Author: Central Desk

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…

Last week, the inaugural journey of India’s Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) marked the innovative debut of Alstom’s signalling systems, equipped with integrated platform screening doors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the first Namo Bharat train, traversing a 17-km route between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot on the Delhi-Meerut RRTS. Alstom’s European Train Control System (ETCS) plays a crucial role in this railway advancement, optimizing the use of existing infrastructure and reducing passenger waiting times. According to Alstom-India, the ETCS facilitates interoperability, allowing for improved coordination and functionality within the transit system. Safety is a paramount feature of the new signalling…

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has formalized a significant agreement with Hyundai Motor Co., securing a trajectory that aims to redefine the Saudi auto industry’s future landscapes. The $500 million deal earmarks the establishment of an avant-garde automated vehicle manufacturing plant, designed to be a nexus of innovation and technology in the Kingdom. In the division of stakes, PIF consolidates its position with 70% ownership, while Hyundai complements this with the remaining shares. Hyundai’s role transcends mere financial participation; the global automaker emerges as a pivotal technological ally, entrusted to infuse the venture with technical finesse and nuanced commercial…

Tata Motors, the acclaimed automobile titan, is steering the industry toward novel horizons by crafting a state-of-the-art petrol engine. This trailblazing powertrain is set to invigorate its luxurious SUV lineage, namely the Harrier and Safari, infusing a new vigor into these automotive marvels, which currently throb with dynamic 2-liter diesel hearts. Currently, the Harrier and Safari boast a robust 2-litre diesel engine, appealing to the dominant diesel preference in the SUV market, which sees nearly 80% of the approximately 200,000 units sold annually. A revelation from Shailesh Chandra, the Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, citing customer preference for…

For a powerful convergence of technology and automotive brilliance, DS Automobiles, and ChatGPT have forged a partnership that propels the car industry into a remarkable era of integrated artificial intelligence. Stellantis, the influential force behind DS Automobiles, reveals this extraordinary collaboration, heralding the arrival of intuitive AI chatbot capabilities within the automotive domain. Since its debut, ChatGPT has mesmerized the global stage, becoming an indomitable presence in the realm of AI chatbots. DS Automobiles, with this new alliance, emerges as a pioneer, ingeniously embedding AI chatbot functionalities into its range of exquisite vehicles. A bold pilot phase marks the commencement…

Tokyo prepares to be dazzled at the forthcoming Japan Mobility Show, where an unprecedented array of futuristic electric vehicles (EVs) are set to steal the spotlight. The show heralds a triumphant return after a pandemic-induced pause since 2019, poised to witness record-breaking participation from 475 companies, unveiling innovations not just limited to the automotive industry but extending to encompass advanced technologies like robots and drones. The spotlight brightens with the entrance of China’s EV titan, BYD Co., heralding an epoch of intensified global competition and collaboration. Japan’s automotive maestros, no longer the understudies, are poised to challenge giants like Tesla…

Ashok Leyland, a titan of commercial vehicle manufacturing and the illustrious Indian pillar of the Hinduja Group, unveiled a transformative initiative at its Pantnagar plant—a ‘Women-centric Cabin Trim Line.’ This unprecedented move manifests the company’s robust commitment to gender diversity and equity, aiming to recalibrate the dynamics of the manufacturing industry by amplifying women’s participation and leadership across various operational domains such as production, sourcing, quality assurance, and production planning. The inauguration of this paradigm-shifting line reverberates with celebrations of womanhood, symbolizing the tenacity and vigor of women across the nation. Strategically devised to satiate the rising demands for expansive…

Hyundai Motor Group and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London have forged a strategic partnership aimed at unlocking Africa’s economic potential. This unprecedented collaboration signifies a confluence of technology, academia, and policy-making, which aims to design a sustainable developmental blueprint for the African continent. Embarking on this transformative journey, two innovative institutions have been established: the Development Leadership Dialogue (DLD) Institute and the Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation (CSST). The inauguration ceremony, marked by the presence of influential corporate and academic figures, unveiled a visionary approach towards fostering development and innovation in Africa.…

Volvo embarks on a transformative journey in the automotive landscape by unveiling an Auto software development and testing center in Gothenburg, Sweden. Commandeering a generous investment of SEK 300 million ($27.3 million), the center spans a staggering 22,000 sqm, earning the accolade of the largest flagship in Volvo’s network of global engineering edifices. Volvo’s dedication to mastering the software-defined-vehicle (SDV) era reaches a pivotal milestone with this inauguration. This exemplary move signals Volvo’s unwavering commitment to surging ahead in the SDV realm, precisely exemplified by its EX90 flagship. The vehicle, a beacon of innovation, elucidates the imperatives of avant-garde software…