AISIN is expanding its ADVICS brake disc offering with about 1,000 new references, aiming ultimately to reach 97% coverage across the vehicle fleet in Europe. The additions expand the ADVICS brake component lineup that includes brake pads, brake fluid, master cylinders and wheel cylinders. The new ADVICS discs are intended for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs). AISIN says it is drawing on ADVICS' original-equipment background, with its products installed on 50% of Japanese m...

Pražská energetika AS (PRE) has officially opened Prague’s largest electric vehicle charging hub following a yearlong trial operation, expanding charging capacity in a city that accounts for nearly a third of the Czech Republic’s battery-powered cars. The facility, located on Novovysočanská Street in Prague 9, can simultaneously charge as many as 161 EVs, PRE said in a statement. The public charging site features two Alpitronic ultrafast chargers, each capable of delivering up to 4...

JSW MG Motor India has outlined its next phase of growth in the country, confirming plans to launch three new-energy vehicles in 2026. The lineup will include the brand’s first plug-in hybrid model for India, marking a notable expansion beyond its current battery-electric vehicle (BEV) portfolio. This announcement coincides with a key milestone in MG’s electric mobility efforts, as the company said it has become the first passenger vehicle manufacturer in India to deploy 1,000 community EV c...

US-based used-car history provider Carfax, part of S&P Global Mobility and a company that owns the world’s largest vehicle-history database, has revealed that backup camera-related recalls in the US have climbed by more than a million and a half since the start of 2026. According to new Carfax data, nearly 7 million vehicles on US roads have an unrepaired recall involving their backup camera system. The company said such defects can limit a driver's rearward visibility and raise th...

General Motors has outlined its Collision Assistance tool, available to eligible GM owners in the US through the GM vehicle mobile apps myChevrolet, myGMC, myBuick and myCadillac. The tool is intended to help drivers navigate what to do after a crash, including documenting the incident, starting an insurance claim, and locating a repair facility that follows GM-recommended procedures. The company cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data that nearly 17,000 police-reported car ...

International Motors, LLC has introduced My International, a connected digital ecosystem that consolidates fleet monitoring, remote vehicle functionality, maintenance management and dealer communications into a single interface. Available as a desktop portal or mobile app, it is designed for fleets, drivers and International dealers, bringing tools, insights and processes together to create a more transparent and proactive ownership journey that aims to reduce downtime, enhance operations and...

Leasys, the joint venture between Stellantis and Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility, has announced the launch of a revamped Clickar platform, its digital marketplace for used vehicles, to further strengthen its remarketing business and digital capabilities in Europe. The fully redesigned platform offers improved performance, scalability and ease of use, with a new interface that simplifies navigation, enhances search functions and enables users to quickly access and evaluate ava...

Tesla has launched 55 Supercharger stations across expressways in Chongqing, mainland China. The US-based electric-car maker opened these advanced charging stations simultaneously across highways in Chongqing in Southwest China on March 28. At a launch ceremony at the Dazu Rock Carvings express service area, Huang Lei, general manager of Tesla Western China, said the new sites are equipped with Tesla’s V4 Supercharger technology. The stations are strategically positioned along key tran...

Octopus Energy has introduced a new offer designed to make switching to electric vehicles cheaper and more accessible for people without driveways by providing 50% cheaper curbside charging. Through Octopus Electric Vehicles (OEV), described as the UK's largest EV-only leasing company, new customers can now charge on-street from as little as 22.5 pence per kilowatt-hour, equivalent to 7 pence a mile. This aims to address the finding that a third of motorists feel home charging is the final "n...

BMW Group Canada has announced a major expansion of public charging access and ease of use for BMW and MINI electric vehicle drivers. The company is introducing Shell Recharge integration within the My BMW and MINI apps and compatibility with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) Tesla Supercharger network. These enhancements are intended to improve day-to-day convenience, streamline trip planning and payment, and make use of North America's extensive fast-charging infrastructure. Sh...

Arnott has expanded its European suspension component portfolio with new products aimed at common failure points in BMW and Tesla vehicles, providing workshops with alternatives to original equipment for high-end air suspension systems, in an April release. The new C-5689 Rear Coil Conversion Kit is designed for the 2013–2018 BMW X5 (F15/F85) and 2014–2019 BMW X6 (F16/F86) equipped with Variable Damper Control (VDC), excluding hybrids. This kit replaces the factory air suspension with ste...

Renault Group has announced that it is bringing together all of its charging activities and related services under a single name, Plug Inn, as part of its electric development strategy in Europe. The objective is to unify, clarify and strengthen its charging ecosystem to support the large-scale rollout of electric mobility across Europe. The name change will take effect from April for fast-charging stations in France and by the end of 2026 for other services. Charging activities, which were p...

