Webasto has announced plans to open its third manufacturing plant in India. The plant, situated between Manesar and Kharkhoda in northern India, will primarily serve customers in this region and is projected to have an annual capacity of approximately 500,000 units. It is expected to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2026. With this new addition, alongside existing plants in the west (Pune, Maharashtra) and south (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) of India, Webasto enhances its presence in all ...

Nio Inc. has achieved a new record for its battery-swap service on Feb. 15, with 146,649 swaps conducted in a single day as public travel increased ahead of a major holiday in mainland China. This date marked the beginning of the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, which spanned until Feb. 23, with the Lunar New Year occurring on Feb. 17. The Spring Festival is a significant occasion for Chinese residents, often involving extensive travel as people return to their hometowns to reunite with family. ...

Karma Automotive Inc. and Factorial Inc. have announced a partnership to launch the first solid-state battery production program in the US for passenger vehicles. This collaboration intends to incorporate Factorial's FEST solid-state battery technology into Karma's future vehicle platform, starting with the all-electric Karma Kaveya super coupe, which boasts over 1,000hp and a top speed exceeding 200 mph. The Kaveya is expected to be introduced to the US market by late 2027. The par...

Hyundai Steel has announced that its affiliate Hyundai-Posco Louisiana LLC plans to undertake a capital increase of $2.9 billion for facilities investment in a US steel plant, Reuters reported the South Korean steelmaker as saying in a regulatory filing on Jan. 26. The development follows an earlier announcement by Hyundai Steel and its parent company, Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), of plans to establish a steel plant in Louisiana, US, with a projected annual capacity of 2.7 million metric tons. ...

Vietnamese vehicle manufacturer Kim Long Motor has announced a partnership with leading Chinese battery-maker BYD to develop a $130 million battery plant to produce batteries for commercial electric vehicles in central Vietnam. According to the agreement, Kim Long Motor will be responsible for the facility's construction, while BYD will provide extensive technical and technological support. The planned battery plant will cover 4.4 hectares and have an initial production capacity of 3 GWh ...

Vietnamese electric-vehicle maker Vinfast is in discussions with several battery manufacturers in India, including Tata-Gotion, to localize battery production for its vehicles. This move is part of VinFast's strategy to strengthen and expand its EV offerings in the Indian market. According to Vinfast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau, the company aims to increase its localization efforts, which stand at about 15%, to reach 40% soon. By localizing battery production, VinFast expects a significant boost ...

ZF Foxconn Chassis Modules has officially opened its new e-axle assembly plant in Debrecen, Hungary. The facility, which required an investment of €26.7 million, was completed in just 13 months and is dedicated to the just-in-sequence assembly of electrified front and rear axles for BMW's New Class platform. It contributes to the strategic positioning of the region as a hub for e-mobility and automotive production. The plant is expected to create a total of 550 jobs in Debrecen and Kecskem�...

Leapmotor, a leading manufacturer of new-energy vehicles (NEVs), has secured a significant investment from China FAW Group, marking a notable instance of a mainland Chinese state-owned automaker investing in an NEV startup. According to a regulatory filing, Leapmotor has signed an agreement on Dec. 28 with FAW Equity Investment, a wholly owned subsidiary of China FAW, to issue 74,832,245 domestic shares at 50.03 yuan (about $7.13) per share, raising 3.74 billion yuan. The newly rais...

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. has announced plans to expand its electric vehicle portfolio by introducing five new models in India by fiscal year 2029/30, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported Dec. 23. The company also intends to enter the premium EV market under the Avinya brand by 2026, following the launches of the Sierra EV and Punch EV within the same year. In addition, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles will introduce three new brands by the end of fiscal year 2029/30. Tata Mo...

PowerCo SE has launched the Salzgitter, Germany, gigafactory, beginning the production of the first Unified Cells entirely within Europe, bolstering Volkswagen Group's position in battery technology. The cells, once produced, will be delivered for final road tests to brands including Volkswagen, ŠKODA and SEAT/CUPRA, with a debut in the Electric Urban Car Family planned for 2026. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume emphasized the strategic importance of this development, marking Volkswagen as the fi...

Hyundai Steel has teamed up with the Posco Group to jointly establish a steel manufacturing plant in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, US. The two South Korean steel companies will invest $5.8 billion in the greenfield plant, which is expected to commence commercial production in early 2029. Hyundai Motor Group — including Hyundai Steel, Hyundai Motor and Kia — will collectively hold an 80% equity stake in the venture, with Posco Group securing the remaining 20%. The total project cost will be s...

