Author: Central Desk

For the crucial development within Thailand’s insurance sector, Bangkok Insurance is gearing up for a major shift. The company’s CEO and President, Apisit Anantanatarat, has highlighted the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and the consequential expansion of the insurance industry. Unique EV Challenges The Nation reports that EVs pose distinct challenges for insurers. Their higher loss ratio, a result of specialized repair needs and expensive spare parts, particularly batteries, sets them apart. EV batteries, often irreparable, can cost up to 60% of the vehicle’s total price. Furthermore, damaged EVs offer negligible value from their spare parts, affecting insurance rates.…

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has marked a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy by commencing the production of the new Minicab EV, also known as L100 EV in Indonesia, at its PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (MMKI) facility. This move represents the first instance of local production of this electric commercial vehicle outside Japan, highlighting Mitsubishi Motors’ commitment to supporting the Indonesian automotive industry and the wider ASEAN region’s environmental initiatives. Takao Kato, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, highlighted the company’s dedication to the Indonesian auto industry. Since 2017, the production of the Xpander at MMKI has seen…

A groundbreaking partnership has emerged between UL Solutions and Hyundai Mobis North America Electrified Powertrain LLC, a subsidiary of the global auto parts leader Hyundai Mobis. This collaboration solidified through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), targets the enhancement of electric vehicle (EV) battery safety and performance. This alliance represents a significant stride in the automotive sector’s journey toward eco-friendly and secure EV adoption worldwide. The MOU reflects a joint commitment to ensuring high standards of safety and performance for EV batteries, aligning with the growing demand for electric vehicles globally. At the core of this partnership is a comprehensive evaluation…

The automotive industry is at a transformative crossroads with electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous vehicles (AVs) set to revolutionize transportation. Projections indicate the global EV and AV markets could reach $624 billion and $400 billion by 2035, respectively. The EV Charging Towards a Bright Future The electric revolution in the automotive industry is gaining speed. Despite challenges in meeting the Biden administration’s 2032 goal for electric vehicle sales, industry sentiment remains positive. 2022 witnessed an infusion of over $106 billion into global EV ventures, and EV sales soared by 49% to 6.2 million units in the first half of 2023.…

Continental, a leader in automotive manufacturing, has embarked on a transformative collaboration with Korean semiconductor powerhouse Telechips. This partnership heralds a new chapter in Smart Cockpit High-Performance Computers (HPCs), driven by Telechips’ sophisticated Dolphin System on Chip (SoC) family. Tailored to meet the demands of Continental’s Smart Cockpit HPCs, the Dolphin SoC family blends exceptional system performance with cost-effectiveness and swift development cycles. With Telechips’ SoC now a cornerstone in Continental’s Smart Cockpit HPC solutions, these systems cater to advanced cockpit designs and support complex assistance systems, including up to five cameras. Jean-François Tarabbia, leading the Architecture and Networking business…

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…