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has introduced T-OPT, a regional aftermarket auto parts brand, at the Manila International Auto Show 2026, aimed at owners of out-of-warranty Toyota vehicles. The brand offers reliable, affordable alternatives backed by Toyota expertise, aiming to support the growing number of aging and pre-owned vehicles in the market. Mike Masamayor, TMP's first vice president for customer-first and value chain operations, said that T-OPT focuses on providing alternative ca...

BYD has reportedly filed a patent for a mobile robot designed to handle both electric vehicle charging and tire inflation in a single operation. Recent patent filings describe a system in which a mobile robot, equipped with charging connectors and tire inflation equipment, would allow drivers to park and have the robot manage these tasks automatically, functioning like a mechanical pit crew. The proposed design outlines a mobile unit that could automate routine car maintenance by combining BY...

Alps Alpine North America Inc., an aftermarket car audio manufacturer, announced a retailing agreement with Mopar Affiliated Accessories that will make Alpine products available for order through authorized Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealerships across the US. Alpine is the aftermarket car audio division of Alps Alpine Co. Ltd., which has research and development and manufacturing facilities in Japan, China, Europe and North America. Mopar is the original equipment parts, accessories and c...

BMW is relocating its Recycling and Dismantling Center (RDC) from Unterschleißheim to the company's Wackersdorf site, both in Bavaria, Germany, where it will significantly expand the facility into a technologically advanced competence center for circularity. Commissioning of the new site is scheduled for early 2029. “Our new competence center in Wackersdorf will be a core component of our circular value chain and will help make the mobility of the future more&...

WeRide has signed an expanded strategic cooperation agreement with Geely's Zhejiang Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group. This collaboration aims to deliver 2,000 upgraded robo-taxi GXRs by 2026 to advance the global commercial deployment of robo-taxis. At the signing ceremony for the agreement, the two companies showcased the upgraded robo-taxi GXR model, scheduled for production in the third quarter of 2026. WeRide's global robo-taxi fleet consists of 1,023 vehicles, and with the new ad...

Enel has completed the installation of 3,730 fast-charging points across five regions and 21 provinces in Italy as part of the first call for proposals of the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). These stations are situated in Campania, Lazio, Lombardy, Puglia and Sicily, with notable installations in Naples, Milan, Bari, Catania and Rome. To commemorate this achievement, a charging station was inaugurated at the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security in Rome, with key f...

Volteras, a connected vehicle data provider, has formed a partnership with Polestar to offer Volteras customers access to Polestar Fleet Telematics. This collaboration enables fleet operators and mobility providers to incorporate vehicle-level data from Polestar electric vehicles into their operational systems using Volteras, providing real-time and near-real-time vehicle insights without the need for additional hardware. The Polestar Fleet Telematics service ensures that fleet data is delive...

Harbinger, an American manufacturer of medium-duty electric and hybrid vehicles, has acquired autonomous driving company Phantom AI. Alongside this acquisition, Harbinger has partnered with ZF Group's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) business unit for passenger cars to license Phantom AI's computer vision technology for ZF's passenger car ADAS products. This agreement is set to establish a new revenue stream for Harbinger through software services. Harbinger plans to integrate Phanto...

Audi has expanded its digital offerings by incorporating two new services into its app portfolio: one that facilitates parking payments and another that provides contactless fueling, charging and washing. The company aims to enhance driving experiences by making them more comfortable, efficient and safer through intelligent networking. Audi has integrated third-party apps "EasyPark" and "ryd" into its multimedia interface (MMI) infotainment system, saying that it is the first automaker to do ...

Aisin Corp., Toyota Tsusho Corp. and Minth Group Ltd. have entered into an agreement to form ATM Automotive Parts Inc., a joint venture for manufacturing aluminum body frame parts in Ontario, Canada. The venture aims to bolster the supply system for aluminum body-frame parts for vehicles in the North American market. The company says aluminum body-frame parts are crucial for securing batteries in battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) using aluminum extr...

Lucid Group, Nuro and Uber Technologies have revealed the production intent vehicles for their global robo-taxi service, together with an Uber-designed in-cabin rider experience, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026. These developments mark a significant step forward as the companies announced the start of autonomous on-road testing in December 2025. This testing phase is critical in preparing for the anticipated launch of the robo-taxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area later in 2026,...

WS Development has announced a partnership with Electrify America to install advanced electric vehicle charging stations at several of its retail locations. WS Development is a major privately held mixed-use development firm, owning over 100 properties, such as urban, lifestyle and community centers. This initiative aligns with WS Development's focus on sustainability and will provide fast EV charging options for visitors while they shop or dine at its locations. The rollout of the planned...

Mercedes-Benz India has launched MB.Charge, a unified public charging system, in the country. This service aggregates access to over 9,000 direct current fast chargers nationwide, including those from third-party providers. It enables Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle customers to locate, authenticate, charge and make payments via a single interface, removing the need for various third-party applications and prepayments. Developed over 18 months, customers can initiate and pay for charging ...

