Author: Central Desk

Ford, a leading Detroit automaker, is scaling back its ambitious investment plans for a $3.5 billion battery facility in Michigan, citing a range of challenges including slower-than-expected consumer shift to electric vehicles, rising labor costs, and the company’s cost-cutting strategies. This facility, announced in February by Ford executives Bill Ford and CEO Jim Farley, was to be a collaboration with Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), sparking political scrutiny despite being a fully owned Ford venture. Ford planned to use CATL’s technology for producing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a key component for its electric vehicle (EV) lineup. However,…

Nissan is poised to transform the United Kingdom’s largest car manufacturing hub in Sunderland by initiating the production of two new electric models. This groundbreaking decision not only emphasizes a shift towards sustainable automotive technologies but also reinforces Nissan’s commitment to the UK’s automotive sector in a post-Brexit era. Sources reveal Nissan’s plans to transition its popular Qashqai and Juke crossover cars to electric versions. This strategic move positions Nissan at the forefront of the electric vehicle (EV) market, aligning with global trends favoring environmentally friendly transportation. Sky News reports an anticipated investment near £1bn for the Sunderland facility, partly…

Euro NCAP and ANCAP, two of the world’s leading automotive safety organizations, have renewed and strengthened their commitment to road safety with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during ANCAP’s 30th Anniversary celebrations in Sydney. This MOU, signed by Euro NCAP President Niels Ebbe Jacobsen and ANCAP Chair Andy Cornish, cements a collaboration that began in 1999. This renewed agreement reflects the evolving landscape of vehicle safety, technological advancements, and regulatory changes. It aims to align test protocols and results, enhancing the safety standards of vehicles in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Euro NCAP, known for its…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) UK has stepped up its commitment to safeguarding vehicles by embedding the latest technology to deter thefts. JLR’s investment in advanced security measures specifically targets vehicle thefts, is a testament to their dedication towards protecting their vehicles and ensuring a safe ownership experience for their clients. Starting in 2022, JLR’s new vehicle lineup, including the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, features the company’s most sophisticated electrical architecture. This innovation has led to a significant decrease in thefts; a mere 0.07% of these models have been stolen since January 2022, and only 0.3% of new Defenders…

TVS Motor Company, renowned for its role in the two and three-wheeler segments, announced the launch of the TVS NEO AMI 125 in Africa, signaling a strategic expansion in response to evolving commuting demands. Crafted with precision, the TVS NEO AMI 125 is a testament to innovation, balancing perfect dimensions, ultimate convenience, and intelligent features. At its heart lies a powerful 124.8cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 3-valve, air-cooled SOHC, fuel-injected engine. This setup enables the Bebek to deliver a robust power output of 9.8 bhp at 7,500 rpm and a peak torque of 10.8 Nm at 5,500 rpm, transforming every journey into…

Stellantis N.V. and Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) have forged a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), significantly impacting the electric vehicle (EV) landscape in Europe. This agreement centers on the supply of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery cells and modules, essential for powering Stellantis’ EVs across the continent. Beyond supply, the MoU lays the groundwork for a potential joint venture, symbolizing a balanced collaboration between the two industry giants. This partnership is anchored in two critical areas. The initial one is to develop a comprehensive technology roadmap tailored to enhance Stellantis’ range of advanced battery electric vehicles; and the second, identify…

2023 marks a pivotal year for Mexico’s automotive sector with foreign direct investment (FDI) soaring to unprecedented heights. Data from the Economy Ministry reveals a remarkable influx of $5.44 billion into car, truck, and vehicle manufacturing from January to September. This represents a striking 67.7% leap from 2022’s figures during the same period, surpassing the previous record of $4.29 billion set in 2019 by 26.7%. This uptick in FDI stems from an increasing number of foreign automotive companies choosing Mexico for new or expanded operations. A standout development was Tesla’s announcement of a $5-10 billion electric vehicle ‘gigafactory’ in Nuevo…

The UK government’s recent declaration of a £4.5 billion investment in manufacturing propels the nation’s industrial strategy, with a significant thrust towards automotive and electric vehicle (EV) development. This financial commitment of UK investment is part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s economic expansion vision, which aims to transform the nation’s manufacturing landscape, emphasizing the shift to net-zero emissions. A pivotal component of this investment targets the British automotive industry with over £2 billion, underlining a commitment to zero-emission vehicle advancement. Complementing this, £975 million is set aside for aerospace, focusing on energy efficiency and zero-carbon aircraft technologies. Further augmenting these…

Celebrating its 30th year, the Charlotte Auto Show recently wrapped up a four-day extravaganza at the Charlotte Convention Center. This event, a magnet for car enthusiasts, displayed a wide array of vehicles from 29 brands, featuring SUVs, trucks, and luxury sports cars. The showstopper was the Toyota Corolla, priced at $21,000, declared by Toyota Product Specialist Quaid McIver as ‘the world’s most popular car.’ The exhibition, with nearly 200 vehicles, catered to diverse tastes and needs. Jenn Jackson, the Charlotte Auto Show’s executive director, expressed joy over the public’s response to the myriad of vehicles presented. This year, electric vehicles…

India’s electric vehicle landscape faces a critical juncture as major auto manufacturers like Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Hyundai confront the government’s contemplation of lowering import duties for luxury EVs. This move, largely aimed to benefit companies such as Tesla, has sparked significant unease among these domestic giants, concerned about the impact of changing import duty policies on their market positions. The government treads cautiously, with a senior official (source: Times of India) suggesting a potential temporary duty cut, stressing that the policy is still under development and subject to thorough discussions with industry players. Tesla’s lobbying…