Bridgestone Corp. has reached an agreement to sell the carbon black business in Thailand, operated by the wholly owned subsidiary Bridgestone Carbon Black (Thailand) Co. Ltd., to Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd. and Thai Tokai Carbon Product Co. Ltd. According to the Japanese tiremaker, the divestment is its strategy to enhance its global business by “turning changes into opportunities” and focusing on “growth with quality.” Bridgestone aimed to improve its premium tire business by increa...

On June 30, Gabriel India Ltd., the flagship company of the Anand Group, announced a restructuring to transform from a single-product suspension manufacturer into a diversified automotive components supplier, according to a report by the Hindu Business Line. This restructuring involves the merger of Anchemco India Private Ltd. with Asia Investments Private Ltd. (AIPL), followed by the demerger of AIPL’s automotive operations into Gabriel India. As part of this scheme, Gabriel Indi...

Thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology is set to implement a new customer- and technology-oriented structure with four distinct business units, effective Oct. 1, 2025. This realignment aims to position the segment for profitable growth and capital market readiness, specifically targeting the demand in the mainland Chinese market and the shift toward electromobility. The newly structured business units will focus on chassis, components, aftermarket, and forging, while enhancing customer focus and ...

As reported in a press release on June 25, the Benteler Group has commenced the construction of a new automotive plant in Kenitra, Morocco. Mr. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Kingdom of Morocco, attended the groundbreaking ceremony. The company plans to invest a significant mid-double-digit million euro amount during the ramp-up phase, with production scheduled to begin in 2026. The new manufacturing facility is expected to create more than 300 direct jobs and pote...

At its Capital Market Day in Frankfurt, Germany, held on June 24, Continental confirmed the planned sale of its ContiTech group sector. This will transform Continental, which is on track to spin off its Automotive group sector into an independent public company by September 2025, into a pure-play tire company. The sale, pending approval from Continental’s supervisory board, is scheduled for 2026, following the sale of ContiTech's Original Equipment Solutions (OESL) business area later in 2025....

Xiaomi Jingxi Technology Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Xiaomi, has acquired a new land parcel in Beijing's Yizhuang area for 635 million yuan (about $88.39 million). The land spans 485,133.91 square meters and is leased for 50 years. The land parcel is strategically located next to Xiaomi's existing electric vehicle factory and will be used for a new-energy intelligent connected vehicle manufacturing project. Xiaomi, which announced its entry into the automotive sector in March 2021, had signed a...

On June 18, Mutares signed an agreement to acquire Continental's drum brakes manufacturing plant and research and development facility in Cairo Montenotte, Italy. As part of the agreement, the Germany-based private equity firm will take over all Continental employees and business activities at the Cairo Montenotte site. The acquisition's conclusion is contingent upon customary closing conditions and approvals and is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Cairo M...

Marelli Holdings has received interim approval from the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to access up to $519 million out of a total $1.1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing. This approval pertains to Marelli's First Day motions related to its voluntary Chapter 11 petitions. Marelli filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure its long-term debt on June 11. The secured financing, along with revenue from Marelli's ongoing operations, is intended to provi...

Continental announced a strategic shift in its product portfolio in India and plans to focus only on the Passenger Car and Light Truck tire (PLT) business. As part of this transition, the Germany-based tiremaker will cease its Truck and Bus Radial tire (TBR) operations in the country. The company will also close its TBR manufacturing line at the Modipuram tire plant in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. This strategic shift is intended to ensure the long-term viability of Continental Tires' ope...

South Korean carmaker Hyundai is planning to commence local production of its first electric vehicles in Turkey by August 2026 at its plant in İzmit, Kocaeli. This initiative aims to position Hyundai as the first automaker to sell locally manufactured 100% electric cars in the country, succeeding Togg. Hyundai's existing İzmit facility, which exports 85% of its output to Europe, will see a reduction in its production capacity from 245,000 units in 2024 to 190,000 units in 2025 to accommodat...

The executive board of thyssenkrupp is developing a strategic target model for the future course of the entire group and plans to submit it to its supervisory board before the end of the current financial year 2024/25, ending Sept. 30, 2025. As part of the plan, the Germany-based company — with business interests from automotive to chemicals to oil and gas to shipbuilding — is gearing up to transition into a strategic holding company with independent business segment...

Kumho Tire suspended operations at its Gwangju facility in South Korea following a fire that ravaged 50-60% of the production lines in one of its key buildings, The Korea Economic Daily reported May 18.  The fire ignited around 7 a.m. on May 17 in the section of the second building where raw rubber is mixed with chemical compounds, as reported by the National Fire Agency. The blaze was brought under control by the afternoon of May 18, resulting in injuries to one individual and two ...

