In 2017, Geely Group acquired a 49.9% stake in Proton, becoming a Foreign Strategic Partner (FSP). The mission was clear: restore Proton as Malaysia’s top-selling brand and secure a top-three position in ASEAN by re-entering the Thai and Indonesian markets.
By 2025, the partnership had yielded significant results, wi

The automotive sector is a dynamic industry, shaped by digitalization, innovation, and evolving regulations. Yet, one issue remains persistently difficult, and has become even more acute since the COVID-19 pandemic: driver shortages. At Busworld Europe 2025, industry stakeholders emphasized the urgency of overcoming

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) have expanded rapidly across the Asia-Pacific region and are increasingly positioned as a practical alternative to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), particularly in markets where charging infrastructure, pricing, and consumer confidence in BEV technology are still developing.

Over the past decade, China has established itself as one of, if not the leading player in the global automotive sector, holding both the largest domestic sales volume and highest vehicle manufacturing output in the world. 
That lead widened again in 2025. The country’s topline domestic Light Vehicle (LV) sales are e

US auto shows are increasingly moving away from major vehicle debuts and high-profile press conferences toward experiences designed primarily for everyday buyers. While the Detroit Auto Show—formerly known as the North American International Auto Show—has long been viewed as the country’s most important event due to

Following the start of the Trump administration’s second term, the tariff landscape facing Korea’s automotive industry has once again entered a period of heightened volatility. Toward the end of 2025, Korea secured a temporary reduction in tariffs on Korean-made vehicles from 25% to 15%, contingent on bilateral negot

The Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2026 event in Pune provided clear signals on how upcoming vehicle launches and market growth in India are likely to evolve over the next few years. While the event was technical in nature, its emphasis on validation, safety, and digital engineering offers an

Starting in January 2026, Mexico officially raised tariffs on Light Vehicles (LVs) from 20% to 50%, applying only to countries that do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in place. While the change in rate affects many markets, we expect the most significant impact to be felt in China and India. These measures have

Now one of Europe’s premiere auto events after the effective demise of the Geneva International Motor Show, the 102nd edition of the Brussels Motor Show—packed with dazzling concept cars, world debuts and a record-breaking attendance—certainly lived up to the billing, firmly establishing itself as the start-of-year a

As of November 2025, BMW Group's sales in China fell by 10.4% year-on-year.
In the past, the “Blue Sky and White Clouds” emblem of the BMW X5 symbolized undisputed prestige. Today, a gap of up to CNY150,000 ($21,500) between its actual transaction price and the official manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) ha

Overall, the autonomous driving endgame is shaping up less like a sudden leap to fully driverless cars and more like a long, uneven climb.
Autonomous driving has come a long way since Tesla debuted Autopilot on its Model S in 2014. Today, companies invested in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are navigating

In brief, the 16th of December 2025 proposed changes (yet to be negotiated and finalised among stakeholders) to the existing framework for the elimination of CO2 from new LV on-road emissions include the following:
A bank/borrow mechanism around the 2030 target allowing an average of the 2030-32 achievements to be us

Thailand has long been the manufacturing backbone for Japanese automakers in Southeast Asia, earning its reputation as the “Detroit of Asia.” That status is now being tested as major Japanese OEMs consolidate capacity, trim model lineups, and in some cases exit local manufacturing altogether—just as Chinese players s

A year has passed since I wrote my blog on the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) slowdown in the EU. The situation at that time could be wrapped up by the old caption: “Instead of a boom, we are witnessing a series of closures, cancelations, anxiety, and a whole lot of uncertainty!”. However, since then, circumstances h

Walking through the Tokyo Big Sight center in early November for the Japan Mobility Show 2025, you could feel two stories unfolding at once. On the surface, Japan’s hometown brands filled the halls with sharp concepts, plush interiors and a sea of “electrified” badges. However, underneath, something more cautious was

The powertrain in modern EVs has become a cyber-physical system where software controls motion. Think about driving an Electric Vehicle (EV) on a connected highway. It would be smart, efficient, and always talking to cloud systems, chargers, and sensors. Now imagine how that same car could suddenly speed up or slow d

Nexperia was created in 2017 when NXP sold its Standard Products division to two Chinese investor Groups, JAC Capital and Wise Road Capital, for $2.75 billion. Towards the end of 2019, a Chinese electronics and computer equipment producer called Wingtech Technology acquired a controlling stake in Nexperia for $3.6 bi

The Busworld Europe Exhibition in Brussels was a clear demonstration of how the future of bus and coach transport is no longer just approaching; it is already taking shape. From established industry leaders such as IVECO Bus, Daimler Buses, and Irizar to fast-rising innovators like Zhongtong, every OEM on the floor s

As traditional OEMs reduce their reliance on outsourcing, Chinese automakers are stepping in.
The IAA Mobility Show in Munich highlighted a clear shift in the European auto industry; contract manufacturing, used primarily for overflow from European OEMs, is now being redefined as Chinese brands seek to establish a lo

The IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich kept me more than busy and entertained for the three days I attended last week. I spent ample time visiting the public stands that were integrated into the city center, as well as a whole day in the more traditional exhibition setting of the Messe München. One welcome surprise is that