CATL has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BHP Group to collaborate on battery technology and electrification projects. The collaboration will cover the development of batteries for mining equipment and locomotives, and the exploration of rapid charging infrastructure and energy storage systems for BHP's mining applications. Additionally, the partnership aims to investigate battery recycling options. CATL, recognized globally for its new energy technologies, is focused on buildi...

Rio Tinto has been chosen as the preferred partner for the Salares Altoandinos lithium project in Chile's Atacama region by Empresa Nacional de Minería (ENAMI), a state-owned mining company. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto would initially acquire a 51% stake in the project, while ENAMI holds 49%. This partnership is still contingent on the signature of binding agreements, regulatory approval and other conditions. Rio Tinto's Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm expressed appreciation for...

MAHLE has completed the first year of its operations at the Global Biomobility Center, which is located at its Tech Center in Jundiaí, São Paulo. The center was established to utilize MAHLE's expertise and partner network in South America to support the global development of sustainable mobility solutions, focusing on biofuels and biomaterials. During its first year, the center has initiated eight projects in collaboration with customers and research institutes. It is actively monitori...

Rio Tinto and Codelco have entered into a joint venture agreement to develop a high-grade lithium project in Chile's Salar de Maricunga. This collaboration is part of their strategic partnership aimed at enhancing their roles as suppliers of materials crucial for the global energy transition. The Salar de Maricunga, located in the Atacama region, is recognized for its large resource base with high lithium content, offering potential for scalable and economical production. Under the agreement,...

Four Indian state firms, led by government-backed Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL), are negotiating with Chilean mining company SQM to purchase a 20% share in two of SQM's lithium projects located in Australia for $600 million. This move is part of India's strategic effort to secure lithium supplies, vital for electric vehicle battery production, as the country seeks to minimize carbon emissions. The consortium includes Coal India, Oil India and ONGC Videsh, focusing on SQM's Mount Holland and A...

Ecarx Technology, supported by Geely, has entered into a cooperation agreement with Volkswagen Group to deliver intelligent cockpit solutions for Volkswagen and ŠKODA brand vehicles across the globe, as reported by LatePost on March 7. This collaboration includes the provision of Ecarx's Antora 1000 computing platform and its Cloudpeak cross-domain software platform, targeting initial launches in Brazil and India before expanding to more markets. The Antora 1000 platform, which is Ecarx...

Toyota Motor Corp. has announced a collaboration with Transatel, an NTT DATA subsidiary and a global provider of cellular connectivity solutions, to introduce connected vehicle services in Latin America. This partnership involves the integration of Transatel's multinetwork (e)SIM cards into Toyota vehicles in the Latin American market, facilitating a range of services such as telematics and onboard Wi-Fi hotspots. Already available for customers in Brazil and Argentina, this initiative is expect...

Renault Group and Geely Holding Group have entered into a framework agreement to extend their strategic collaboration for producing and selling zero- and low-emission vehicles in Brazil. This partnership signifies Geely Holding's entry as a minority shareholder in Renault do Brasil, enabling the company to utilize Renault Group's Ayrton Senna Industrial Complex in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, for vehicle production. This collaboration aims to leverage Renault do Brasil's distribution ecos...

On Feb. 10, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imported into the US without any exceptions or exemptions. The new tariffs will become effective from March 4, 2025. Steel and aluminum are the two most widely used raw materials in the production of a diverse range of products, from consumer appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines to cars and trucks. In vehicles, automakers use 900 to 1,400 kg of steel in the product...

Rio Tinto, an Anglo-Australian mining behemoth, has unveiled plans to establish a new lithium-focused division following its acquisition of Arcadium Lithium, in a deal valued at $6.7 billion. This decision, revealed through an internal memo, underscores the company's belief in lithium's pivotal role in its future and the significant value attributed to Arcadium's engineering expertise. The acquisition, which received approval from Arcadium's shareholders and is anticipated to be finalized by ...

