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Category: Automotive

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Auto and Car news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Volkswagen Plans Six European Battery Cell Plants By 2030

    Volkswagen Plans Six European Battery Cell Plants By 2030

    Volkswagen plans to have six battery cell production plants operating in Europe by 2030 to secure supply for the world’s No.2 carmaker’s electric vehicle ambitions. The plants, to be built in partnerships, will have a production capacity of 240-gigawatt hours a year, VW said.

    “E-mobility has become core business for us. We are now systematically integrating additional stages in the value chain,” Chief Executive Herbert Diess told VW’s Power Day.

    “We secure a long-term pole position in the race for the best battery and best customer experience in the age of zero-emission mobility,” Diess added on Monday.

    The group also said it would enter partnerships with oil major BP and top European utilities Enel and Iberdrola to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, still seen as a major hurdle to the mass adoption of battery-powered cars.

  • Samsung To Develop Autonomous Driving Chip For Google’s Waymo

    Samsung To Develop Autonomous Driving Chip For Google’s Waymo

    Samsung Electronics recently won a project for Google parent Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit Waymo to develop chips for next-generation self-driving cars, South Korean media reported on Monday.

    Samsung will develop a chip that computes data collected from various sensors installed in autonomous vehicles or centrally controls functions by exchanging information with Google data centers in real-time, South Korean newspaper Herald Business reported, citing an unnamed industry source.

    The project is expected to be carried out by Samsung’s logic chip development division System LSI’s Custom SOC Business Team, it added.

    Samsung Electronics declined to comment regarding client company matters. Alphabet did not have an immediate comment.

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  • GM Builds Pickups Without Certain Modules Due To Global Chip Shortage

    GM Builds Pickups Without Certain Modules Due To Global Chip Shortage

    General Motors Co said on Monday that due to the global semiconductor chip shortage the U.S. automaker is building certain 2021 light-duty full-size pickup trucks without a fuel management module, hurting those vehicles’ fuel economy performance. The lack of the active fuel management/dynamic fuel management module means affected models, equipped with the 5.3-litre EcoTec3 V8 engine with both six-speed and eight-speed automatic transmission, will have lower fuel economy by one mile per gallon, spokeswoman Michelle Malcho said.

    Malcho emphasized all trucks are still being built, something GM has repeatedly stressed it would try to protect as pickups are among GM’s most profitable models. She declined to say the volume of vehicles affected. “By taking this measure, we are better able to meet the strong customer and dealer demand for our full-size trucks as the industry continues to rebound and strengthen,” Malcho wrote in an email.

    The change runs through the 2021 model year, which typically ends in late summer or early fall, she said. Malcho said it would not have a major impact on the Detroit automaker’s U.S. corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) numbers.

    “We routinely monitor our fleet for compliance in the U.S. and Canada, and we balance our portfolio in a way that enables us to manage unforeseeable circumstances like this without compromising our overall (greenhouse gas) and fuel economy compliance,” she said.

    GM’s fleetwide fuel economy in the 2018 model year was 22.5 miles per gallon and was projected to rise to 22.8 mpg for 2019, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency. To meet federal CAFE requirements, automakers like GM often use credits from either earlier years where they faced less stringent rules and performed better than the requirements or buy credits from other automakers.

    GM said last month the chip shortage could shave up to $2 billion from this year’s earnings. It subsequently said it expected global chip supplies to return to normal rates by the second half of the year. The shortage, which has hit automakers globally, stems from a confluence of factors as carmakers, which shut plants for two months during the COVID-19 pandemic last year, compete with the sprawling consumer electronics industry for chip supplies.

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  • Honda Confirms Participation At EICMA 2021

    Honda Confirms Participation At EICMA 2021

    Honda has become one of the first motorcycle brands to confirm participation in the 2021 edition event of one of the world’s most well-known motorcycle trade shows. The EICMA event, held every year in Milan, Italy, is scheduled to take place between November 23-28, 2021. But this year’s event may not see participation from many brands, and it’s still some time away to actually see which way the COVID-19 situation blows, in Europe, as well as across the world. BMW Motorrad has already announced that it won’t be attending any motorcycle shows going forward, and the confirmation from Honda is actually a strong statement, considering the EICMA is possibly the most important two-wheeler event around the world.

