Author: Central Desk

The unprecedented boom in the electric vehicle (EV) market has fueled fierce competition among leading automakers in the rapidly evolving EV truck market. Tesla, Ford, and GMC are vying to dominate this fast-growing sector. In a significant development that further stokes the competition, Tesla has kick-started mass production of its highly anticipated Cybertruck at its Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. The competitive temperature in the EV truck sector started to rise when Tesla unveiled its ambitious foray into this arena three years ago. Tesla’s move follows the path blazed by industry behemoths Ford, GMC, and RAM who have already introduced their…

Germany’s automotive industry is grappling with dwindling confidence among its suppliers, amidst an electromobility shift to increasing offshoring trends by leading automakers. The change is raising apprehensions around job security for thousands of workers, particularly those specializing in the traditional internal combustion engine sector. Earlier in July, the global electronics behemoth Bosch took a protective stance by vowing no forced redundancies for its 80,000-strong German workforce until the end of 2027. This situation underscores the emerging unease within the sector. The simplicity of electric vehicles (EVs), with significantly fewer parts compared to combustion engines, catalyzes fears of potential job losses.…

Asserting an ambitious plan for India to be a central figure in the global chip supply chain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the global semiconductor industry to view India not only as a trustworthy player but also as a resource-rich frontier brimming with potential. During the second edition of the SemiconIndia global summit, which drew senior executives from more than 50 semiconductor and electronics powerhouses, PM Modi communicated a compelling case for India’s prominence in the sector. This event witnessed an array of commitments for significant capital inflow into India’s flourishing semiconductor landscape from influential organizations including AMD, Micron…

Porsche AG, the renowned automaker, recently unveiled plans to incrementally acquire all shares of MHP GmbH, the IT consultancy firm, by January 2024. Already a majority stakeholder, Porsche seeks to tap into MHP’s burgeoning potential within the fields of management and IT consulting. Dr. Ralf Hofmann, co-founder, shareholder, and Chairman of the Board of Management—who holds 18.2% of MHP’s shares—will maintain his position as CEO. This strategic acquisition intends to fuel MHP’s worldwide growth, extending its reach beyond the Group, and broadening its customer base, portfolio, and size. Highlighting the importance of this strategic move, Dr. Ralf Hofmann expressed, “With…

A strategic union between onsemi, the pioneer of intelligent power and sensing technologies, and Magna, a global force in mobility technology have proclaimed a Long-Term Supply Agreement (LTSA) for SiC production. This collaboration anticipated to transform the landscape of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. Through harnessing onsemi’s groundbreaking EliteSiC MOSFET technology, Magna’s eDrive systems will see amplified cooling performance along with accelerated charging and driving speeds. The resulting benefits encompass not only improved efficiency but also an extended range for EVs. Magna will gain onsemi’s comprehensive silicon carbide (SiC) manufacturing capabilities, a prowess that includes the ability to expedite production. This…

Mitsubishi’s recently launched ‘latest edition Triton’ mid-size truck has been well received in the Asian market. Introducing an exciting blend of traditional design and modern technology, the truck is expected to take the market by storm, according to truck enthusiasts. The Triton remains rooted in its old-school appeal with its single-cab and extended “Club cab” configurations, in contrast to American manufacturers’ preferences for crew-cab models. It boasts a body mounted on a ladder-frame chassis that the automaker touts as being significantly more rigid than its predecessor, without significant weight gain. However, the truck incorporates modern comforts such as a touchscreen…

For hastening standardization within the automotive sector, Tata Elxsi, India’s Bengaluru-based design and technology service provider, solidifies its place within the eSync Alliance. This global body strives towards solidifying standards for over-the-air (OTA) updates and diagnostics across the industry. This strategic move from Tata Elxsi comes at a crucial juncture when the automotive industry transitions towards Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs). Such a shift propels manufacturers and suppliers to form partnerships that unlock future technologies, including autonomous driving, electrification, and enhanced connectivity. Tata Elxsi, through its comprehensive next-generation engineering and digital-enabled design services, keeps businesses abreast of evolving market demands. This integrated…

Underscoring its growth agenda, the Volkswagen Group discloses pivotal alliances with Chinese automotive heavyweights XPENG and SAIC, paving a path towards a robust local electrification strategy. These partnerships aim to unlock fresh customer and market segments, setting the stage to reap rich rewards from China’s exponentially growing e-mobility market. Volkswagen forges a technological pact with XPENG, an esteemed Chinese manufacturer of intelligent electric vehicles. The alliance’s initial focus is to co-develop two Volkswagen brand electric models for the mid-size segment, catering specifically to the Chinese market. Slated for a 2026 launch, these vehicles will enhance the MEB product portfolio, contingent…

As October dawns, Doha prepares to welcome an esteemed assembly of thirty global automotive brands for the pioneering Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) Qatar edition, scheduled for October 5 to 14. Amid the revelry, ten revolutionary car models await their worldwide debut, marking an unprecedented milestone for the automotive sector. This unique iteration of the GIMS is a trailblazing step as it extends beyond the borders of its original homeland, Switzerland. This strategic move aligns seamlessly with Qatar’s heritage as a vibrant host of prominent worldwide sporting events, notably the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the Formula 1 Qatar…

J.D. Power, renowned for its comprehensive automotive industry surveys, is set to fuse its strengths with those of data analytics powerhouse Palantir Technologies. This strategic alliance, sparked by the innovative breakthroughs of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, underlines AI integration across diverse industrial landscapes. With the expanding influence of AI, Bernardo Rodriguez, Chief Digital Officer at J.D. Power, articulates the firm’s aspiration to harness this technological wave. Holding the reins of vast industry-focused data sets, the company sets its sights on confronting the substantial hurdles prevalent within today’s automotive industry. Through the partnership with Palantir, recognized for securely handling and efficiently processing colossal…