According to Gabriel Padilla, general director of the National Auto Parts Industry (La Industria Nacional de Autopartes: INA), the association of automotive components suppliers in Mexico, about 92% of auto parts manufactured in the country comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regulations, allowing them to be exempt from tariffs when exported to the US. The remaining 8% face an average tariff of 27%. “We are one of the sectors with the highest level of compliance with the USMC...

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) announced, as part of its Momentum 2030 strategy for the US market, plans to introduce a new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from its partner, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. This BEV will be based on the next-generation Nissan LEAF and sold alongside Mitsubishi's Outlander Plug-in Hybrid, the first plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle. The launch aligns with Mitsubishi's plan to introduce a new or significantly revised vehicle annual...

Geely Automobile Holdings is proposing to take its premium electric vehicle unit Zeekr private, a year after Zeekr's public debut in the US. Geely has submitted a non-binding offer to Zeekr on May 7 to acquire all issued and outstanding shares and American depositary shares (ADS) at $2.57 per share or $25.66 per ADS. According to the company, this offer represents a 13.6% premium to Zeekr's recent closing price in the US and a 20.0% premium to its volume-weighted average price over ...

Continental has decided to name its Automotive Group Sector business, which is set to become an independent company, Aumovio, the company announced on the sidelines of Auto Shanghai 2025. According to the Germany-based supplier, the new name embodies a strong market position, rich heritage and technological expertise, all aimed at transforming the future of mobility through innovative solutions. Pending approval at the Continental annual shareholders' meeting on April 25, Aum...

Germany's automotive component supplier ZF is making a significant impact at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2025, which is being organized in Shanghai between April 23 and May 2. The international motor show highlights advancements in passenger cars, commercial vehicles and charging infrastructure, bringing together key stakeholders to promote sustainable mobility. As one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers, ZF is committed to investing in the growth of the Chinese market and the broader...

General Motors (GM) has announced a significant reduction in the production of its all-electric BrightDrop delivery vans at the CAMI assembly plant located in Ingersoll, Ontario. This adjustment involves cutting down from two shifts to one and will lead to the elimination of 500 jobs. The plant will undergo a temporary idle starting in May for approximately 20 weeks until October, with battery pack assembly also being paused for the weeks of April 21 and April 28, ahead of this shutdown. GM c...

Bridgestone Hispania Manufacturing, the Spain-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corp., has announced its intention to start a collective dismissal process affecting its plants in Puente San Miguel, Cantabria, and Basauri, Basque Country. These plants are involved in the manufacturing of agricultural truck and bus radial tires. This layoff decision stems from the need to adapt to significant changes within the European tire market, including the contraction of the agricultural radial and tr...

Hyundai Mobis announced its new vision on March 12 at Mobis Technical Center of Korea in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, as it aims to become a leading global player in future mobility. With the new vision — Lead the Shift in Mobility, Move the World beyond Possibilities — the South Korean supplier aims to strengthen internal cohesion with a shared sense of purpose while driving a paradigm shift in the rapidly evolving mobility market. Under its new vision, Hyundai Mobis ...

On March 12, the supervisory board of Continental approved the proposed spinoff of its Automotive sector into an independent company, recommending shareholder approval at the 2025 annual shareholders' meeting. The board also allocated €1.5 billion in cash funds to the newly independent automotive company, alongside a €2.5 billion revolving credit facility to bolster its operations. Continental first announced that its executive board is considering the potential spinoff of its Automotive ...

Geely Auto, one of the largest Chinese automakers, has forayed into Australia and New Zealand markets with the launch of its all-electric sport utility vehicle EX5 in the region, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on March 12. The Geely EX5 was launched at an event at Sydney's Luna Park on March 11. The carmaker also launched its international brand — Geely Go — on the sidelines of the event. Citing Jerry Gan, CEO of Geely Auto Group, the report mentioned that the ca...

Thyssenkrupp, a German conglomerate, announced its plan to reduce its workforce by approximately 1,800 jobs due to ongoing difficulties within the automotive sector. The company attributed the decision to persistently challenging market conditions in the global automotive industry and highlighted a strategic move to freeze hiring as part of its efforts to navigate these challenges. Thyssenkrupp aims to implement these and other measures, including reducing investments, to achieve savings of m...

Chinese electric-car maker Nio is implementing a new organizational restructuring to focus more on cost control, with William Li, the company’s founder, chairman and CEO, increasing his involvement in the supply chain management, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on March 10. The CnEVPost news report cites local media 36kr as the original source of this news. It said that the electric-vehicle maker has launched an internal management mechanism called Cell Business Uni...