    “It is a concrete and conscious approach to protect the value of the event, the public and the whole sector of reference involved, with the structure of EICMA S.p.A. and the manufacturers committed to facing up to the complexity of the organization of the event in a context in continuous development,” Honda said in a statement.

    “The path towards EICMA 2021 is distinguished by a reasonable expectation and a more flexible vision compared to the past. Sharing this new orientation therefore implies a surplus of compactness by all the players involved and the positive confirmation of Honda, together with the other significant names which have already assured their presence, go in exactly this direction. We hope that we can soon communicate other confirmations.”

    “The common objective is that we can once again gather around our passion for the products of this industry and re-conquer the freedom to do what EICMA has been doing for over one hundred years: creating opportunities for companies and offering the public visitor experiences which are increasingly exciting and thrilling.”

    The 2020 edition of the EICMA had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. BMW Motorrad has announced that it will focus on its own small motorcycle events and customer events, and will not participate at the EICMA show. With the global economy under pressure, it’s still a matter of speculation of how many brands will eventually turn up at the 2021 EICMA show. But this year’s event is likely to be smaller than before, and it’s still uncertain how the COVID-19 situation pans out over the next few months. Even though vaccination drives are going on around the world, audience participation at the EICMA 2021 is likely to be significantly lower than in previous years.

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  • Auto sales up 21 pct in 2021

    Auto sales up 21 pct in 2021

    Auto sales in the first two months of the year jumped by 21 percent to 40,017 units.

    Passenger vehicles dominated sales at 71 percent, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association.

    Local company Truong Hai Auto (Thaco) led the market with 14,964 units representing a 39 percent year-on-year increase.

    It was followed by Toyota (6,848), and Mitsubishi (4,605).

    Honda and Ford rounded off the top five.

    Last year sales had fallen by 8 percent to 296,634 units as the Covid-19 pandemic badly affected the economy, hitting people’s incomes and discretionary spending.

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  • Nissan Appoints Guillaume Cartier Chairperson Of The AMIEO Region

    Nissan Appoints Guillaume Cartier Chairperson Of The AMIEO Region

    Nissan Motor announced Guillaume Cartier as its new Chairperson for the Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO) region. Effective April 1st, Cartier will lead all Nissan operations in the region, which covers more than 140 markets across four continents with a population of around 3.8 billion people, representing more than 30 percent of global vehicle sales.

    With over 25 years’ experience at Nissan and in the Alliance in global and regional leadership positions, Cartier will lead the new region as the Nissan NEXT transformation plan continues to gather pace and with key models in Europe including Qashqai and Ariya launching soon, and as the brand continues to grow in the AMIO markets, thanks to a powerful vehicle line-up ranging from the iconic Patrol to the recently launched Magnite in India.

    Cartier said: “I am thrilled to be leading this culturally rich and diverse region into a period of unprecedented change for the automotive industry and with a refreshed range of Nissan models and technologies coming to the market.”

    Currently Vice-Chairperson of the AMIEO region and AMI President, Cartier first joined Nissan in 1995 as after-sales manager and went on to hold a number of senior management positions in the Alliance, including AMI Chairperson, head of the Global Datsun Business Unit, Executive Officer and Senior Vice President for Mitsubishi Motors, and Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing in Europe. Cartier will report to the vice-chief performance officer and chief quality officer, Christian Vandenhende. Cartier will replace Gianluca De Ficchy, who served for three years as Chairperson of Nissan Europe and latterly of the expanded AMIEO region.

  • BMW Group Invests In Innovative Method For CO2-Free Steel Production

    BMW Group Invests In Innovative Method For CO2-Free Steel Production

    The BMW Group announced that it is investing in an innovative method for CO2-free steel production developed by American startup Boston Metal, through its venture capital fund, BMW i Ventures. Over the coming years, Boston Metal plans to expand the new method for steel production on an industrial scale. The investment is part of the BMW Group’s far-reaching sustainability activities aimed at significantly reducing CO2 emissions across the supplier network.

    With its versatile properties, steel is one of the most important materials in car production and will be no less important for future vehicle generations. Even with the dynamic ramp-up of electromobility, steel will remain an important building material for car bodies and many components. BMW Group press plants in Europe process more than half a million tonnes of steel per year.

    The blast furnaces used in conventional steel production generate carbon dioxide. The startup Boston Metal uses electricity for its new technology, which, by means of an electrolysis cell, produces molten iron that is later processed into steel. If electricity from renewable energies is used for this process, then steel production is carbon-free. The young company will build demonstration facilities for this process over the next few years and further develop it for use on an industrial scale.

