Automotive Technology Insight | Forecasts | Industry News

Japan earthquake: Automotive semiconductor supply chains show resilience

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island on July 28, prompting precautionary inspections, temporary disruptions and localized power outages across the region. While several chipmakers suspended operations for safety checks, initial assessments indicate limited facility damage and gradual resumption of production. This report provides an update to our previous insight on the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake and its potential implications for the semiconductor a...

insights
Supply Chain
20-Jul-2026
Pinned

Pax Silica: The car industry enters the silicon security state

For most of the postwar era, the automotive industry focused its anxieties on the traditional pillars of steel, oil and labor. As the sector evolved, it later found itself preoccupied with the complexities of battery supply chains. Now, it must contend with lithography, gallium, trusted foundries and the unsettling question of whether a chip buried in a door controller carries the wrong geopolitical ancestry. This is the logic behind Pax Silica, the latest American attempt to turn...

AoToRoBo makes US debut with AI companion and infotainment system

AoToRoBo has launched in the US market with two aftermarket vehicle products, Civo and Aero, aimed at adding AI interaction, connectivity and cabin air purification to older cars. The announcement marks the smart hardware brand's first US product rollout. The products are available through AoToRoBo's crowdfunding campaign on KickStarter, with the company planning to expand to major online retail channels in the coming months. Civo is an AI-powered driving companion built around voice-fir...

China Speed and OEM responsiveness in crash performance and repairability: Q&A with Thatcham Research

Over the past few years, one theme has repeatedly surfaced across the automotive industry: how Western original equipment manufacturers can narrow the gap with their mainland Chinese competitors, often summarized as “China Speed.” While much of the debate has focused on shorter development cycles and lower costs, the differences are perhaps most visible at the program level — particularly in how quickly OEMs respond to testing, validation and repairability feedback. From a supplier and ...

insights
Supply Chain
08-May-2026

Software-defined vehicles and multi-cycle leasing: From OTA refresh to modular vehicle renewal

The automotive industry’s shift towards a more sustainable approach is driving the growth of multi-cycle usage models. As automakers aim to capitalize on technological innovation and changing customer usage, these strategies extend the life of vehicles, components and materials through repair, repurposing, and refurbishment. In traditional automotive cycles, vehicles are manufactured for a single owner, before eventually being scrapped, with limited opportunities to recycle materials....

UpdatePromise and UVeye bring AI-powered vehicle inspection intelligence to dealerships

UpdatePromise, a provider of dealership customer experience and fixed-operations technology, has announced an integration with UVeye, a leading provider of automated vehicle inspection systems. The integration brings AI-powered inspection intelligence directly into dealership service workflows, enabling faster decisions, greater transparency and improved service efficiency. With the new integration, vehicles are automatically scanned during service check-in, and inspection findings are instan...

Continental expands chassis and steering spare parts portfolio

Continental group sector ContiTech has announced the implementation of its portfolio expansion, which was initially revealed at Automechanika in the fall of 2024. As part of this expansion, Continental-branded wheel bearing kits and spare parts for chassis and steering systems are now available, totaling well over 1,000 items in 2025 alone, aimed at a diverse range of vehicles in the European market. ContiTech intends to continue expanding its portfolio in 2026, starting with over a hundred new ...

Insights into Inchcape's sustainability practices and goals

Sustainability in the automotive industry is increasingly important as manufacturers and distributors adapt to shifting consumer preferences and regulatory requirements. The transition toward electric vehicles is central to this shift, driven by increasing awareness of climate change and the need for reduced carbon emissions. Automakers are focusing on developing new-energy vehicles (NEVs) and integrating sustainable practices throughout their operations. A key strategy is diversifying vehicl...

Mercedes-Benz introduces new digital payment option in Europe

Mercedes-Benz is advancing its digitalization efforts in the aftersales business by introducing a new digital payment option for customers to settle service invoices more conveniently. This modern payment solution offers a variety of payment methods, featuring the significant addition of a flexible installment payment option that comes with a swift credit check, eliminating the need for complex contractual processes. Following a successful pilot phase in the German market, Mercedes-Benz is expan...