The automotive industry is grappling with a myriad of supply chain disruptions that have become increasingly common since the pandemic struck. In addition to Brexit complexities, rising material costs, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and economic instability are forcing companies to rethink their logistics and sourcing strategies on the fly. While improvements are anticipated in the global car chip shortage, challenges persist. As Nimish Ashar, associate director of E/E & Semicon...

As the automotive industry evolves, suppliers must prioritize regulatory compliance due to stricter environmental laws linked to climate change. Investing in new technologies is essential to avoid penalties and enhance competitiveness. We examine the regulatory challenges facing suppliers and share insights from industry executives in S&P Global Mobility’s 2025 Automotive Supplier Outlook. Regulatory pressures: A catalyst for change Automotive suppliers are facing numerous challenges...

The European automotive supply industry is currently grappling with a severe labor shortage, exacerbated by record attrition levels that have plagued it over the past few years. This alarming situation has led to job losses that surpass even the darkest days of the pandemic. Despite optimistic forecasts for new job creation, the reality reveals a staggering net loss of nearly 56,000 positions since 2020, with the worst yet to come, according to The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (C...

The US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has confirmed automotive wheel supplier Accuride's Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, signaling a significant overhaul for the company. Through this plan, Accuride aims to refocus its business on its core wheel segment while substantially strengthening its balance sheet. Accuride filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2024. This restructuring includes the equitization of over $400 million in funded debt and the restructu...

Gestamp, a Spain-based supplier of automotive chassis and body-in-white (BIW) parts, has inaugurated its second Gestamp Technology Institute (GTI) in Puebla, Mexico. This move comes after the success of its first GTI established in 2016 in Boroa, Basque Country, Spain, highlighting the company's dedication to technological advancement, talent development and knowledge transfer within the automotive sector. The establishment of the GTI in Puebla is part of Gestamp's broader strategy to bolster...

On Feb. 5, Accuride Wheels Europe & Asia GmbH, a subsidiary of the US-based automotive wheel and brake parts supplier, Accuride Wheels Corp., filed for insolvency at the Wuppertal District Court in Germany. The insolvency covers the two plants of Accuride Wheels Europe & Asia Group located in Solingen and Ronneburg, both in Germany. No other plants of Accuride Wheels Europe & Asia Group are impacted by this insolvency filing. Accuride Wheels Corp. is already restructuring its US o...

MG Motor, a subsidiary of mainland China-based SAIC Motor, plans to locally produce cars in Egypt as part of its global expansion strategy, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Dec. 31, 2024. The news comes soon after MG Motor had signed a strategic technical agreement with Egyptian multinational conglomerate Mansour Group on Dec. 29, 2024. The report mentioned that the carmaker aims to produce the new-generation MG5 model in an all-new production facility that will belong to t...

South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. and sister company Kia Corp. have developed the Integrated Greenhouse Gas Information System (IGIS) to monitor, quantify and manage carbon emissions throughout the entire vehicle life cycle, Kia announced Dec. 30, 2024. IGIS, which is a cutting-edge platform designed to monitor and manage carbon emissions, leverages life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, and provides detailed quantification and tracking of carbon emissions throughout the entire l...

The BMW Group has officially commenced operations at its new Aeroacoustics and Electric Drive Center (AEC) located at its Munich-based Research and Innovation Center (FIZ), effectively replacing its nearly 40-year-old aeroacoustic wind tunnel, the carmaker announced Dec. 11. The new facility is divided into two halves — the first features a multifunctional workshop with testing and measurement equipment and a prototype for high-voltage batteries and inverters, and the second accommodates a ...

In a press release dated Dec. 9, German automotive tier 1 supplier Continental announced that its executive board has reached the decision to spin off its Automotive group sector. This decision follows a detailed evaluation process that began in early August. The plan is to seek approval from the supervisory board in March 2025 and then present the proposal for a spin-off to Continental AG's annual shareholders' meeting on April 25, 2025. If approved, the spin-off is anticipated to be complet...

Hyundai Mobis has unveiled its "Value-up" business strategy during the 2024 CEO Investor Day, held in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 19. The mid-to-long term business strategy aims to achieve an average annual revenue growth of 8% and an operating margin ranging from 5% to 7% by 2027. Under the new business strategy, Hyundai Mobis plans to significantly expand its revenue outside its parent, Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), and also the owners of Hyundai, Genesis and Kia. The leading South Korean auto...

According to a press release on Nov. 14, Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) has announced the closure of its Hadera, Israel, manufacturing plant, effective Dec. 31. The decision is part of a strategic move to enhance profitability amid rising production costs in Israel, driven by competitive pressures from South Asian manufacturers who benefit from proximity to raw materials and lower labor costs. The shift in global manufacturing dynamics has made it necessary for YRC to consolidate its production ...