Ford Motor Co. has announced strategic measures to enhance its Ford+ plan, aiming to cater to customer demands while driving profitable growth. The company plans to offer a diverse range of options, including gas-powered vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles. Ford's Universal EV Platform will support a variety of models, with an objective for hybrids, extended-range EVs and fully electric vehicles to constitute approximately 50% of its global volume by 2030, up from 17% in 2025. Ford will f...

Volkswagen (VW)-owned car brands SEAT and CUPRA have opened an all-new battery system assembly plant at the Martorell factory in Spain, SEAT announced Dec. 12. The move is seen as part of the VW Group's larger battery strategy to balance in-house and third-party cell supply to achieve maximum flexibility. In-house battery-cell assembly operations offer flexibility and control over the supply chain, while providing scope to innovate in technology and processes. The high-profile opening cere...

Maruti Suzuki, India's largest carmaker, plans to establish over 100,000 charging points nationwide by the end of the decade to enhance consumer confidence in electric vehicles, according to Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi. The company intends to launch its first EV, the eVitara, and aims to become the largest fast-charging original equipment manufacturer network by collaborating with 13 charge-point operators, having already set up 2,000 exclusive charging points across 1,100 citi...

Kumho Tire has announced its plans to establish a passenger car tire production facility in the Opole region of Poland, aiming to enhance its presence in the European market. The new plant is expected to commence operations by August 2028, following the completion of necessary investment approvals and licensing procedures. Initially, the production capacity is set at 6 million tires per year, with plans to adjust output based on market conditions. The South Korean tiremaker will invest $587 mill...

Hyundai Motor Group is advancing its battery technology through the establishment of its Future Mobility Battery Campus in Anseong, South Korea. The initiative involves a 1.2 trillion won (approximately $820 million) investment aimed at creating a comprehensive battery research and development hub by the end of 2026. This campus will focus on internalizing key battery technologies, including cell design, process engineering and integrated control systems to optimize electric vehicle performan...

CATL, mainland China's largest battery-maker, and Stellantis broke ground on their planned battery manufacturing plant in Spain. The planned battery plant will be built in Figueruelas, which is located in the northeastern Aragon region in Spain. Approximately 2,000 Chinese workers will be involved in the factory's construction, followed by the recruitment and training of about 3,000 Spanish employees, according to union representatives. David Romeral, director general of CAAR Ara...

BASF Coatings has established a new laboratory at its site in Wuerzburg, Germany, reinforcing its commitment to digitalization, occupational safety, efficiency and sustainability. The laboratory operates under the innovative Lean Lab concept, focusing on the development and production of waterborne basecoats for the European automotive industry. Ralf Otte, vice president of Global Technology, Automotive OEM Coatings at BASF Coatings, highlighted the global rollout of the Lean Lab, emphasizing...

General Motors (GM) has allocated $300 million for the Romulus Propulsion Systems plant in Michigan, US, to manufacture 10-speed automatic transmissions for full-size pickups and sport utility vehicles. The confirmation comes a few days after the US-based automaker announced plans to invest $250 million in its Parma Metal Center, located near Cleveland, Ohio, to produce sheet metal stampings and assemblies. While the investment in the Parma Metal Center is anticipated to...

GAC Group has achieved a significant milestone in the production of all-solid-state batteries by completing its first high-capacity production line in mainland China. This facility is capable of producing all-solid-state batteries over 60 ampere-hours (Ah), a level deemed sufficient for use in vehicles, as current batteries range from 20 Ah to 40 Ah. This development marks an accelerated push by mainland China to commercialize this advanced technology for the new-energy vehicle (NEV) sector. ...

General Motors (GM) has announced plans to invest approximately $250 million in its Parma Metal Center in Ohio, US. This investment will facilitate the production of sheet metal stamping and assemblies to support the automaker’s Orion Assembly in Michigan, US; Spring Hill Manufacturing in Tennessee, US; and Fairfax Assembly in Kansas, US. With this investment, GM’s total manufacturing investments for 2025 will reach approximately $5.5 billion, reflecting the company's focus on dome...

Weineng Battery Asset, a joint venture between Nio and Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), has successfully raised 670 million yuan (about $94 million) to support research and development initiatives and facilitate business expansion. The latest fundraising effort was led by Nio and CATL and received backing from two new state-owned investors, one based in Haining, Zhejiang province, and the other in Chengmai, Hainan province. The Wuhan-based company was established in 2020 with the go...

