Author: Central Desk

Recent years, the evolving EU-China relations have prominently showcased through the flourishing cooperation between the European Union (EU) and China within the automotive domain, especially in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Yet, with the EU’s recent announcement of launching an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs, this cooperative partnership is being scrutinized amidst concerns over “protectionism” and “fair competition”. The stakes are high as the dynamics between the two powerful entities may significantly influence the global EV market’s trajectory. On one side, Chinese authorities denounce the investigation as an act of protectionism aimed at sheltering the EU’s indigenous industry. The substantial…

Once the beacon of a green vehicular future, Electric Vehicles (EVs) seem to have lost their spark in India, the world’s third-largest car market. As gasoline and diesel vehicles continue to throttle ahead, the road for EVs appears to be a rough one, despite the Indian government’s ambitious target to achieve 30% EV sales by 2030. A look at the stats reveals a stark reality: according to automotive market intelligence provider JATO Dynamics, petrol vehicles have ramped up their market share to a robust 68.4% during January to July 2023, marking a significant rise from 42.5% in 2014. On the…

Marking a decisive transition toward a sustainable future, Coke Canada Bottling Limited unveiled its first Volvo VNR Electric trucks during a celebration of its fifth anniversary. This initiative showcases the brand’s Toward a Better Future Together environmental sustainability plan, emphasizing a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. These electric vehicles, launched within the Greater Montreal Area, form part of a six-truck pilot program designed to rejuvenate the company’s esteemed ‘Red Fleet’ delivery routes. Significantly, Coke Canada Bottling stands as the pioneering Canadian food and beverage manufacturer to infuse its delivery fleet with electric Class 8 trucks. With aspirations to cut…

Sealing a landmark agreement at the Electric Vehicles & Mobility (EVM) Asia Summit 2023, the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) joined hands with Indonesia’s Automotive Institute (IOI). The collaboration aims to redefine and expand the auto sectors of both nations through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This pivotal accord underscores the shared aspirations of both countries to become pivotal contributors within the rapidly transforming global automotive ecosystem. According to MARii, the partnership prioritizes nurturing local business opportunities for automotive vendors along with small to medium industries (SMIs) across Malaysia and Indonesia. Orchestrating matchmaking sessions, coordinating international exhibitions, and…

New Mexico is positioning itself as a rising star in the international trade game, with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham leading the charge. This week, in an unprecedented move reflecting global economic shifts and an emphasis on building resilient supply chains, New Mexico and Hota, Taiwan-based Industrial Manufacturing, inked a significant deal. Hota, recognized for producing top-notch automotive gears for brands like Tesla, pledges its commitment to New Mexico. By 2024, a vast 30-acre facility will nestle in Santa Teresa’s Westpark Industrial Park. Beyond the bricks and mortar, this initiative promises 350 job opportunities, injecting a robust $99 million into the…

Global car manufacturer Ford has voiced strong opposition to the potential postponement of the UK’s 2030 petrol car ban, targeting the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles. Reports suggest UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak contemplates extending this petrol car ban deadline by five years, causing waves of concern among various stakeholders. Ford’s stance underscores the urgent need for ‘ambition, commitment and consistency’ from the UK Government regarding the electric vehicle (EV) transition. Lisa Brankin, Chairperson of Ford UK, believes that relaxing the 2030 deadline could compromise current efforts. She highlights pressing challenges: an evolving EV infrastructure, looming tariffs, and heightened…

A fresh mandate bans the procurement of foreign cars for Russian government officials, reflecting a strategic move to amplify its national automotive sector, as confirmed by trusted governmental sources and regional media narratives. Historically, elite Russian authorities and heads of state-driven entities demonstrated a strong affinity for cars not of domestic origin, with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi from Germany taking the top spots. Regional bureaucrats often gravitated towards Toyotas, predominantly the Camry model, and Ford Mondeos. Beyond personal transportation, these vehicles also catered to the needs of law enforcement units and specialized service factions at the state echelon. Annually, between…

A new chapter in Germany-Taiwan relations unfolds as a contingent of German students from Saxony is set to embark on a journey to Taiwan for specialized chip training in semiconductors next spring. This development follows closely on the heels of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) revealing its blueprint to construct a novel fabrication unit in Dresden, Germany. As per the agreement ratified on Tuesday, roughly 50 German students will partake in a half-year talent development initiative in Taiwan each year. Ursula Staudinger, the head of Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden), shared this information at a gathering in Taipei.…

Mercedes-Benz recently inked a significant steel deal with Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI), agreeing to source annually over 50,000 tonnes of CO₂-reduced steel for its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant. This key agreement marks a crucial step towards decarbonizing its global steel supply chain. SDI will produce the steel using an electric arc furnace (EAF) powered by 100% renewable electricity. Compared to primary steel production, which involves the use of blast furnaces and basic oxygen furnaces, green electricity-powered EAFs can cut emissions by over half, resulting in an average of 1.0 ton CO₂ per ton of steel. This development enhances the efforts of…

Emphasizing its dedication to customer-focused privacy, Porsche unveils its innovative Privacy Center, an integral feature of the My Porsche portal. This development signifies a monumental commitment by the esteemed sports car manufacturer to empower its customers with a streamlined mechanism to regulate their data sharing and its intended utilization. Highlighting the importance of digital interactions, Porsche underscores the critical importance of upholding stringent digital standards, aligning the Privacy Center with the exemplary quality synonymous with its physical products and services. This alignment ensures customers have comprehensive authority over their data, deciding which information is shared, and how Porsche may use…