Author: News Desk

Japanese automaker Honda on Wednesday revealed plans to relocate the production of its Civic hybrid model from Japan to the United States. The shift is expected to take place around June or July, aligning with the upcoming discussions on tariffs between U.S. President Donald Trump and a Japanese envoy. Honda told the Argus that it will begin producing Civic models at its U.S. facility as early as June, potentially to avoid U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles. The company will halt the Civic Hybrid 5-door model production at its Yorii plant in eastern Japan and switch manufacturing to its U.S. facility…

A civil court in Turin, Italy, has approved the admissibility of a class action lawsuit against Stellantis. The suit centers on allegations of defective airbags manufactured by the Japanese automotive parts supplier Takata. Stellantis and consumer advocacy groups Codacons and Altroconsumo, which were involved in the legal action, shared the information on Monday. Codacons and Altroconsumo, in separate statements, stated that affected vehicle owners have 150 days to join the class action and also mentioned that a court hearing for the case has been rescheduled to November 21. Similar lawsuits against Stellantis have also been initiated in France. According to…

Nissan will reduce production of its best-selling U.S. vehicle, the Rogue SUV, at its Kyushu plant in Japan from May to July. The move follows President Donald Trump’s newly imposed 25% import tariff on cars manufactured abroad. According to a Reuters report, the production cut is expected to decrease output by around 13,000 vehicles, accounting for over 20% of the 62,000 Rogues sold in the U.S. during the first quarter of the year. At Nissan’s largest facility, the Kyushu plant, employees will face reduced working hours and occasional production halts during this period, while the two-shift schedule will remain in…

European authorities are considering imposing a ban on carbon fiber, citing its potential risks to both health and the environment. Under European Union regulations, carbon fiber might soon be classified as a ‘hazardous material,’ a decision that could significantly affect the operations of many automotive manufacturers. Carbon fiber is a popular choice among automakers for its ability to make vehicles both lightweight and sturdy. Its strength and weight reduction benefits make it popular among manufacturers of sports cars and electric vehicles. A recent report reveals that the European Parliament has finalized a draft update to the End of Life Vehicles…

During its 2025 Investor Day, Kia revealed the introduction of a new hybrid powertrain for the Seltos midsize SUV. The South Korean automaker declared that the next-generation Kia Seltos small SUV will feature a hybrid option. The development is part of Kia’s strategy to roll out 10 hybrid models in showrooms by 2030. Meanwhile, Kia’s Australian arm has expressed strong interest in including the hybrid Seltos in its local lineup. The next-generation Seltos will incorporate an electrified version of the existing 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine. This electrified powertrain is also set to be used in Kia’s upcoming 3-row…

South Africa is considering offering extra incentives to automotive manufacturers to help mitigate the effects of tariffs. Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau stated that South Africa is exploring fresh incentive strategies for its automotive sector to counter the effects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly imposed tariffs on imported cars. During an interview with Power FM, Tau mentioned that the government aims to expand the Automotive Industry Production Plan to lessen the economic impact of the U.S. 25% import tariff. Tau noted that the officials are exploring ways to assist additional sectors and are currently assessing a potential…

The European Union and China are engaging in discussions to introduce minimum prices for Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles, as reported by Reuters. European Union officials and Chinese representatives have reached an agreement to explore the introduction of minimum pricing for electric vehicle imports from China. The approach aims to replace the EU tariffs imposed last year. An EU spokesperson stated on Thursday that Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has held discussions with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao within the past 24 hours. During the talks, both sides agreed to examine the possibility of setting minimum prices. In October 2021, the European Union…

BYD is accelerating the expansion of its plug-in hybrid lineup in Europe to cater to the rising demand for PHEVs among mainstream automakers. The company is introducing its premium Denza brand to the region, undeterred by growing geopolitical challenges. During Brera Design Week in Milan on Wednesday, BYD revealed that its first model, the Z9GT under the Denza brand, will arrive in European showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2025. However, the company did not provide details about the pricing or exact delivery date of the vehicle. The Z9GT will be available in two variants: a battery-only model and a…

Tesla launched car sales in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, stepping into a market with limited electric vehicle infrastructure. The long-awaited debut comes after years of tension between Riyadh and Elon Musk. With a severe absence of charging stations along the 900-kilometer route connecting Riyadh and Mecca, the company will open its showrooms in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam on April 11. Tesla’s arrival in the Saudi market aligns with the nation’s increasing investment in electric vehicle technology, while Tesla experiences a drop in global sales. According to analyst Sam Abuelsamid, Saudi Arabia recorded only 2,000 electric vehicle sales last year—a figure…

Mercedes-Benz Retail Group in the UK has parted with its remaining dealerships and discontinued operations after enduring prolonged downsizing efforts and financial losses. The group’s latest annual accounts indicate it has been addressing remaining debts to shift to a dormant status. The documents submitted to Companies House reveal that the Mercedes-owned entity has sold off its remaining leasehold properties and collected its remaining trade and other receivables. The directors do not anticipate any further business operations to take place. Confirming the recent developments, director Wolfgang Pipperger stated that during the period, the company finalized the sale of its remaining dealerships,…