Inteva Products, a US-based supplier of vehicle interior systems, closures, motors and electronics, announced plans to invest 150 million Mexican pesos ($8 million) in expanding its Matamoros plant in Tamaulipas, Mexico, creating 500 direct jobs. The announcement was made in the presence of local and state government officials as well as company representatives who highlighted the direct impact of the investment on job creation and its contribution to strengthening the city’s economic and indu...

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has approved investment projects totaling 28.6 billion baht (approximately US$870 million) focused on digital infrastructure and travel sectors. The BOI has also enhanced incentives for the use of local content in the manufacturing of electric vehicles and electrical appliances (E&E). The BOI has introduced incentives for local content use in the automotive and electrical appliance sectors by offering a two-year, 50% corporate income tax reduction. T...

Toyota is planning to assemble its own battery packs at its Ontario plants for the production of the all-new 2026 RAV4 SUV, which will be launched exclusively as a hybrid model. Toyota will add battery-pack assembly lines to its Ontario facilities as part of these preparations. These batteries will be built from cells manufactured at Toyota's newly opened battery plant in Kentucky. This move marks Toyota's effort to support the production of the hybrid RAV4 by retooling its Cambridge and Wood...

The world's largest battery manufacturer, CATL, has made a strategic move into the robo-taxi sector by establishing a new joint venture with local partners. The new JV, Shanghai Zaofu Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd., was registered in Shanghai and has a capital of 1.288 billion yuan (about $177.5 million). The newly formed company will focus on developing Level 4 autonomous driving technology. The joint effort includes contributions from Hello, Ant Group and CATL, with initial investments ...

U Power Ltd. announced its plan to build 55 smart battery-swap stations in Hong Kong as part of its strategy to promote zero-carbon living, marking a significant move toward the city's zero-emission target by 2050. This initiative, revealed at the inauguration of Hong Kong's first demonstration smart swap station, includes the construction of four bus-only stations and the world's first ferry swap stations. The event was attended by Hong Kong government officials, business leaders and industr...

Zenobē has announced a significant project in Brampton, Canada, involving a partnership to expand zero-emission bus (ZEB) programs. Brampton's initiative, one of the largest in North America, will introduce 1,000 electric buses, replacing the city's diesel fleet and supporting over 40 million passengers annually. The first phase is projected to be operational by early 2027. This project is expected to bring C$1 billion in foreign investment to Canada, reinforcing business ties between the UK...

On June 16, Polestar announced that it has secured a $200 million equity investment from one of its key shareholders, PSD Investment Ltd., a company controlled by Shufu (Eric) Li, the founder and chairman of Geely Holding Group. As per the securities purchase agreement, the Swedish carmaker will sell nearly 190.5 million newly issued Class A American depositary shares (ADS) to PSD Investment. The transaction is structured as a private investment in public equity (PIPE) at a price of $1.0...

US carmaker General Motors (GM) announced that it plans to invest $4 billion over the next two years to boost its domestic production of gasoline-powered and electric vehicles. This investment aims to increase the company's annual domestic vehicle assembly to over 2 million units. GM's announcement follows an earlier plan to invest $888 million in the Tonawanda propulsion plant near Buffalo, New York, to support the development of its next-generation V-8 engine. The new investments will impac...

Tata Motors is planning to expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure significantly by the end of this decade, aiming to mitigate range anxiety and improve EV adoption. The company intends to increase its public charging points to over 100,000 from the existing 22,000, covering more than 2,000 cities and towns with fast-charging facilities. The Mega Charger network, featuring ultrafast-charging guns ranging from 120 kW to 400 kW, is set to reach over 1,000 locations. Recently, Tata M...

Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), the parent group of Hyundai Motor and Kia, announced the establishment of its third startup investment fund aimed at supporting venture companies, including startups, with cutting-edge technologies and innovative ideas, Yonhap News Agency reported May 26. The fund, under the ZER01NE accelerator program, has been set up with a capital of 125 billion won (about $91.4 million) and involves financial participation from various group affiliates. Hyundai Mo...

General Motors (GM) announced plans to invest $888 million in its Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York, to support production of sixth-generation V-8 engines, used in full-size trucks and sport utility vehicles. The automaker will make an investment in new machinery, equipment, tools and renovations of the 87-year-old plant as it gears up to begin production of the next-generation engines in 2027. Tonawanda is the second propulsion plant of G...