Maruti Suzuki has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. (IOCL) to offer vehicle service facilities at select petrol stations across India. This partnership aims to provide Maruti Suzuki customers with access to routine maintenance, minor repairs and major services, thereby expanding the company's aftersales network. The initiative leverages Maruti Suzuki's existing service infrastructure, which includes over 5,780 service touchpoints across 2,882 cities in India, alo...

Renault Group After-Sales, in partnership with Castrol, has announced the launch of its new co-branded Renault Castrol GTX engine oil range formulated with re-refined base oils (RRBO). The carmaker said that this makes the Renault Group the first automotive manufacturer to integrate this advanced technology into its latest engine oil specifications. The RN17 (5W-30) is now available across the European dealer network, targeting over 50% of existing Renault Group vehicles in Europe. Additional...

India's Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has announced the option of a swivel seat in its WagonR vehicle, aimed at promoting inclusive mobility for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.  The carmaker has partnered with Bangalore-based startup TRUEAssist Technology Private Ltd. under its startup Incubation Program with NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore for this project. The swivel seat can be ordered as a retrofit kit at Maruti Suzuki Arena dealerships and can be installed in new WagonR models or...

InDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, and AI Driver, a Saudi technology company specializing in autonomous mobility and the national official dealer of WeRide, a global autonomous driving company, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The partnership aims to advance autonomous ride-hailing services in the country, starting in Riyadh and expanding to Jeddah. The collaboration seeks to initiate a pilot program featuring autonomous vehicl...

South Korean carmaker Kia has inaugurated its first Shine Zone car detailing studio in Jaipur, India. Located within the brand’s dealership, the facility has been developed to cater to the rising customer demand for high-quality, premium car care solutions. The detailing studio offers a suite of vehicle care services, including ceramic coating, exterior and interior enrichment, AC disinfectant treatment, underbody protection, and more, designed to preserve the vehicle’s appearance, protec...

At the 2025 Xpeng AI Day in Guangzhou, mainland China, Xpeng Xpeng has announced plans to launch three robotaxi models in 2026, alongside a new Robo intelligent driving trim derived from the company's Vision-Implicit Token-Action (V-I-A) architecture. The architecture eliminates the traditional “language translation” step, enabling end-to-end generation from visual signals to driving actions. The Xpeng robotaxi is claimed to be China’s first fully self-deve...

Mercedes-Benz India has collaborated with technology firm Zoho to introduce SKYLine, a dealer management system. The new system is now operational across all Mercedes-Benz dealerships in India, replacing the older infrastructure. SKYLine enhances customer service operations by digitizing the complete service life cycle, from booking to delivery, and allows real-time service tracking and automated customer communications. According to Santosh Iyer, managing director and CEO at Mercedes-Benz...

Exide Technologies has introduced the Motion+ Premium Charger (SP3), a compact, user-friendly solution designed for small electric vehicles, cleaning machines and pallet trucks. The new charger, developed as an upgrade to its predecessor, the 2100SP series, supports lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries and is manufactured in Europe. It offers optimized charging profiles and recharge times for various battery capacities and types, operating within a voltage range of 12 to 48V and up to 1700W ou...

Mercedes-Benz has launched the Mercedes-Benz Fleet Pilot, a web-based platform that consolidates essential data for managing networked vehicle fleets, providing an efficient fleet management solution for commercial customers in selected European markets. The platform offers real-time dashboards, graphs and tables for maximum transparency, enabling process optimization and cost reduction. Customers can flexibly book services such as location tracking, detailed route display and early maintenan...

Polestar has announced the launch of Polestar Fleet Telematics, a new connected service designed to transform how fleet operators manage, monitor and optimize their electric vehicle fleets. Polestar Fleet Telematics provides real-time data, actionable insights and integration with leading fleet management platforms without the need for additional hardware or installation fees, the carmaker said. Developed in collaboration with partners Echoes, Geotab and High Mobility, Polestar F...

Mercedes-Benz has introduced new Classic engine oils designed to provide optimal care and protection for its vintage and young classic vehicles. These specialized oils are formulated with high-performance additives to cater to vehicles ranging from the 1950s to the 2000s, ensuring excellent lubrication, corrosion protection and compatibility with historical bearing materials and seals. Available in viscosities 10W-40 and 20W-50 for many Mercedes-Benz model series from the 1950s to the 2000s, ...

Porsche has announced that it is intensifying its focus on the circular economy in vehicle manufacturing by increasing the use of recycled materials. A key component of this initiative is exploring chemical recycling, particularly through gasification, which converts mixed waste streams into new raw materials, it said. This approach may serve as an alternative to traditional thermal recovery processes and complements Porsche's sustainability strategy by processing plastic waste that is otherwise...

Lexus has approved the John Bean Tru-Point advanced driver assistance system calibration tool for service and repair of its vehicles in the US. The system, which checks ADAS-related wheel alignment values and monitors every stage of the setup, ensures that original equipment manufacturer safety standards are adhered to. The system, paired with a John Bean aligner, presents service shops with opportunities to generate revenue through both ADAS calibration and wheel alignment services, accordin...

