Author: Central Desk

BMW has unveiled a monumental $750 million infusion into the production of electric Mini vehicles at its Oxford plant, England, offering a beacon of optimism for the UK’s auto manufacturing realm. This investment, arriving during times of Brexit uncertainty and the auto industry’s pivot to electrification, reinforces BMW’s dedication to UK craftsmanship in automotive engineering. British Icon Electrified Opting to enhance its existing UK facilities, BMW will commence the manufacture of two electric Mini models: the Mini Cooper sedan and the Mini Aceman SUV. This decision underlines BMW’s allegiance to its British operations, despite speculation about a complete shift of…

Mitsubishi Motors heralds a new era of international market engagement through the commencement of Xforce compact SUV exports, a strategic move that amplifies the automotive behemoth’s global footprint. This initiative, rooted in the company’s Indonesian manufacturing hub, PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (MMKI), signifies a pivotal step in Mitsubishi’s quest to cater to a worldwide audience from Southeast Asia and beyond. The launch occurred at Tanjung Priok port, situated a mere 10 kilometers from Jakarta, attended by dignitaries from Indonesian and Japanese governments alongside Mitsubishi Motors stakeholders. This assembly underscores the collaborative and international partnership driving this venture. Vietnam…

Pakistan contemplates a revolutionary shift within its automotive sector, marking a pivitol moment for its economy. For decades, a high tariff barrier of over 45% on imported vehicles, as quantified by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), has insulated Pakistan auto manufacturers from the rigors of international competition. The landscape shifts as the nation seeks economic rejuvenation and a remedy for its persistent trade deficit. Debates focus on an innovative ‘super tax’ tied to export performance, proposing a paradigm shift from protectionism towards export orientation. Companies entrenched in the local market could see a 60% tax on profits, a…

As the automotive world accelerates towards electric vehicles (EVs), Toyota, the global leader in auto sales for the fourth year running as of 2023, stands out with its renewed pledge to advance internal combustion engine (ICE) technology. Akio Toyoda, the company’s chairman, announced this commitment at Toyota’s Vision Briefing in Japan, signaling a distinctive strategy amidst an industry-wide rush towards electrification. Toyota’s approach defies the prevailing trend by banking on a future where EVs do not overshadow the market. Toyoda anticipates EVs capturing a mere 30% of the global car market share, a forecast supported by Toyota’s 2023 sales data,…

Hyundai Motor bold objective targets a 15,000 certified pre-owned vehicle sales for 2024, diversifying its portfolio with electric vehicles (EVs) starting March. This EV sales underscores the company’s adaptive strategy towards the shifting dynamics of the automotive industry, focusing on sustainability and the growing consumer appetite for accessible EV alternatives. Initiated in October of the preceding year, Hyundai Motor’s certified pre-owned vehicle venture has recorded sales of 1,057 units through its comprehensive digital and physical channels. Initially concentrating on traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, the introduction of EVs is poised to rejuvenate Hyundai’s pre-owned vehicle enterprise, aligning with market trends…

The landscape of the global automotive sector is undergoing a seismic shift, with cars transforming from simple conveyances into sophisticated, technology-laden partners. Positioned as the world’s third-largest automotive hub, India stands at the cusp of a decade brimming with growth and groundbreaking innovation. This epoch is characterized by a significant evolution in vehicle functionality and user experience, redefining human-vehicle interaction. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are recalibrating their strategies, moving from the singular event of a sale to a dynamic, enduring engagement with customers. This shift entails a broad spectrum of post-purchase services and enhancements, fostering an environment where vehicle owners…

GAC Motor, under Guangzhou Automobile Group’s auspices, forges a pivotal partnership with Salvador Caetano, heralding its distribution debut in South Africa, as reported by TopAuto. This move aligns with the broader trajectory of Chinese automobile brands penetrating the South African market, a trend characterized by the imminent release of 11 new models in 2024. This expansion complements an already significant presence of Chinese vehicles, signaling a transformative shift in the region’s automotive landscape. The ascendance of Asian automakers, notably BYD, in the domain of new-energy vehicles, challenges traditional industry powerhouses such as Tesla. BYD’s competitive edge in eco-friendly transportation innovation…

A report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) casts light on the automotive industry’s entanglement with ethical dilemmas, particularly the use of aluminum potentially sourced from forced labor practices within China’s Xinjiang province. Esteemed car manufacturers like General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Tesla, and BYD face significant scrutiny due to the risk of incorporating aluminum derived from regions embroiled in human rights controversies, especially where ethnic minority Muslims, predominantly Uighurs, endure internment and abuses such as forced labor and sterilization. China’s prominence as the foremost car and aluminum producer introduces complexities into the global supply chain, given the critical role of aluminum…

China now eclipses Japan as the preeminent global auto exporter. Data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) reveal a remarkable surge in vehicle exports—cars, buses, trucks—by 56% last year, reaching 5.26 million units valued at approximately $102 billion. This leap propels China beyond Japan, which reported exports of around 4.3 million vehicles for 2023. This achievement signifies China’s expanding influence in the automotive realm, previously overtaking Germany in 2022 and South Korea in 2021 regarding annual vehicle shipments. The country’s ascendance as an automotive powerhouse, particularly through the success of its electric vehicles (EVs), marks a pivotal moment. Notably,…

Mazda Motor Corporation announces an ambitious acceleration of research and development efforts aimed at refining rotary engines (RE) for the contemporary era, signaling a pivotal shift toward harmonizing automotive innovation with environmental stewardship. With the ‘RE Development Group’ reinstated within its Powertrain Technology Development Department as of February 1, 2024, Mazda embarks on a new chapter, enhancing the iconic rotary engine’s adaptation for modern demands. This initiative not merely revisits Mazda’s illustrious history but also propels the iconic rotary engine into the forefront of sustainable automotive technology. Tasked with optimizing rotary engines as generators, this group undertakes the dual challenges…