Automotive World
88 articles from Automotive World
Aeva's 4D LiDAR wins Australian approval for speed enforcement- Certification milestone: Aeva's 4D lidar is certified in Australia as a secondary speed measurement device in Sensys Gatso's automated enforcement systems, de...
SDV Momentum Builds: Roadmaps, Open Platforms, and Fresh Capital- European roadmap initiative: ECAVA presented four technology roadmaps targeting an open European software-defined vehicle ecosystem by 2030. - Platform openin...
Changan Plots Phased European Production as It Signs Eight Distribution Partners in Paris- Distribution agreements signed: Changan signed letters of intent with eight distribution companies at the Paris Motor Show on 13 October, covering seven Europ...
Changan Builds European Aftersales Network While Weighing Phased Local Production- Distribution first: Changan signed letters of intent with eight distribution companies covering seven European markets, announced 13 October at the Paris Moto...
Changan Maps Phased Path Into European Manufacturing and Distribution- Distribution deals signed: Changan signed letters of intent with eight distribution companies at the Paris Motor Show on 13 October, covering seven European m...
A controlled descent, not a collapseThe BMW Group is expected to produce around 2.4 million vehicles in 2026, according to Automotive World's latest brand production forecast. That figure marks a ...
Tesla's Market Share Increases Amid US BEV Sales Decline in Q3 2026US battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales declined sharply in Q3 2026, but the latest figures from Kelley Blue Book suggest the segment's post-incentive contracti...
Mixed Signals in European Auto Manufacturing: Stellantis Rebounds in Italy While Idle Capacity Hits 2.5 Million Units- Italian rebound: Stellantis' Italian output is rebounding after two years of decline, though the hybrid Fiat 500 is falling short of its target. - China expor...
Fiat's Brazil Lead Faces Pressure as BYD Gains Ground in Q3- Nine-month growth: The 2026 total stands at nearly 2.16 million units, up 19.3%. - Fiat's vulnerable foundation: Fiat's sales lead in Brazil relies on pick-up...
Renault's High-Utilisation Gamble, BYD's Greenfield Push, and a Scrapped Denso Deal: Manufacturing Moves That Matter in 2026- Utilisation-driven independence: Renault's high-utilisation Spanish plants have enabled it to reject the Chinese co-investors that other European automakers h...
Renault Says No While BYD Builds Greenfield and Denso Cancels Niterra Deal- Renault leverage: High utilisation at Renault’s Spanish plants has allowed it to turn down Chinese co-investors accepted by other European automakers. - Domes...
Renault Leverages High Spanish Plant Utilisation to Reject Chinese Co-Investment- Renault's capacity position: High utilisation at Renault's Spanish plants enabled the automaker to reject Chinese co-investors that other European automakers ...
FMCSA Grants Five-Year Beacon Exemption for Autonomous Trucks, Reversing 2024 Denial- Technical requirements: Beacons must be amber, mounted at least 100 inches high, and activated within five minutes of a stop; trucks must stay within validate...
BMW iX3 M60 xDrive: 603 hp M Performance Variant Heads for Debrecen Production in Spring 2027- Production timeline: The BMW iX3 M60 xDrive enters production in Debrecen, Hungary, in spring 2027, with US orders from late January. - Performance envelope: ...
Battery Billions, a 3 Series Bet, and a Labour Standoff: A Big Week for Automotive Manufacturing- Localisation goal: Nissan targets building 80% of the vehicles it sells in the US there by the end of 2030. - Labour tension: Volkswagen has served notice to ...
Suzuki Leads With Efficiency as e Sky Mini EV Heads to Japan- Technical foundation: The model uses the dedicated Heartect-e platform with an eAxle and regenerative braking, developed under an "Easy to Switch" concept. - ...
The AnnouncementThe news of Toyota's investment in a new electric vehicle (EV) plant in Zarate, Buenos Aires was revealed through a post on X by Argentina's Economy Minister Lu...
Beijing Reimposes Battery Tax, Keeps Sodium-Ion Exempt Through 2028- Lithium tax reinstated: China reimposed a 2% consumption tax on lithium-ion batteries after an 11-year exemption, rising to 4% in September 2027, while sodium...
