Author: Central Desk

Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s recent exploration of VinFast’s EV manufacturing prowess in Vietnam’s northern port city Haiphong marks a transformative moment for Southeast Asian automotive dynamics. This high-profile visit not only showcases VinFast’s technological advancements but also aligns Indonesia with progressive environmental strategies. President Widodo, delving into the heart of VinFast’s operations, exhibited a keen interest by personally test-driving an electric car. His actions symbolize Indonesia’s embrace of sustainable transport, resonating with its environmental ambitions. This noteworthy event coincides with VinFast’s announcement of a $1.2 billion Indonesian investment. This venture promises to establish a production facility capable of rolling out…

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, a hallmark event in Las Vegas, has once again positioned itself as a crucible of innovation, especially in the realm of electric vehicles (EV). This year, the leap forward in EV technology is palpable, with groundbreaking concepts set to transform sustainable mobility’s landscape. Showcased were cutting-edge EV designs from industry leaders like Honda, Kia, and Hyundai, each presenting a distinct vision of the future. These displays signaled a shift in the automotive narrative, emphasizing innovation and environmental stewardship. Honda’s unveiling of its ‘0 Series’ EV models, the Saloon and Space-Hub, slated for a 2026…

A pivotal announcement reshapes the auto industry’s calendar: The North American International Detroit Auto Show is slated for January 2025, skipping 2024. This change, announced Friday, signals a return to the event’s wintry roots after a brief stint in September. Rob Alberts, at the helm of the Detroit Auto Show and Detroit Auto Dealers Association, shed light on this calendar shuffle. “After discussions with numerous partners, we believe a January date absolutely makes the most sense,” Alberts said. “In a constantly changing global automotive landscape, this update reflects our efforts to continue to reimagine the Detroit Auto Show while keeping…

At CES 2024, Hyundai turned heads and set imaginations soaring with the grand reveal of its electric air taxi, the S-A2. This innovative craft, seating four and sporting eight propellers, embodies Hyundai’s audacious challenge to traditional urban transit. Whisper-quiet despite its formidable propeller array, the S-A2 is scheduled for testing skies later this year. Tracing its lineage back to a prototype that debuted four years ago at CES, the S-A2 story is one of tenacity and vision. Originally intended to dovetail with Uber’s expansive network, Hyundai recalibrated its trajectory when this collaboration veered off course, steering the project to new…

Siemens’s recent acquisition of Heliox, a frontrunner in DC fast charging solutions for eBus and eTruck fleets, along with passenger vehicles, represents a significant leap in its eMobility charging strategy. With Heliox’s headquarters in the Netherlands and a team of 330 professionals, this move solidifies Siemens’ position in the global eMobility sector. The acquisition enhances Siemens’ eMobility portfolio, introducing a range of products from 40 kilowatts to megawatt charging solutions, suitable for depots and en-route charging. Heliox’s offerings extend Siemens’ market influence, notably in Europe and North America, and strengthen its capabilities in power electronics. Integrating Heliox’s mobile, scalable, and…

KPMG’s latest survey uncovers a downturn in global automotive executives’ confidence toward the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) transition, except in China. Rising cost concerns, material access issues, and fierce competition mark a challenging phase for the electric vehicles (EV) Industry. Engaging over a thousand industry leaders, the survey indicates a sharp decrease in optimism. Japanese executives’ confidence plummeted from 32% to just 10%, while Western Europe witnessed a fall from 31% to 24%. The U.S. saw a similar trend, with a dip from 48% to 43%. Contrasting last year’s high hopes about revolutionizing the industry with innovative electric cars, current sentiments…

Stellantis, a leader in the global auto industry, has earmarked a formidable Rs 2,000 crore investment for its Citroen brand in Tamil Nadu. This influx, distributed over six years, will escalate the firm’s investment in the region to a staggering Rs 3,250 crore. Unveiled at Chennai’s Global Investors Meet, this commitment aligns seamlessly with India’s ‘Make in India’ vision. It signals a pivotal shift for the automotive sector in Tiruvallur district, promising a boost to both traditional and electric vehicle manufacturing. The investment targets not just capital expenditure but also the pursuit of breakthroughs at the Chennai Tech Center. Stellantis…

A groundbreaking announcement from Luminar and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team sets the stage for a transformative era in motorsport safety and performance. Starting in 2024, this strategic partnership pivots on integrating Luminar’s avant-garde LiDAR technology into the adrenaline-fueled domain of Formula 1, expanding on Luminar’s existing ties with Mercedes-Benz. LiDAR: The New Vanguard of F1 Safety The heart of this venture is LiDAR (Light and Detection Ranging) technology. Luminar’s innovative system, integrated with AI software, excels in detecting objects at high velocities and in varying conditions. Developed from the chip level, this system operates at an advanced wavelength,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategic discussions with world-leading CEOs at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit signal India’s thrust towards significant economic growth and employment generation. This prelude to the January 10 inauguration saw Modi delving into high-octane discussions with leaders from Suzuki Motor Corp, Micron Technology, and AP Moller, signaling India’s aggressive pursuit of economic revitalization and job creation. The tête-à-tête with Toshihiro Suzuki of Suzuki Motor Corp unfurled a grand plan for Maruti Suzuki. Envisioning India as a powerhouse in the global auto arena, their blueprint involved catapulting Made-in-India vehicles to international markets, underpinned by avant-garde practices in vehicle scrapping…

A pivotal development within the electric vehicle (EV) realm unfolded as onsemi, a frontrunner in intelligent power and sensing technologies, reinforced its partnership with Li Auto, a leading Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer. This strategic move signifies a critical step towards electrifying automobiles and elevating driving safety standards. Li Auto previously incorporated onsemi’s sophisticated 8-megapixel image sensors in its extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) models. The strengthened partnership escalates this collaboration, positioning Li Auto to utilize onsemi’s EliteSiC 1,200V bare chip in upcoming 800V high-voltage electric models. This decision reflects Li Auto’s dedication to enhancing its vehicle technology, focusing on safety…