Author: Central Desk

ATC Drivetrain, a Detroit-based remanufacturer of automotive drivetrain technology, announces a $7.9 million investment for a new electric vehicle facility in Holland, Michigan. With headquarters in Farmington Hills and a presence across the US, Europe, and China, this expansion signifies a strategic consolidation into a state-of-the-art Holland EV Center of Excellence. The Michigan Strategic Fund board recently approved a $2 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant for the company’s expansion. This grant will aid the 170,000-square-foot expansion at 1285 Waverly Road. Sean Kammer, MEDC business development project manager, highlighted this project as a significant contribution to Michigan’s emerging position…

Changan Automobile, a Chinese state-owned entity, unveils its plan to start vehicle production in Thailand by early 2025. This venture, situated in Rayong province, Thailand’s automotive hub, follows Changan’s initial expression of interest in April, after preliminary discussions with the Thai Board of Investments (BOI). The investment involves $280 million (THB10 billion), earmarking the construction of a facility with a 100,000-vehicle annual production capacity and establishing local distribution for vehicles and parts. This strategy aims to set up a production capacity of 1.2 million vehicles annually outside China by 2030. The plant will focus on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and…

China is on the brink of surpassing Japan to become the world’s largest exporter of automobiles in 2023, primarily driven by the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market and unique auto export demand from Russia. This expected ascendancy marks a significant realignment in international auto trade dynamics. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reveal China’s impressive export tally of 3.92 million vehicles within the year’s first ten months, surpassing Japan’s export figure of 3.59 million. Notably, November saw China exporting an extraordinary 480,000 vehicles. Electric Vehicles Spearheading Growth: Electric models spearhead China’s export growth, with approximately 1 million electric…

For marking a development in electric vehicle (EV) technology, Panasonic Energy, has sealed an agreement with Sila Nanotechnologies to procure an innovative nano-composite silicon anode material for EV lithium-ion batteries. This strategic partnership signifies a pivotal step in advancing EV battery performance. Material for Future-Ready EV Batteries Sila Nanotechnologies, based in Alameda County, California, is set to supply Titan SiliconTM to Panasonic Energy. This high-performance silicon anode material boasts superior capabilities compared to traditional silicon. It offers increased battery capacity and addresses the critical issue of expansion during charging- a major setback for traditional silicon anodes. Unlocking Potential with Silicon…

AirConsole, a frontrunner in in-car gaming, recently secured a strategic investment from KPIT Technologies, a leader in automotive software integration. This collaboration signifies a major leap forward for AirConsole’s ambitions to dominate the in-car gaming market. This year began with a splash for AirConsole, a subsidiary of N-Dream, as they launched their in-car gaming solution in new BMW vehicles. KPIT Technologies, with its deep-rooted expertise in software development and integration across domains like Cockpit, Cloud, and Connectivity, stands as the ideal partner for N-Dream. Their joint goal is to expand AirConsole’s reach across various models and brands. The upcoming CES…

The 2023 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC), held in Haikou, China, recently wrapped up, spotlighting a burgeoning alliance between China and Germany in the new energy vehicle (NEV) domain. This event in Haikou, Hainan Province’s capital, followed an earlier session in Munich, showcasing the sector’s global appeal. China’s dominance in the electric vehicle (EV) market was a focal point at the congress. Timur Gül, the International Energy Agency’s chief energy technology officer, emphasized China’s significant role, noting the country hosts half of the world’s electric vehicles. From over 300,000 EVs in 2016, China’s numbers are poised to hit 20…

The global energy landscape is undergoing a transformative shift. Petroleum producers, traditionally reliant on fossil fuels, are now navigating towards renewable energy sources. This strategic pivot is driven by environmental imperatives and the need for business sustainability in a world inching away from petroleum. Matthias J Pickl, an economics professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia, spoke to NS Energy about this trend. He highlighted that oil companies are actively seeking viable alternatives to their primary revenue generators, marking a significant strategic shift. Key industry players are repositioning themselves to spearhead the energy transition. Wind and…

Vietnam’s auto market faces an unexpected downturn in sales, starkly contrasting with previous years’ buoyant figures during the Tet shopping season. Local car experts observe stagnant customer visits to dealerships, despite aggressive price reductions and promotional strategies. Vehicles priced under $40,983 (VND1 billion) are particularly hard to sell, attributed to economic challenges and consumer spending reticence. Anh Duc, a car salesman on Pham Hung Street, shares his surprise at the dwindling sales, noting a significant drop from previous years’ numbers. Dealers optimistically await a surge in demand towards year-end, yet the market remains quiet. Some consider deeper price cuts and…

David Ward, the Executive President of the Global New Car Assessment Program (Global NCAP), raised critical concerns about the escalating sales of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in India. Echoing global trends, this rise in SUV popularity brings potential risks to road safety into sharp focus. Speaking at the Global Road Safety Initiative event, a collaborative effort by the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, and associated with the UNECE and UNESCAP, Ward addressed the dangers accompanying the growing preference for SUVs. Ward articulated the threat posed by SUVs, notably to…

A landmark achievement for the electric vehicle (EV) industry unfolded as Gotion High-tech’s Thai joint venture, NV Gotion, celebrated the production of its first local EV battery pack. This event, dated December 7, signals a pivotal advancement for the Volkswagen-backed Chinese powerhouse Gotion in the global market. The new battery pack, using lithium iron phosphate chemistry, has a capacity of 38 kWh, enabling an electric vehicle to travel up to 400 kilometers. This capacity meets the growing demand in Thailand’s EV market for A-class model batteries. Yu Qiang, NV Gotion’s marketing director, emphasized the battery’s performance and cost efficiency, noting…