Ashok Leyland Faces Two-Year Production Dip After Record Run- Record output: Ashok Leyland produced 220,600 units in 2025/26, up 12.6%, with growth slowing to 0.8% and 222,300 units in the following year. - Cyclical down...
Nissan Targets 80% US Local Production by 2030, Kills Rogue Plug-In HybridNissan has set an aggressive localisation goal: 80% of the vehicles it sells in the US will be built there by 2030. The figure stands at 65% today, up from 40% ...
BYD Recruits 8,000 Workers at Xi’an Hub as Export Demand Outpaces Domestic Recovery- Hiring scale: BYD is recruiting more than 8,000 workers at its Xi’an base, targeting skilled welding, painting and final assembly roles with signing bonuses u...
BYD Recruits 8,000 Workers at Xi'an Hub as Export Orders Outpace Domestic Demand- Workforce expansion: BYD is recruiting more than 8,000 skilled workers in welding, painting, and final assembly at Xi'an, offering signing bonuses up to CN¥6,...
BYD Adds 8,000 Workers at Xi’an Hub as Exports Drive Capacity Recovery- Major hiring at flagship hub: BYD is recruiting over 8,000 workers at its Xi’an production base, offering signing bonuses up to CN¥6,000 (US$890) and monthly ...
Honda Nears Multi-Billion-Dollar Hybrid Plant in Ohio, Hedging with Flexible Production Lines- New Ohio plant: Honda is planning a hybrid vehicle plant in Ohio with an investment of JP¥300bn-¥400bn (US$1.8bn-$2.5bn), production starting in 2030 and cons...
Geely Smart Charging pairs 2,250 kW hardware with AI battery control- System launch: Geely Auto Group introduced Geely Smart Charging, an AI-based charging system using a 2,250 kW charging station. - Test outcome: The Zeekr 001 ...
JSW Group Enters Commercial EVs with Ampstar Bus and Truck Brand- Market entry: JSW Group launched Ampstar, a commercial EV brand for India's bus and truck markets, operated through JSW Greentech Limited. - Manufacturing inv...
AI Moves From Pilot To Production: Fleet Learning, Factory Robots And Driverless Services- Closed-loop development: Hyundai's Data Flywheel links fleet data collection, model training and vehicle redeployment, targeting Level 2+ capability from 2028...
Volvo Cars Taps Škoda Auto Chief Klaus Zellmer as Next President and Chief Executive- Leadership change confirmed: Klaus Zellmer, most recently Chairman and Chief Executive of Škoda Auto, appointed next President and Chief Executive of Volvo Ca...
Toyota Targets 400,000 Factory Robots from 2028, Led by Wheeled Humanoid Eley- Deployment scale: Toyota plans 400,000 robots globally from 2028, with investment potentially reaching JP¥1tn (US$6.4bn) annually. - Split allocation: 150,000...
Toyota Plans 400,000-Robot Factory Deployment from 2028, Led by Wheeled Humanoid Eley- Deployment scale: Toyota plans to deploy 400,000 robots globally from 2028 — 150,000 at its own plants and 250,000 across group company facilities — with annu...
Centralised SDV Architectures Move Calibration Into the Core Workflow- Calibration shift: centralised SDV architectures are transforming measurement and calibration from a late-stage, domain-specific function into a continuous cr...
Subaru Corporation puts onsemi’s Embedded Power Platform to the test for future electrified vehicles- Early engagement: Subaru Corporation is evaluating onsemi’s Embedded Power Platform (EPP) for future electrified vehicles. - Packaging approach: EPP uses the ...
Local production as the strategyBYD plans to launch its first heavy-duty truck in Europe next year, and the company is tying that move directly to a broader localization push.
Volkswagen's Osnabrück Defence Pivot Preserves 1,400 Jobs — Barely a Dent in Its 100,000-Role Restructuring- Defence conversion at Osnabrück: Volkswagen is converting its Osnabrück plant to defence production, preserving roughly 1,400 jobs. - Restructuring scale: Vol...
China Sets 70% NEV Target and Bets on Smart-Road Autonomy- NEV acceleration: China's industry ministry targets 70% NEV penetration by 2030, with sales already at 65% in August after reaching 54% last year — well past ...
A Target That May Already Be in ReachChina's previous five-year plan, issued in 2021, aimed for 20% NEV share by 2025, a figure the country surpassed to reach 54% last year, according to China Pass...