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...

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 ...

In a press release on Oct. 11, Brembo, a brake system manufacturer, has announced its acquisition of Öhlins Racing from Tenneco, a move facilitated by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management. Brembo aims to expand its product offerings in the automotive market by incorporating Öhlins' highly regarded suspension technology. Öhlins Racing, headquartered in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, is known for its precision and performance in suspension technology, serving both the original e...

Brembo has divested its entire 5.6% equity stake in Pirelli for €282.9 million, the company said in a press release. The company completed the placement of the 55.8 million ordinary shares of the Italian tiremaker at the price of €5.07 each share through an accelerated bookbuilding process it launched on Tuesday (Oct. 2). Reuters reported that Camfin, the second largest shareholder of Pirelli, bought an additional 2.5% stake in the tire company, raising its shareholding to 25.28%. Camfin ...

Canoo Inc., a technology equipment manufacturer specializing in electric cargo vehicles for commercial, government and fleet customers, announced Sept. 9 that it plans to migrate its engineering workforce to its two Oklahoma, US, locations — Oklahoma City and Pryor — and relocate its corporate headquarters to northern Texas, US. As a result of this move, approximately 137 engineering positions will relocate from California, US, to Texas and Oklahoma beginning in the fourth quarter of...

Seres Automobile plans to buy a 10% stake in Huawei’s automotive business Newcool for $1.6 billion, a news report published by CnEVPost on Aug. 25 said, citing a regulatory filing by the Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed Seres Group. Seres becomes the second automaker after Changan and CATL-backed Avatr Technology to have acquired a stake in Huawei's automotive business unit. According to the news report, the deal values Newcool at 115 billion yuan (about $16.13 billion), the same as it was...

Hyundai Motor Group’s battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) that are built on the company’s electric vehicle-dedicated platform, the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), are benefiting from receiving the highest safety crash test ratings given by the world's major crash safety assessments, according to a news report published by Autocar Professional on Aug. 26. The report mentioned that five BEVs from the Hyundai Group — the Genesis GV60, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, Kia EV6, and Kia EV...

Stellantis has commenced the production of electric vehicles at its Toluca plant in Mexico, according to a news report published by Mexico Now on Aug. 21. The new facility, which was established with an investment of $1.6 billion, is designed to build vehicles based on the new STLA Large platform, the report said, adding that the EVs produced at the site will contribute to further adoption of EVs in Mexico. According to another news report published by an online news portal Electrive on Aug. ...

Europe’s largest carmaker Volkswagen is consolidating its research and development resources for electric vehicles in mainland China, with plans to make Anhui its second global R&D hub, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on Aug. 16. The CnEVPost report cited a local media outlet 36kr as the original source of the news story. It said that in a recent restructuring, Volkswagen has centralized its battery-electric vehicle (BEV) R&D in mainland China under Volkswagen (C...

Nokian Tyres' manufacturing facility, located in Nokia, Finland, has been awarded the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS, as announced in a press release on Aug. 13. This certification allows Nokian Tyres to incorporate sustainable, ISCC PLUS-certified raw materials into its tires, marking a significant step toward the company's sustainability objectives. One of the company's key goals is to increase the percentage of recycled or renewable raw materials used i...

Chinese electric-truck maker Windrose plans to set up an assembly plant in the US to assemble its semitrucks for delivery from 2025, according to a news report published by Reuters on July 23. The report cited Windrose Founder and CEO Han Wen, who disclosed the company’s plans in an interview with the news agency. The move, which would directly challenge Tesla in its home market, underscores a potential relook by Chinese vehicle manufacturers after former US President Donald Tr...

Porsche has cut down its sales outlook for the fiscal year 2024 due to a significant supply shortage of aluminum components, which are used by the German sports-car maker in all its models, the company announced July 23. “The supply shortage is the result of the flooding of a production facility of an important European aluminum supplier who has informed its customers in writing of the occurrence of a force majeure event,” the Volkswagen-backed luxury performance carmaker said in a statem...

The Nokian Tyres Romania factory has successfully produced its first tire, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion plans. Announced in a press release on July 1, 2024, the event signifies the on-schedule progression of the factory located in Oradea, Romania, toward its goal of beginning commercial tire production in early 2025. This achievement follows the factory's groundbreaking in May 2023 and is a testament to the project advancing within budget. Recruitment for the Rom...

LD Carbon, one of the leading suppliers of recovered carbon black, has successfully concluded its Series-C funding round, raising $28 million, the company said in a press release on June 19. The latest funding round was headed by Toyota's growth fund, Woven Capital, and saw the participation of several notable investors including Meritz Securities, Investwith, Industrial Bank of Korea, Hyundai Motor Group’s ZER01NE, Elohim Partners and New Main Capital. LD Carbon will use the funds to upsca...

