Author: Central Desk

British luxury carmaker, Aston Martin, is setting a robust strategy in motion to significantly expand its foothold in India’s luxury car sector. The company, with a prestigious century-old legacy, is poised to potentially double its sales and align its sights with India’s swiftly growing market of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and luxury automobile enthusiasts. Navigating through the third-largest luxury and super-luxury car market in the world, Aston Martin plans to augment its singular showroom presence, currently in New Delhi. In alignment with this vision, the company has on its radar the upcoming inauguration of additional showrooms, strategically earmarked for the southern…

Renault, the French automotive powerhouse, has unveiled a robust €3.0 billion ($3.2 billion) strategy to propel its global footprint in the electrified auto landscape by 2027. This formidable investment aims to launch eight innovative battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), marking a transformative era for the brand as it navigates away from its conventional European market stronghold. This strategic evolution illustrates a dynamic shift from Renault’s 2021 blueprint, which spotlighted BEVs and compact vehicles as the linchpins of its European market success. CEO Luca de Meo, in an elucidating dialogue with WardsAuto, highlighted the monumental turnaround from a historical low in 2020 to…

Mahle, a global development partner in the automotive industry, has inaugurated its sophisticated Global Bio-Mobility Center in Jundiaí, Brazil. This revolutionary initiative emphasizes the corporation’s commitment to fostering sustainability by pioneering the development of biofuel engines, marked as the planet’s guardian against environmental degradation. The Mahle Tech Center at Jundiaí emerges as a titan of engine development in South America, dedicating extensive resources to the advancement of internal combustion engines powered by renewable biofuels. A technological powerhouse, the center utilizes cutting-edge virtual simulation, setting new benchmarks in the efficiency and sustainability of future engines. Collaborating seamlessly with Mahle’s distinguished Tech…

China’s automobile industry is navigating a transformative epoch, marked by a vibrant surge in New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). Leading this avant-garde movement are domestic juggernauts like BYD and GAC Aion, displaying an impressive trajectory of soaring sales. Contrastingly, joint ventures involving foreign brands are encountering turbulent situations, with several facing a downturn in sales, and some even halting production. Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors recalibrated its approach, opting for evolution, the company announced the discontinuation of its local automobile production in China, passing the baton of its joint venture to the Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group). This move heralds a significant transition,…

The global semiconductor landscape has begun to show signs of relaxation, breathing life back into India’s passenger vehicle (PV) production. A Crisil Ratings report illustrates an uplifting scenario, with a 6.25% year-on-year growth in PV production, marking an ascension to 2,418,601 units in the first half of FY24. A semiconductor, or chip, is a crucial component, particularly in the realm of passenger vehicles, where technological advancements necessitate an increasing number of chips. Each passenger vehicle hosts an impressive array of around 1,500 chips, a number that swells substantially in the realm of electric vehicles. An easing of the chip shortage…

Decisive actions from the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) reveal a reshaped operational frontier for Pakistan’s automobile assemblers. With a clear emphasis on international competitiveness, the MoIP has suspended the renewal of manufacturing certificates for those falling short of the outlined export benchmarks, under the Auto Policy 2021-26. Under this recently intensified policy, manufacturers are mandated to export 10% of their import value by June 2026. Achieving this ambitious target necessitates a nearly 2% incremental increase in exports annually. The objective is to boost the total exports to 10% in a progressive five-year period ending June 2026. Export calculations…

Stellantis NV, Europe’s automotive powerhouse, is on the verge of a significant investment in China’s electric vehicle (EV) sector. A deal is underway for Stellantis to purchase around 20 percent of Leapmotor, an innovative Chinese EV company, as per Bloomberg reports citing knowledgeable insiders. The acquisition marks Stellantis’ ambition to deepen its roots in the world’s most expansive automotive market. It illustrates a decisive strategy, positioning the company alongside a robust player in China’s EV landscape. Leapmotor, known for its prowess in EV technology, offers a range of vehicles, such as the mini EV T03 and the flagship SUV model…

Samsung SDI has officially signed a landmark agreement with Hyundai Motor for the supply of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, marking a significant advancement in the automotive industry. This battery deal signifies Samsung SDI’s first-ever supply contract of batteries with Hyundai, enhancing its competitive positioning against major industry rivals like LG Energy Solution and SK On, Hyundai’s existing battery suppliers. The comprehensive deal involves the supply of Samsung SDI’s innovative P6 sixth-generation prismatic batteries over seven years, from 2026 to 3032. These batteries will be integral components of vehicles manufactured for the European market, aligning with Hyundai’s robust manufacturing strategy on…

Chinese auto manufacturer BYD is making substantial strides in Thailand’s EV (Electric Vehicle) market, challenging Japan’s longstanding dominance. Entering the market in July 2022, BYD already claims 4% of total new vehicle sales, with over a third being electric vehicles. Long-standing Japanese dominators such as Toyota, Isuzu, and Honda still command the top ranks in Thailand’s broader auto market. However, when the future wave of automotive EVs is considered, BYD emerges as the undisputed leader, leaving even prime Japanese competitors like Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors, Mazda, and Suzuki in its wake. BYD’s impressive acceleration in market share is attributed to a…

Daechang Seat Corp., the renowned South Korean auto seat frame manufacturer, has revealed a strategic blueprint to invest $72.5 million, in establishing an advanced factory in Savannah. This investment promises not just economic infusion but also the creation of over 500 jobs, amplifying regional growth. This decision situates Daechang as the latest in a series of companies manifesting their commitment to support Hyundai’s monumental $7.6 billion electric vehicle and battery assembly plant situated in Ellabell, near Savannah. A project imbued with grand aspirations, Hyundai’s facility has been foreseen to burgeon, employing around 8,500 individuals and envisaging commencement of production activities…