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has announced the inauguration of its 5,000th ARENA Service touchpoint in India, located in Coimbatore. Maruti Suzuki officials Ram Suresh Akella, executive officer of service, and Takahiro Shiraishi, executive vice president of service, inaugurated the facility. Maruti Suzuki plans to continuously expand its service network, including opening 460 service touchpoints under ARENA and NEXA channels in fiscal year 2024–25, with plans to add 500 service workshops in ...

VinFast Auto India has signed a memorandum of understanding with Castrol India Ltd. to enhance aftersales support for its electric vehicle customers across India. The collaboration will make selected Castrol Auto Service workshops, part of Castrol's over 750 network in over 300 cities, accessible to VinFast customers. The workshops will feature dedicated VinFast-branded service bays, certified EV technicians and genuine VinFast parts. VinFast will provide service manuals, diagnostic tool...

Hyundai AutoEver, the mobility software provider of the Hyundai Motor Group, and TomTom, the location technology specialist, have expanded their partnership to equip Hyundai Motor Group vehicles across Europe with TomTom's technology. This collaboration includes the integration of TomTom's real-time traffic and speed camera service into Hyundai AutoEver's navigation software, enhancing the in-dash navigation experience for Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis models in Europe over the com...

California, US, has achieved a milestone by surpassing 200,000 publicly available and shared electric vehicle charging ports, as announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom. This marks an increase of 22,631 since March, with the current number standing at 201,180, which is 68% more than the gasoline nozzles statewide, according to the California Energy Commission (CEC). These chargers can be found in publicly accessible places such as grocery stores and gas stations, with shared chargers located at places...

Kia America has announced the upcoming launch of its Plug & Charge technology, designed to streamline the electric vehicle charging experience for drivers. This feature will be available on the 2026 EV9 and 2025 EV6 models, enabling automatic start of charging sessions and payment processing through the Kia Charge Pass. Set to expand the charging experience, this technology seamlessly integrates into Kia's connected vehicle platform, allowing automatic vehicle authentication and billing a...

Honda has launched its new Resource Circularity Center in Ohio, US, which is designed to recycle and repurpose vehicle service parts, retired equipment and office electronics that would otherwise be discarded in landfills. The center is located near the Marysville and East Liberty Auto Plants, and focuses on processing indirect goods used in operations. This includes items supporting vehicle production, such as torque wrenches and industrial robots, as well as office and service parts such as...

Ford Pro, the commercial division of Ford Motor Co., has announced a multiyear collaboration with ServiceTitan, a software company, to provide an integrated fleet management solution. The collaboration leverages embedded modems in Ford commercial vehicles from model year 2020 onward to combine Ford Pro Data Services with ServiceTitan's Fleet Pro Software. The integration offers real-time vehicle data and insights without the need for additional hardware, thus enhancing vehicle uptime, re...

Samsara Inc., known for its Connected Operations Cloud, has announced a Pre-Delivery Installation program, which allows Samsara devices, including telematics and cameras, to be installed in trucks before delivery. The program is carried out in collaboration with Daimler Truck North America LLC and Fontaine Modification, enabling fleet customers to receive new trucks equipped with Samsara hardware from the outset. In a statement, Jeff Faulkner, senior vice president of Operations at Samsara, h...

Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. has collaborated with Suzuki Global Ventures, its corporate venture capital fund, to invest in Cars Inc., which conducts new and used cars distribution, auto parts distribution, automotive maintenance and other businesses in Japan. Cars Inc. utilizes AI and digital technologies to address challenges in the automobile sales and maintenance sector. Through this partnership, Suzuki intends to enhance the management efficiency of local automobile sales and maintenance s...

Polestar has introduced a special edition of the globally popular geolocation game GeoGuessr, reimagined with a Polestar twist. GeoGuessr challenges millions of players to identify real-world locations using only visual clues. In the GeoGuessr Polestar Edition, players can explore Europe’s most scenic driving routes with a distinctive feature: Polestar 4’s digital rearview mirror, integrated at the top of the screen to show the world in reverse. “By incorporating Polestar...

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has partnered with Power-Up (P.UP) by Nazamax Malaysia to introduce mobile electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This collaboration aims to provide a more convenient and seamless EV ownership experience by offering an on-demand mobile charging service that delivers power directly to customers' locations. The service uses up to 120-kWh DC fast chargers, allowing for quick recharging without requiring the vehicle owner's presence. Edmin Naidoo, vice president of Custo...

Volvo Car Financial Services US has announced the launch of Volvo Car Insurance Services, making it the company's first independent insurance agency in the US. This initiative aims to enhance the customer ownership experience by offering customized coverage, nationwide repair access and an efficient digital quoting process. Collaborating with leading insurance companies, Volvo Car Insurance Services offers a variety of insurance options, such as auto, home and specialty products, which are un...

