New York City on June 6 has sued Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., accusing the South Korean automakers of negligence and creating a public nuisance by selling vehicles that are too easy to steal, as reported by Reuters on June 7. New York joined a growing list of major cities that have sued Hyundai and Kia over thefts, including Baltimore; Cleveland; Milwaukee, Wis.; San Diego; and Seattle. In a complaint filed in the Manhattan federal court, New York faulted the auto...

Stellantis and metals recycler Galloo announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the formation of a joint venture focused on End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) recycling, according to a press release dated June 5. The Stellantis-Galloo JV will work with selected Authorized Treatment Facilities to collect ELVs from the last owner, enabling the recovering of parts for reuse, remanufacturing and recycling. The service is expected to launch at the end of 2023 w...

Ashok Leyland, an Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer, has announced a strategic partnership with Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co. Ltd. (Chola) to facilitate inventory financing for Ashok Leyland dealers, according to a press release dated June 6. In a bid to enhance operational capabilities, the new alliance aims to provide 130 Ashok Leyland dealerships nationwide with an array of comprehensive inventory funding options to address their working capital requirements effectivel...

Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG has announced the appointment of Andrew Cornelia as president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz HPC North America, its subsidiary responsible for the development and operation of the company’s high-power charging network in North America, according to a press release dated May 31. The company also announced the appointment of Christopher Trainor as CFO of Mercedes-Benz HPC North America, with both appointments effective June 2023. In their new roles, Cornelia and Trainor...

Volvo Car Canada Ltd has announced the appointment of Andrew Parravano as Director of Sales effective June 2023, according to a press release dated June 1. Volvo Car Canada provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology, and training support to the 38 Volvo automobile retailers across Canada. Prior to taking up the role, Parravano served as Director of Customer Service for the Volvo brand in Canada – a position he has held since 2020. He will now take the lead on all sales related in...

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), the official voice of the motor industry in Ireland, announced that it has elected Paddy Magee as its president, according to a press release dated May 29. Magee is the Country Operations director of Renault Ireland, based at their headquarters in Dublin. He is responsible for the Renault and Dacia brands in Ireland, and a network of 33 dealerships around the country. He has worked in the motor industry for 25 years, of which 20 years have ...

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), the country’s second-largest carmaker, has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Shell India Markets Pvt. Ltd. (Shell India) to install 60 kW DC fast chargers across 36 of its electric car dealerships in India, the company announced May 17. The MOA was signed between HMIL and Shell India in the presence of Jae Wan Ryu, executive director of HMIL, and Sanjay Varkey, director of Shell India, at HMIL's headquarters in Gurugram, Ha...

Blink Charging Co., a US-based owner, operator and provider of electric vehicle charging equipment and services, has announced the commissioning of its new integrated battery storage and DC fast charger (DCFC) unit that will integrate with four Blink EV chargers at the Southport Plaza in Philadelphia, according to a press release dated May 16. The company said this marked the first battery-storage-energized DCFC chargers to go online in the state. The n...

Hyundai has announced that Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), Hyundai Motor Group’s first dedicated electric vehicle mass production plant, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a training partnership with Savannah Technical College (STC) on May 10. The first program with this partnership is a new EV professional certificate and those that complete the program will be preferred for employment with HMGMA. The certificate was designed at the request of Hyund...

Eyeing a huge growth potential, LG Electronics is expanding its electric vehicle charger solutions business to strengthen its position in the fast-growing EV charger segment, the company said May 25. In an event, LG celebrated the commencement of EV charger products manufactured by HiEV Charger (formerly known as AppleMango). HiEV Charger, an EV charging solution company, was acquired by LG, GS Energy and GS Neotek in 2022. HiEV Charger unveiled its product which features four differe...

Ford Motor Co. announced that it has joined the US Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to launch the National Charging Experience Consortium, a new effort to rapidly develop solutions to improve electric vehicle charging across the US, according to a press release dated May 18. Ford will join a cross-industry group of automakers, charging providers, utilities and the US Department of Energy national laboratories to drive innovation and universal enhancements around current and...

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) owner Tata Motors is expected to pick Britain as the preferred site for a multibillion pound electric-car battery plant to supply its JLR requirements, according to a report by the BBC dated May 24. The report quoted sources saying that although the deal has yet to be signed, engagement has moved from negotiations to drafting and choreography of how the agreement will be presented, and the move would lead to up to 9,000 jobs being created. Significance: The UK gover...

The Volkswagen Group announced that it has completed the sale of its shares in Volkswagen Group Rus LLC including its local subsidiaries (Volkswagen Components and Services LLC, Scania Leasing LLC, Scania Finance LLC, Scania Insurance LLC) to Art-Finance LLC, who is supported by the Russian dealer Avilon, according to a press release dated May 19. With the registration of the transaction, ownership of the shares in the authorized capital of Volkswagen Group Rus LLC and its subsidiaries i...

