Author: Central Desk

Stellantis, renowned for its portfolio including Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, and Dodge, declared a notable realignment within its engineering and software divisions. This strategic adjustment, aimed at bolstering competitiveness during the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), resulted in the dismissal of 400 white-collar positions, impacting around 2% of its specialized U.S. workforce. This move unfolds against the backdrop of a year where Stellantis celebrated unprecedented global net profits of $20 billion, notwithstanding a marginal 1% contraction in U.S. market sales. Spokesperson Jodi Tinson conveyed that these dismissals are tactically geared towards navigating the automotive sector’s current volatility, marked by intense competitive…

Swedish electric performance icon Polestar has boldly expanded its Singapore footprint, a move that heralds its charge into the future of electric luxury on wheels. This ambitious leap forward is a clear signal of the brand’s intent to dominate the premium electric vehicle (EV) market, responding to a world that’s swiftly pivoting to sustainable, high-octane motoring options. Perched at 45 Leng Kee Road, nestled within Singapore’s elite automotive enclave, the newly enlarged Polestar Space stretches across an 800-meter beacon of automotive excellence. This is not merely an expansion; it’s a reinvention of the Polestar experience. This space is a pledge…

The dawn of electric vehicles (EVs) and their integration into a digitalized infrastructure marks a transformative era in mobility. Yet, this advancement introduces complex cybersecurity challenges, transforming EVs into potential vectors of disruption. The global automotive sector’s cybersecurity landscape reveals a spectrum of defenses across its value chain, unveiling vulnerabilities at various junctures. Experts from Cisco Systems have delineated a stark reality: the threat landscape encompasses the entire ecosystem, leaving no entity within the automotive network immune to cyber incursions. Insights from Dystopian EV Engineering shed light on the grave potentialities of these vulnerabilities. Hackers commandeering the controller area network…

Volvo Cars announces a strategic alliance with TDCX, a premier provider of digital customer experience solutions, marking a pivotal step towards redefining car ownership across Europe. This collaboration aims to surpass customer service expectations within the automotive domain, addressing the urgent demand for superior customer engagement. Award-winning TDCX brings its proficiency in delivering customer care services through multiple channels in over seven languages. Through this partnership, Volvo Cars ensures service in customers’ native languages, promising expedited response times and a fluid experience across communication platforms, including phone, email, and social media. TDCX’s involvement extends into pre-sales, encapsulating the entire customer…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disclosing its pivotal pollution emissions benchmarks for the automotive sector, a move poised to redefine transportation in the United States. These regulations, demanding a seismic shift by 2032 towards electric or hybrid vehicles for new passenger cars and light trucks sales, underscore a strategic pivot towards sustainability within the automotive industry, driven by the imperative to mitigate climate change’s dire impacts. The adjusted timeline, initiating in 2027 and escalating towards full electrification post-2030, reflects a nuanced balance struck by the Biden Administration. This approach navigates the complex web of environmental urgencies and socio-economic considerations, extending…

A groundbreaking partnership between India’s JSW Group and SAIC Motor-owned MG Motor India heralds a new chapter for the automotive industry with the unveiling of the Cyberster, an all-electric convertible roadster poised to redefine electric mobility. This collaboration marks a significant advancement for the global automotive market, combining innovative technology with eco-friendly initiatives. The Cyberster’s acceleration from 0-100 km/h in a swift 3.2 seconds showcases the pinnacle of electric vehicle technology. Sajjan Jindal, JSW Group Chairman, shared the ambitious vision behind this launch, aiming to introduce a new electric vehicle every 3-4 months, mirroring Maruti’s transformative impact on the Indian…

Ashok Leyland, the titan of the Hinduja Group’s Indian operations and a foremost entity in commercial vehicle manufacturing, alongside Minus Zero, a vanguard in India’s autonomous driving technology, heralds a strategic alliance poised to redefine commercial trucking through the deployment of autonomous solutions at scale. This partnership, distinguished for its ambition to revolutionize the trucking sector, initially targets the development of bespoke autonomous trucking solutions tailored for ports, factory environments, and corporate campuses. Prospective ventures envisage expansion into hub-to-hub and long-haul trucking, contingent upon the evolution of regulatory frameworks governing autonomous driving. Central to this alliance is the integration of…

Stellantis redefines industry benchmarks by introducing MyTasks, a groundbreaking tool that transforms fleet management and driver communication through direct integration with the vehicle’s infotainment system. This pioneering solution marks the first of its kind, offering a seamless, interactive platform for task management within the commercial fleet domain. Distinctively, MyTasks leverages the built-in capabilities of the vehicle’s infotainment unit, facilitating a direct, distraction-free communication channel between fleet managers and drivers. This strategy not only eliminates the reliance on mobile phones, thereby reducing distractions but also obviates the need for aftermarket accessories, delivering streamlined, efficient, and safer fleet operations. The application’s innovation…

Vietnam’s corporate behemoth, Vingroup, led by the visionary billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, unveils V-Green, a groundbreaking electric vehicle (EV) charging station initiative, setting a new precedence for VinFast vehicles’ prioritization. This strategic move signals Vietnam’s escalating influence within the global electric vehicle sphere, showcasing Vuong’s commitment to a sustainable future. Owning a substantial 90 percent stake, Vuong’s involvement in V-Green not only amplifies the service ecosystem for VinFast but strategically positions the venture at the forefront of the burgeoning global EV market. Vuong articulates, “V-Green will directly search for land and partners to establish and expand its charging network in…

Yokohama Rubber has unveiled plans for a cutting-edge facility dedicated to producing passenger car tires in Mexico, marking a pivotal move to boost its supply capabilities across North America. With an investment of $380 million (around ¥52.1 billion), the project targets an impressive annual production capacity of 5 million tires. Construction is slated to commence in the second quarter of 2024, with operations expected to go live in the first quarter of 2027. Spanning over 610,000 square meters in Coahuila, this location was carefully chosen for its scalability, ensuring Yokohama’s readiness to meet future market demands. The establishment in Coahuila,…