The US Commerce Department has announced an increase in tariffs on 407 products, including wind turbines, mobile cranes, bulldozers and other heavy equipment, as well as electric vehicle parts, with immediate effect. These products are now subject to a 50% tariff on any steel and aluminum content. The tariffs also extend to imported parts for automotive exhaust systems and electrical steel for EVs, despite concerns from foreign automakers about insufficient domestic capacity to meet...

The UK government has confirmed funding to support the adoption of electric vans and trucks, benefiting thousands of drivers and businesses with lower prices for electric vehicles. On Aug. 18, the government announced its plan to extend the plug-in van and truck grants to at least 2027.  The UK government offers discounts of up to £2,500 for small vans, £5,000 for large vans, £16,000 for small trucks, and £25,000 for large trucks under its plug-in van and truck grant initiative....

Chinese battery-maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), alongside its battery-swapping division, CAES, has entered into a partnership with Car Inc. and CMB Financial Leasing in Ningde, China, to implement large-scale battery swapping in the car rental sector. This collaboration aims to integrate energy replenishment, asset operation, financial support and car rental services to create a sustainable e-mobility ecosystem. Car Inc. plans to introduce CATL's Choco-Swap mode...

Force Motors has introduced the Force iPulse, a connected vehicle platform that enhances operational intelligence and vehicle life-cycle management. Developed in collaboration with Intangles, an AI-powered predictive analytics company, the platform brings advanced AI and proprietary hybrid analytics to vehicle operations. Part of Project DigiForce, Force Motors said Force iPulse represents a significant shift in how vehicle performance and operational behaviors are analyzed, offering predicti...

Japan's BluE Nexus Corp., Aisin Corp. and DENSO have announced that their jointly developed e-axle has been installed in Isuzu's first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) pickup, the D-MAX BEV, which started production in April 2025. BluE is an electrification system and electric drive module development and sales company established in April 2019. This new e-axle integrates front and rear components with a full-time 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system, enhancing the pickup's durability, load and towi...

VinFast Auto India, the Indian arm of Vietnamese electric-vehicle maker VinFast, has entered into a partnership with RoadGrid, an EV charging and aftersales solutions provider, to strengthen its service and charging capabilities across India. This partnership is part of VinFast's efforts to lay a robust foundation for its expansion and enhance the ownership experience for its customers in the electric mobility sector. As VinFast prepares for its India product launch, it aims to establish...

DriveItAway Holdings Inc., a dealer-focused mobility platform that enables car dealers to sell vehicles through e-commerce, has partnered with Free2move, the global mobility brand of Stellantis, to launch the Free2move Powered by DriveItAway program. This initiative allows franchise dealers to offer flexible lease-to-own programs without requiring credit checks, down payments or long-term commitments. It aims to transform dealerships into mobility centers, providing on-demand vehi...

American Honda Motor Co. has launched a licensed insurance agency for Honda and Acura customers, known as Honda Insurance Solutions. The agency aims to provide a convenient shopping experience with competitive pricing and coverage options for various assets, including autos, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and homes. One of the features of Honda Insurance Solutions is auto insurance with optional original equipment manufacturer parts coverage, ensuring that repairs are made using Honda and...

Stellantis Middle East has introduced the Zofeur Pick & Drop Service to enhance customer experience in the United Arab Emirates cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This aftersales solution, created in collaboration with Zofeur, the region's first on-demand driver platform, allows customers to arrange vehicle pickup and drop-off from locations such as home or work, making workshop services more accessible and efficient. The service can be added to FlexCare Maintenance Care bundles or purchased ...

Maruti Suzuki India has reached a significant milestone by expanding its service network across India to 5,500 touchpoints, with the most recent addition in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. The network now includes approximately 40,000 service bays, enabling the company to service up to 30 million vehicles annually. In the financial year 2024–25, Maruti Suzuki serviced over 27 million vehicles, marking the highest number serviced in a single year for the company. This increase in service operatio...

General Motors' (GM) Bedford Casting Plant in Indiana, US, has been utilizing computed tomography (CT) scanning technology since 2019 to detect defects in its automotive castings. The plant employs high-pressure die casting (HPDC) for producing a range of parts, including cylinder blocks, transmission cases and EV drive unit housings for Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick vehicles. The CT scanner generates 3D images to ensure quality and consistency by identifying potential defects such as poros...

General Motors (GM) has entered a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Redwood Materials to enhance the deployment of energy storage systems using GM's new US-manufactured batteries and second-life battery packs from GM electric vehicles. This initiative aims to extend GM's advanced battery technology beyond EVs, building on the existing collaboration between the two companies. “The market for grid-scale batteries and backup power isn’t just expanding, it’s becoming essent...

Mercedes-Benz is advancing the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving functions. This enhancement will be achieved by utilizing sensor and video data collected from its customer fleet. Starting at the end of July 2025, this data will help the company better recognize different road users and atypical traffic situations. The initiative aims to enhance road safety and support the Vision Zero goal, which seeks to eliminate road fatalities in the European Unio...