The European Commission has prolonged the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER) for five years, meaning that it will now be applicable until May 31, 2028, according to a press release dated April 17. The European Commission has also updated the Supplementary Guidelines for the sector. It said the revised guidelines will help companies in the automotive sector assess the compatibility of their vertical agreements with EU competition rules, while ensuring that aftermarket o...

Shell Deutschland GmbH (Shell Germany) and the Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen) are putting the first innovative Flexpole charging station into operation in Göttingen, Germany. Further stations in Germany and Europe have been planned. The charging station from Volkswagen's Elli brand has a unique battery-storage system that enables connection to a low-voltage grid and, depending on the vehicle type, charges a range of up to 160 km within 10 minutes, as per Volkswagen's press release May ...

Mitchell International, Inc. (Mitchell), an Enlyte company, announced that it is the first collision-industry information provider to sign a data licensing agreement with electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian, LLC (Rivian), in a press release dated May 4.  This will allow auto insurers and collision repairers using Mitchell Cloud Estimating and Mitchell Cloud Estimating TruckMax to write damage appraisals and access repair procedures for the original equipment manufacturer's ful...

Stellantis will present their 4R strategy — reman, repair, reuse and recycle at the forthcoming Rematec Amsterdam event June 27–29, as stated on the Rematech event website on May 1. Stellantis has developed a comprehensive, 360-degree business based on the 4R strategy: reman, repair, reuse and recycle. It is an integrated ecosystem that is vital to preserving and protecting the planet’s resources. Reman — Used, worn or defective parts are thoroughly dismant...

BMW has announced that Digital Key Plus is now also available for smartphones with Android operating systems, according to a press release dated April 24. Customers with compatible devices from Samsung or Google can use it to unlock and lock their BMW and start the engine without even getting their phone out of their pocket, the release added. Until now, Digital Key Plus has only been compatible with iPhone and Apple Watch. The vehicle reacts automatically when approached or receded in t...

Stellantis has confirmed that it is finalizing testing of eFuels on 28 engine families to help accelerate the carbon emissions reduction potential of the 28 million Stellantis internal combustion engines (ICE) built since 2014 (Euro 6) in Europe, while remaining committed to selling only battery-electric vehicle (BEV) passenger cars in the region by the end of the decade, according to a press release dated April 20. As part of the toolbox available to reduce carbon emissions and fight against...

After setting up its exclusive electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs in Nuremberg and Zurich in Germany, Audi is now opening its third charging hub, which will be located in Berlin, the company announced on April 6. The premium car brand owned by Volkswagen has joined up with a local partner company in Berlin, using the existing power supply to set up its third EV charging hub. Audi said Frischeparadies is acting as a cooperation partner. Audi's new charging hub in Berlin has four reservable ...

Beijing-based electric vehicle (EV)-maker Li Auto plans to set up a network of 300 ultrafast charging stations across China in 2023, according to a news report published by Pandaily on March 10. The company has already deployed about 10 such fast-charging stations on high-speed roadways, the report added. It is expected that by establishing a fast-charging network, Li Auto is preparing to launch a new electric multipurpose vehicle (MPV) later this 2023. The electric MPV will come eq...

UK motorists strongly support keeping the first Ministry of Transport (MOT) tests at three years, in new research by UK automotive trade body Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), according to a press release dated March 22. In a poll of British car owners by Savanta, a UK-based data and market research company, 67% said they were concerned that extending the MOT would put lives in danger with three quarters agreeing that the typical £35-£45 cost of a test is a price ...

US-based carmaker Ford has announced that FordPass Rewards members can now redeem their points toward accessories purchases online, according to a press release dated March 1. Customers can visit accessories.ford.com to shop for a wide variety of accessories from roof tents and superchargers to trailer hitches, floor mats and pet harnesses, the release added. They can also shop for interior, exterior, electronic, wheel accessories and more. Ford said members can use their points, pay with a c...

The European Commission drafted a plan allowing sales of new cars with internal combustion engines that run only on climate-neutral e-fuels, in an attempt to resolve a spat with Germany over the European Union's phasing out of combustion-engine cars from 2035, according to a Reuters report dated March 21. The draft proposal, seen by Reuters on March 21, suggested creating a new type of vehicle category in the EU for cars that can only run on carbon-neutral fuels. Such vehi...

The solar tech company Sono Group N.V. announced the signing of a purchase order with a second passenger car manufacturer, one of the 10 largest in the world. The order comprised the delivery of solar body panels for one vehicle. Together with Sono Motors, the OEM would be able to explore solar integration into their cars, according to a company press release dated 8 March. The company announced the first order from a passenger car manufacturer in December 2022. Car manufacturers an...

