Author: Central Desk

Navigating the competitive Chinese automotive market, Tesla unveils an enhanced version of its lauded Model Y SUV. This initiative unfolds as electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerates across China, spurred by stringent regulations targeting emission reductions. Tesla’s decision to maintain the pricing while amplifying the performance attributes of the base model echoes its steadfast dedication to delivering value-centric propositions to its expanding clientele in this pivotal region. Tesla’s refreshed Model Y emerges with a fortified China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) range alongside swifter acceleration, sans any price escalation—a tactic destined to heighten its allure among cost-conscious Chinese consumers. The base…

Jaguar has sealed a pivotal agreement with electric vehicle trailblazer, Tesla, ensuring its forthcoming electric vehicle models have access to Tesla’s substantial Supercharger network across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This strategic alliance forms a cornerstone of Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) Reimagine strategy, symbolizing Jaguar’s transformative trajectory toward becoming a modern all-electric luxury brand. The partnership aims to offer a superior charging experience to Jaguar’s clientele and to nurture a global EV ecosystem. Commencing in 2025, all fresh-off-the-assembly-line Jaguars sold within these regions will boast seamless integration with the North American Charging Standard (NACS), eliminating the need for an…

With a resolute stride towards electric vehicle (EV) technology evolution, Volvo Cars formalized a partnership with StoreDot, a vanguard in EV batteries. This formidable collaboration spans several years, envisioning a future where recharging EVs could rival the swiftness and convenience of conventional refueling. At the heart of this strategic alliance is the ambition to develop an optimized battery, exclusively engineered for the next generation of Volvo electric vehicles. By melding the expertise of both entities, this venture aims to birth XFC cells—spearheading the EV battery technology landscape, meticulously tailored to meet Volvo’s unfolding electric vehicle designs. Marking a substantive leap…

Volkswagen Passenger Cars is setting the stage for an electric vision by adapting its Germany-based production facilities. In a meeting, the brand’s vehicle allocation plans through 2028 were shared with the Group Board of Management. This move is a part of the brand’s ambitious performance program, ACCELERATE forward | Road to 6.5, aiming for profitable capacity utilization and a sound economic outlook in the coming years amidst a rapidly evolving automotive industry. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, highlighted the complex challenges the industry faces during this transformative phase, especially under stringent business conditions. He emphasized the importance of…

The BMW Group is dedicating a hefty investment of €100 million towards establishing a state-of-the-art battery testing center at its Wackersdorf location in Upper Palatinate by 2026, marking a substantial stride in its e-mobility trajectory. This investment accentuates the automotive giant’s alignment with the global momentum towards cleaner and more sustainable electric vehicle technologies. Destined to blend seamlessly with the existing infrastructure, the new battery testing center symbolizes a crucial milestone in the road toward electric vehicle refinement. The first wave of deliverables concerning the development of high-voltage batteries is anticipated to transition into regular operation by mid-2024. Spanning a…

The burgeoning global trend towards electric vehicles (EVs) casts an unsettling shade on the robust UK automotive sector, warns a report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). The encompassing document titled ‘UK Automotive Sector: Surviving the Net Zero Transition,’ stresses the imperative of governmental reinforcement to retain sector competitiveness amidst escalating international rivalry, principally from electric automotive markets. The UK government’s commitment to transition to a zero-emission fleet and achieve Net Zero objectives echoes a larger worldwide movement towards environmental sustainability. The IMechE report highlights that without an augmented support structure for both consumers and manufacturers, the UK auto…

The ascension of Artificial Intelligence (AI) foundation models is catalyzing a new epoch of intelligence within China’s auto sector. Revelations from the recently concluded 2023 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference (WICVC) held in Beijing from Sept. 20 to 24, delineate a bold narrative in automotive innovation. Xin Guobin, the vice minister of industry and information technology, disclosed that 42.4% of passenger car sales within China during the first half of 2023 featured combined driver assistance, signifying a stride towards Level 2 autonomous driving. Han Zhao, leading the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, reflected on the nascent stages of automatic driving,…

American manufacturer of electric luxury sports cars and grand tourers, Lucid Group unveiled Saudi Arabia’s pioneering car manufacturing facility, marking a significant leap toward sustainable automotive manufacturing in the Kingdom. The Advanced Manufacturing Plant (AMP-2), Lucid’s first venture beyond US borders, manifests the burgeoning appeal of the luxurious Lucid Air, the crown jewel of the 2023 World Luxury Car Award. The meticulously crafted AMP-2, devised to deliver Lucid’s trailblazing electric vehicles, reflects not merely a victory for Saudi Arabia, but augments the worldwide electric vehicle trajectory. Resolute backing from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA), the Saudi Industrial…

With the world fast adopting autonomous driving technology, the UK makes a significant stride with the launch of evolvAD, a robust research project backed by Nissan and funded by the UK Government. The initiative, now officially underway, aims to augment the UK’s autonomous driving capability and provide vital technical support to supply chains preparing for the mass adoption of this revolutionary technology. The evolvAD project seeks to thoroughly test Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) across a wide array of urban residential and complex rural terrains. This initiative is the result of a collaboration among five industry partners, with Nissan leading…

Unveiling a significant stride toward reshaping road safety standards and transforming in-cabin experiences, Mitsubishi Electric and BlackBerry have forged a notable alliance. Mitsubishi Electric’s innovative automotive in-cabin system, named Mitsubishi Electric FLEXConnect, will be energized by BlackBerry IVY, a capable edge-to-cloud vehicle data platform. This noteworthy collaboration is designed to metamorphose road safety by harnessing a broad spectrum of sensor data to forewarn about safety risks, curtail driver distractions, spotlight potential driving hazards, and unveil new consumer experiences. Expressing eagerness about this union, Mark Rakoski, the VP of Advanced Engineering at Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, stated, “The collaboration between Mitsubishi…