The state of Maharashtra in India announced plans to boost the establishment of recycling centers for electric vehicle batteries and promote the production of new batteries and EVs, as part of the Electric Vehicle Policy 2025. The government resolution (GR) emphasizes the collection of used EV batteries from various facilities such as charging stations, battery-swapping centers and authorized dealers. Key locations identified for these recycling centers include the Mumbai Metropolitan Regio...

ChangAn Automobile, a low-carbon mobility technology company, has launched its first international new-energy vehicle (NEV) production base in Rayong, Thailand, as part of its global expansion under the Vast Ocean Plan. This new facility signifies a shift from simply exporting products to exporting entire industrial ecosystems, incorporating advanced manufacturing systems, research and development processes, and supply chain standards to create a sustainable global operation model. The openin...

Hyundai is reportedly postponing the full-scale launch of its advanced $730 million "hypercasting" production facility at its Ulsan plant in South Korea from 2026 to 2028. According to reports from Seoul Economy, the delay comes from a combination of weakening global demand for electric vehicles like the Ioniq 5 and others, and the United States' 25% tariff on foreign-made automobiles. Two factors are reshaping Hyundai’s strategy. First, global EV demand growth has slowed, creating what ana...

Rivian announced plans to invest $120 million in constructing a supplier park near its vehicle manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois, in the US. The electric-car maker expects its key suppliers to locate in the 1.2 million-square-foot supplier park to supply materials and components used in its electric vehicles. The planned investment is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the next two years, including approximately 100 positions directly within the company. This strategi...

Changan Automobile, a leading Chinese vehicle manufacturer, has chalked out three key strategies as part of its mid-to-long term roadmap, the company announced April 27 at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2025. Changan said its three key strategies include Shangri-La Mission, Dubhe Plan and its Vast Ocean Plan, covering the expansion of its new-energy vehicle (NEV) portfolio, global footprint, and new investment in intelligent driving technologies and innovations. Under its Shangri-La Mission, Ch...

Leapmotor and Stellantis are set to commence production of the Leapmotor C10 sport utility vehicle in Malaysia by the end of 2025. The Leapmotor C10 will be produced at Stellantis' existing plant in Malaysia with an initial investment of €5 million. The production of Leapmotor's vehicles in Malaysia will start in 2025 after European production began in 2024. Stellantis, Europe's second-largest automaker by volume, announced the launch of a localized assembly project in Malaysia wi...

Lexus, the premium brand of Toyota, has recently acquired a significant plot of land in Shanghai's Jinshan district for the construction of its first electric vehicle plant in mainland China. The land, spanning approximately 1.13 million square meters, was acquired for 1.353 billion yuan (about $185 million), as confirmed by the Shanghai Public Resources Trading Center. This purchase was completed on April 1 and grants Lexus a 50-year term of usage for the land, specifically allocated for new...

Mercedes-Benz is making significant progress in its production network by investing a high triple-digit million euros in the construction of the Next Generation Paintshop at its Sindelfingen site in Germany. This ambitious project, part of Mercedes-Benz's long-term partnership with Dürr Systems, aims to modernize production and reinforce the company's commitment to sustainable business practices in Germany. The new paint shop, heralded by Mercedes-Benz as a pioneer in sustainable and intel...

Hyundai Motor Group announced a significant investment plan of $21 billion in the US from 2025 to 2028, aiming to bolster its manufacturing capabilities, enhance future technologies and improve energy infrastructure across the country. This investment is building upon the Group's prior investments tallying approximately $20.5 billion since it entered the US market in 1986. The strategy includes a commitment to expanding automotive production, increasing the localization of auto parts, en...

South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor’s Indian unit Hyundai Motor India Ltd. has approved an investment of 6.94 billion rupees (about $81 million) for a new tooling center, according to a news report published by Autocar Professional on March 24. The planned tooling center will manufacture stamping tools and vehicle panels to expand local development of components and reinforce supply chain stability. Tooling refers to specialized equipment such as molds, dies, jigs, fixtures and others used ...

Ford Motor Co. announced March 10 that it will invest up to €4.4 billion into its German subsidiary, Ford-Werke GmbH, to support the transformation of its European business and increase its long-term competitiveness. The new financing includes a capital injection to reduce the debt of Ford plants and funds for a multiyear business plan aimed at supporting ongoing restructuring efforts. “This move replaces the letter of comfort issued by Ford Motor Company in 2006 and brings the support...

Hyundai Motor Group is taking a major step forward in the electric vehicle industry by initiating the construction of its first dedicated battery research center in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, with construction expected to start as early as March. This move is part of Hyundai's strategy to develop its own EV batteries, aiming to position itself alongside China's BYD, which manufactures batteries for its vehicle brands. The new facility, known as Mobility Alpha Line Anseong Center...