Audi will issue over-the-air (OTA) software updates across its Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron lineup, it said in a press release dated March 14. Audi is updating all vehicles from the start of series production, up to and including model year (MY) 2022 vehicles with software version 3.2. The new software comes now as standard in series production for MY 2023 vehicles. The software update offers added value while charging. The “preferred charging time” function helps customers char...

Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co. has today announced senior management appointments and said that the move follows its efforts to strengthen its leadership team to support the accelerated progress of the long-term vision, Nissan Ambition 2030, according to a press release dated 8 March. As part of several senior management changes that will be effective in April 2023, Keiichi Sato, currently vice president of Global Aftersales Service Parts division, was appointed as corporate vice pre...

The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) organization announced that American Honda Motor Company has enhanced its partnership with I-CAR, via a press release dated 9 March. I-CAR will support Honda/Acura with future delivery of 10 required online courses for collision-repair facilities in their network.  The release read that the transition to I-CAR’s learning management system will support technicians with streamlined training that are easily...

Mainland-Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup NIO is planning to set up 1,000 more battery swapping stations in mainland China in 2023, CnEVPost reported on 21 February. Nearly 600 of these battery swapping stations will be located within the urban areas, and the remaining 400 stations will be located in highway service areas or near highway entrances and exits. "We have set a new goal of adding 1,000 battery swap stations in 2023, for a cumulative total of more than 2,300 stations by the en...

AUTOBACS SEVEN, a Tokyo-based car parts and accessories retailer, along with its affiliate, Bucks E-Mobility, announced that it has started taking applications for test drives as well as vehicle purchase reservations for the BYD Atto 3 electric sport utility vehicle (e-SUV), according to a press release dated 21 February. The test drive application as well as vehicle booking can be done at two of AUTOBACS SEVEN’s retail locations in Utsunomiya, Japan, called AUTOBAC...

Mainland China has witnessed a rapid growth in the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging network in 2022, China Daily reported last week. According to the National Energy Administration (NEA), EV charging infrastructure recorded nearly 100% year-over-year (y/y) growth in 2022 bringing the total number to 5.2 million units. About 650,000 new public EV charging stations were installed in mainland China in 2022, bringing the cumulative total to 1.8 million. During the year, there were 1.9 ...

BYD has announced that it has appointed two additional dealer partners to support the entry of its passenger cars into Europe, according to a press release dated 16 February. The company stated that Motor Distributors Ltd (MDL) has become a national dealer partner for the Republic of Ireland, and RSA, an existing dealer partner for BYD in Norway, has extended its coverage to Finland and Iceland. BYD said the formation of localized strategic partnerships and cooperations are fundamental t...

VDA or the German Association of the Automotive Industry said in a press release dated 15 February that around 9 out of 10 companies (88%) consider Germany to be internationally uncompetitive in terms of energy costs, labor, and tax burden. The finding was part of its survey among automotive suppliers and medium-sized manufacturers conducted from 23 January to 3 February. VDA said 116 companies took part in the survey. VDA President Hildegard Müller said, "More and more companies consider Ge...

The US government announced the next steps to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) charging industry and infrastructure, a government statement on 15 February read. The next steps include publishing minimum standards for federally funded EV infrastructure, finalizing the Build America, Buy America initiatives for EV charging equipment, and announcing that cities, towns, Tribes, and states will soon be able to apply for the first round of USD2.5 billion in competitive grants to build EV charging sta...

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has circulated its draft legislative proposal concerning revisions to the current Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER), according to a press release dated 10 February by the UK aftermarket industry body Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). The Secretary of State is likely to accept all recommendations by the CMA on the revised MVBER to create a new UK Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MVBEO), the release added. The...

As a part of the law change, carmakers operating within the EU must achieve a 100% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars sold. As a result, this would make it impossible to sell new fossil fuel-powered vehicles. On Tuesday 14th February, the European Parliament formally approved a new law that will effectively ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the European Union (EU) from 2035. The goal of this latest piece of automotive legislation is to accelerate the switch to electric vehicles...

Bharat Petroleum, India’s second largest oil marketing company, (BPCL), has announced the launch of an electric vehicle (EV) fast charging corridor on the Delhi–Jalandhar National Highway with fast charging stations at 12 BPCL retail outlets strategically located along the highway (part of NH-44), according to a press release dated 13 February. The 750-km long segment of NH-44 is BPCL’s fourth such EV fast charging corridor in the country, with fast charging stations at roughly every 10...

Autel, a provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions and diagnostic equipment and tools, announced that it has installed its first DC Compact charger in France as part of the company's European market strategy, according to a press release dated 10 February. The company launched the MaxiCharger DC Compact at a riding club in the outskirts of Nice, France, marking the debut of the MaxiCharger DC Compact in Europe, the release added. The company said EV owners will see more D...

The Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman has announced during her presentation of the Union Budget 2023 that the subsidies on electric vehicle (EV) batteries will be extended for an additional year, making EVs cheaper in India, according to a report published by The Times of India on 1 February 2023. EV battery subsidies extension for another year is anticipated to accelerate the adoption of EVs in the country. The government introduced the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program f...

The UK electric vehicle (EV) battery-maker startup Britishvolt’s administrator EY, the accountancy firm, has announced that a preferred bidder has been selected to acquire Britishvolt, according to a BBC News report dated 6 February. In January, Britishvolt had filed for administration after being unable to reach an agreement to bring in a new investor to secure its future. Australian firm Recharge Industries, which is owned by New York (US)-based Scale Facilitation Partners, has entered in...

According to a report by The Economic Times, India’s Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the government plans to scrap more than 900,000 vehicles older than 15 years that are owned by the central and state governments. This decision is aligned with the government's effort to decarbonize the road transport sector. Speaking at a session on future of mobility, organized by a trade body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (F...

CapGrid, an India-based B2B cloud manufacturing startup for precision parts and components, announced that it has raised USD7 million in its latest funding round, led by Nexus Venture Partners, according to a press release dated 30 January. The round also saw participation from existing investors Axilor and Anicut Capital, the release added. CapGrid is building a digital supply network with an advanced technology infrastructure, partnering with hundreds of tier-2 manufacturers to get pre...

Electric vehicle (EV) charging solution provider Statiq plans to install about 20,000 EV chargers across India in FY 2023 to accelerate the adoption of EVs in the subcontinent, according to a news report published by The Economic Times on 14 January 2023. Gurgaon-based Statiq EV charging showcased a wide range of high-tech EV charging solutions at the Auto Expo 2023 in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR. The company claims to have already installed over 7,000 public, semi-public and captive EV chargers...

Volkswagen Passenger Cars India has announced that it has inaugurated a new sales and service touchpoint in the city of Bhubaneshwar, according to a press release dated 20 January. The company will have a six-car display area in the showroom, which will host vehicles such as its sport utility vehicle (SUV) Taigun, the Virtus sedan and the Tiguan SUV. The 2S facility is said to provide a range of aftersales service through its “expansive 19-bay workshop that is operated by skilled ...

The European Union can end its reliance on China for lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cells by 2027, renewable energy campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E) has forecast, according to a press release dated 24 January. New analysis of battery-makers’ announcements suggest that Europe is on track to produce enough Li-ion cells by 2027 to fully meet domestic demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage, the release added. However, the group cautioned that the EU needs a policy ...

Experience more with a Volkswagen service: hassle-free, transparent, and peace-of-mind ownership experience, as the service touchpoint comprises of a 24-bay workshop that will cater to the service, maintenance, and accident repair requirement of our esteemed customers, managed by highly skilled and trained technicians. Customers situated at a distance from the service shop can avail the door-to-door service initiative—Volkswagen Assistance and Mobile Service Unit. Volkswagen Passenger ...

Wejo Group has entered into a data agreement with Toyota Motor North America, it said in a press release on 12 January, to offer personalized connected vehicle data services for participating cloud-connected fleet vehicles in the United States. The data from Toyota’s connected fleet vehicles will allow telematics service providers (TSPs), fleet owners, and fleet management service (FMS) companies get insights on geographic locations, fuel, odometer and speed readings, and tire pressure. ...

Mullen Automotive, a US-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced that its I-GO commercial urban delivery EV has arrived in Europe with expected delivery in early January 2023, according to a press release dated 22 December. The I-GO is Mullen’s recently announced urban commercial delivery vehicle, designed to bridge the gap between the growing demand for quick deliveries and space constraints in dense cities throughout Europe. The vehicle is EU standard homologated, certified...

US-based connected vehicle technology company Sibros has announced it will deploy its over-the-air (OTA) software and data management solutions on global automotive supplier of powertrain, thermal, and lighting components, Marelli’s next-generation Cockpit Domain Controller (CDC) Unit, according to a press release dated 6 January. Marelli’s MInD-Xp provides a single platform and domain control unit (DCU) to run multiple guest operating systems and in-cabin functions including infotainment...

Valeo and Ningbo Swell Industry Co., Ltd have signed a strategic alliance agreement for the development, production and marketing of illuminated front grilles or panels for the mainland Chinese automotive market, according to a press release dated 20 December. By combining their expertise, Valeo and Swell intend to offer carmakers in mainland China high value-added front panels integrating lighting technologies. Ningbo Swell Industry designs, manufactures, and markets automotive interior and ...