Amber Connect, a Jamaica-based producer of vehicle tracking and telematics solutions, is set to enter the Indian market by participating in the Bharat Expo 2025, India's largest mobility event titled Beyond Boundaries, Co-creating Future Automotive Value Chain. India is a significant player in the global automotive industry, ranking second in two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturing, fourth in passenger vehicles, and fifth in commercial vehicles. By joining Bharat Expo 2025, Amber Connect aim...

Hubject, acclaimed for its expertise in eRoaming and Plug&Charge solutions, has partnered with AmpUp, a distinguished provider of electric vehicle charging solutions in North America. This collaboration aims to refine the EV charging experience, making it more secure, effortless and user-friendly for drivers throughout the region. Initially, AmpUp will integrate Hubject's Plug&Charge platform, which is based on the ISO 15118 standard, to facilitate charging without the need for apps o...

Eramet, a metals and mining company, recently announced the commencement of lithium carbonate production at its Centenario plant in Salta Province, Argentina. With an annual production capacity designed to reach 24,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate, the Centenario plant is expected to be among the most cost-effective operations within the lithium sector. Remarkably, the facility achieved its first lithium carbonate production in under three years from the start of construct...

Sigma Lithium Corporation, a global lithium producer known for its carbon-neutral "Quintuple Zero Green Lithium" aimed at powering electric vehicles, announced a successful conclusion to the 2024 business year. The company reported exceeding its fourth-quarter production targets with about 75,000 metric tons of lithium produced, culminating in a yearly total of approximately 240,000 metric tons in both production and sales volumes. This performance positions Sigma Lithium to surpass its 2025 pro...

Samvardhana Motherson Automotive Systems Group BV (SMRPBV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian auto components group Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd. (SAMIL), has agreed to acquire Brazil-based automotive supplier Baldi Industria E Comercio Ltda for $7.8 million, Autocar Professional reported Dec. 16. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of the next financial year (fiscal year 2025/26), subjected to satisfactory completion of all closing conditions. B...

Rio Tinto has disclosed the initial resource and reserve estimates for the Salar del Rincon lithium brine project located in Salta, Argentina. The Rincon project is reported to have 1.54 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in measured resources, 7.85 million metric tons in indicated resources and 2.29 million metric tons in inferred resources, with ore reserves including 2.07 million metric tons in the probable category. Situated in the region known as the Lithium T...

UK-based battery material startup Echion Technologies and CBMM, a leading producer of niobium products, have officially inaugurated the world’s first volume manufacturing facility dedicated to producing Echion’s proprietary ultrafast-charging XNO anode active material (AAM) technology, Echion announced Nov. 13. The newly opened battery AAM manufacturing facility is located in Araxá, Brazil. According to Echion, the new AAM plant is the largest niobium-based anode production facility worl...

Denso has entered into collaboration with T-Hub, a startup incubator based in Hyderabad, India, to work with automotive startups on advanced mobility solutions, as reported by THG PUBLISHING on Nov. 6. The partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing in the presence of Industries and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu will see Denso engaging with India's innovative automotive startups via T-Hub's T-Connect platform. The collaboration aims to generate new ideas a...

Eramet has successfully reacquired full ownership of its Argentinian subsidiary, Eramine Sudamerica, resulting in the complete ownership of the Centenario lithium project in Argentina, from Tsingshan Group, which previously held a 49.9% interest. This purchase, costing Eramet a net cash impact of $699 million, will see the group utilizing its available liquidity and will increase the group's net debt by the same amount. This move is aimed at giving Eramet unrestricted control and benefit from...

BYD has launched its Shark plug-in hybrid (PHEV) electric pickup truck in the Brazilian market on Oct. 19, with prices starting from $66,700, according to a news report published by CarNewsChina on Oct. 23. Citing Henrique Antunes, who is the commercial director of BYD Brazil, the report said that the senior company executive estimates the model will achieve sales ranging from 10,000-15,000 units a year in Brazil, making it one of the country’s five best-selling midsize pickup trucks. BY...

