Author: Central Desk

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is set for rapid expansion in Germany, according to executive vice president Stella Li. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS), Li outlined BYD’s aggressive plan to establish a strong presence in the German market within ‘less than half a year,’ highlighting the company’s determination to penetrate Europe’s competitive automotive landscape. This ambitious move comes at a crucial time, with European Union tariffs on China-made electric vehicles expected to take effect next month. While Germany opposed the tariffs, Li criticized them as harmful to consumers but emphasized that BYD remains undeterred. To counter the…

Georgia has become a multi-billion-dollar hub for the global used car market, sourcing most vehicles from the United States. Despite Western sanctions against Russia, many cars are still finding their way there through loopholes. In Rustavi, a town near Tbilisi, a vast open-air car market spans over 40 football fields. Thousands of vehicles, including Mercedes, Porsches, and Teslas, are available, mostly imported from the U.S. after being dismissed by American insurers. Caucasus Auto Import (CAI), a major player in this trade, buys these cars from U.S. auctions, ships them 10,000 kilometers to Georgia’s Black Sea ports, and repairs them at…

Car makers in Egypt are expanding their operations after the resolution of a prolonged currency crisis earlier this year. The devaluation of the Egyptian pound in March has made Egypt more attractive as both a consumer market and an export hub. Nissan’s Strategic Expansion Nissan, which produces the Sunny model in Egypt, has announced expansion plans. Around 60% of the Sunnys made in Egypt are sold locally, with the rest exported to regional markets. Over the past two years, Nissan has exported more than 15,000 units from Egypt. Nissan Egypt’s Managing Director, Mohamed AbdelSamad, said the company aims to strengthen…

Vietnam is pushing forward with plans to enhance its domestic auto industry by 2030, aiming to boost market share and production capacity. A draft strategy submitted to the government last month projects the auto market to grow by 14-16% annually, reaching over one million vehicle units by the end of the decade. Electric and hybrid vehicles are expected to account for 350,000 units. By 2035, Vietnam plans to produce 1.5 million vehicles annually, meeting 78% of domestic demand and exporting 90,000 units, with a focus on environmentally friendly models. The country also targets increased production of components, aiming to meet…

Toyota, known for its dependable vehicles, currently offers just one electric model, the bZ4X SUV, while rivals like General Motors and Hyundai provide several EV options. As the industry faces a potential EV slowdown, Toyota’s commitment to hybrids appears to be paying off, with the company inclined to maintain its focus on hybrid technology. Toyoda’s Warning on Job Losses in an EV-Only Future During a speech at Nagoya University, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda warned that a full transition to electric vehicles could harm the automotive workforce, particularly those in engine-related roles. “There are 5.5 million people involved in the automotive…

Stellantis announced on Friday that CEO Carlos Tavares will retire in early 2026, as the automotive giant grapples with a challenging global landscape. The company described the situation as a ‘Darwinian period’ for the industry, prompting targeted management changes. A Special Committee of the Stellantis Board is actively seeking Tavares’ successor, with the search expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. Commenting on the transition, Tavares stated, “During this Darwinian period for the automotive industry, our duty and ethical responsibility is to adapt and prepare ourselves for the future, better and faster than our competitors to deliver…

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump addressed Michigan business leaders, outlining a plan to revive what he described as a ‘collapsing’ U.S. auto industry. Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump detailed measures aimed at supporting American automakers, including revisiting his 2020 trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, imposing tariffs, and offering significant tax incentives for car manufacturing and research in the U.S. Trump’s proposals include making car loan interest fully tax-deductible to help consumers and automakers facing high production costs. “Your car industry is going out of business. It’s going out of business,” Trump told the…

Nikola Corporation, a leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy infrastructure through its HYLA brand, has expanded its reach in Southern California by partnering with the Next Generation Truck (NGT) division of GTS Group. The Fontana-based dealership at 14578 Valley Boulevard will now sell Nikola’s Class 8 battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, while also assisting customers in accessing local, state, and federal incentives. Amir Delvarani, CEO of GTS Group, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “After many successful years specializing in traditional diesel-powered Class 8 trucks, GTS is thrilled to embark on an exciting new chapter by introducing Next…

Continental is increasing the production capacity of its Rayong, Thailand tire plant by 3 million units annually, with a planned investment exceeding €300 million (13 billion Thai Baht). Supported by Thailand’s Board of Investment under its Economic Recovery Scheme, this expansion will create around 600 new jobs, adding to the current workforce of over 900. Dalibor Kalina, Head of Continental’s Replacement Tires in APAC, stated that this expansion supports the company’s growth in the Asia-Pacific region and boosts its ability to meet customer demand locally and regionally. Vignesh Devasenapathy, Rayong Plant Manager, marked the expansion as a milestone alongside Continental’s…

SAIC Motor, China’s largest automotive manufacturer, is expanding its presence in the Malaysian car market. Despite dominating China’s automobile market, the company faces stiff competition in Malaysia, the third-largest market in Southeast Asia. Here, SAIC competes with established local brands such as Proton Holdings Bhd and Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), as well as well-known global manufacturers like Honda and Toyota. Speaking at a car launch event in Kuala Lumpur, an official from SAIC Motor (M) Sdn Bhd acknowledged the challenges of breaking into the mature Malaysian market, stating, “It will be tough, but we take it one step…