Author: Shaun Williams

Volkswagen is actively seeking buyers for its Osnabrück plant and a partner for its Dresden factory, as the automaker aims to avoid plant closures. According to a Reuters report, Chinese companies and authorities have shown interest in acquiring one of these Volkswagen facilities to expand their presence in Germany’s automotive industry. The motivation for this potential acquisition stems not only from considerations around EU tariffs but also from a strategic desire to enter the heart of Germany’s esteemed automotive sector. The plants in question include the Dresden facility, which produces around 6,000 ID.3 electric cars annually. Production at the site…

Although battery raw material markets have been dominated by oversupply and low prices this year, significant deficits are expected over the next decade, according to Benchmark. The forecasted deficits for lithium and nickel are particularly stark, with the markets projected to face shortfalls of 572,000 tonnes and 839,000 tonnes, respectively, by 2034. These deficits are expected to be about seven times larger than the current surpluses for each material. Benchmark’s analysis indicates that the investment required to meet battery demand in 2030 is estimated to reach $514 billion, with $220 billion needed for upstream projects. Among the materials, lithium and…

Cellcentric, the fuel cell joint venture between Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group, has signed an option agreement with the town of Weilheim/Teck to acquire land for its future large-scale fuel cell production facility. The plant is planned for the district of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg. Development on the site has faced delays, with the initial groundbreaking originally set for 2023 and later pushed to autumn 2024. According to Cellcentric, the acquisition of the land had been a significant bottleneck. The joint venture now expects operations at the facility to commence “around 2030,” a substantial departure from earlier projections of a…

TomTom (TOM2) has upgraded its Orbis Maps by integrating 3D lane geometry with centimeter-level precision. This enhancement provides global coverage and continuous updates, supporting industries such as automotive, logistics, and urban planning. The technology uses AI-driven updates and data from sources including crowdsourcing, lidar surveys, and satellite imagery to ensure accurate and up-to-date mapping. The improvements are particularly beneficial for automated driving systems, offering support for navigation in complex environments like busy intersections and high-speed junctions. This development is expected to have applications across various sectors. In the automotive industry, it can improve advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for better…

Ford Motor’s Executive Chair, Bill Ford, expressed optimism about the incoming administration of President Donald Trump, emphasizing its potential to bolster the U.S. automotive sector. In a conversation with reporters, Ford highlighted Trump’s apparent focus on supporting domestic auto workers and industry growth. “This time he [Trump] understands the importance of our industry,” Bill Ford said, reflecting on his discussions with the president-elect earlier this month. The chair noted that while Trump’s first term required “education” on automotive issues, the former president is now well-informed and eager to engage with the sector. Trump’s plans to eliminate the $7,500 federal EV…

ACE Green Recycling, a US-based company, has signed a lease agreement to build India’s largest battery recycling plant in Mundra, Gujarat. This expansion, which builds on ACE’s existing operations in India, aims to meet the rising demand for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recycling. The new facility is set to have an annual processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes of LFP batteries by 2026. ACE’s strategic choice of Mundra as the location for the plant benefits from its proximity to major ports, which handle over 10% of India’s maritime traffic. This location is expected to streamline the transport of raw materials…

Swiss microcar manufacturer Micro has debuted the Microlino Spider concept at the Brussels Motor Show 2025, marking the fourth model in its lineup after the Microlino, Microlino Lite, and Microlino Spiaggina. The company plans to roll out the Spider in Europe through its extensive dealer network and expand into the U.S. market by collaborating with dealer groups, leasing companies, and entrepreneurs. Designed with U.S. consumers in mind, the Microlino Spider blends the compact form of an L7e-class vehicle with an open-air design. It features no doors and a choice between a fully topless configuration or a fabric roof for sun…

Hyzon Motors, a US-based fuel cell commercial vehicle manufacturer, is preparing to dissolve and liquidate its operations following a decision by its board of directors. The company disclosed the decision in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), citing severe financial difficulties. This announcement comes shortly after Hyzon issued a warning to employees about impending redundancies under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act). The challenges faced by Hyzon have escalated significantly in recent months. In July 2024, the company exited its European and Australian markets, citing unfavorable market conditions. By December, Hyzon had notified…

Here Technologies and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have confirmed a significant mapping collaboration, valued at $1 billion, announced this week at CES in Las Vegas. The 10-year agreement combines Here’s precision location technology with AWS’ extensive cloud infrastructure to create AI-powered live maps for automakers developing software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The collaboration aims to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) expedite the development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving (AD) technologies, potentially accelerating the introduction of semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles. As noted by Here, location technology is critical for SDVs but is also data-intensive, making AWS’ vast computing power…

Mercedes-Benz has postponed the production of its all-electric, long-wheelbase CLA sedan in China, originally scheduled for April 2024, to August 2024 due to software development challenges, according to a report by Chinese media outlet 36kr. The luxury carmaker confirmed that the model will enter production in 2025, following rigorous testing. “We are advancing our preparations for the production ramp-up as planned to ensure that this new product meets the needs of our Chinese customers,” Mercedes-Benz stated in response to the report. The CLA model, built on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, reflects the automaker’s strategy to cater to China’s…