I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, has announced that Jaguar Land Rover has joined I-CAR’s Sustaining Partner Program, according to a press release dated 19 December. Founded in 1979, I-CAR is a not-for-profit education, knowledge, and solutions organization focused on improving the quality and safety of auto collision repair. The program is designed to fund the various initiatives to ensure that every person in the collision repair industry has the information, ...

Mullen Automotive, a US-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced Randy Marion Automotive (RMA), a commercial dealer group in the US, as the first dealer group partner for Mullen’s commercial EV lineup, which is set to launch in the US in 2023, according to a press release dated 13 December. Randy Marion Automotive will offer sales as well as service and parts for Mullen’s commercial lineup, covering Class 1–6 EV cargo vans and trucks, the release added. “We are exc...

Japanese carmaker Toyota and KINTO Corporation have announced the launch of KINTO Unlimited, a variation of its vehicle subscription service KINTO, for some trim levels of recently launched new generation Prius, according to a press release dated 7 December. The KINTO Unlimited service is expected to enhance value of vehicle ownership period by providing 'Upgrade' and 'Monitoring' support after delivery, the release added. The service, available for a monthly usage fee, is a version of the ca...

Autofleet, an Israel based solution provider for fleets and mobility operators to optimize existing operations and launch new on-demand passenger and delivery services, has introduced a new, self-serve Fleet Planning Simulator that is claimed to make it quick and easy to accurately plan all aspects of the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure, according to a press release dated 15 December. This includes considerations such as vehicle models and range, as well as char...

Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), a US-based independent automation engineering company, has announced the opening of a second manufacturing facility near the company’s Orion, Michigan headquarters, according to a press release dated 21 December. AMT says its automation solutions have benefited automotive manufacturers apart from manufacturers from segments such as aerospace, medical, alternative energy, industrial machinery, rubber and plastics, and others. The new facility is desi...

Mullen Automotive, a US-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced that that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Loop Global, a full-service EV charging solution provider, to build the next generation of public and private EV charging technology, infrastructure and network solutions, according to a press release dated 14 December. According to the release, the partnership will combine Mullen Automotive’s expertise in EV design and engineering with Loop’s expertise...

Stellantis has begun exclusive negotiations with Faurecia and Michelin to acquire a significant stake in Symbio, a Faurecia – Michelin joint-venture (JV) company focused on zero-emission hydrogen mobility, the carmaker announced on 23 December 2022. The transaction is expected to be wrapped up in the first half of 2023 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, Stellantis said. “Symbio’s technical roadmap perfectly matches with Stellantis’ ...

Honda Cars India (HCIL) has announced that it has signed an agreement with Maruti Suzuki Toyotsu India Private Limited (MSTI) to offer its customers, an end-to-end solution for scrapping their End of Life (EOL) vehicles, according to a press release dated 28 November. With this tie-up, HCIL strives to assist its customers get the best value of their EOLs and facilitate hassle-free deregistration and issue of Certificate of Deposit/ Destruction through its dealer partners, the release added. M...

The Middle East’s automotive aftermarket industry is bracing for change over the next five years, according to the latest Automechanika Dubai Market Outlook 2022 – the fourth in the annual survey series conducted by GRS Explori, an international research and strategic advisory group, according to a press release by automotive aftermarket industry trade exhibition Automechanika’s organizer Messe Frankfurt dated 21 November. Commissioned by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organizer of the re...

Lubricant maker Castrol has announced an agreement with Jaguar Land Rover under which the automaker, that has exclusively recommended approved Castrol engine oils for its vehicles since 2001, will extend their relationship through to 2026, according to a press release dated 15 November. Castrol says its deep collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover is focused on delivering technologically advanced, efficient lubricant products that push the boundaries of engine performance and help improve fuel e...

Honda Motor Co has announced that it has begun sales of the "Honda Power Pack Exchanger e:" battery-swapping station in Japan, with the first unit delivered to Gachaco, a battery-sharing service joint venture, according to a press release dated 25 October.  Honda Power Pack Exchanger e: is a battery-swapping station that simultaneously charges multiple units of Honda Mobile Power Pack e: (MPP e:) and enables smooth battery swapping for electric motorcycles and other mobile products equip...

US-based digital commerce platform for the automotive aftermarket, PARTS iD, Inc, has announced its results for the third quarter ended 30 September 2022, via an official press release dated 9 November.  The highlights of the company's financial results for the third quarter of 2022 are: Net revenue was USD79.9 million as compared to USD102.6 million in the last year. Net revenue in the first nine months of 2022 was USD279 million as compared to USD342.1 million...

The European Parliament and Council reached an agreement on 27 October ensuring all new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles registered in Europe will be zero-emission by 2035, according to an official press release dated 27 October issued by the European Commission, who welcomed the agreement. As an intermediary step towards zero emissions, the new carbon dioxide (CO2) standards will also require average emissions of new cars to come down by 55% by 2030, and new vans by 50% by 2030. ...