General Motors (GM) plans to manufacture its all-new Cadillac Optiq in Mexico, according to a news report published by online publication GM Authority on June 12. The news report cites an official confirmation from GM’s Mexican subsidiary, which said that the Cadillac electric vehicle crossover will be locally produced at the GM Ramos Arizpe plant. With the planned production of Cadillac’s Optiq in Mexico, the GM Ramos Arizpe plant will become the second production site to produce the ...

Hyundai Motor India Ltd., the Indian unit of South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Group, has filed a draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India for its planned initial public offering, according to a news report published by CNBC-TV18 on June 15. The Korean automaker plans to sell a 17.5% stake in Hyundai Motor India Ltd. by offering 142 million shares in India, according to the regulatory filing. Hyundai Motor India’s IPO is speculated to be India’s large...

Geely’s premium electric car unit Zeekr has commenced mass production of the right-hand-drive (RHD) variant of its electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) — the Zeekr X — in order to prepare for overseas deliveries later in 2024, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on June 7. Citing a company’s post on Weibo, the report mentioned that Zeekr has started rolling out the first RHD Zeekr X SUVs from its production line, as overseas deliveries of these electric vehicle model...

The Benteler Group has officially inaugurated its new plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, which will produce rear axles for Volkswagen (VW). The opening ceremony was attended by about 50 guests including employees, the management team, and representatives of its customers and suppliers. The new plant, which is just 1.5 kilometers from VW's site, is intended to optimize the supply chain through close proximity and flexibility. This positioning is expected to help improve production and assembly eff...

Kongsberg Automotive (KA) has decided to operate its business out of Kongsberg, Norway, with Zurich serving as the company's financial center. This move comes after KA centralized its business model in Zurich in 2017 with the intention of streamlining business and decision processes. However, in alignment with changes in the company's strategic business focus, the board of directors, CEO and executive management evaluated the situation and decided to reestablish Kongsberg as the headquar...

Hyundai Motor Group relies on Continental's expertise for its Tucson, giving the South Korean car manufacturer three approvals for its sport utility vehicle (SUV). The Tucson runs worldwide from the factory on either energy-saving EcoContact 6 or comfort-optimized PremiumContact 6 tires. For the Asia-Pacific region, Hyundai has also approved the CrossContact LX Sport, designed for light off-road driving. The EcoContact 6 tire features a special rubber compound that minimizes energy absorption...

Continental is celebrating 15 years since establishing its tire business in Thailand and five years of tire production in its Rayong plant. The tire manufacturer has invested a total of €250 million in the plant located in the eastern part of the country. With around 900 local manufacturing employees, the Rayong plant has an annual production capacity of 4.8 million passenger and light truck tires (PLT) as well as motorcycle tires, serving both the original equipment and replacement sector....

Pirelli will exhibit new products and technologies for high-performance cars and motorcycles at TIRE COLOGNE 2024, held in Milan from April 22nd to 25th. The company's CEO, Wolfgang Meier, emphasizes Pirelli's position as a leading development partner for premium and prestige segments of the automotive industry. The stand will feature a special focus on sustainability, with information provided on the company's commitment to the sustainability transition and future-oriented products. New p...

Apollo Tyres has commissioned a new variant of the Kanwar Tulip, a plant closely associated with the Netherlands, to mark the 15th anniversary of the company's acquisition of Vredestein and the recent 115th anniversary of the formation of the iconic Dutch premium tire brand. Since acquiring Vredestein in 2009, Apollo Tyres has continued to invest in its European research and development and production capabilities, creating premium-quality tires that offer superior levels of performance, dura...

Talbros Automotive Components Ltd (TACL) has secured a new business order worth approximately 10 billion Indian rupees from a major European original equipment manufacturer. The order is for the supply of suspension arms tailored for both conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and new-age electric vehicle platforms for the EMEA and NAFTA regions. The supply order will be executed over an eight-year period starting from the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 and will be produce...

Yokohama Rubber held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new passenger car tire plant in Mexico, it said in a press release dated April 22. The plant is expected to increase the company's tire production capacity in North America. The new plant will have an annual production capacity of 5 million tires, and construction is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2024, with production starting in the first quarter of 2027. The company also plans to consider expanding the plant's capacity in ...

According to a press release on April 17, Continental has announced that it will begin labeling its secondary brands' new passenger car and 4x4 tires as electric vehicle-compatible in Europe. The company aims to expand its product strategy for EVs by meeting the high requirements of EVs while also supporting conventionally powered vehicles in driving efficiently and safely. The EV-compatible logo will be featured on the sidewall of the tires, as well as in all ordering systems, marketing mate...