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to expand its technology hub located in Portland, Oregon, the US, to develop advanced connectivity and autonomous driving technologies for future JLR vehicles. Over the next 10 years, the UK-based carmaker plans to inject approximately $180 million into expanding the 50,000-square-feet technology hub. The focus will be on crafting a diverse array of advanced technologies as the automotive industry moves toward more software-driven vehicles (SDVs). T...

Toyota Motor Corp. is set to start operations at its first in-house battery manufacturing plant outside Japan, the Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC). Set to begin production in April, this nearly $14 billion facility will produce batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The plant, located in North Carolina, US, is expected to create approximately 5,000 jobs, reinforcing Toyota's commitment...

Honda is gearing up to begin manufacturing electric vehicles at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, US, later in 2025. The Japanese automaker is investing $1 billion in retooling its Marysville Auto Plant (MAP), East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) and Anna Engine Plant (AEP). The investment will allow Honda to build internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) on the same production lines. "The Honda EV Hub provides Honda with the flexibility to pro...

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced its plan to invest £65 million in the expansion of its special paint facilities worldwide. This investment aims to cater to the rising demand for personalized luxury vehicles and to lessen the environmental footprint of its carbon-intensive manufacturing processes. The carmaker, part of Indian automaker Tata Motors, has observed a significant increase in customer interest for personalized color options, with demand for its Bespoke Paint and elevated pale...

Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is strengthening its presence in Europe through an expansion of its research and development (R&D) capabilities in Germany. This expansion includes over 25,000 square meters, added to the group's facilities, marking a continuous strategic emphasis on sustainable mobility and future-oriented growth.  A notable aspect of this expansion is the completion of the test center extension at Nürburgring and the upcoming inauguration of the Hyundai Motor Europe Techn...

Cyclic Materials, an advanced recycling company focused on building a circular supply chain for rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical materials, has announced a significant investment boost. The company received a $2 million investment from InMotion Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover's investment arm, elevating its Series-B funding round to $55 million. This financial support underscores the company's pivotal role in fostering sustainable supply chains within the automotive sector and beyond. ...

The JSW Group has announced plans to invest 3 trillion rupees (about $34.67 billion) in Maharashtra, India, to expand its operations in key sectors including electric vehicles, batteries, steel and green energy, MoneyControl.com reported. This announcement was made following an agreement signed with the Maharashtra government on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The Indian conglomerate, which operates across diverse sectors such as steel, cement, energy inf...

Global automotive automatic transmission manufacturer JATCO Ltd. has opened a new factory at the International Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sunderland, UK, Nissan announced Jan. 16. The new factory, which is expected to create up to 183 jobs, will produce electrified powertrains for the nearby Nissan plant. Initially, these powertrain assemblies will be a 3-in-1 unit, which modularizes and integrates the motor, inverter and reducer, making them smaller and lighter. JATCO’s new facility...

Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), a leading Indian automaker, has unveiled its new dedicated state-of-the-art manufacturing and battery assembly facility at its Chakan plant near Pune, India, the company announced Jan. 8. The newly developed facility is aimed at producing M&M's pure electric cars. The new facility is strategically located within M&M’s Chakan manufacturing hub, which is also one of India’s largest greenfield projects. M&M’s Chakan plant is spread across a...

BMW i Ventures has invested in Phoenix Tailings, a company focusing on the zero-waste, zero-emission production of rare earth metals, a move aimed at expanding and stabilizing the processing of these critical elements in the US. This Series B financing round, led by Envisioning Partners and with participation from Yamaha Motor Ventures and Escape Velocity, will help Phoenix Tailings increase its rare earth metal production to approximately 200 metric tons annually. Phoenix Tailings, which was...

Inalfa Gabriel Sunroof Systems (IGSS), a joint venture between the Netherlands-based Inalfa Roof Systems and Gabriel India, the flagship company of India-based Anand Group, is planning to expand capacity to serve growing demand for sunroof systems in the Indian automotive market. IGSS is now exploring plans to set up production facilities in Northern and Western India after setting up its first plant in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in Southern India. "To meet the rising demand for sunroofs due to the...

Yokohama Rubber has commenced the construction for its new passenger car tire plant in Hangzhou City, mainland China, with a groundbreaking ceremony held Dec 16. The event was attended by local government officials, community representatives and the top executives of the Japanese tiremaker, including its Chairman and CEO Masataka Yamaishi, and President and COO Shinji Seimiya. The new plant is scheduled to commence production in the second quarter of 2026. The new plant will replace an existi...

