Author: Central Desk

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…

Škoda Auto, the Czech automotive behemoth, marked its debut in the Vietnamese market with aplomb this Monday. A ceremonious event, graced by officials from both Vietnamese and Czech governments alongside Škoda’s local ally, TC Group, heralded this new beginning. With an unwavering plan to escalate its dealer network to 30 partners swiftly, Škoda Auto envisions an ambitious annual sales horizon of over 40,000 units beyond 2030. Initially, the European market will channel the models Karoq and Kodiaq to Vietnam, transitioning to local Completely Knocked Down (CKD) production next year. This strategic pivot to initiate CKD production, bolstered by Vietnam’s geographic…

Ford Michigan has put a temporary halt on the construction of a pivotal electric vehicle (EV) battery plant, inciting criticism from Republicans due to the firm’s intent to use licensed Chinese battery technology. Ford confirmed the suspension of activities and reduced spending at the facility will continue “until we’re confident about our ability to competitively operate the plant,” according to spokesperson T.R. Reid. While no final decision regarding the anticipated investment has been made, this halt aligns with the ongoing second week of a United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. This labor unrest underscores a…

Decisive attempt to advance its electric vehicle (EV) blueprint, Lexus seems to have found a beacon of innovation in Tesla, the global leader in electric mobility. The Japanese luxury automotive brand, steered by President Takashi Watanabe, acknowledges that to stay relevant in the burgeoning electric market, gleaning insights from Tesla’s triumphs is crucial. As the EV wave continues to swell across the globe, traditional automakers are navigating the transition to secure a foothold in the sustainable mobility realm. Lexus, amid planning a significant EV overhaul starting 2026, is not coy about the influence Tesla has had on its electrification ethos.…

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…