Author: Central Desk

The spotlight on automobile safety grows brighter as the US government intensifies its campaign to recall a staggering 52 million air bag inflators, manufactured by the Tennessee-based ARC Automotive Inc. The peril is the inflators, once activated, may eject deadly shrapnel, posing severe threats to passengers and drivers alike. This Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) unambiguously classified these inflators as defective. This determination paves the way for a public hearing on October 5, an essential process before the agency can appeal for a court-mandated recall. The roots of this dispute trace back to May when the NHTSA…

World sustainability efforts received a boost as Stellantis and Aramco released results from their pioneering research on eFuel compatibility. This announcement from two industry giants offers insights into the evolution of internal combustion vehicles and their trajectory within the ecological transition. Stellantis, an automotive powerhouse, confirmed that 24 engine families from European vehicles manufactured since 2014 can operate using advanced eFuel. This revelation implies that 28 million vehicles traversing European roads can adopt this innovative fuel solution without powertrain alterations. Comprehensive tests, executed across Stellantis’ European technical centers, utilized surrogate eFuels crafted by Aramco, a titan of the energy and…

Mike Chen, an auto worker collaborating with the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture, grappling with drastically reduced wages – a sharp contrast from his hiring package in 2016. This June, as Shanghai experienced a sweltering heatwave, his factory switched to nocturnal operations and reduced air conditioning. This came after his overtime and cuts in bonuses. This seems like salt on the wounds. Chen’s narrative isn’t isolated. The electric vehicle (EV) price war rages, pushing countless Chinese auto workers and suppliers into tumultuous waters. Tesla, spearheading this aggressive pricing strategy, has drawn over 40 global brands into the fray. Due to this, Several…

Emphasizing its ambition of full electrification in car manufacturing by 2030, Volvo Cars Tech Fund invested in the Shanghai-based power electronics pioneer, Leadrive. Established in 2017, Leadrive has carved a distinctive niche with its expertise in power electronics and control units tailored for electric vehicles. Their prowess lies in creating power modules harnessing the groundbreaking silicon carbide (SiC) technology, a semiconductor that offers unmatched efficiency and adaptability for electric propulsion systems. Alexander Petrofski, CEO of the Volvo Cars Tech Fund, remarked on this strategic move, “Leadrive’s technology demonstrates a lot of potential for the development of more efficient electric drivetrains.…

Demonstrating an economic uplift and burgeoning demand, premier Indian automakers charted an ascent in sales across both passenger and commercial vehicle sectors this August, fueled by dealer optimism in anticipation of the festive rush. Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra, titans of the passenger vehicles (PV) domain, announced sales growths of 16.4% and 25% compared to last year’s numbers. Tata Motors, on the other hand, saw a decline in its passenger vehicle sales by 3.5%. Highlighting this buoyancy, Maruti Suzuki’s shares achieved a record peak during the trading day. The company’s August sales touched an unprecedented 189,082 units, bolstered by…

Chongqing International Expo Center readies itself for the grandeur of the 2023 Smart China Expo (SCE 2023) set to commence on September 4th. This year’s extravaganza casts a spotlight on Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and the burgeoning Digital China landscape. The digitized world witnesses rapid strides in intelligent transportation. SCE 2023, with its myriad discussions and demonstrations, seeks to pioneer this domain with real-time traffic management, evolved parking systems, and the seamless digital administration of vehicles. Spanning 12 distinct sub-fields, from advanced power batteries to avant-garde intelligent cockpits, this event will congregate over 310 industry titans, welcoming stalwarts…

Tata Motors redefines vehicular elegance with its significantly refreshed Nexon compact SUV. Set for a grand debut on September 14th, bookings for the Nexon and Nexon EV facelifts commence from September 4, with the Nexon EV facelift’s reveal planned for September 7. The 2023 Nexon channels contemporary design, absorbing inspiration from Tata’s Curvv and Harrier EV concepts. The impressive 10.25-inch touchscreen pairs gracefully with a novel two-spoke steering wheel. Exterior Evolution The exterior showcases a split-headlamp design, with LED daytime running lights on top, juxtaposed with headlights below. These DRLs meld seamlessly through an upper grille adorned with the Tata…

Unveiled at the Munich Motor Show, BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse doesn’t just commemorate the revival of a historic line from the German automaker, it emerges as a luminary for an industry transitioning to sustainable, clean, and efficient technologies. This reflects a transformative change in automotive design priorities. BMW’s strategy to reintroduce the iconic Neue Klasse line, revered during the 1960s and 70s, pushes the Vision Neue Klasse to the forefront of forward-thinking automotive designs. As the industry shifts its gaze to electric mobility, this line, destined to span six or seven models between 2025 and 2027, epitomizes the broader evolution.…

As an ambitious step toward developing a sustainable energy ecosystem, Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled its innovative strategy to derive clean hydrogen from food waste bio gas treatment. This groundbreaking initiative seeks to lay the groundwork for a robust green hydrogen ecosystem. On August 29, at the Hyundai E&C office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed with the Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation (SL Corp.). Distinguished representatives from Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Hyundai E&C, and SL Corp. were present. Under this MOU, the collaborative effort projects the production of up to 216 kilograms of green…

The IAA auto show, a marquee event in the automotive realm, witnesses a transformative shift as Chinese EV manufacturers flaunt their e-mobility prowess on European terrain, traditionally dominated by German automakers. This strategic positioning comes as Europe’s automotive giants grapple with economic disruptions, from post-pandemic supply chain dilemmas to repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Electric models from China aim to capture the attention of attendees, establishing a solid foothold amidst established European brands. Their audacious challenge is further intensified with Elon Musk’s Tesla joining the fray, a company that typically shies away from such extravaganzas. European automakers face…