Vinli, a company specializing in mobility and automotive data intelligence, has announced a new agreement with Stellantis' commercial vehicle connectivity platform, Mobilsights. The collaboration allows Vinli to integrate Stellantis into its growing list of original equipment manufacturer partnerships. Mobilsights, a data-as-a-service (DaaS) unit of Stellantis, offers connected vehicle data and analytics for various brands, including Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat in North America. In...

Mopar, the global original-equipment parts, accessories and customer care brand of Stellantis, has announced a significant expansion of its accessories program for US-based dealerships selling and servicing Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. The new Mopar Affiliated Accessories Program offers over 1,000 popular accessories from trusted aftermarket supplier partners, available online through the Mopar eStore or at local dealerships. This expansion aims to provide customers with a broader ...

The UK government has confirmed its plans to reintroduce grants for purchasing new electric cars, offering discounts of up to £3,750, Autocar reported July 14. This new Electric Car Grant is supported by £650 million of government funding and applies to certain new electric vehicles priced at or below £37,000. According to a spokesperson from the Department for Transport (DfT), these discounts can be applied to new EVs starting from July 18. This initiative follows the discontinuation of t...

Xpeng UK has announced its selection of Ohme as the official home electric vehicle charging partner, streamlining the transition to EVs for its customers by offering a complete home EV charger and installation service through the Xpeng UK retail network. This partnership is highlighted by Ohme Mobility Director Peter McDonald, emphasizing the benefits of easy charging and reduced running costs for Xpeng customers. Xpeng, recognized as a high-tech car and technology company...

BP Pulse has announced its withdrawal from the workplace charging market to concentrate on expanding its electric vehicle charging hubs and rapid charger network in the UK. The company will fulfill all existing commitments for installations, warranties and maintenance agreements, but will not engage in new business in this area. BP Pulse aims to streamline operations and enhance its competitive position, focusing on creating ultrafast-charging networks. Current workplace charging customers ha...

Sweden's inductive wireless charging project for electric vehicles is expanding with a new charging station at The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg, Sweden. This development is a collaborative effort between Business Region Gothenburg, InductEV and Svenska Mässan Gothia Towers. The announcement came during the EVS38 conference, following a successful three-year trial that involved a fleet of 20 electric Volvo XC40 taxis. These taxis were wirelessly charged via two stati...

India's Maruti Suzuki has announced a new milestone in aftersales service with its network having serviced over 2.45 million vehicles in May, its highest ever in history. The service entails paid service, free service and running repairs. The company said it has been expanding its aftersales network across metros, small towns and even deep rural interiors of the country. The network now stands at over 5,400 service touchpoints. Commenting on the news, Hisashi Takeuchi, managing direct...

Mainland Chinese car manufacturer BYD plans to introduce its ultrafast 1,000-kW Flash Chargers to the UK in 2026, marking a significant development in the country's electric vehicle infrastructure, according to a news report. In an interview with The Independent, BYD Special Advisor Alfredo Altavilla confirmed that the first of the company's Flash Chargers will arrive in the UK in 2026, adding that BYD aims to compete directly with Tesla's Supercharger network. These chargers could si...

Stellantis UK has inaugurated a new Parts Distribution Centre in Ellesmere Port, designed to supply automotive parts for 10 Stellantis brands across the UK and Ireland. The facility, which spans 60,000 square meters, is capable of holding approximately 140,000 different types of parts for vehicles up to 10 years old. The Parts Distribution Centre is located on the site of a former shipping yard adjacent to the Stellantis electric van factory. The opening follows a multimillion-pound ...

Unipart has entered a three-year contract with Scania to manage its aftermarket logistics in mainland China from a newly launched site in Kunshan. This operation will offer comprehensive aftermarket logistics services and is anticipated to expand significantly, with both size and capacity expected to double within the next year. The new Kunshan site plays a crucial role in Scania's supply chain strategy for mainland China, centralizing both imported and locally-sourced products to efficiently...

Pinewood Technologies Group PLC (Pinewood.AI), a cloud-based software provider for the automotive retail industry, has announced an agreement to acquire Lithia UK Holdings Ltd.'s 51% stake in their North American joint venture for $76.5 million. This acquisition will grant Pinewood full control over its North American operations, simplifying its structure and enhancing financial transparency, according to the company, which added that the move is expected to facilitate Pinewood.AI's expansion...

Mainland China has issued temporary export licenses to rare earth suppliers for the top three US automakers, according to a June 6 report by Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter. These licenses, valid for six months, come amid supply chain disruptions caused by mainland China's recent export curbs on rare earth materials. The restrictions, imposed in April, have impacted industries globally, including automakers, aerospace manufacturers and semiconductor companies. The export curb...