    The BMW Group established close contact with Boston Metal already last year in the context of its own research activities and through the BMW Startup Garage. The company is now investing in the startup as part of its i Ventures activities.

    To safeguard reserves of raw materials, the BMW Group has set itself the goal of further increasing its percentage of recycled raw materials, so-called secondary material, by 2030 and using raw materials multiple times in a circular economy.

    All steel waste produced at the press plants – for example, when doors are punched out – is either reused through a direct material cycle or sent back to the steel producer via steel traders and processed into new steel. The use of secondary material reduces CO2 emissions substantially compared to primary material, conserves natural resources and also reduces the amount of energy needed for production.

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  • Volkswagen To Cut Up To 5,000 Jobs

    Volkswagen To Cut Up To 5,000 Jobs

    Carmaker Volkswagen plans to cut up to 5,000 jobs in Germany by offering early or partial retirement to older employees in a move that could cost 500 million euros ($598 million), the Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Sunday.

    The newspaper quoted a spokeswoman confirming that the company had agreed on the plan with the works council to open partial retirement to those born in 1964, while also offering early retirement to older employees.

    Handelsblatt cited company sources as saying Volkswagen was putting aside 500 million euros for the plan as it would compensate the employees who leave by topping up their pension, although it would save billions in the longer term.

    The newspaper said Volkswagen is also extending a hiring freeze until the end of the year. It had previously only been in place until the end of the first quarter. External hires can only be made in areas like information technology and software.

    The Volkswagen Group said in January it would cut overhead costs by 5% and procurement costs by 7% over the next two years.

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  • Kia Teases Its First Dedicated Electric Vehicle The EV6

    Kia Teases Its First Dedicated Electric Vehicle The EV6

    Kia has revealed the first official images of the EV6 – its first dedicated battery electric vehicle. Now, we have to tell you here that it’s not the company’s first EV, because if you remember, it already has the e-Niro and the Soul EV in its all-electric portfolio. The EV6, however, is built on a platform that has been developed specifically for electric vehicles. The new platform Electric-Global Modular Platform, or E-GMP, will see Kia build next-generation electric cars under a new design philosophy that embodies Kia’s shifting focus towards electrification.

    The teaser images give us an idea of what to expect in terms of design. It is sleek and the coupe-like roofline integrates well into the rear spoiler. The silhouette also points out at a slight ducktail too. The front end is sleek and modern and it looks like the EV6 has a short overhang. The headlights are slim and the LED pattern gives it a unique look.

    Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Centre said, “EV6 is the embodiment of both our brand purpose, ‘Movement that inspires’, and our new design philosophy. It has been designed to inspire every journey by offering an instinctive and natural experience that improves the daily lives of our customers, and provide user ownership that is simple, intuitive, and integrated.”

    As part of the company’s brand transition, Kia’s new dedicated battery electric vehicles will be named according to a new naming strategy. All of Kia’s new dedicated BEVs will start with the prefix ‘EV’ which makes it easy for consumers to understand which of Kia’s products are fully electric. This is followed by a number that corresponds to the car’s position in the line-up.

  • Harley-Davidson To Follow Used-Car Model To Woo Young Riders

    Harley-Davidson To Follow Used-Car Model To Woo Young Riders

    Harley-Davidson is looking to increase focus on the used motorcycle market in the United States, in the brand’s latest efforts to increase customer base. And to do this, Harley-Davidson plans to roll out a certified pre-owned bike program, known as H-D Certified, to position well-tended bikes as a substitute for entry-level models.

    The strategy is similar to what carmakers have been following to position well-maintained used vehicles as a substitute for low-margin, “entry-level” new models. The used bikes program is part of a new five-year turnaround strategy outlined by new Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz, part of the latest efforts to expand the brand’s appeal beyond middle-aged and affluent riders.

    The 118-year-old American brand has been steadily losing market share in the brand’s domestic US market amid declining retail sales for six years. Harley-Davidson’s latest five-year plan has been dubbed “The Hardwire” and under the new plan, Harley is following a “70-20-10” structure, with 70 percent of its efforts going to the core business, 20 percent into expansion into new segments that offer clear potential for more profit, and 10 percent for testing ideas for long-term growth, including plans for smaller displacement models in new markets, like in China, with the Qianjiang Group, and in India, with Hero MotoCorp.