Continental and Brabus have successfully completed the new MaxContact MC7 sports tire to an exceptional endurance test. On the legendary supercar Brabus 750 Bodo Buschmann Edition "1 of 25," the tire, which was specially developed for the Asia-Pacific region (APAC), showed what it is capable of in terms of maximum control and steering precision with a torque of up to 900 Newton meters (Nm).  The test took place on the Contidrom circuit, the tire manufacturer's test track near Hanover. Th...

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has opened its Simulation Center in Luxembourg, a state-of-the-art facility designed to revolutionize tire design and development. The center features a DiM250 Dynamic Driving Simulator developed by VI-grade, enabling Goodyear's team to test and validate tire models for cars that do not yet exist, resulting in faster production and tailored tire modifications to suit each vehicle's needs. The center's virtual-tire development process has already been successfull...

In a press release on March 22, the ongoing political strikes affecting ports and transportation in Finland have led to Nokian Tyres’ inventories of tires filling up, as the company cannot deliver tires to its customers. Consequently, Nokian Tyres will adapt production at the Nokia passenger car tire factory in Finland for at least two weeks, based on the current information.   Nokian Tyres plc has also commenced and concluded change negotiations concerning all its production empl...

Nexen Tire is reportedly consolidating its bases in Czech Republic, Germany, and Italy into a single entity in the Czech Republic, a Business Korea article on March 21 read. The move aims to streamline operations by centralizing dispersed bases within Europe. The company's decision is likely driven by the expansion of its Czech factory, which was completed last year at an investment of KRW1.2 trillion (US$895.19 million). The integration of underperforming German and Italian subsidiaries with...

Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has announced its participation in 2024's Electrify Expo in the US, where it will showcase its full line of electric vehicle tires at select cities and will sponsor the Demo District at all Electrify Expo events, according to a press release on March 15. In addition to showcasing its iON tire range, Hankook Tire will sponsor Electrify Expo's Demo District, designed to provide hands-on experiences with EVs. By supporting this initiative, Hankoo...

Goodyear has been selected by Citroën to equip its new all-electric ë-C3 model with the EfficientGrip Performance 2 tire. This partnership represents Goodyear's commitment to performance, efficiency and the future of electric mobility. The new Citroën ë-C3 is the first affordable small car designed and built in Europe without any compromise on quality, experience and comfort. The tiremaker will supply the EfficientGrip Performance 2 tire, which is designed to offer ultralow rolling resist...

US auto-safety regulators, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), announced a preliminary probe into emergency braking issues in certain Honda vehicles following complaints of crashes and fires.  The problem affects the 2019–2022 models of the Honda Insight, a hybrid electric car, and the Honda Passport sport utility vehicle (SUV), and involves 250,712 vehicles, Reuters reported March 12, quoting the NHTSA. The NHTSA report also stated that the Office of Defects...

Volkswagen has selected a range of Goodyear tires as original equipment (OE) fitments for its all-new Passat Variant. The new Passat will be launched as a versatile estate car in the first quarter of 2024, with Goodyear summer, winter and all-season tires available in all applicable tire sizes. Goodyear's lineup of tires for the Passat includes the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3, EfficientGrip Performance 2, UltraGrip Performance 3 and Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 models. These tires showcase innovative...

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. has developed a new simulation technique called Tyre Aerodynamic Simulation to optimize air resistance around electric vehicle tires, aiming to maximize range and minimize energy consumption, as reported in a press release on Feb. 29. The AI-powered tool visualizes air flow around the tire and analyzes results using AI, accounting for the effect of tire deflection owing to vehicle weight. By optimizing the shape of the lettering and fine texture on the sidewall...

Continental is integrating tires into the vehicle network using sensor technology and data transfer, it said in a press release dated Feb. 27. The company has been supplying its Conti Urban tire family with the latest-generation sensors since the end of 2023, and now the company has begun using ContiConnect Lite to bridge the gap between tire sensors and professional tire management. "ContiConnect Lite is a free app version of our digital tire management solution ContiConnect. ContiConne...

Lanxess, a specialty chemicals company, has completed the expansion of its Rhenodiv production line at its Jhagadia site in India, Autocar reported Feb. 24. This expansion significantly increases its production capabilities to meet the growing demand of the Indian sub-continent and Asian tire and rubber goods markets. The new production line empowers Lanxess to manufacture high-quality technology tire release agents with greater efficiency. The company has another similar facility in Argentina. ...

Continental has announced the divestiture of Tikka Spikes Oy, a Finnish spikes specialist, to a management buy-out led by the company's current management team, according to a company press release dated Feb. 21. The management team, through their newly founded company Tikka Industrial Oy, will acquire all shares in Tikka Spikes Oy with the completion date set for March 1. All employees of Tikka Spikes will be taken over by the new owners, and supply, development and testing partnerships with...