A target the market is already chasingChina's 15th Five-Year Plan sets ambitious targets for the automotive industry, aiming for 70% new energy vehicle (NEV) market penetration and mass deployment o...
Thailand's Three-Tier EV Tax Aims at Imports — But Local Assembly May Blunt It- New tax structure: Thailand plans a three-tier excise tax favouring locally-made EVs, with fully-imported vehicles facing the highest rate above the current 1...
Kia Telluride and Tesla Model Y Take IIHS Top Safety Pick+ — With a Build-Date Catch- Award outcome: The IIHS granted Top Safety Pick+ to the 2027 Kia Telluride and the 2026-27 Tesla Model Y, the only two of seven newly tested models to qualify...
Range Rover Electric Debuts on Shared Solihull Lines: 550 PS, 850 Nm, and a Deliberate Premium- Launch milestone: The Range Rover Electric is the first battery-electric (BEV) model in the brand's 56-year history, starting at £154,070 in the UK and US$138...
Lexus NX Refresh Puts SiC Inverters and Integrated e-Axle at the Center of Its Hybrid Strategy- SiC power electronics: The NX's redesigned hybrid system uses SiC power semiconductors in the inverter to cut losses and improve fuel economy. - Integrated e-...
Toyota Picks Shanghai for Next-Generation Lexus BEV, Betting on Gigacasting and Local Supply Chains- China-first launch: Toyota will build its next-generation Lexus BEV in Shanghai starting autumn 2027, ramping from 1,000 vehicles monthly to tens of thousands...
Toyota Picks Shanghai for Next BEV — and Gigacasting Is Part of the Bet- China-first launch: Toyota will build its next-generation BEV at a Shanghai plant starting autumn 2027, under the Lexus brand. - Gradual ramp: production star...
Toyota Puts China First: Next-Generation Lexus BEV to Roll Out of Shanghai in 2027- China-first production shift: Toyota will build its next-generation Lexus BEV at a Shanghai plant starting autumn 2027, ramping from 1,000 vehicles per month ...
China Drag Slows Global Light Vehicle Outlook, But Decline May Be Nearing a Plateau- Forecast downgrade: Automotive World cut the global light vehicle sales forecast for the seventh time in August 2026, to 87.3 million units, 2.6% below last y...
Honda Weighs Future of Eighth North American Factory as USMCA Disputes Linger- Factory under review: Honda is considering an eighth factory in North America, but may decide against it if USMCA trade disputes aren't resolved. - Trade fric...
Robust Revenue and Margin GrowthXpeng's Q2 2026 financial results highlight a period of significant growth in overseas markets and advancements in robotics and autonomous driving technologies....
US-Canada Trade Talks Collapse: A Blow to Automotive Stability- Supply Chain Disruption: The deeply integrated US-Canada automotive supply chains face significant disruption, with parts crossing the border up to seven time...
Waymo's Custom Silicon Bet: 1,000 TOPS, Sensor Fusion, and a Direct Answer to Musk- Custom silicon: Waymo built its own chip on TSMC's 5nm process, delivering more than 1,000 TOPS dedicated to raw sensor processing and machine-learning models...
Waymo's Custom Silicon: 1,000 TOPS for the Robotaxi Front End- Custom silicon milestone: Waymo built its first custom chip using TSMC's 5nm process, delivering more than 1,000 TOPS dedicated to raw sensor processing and m...
Waymo's Custom 5nm Chip Puts Silicon Behind Its Multi-Sensor Bet- Custom silicon debut: Waymo has built its first custom computer chip on TSMC's 5nm process, delivering more than 1,000 TOPS dedicated to raw sensor processing...
Chery Automobile's Net Profit Dips 11.7% While Gross Margins Climb to 16.1%- Bottom-line decline: Chery Automobile's first-half net profit fell 11.7% year-over-year to CN¥8.57bn (US$1.26bn). - Operational strength: Gross profit rose 25...
Grounded Closes US$5 Million Seed Round, Opens 50,000 sq ft Detroit Plant- Funding secured: Grounded closed a US$5 million seed round funding manufacturing infrastructure, facility equipment, and team expansion. - Capacity leap: The ...