Vadodara, India-based EV charging network company CHARGE+ZONE and Indian homegrown automaker Mahindra & Mahindra have today announced a partnership to set up a network of EV charging stations for Mahindra’s range of electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs), according to a press release dated 27 October. According to the agreement, by the end of this fiscal, Mahindra’s EV users will have access to CHARGE+ZONE’s network of 2500+ charging points across 25 cities and 10,000 km of highwa...

Tesla has released a new software update (2022.40.1) with enhanced charging efficiency for faster charge time and reduced energy costs, Electrek reported on 24 October. The automaker’s notes said “During DC fast charging, the thermal system controls have been optimized for each charging station’s power capability, improving both charging and on-route battery preconditioning efficiency. This results in a fast charge time and reduced energy costs,” according to the report. Significance:...

French carmaker Renault Group and lubricants supplier Castrol, part of the BP group, announced the extension of their partnership for a further three years until the end of 2027. The two companies will continue to co-design and supply aftermarket engine oils to the global dealer network of Renault Group brands (Renault, Dacia, and Alpine), according to a press release dated 28 September. In addition to the partnership extension, the Renault Group and Castrol co-branded product range will also...

Shell Group-owned UK-based public electric vehicle (EV) charging network, ubitricity, and French automaker Citroën have signed a cooperation agreement to make e-mobility more accessible for drivers in European cities, according to a press release dated 21 September. According to the release, the collaboration hopes to encourage drivers to switch to EVs and help more cities offer on-street EV charging to their residents. The collaboration, which starts in London, will help...

US-based electric vehicle (EV) maker Fisker Inc has announced that it has named Barcelona-based provider of EV charging and energy management solutions, Wallbox, as Fisker's global partner for home EV charging solutions, according to a press release dated 20 September. Fisker and Wallbox are partnering to offer Fisker EV owners Wallbox home EV chargers for purchase through the Fisker website in the US, Canada, and European launch markets, the release added. The Pulsar Plus charger from W...

Canada-based Lithion Recycling and US automaker General Motors have announced that GM Ventures, the automaker's investment arm, has made a strategic investment in Lithion's Series A financing round, supporting a new GM-Lithion strategic partnership agreement to pursue a circular battery ecosystem using Lithion's advanced battery recycling technology, according to a press release dated 22 September. This collaboration between GM and Lithion will focus on: validation of Lithion's recovered batt...

Motive Retail, a US-based global systems integrator, announced that ‘MAXXTRAXX’ by Scott Systems will be the first shop management system (SMS) to fully integrate with FordParts.com, thanks to help from their integration platform, Motive Integrator eXchange (MIX), according to a press release dated 15 September. Motive Retail an integrator focused on modernizing the automotive retail experience by enabling real-time data flow between all parties in the ecosystem. Scott Systems is a software ...

Honda Cars India, the Indian arm of Japanese carmaker Honda, has announced a nationwide service camp across its authorized dealership facilities in 239 cities from 21–30 September as a part of the company’s efforts to enhance the ownership experience, according to a press release dated 20 September. As part of the service camp, Honda customers can avail offers on value added services such as “Exterior, Interior enrichment, Anti-rust Treatment and more," the release added. Duri...

VDA or the German Association of the Automotive Industry, has announced that its subsidiary Automotive Quality Institute GmbH (AQI GmbH) has developed a tool that can identify the need for quick-charging points for electric cars along highways throughout Germany, according to a press release dated 7 September. The tool is said to help charging station operators and others expand the quick-charging infrastructure along highways and federal roadways. This innovation focuses on the demand analys...

Ford Motor Company has announced that it is launching BlueCruise 1.2 and Lincoln ActiveGlide 1.2 with new features—including hands-free lane changing—and system updates to create more of a human-like driving feel. BlueCruise is the company’s semi-autonomous hands-free highway driving feature and Activeglide is Lincoln's version of Ford Bluecruise. Both updates include three new features: Lane Change Assist enables system to perform a hands-free lane change when requested by the driver t...

German trade fair, congress and event organizer Messe Frankfurt, who is also organizing the upcoming automotive service industry trade fair Automechanika Frankfurt from 13 to 17 September at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds, has revealed the key topics at this year’s event and announced that the exhibitor line-up continues to be international, according to a press release dated 8 September. The key topics include alternative drive systems, training and professional development, resilient su...

BYD (China) and Castrol have signed a three-year partnership to enhance the supply and promotion of Castrol ON advanced EV Fluids for BYD’s zero-emissions vehicles, according to a press release dated 22 August. The agreement builds on existing first-fill agreement, the release added. BYD sold almost 600,000 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) last year and plans to increase this to a million units in 2022, the release stated, adding that BYD will officially recommend the use of Castrol ON EV T...

