Author: Central Desk

The landscape of the global auto parts sector experiences a significant uplift with Aisin Canada Incorporated’s announcement to enlarge its Stratford factory twofold. This strategic move, poised to generate 150 full-time jobs, heralds an era of economic growth and opportunity in the region. Tokyo-based Aisin, a manufacturer of automotive components like sunroofs, door frames, and seating components, plans to commence the expansion between late March and early April. The main goal is to double the size of its current facility by spring 2025. Wayne Robert, President of Aisin Canada, underscores the expansion’s necessity due to current capacity constraints. “It’s a…

Tesla’s chief Elon Musk recently articulated a stark prediction regarding the future of the electric vehicle (EV) market, focusing on the critical role of trade regulations amidst the burgeoning dominance of Chinese EVs. During a recent financial disclosure discussion, Musk highlighted Tesla’s challenges against competitors like BYD, which has recently eclipsed Tesla in global EV sales. Backed by Warren Buffett, BYD’s ascent as the top EV seller last quarter signals a transformative shift within the EV realm. Musk emphasized the formidable competitiveness of Chinese firms, suggesting their potential for extensive international success is tethered primarily to trade barriers. Absent these,…

Evtec’s recent completion of the JVM Castings Limited (JVM) acquisition marks a pivotal moment in the automotive industry’s transition toward electrification. This strategic move extends beyond mere business expansion, symbolizing alignment with the worldwide initiative to electrify automotive technology. JVM Castings, established in 1929 and a stalwart in the UK automotive supply chain, has predominantly served Jaguar Land Rover, the nation’s premier car manufacturer. With its base of operations in Worcester and a team of over 200 skilled professionals, JVM’s expertise in producing body castings and powertrain assemblies is unparalleled. Integrating this historic company into Evtec’s portfolio signifies a new…

At a pivotal company assembly in Japan, Akio Toyoda, the chairman of Toyota, delivered a thought-provoking forecast regarding the automotive industry’s trajectory. Contrary to prevailing industry trends, Toyoda anticipates electric vehicles (EVs) will not surpass 30% of the global car market. As reported by the Toyota Times, Toyoda’s vision diverges from a pure EV focus. Instead, Toyota’s strategy encompasses a spectrum of powertrain technologies: hybrids, fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), alongside traditional gasoline, diesel, and hydrogen-powered engines. This multi-faceted approach stems from a keen awareness of global energy disparities. An estimated one billion people globally lack electricity access, many within Toyota’s…

Stellantis’s latest acquisition of CloudMade’s artificial intelligence assets marks a pivotal advancement in the automotive realm. This strategic move involves acquiring CloudMade’s advanced AI framework and machine learning models, crucial for auto tech innovation, along with a broad spectrum of intellectual property rights and patents. This acquisition, formulated as an asset transaction, propels Stellantis’ STLA SmartCockpit development, meshing seamlessly with the Dare Forward 2030 strategy. CloudMade’s AI framework, distinguished for its superior cloud and software development kit, revolutionizes automotive data analytics and in-car user experience. Stellantis harnesses this technology, promising to reshape the SmartCockpit and elevate mobile experiences for consumers…

A new study from Aston University sheds light on the precarious position of the UK auto industry amidst the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. Professors Jun Du and Oleksandr Shepotylo articulate that the UK lags in seizing EV market opportunities. This situation, as their research suggests, is exacerbated by the country’s heavy reliance on imported batteries, now outnumbering exports by a factor of 10.5. The UK’s situation contrasts starkly with Germany’s prowess in EV export value and China’s dominance in export volume. Brexit compounds these challenges, especially in negotiating non-tariff measures and rules of origin impacting EV exports. The study pinpoints…

German auto sector, long celebrated for its engineering excellence, confronts a transformative era. The swift move toward electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates profound changes, primarily manifesting in extensive job cuts. This development signals a significant shift, stirring both economic concerns and political dialogue. ZF Friedrichshafen, a pivotal player in Germany’s automotive industry and the nation’s second-largest auto supplier, faces a challenging scenario. The Financial Times reported the company’s potential job reduction plan, which could see as many as 12,000 employees laid off by 2030. Currently employing a global workforce of 165,000, this news has already led to visible unrest, with about…

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation break new ground with their latest innovation, the ‘Active Air Skirt’ (AAS) technology. This state-of-the-art system revolutionizes electric vehicle (EV) dynamics by significantly reducing aerodynamic resistance at high speeds, thereby boosting range and enhancing stability. At the core of AAS technology is a sophisticated airflow control mechanism situated at the vehicle’s lower bumper area. This design is pivotal in diminishing turbulence around the wheels, becoming increasingly effective as the vehicle accelerates. Such innovation is crucial in the EV sector, where achieving optimal range from a single charge is a paramount challenge. Strategically positioned between…

Responding to an alarming escalation in vehicular thefts, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announces a trailblazing national summit. Set for February 8th, this pivotal conference in Ottawa unites a spectrum of key players – from political figures to law enforcement, border security, and automotive executives. The major goal is to craft a cohesive strategy to address the surge in auto theft plaguing Canada’s major cities. This gathering is set against a backdrop of disturbing statistics. 2022 witnessed a 50% jump in vehicle thefts in Quebec, with similar trends in Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Toronto alone reported an unprecedented 9,600 stolen…

A seismic shift characterizes the automotive sector with a downturn in used car prices, a stark contrast to the 2021 escalation. Delving into a comprehensive study by CoPilot, this article scrutinizes dealership data across the United States, spotlighting 15 car manufacturers facing substantial depreciation in used car values post the early 2022 zenith. 2021 witnessed an extraordinary escalation in used car prices, attributable significantly to the global chip shortage that disrupted new car production. Consequently, demand for used vehicles surged, leading to inflated prices. Yet, as market dynamics dictate, this inflationary trend reversed. UBS projections suggest 2023 will see global…