UK Government Reopens 2030 BEV Target, Floating a Cut From 80% to 50%- Target under review: A consultation opened 14 August 2026 could cut the UK's 2030 BEV sales target from 80% to as low as 50%, with the review brought forward ...
UK Reopens 2030 BEV Target Review, Putting 80% Sales Mandate on the Table- Consultation launched: The UK government opened a review on 14 August 2026 that could cut the 2030 BEV sales target from 80% to as low as 50%. - Volume impact...
The Target Under ReviewThe consultation reopens the 2030 battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales mandate, with the most aggressive option under review reducing the 80% requirement to 50%...
Ford Reshores Lincoln Nautilus Production to US Plants Starting in 2030- Reshoring commitment: Ford will end Lincoln Nautilus imports from China and move production to US plants starting in 2030. - Tariff pressure: A 52.5% duty — i...
China's BEV Market Defies Broader Auto Decline with 6% Growth in July- Sales Decline: China's overall passenger vehicle sales fell by 20.9% in July, with ICE vehicles experiencing a 44% drop. - BEV Growth: Despite the broader dec...
VW Takes Minority Stake Path: 51:49 JSW Joint Venture to Fund India EV Platform- Deal structure: Volkswagen and JSW Group are nearing a 51:49 joint venture — JSW holding the majority — to fund Volkswagen's India EV push, with executives du...
Volkswagen Overhauls US Strategy: New Leadership and a US-Built Pick-Up on the Table- Leadership change: Marco Schubert, formerly Head of Sales at Audi, will relocate to the US to replace Kjell Gruner as Volkswagen overhauls its US strategy. - ...
From Feature to Infrastructure: Why Trusted Connectivity Will Define Connected Mobility- Current state: The industry is connected but not yet a truly connected ecosystem; barriers include cybersecurity and data governance. - Key definitions: Conne...
Suzuki Holds Japan's No. 2 Slot, but India Concentration Meets a Softer 2026 Outlook- Domestic standing: Suzuki is the second-largest vehicle manufacturer in Japan. - 2025 output: The company produced more than 942,700 vehicles domestically in ...
Lucid Delays Affordable Cosmos EV to 2027 as Operational Reset Takes Hold- Launch delay: Lucid will delay its affordable mid-size EV, the Cosmos, to the second half of 2027, with Chief Executive Silvio Napoli citing quality readiness...
Chery has agreed to invest US$75m (KRW 108bn) in South Korean automaker KG Mobility (KGM) through convertible bonds, securing an initial stake of around 10%. If the bonds are fully converted near their 2029 maturity, that position could rise to 16.22%. The structure keeps the transaction framed as a financial investment today, while leaving the door open to a substantially larger equity position later.The bond deal is part of a relationship that has been developing over time.
Renault's €1.1bn Operating Profit Masks a Skewed Year-Over-Year Comparison- Top-line growth: Renault's revenue rose 11% and global deliveries rose 2.3% in Q2 2026. - H1 profitability: Operating profit exceeded €1.1bn (US$1.3bn) for th...
Renault Posts Revenue Gains, but Margin Pressure Tells a Harder Story- Top-line growth: Renault grew revenue 11% and global deliveries 2.3% in the second quarter of 2026. - H1 profit figure: Operating profit exceeded €1.1bn (US$1...
Stellantis Posts Double-Digit Revenue Growth in Q2 2026 — But Earnings Still Miss the Mark- Revenue rebound: Stellantis' Q2 2026 revenue rose 13.1% year-on-year to €43.5bn (US$49.9bn). - Profit swing: The company reported a US$1.7bn gain in operating...
Audi Q9 Leans on Combustion Power for United States Push- Launch and pricing: Order books open at the end of July, the 220kW TDI starts at €108,400 (US$123,600), and deliveries begin in November. - Regional powertrai...
Hyundai Net Profit Drops 11.1% as Middle East Conflict Drives Up Manufacturing Costs- Cost pressure: The war in the Middle East is raising Hyundai's manufacturing costs. - Demand weakness: Hyundai reports "soft" US demand and a decline in Europ...
GM Posts Higher Q2 Profits, Up 30%, Despite Soft Sales in US and China- Profit performance: General Motors achieved higher profits in Q2, up 30%, beating expectations despite flat US sales and a decline in China. - Prior quarter c...