ZF's Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division launched a new SUMS Service Suite, a toolkit developed to support trailer manufacturers in achieving and maintaining compliance with international automotive software update standards. As vehicles become increasingly equipped with advanced electronics, the United Nations introduced Regulation R156, mandating original equipment manufacturers to implement a Software Update Management System (SUMS) to ensure operational safety and cybersecuri...

BYD is collaborating with several partners to install its megawatt electric vehicle chargers, which deliver a power output of up to 1,000 kW, to expedite the development of ultrafast-charging infrastructure across mainland China. On May 31, the first day of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show, also known as the 2025 Shenzhen auto show, BYD revealed its partnership with Xiaoju Charging and LongShine. BYD plans to build a network of 10,000 ultrafa...

Porsche Centre Oman partners with Shell Oman Marketing Company to enhance the electric vehicle infrastructure across Oman, focusing on expanding high-performance charging networks at Shell forecourts. The collaboration leads to the installation of a minimum of eight co-branded Porsche and Shell DC high-performance charging stations in the Sultanate, along with 125 AC Porsche Destination Chargers at convenient locations, providing free top-ups for Porsche customers. ...

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a service for its customers in Germany, allowing them to purchase and pay for e-vignettes directly through the Mercedes-Benz Store from their vehicles. A vignette is a type of road tax or system of paying toll roads in several countries worldwide, including Europe.  The digital service eliminates the need to stop at country borders to purchase the vignettes, thereby saving time and enhancing the travel experience. Currently, e-vignettes are availabl...

The central government of India plans to install 360 kW charging stations along highways, expressways and bus stops to promote the electric vehicle ecosystem, particularly in the commercial vehicle sector. These high-capacity charging points are expected to benefit electric buses, trucks, and premium and luxury EVs from companies like Jaguar Land Rover, Audi and Mercedes-Benz by reducing recharge times to just 15 minutes. This initiative is crucial for commercial vehicles, enabling fleet manager...

Polestar has introduced battery state-of-health (BSOH) certificates for pre-owned Polestar 2 vehicles. As part of the Polestar Pre-owned program, in which select used cars reenter the partner network, the certificate transparently shows customers the battery health and capacity of a used Polestar 2. Certifying the usable battery as a percentage, customers can purchase a pre-owned Polestar 2 with peace-of-mind that the car’s battery is in optimal condition. Since its launch in 2020, Polestar...

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) announced the successful addition of over 97,000 charging stations to the Porsche Charging Service, bringing the total number of stations available to customers in the United States to 102,000, with further expansions planned for 2025. Timo Resch, president and CEO of PCNA, highlighted this as a critical step in Porsche's electric vehicle strategy, emphasizing the importance of providing flexibility and a seamless charging experience for customers purch...

The United States and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement to reduce import taxes on a set number of British cars and allow some steel and aluminum to enter the US tariff-free. This new arrangement presents a respite for key UK industries from certain tariffs implemented by US President Donald Trump since his re-election. That said, a 10% duty will still apply to most UK goods. Although the announcement has been praised by leaders from both nations, analysts suggest it does not signif...

Mobilisights, the data-as-a-service business unit of Stellantis, has entered into an agreement with connected-vehicle data solutions provider Zubie. Under the agreement, Zubie will utilize Mobilisights' Fleet Plus Data Pack to access embedded telematics data from millions of Stellantis vehicles in the US. This data will be leveraged to enhance fleet management and rental car operations through predictive maintenance, driver behavior monitoring and vehicle health management insights, improving ef...

VinFast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, announced a partnership with LKQ Netherlands to establish a comprehensive aftersales and maintenance network across the Netherlands. The collaboration is part of VinFast's efforts to enhance its presence in Europe and ensure a seamless ownership experience for Dutch customers. VinFast customers will initially be supported by nine certified Lease Service Partners (LSPs) starting in May, with access gradually expanding to LKQ�...

Stellantis announced the opening of a new Mopar Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in East Fishkill, New York. The facility, which represents a $64 million investment, aims to enhance service across the Northeast region of the US. The 534,000-square-foot center is designed to streamline parts distribution for Stellantis vehicles by stocking over 46,000 unique parts, handling more than 2 million shipments annually. It will employ nearly 100 workers and includes innovative technologies and a carbo...

Nio Power, the energy unit of Shanghai-based electric-car maker Nio, has partnered with a subsidiary of Yunnan Jiaotou Group Operation Development to construct battery-swap stations in Yunnan province, in southwest mainland China. This collaboration marks Nio's fourth partnership in a month with a state-owned enterprise to enhance battery-swap infrastructure. Announced on April 11 in Kunming, the strategic cooperation will focus on developing battery-swap facilities, smart energy mana...

Stellantis NV and Valeo have announced the launch of two new remanufactured automotive products at the Rematec trade fair in Amsterdam on April 8, marking a significant step in their circular economy strategy cooperation. This partnership introduces Europe's first remanufactured LED headlamp and a remanufactured infotainment display screen, following their successful collaboration on the first remanufactured front camera for advanced driver assistance systems at the end of 2023. The init...