Audi has commenced the production of its first fully electric vehicles based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) in mainland China, signifying a significant advancement in its electrification strategy for the Chinese market. These vehicles, including the Audi Q6L e-tron and the Audi Q6L Sportback e-tron, are being manufactured by Audi FAW NEV Co., a joint venture with FAW, at a newly established plant in Changchun.  The partnership underscores Audi's commitment to the Chinese market and ...

Hyundai Motor Co. and Chinese partner Beijing Motor Corp. (BAIC) plan to jointly invest $1.1 billion in their joint venture to help the South Korean carmaker regain traction in the world’s largest electric vehicle market, according to a news report published by The Korea Economic Daily on Dec. 13. The report cited a regulatory filing by BAIC, which said that the investment in Beijing Hyundai Motor Co., a 50/50 JV with Hyundai Motor in Greater China, will be used to develop EVs tailored to t...

Toyota Kentucky has announced a significant investment of $922 million to construct a new advanced paint facility, emphasizing the company's dedication to US manufacturing, environmental sustainability and stable employment. This state-of-the-art facility, set to open in 2027, aims to enhance operational efficiencies, diminish environmental impacts and improve the quality of vehicle finishes. The addition will expand the plant's capacity by 1 million square feet, while targeting a 30% re...

Autoliv has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Guangzhou city in Guangdong province, mainland China, the Sweden-based supplier announced on its WeChat account. The new facility, spread over an area of 32,311 square meters, will manufacture seatbelts and airbags. The increased production will help Autoliv meet the growing demand of safety systems, especially from local mainland Chinese automakers. “We will continue to accelerate our pace in the Chinese market, constantly explore way...

In a press release dated Nov. 27, BMW Group announced that it is advancing its commitment to the circular economy by constructing a Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) in Kirchroth, Lower Bavaria, focused on pioneering "direct recycling" of battery cells. The new facility's construction is set to begin in the second half of 2025, with the goal of validating the recycling method in near-series processes. This method, innovated internally by the BMW Group, allows for the mechanical dis...

BMW has commenced initial operations at its all-new battery-testing center at Wackersdorf, Germany, the company announced Nov. 19. The facility, which was first announced by the carmaker in 2023, is still under construction and is scheduled for completion in late 2025. The site spans over 8,000 square meters and is developed to rigorously test individual battery cells, complete high-voltage batteries and other electric powertrain components for future BMW Group models early in developmen...

Stellantis has invested $29.5 million in its research and technical center in Auburn Hills, Mich., to introduce Moving Ground Plane (MGP) technology to reduce drag and boost the range of electric vehicles, the automaker said in a press release on Oct. 23. The upgraded wind tunnel at the technical center now offers the capacity to measure and reduce airflow resistance from wheels and tires, which is responsible for up to 10% of total real-world aerodynamic drag, and improves the aerodyn...

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has launched its latest Open Innovation Hub in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, marking a significant expansion of its global innovation network. The India Hub will collaborate closely with startups to develop the next generation of products and services that will help automakers define future client experiences. This endeavor builds on the successes of JLR's existing innovation hubs situated in the UK, US, Israel and Brazil, extending its focus on advanced technologies su...

GAC Group is considering investing $25 million in China-based autonomous driving startup Pony.ai, according to a report by Yicai Global on Oct. 11. This investment, approved by GAC's board of directors, will be made through its subsidiary, GAC Capital. The initiative is part of the Chinese automaker's strategy to accelerate the development of its autonomous driving business. In August 2023, GAC signed a three-party joint venture agreement with Toyota Motor (China) Investment and GAC Toyota Mo...

GM Ventures, the venture capital unit of General Motors (GM), plans to invest $10 million in Forge Nano, a materials science company specializing in atomic layer deposition, the company announced Oct. 16. In addition, GM and Forge Nano have also entered into a strategic partnership agreement to collaborate on potential atomic layer deposition applications for GM batteries. Atomic layer deposition is a surface engineering technique that applies thin-film coatings to battery materials to contro...

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM), which is an Indian joint venture between Japan’s largest automaker Toyota Motor Corp. and India’s Kirloskar Group, has been allotted a land parcel of 827 acres for a new manufacturing plant in the western state of Maharashtra, India, according to a news report published by PTI on Oct. 7. In July 2024, TKM had signed an agreement with the state government of Maharashtra to set up a greenfield manufacturing plant for electric and hybrid cars. The l...