German luxury-car maker Mercedes-Benz is investing €55 million in establishing its first research and development center in Hungary. Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, government of Hungary, announced that Mercedes-Benz's investment in the city of Kecskemét will include early hardware and software development, with prototype testing to soon begin. The technologies developed at the newly opened R&D center will be used in new electric p...

In a press release dated Nov. 12, Toyota announced that it has commenced operations at its new $13.9 billion battery manufacturing plant in Liberty, North Carolina — the company’s first battery plant outside Japan and its 11th US facility. The state-of-the-art plant is expected to create up to 5,100 new American jobs and serve as a cornerstone for Toyota’s expanding portfolio of electrified vehicles. Toyota also announced that it plans to additionally invest up to $10 billion over the n...

Hyundai Motor Co. has initiated the construction of a new hydrogen fuel-cell production facility in Ulsan, South Korea, with a groundbreaking ceremony. The facility is funded with an investment of 930 billion won (approximately $648 million) and is slated for completion by 2027. Once operational, it will produce 30,000 fuel cell units and protein exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers annually. This project is part of Hyundai Motor's strategy to secure a leading position in the global hydrogen...

Stellantis has revealed plans to invest $13 billion over the next four years to expand its business in the US and increase domestic manufacturing. This investment marks the largest in the company's century-long US history and aims to introduce five new vehicles, boost annual vehicle production by 50%, and create over 5,000 jobs in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. This move is part of Stellantis' strategy to strengthen its US manufacturing footprint and enhance its product offerings ...

Renault is investing in a purchasing center in Mexico to supply auto parts to its plants in South America and strengthen its aftermarket network in Mexico. The new center will start operations in October. “Mexico has a spectacular supplier base. We have opened a new business unit set to start in October, and the objective is to increase Mexican-sourced parts in the vehicles manufactured in Colombia, Brazil and Argentina. It is a new unit, it is a reality, and we will be starting the first ship...

On Sept. 29, the first public Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for battery-electric trucks in Germany was inaugurated at the Lipperland Süd service station. This event was part of the HoLa project, which aims to advance emission-free long-haul trucking and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and the EU. The project is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI and the P3 Group, which are installing MCS points at four locations along major ...

Xiaomi has opened its first European research and development center and design center for electric vehicles in Munich. The Xiaomi EV Europe Research and Development (R&D) and Design Center marks a significant step in the company’s global automotive expansion strategy. Positioned in a key European automotive engineering hub, the center will focus on performance vehicle projects, EV technology, design innovation and advanced research. This establishment aligns with Xiaomi'...

Scout Motors, a US division of the Volkswagen Group, is investing an additional $300 million to establish a supplier park at its manufacturing plant in Blythewood, South Carolina. The planned investment aims to support about 1,000 supplier jobs, enhancing the company's over $2 billion commitment to South Carolina. Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Scout Motors, emphasized the initiative's role in fortifying US manufacturing and South Carolina's position as a hub for automotive innovation and ...

ZF has announced the expansion of its Gray Court facility in South Carolina, US. The project, which started with a groundbreaking event on Sept. 9, involved constructing a 45,000-square-foot additional space at the facility to support the site's logistics operations. The expansion will feature flexible capacity, efficient dock access and optimized material flow, aiming to meet both current and future business needs. ZF Gray Court, the Germany-based supplier’s first full-scale manufacturing ...

Tesla is establishing a new European development center in Berlin, Germany, according to a report by web portal electrive on Sept 4. The new center will focus on material research as well as vehicle and driver development. Tesla’s executive Lars Moravy announced that the electric car company plans to renovate an old factory complex covering approximately 20,000 square metres in the southeastern district of Köpenick. This site, located between the city center and the Brandenburg plant in Gr...

Ashok Leyland, a leading Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer and part of the Hinduja Group, has announced plans to invest in the development and manufacture of next-generation batteries for both automotive and non-automotive applications, including energy storage systems. As part of this initiative, Ashok Leyland has formed a long-term exclusive partnership with the CALB Group, a leading battery technology company from mainland China. The agreement was signed by Ashok Leyland's Managing Di...

Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala, Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček, and Toyota Motor Europe President Yoshihiro Nakata announced the production of a new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ), according to a Sept. 3 press release. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first BEV to be produced in one of Toyota's European plants. The TMMCZ plant in Kolin will be expanded from 152,000 square meters to 173,000 s...