RAC, a UK-based breakdown service provider for both private and business drivers, has announced that Kia UK has extended its long-running roadside assistance partnership with the company till end-2023, according to a press release dated 7 September. Every new Kia sold is covered by Kia Roadside Assistance, a comprehensive roadside service delivered by the RAC aimed to give drivers peace of mind, whether they are driving in the United Kingdom or elsewhere in Europe. The contract also sees the ...

Japanese luxury car manufacturer, Lexus India, has announced a ‘Lexus Cares Package’ for its owners affected by the incessant torrential rains in Bengaluru, India, according to a press release dated 7 September. Parts of Bengaluru, also known as India's tech capital, have witnessed unprecedented rains over the past few days, halting life in the city amid fears of further disruptions over the coming days. Under the package, Lexus India will extend special support and rates for repairs of t...

Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co has announced via a press release dated 4 September that it has added three new vehicle models to its vehicle subscription service 'Nissan ClickMobi’. The models are the electric vehicles Nissan Leaf, Nissan Sakura, and the redesigned Nissan Xtrail which was launched in the Japanese market on 25 July. Launched in March 2020, Nissan ClickMobi is a subscription service for Nissan vehicles that is inclusive of various expenses such as vehicle inspection, maint...

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has said that the global trade in its counterfeit products continues to increase; in 2021 alone, more than 1.86 million counterfeit products were seized in over 650 raids, according to a press release dated 4 August. The company said trading of its counterfeits rose around 6% compared to 2020. The carmaker said its brand protection team focuses on safety-related counterfeits and is taking rigorous action against such products. Its measures focus on components suc...

Jeep Performance Parts introduced new windshield wiper blades for Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator, according to a press release dated 9 August by PRNewswire.  The key element of the new JPP performance wipers are 12 laser-cut holes along each blade, creating wet jets that release washer fluid along the entire length, flooding the dirty windshield glass as the blade travels along its arc. Dirt and debris are washed away on the first stroke.  With the vehicle's standard spray nozz...

US-based leading global provider of connected fleet and mobile asset management solutions, MiX Telematics, is collaborating with Hino Trucks’ Edge to become an authorized Hino data services partner, according to a press release dated 9 August. MiX Telematics develops and implements connected fleet and mobile asset management solutions for customers across the globe.  This collaboration will provide MiX customers in North America that operate Hino trucks with rich data sets, inform...

PARTS iD, the owner and operator of, among other verticals, “CARiD.com,” a leading digital commerce platform for the automotive aftermarket, today announced results for the second quarter ended 30 June 2022 via a press release dated 8 August.  The financial highlights of the release are: Net revenue for second quarter 2022 was USD104.3 million, a decrease of 20.1% as compared to second quarter 2021 and an increase of 9.9% as compared to first quarter 2022. Gros...

Cummins, a US-based power solutions provider, has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Meritor, a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket and electric powertrain solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets via a press release dated 3 August.  The acquisition of Meritor is expected to be immediately accretive to Cummins’ adjusted EPS and generate annual pre-tax run-rate synergies of approximately USD130 million by year three after ...

Hengst Filtration, a Germany based specialist in liquid and air filtration has announced that it will demonstrate its filtration solutions for future mobility to the IAA Transportation trade fair between 19 and 25 September in Hanover, according to a press release dated 27 July. IAA Transportation is a trade fair for logistics, commercial vehicles, buses and the transportation sector. Hengst believes in the commercial vehicle segment, fuel cell systems will be a key future technology for sust...

Volta, a US-based electric vehicle (EV) charging network provider, has announced a partnership with the City of Hoboken, New Jersey, US, to install 25 conveniently located public EV charging stalls for the City’s residents, visitors, and commuters over the next 18 months, according to a press release dated 21 July. The addition of the new Volta charging stalls will more than double the number of public EV charging ports available in Hoboken, and both entities may partner to bring even more ...

XPEL, a US-based provider of aftermarket automotive products, including automotive surface and paint protection, ceramic coatings, headlight protection, and automotive window films, has announced that it has been selected as the exclusive supplier to Rivian Automotive LLC for their new paint protection film (PPF) factory direct program, according to a press release dated 12 July. By the terms of the agreement, Rivian Automotive will offer factory direct PPF options to its customers ordering t...

The UK Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair (AFCAR) has announced that it has opened a route for garages to highlight restricted access to OEMs' data, according to a released dated 15 July by the UK aftermarket industry body, Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). Garages can access an online survey form floated by UK AFCAR, a coalition representing automotive trade associations and commercial organizations that formed in 2021 to lobby the UK government on upho...

