Author: Derick Munoz

Hyundai Motor Group debuted its Nano Cooling Film for car cabin temperature control at Cannes Lions 2024 in France. The presentation, themed “From Logic to Magic: 5 Ways to Make Tech Resonate,” highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. This marked the first time automakers were invited to present at Cannes Lions. Hyundai Motor Group emphasized its dedication to sustainability and innovation, showcasing its Nano Cooling Film designed to reduce a car’s cabin temperature by up to 10°C in hot weather. The film does not darken the windows and is said to significantly lower the vehicle’s energy consumption. See…

In a recent report by Counterpoint Research, the electric vehicle (EV) market in Southeast Asia has seen a remarkable surge, largely driven by Chinese automakers like BYD and Vietnam’s VinFast. The region witnessed a more than doubling of EV sales in the January to March quarter compared to the previous year, while sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars declined by 7%. Counterpoint analyst Abhik Mukherjee highlighted the trend, noting that Japanese and Korean automakers, who traditionally dominate conventional vehicle sales, are lagging behind in EV adoption. This gap is being filled by Chinese OEMs, which accounted for over 70%…

During his visit to South Korea, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck highlighted the shared goal of diversifying away from China, broadening raw material suppliers, and reducing dependence on critical products. Habeck, on a trip to Asia, is expected to discuss China’s relations with Russia in Beijing, along with managing the fallout of an escalating row over European Union tariffs on Chinese electric cars. “South Korea has a similar economic policy to Germany, focusing on trade,” Habeck stated in Seoul. “It is a country that relies on open markets and pushes back protectionist tendencies as far as possible.” See also: China Criticizes…

Ford CEO Jim Farley recently discussed the company’s strides in autonomous driving, revealing that Ford has achieved Level 3 autonomy, allowing drivers to remove their hands from the wheel and eyes from the road. However, he cautioned that it will be some time before Ford customers can experience this technology. The journey to fully self-driving vehicles has been more gradual than anticipated, echoing the futuristic visions of the 1960s filled with flying cars. Despite its name, Tesla’s “Full-Self Driving” feature falls short of the Level 4 standard. Tesla’s Autopilot does not even meet Level 3 criteria by SAE standards; the…

At an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit on June 18, automotive analyst John Murphy of Bank of America (BofA) made a bold recommendation for General Motors (GM), Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis to exit the Chinese market “as soon as possible.” This advice comes in light of declining market share, increased competition, and geopolitical risks impacting the profitability of the U.S. Big Three automakers in China. “China is no longer a core market for GM, Ford, and Stellantis,” Murphy stated, emphasizing that “the Detroit Three should focus on their core products and more profitable regions.” This recommendation is driven…

The Canadian electric vehicle (EV) market experienced a dynamic first quarter in 2024, with mixed trends in adoption rates across the country. While the year-over-year (YoY) growth in the adoption of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) was impressive, quarter-over-quarter figures showed a slight decline. According to data from S&P Global Mobility, in Q1 2024, ZEVs accounted for 12.5% of all new light vehicle registrations in Canada, down from 13.2% in Q4 2023. However, the YoY comparison showed a positive trend, with ZEV registrations increasing by 55.0% from Q1 2023. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), a subset of ZEVs, also experienced a decrease…

BMW is pioneering a flexible approach to production by integrating both internal combustion and battery-electric drivelines on a single assembly line. This innovative strategy aims to future-proof its manufacturing capabilities amidst the evolving landscape of automotive technology. In a recent interview with Autocar, BMW’s product chief, Bernd Körber, emphasized the brand’s proactive stance in anticipating market shifts. Körber acknowledged the volatility of the transition to electrification, noting that initial estimates for electric vehicle (EV) sales were overly optimistic but have now swung towards being too pessimistic. See also: BMW Integrates Cerence AI Tools for Enhanced Safety in Self-Driving Vehicles “Our strategy…

Hyundai Motor Group is gearing up for a significant milestone as it prepares to commence production of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at its new Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Bryan County, Georgia, by 2025. The decision marks a pivotal moment for Hyundai’s presence in North America, with the highly acclaimed all-electric SUV poised to lead the charge. Despite the Ioniq 5 not yet being unveiled in North America, it has already garnered widespread acclaim globally. In March, Parents magazine recognized the Ioniq 5 as the Best Electric 5-Passenger SUV for Families in its 2024 Best Family Cars Awards, underscoring its…

German technology company Voith has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Chinese Weifu Group, marking a significant step towards advancing hydrogen fuel cell systems. The agreement includes the establishment of two joint ventures, with a focus on hydrogen storage systems for mobility applications. The joint ventures will collaborate on research, development, production, and application of hydrogen storage systems. One venture, Voith HySTech, based in Garching near Munich, Germany, will cater to the global market (excluding China), with Voith as the majority shareholder. This venture will concentrate on heavy-duty vehicle applications, offering a ready-to-install Plug & Drive H2 storage…

Chilean lithium producer SQM has finalized a long-term agreement with Hyundai and Kia to supply lithium hydroxide, a key component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The deal signifies a significant milestone for SQM’s expansion plans in lithium hydroxide production. While specific details regarding the quantity and financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, SQM has expressed that the deal serves as a “strong motivation” for its ongoing expansion efforts in lithium hydroxide production. Hyundai and Kia have opted to secure “a portion” of their future lithium hydroxide supply from SQM. SQM currently has the capacity to produce approximately…

Vauxhall has unveiled leasing options for its Combo Electric vans, aiming to encourage businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles. The new deals offer electric models at the same monthly rental cost as their diesel counterparts, with identical deposit and terms. This initiative by Vauxhall aims to bridge the cost gap between electric and diesel vehicles, making electric mobility more financially appealing for businesses. The company estimates that drivers could save up to £91 per month on fuel costs by switching to electric, based on an average of 6,000 miles driven per year. The leasing deals cover both the…

German robotics expert Kuka has secured a substantial contract to supply welding robots for the production of electric vehicles (EVs) to an undisclosed automotive client. The deal, valued in the double-digit million euros, marks Kuka’s largest single order in this field to date. The order comprises 23 cells equipped with integrated robots designed for Friction Stir Welding (FSW). These cells, which include Kuka’s KR FORTEC robots and other essential components, will be seamlessly integrated into the client’s EV production lines. “The robots in the cells weld battery trays together and join cooling plates to the battery trays in a second…