  • Maruti Suzuki Records 19.3% Production Growth In February 2021

    Maruti Suzuki Records 19.3% Production Growth In February 2021

    Maruti Suzuki India has announced production figures for the month of February 2021. India’s leading carmaker said its total production increased by 19.3 percent to 1,68,180 units in February against 1,40,933 units produced in the same month last year. The numbers recorded last month are slightly better than what the automaker posted in February 2020. The total number of passenger vehicles manufactured last month were 1,65,783 units in comparison to 1,40,370 units in the corresponding month last year, witnessing a growth of 18 percent.

    The Indo-Japanese carmaker manufactured 1,60,975 units in January 2021 as against 1,68,180 units, witnessing a marginal month-on-month (MoM) growth of 4 percent. The production of mini hatchbacks – Alto and S-Presso in February 2021 decreased marginally by 4 percent to 28,213 units as compared to 29,676 units produced in the same month last year. However, compact vehicles such as WagonR, Celerio, Swift, Dzire, Ignis, Baleno, and the Glanza saw production growth of 21.22 percent with 91,091 units against 75,142 units manufactured a year ago. The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz compact sedan saw a decline in production by 34.13 percent to 1,943 units as compared to 2,950 units manufactured in February 2020.

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  • Volvo Cars Reports 29.1% Sales Growth In The First Two Months Of 2021

    Volvo Cars Reports 29.1% Sales Growth In The First Two Months Of 2021

    Volvo Cars’ global sales performance remained strong in February after the company posted a 29.1 percent growth for the first two months of the year, compared with the same period last year. Total sales during the period amounted to 110,383 cars as US, Europe and China reported a growth in volumes. The sales increase was driven by an ongoing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic in China compared to last year, a solid performance on the US market, and increased sales in Sweden.

    For the month of February, Volvo Cars sold a total of 50,795 cars, up 27.8 percent compared to the same month last year and the company’s best February sales performance ever.

    For the month of February, Volvo Cars sold a total of 50,795 cars, up 27.8 percent compared to the same month last year

    Its Recharge line-up of chargeable models, with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, continued to grow in popularity among customers and accounted for 26.6 percent of all Volvo cars sold globally in February. In Europe, Recharge cars represented 44 percent of the overall sales volume.

    In China, Volvo Cars sold 29,243 cars in the first two months, up 160.6 percent year-on-year, as the company managed to more than recover lost sales due to Covid-19 shutdowns last year.

    US sales continued to grow year-on-year and reached 17,315 cars in January and February, up 23.7 percent compared with the same period last year. The strong increase was led by the brand’s premium SUVs which accounted for 80 percent of total sales. The company’s European sales grew 5.5 percent in the first two months of 2021 to 48,784 cars, compared to the same period last year, driven mainly by increased sales in Sweden.

  • Porsche Introduces 2 New e-Bikes

    Porsche Introduces 2 New e-Bikes

    We all knew Porsche as the carmaker but now the company is expanding its range of e-mobility products by introducing 2 new ebikes. Available in Europe for now, the Porsche eBike Sport and the Porsche eBike Cross are the first e-bikes from the carmaker. The full-suspension carbon frame featuring an organic shape inspired by the lines of the Porsche Taycan, the powerful, latest-generation Shimano motor and the Magura high-performance brakes are just three of the features that ensure top performance. Both models were developed in collaboration with eBike expert Rotwild and are manufactured in Dieburg, Germany.

    The Porsche eBike Sport is perfect for daily rides, whether in the city or countryside, on the way to work or enjoying some free time. The new, powerful and ultra-compact Shimano EP8 motor, which provides motor support up to 25 kmph, and Shimano electronic gear shifting system guarantee optimum performance.

    Thanks to the Magura high-performance brakes that are integrated into the handlebars, the Porsche eBike Sport has a clean and compact cockpit. The elegant and puristic design is emphasized by M99 LED lights from lighting specialist Supernova, which are embedded in the handlebar stem and aerodynamic seat post. In addition, high-quality suspension components such as the Magura upside-down suspension fork and the Fox rear shock absorber, in combination with smooth-running tires, provide a sporty and balanced ride on asphalt or gentle terrain.