German e-mobility specialist Quantron, which is a spin-off of the Haller Group, strengthens its sales, service and strategy unit with appointment of three new executives, according to a press release dated 13 July. Quantron AG is filling further strategically important positions in Service & Customer Care, Sales Team, and Corporate & Product Strategy. Tobias Steffen takes on the lead for the sales team and structure and Dr. Srinath Rengarajan joins the Strategy unit as Senio...

Finnish tire company Nokian Tyres announced in a press release on 28 June that its Board of Directors have decided to initiate a controlled exit from the Russian market. The company said that it is no longer feasible nor sustainable for it to continue operations in Russia due to the war in Ukraine and the subsequent, tightening sanctions. According to the announcement, the exit preparations will start immediately, and the company will evaluate different options for the exit and the company sa...

Japanese carmaker Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that it has joined the Battery Supply Chain Council or Battery Association for Supply Chain (BASC), a Japan based organization that promotes the strengthening of the international competitiveness of the battery supply chain and industries related to battery materials, parts and raw materials, according to a press release dated 24 June. BASC has Isao Abe, executive officer of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co as its chairman and the organization ...

Renault Group, French automaker, and Vitesco Technologies, global automotive supplier of electric mobility and powertrain components, announced the signing of a strategic partnership for the joint development and the production of power electronics in a so-called “One Box” for electric and hybrid powertrains, according to a press release dated 12 July. Under this agreement, both partners will contribute their know-how and experience to jointly develop a power electronics concept that is u...

German automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen has announced that Holger Klein, Member of the Board of Management responsible for the Asia-Pacific region, car chassis technology division, aftermarket and production, will succeed Wolf-Henning Scheider as chairman and CEO of the company at the beginning of 2023, according to a press release dated 8 July. Klein joined ZF in 2014 as an international industry expert from McKinsey management consultancy. Starting in 2015, he led the integration of U...

German lighting major OSRAM has announced the closing of the sale of the Automotive Lighting Systems (AMLS) business to Plastic Omnium, according to a press release dated 1 July. OSRAM will continue to be a key supplier of automotive LED and optical components to Plastic Omnium, the release added. AMLS was established on 1 October 2021 following the dissolution of the OSRAM Continental joint venture. AMLS combines lighting technology with electronics and software to develop smart and innovati...

With an aim to facilitate technology-enabled insurance covers, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has permitted general insurance companies to introduce concepts like ‘pay as you drive’ and ‘pay how you drive’ for the Motor Own Damage (OD) cover, according to a press release dated 6 July. The tech enabled cover also includes floater policies for vehicles belonging to the same individual owner of two-wheelers and private cars. All the three above mentio...

Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology Ltd. (CAES), a wholly owned subsidiary of the world’s largest EV battery maker, Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL), has launched its EVOGO battery swap services in Hefei, the capital of east China's Anhui Province, the company announced on 18 June 2022. The company said that it has installed and started operations at three EV battery swap stations in Hefei so far, which becomes the second city after Xiamen where CATL has l...

Auto Care Association, a US-based industry body representing independent manufacturers, distributors, and repair shops said in a press release dated 1 July that the United States District Judge Douglas Woodlock issued a notice informing of another delay to provide a decision on the Right to Repair court case in Massachusetts. Citing “the need to consider fully the implications of the long-anticipated decision” and “unforeseen and unforeseeable scheduling complications encountered in the...

Czechia-based carmaker ŠKODA Auto has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Prague authorities and the energy company PRE, to jointly set up EV charging infrastructure in the capital, ŠKODA announced on 21 June 2022. Under the joint commitment, the three parties aim to build 100 high-performance (or HPC) chargers by the end of 2025. “To this end, a working group was set up to find the ideal locations for the HPC chargers,” the company said in its official note. According to an esti...

Volkswagen Group and Siemens have made a joint equity investment of USD450 million to support the growth of Electrify America, one of the largest public fast charging networks for electric vehicles in North America, VW said in a statement on 28 June 2022. Siemens, which has invested with a low triple-digit million USD through its financing arm Siemens Financial Services (SFS), becomes a minority shareholder in Electrify America and gets a seat on the company’s board, the company said. It ad...

Automaker Lynk & Co, formed as a joint venture between Geely Holding, Geely Auto Group, and Volvo Car Group, has entered into a five-year agreement with Castrol for the supply of premium lubricants in all of the markets in which it operates across Europe, according to a press release by Castrol on 23 June. According to the agreement, Castrol EDGE Professional V 0W-20 lubricant will be used during regular servicing and maintenance work on Lynk & Co vehicles. Lynk & Co offers member...

Toyota Motor North America has announced that it will collaborate with battery recycling startup Redwood Materials to explore a series of end-of-life battery solutions for Toyota's proposed battery ecosystem, according to a press release dated 21 June. Initially, this collaboration will focus on the collection, testing, and recycling of Toyota hybrid electric vehicle batteries. The companies will then look to expand into other areas such as battery health screening and data management, remanufac...