South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Group has announced plans to increase its investment in the US to $26 billion between 2025 and 2028. This investment marks an addition of $5 billion to the previously announced $21 billion in March 2025. The fund aims to bolster strategic initiatives in the automotive, steel and robotics industries within the US market. As part of this expanded commitment, a new steel mill is planned in Louisiana to support US industries such as automotive manufacturi...

Japan's Suzuki Motor plans to invest 700 billion rupees (about $8 billion) in India over the next five to six years. This investment coincides with the commencement of Suzuki's first electric vehicle production in the subcontinent. Through its majority stake in Maruti Suzuki, the Japanese automaker already manufactures 17 models in India for export to about 100 countries, including Japan. India will now serve as the global production hub for Suzuki's electric cars. Following the investment...

MG, the passenger car brand originally from Britain but now owned by China's leading automaker SAIC, plans to launch 13 new electric vehicles globally over the next two years. The brand plans to invest 10 billion yuan (about $1.4 billion) into developing new-energy vehicles (NEVs), which will include a range of battery-electric cars, range extenders and plug-in hybrids. MG, which was acquired by SAIC in 2005, is recognized more for its international sales than domestic, after having sold 1...

China CITIC Bank Guangzhou Branch has agreed to provide electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng with a substantial credit facility totaling 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.4 billion). This financial support is intended to bolster Xpeng's operations and fuel its business growth. The announcement follows a strategic cooperation agreement signed by Brain Gu, vice chairman and co-president of Xpeng, and Xue Fengqing, president of China CITIC Bank Guangzhou Branch. Xpeng emphasized the importance ...

Ford Motor Co. has announced that it will be investing approximately $5 billion to create or secure nearly 4,000 jobs across its Louisville Assembly Plant and BlueOval Battery Park Michigan. The initiative aims to produce a new pickup and advanced prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Ford will invest nearly $2 billion in the Louisville Assembly Plant to assemble the midsize electric truck, securing 2,200 hourly jobs. The Louisville Assembly Plant will see a significant expansion&...

Japanese carmaker Nissan has launched an electric truck charging station at its Sunderland Plant in the UK. This electric vehicle charging station is part of an initiative to establish an electric, end-to-end supply chain that will result in a reduction of 1,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. The charging facility, which has been developed with an investment of about £1.4 million, includes seven charging stations capable of powering up to 10 electric heavy goods v...

The BMW Group Plant Steyr in Austria has commenced the series production of the electric engine for the Neue Klasse range of electric vehicles, marking a significant step for BMW's future. This production site in Austria is the first to produce the sixth-generation BMW eDrive (Gen6) electric engine, which is central to the Neue Klasse models. The e-engine production fulfills a promise made three years ago by BMW to enhance its production capabilities. Between the project's launch in 2022...

Thailand's National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee (EV Board) has approved changes to the EV3 and EV3.5 incentive packages to promote the country as an export hub for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The revisions, proposed by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), include a rule where one vehicle produced for export counts as 1.5 vehicles, potentially boosting electric vehicle exports to approximately 12,500 units in 2025 and about 52,000 in 2026. Additionally, the EV Board has extende...

WM Motor, a Chinese electric vehicle startup established in 2015, is set to resume production in August with the support of its investor Xiangfei Auto. Information from a Chinese tech media outlet, MingJin Pro, published on July 14, indicated that WM Motor and Xiangfei Auto will restart mass production of the EX5 and E5 EV models at WM Motor's facility in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. This decision follows a liquidity crisis that led to halted operations in the second half of 2022. Subsequently, a...

Stellantis has inaugurated a new expanded manufacturing facility in Kenitra, Morocco, marking a significant step in the country's industrial advancement. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch highlighted the project as part of Morocco's broader strategy to foster a competitive and integrated economy. The €1.2 billion investment, which includes €702 million for developing local suppliers, aims to double the plant's production capacity and achieve a 75% local integration rate by 2030...

Automotive seat supplier Adient plans to invest $8 million to open a factory in Normal, Illinois, that will assemble components for Rivian. The new facility is expected to create 75 full-time jobs and is supported by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through its Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV) program, which encourages clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Adient will manufacture complete front and rear seat assemblies for Rivian, repurp...

Rivian has distinguished itself among electric vehicle startups over the past decade with its R1T and R1S models, demonstrating that electric trucks and sport utility vehicles can compete with gas-powered vehicles in speed, capability and comfort. As Rivian gears up to introduce smaller and more affordable models such as the R2 and R3, the company is also backing a new entrant in a different sector: A micromobility startup named Also Inc. Also Inc. was spun out of Rivian e...

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...