    The Porsche eBike Cross is at home in the countryside, off the beaten path and away from roads. The powerful motor, newly developed by Shimano, demonstrates its full ability in difficult terrain and delivers maximum performance while maintaining a natural riding sensation. The Magura-MT Trail high-performance brakes have extra-large, heat-resistant brake discs that ensure optimum deceleration, while the mechanical Shimano XT 12-fold shifting system enables fast gear changes according to the rider’s needs and the terrain.

    The hydraulically adjustable Crankbrothers Highline seat post ensures the seat can be quickly adjusted to varying degrees in order to find the perfect position. The ergonomically designed handlebars guarantee full control at all times. They feature the Shimano color display, which shows not only speed but also distance and range in real-time. The clean design is rounded out by a full-suspension carbon frame, which perfectly combines the spirit of adventure with style.

    Both models were inspired by the sporty character of the Porsche Taycan. The wheels draw inspiration from the naturally shaped carbon frame of the vehicle’s fly line. The elaborate design, developed by Studio F. A. Porsche, ensures optimum reflection of light.

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  • All-New Suzuki Hayabusa Teased For India, Launch Soon

    All-New Suzuki Hayabusa Teased For India, Launch Soon

    The all-new Suzuki Hayabusa finally broke cover last month and it turns out the new offering will come to India sooner than we were expecting. Suzuki Motorcycle India has released a teaser video on its social media handles for the new Hayabusa with the caption, “The ultimate superbike, coming soon.” It is likely that the all-new superbike will arrive in India in the next quarter of the year, and will be one of the first markets outside Japan to get the offering. It needs to be noted that India was one of the last markets globally where the second generation Hayabusa was sold before the model had to be pulled off the shelves with the transition to BS6 emission norms.

    The third-generation Suzuki Hayabusa has seen a comprehensive overhaul over its predecessor. The model gets a revised twin-spar aluminum frame and swingarm. The design language is an evolution over the older model and makes it instantly recognizable. There are plenty of changes including the new LED position lights on either side of the headlamp, new DRLs and air intakes on the side. The fairing has been completely revised and gets larger air scoops, while the LED taillight is all-new as well.

    Power on the 2021 Suzuki Hayabusa comes from the 1340 cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, in-line four-cylinder engine. The motor has been thoroughly updated for Euro5 compliance. There are new internal components including an exhaust header pipe, optimized cam profiles, 1 mm education in throttle body inner diameter and a 12 mm extension in the overall intake pipe. While Suzuki says that the engine’s performance has been improved, power figures have seen a reduction with the model now producing 187 bhp at 9700 rpm and 150 Nm of peak torque at 7000 rpm. The motor is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Compared to the second-gen model, the new Hayabusa is lighter by 4 kg but still tips the scales at 264 kg (kerb).

  • VinFast to produce batteries for electric cars in Vietnam

    VinFast to produce batteries for electric cars in Vietnam

    Automaker VinFast has signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation with Taiwan’s ProLogium Technology Co.. Ltd. on production of batteries for electric cars in Vietnam.

    Under the MoU signed Wednesday, the two parties will set up a joint venture to manufacture solid-state batteries for electric cars. The joint venture will be licensed to use ProLogium’s patented solid-state battery pack assembly technology.

    This is a strategic step for VinFast in mastering battery technology for electric vehicles, laying a foundation for its research and development of smart and advanced electric vehicles in the future.

    Founded in 2006, ProLogium is the world’s leading solid-state battery maker. In 2017, ProLogium became the first company in the world to have a test line for solid-state battery technology for automotive applications.

    Its solid-state batteries have passed safety tests in Europe and China, which are the world’s largest electric vehicle markets.

    It is also cooperating with large electric cars manufacturers to test a new battery technology and expects to deploy it for mass-production in 2023-2024.

    By using solid-state batteries, VinFast electric cars will be able to go longer distances, reduce charging time, and increase the total number of times they can be charged.

    VinFast’s partnership with ProLogium is a part of its plan to become a global smart electric car brand.

    In January, VinFast introduced three new electric self-driving car models. It is also setting up electric charging stations nationwide, aiming at 40,000 charging ports for electric bikes and cars by the end of 2021.

    VinFast sold 31,500 cars in Vietnam last year. Since entering the auto industry three years ago the company now has a plant in the northern province of Hai Phong and R&D centers in Australia, Germany and the U.S.

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