Global light vehicle production outlook spans 1,400 models- Coverage scale: data and analysis span more than 50 automaker groups, 140 brands and 1,400 models. - Forecast basis: production forecasts align with Automotiv...
Automotive World Forecast Tracks Lifecycle Demand Across 1,400 Models- Coverage scope: Data and analysis of global light vehicle production spanning more than 50 automaker groups, 140 brands, and 1,400 models. - Forecast anchor: ...
Automotive World updates 2025–2026 global light vehicle production forecast- Broad coverage: The dataset spans 50 automaker groups, 140 brands, and 1,400 models. - TIV alignment: Production forecasts align with Automotive World’s total...
Toyota's AI Expansion: A Cautious Leap into Manufacturing and Smart Cities- Strategic AI Collaboration: Toyota's partnership with Nvidia focuses on AI integration in manufacturing and smart cities, reflecting a cautious approach to te...
Toyota's AI Expansion: A Cautious Leap into AI-Driven Manufacturing and Smart Cities- Problem: Toyota seeks to integrate AI into manufacturing and smart cities while maintaining its cautious approach to technology. - Solution: Expanded partners...
India's EV Market: A Tough Nut for Chinese Brands to Crack- Problem: India's EV market is booming, but Chinese brands struggle due to high import duties and local competition. - Solution: Chinese manufacturers are adap...
Bosch Commences Chip Production at its Inaugural US SiC Facility- Problem: Global shift towards AI chips has led to a shortage of automotive-grade SiC chips. - Solution: Bosch opens its first US SiC chip plant in Hermosillo,...
DOJ Launches Grand Jury Probe into UAW President Shawn Fain: A Deep Dive into the Implications for the Automotive Industry- Investigation Timing: The DOJ's grand jury probe into UAW President Shawn Fain coincides with upcoming union elections, ensuring it will be a key campaign i...
Grab's Ambitious 15-Fold Expansion of EV Charging Network Challenges VinFast's Monopoly in Vietnam- Problem: VinFast's 150,000-port charging network is exclusive to its own vehicles, creating a monopoly in Vietnam. - Solution: Grab plans to expand its EV cha...
Grab's Ambitious 15x Charging Expansion Challenges VinFast's Closed EV Network in Vietnam- Problem: VinFast's 150,000-port charging network is exclusive to its vehicles, creating a monopoly in Vietnam. - Solution: Grab plans to expand its EV chargin...
Fuel Shortages Ignite Growth in Russia's Nascent EV Market- Fuel Shortages: The Ukraine conflict has led to significant fuel shortages in Russia, prompting a shift towards electric vehicles. - Government Support: The R...
Xiaomi Enters EREV SUV Market with Sky Nomad Series: A Strategic Gamble- Xiaomi enters the EREV SUV market with the Sky Nomad series, aiming to achieve ambitious growth targets. - The flagship model, Sky Nomad X1, offers a 600 km e...
Brazil's Car Sales Surge: EVs and BYD Lead the Charge- Problem: Brazil's car sales were stagnant until early 2023, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. - Solution: BYD and other EV manufacturers invested in local...
Thailand's Manufacturing Shift: A New Era for Tier-Two Suppliers- Problem: Geopolitical tensions and the need for diversified supply chains have forced tier-two suppliers to seek alternatives to China. - Solution: SMP establ...
BMW's Strategic Electrification Pays Off with $1.7 Billion South Carolina Investment- Problem: The automotive industry faces challenges in transitioning to electrification, with many companies experiencing costly EV writedowns. - Solution: BMW ...
BYD Aims for 2027 Launch of A3 Chip, Expanding Vertical Integration into Semiconductors- Problem: BYD faced semiconductor supply chain vulnerabilities, prompting a need for vertical integration in chip production. - Solution: BYD plans to launch t...
BYD Aims for 2027 Launch of A3 Chip Amidst Vertical Integration Success- Problem: BYD faced challenges due to reliance on external chip suppliers amidst the global chip shortage. - Solution: BYD is developing the A3 chip, targeting...
BMW's Future Production Hinges on Neue Klasse Success in China- Critical Market: China's reception of BMW's Neue Klasse models is crucial for the company's future production volumes. - Strategic Expansion: BMW plans to inc...