Stellantis plans to commence the production of its medium-size electric vans at its Luton-based manufacturing plant in the UK from the first half of 2025, the vehicle manufacturer announced Feb. 22. Significance: The company said that it aims to begin limited production of the group’s all-electric, medium-size vans from spring 2025 at its Luton factory, making the facility the second Stellantis plant in the UK to manufacture electric vehicles, and contributing to meet the growing deman...

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, a leading supplier of high-performance materials and advanced products for the automotive sector and general industry, announced the opening of its modern production facility in Parets del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain. The fully carbon-neutral plant, dedicated to manufacturing automotive components such as damper seals, is boosting its production capacity by 15%. Freudenberg has invested more than €11 million in the new production facility, Autocar Professiona...

Automotive forging supplier Ramkrishna Forgings has received a $220 million contract to supply the light-vehicle segment across North America. The contract spans over a decade alone, marking the company’s foray into a new vertical within the forging sector focusing on supplying tier I customers, Business Standard reported Feb. 20. With this venture, the company is ready to further expand its offering in key markets and contribute significantly to the automotive industry’s supply chain, an...

In a press release announcement on Feb. 19, Nexen Tire, a tire manufacturer, said that it has become a full member of the Global Data Service Organization (GDSO) for Tires and Automotive Components, underscoring its commitment to advancing the industry through technical innovations. The membership highlights Nexen Tire's position as one of the world's top tire manufacturers. The GDSO is an international nonprofit association focused on standardizing data-related aspects around tires, dev...

Tiremaker Yokohama Rubber has announced its medium-term plans in a press release dated Feb. 16. The Yokohama Transformation 2026 (YX2026) will be implemented over the next three years, 2024–2026, and is the successor to Yokohama Transformation 2023. Under YX2026, Yokohama Rubber will implement the growth strategies to achieve “Hockey Stick Growth” during YX2026 to fiscal 2027. Management’s targets for fiscal 2026, the final year of YX2026, are sales revenue of ¥1,150 billion (about $...

Volkswagen Group Components has opened a large casting competence center in Kassel, Germany, the company announced Feb. 14. The large-scale castings are going to be a key technology for structural components of the VW group's future all-electric platforms. According to the company, the new large casting competence center marks an important milestone in the strategic direction that it is taking to develop electric vehicles in the future. By investing in state-of-the-art technologies, the new c...

REE Automotive has announced that its P7-C electric chassis cab has achieved certification from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), making it the first fully by-wire truck to receive such certification, as read in a press release on Jan. 11. The P7-C vehicle is eligible for US federal tax credits of up to $40,000 per vehicle and is expected to be eligible for over $100,000 of incentives per vehicle with additional state credits. Th...

Kia Corp. has completed the retooling process at its Gwangmyeong factory in South Korea to resume production operations in February, after an eight-month refurbishment to prepare the plant for electric vehicle production, according to a news report published by The Korea Herald on Jan. 23. Notably, Kia’s Gwangmyeong factory is situated in South Korea’s Gyeonggi Province. The factory’s production line staff, who were on paid leave during the monthslong shutdown, would return to start wor...

Nexteer Automotive held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new manufacturing campus in Changshu, China, which will increase its production and testing capacity in the region. The campus will supplement steering system production from the company's nearby Suzhou Campus. It will also collaborate with Nexteer's Asia-Pacific Technical Center within the Suzhou Campus to support innovation and customer service in China, throughout the Asia-Pacific region and in global markets. The facility is expected ...

Kongsberg Automotive (KA) has secured contract extensions worth €147 million in estimated lifetime revenue from a leading global manufacturer of commercial vehicles. The contracts, which start in 2024, are for KA's Vehicle Dynamics portfolio, which includes V-stay (rear-axle suspension) and rear-axle anti-roll bar. The V-stay contract is worth €76 million in estimated lifetime revenue and will be produced and delivered by KA's Koluszki plant in Poland. The rear-axle anti-roll bar contract...

In a press release on Jan. 17, Rheinmetall announced receiving a new order for engine components from a well-known, globally operating vehicle-maker. The parts ordered are rocker arm bushings for use in different engine variants in the heavy-transport segment. The order is worth a figure in the lower-two-digit million-euro range. Rheinmetall serves the customer as a tier 1 supplier. Through to 2030, the customer will take delivery of several million components annually. This order builds on t...

