GM may face strike at San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico amid wage negotiations On March 31, it was reported that workers at General Motors’ plant in Villa de Reyes, San Luis Potosi, Mexico are now in negotiations over salary reviews, with the potential strike date postponed to April 17 from the previously planned April 2. The union representing employees submitted a request for a salary increase of up to 17%. If no agreement is reached before the...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

h production will be consolidated in Aguascalientes, now the company’s main manufacturing hub in North America. The shutdown is expected to have 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...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

ve 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 (+5.6% YoY) and Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales exceeding 2.6 million units (+6.1% YoY). On the export side, even in the face of tariff barriers, China’s LV shipments still exceeded 6.6 million units and achieved a YoY growth rate of 21%. Among them, PVs accounted for ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

Precision Camshafts, India flags LPG-linked risk at its plant due to middle east crises On March 26, Precision Camshafts Limited (PCL) announced that its manufacturing at its Solapur plant has been temporarily affected after liquefied petroleum gas supplies were disrupted by global energy supply-chain issues linked to the Middle East conflict. The company cautioned that operations may face partial disruption if LPG availability does not improve, ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/26

s asset prices plunge, and a general drag on economic growth, would hit vehicle sales. Higher oil and gas prices would also raise the cost of manufacturing. This impact would certainly drag on major markets like the US, Europe and Japan. Europe, a region that remains in the LV doldrums, would only face greater challenges still. Most markets would struggle, and only those that benefit disproportionately when energy prices rise, such as Russia, wo...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/26

Mexico’s auto parts industry monitors middle east war effects On March 11, it was reported that Mexico’s auto parts industry is beginning to face rising logistics costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East, particularly due to disruptions affecting key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. The National Auto Parts Industry (INA) warned that the situation could also influence the availability and pricing of certain raw materials an...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/24

ms as Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software stack. Leveraging this existing architecture could significantly reduce development time, although the software’s ability to operate fully autonomously remains under scrutiny, given that FSD itself has required over a decade of refinement and still faces limitations on public roads. This shared technology also creates the possibility of mutual training benefits. Tesla’s vehicle fleet can provid...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/23

BMW Thailand flags Middle East tensions, rising oil as risk to Thailand’s auto market recovery Reported on March 20, 2026, BMW Group Thailand cautioned that the country’s automotive recovery may face challenges, as luxury car sales are expected to remain stable throughout the year. The company cited rising oil prices and Middle East tensions as potential pressures on consumer confidence that could influence spending, and said it is closely mo...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/20

heir own ships for shipping control” to rapidly expand self-operated fleets, ensure autonomy over transport capacity, and remarkably optimize costs and efficiency. Should the crisis be short-lived, Chinese automakers, with stronger sales resilience than other international car manufacturers, will face only minor impact on export shipment. Top 10 Chinese Passenger Car Makers by Retail Sales - Maker February 2026(1,000 units) y/y 1 Geely 145...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/16

sidering expanding its product lineup to grow in higher-profit segments. This could include new models positioned above its current two-door sports cars and above the Cayenne SUV. Porsche expects tough market conditions in 2026, especially in China, where the luxury market is under pressure and EVs face strong price competition. The company also expects geopolitical uncertainty and U.S. tariff policies to continue affecting business. However, pos...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/11

y is likely to strain consumer confidence, business sentiment, and cross-border trade activity in the near term. For the automotive sector, this typically translates into delayed purchases, tighter credit appetite and greater caution among fleet operators and distributors. OEMs and dealers may also face higher logistics and insurance costs, as well as greater difficulty forecasting demand and managing inventory. The updated forecast suggests that...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/11

EVs into Canada. Starting March 1, Global Affairs Canada begins issuing permits for Chinese-built EVs under a renewed trade agreement with China. Canada will issue permits for up to 24,500 China-made EVs during the first six-month period on a first-come, first-served basis. EVs entering Canada will face a 6.1% most-favored-nation tariff, a significant drop from the 106.1% tariff the government placed on Chinese EVs in 2024. The deal allows up to ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/04

South America volumes and pricing in 2026? Given increasing Chinese competition, will your priority be maintaining price or increasing volume? A. [Antonio Filosa] For both South America and Middle East & Africa, we expect increasing volumes in 2026. Our global priority is profitability, even in the face of competitive pressure. We will grow volumes where opportunity exists, but always with a focus on profitability rather than just chasing volume....

News  Updated at: 2026/03/03

Exide Industries, India further invests INR 1 billion in Exide Energy Solutions On February 24, Exide Industries Limited invested INR 1 billion in its wholly owned subsidiary Exide Energy Solutions Limited (EESL) by subscribing, on a rights basis, to 25 million equity shares of face value INR 10 each at a premium of INR 30 per share, with the allotment completed on February 24, 2026. Following this infusion, Exide’s cumulative investment in EE...

News  Updated at: 2026/02/25

Mexico’s federal highways partially closed On February 23, it was reported that Mexico’s federal highway network continues to face partial closures and lane reductions following a weekend marked by road blockades in several states, including Jalisco, Guanajuato and Querétaro, key automotive hubs. The main affectations occurred during February 22, paralyzed key highway corridors in western and central Mexico, as well as the temporary closure ...

News  Updated at: 2026/02/24

r system. It allows 5-7 individual seats to be moved and arranged as needed. The top model is the Caravelle Shuttle Comfort (from EUR 61,752; electric from EUR 71,912). It is based on the extended Caravelle, which includes the Smartfloor system, 4 luxury individual seats, and the option to create a face-to-face seating layout. All three shuttle models are now available to order in Germany, with plans to launch in other European markets soon. Bas...

News  Updated at: 2026/02/23

O2 emissions, raised the excise tax on PHEV imports from 8% to 15%, increasing vehicle costs by about 10%. Sales of imported cars priced above THB 5 million have already declined by around 10%. The company stated that the higher tax “benefits no one,” as importers sell fewer vehicles, consumers face higher prices, and government revenue declines amid weaker demand. The imported car market is expected to contract by 5–10% in 2026, particular...

News  Updated at: 2026/02/23

al dealership unveiling is scheduled for February 26, while the regional launch event will take place on February 23. The Yaris Cross, positioned in the B-SUV segment, is priced between ARS 41.4 million and ARS 54 million. Hybrid variants were expected to compete with limited direct rivals, but now face competition from the recently launched BYD Atto 2 DM-i. Although produced in Brazil, its launch there will occur later due to engine supply const...

News  Updated at: 2026/02/21

g the control of the Scout’s combustion engine into the Rivian architecture, adding further complexity. The German reporting also suggested that a new premium SUV from Audi under study for the U.S. market, codenamed ‘Rugged’, which would be built on the Scout platform in South Carolina, would face the same range-extender delays. (Scout Forum and other sources on February 18, 2026)...

News  Updated at: 2026/02/20

the Detroit Economic Club where President Trump said he would be open to allowing Chinese OEMs into the U.S. if they built plants and hired Americans, saying “let China come in”. While the discussion was characterized by the people as informal and preliminary, the Trump officials felt it would face opposition in Washington D.C., the people said. However, an investment deal like that is seen by some in the administration as a possible outcome...

News  Updated at: 2026/02/19