Hyundai’s new president and CEO, Jose Munoz, has downplayed any concerns over Elon Musk’s close relationship with former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the company’s commitment to investing in the U.S. market. Munoz, who assumed leadership of the automaker on January 1, stated that Hyundai views the U.S. as its “most important market,” noting that their substantial investments in the country are driven by strategic goals rather than government incentives, particularly those under the Biden administration. Musk, who has played a significant role in supporting Trump’s political endeavors, is expected to push for policies that could benefit Tesla while potentially limiting…

BYD has officially introduced the Xia, a new premium multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) within its Dynasty lineup. The Xia combines the company’s latest DM 5.0 hybrid technology with a standard DiPilot 100 driver assistance system, offering a modern approach to hybrid MPVs. The Xia is available in four variants, priced between RMB 249,800 ($34,070) and RMB 309,800. It features a three-row, seven-seat layout, with dimensions of 5,145 mm in length, 1,970 mm in width, and 1,805 mm in height, alongside a wheelbase of 3,045 mm. The size of the Xia is slightly smaller compared to BYD’s other MPV, the Denza D9.…

Zeekr, the electric vehicle (EV) maker, has teased the upcoming launch of its latest model, the Zeekr 007 GT, marking its continued push into the shooting brake segment. The company shared the first images of the vehicle today, revealing a sleek design that expands Zeekr’s lineup, following the successful introduction of the Zeekr 001 shooting brake model in 2021. The Zeekr 007 GT, which will be known as the Zeekr 7 GT in international markets, is positioned as a grand tourer. The company hinted at its release with a cryptic message on Weibo: “A great tour is about to start,…

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber Technologies Inc, has resigned from the board of autonomous vehicle technology company Aurora Innovation, citing a need to concentrate on his ongoing responsibilities at Uber. The resignation, effective as of Tuesday, was confirmed by a regulatory filing on Friday. Aurora stated that Khosrowshahi’s departure was not prompted by any disagreements with the company. Khosrowshahi, who had been on Aurora’s board since 2020, joined as part of a deal when Uber sold its self-driving unit, Uber ATG, to Aurora. Uber invested $400 million into Aurora at that time, acquiring a 26% stake in the combined company.…

Lucid Motors has started deliveries of its Gravity SUV, marking the launch of its second production model. The deliveries come shortly after production began at the company’s plant in Casa Grande, Arizona. The first units of the Gravity SUV have been delivered to employees, friends, and families, according to a statement shared by Lucid on Monday. The vehicle is available in a single trim, the Grand Touring, which is priced between $94,900 and $126,500, depending on the chosen configuration. It offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 450 miles. The Gravity follows Lucid’s Air sedan, launched in 2021, and represents…

Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) has advanced its sustainability leadership, moving up to 32nd place globally in the 2024 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings while retaining its fifth-place position in Indonesia. The latest results highlight the university’s progress in promoting sustainability across education, infrastructure, and research. The recognition was presented to Prof. Dr. Amin Retnoningsih, M.Si., Head of the UNNES Conservation Subdirectorate, during the UI GreenMetric National Ranking Award Ceremony on December 17, 2024, in Bandung. She said the achievement reflects the joint effort of the entire UNNES academic community. “This achievement is not the result of one individual’s effort, but…

Tesla is set to lose its plant manager at the Gigafactory Shanghai, as Song Gang, who has been with the company for six years, confirmed his departure in an internal memo seen by Reuters. Song, who currently holds the position of Vice President of Manufacturing at the Shanghai plant, stated that his time at Tesla has come to an end. Though his LinkedIn page has not yet been updated, it now reflects his status as “EX-Tesla” under the description below his name, with his profile stating: “As the No. 1 employee in Tesla GFSH, I have built up the world…

Lilium, the German developer of electric air taxis, is in the midst of a critical phase as it negotiates with multiple potential buyers. Reports from Wirtschaftswoche indicate that Lilium received offers from investors last week, with the aim of finalizing a deal by the end of this week. However, details on the identity of the bidders and the purchase price remain unclear. With Lilium’s stock value currently at just a few cents, the transaction is expected to be valued at around one hundred million euros, similar to an alleged offer for its competitor Volocopter by Chinese car manufacturer Geely. In…

Joby Aviation, a developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has joined forces with executive aviation company Jetex to establish charging systems across the Middle East. The collaboration is designed to support Joby’s growing air taxi network, connecting passengers to a network of vertiports across the region and the Emirates. As part of an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority, Joby holds exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years. The initial charging installations will be located at Jetex terminals, facilitating sustainable urban air mobility and passenger convenience. “Jetex’s exceptional operational standards and commitment…

Starting in January 2025, BMW will fill all new diesel vehicles produced at its German plants with HVO 100, a sustainable fuel made from renewable raw materials such as cooking oil and residues. In partnership with Finnish manufacturer Neste, the initiative is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with HVO 100 producing up to 90% fewer emissions compared to traditional fossil diesel. BMW will implement the change at its plants in Munich, Dingolfing, Regensburg, and Leipzig, where new diesel models will leave the production line with a full tank of HVO 100, replacing the previous practice of filling vehicles with…