Electric vehicle manufacturer Nio has secured 3.3 billion Chinese yuan (about $471 million) for its business in mainland China from three state-owned investors, the company said in a press release on Sept. 29. These investors — Hefei Jianheng New Energy Automobile Investment Fund Partnership, Anhui Provincial Emerging Industry Investment Co. Ltd. and CS Capital Co. Ltd. — will invest into Nio Holding Co. Ltd. (Nio China), a mainland China-based subsidiary in which Nio owns 92....

Tata Motors, India’s leading manufacturer of commercial and passenger vehicles, held a groundbreaking ceremony of its new, world-class production facility to manufacture cars and sport utility vehicles, at Panapakkam in Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu, India, the company announced Sept. 28. The planned car factory is slated to produce next-generation vehicles for Tata Motors and its British subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The internationally benchmarked plant will cater to requirements of ...

Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) plans to invest £500 million in retooling one of its factories in the UK to prepare for producing electric sport utility vehicles, according to a news report published by Bloomberg on Sept. 26. The British carmaker has already invested £250 million in its Halewood plant, near Liverpool, over the last 12 months, the report said, adding that JLR now plans to double its expenditure over the coming years. Citing a company statement, it further ment...

The White House has selected Monroe Capital to launch a dedicated fund to help automotive suppliers in the US. The Drive Forward Fund will aim to raise up to $1 billion to invest in small and medium-sized companies that play a pivotal role in fueling growth and innovation in the US automotive industry. The Drive Forward Fund will target suppliers and manufacturers including those offering software as a service (SaaS) and other technological solutions catered to the automotive sector. Beyond i...

Honda has detailed its advancements in establishing the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, US, aiming to revolutionize its manufacturing process. This hub will allow petrol, hybrid-electric and battery-electric vehicles to be produced on the same lines, emphasizing flexibility in production. The Acura Performance EV Concept, unveiled at the 2024 Monterey Car Week, will be the first electric vehicle produced at the Marysville Auto Plant in late 2025. Honda's strategy involves retooling the Marysville Auto ...

Stellantis has announced plans to invest more than $406 million in its three production facilities in Michigan, US, to bolster its multi-energy strategy, the company said in a press release on Sept. 11. The investment will see the company’s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) becoming its first facility in the US to produce a fully electric vehicle, the Ram 1500 REV, which is expected to launch in late 2024, along with the range-extended 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger. These two models will be pr...

In a press release on Sept. 10, SiLC Technologies recently announced that it has recevied an investment from Honda for the development of advanced frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) Lidar technologies aimed at enhancing mobility across various applications. This investment forms part of Honda's global initiative, Honda Xcelerator Ventures, which focuses on fostering innovation through collaboration with high-potential startups. Led by Honda Innovations, a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co. Lt...

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...

Ford will invest $273 million in its Irapuato plant in Guanajuato, Mexico, to produce primary drive units that integrate the electric motor and the transaxle of the propulsion system, MexicoNow reported Sept. 2. The primary drive unit will be used in the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric sports car, which is produced at Ford’s Cuautitlán Izcalli plant in Mexico and exported to more than 41 countries in the Americas, Europe and Australia. The Irapuato plant, also called Irapuato Electric Po...

South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. plans to invest 1 billion baht (about $28 million) to set up an assembly plant for electric vehicles and EV batteries in Thailand, according to a news report published by a local news outlet Bangkok Post on Aug. 7. The report cited a statement released by Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI). Hyundai’s planned EV assembly plant, which will be located southeast of the capital city of Bangkok, is expected to commence production operations in 2026, the...

US electric-vehicle maker Tesla has backed out from its plan to set up an EV manufacturing plant in Thailand, according to news reports citing government sources. Instead, Tesla now reportedly aims to focus solely on setting up charging stations in the country. "Tesla is currently only discussing charging stations, with the factory plans suspended not just in Thailand but worldwide. They are not proceeding in Malaysia, Indonesia, or anywhere else except for China, America, and Germany," said ...

Chinese carmaker Geely has invested £120 million in LEVC, the UK-based manufacturer of London’s famous black cabs, according to a news report published by the UK edition of the Yahoo Finance portal on Aug. 5. The move aligns with the Chinese carmaker’s efforts to continue expanding its presence in the UK’s EV market. Citing regulatory filings, the report said that Geely had invested £70 million into its Coventry, UK-based subsidiary in October 2023, and recently invested another tr...

