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar brands. Housed in a £2.1 million climate chamber, Rudy is part of JLR’s rigorous testing program designed to replicate a vehicle’s lifetime of use. Over a 12-week period, Rudy opens and closes a vehicle door 84,000 times, simulating years of wear and tear. This Christmas alone, Rudy will open a Range Rover door over 14,000 times.…