U Power Ltd., a China-based vehicle sourcing services provider aiming to become a leader in electric vehicle battery power solutions, has announced a significant strategic partnership with Ualabee Corp., a major South American mobile travel platform. This collaboration is centered on integrating U Power's innovative UOTTA battery-swapping technology into Ualabee's extensive South American ride-hailing services. The partnership aligns with U Power's goals for global expansion and marks a pivot...

Great Wall Motor (GWM), one of the leading automakers from mainland China, is planning to commence operations at its car factory in Brazil in May 2025, according to a news report published by the South China Morning Post on Oct. 16. The publication cited Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico as the original source of this story. It further stated that GWM plans to produce up to 25,000 vehicles in the first year of its operations in Brazil. The facility will be GWM’s third manufacturing plant ...

Geely Automobile’s premium electric car unit Zeekr, which is listed on the NYSE, has forayed into the Brazilian car market by launching the Zeekr 001 shooting brake in São Paulo on Oct. 10, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Oct. 12. The move to launch the Zeekr 001 shooting brake marks the availability of the first-ever Zeekr EV model in the country as part of the mainland Chinese automaker’s global expansion strategy. In 2024 alone, Zeekr has meaningfully expanded...

Mercedes-Benz and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), a key initiative of the Ontario government aimed at advancing the automotive and mobility sector, have announced a partnership to establish incubators in Ontario to support startup creation, scouting and automotive innovation. This collaboration is part of the international Mercedes-Benz STARTUP AUTOBAHN network, aiming to enhance the transition to industrialization by capitalizing on the region's strengths in advanced automot...

SK Enmove, a subsidiary of SK Innovation, has signed a supply agreement with the Chilean mining company SQM. This partnership aims to secure a stable supply of iodine, which is a critical component for the production of high-efficiency, next-generation automotive refrigerants. The agreement is set to solidify upon the execution of a definitive agreement. SK Enmove's initiative aligns with its ambition to position itself as a global leader in the refrigerant markets by ensuring a reliable...

GlobalFoundries (GF) has entered into a collaborative partnership with Silicon Catalyst, officially becoming part of the latter's ecosystem as both a strategic and in-kind partner (IKP). This strategic alliance, announced on Sept. 9 in Silicon Valley, Calif., and Malta, NY, aims to bolster innovation among semiconductor startups by granting them access to GF's unique technology platforms. These platforms are expected to fast-track the development and market readiness of novel applications s...

Sigma Lithium has secured a 487 million Brazilian real ($86.5 million) development loan from the National Brazilian Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) for the construction of their Second Greentech carbon neutral plant in Brazil. This funding will support Sigma in doubling its production capacity of the Quintuple Zero Green Lithium from 270,000 to 520,000 metric tons per year. Construction has begun, with an expected completion and commissioning by summer 2025. The loan features...

Kia has opened the Kia E-Ground in Quito, Ecuador, marking Latin America's first Sustainable Mobility Solutions Experience Center. This innovative space, designed to connect sustainability with nature, aims to inspire both the regional and global community toward a more eco-friendly future. The center, the first Kia EV Experience Center in the area, merges technological innovation with environmental management to promote eco-friendly living. Kia E-Ground is structured as an immersive space to...

Rio Tinto and BYD, along with four other companies, are qualified to advance their proposals for the development of a lithium project in Chile's Altoandinos salt flats, as communicated by ENAMI, the state-run mining entity. This initiative is part of the Chilean government's ambition to enhance lithium production in the Atacama region's northern salt flats through new ventures in collaboration with the state. ENAMI, aiming at finding a partner to provide either financial or operational assist...

Pilbara Minerals Ltd. and Latin Resources Ltd. have announced a binding Scheme Implementation Agreement where Pilbara Minerals will acquire all shares of Latin Resources through a court-approved scheme of arrangement. The transaction is viewed as mutually beneficial, with Pilbara Minerals acquiring the Salinas Lithium Project in Brazil, which is expected to significantly enhance its mining capabilities and offer Latin Resources' shareholders immediate premium and exposure to lithium product...