The BMW Group is embarking on a significant expansion of its production network for next-generation high-voltage batteries, essential for its Neue Klasse of fully electric vehicles. Milan Nedeljković, a board member for production, announced plans to establish five production facilities across three continents, adhering to a "local for local" strategy to closely link battery production with vehicle manufacturing. This strategy, explained by Markus Fallböhmer, senior vice president of Batter...

Proton, a Malaysian national carmaker, has broken ground for its new stamping facilities — E and F-Line — at its Tanjong Malim, Malaysia, location. This move comes as part of a plan to transfer the production of the Proton Saga from Shah Alam, Malaysia, by 2026. An investment of RM253 million (about $54 million) is allocated for this expansion, catering to the anticipated increase in production volumes and the introduction of new models. This initiative follows the earlier expansio...

Toyota West Virginia has initiated the production of the fifth-generation hybrid transaxle, marking a significant step in Toyota's commitment to electrification and sustainable employment. This advancement comes following over $300 million in investments made in 2021 and 2022 at the Buffalo, W.Va., facility. David Rosier, the plant's president, emphasized the role of the facility's team members in achieving this milestone, which underscores Toyota's dedication to maintaining job stabilit...

GAC Aion, a subsidiary of the GAC Group dedicated to new-energy vehicles, recently commenced operations at its factory in Thailand, China Daily reported July 19. The company started production of the second-generation Aion V at the smart factory, which is relatively small in scale but is equipped with efficient production capabilities. The factory, located at an industrial estate in Rayong province, is designed to support the manufacturing of multiple models, including the second-generation A...

In an attempt to expand production of one of its most popular and profitable vehicles, Ford Motor Co. plans to assemble F-Series Super Duty pickups at its Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada, starting in 2026, the carmaker announced July 18. The move to add production of up to 100,000 units of its best-selling Super Duty to Oakville expands Super Duty production across three plants in North America, including the Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant, which are operating at fu...

General Motors plans to prepare its Lansing Grand River plant for rolling out electric vehicles and has received a $500 million grant from the US Energy Department (US DOE) for the same, the company announced July 11. GM now plans to invest the new US DOE grant along with its own investment to prepare the said facility for electrification. Notably, the carmaker has been producing luxury and performance vehicles at its Lansing Grand River facility, including the Cadillac V-Series Blackwings. ...

On July 18, GAC Aion, a subsidiary of the Chinese automotive giant GAC Group, celebrated the inauguration of its electric vehicle factory in Rayong, Thailand. This event was highlighted by the first global strategic model of Aion rolling off the assembly line, signifying a pivotal step in GAC Aion's overseas expansion efforts. The factory, situated in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), represents the second establishment by a Chinese carmaker in Thailand within the month, following B...

Vietnamese electric-vehicle maker VinFast Auto has officially broken ground on its new EV assembly plant in Subang, West Java, Indonesia, the company announced July 15. The move, which comes soon after it announced its entry into the Indian subcontinent, underscores the company’s strategy to expand its presence in the South Asian region. The carmaker plans to invest $200 million in building its EV assembly facility in Indonesia. The plant will be located in the emerging industrial...

Mercedes-Benz has opened eCampus, a competence center for the development of cells and batteries for future electric vehicles, at its headquarters in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, Germany, the company said in a press release on July 8. The center will cover the entire range of battery and cell technology, ranging from the development and evaluation of new cell chemistries and industrial-scale cell production, to the testing and certification of complete battery units. “The opening of the Merced...

Stellantis has started production of electric vehicles at its Mangualde plant in Portugal, according to a report by Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN). Stellantis has invested around €30 million to advance the plant to manufacture EVs. The plant is expected to produce eight 100% electric models in the passenger and light commercial segments, including the Citroën ë-Berlingo and ë-Berlingo Van, Peugeot E-Partner and E-Rifter, Fiat e-Doblò and Opel Combo-e models. In 2023, Ste...

China's leading electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, has inaugurated its first factory in Southeast Asia, located in Thailand, marking its expansion into the rapidly growing regional EV market where it has established dominance. The establishment of BYD's plant in Thailand is part of a broader movement of Chinese EV makers investing over $1.44 billion in the country, encouraged by government subsidies and tax incentives. This Thai facility, announced two years prior with an investment of ...

Audi is gearing up to begin production of the latest generation of electric drives, the MEBeco (Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukasten, or modular electric drive concept) at its plant in Győr, Hungary. Recently, the carmaker invested in machine and equipment (press and line transfer unit) essential for the manufacturing of the MEBeco drive plate pack at the plant. The components for the 100-metric-ton press have been delivered to the plant in 11 trucks. The line transfer unit is a crucial piece of...

Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, through a wholly owned subsidiary, has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 10% equity interest in Horse Powertrain Limited, an equal joint venture between Renault Group and Geely Automobile Holdings, Aramco announced on June 28. Horse Powertrain was formed on May 31, 2024, by Renault Group and Geely and is incorporated and headquartered in London, UK. Aramco plans to acquire a 10% equity interest in Horse...

BeyonCa, a premium electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer supported by Renault and Dongfeng Motor, has announced its plans to establish its final assembly plant and international headquarters in Hong Kong, marking the introduction of the first car brand in the territory. The assembly of BeyonCa's vehicles will take place in a government-owned industrial park in Hong Kong, while the primary manufacturing processes such as stamping, body welding, and painting will be conducted in mainland China. De...

On June 25, Volkswagen Group and US-based electric carmaker Rivian Automotive announced their plan to set up an equal joint venture company that will focus on developing the next-generation electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture and software solutions that will be central to upcoming electric vehicles from both the carmakers. The strategic partnership also entails Volkswagen’s plan to invest $5 billion in Rivian, starting with an initial investment of $1 billion through an unsecured c...

Tata Motors, India’s third-largest carmaker, plans to invest over 450 billion rupees (about $5.4 billion) in its passenger vehicle business over the next 5–6 years, according to a news report published by Autocar Professional on June 26. The company plans to capture a 20% share in India’s growing passenger car market by 2030 and expand its product portfolio that currently addresses only 53% of the market to cater to 80% of the overall market. To do so, the company is expected to almost ...

Continental has expanded its production capacities for the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for passenger cars at its Bangalore plant in Karnataka, India, Autocar Professional reported June 25. The Germany-based automotive supplier inaugurated a new TPMS production line, which has an initial capacity of 3.3 million wheel units per year, with plans for further expansion in the future. The additional capacity will enable Continental to meet demand from automakers operating in India while als...

Chairman Wang Chuanfu announced that BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, intends to allocate an investment of ¥100 billion ($13.8 billion) toward developments in autonomous driving technology, as reported by Nikkei Asia on June 12. This strategic move underscores the growing importance and integration of autonomous driving features in vehicles within China. Although a specific timeline for this investment plan was not disclosed, it is evident that BYD is significantly ramping up it...

According to a report published by Nikkei Asia on June 12, Xiaomi is intensifying its competition in China's electric vehicle market by planning to expand its team of driver assistance technology developers to 2,000 by 2025, starting with an increase to 1,500 by the end of this year. This move is part of its broader investment strategy in which Xiaomi will allocate ¥4.7 billion ($648 million), with ¥1.5 billion disbursed this year, toward advancing its driver assistance technology.  Th...

Hyundai and Kia are jointly investing more than 253 billion won (about $185 million) in 42dot, a global software center within Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), to fast-track the group’s software-defined vehicle strategy. While Hyundai will invest over 152 billion won, Kia will invest more than 101 billion won. The investment is based on a per-share price of 129,000 won. This funding represents the second phase of investment in 42dot, following substantial investments totaling about 1 trillion won...

Europe’s largest carmaker Volkswagen said that the company would continue to invest in manufacturing combustion engine-powered cars despite the global transition to electric vehicles, according to a news report published by Automotive News Europe on June 5. The report mentioned that the carmaker has been forced to adjust its previously announced strategy of completely transitioning to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). As a result, VW plans to allocate two-thirds of its capital allocation of...

Chinese battery-maker Gotion High-Tech plans to build an electric vehicle-battery manufacturing plant in Morocco, according to a news report published by CnEVPost on June 7. The report cited Reuters as the original source of this news development. It said that the Volkswagen-backed battery-maker plans to build a gigafactory in Morocco for a total cost of $1.3 billion. It added that the gigafactory announcement from Gotion came on the sidelines of an investment agreement that the company si...

Toyota has announced plans to expand its Huntsville, Ala., plant with a $282 million investment, adding more than 350 new jobs, according to a press release dated June 5. This takes the company's total investment in its Alabama, US, operations to over $1.7 billion. The expansion will add new lines for drivetrain products to an already significant engine production site. Toyota Alabama, the company's largest engine producer in North America, assembled more than 770,000 engines in 2023. The pla...