General Motors (GM) has issued a position statement expressing its disapproval of using aftermarket or non-genuine original equipment (OE) glass for windshield replacements, citing safety concerns as a paramount priority, according to a report by Repairer Driven News. GM emphasized that its vehicles' safety systems, including windshields, undergo extensive design, engineering, testing and validation processes to ensure the protection of occupants. The company said that aftermarket glass may n...

ChargeTronix, a prominent electric vehicle charging solutions provider, announced the launch of its new EV charging systems, which include the innovative 1,280-kW Nexus Distributed Charging System and the third-generation 240-kW chargers. These cutting-edge products are designed to support the increasing adoption of EVs in the US by catering to both fleets and passenger vehicles. The 1,280-kW system can charge up to 16 EVs simultaneously, making it an ideal solution for large truck stops...

Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin — Tesla Giga Berlin — hosts the world’s largest free electric vehicle charging park, according to a report published by Teslarati on April 11. The report cites the finding by the German Automobile Association (ADAC), which said that automaker’s facility in Grünheide houses a sprawling network of 546 charging stations. It further said that Tesla Giga Berlin became the largest free EV charging park after surpassing an EV charging hub situated in Merkling...

Audi has been testing approaches to implement used raw materials for new purposes after their initial usage has ended in its MaterialLoop program since 2023. After initially focusing on technical feasibility, the company said it has now become the first car manufacturer to develop and implement an economically viable recycling concept for recyclates from end-of-life vehicles together with its partner TSR Resource. In this process, steel scrap from vehicles at the end of their life cycle is turne...

BYD plans to soon start deploying its newly launched 1,000-kW ultrafast-charging stations in Greater China, according to a news report published by CarNewsChina on March 26. According to the news report, BYD plans to deploy the first batch of 500 ultrafast chargers in early April while preparing for the commercial launch of the Han L sedan and the Tang L sport utility vehicle models. BYD had unveiled its 1 MW charging station on March 17, saying that its ultrafast charger can charge a comp...

Stellantis Pro One, a commercial vehicle unit of Stellantis, announced a collaboration with Qinomic, a French high-tech firm focused on sustainable mobility solutions. They have introduced a retrofit system designed to convert light commercial vehicles (LCVs) with combustion engines into electric vehicles. The new technology will initially be available in France on midsize Stellantis Pro One vans, which collaborated on the initial project development together with SUSTAINera, the Stellantis C...

Shanghai has launched its first pilot project on large-scale, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) interaction on March 31, according to a news report published by China Daily on April 3. The report, which cited an announcement from the State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Co., said that Shanghai is among the first batch of nine pilot cities for promoting large-scale V2G applications in Greater China. Shanghai is expected to conduct four V2G pilot projects, it said, adding that these are part of ...

AUTEL Energy Europe has announced a strategic partnership with Mer, a European electric vehicle charging company, to expand AC electric-vehicle charging solutions across Europe, focusing on key markets such as the Nordics, the UK, Germany and Austria. This collaboration aims to integrate AUTEL's MaxiCharger AC products into Mer's growing charging network, thereby enhancing the availability of charging plugs and supporting the continent's shift toward electric vehicles. AUTEL's MaxiCharge...

General Motors (GM) prohibited the installation of aftermarket kits for popular infotainment retrofit options, notably from a company called White Automotive, according to a March 20 report from The Drive. The automaker’s decision to discontinue the support of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for vehicles on its Ultium electric vehicle platform led to the emergence of aftermarket solutions from White Automotive, which offered a retrofit option for several GM vehicles. These included the ...

BMW i Ventures announced an investment in Via Science Inc. (VIA), a leading provider of Web3 data protection solutions that ensures all transactions are verified, protected and auditable, no matter where data resides. The investment, which is part of an oversubscribed Series-B funding round of $28 million, will help accelerate VIA’s mission of redefining data protection. “As software-defined vehicles, robots, and edge devices become the norm, securing data flows between sensors, onboard s...

NaaS Technology Inc., a US-listed electric vehicle charging service company in China, has entered into a strategic partnership with Xiaomi Auto, a subsidiary of Xiaomi Group. This collaboration is set to enhance EV charging interconnectivity, user experience and intelligent mobility innovation by integrating NaaS' extensive charging network with Xiaomi Auto. Through this alliance, Xiaomi EV owners will gain access to NaaS' nationwide charging network via the Xiaomi Auto App and in-vehi...

Polestar, the Swedish performance electric-car brand, has added 2,754 electric vehicle charging points to its Polestar Charge subscription offer in the UK, the company announced March 3. With the newly added charging points to its network, Volvo Cars’ premium EV unit now offers direct access to more than 900,000 individual charging points across European markets for seamless and hassle-free public charging under the standard Polestar Charge. Of these, the company now provides a discounted c...