adhesives to ensure battery stability, as well as motors, power semiconductors, communication tools, and sensors. It is also promoting joint development with electronics systems and materials companies. In addition, it is developing SGF (Switchable glazing Film), used in automotive glass to adjust light and heat transmission, and photopolymer films for HWD (holographic windshield display), which projects information onto the windshield as a larg...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

structural ladder-like frame—it will promote the “Global Hamura” brand. The Hamura Plant was transferred to Toyota as part of the business integration of Hino and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation. With a history of more than 60 years, it has played a central role in the production of light commercial vehicles and Toyota’s frame-based vehicles. Currently, it manufactures the Toyota “Land Cruiser 250,” as well as the Toyota/Hin...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

V market picked up in March, with a number of models surpassing 1,000 sales for the month after a combination of renewed Federal incentives and high gas prices encouraged a switch in propulsion means. For Q1 2026, the market came in at 406,000 units, down 4.4% from the same period in 2025, with highlights that include:   •  GM led the market with sales at over 64,000 units in Q1   •  Among volume brands, Stellantis sales increased 14.9% f...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

ion processes, and specially trained workers to support production of electric vehicles (EVs). In the future, the plant will also produce electric intercity buses and the new Lion’s Coach E designed for tourism travel. The Krakow plant, Poland is preparing to start production of the electric eTGL light-duty truck soon, and another new electric truck will be introduced at the Transpotec trade show in Milan, Italy. In addition, the Nurnberg plant...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

les were boosted by pre-buying ahead of the introduction of tariffs on imported vehicles. Looking ahead, another source of uncertainty has emerged: the Iran conflict, which has pushed up oil and gasoline prices. If the conflict drags on, it could negatively affect the market. By vehicle type, March light truck sales fell 9.9% y/y to 1,167,144 units, while passenger car sales declined 19.7% to 238,673 units. U.S. new vehicle sales (March 2026) ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

8 units increased 3.5% (13.7% share) while Toyota Group sales of 10,167 units were flat (5.9% share). Tesla sales of 9,569 units increased 203.1% (5.5% share). BMW Group sales of 9,128 units increased 34.5% (5.3% share) while Hyundai Group sales of 6,427 units increased 11.2% (3.7% share). Sales of light commercial vehicles (LCV) increased by 10.9% in March to 35,669 units. According to the French media, even though the automobile sales experienc...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

d. Nissan's sales fell below 400,000 units for the first time since 1993 (as far back as the data is available). According to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association, sales of registered vehicles declined by 3.5% y/y to 2,845,316 units for the first time in four years. On the other hand, the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association announced that sales of mini vehicles increased by 3.8% y/y to 1,688,466 units for the second year in a...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

NYIAS 2026: Kia exhibits EV3 as competitive entry-level EV On April 1, the all-new 2027 Kia EV3 made its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show as an affordable, entry level EV SUV within a compact footprint. The EV3 will be available in five trim levels: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT when it goes on sale in in the U.S. in late 2026, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Based on the company’s 400V Electric G...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

SOLLERS, Russia starts production of 6-speed transmission for SF5 and SF7 On March 31, SOLLERS Group started production of 6-speed manual transmissions for its Sollers SF5 and Sollers SF7 light commercial vehicles. The production is being carried out at the SOLLERS Transmission Production facility located at the ZMZ industrial site. SOLLERS Transmission Production currently makes 6-speed manual gearboxes for Sollers light commercial vehicles, pi...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01

e a notable economic impact, affecting thousands of direct and indirect jobs linked to the plant’s operations. While some workers have relocated, others face reintegration into the labor market. The plant had manufactured several key models, including the Nissan Frontier, as well as passenger and light commercial vehicles for domestic and export markets. Authorities indicated that efforts are underway to attract new investment to the site, alth...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

five days a week, producing about 1,100 a day, according to a United Auto Workers official. Flint Assembly employs about 4,200 hourly workers, who will be mandated into overtime hours to cover the additional day of production. GM also builds the Silverado 2500/3500HD, as well as the Silverado 1500 light-duty pickup, at Oshawa Car Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, though since automotive tariffs were introduced a year ago, GM has been maximizin...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

l, measuring about 4.9 m long and 1.7 m tall with a 2,965 mm wheelbase. It can seat seven adults and provides up to 890 litres of boot space when the third row is folded. The SUV introduces flush door handles, which retract into the body when locked or moving. Interior, all versions include ambient lighting and a heated multifunction steering wheel with Skoda lettering. Some interiors are animal-free and made with over 50 kg of recycled materials...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

pite such complex and turbulent changes, China’s automotive market still delivered a satisfactory performance in 2025, with production and sales volumes hitting record highs once again, securing China’s position as the world’s largest auto market for the 17th consecutive year. Annual domestic Light Vehicle (LV) sales exceeded 26.9 million units, up by 5.6% year-on-year (YoY), with Passenger Vehicle (PV) sales surpassing 24.3 million units (...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

ns to hold a “Capital Market Day” in mid-May to present a more detailed medium- to long-term management strategy. The “integrated platform strategy” aims to maximize the economies of scale resulting from the business integration. By integrating the chassis platforms for heavy-, medium-, and light-duty trucks in a way that leverages the strengths of both companies, the company seeks to improve the efficiency of development and production. ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

Linamar to acquire two plants from Winning BLW in Germany On March 27, Canada’s Linamar Corp. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Winning BLW’s plants in Remscheid and Penzberg, Germany. The Remscheid facility is a leader in mass production of high-performance precision bevel and intermediate gears for the light vehicle market, while the Penzberg facility specializes in helical gears and high-precision compone...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/28

Mitsubishi Electric considers joining Rohm and Toshiba in power semiconductor restructuring; focus on Denso’s moves It has come to light that Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Mitsubishi Electric) is considering joining the merger of the power semiconductor businesses of Rohm Co., Ltd. (Rohm) and Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba, Saiwai Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture). If realized, it could become the second-largest company after Germany's...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/27

7 kgfm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive with Haldex system. It also features six driving modes, including Snow and Off-road, as well as Hill Descent Control. The model offers a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and a 15-inch multimedia screen, IQ.Light Matrix LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, 19-inch wheels, electrically adjustable front seats with heating, among other features. Regarding safe...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/26

GlobalData blog: GlobalData revises forecasts down on Middle East conflict The conflict in the Middle East has continued to be a focus of concern through March 2026, and certainly since GlobalData’s Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecast (G LVSF) was published on March 10th, 2026. At the time of the G LVSF publication, we had reduced the forecast for the next few years to capture the evolving events.That adjustment focused on lowering the Middle E...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/26

Camco introduces Chinese brand cars in Zambia On March 20, Camco Motors presented a range of new vehicle brands in Zambia at its newly opened showroom. It presented vehicles from brands like JAC, FAW trucks, and Foton. The models include heavy-duty trucks, light commercial vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and new energy vehicles. Based on social media updates of Camco Motors ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/25

nt company Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda)’s reassessment of its automobile electrification strategy announced on March 12, 2026, SHM will not be able to utilize certain technologies and assets that were originally planned to be provided by Honda at the time of SHM’s initial business planning. In light of this change, SHM has determined that it does not have a viable path forward to bring the models to market as originally planned. SHM will con...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/25