Gabriel India, the flagship company of India-based Anand Group, plans to double its sunroof production capacity to 400,000 units by the end of the current fiscal year (March 2025) to meet increased demand from Hyundai, Kia Motors and other potential customers, Autocar Professional reported May 30. The decision to increase production follows the company's recent commencement of sunroof manufacturing at its Chennai plant in Tamil Nadu, India, in December 2023. As of now, the 170,000-square-foot...

Vietnamese automaker Vinfast is planning to delay its investment into its announced plant in North Carolina, US, according to a Reuters report on May 29. As per a statement given to Reuters, Vinfast is "conducting a thorough review and evaluation of all aspects of the construction process for our North Carolina factory." VinFast announced in 2022 that it would build an electric vehicle and battery factory in the US with an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles. The company had initia...

Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America has announced a funding initiative aimed at advancing AI research in the automotive industry. The company will provide funding for 15 graduate students at Stanford University to conduct hands-on research in generative AI and its application in the automotive sector. The initiative also includes 3D imaging research at the University of California San Diego's Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory, as reported in a press release on May 7. The studen...

Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation has invested an undisclosed amount in California-based startup Glydways, Inc., the carmaker announced on May 15. Established in 2016, Glydways develops autonomous and battery-powered compact electric vehicles that are available on-demand for personal rapid transit. These EVs are of the size of a mini vehicle, and they travel on dedicated lanes. Glydways aims to revolutionize the urban mobility through their new traffic system that they claim is more...

Tesla CEO Elon Musk plans to invest over $500 million on expanding the Tesla Supercharger network globally, according to a news report published by CNBC on May 10. The news report quoted a statement from Musk, which said, “Just to reiterate, Tesla will spend well over $500 million expanding our Supercharger network to create thousands of new chargers this year. That’s just on new sites and expansions, not counting operations costs, which are much higher.” The news has come days after...

Japan’s largest automaker Toyota Motor Corp. plans to invest ¥2 trillion (about $12.9 billion) on new technology development, including electric vehicles and hydrogen propulsion systems, as well as on strengthening its supply chain management in the financial year ending March 2025, according to a news report published by Nikkei Asia on May 8. The automaker reported a record net profit of ¥4.9 trillion for the financial year ended March 2024 on May 8. The results were helped by a wea...

BMW has commenced the construction of its high-voltage battery assembly plant in Mexico, the German luxury-car maker announced May 3. The company said that its facility in Mexico, named BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí, is also expanding the body shop, assembly and logistics areas. The new battery plant will prepare the company to produce its Neue Klasse range of electric cars in Mexico from 2027. BMW said that the company is investing a total of €800 million on expanding capacities at its ...

Electric carmaker Rivian Automotive Inc. announced May 2 that it has received an incentive package of $827 million from the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The state funding is expected to allow Rivian to expand operations at its plant in Normal, Ill. The funds from the incentive package will go toward expansion of the manufacturing plant, improvements in public infrastructure and job training programs for Rivian’s workforce, leading up to the co...

Ford Business Solutions India, a subsidiary of Ford, is set to add 3,000 more employees to its current workforce of 12,000 in Chennai. Ford has already invested $250 million in the Chennai hub and is likely to make further investments. The automaker is working on developing additional EV software capabilities at its Chennai technology hub, indicative of the software development potential it sees in India to cater to its global EV business program. Ford Business Solutions India is a strategic ...

Japanese carmaker Honda Motor Co. announced April 13 that it continues to make critical progress in the establishment of the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, US. The site is strategic for the company as it is slated to serve as a roadmap for production of electric vehicles in North America. The company, which plans to start EV production in late 2025 in the US, updated that retooling efforts are well underway, including preparation for vehicle production and in-house assembly of the Intelligent Pow...

Volkswagen has revealed its plans to invest $2.7 billion in mainland China to expand its production and innovation hub in Hefei, Anhui Province, mainland China, according to a report published by Reuters on April 11. The company is also preparing for the production of two Volkswagen brand models in collaboration with mainland Chinese partner Xpeng, with production set to begin in 2026. Ralf Brandstaetter, Volkswagen Group's management board member for China, stated that the Hefei site will en...

Chery, a leading carmaker from Mainland China, plans to build an $800 million EV plant in Vietnam, becoming the first Chinese EV maker to set up a facility in the country, according to a news report published by Nikkei Asia on April 4. The report, which cited Vietnam's trade ministry, said that Chery has signed a joint venture agreement with a local Vietnamese company named Geleximco to set up a car factory. The plant will be jointly established by Chery's Omoda and Jaecoo divisions along wit...