US federal safety regulators have opened an investigation into Fisker’s first electric vehicle over braking problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA's) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) issued a notice that it is probing Fisker’s Ocean sport utility vehicle (SUV) for loss of braking performance. The agency is focusing on nine complaints about the issue thus far, including one incident involving a crash and an unspecified injury, Tech Crunch&nbs...

Infineon and Aurora Labs have used Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 to unveil a new set of AI-based solutions to improve the long-term reliability and safety of critical automotive components, including steering, braking, and airbags, according to a press release on Jan. 8. The companies are offering solutions that implement Aurora Labs’ Line-of-Code Intelligence (LOCI) AI technology on Infineon’s 32-bit TriCore Aurix TC4x family of microcontrollers (MCUs), to enable automotive manufa...

Norway's traffic safety regulator is conducting an investigation into suspension failures in Tesla's electric cars, potentially leading to a recall, as reported by Reuters on Dec. 21. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) initiated inquiries in September 2022, focusing on consumer complaints about lower rear control-arm issues in Tesla's Model S and X vehicles. Senior Engineer Tor-Ove Satren from NPRA stated that the agency might recommend a recall for all model years of the affect...

Bridgestone has completed the sale of its tyre manufacturing plant in Ulyanovsk in Russia and sales and marketing office in Moscow to S8 Capital, it said in a press release dated December 20. The deal has received all necessary regulatory approvals and includes the transfer of around 1000 employees to the buyer. Bridgestone has been present in Russia since 1998 and had suspended all manufacturing activities in the country in March last year. The company has continued to support its Russian em...

American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) plans to display its industry-leading technologies at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, the company said in a press release on Dec 19. Speaking on the company’s presence at the show, David C. Dauch, AAM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, “CES is the premier event to showcase the full breadth and depth of our innovative solutions and tell our story to a broad range of partners. AAM continues to support a rapidly changing global auto industry b...

The Yokohama Rubber has announced that on November 2023, it spun off the sales unit of its Vietnam tire production and sales subsidiary Yokohama Tyre Vietnam Inc. (YTVI) into a new dedicated sales company, Yokohama Tyre Sales Vietnam Co., Ltd. (YTSV). YTSV will begin operations on January 1, 2024, and YTVI becomes a dedicated tire production company, based on a press release on Dec. 19. Yokohama Rubber said that it considers the ASEAN region to be a high-priority market and regards Vietnam as...

Continental, a leading technology company, has opened its new corporate headquarters in Hanover, Germany. The campus, located on Hans-Böckler-Allee, marks a significant milestone in the company's 150-year history. The new headquarters was designed by the Henn architecture firm and features six buildings, including a suspended bridge spanning 75 meters. The campus incorporates state-of-the-art communication and media equipment, allowing for flexible work arrangements and interdisciplinary collab...

Continental, a German-based automotive and industrial company, has outlined a strategy to increase value creation and improve profitability across its three main groups: Automotive, Tires and ContiTech. The company aims to achieve this through a focus on sustainability, electric mobility and digitalization, as well as by streamlining its operations and reducing costs, a company press release said Dec. 4. In the Automotive group sector, Continental plans to increase its market position in all ...

Indian conglomerate JSW Group plans to acquire a 35% stake in SAIC-owned MG Motor India as the Chinese carmaker looks to dilute its stake in its Indian entity, according to a news report published by Reuters on Nov. 30. The report cited a joint announcement made by the two companies. The shareholder agreement, and share purchase and share subscription agreement were signed by both the companies in London on Nov. 30. According to the report, the agreement between JSW and SAIC was signed wit...

Continental has launched a new driving simulator for tires in Hanover, Germany. The simulator is designed to accelerate the development process for new tires, particularly in the original equipment business. The high-tech system, known as a driver-in-the-loop simulator (DIL), calculates the exact driving dynamics parameters for tires and the respective test vehicle, providing professional test drivers with subjective driving impressions comparable to those on a real test track, according to a pr...

Michelin has announced plans to restructure its operations in Germany, it said in a press release dated Nov. 28. It includes the gradual cessation of production at its Karlsruhe, Germany, and Trier, Germany, sites, and the discontinuation of new tire and semi-finished products manufacturing in Homburg, Germany. The Customer Contact Center in Karlsruhe will be transferred to Poland. The restructuring is expected to impact 1,532 employees and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025....

Chinese vehicle manufacturer Dongfeng Motor has entered the Europen market with its premium electric vehicle unit Voyah Automobile, the company said Nov. 27. Dongfeng’s official entry in Europe was marked by the carmaker’s presence at the Fully Charged Live Europe Auto Show, which opened Nov. 24 in Amsterdam. Dongfeng Motor Import and Export Co. Ltd., through Voyah Automobile, is demonstrating its models — Voyah Free and Voyah Dream at the exhibition, marking its Voyah brand’s officia...