In a significant expansion to its global portfolio, DRiV, under its Wagner brand, has announced the launch of a new product line named Wagner Sensors. This line will make its debut in the second half of 2024, with the US and Canada being the initial markets to receive these parts on Aug. 15. Following this, the European market will see the launch in September, and subsequent releases are planned for Mexico, Brazil, Asia and other regions in the months to follow. Chintan Sopariwala, the presid...

Continuing with its aggressive global expansion strategy, Chinese electric-vehicle maker BYD has further deepened its EV portfolio by launching its compact electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) Yuan Up in Chile, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Aug. 7. The electric-car maker, which is competing neck-to-neck with Tesla, recently launched the Yuan Up EV in the Chilean capital of Santiago. The new model becomes the ninth model offered by BYD in Chile, the report said, citing a ...

Autonomous driving tech startup WeRide has filed for an IPO on the Nasdaq, potentially marking the largest US flotation of a mainland Chinese company since ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing's troubled 2021 listing, as reported by South China Morning Post on July 28. Founded in 2017, WeRide boasts a valuation of $5.1 billion after a D+ funding round in 2022 and claims the unique position of holding autonomous driving permits in mainland China, the US, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. Curr...

Chile has struck a strategic deal with the US to allow the lithium mined in Chile and the components made of such lithium qualify for the tax credits under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), according to a news report published by Bloomberg on July 10. The move, it said, will help Chile boost its global appeal and attract new investments aimed at lithium mining operations in the South American nation. The move is expected to make Chile a more attractive investment destination for the US, S...

CleanTech Lithium PLC, a company specializing in the advancement of sustainable lithium projects in Chile, has successfully completed the first stage of production at its direct lithium extraction (DLE) pilot plant in Copiapó, Chile, achieving significant progress in producing battery-grade lithium carbonate. During a 384-hour operation, the plant processed 88 cubic meters of concentrated eluate, equivalent to approximately one metric ton of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), with a lithium re...

Eramet has marked a significant advancement in its journey toward metals essential for the energy transition by inaugurating the Centenario Phase 1 lithium carbonate production plant in Argentina. The ceremony, witnessed by influential figures including Gustavo Saenz, the governor of Salta Region, Argentina; and various national and international representatives; signified the commencement of the plant's operations. This industrial venture is run by Eramine, a joint venture bet...

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) established by the US mandates a specific percentage of critical metals in batteries to originate either from the US or from countries with which it has a free trade agreement. This legislation has made Chile, due to its free trade agreement with the US, eligible for tax breaks, as clarified by the Chilean economy ministry. The US, under President Joe Biden's administration, has set stringent criteria particularly affecting companies controlled by entities fr...

German materials company BASF has abandoned its plans to invest in lithium mines in Chile, as a slowdown in electric vehicle adoption worldwide drags down battery metal prices, according to a news report published by Mining.com on July 2. The news report credited Bloomberg as the original source of the story. Citing a disclosure by BASF to Bloomberg, the report mentioned that the German company has withdrawn from initial talks with Wealth Minerals Ltd., a Vancouver, Canada-based firm that ...

In a significant development in the field of battery technology, Toshiba Corporation, Sojitz Corporation of Japan, and CBMM, a leading niobium producer from Brazil, have announced the completion of a next-generation lithium-ion battery featuring niobium titanium oxide (NTO) in the anode. The unveiling took place in Araxá, Brazil, where the trio also introduced a prototype e-bus equipped with this innovative battery. The companies aim to progress with their collaborations, leveraging their co...

Posco Holdings Inc. plans to sign some additional deals from Argentina and Chile to secure lithium, a critical raw material used in the production of EV batteries, according to a news report published by The Korea Economic Daily on June 17. In this context, Jeong Ki-seop, president of Posco Holdings’ strategic planning, met up with Argentina's Minister of Economy Luis Caputo in Buenos Aires last week, the report said, citing the Korean company. The report mentioned that the senior Posco ...