Author: Central Desk

Manifesting a vigorous pursuit of global automotive preeminence, India orchestrates strategies to eclipse China, aspiring to ascend as the paramount automobile manufacturer by 2027. This aspiration was illuminated by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, at the illustrious 27th World Road Congress situated in Prague. Striding on a trajectory of monumental growth, India’s automotive market burgeons, skyrocketing from Rs 4.5 lakh crore to a staggering Rs 12.5 lakh crore within a mercurial span of nine years. Outmaneuvering Japan, India now proudly brandishes the title of the third-largest automobile market on the global stage, nestled behind only…

Mercedes-Benz has taken a revolutionary step in vehicle safety, conducting the first-ever public crash test involving solely electric vehicles (EVs) at the renowned Technology Centre for Vehicle Safety in Sindelfingen. The luxury automobile giant chose to surpass conventional legal and industry standards, aiming for a more accurate representation of real-world vehicular collisions. Unlike traditional Euro NCAP protocols, which involve a frontal impact test with a 1,400 kg trolley at a speed of 50 km/h, Mercedes-Benz opted for a more authentic approach. The test involved two of its electric models, the EQA and EQS SUVs, in a collision at an elevated…

Vietnam’s premier eco-friendly transportation solution, Green and Smart Mobility (GSM) is marking a monumental leap in its global expansion strategy. GSM is making an indelible mark in Laos by importing 150 state-of-the-art VinFast electric cars, signaling the initiation of their pioneering electric taxi service, Green SM. This strategic deployment is a testament to GSM’s unwavering commitment to establishing itself as a front-runner in the regional and global ride-hailing sectors, prioritizing sustainable and innovative mobility solutions. Launching in 2023, GSM’s Green SM plans to elevate Laos’ ride-hailing experience by introducing a fleet of 1,000 meticulously designed VF 5 Plus and VF…

The canvas of Riyadh’s automotive landscape was vibrantly painted with the hues of innovation, sustainability, and technological prowess at the return of the EV Auto Show. Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from October 9-11, the event manifested a new epoch where roads are envisioned as arteries of sustainability and technological advancement. Sponsored by Electromin, the trailblazer in e-mobility solutions, the show heralded a symphony of groundbreaking partnerships and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructures converging towards the realization of Saudi Vision 2030. Electromin, with a formidable presence, unfolded a roadmap intricately designed with ambitious strategic alliances, catalyzing…

Despite a global shift towards Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Japan’s BEV market continues to face hurdles. A significant challenge has emerged from the surging popularity of hybrid vehicles, which saw a 30% sales boost between January and July 2023, bringing them to represent 46% of the passenger vehicle market. BEVs Premium and Non-Premium European OEMs dominate the premium vehicle segment in Japan, shifting from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) models to BEVs. Toyota aims to transition all its Lexus ICE and hybrid models to BEVs by 2035. Meanwhile, in the non-premium sector, Nissan and Mitsubishi were the pioneers in introducing…

Pushing the boundaries of sustainable auto seating, Magna presents its EcoSphere product family, an industry breakthrough aimed at eradicating the conventional disposal of seating foam pads and trim covers into landfills. By integrating mono-material polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with its avant-garde 100% Melt Recyclable Foam and Trim system, Magna’s EcoSphere product family embodies a commitment to melding foam chemistry, trim manufacturing, craftsmanship, and advanced tooling into a comprehensive, cost-effective solution. Despite its environmental commitment, the EcoSphere does not waver on product quality. Seating materials retain their esteemed industry-standard tactile experience, setting a benchmark for look and feel. Carrie Young, Chief Engineer…

The automotive industry, long regarded as a bastion of traditional commerce, is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, spearheaded by the global embrace of digital payments. A recent study by AWJ research desk revealed that over 70% of transactions within the automotive sector are now digital, highlighting the monumental shift that is taking place. As industries across the board race to optimize operations and enhance customer satisfaction, automotive enterprises are keeping pace with the trend. Technology and Operations Intersect Today’s avant-garde automotive management software is a testament to innovation, brimming with features that revamp the dealership landscape. A 2022 survey by…

The Czech automotive giant, Škoda Auto, unveils plans to reintroduce itself to the Kazakhstan landscape. With a fresh partnership agreement under its belt, the company aligns with Allur firm, a dominant regional entity, readying to produce four distinct car models locally by early 2024. Škoda Auto’s CEO, Klaus Zellmer, conveys his optimism, “Kazakhstan holds a vast sea of opportunities for our brand, especially as we accentuate our global presence. Recognizing that less than 20% of Kazakh residents own vehicles, we anticipate substantial growth. Our alliance with Allur Company aims to strengthen both our production and sales frontiers.” Detailing the ambitious…

A potential shift from post-Brexit trade stipulations sees the European Union pondering a halt in electric vehicle (EV) tariffs transactions with the United Kingdom, aiming to reduce escalating trade frictions. Existing EU protocols would impose a 10% tariff on electric car exports between the UK and the EU bloc starting in January. This condition hinges on whether 45% of the vehicle’s value is rooted within the region, per the ‘rules of origin’ guidelines. Experts, notably from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), assert that meeting these guidelines poses severe challenges. The primary hurdle stems from the substantial reliance on Chinese…

Following a tense period, China’s mammoth property firm, Evergrande’s EV unit reinitiated trading on Monday. This action trailed a suspension lasting over a week, mainly due to a criminal investigation against its chairman. The trading day experienced turbulence as a typhoon ensured the Hong Kong stock exchange remained inactive during the morning session. Trading only resumed during the afternoon. Initially, Evergrande Vehicle’s stocks experienced a modest dip but subsequently witnessed a surge of over seven percent by 2:10 p.m. By the market’s end, the shares had plummeted by close to nine percent. The prevailing ambiguity around Evergrande became tangible on…