n Q1 2026, a decrease of 8.8% from a particularly strong industry performance in the same quarter a year ago. Ford brand SUV sales in Q1 dropped 7.8% to 185,766 units, while truck sales fell 11.3% to 257,475 units (with F-150 sales affected in part by available inventory after a fire at an aluminum supplier’s plant late last year), and passenger cars (Mustang) increased 50.1% to 14,074 units. Though Ford recently discontinued the Escape, large ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Sono Solar, Germany, launches automotive-qualified solar panel product line On April 1, Sono Solar announced that it is launching field-proven solar panels perfectly tailored to the requirements of the automotive industry. Sono Solar is thus positioning itself as a reliable module supplier with the highest quality standards and is expanding its claim as a leading OEM system partner for vehicle-integrated photovoltaics in Europe. The solar panels ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01

South African president discussed investment with Toyota On March 31, the President of South Africa met with executives of Toyota South Africa Motors at the sidelines of the Sixth South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) and discussed investments in green mobility. The discussion focuses on hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies, as well as local battery assembly and supplier development. Toyota South Africa Motors will invest ZAR 1...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01

NAACAM to support Chery localization plans in South Africa On March 25, the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) announced that it has been extensively engaging with the Chery team to support localisation opportunities in South Africa and the integration of local suppliers into Chery’s value chain. Chery Director of Strategic Planning discussed Chery’s strategic production, localisation, and supplier ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01

AB Dynamics opens new technical facility in Bavaria, Germany On March 30, AB Dynamics opened a new technical facility in Bavaria, near Munich. The new site further strengthens support for customers across southern Germany by improving equipment uptime and enhancing test efficiency for local OEMs and suppliers. AB Dynamics is a leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of advanced testing and development solutions to the global automotive indus...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

Stellantis supplier dispute stops Mexican plant, threatens Canadian operations On March 25, Stellantis filed a lawsuit in a Michigan court against ZF Foxconn Chassis Modules, who the company alleged stopped shipments to a plant in Mexico, disrupting production of the Jeep Cherokee and Compass models. The original dispute dates back to December 2025, when Stellantis said its U.S. affiliate paid more than USD 26 million and agreed to price increase...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

Tesla investing to expand service center, charging network in Japan On March 30, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a post that “Tesla is making a big investment in Japan with service & Superchargers. Many of the parts in Teslas are made in Japan. Panasonic has been our biggest strategic supplier over the past 2 decades.” The post accompanied information that Tesla plans to double the number of directly operated service centers in Japan to more than...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

JLR announces production halt at Solihull plant due to supply constraints On March 27, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited (TMPV) announced a temporary production halt at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull facility due to a parts supply constraint from a supplier. The company has clarified that the disruption is short-term and limited in scope. JLR has informed that the production has been temporarily paused on some vehicle lines. It is working cl...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

Almac certified as supplier by leading German automotive group Several South Korean media sources reported that South Korea’s Almac Co. Ltd. has been registered as a supplier of a leading global automaker group in Germany. Headquartered in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, Almac produces battery module cases, battery pack frames and other aluminum electric vehicle (EV) components at its plants in Changwon and Miryang. Separately, also in January 2026...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

are made using advanced 3D knitting technology. For the first time in the automotive industry, a seat cover is created as one seamless piece using 3D knitting technology. The process produces zero waste and uses recycled, recyclable materials made locally. The entire process is handled by a single supplier, Tesca, France. Each seat cover is knitted in one piece using one machine in a single production run. CUPRA has been experimenting with param...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/27

t included the installation of robotic welding cells to support the precision fabrication of axle components, implementation of a new paint booth to enhance corrosion protection and product finish quality, and upgrades to material handling and inspection systems. Founded in 2009, AXN is an American supplier of premium axles, suspensions, and more for the truck, off-road, and heavy-duty trailer markets. By expanding its capabilities and groundbrea...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/27

Carbon Revolution, Australia, starts voluntary administration On March 25, Carbon Revolution plc announced that its wholly owned Australian subsidiaries have decided to initiate a planned Voluntary Administration in Australia. Such Australian subsidiaries include Carbon Revolution Pty. Ltd. and Carbon Revolution Operations Pty Ltd. Carbon Revolution plc is a Tier 1 OEM supplier and the leading global manufacturer of lightweight, advanced technolo...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/26

oncentrate its automotive parts and other product production capacity in South Korea. From 2026 through 2030, the South Korean company plans to invest KRW 75 billion (JPY 8.25 billion) to build a precision plastic parts plant.  Founded in 2008, Samkwang Wintech has built a global supply chain as a supplier to Continental and Hyundai Mobis. It has also been registered as a tier 1 supplier to Tesla Inc. and Renault S.A. in 2025. (From a press rele...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/26

hening Mexico's automotive and auto parts manufacturing sector. The project supports local content integration, reduces external dependencies in the supply chain, and promotes economic development and technical specialization in the Bajío industrial cluster. The company noted that demand for local supplier content continues growing amid North America's automotive industry dynamics. (Cluster Industrial on March 25, 2026)...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/26

ift, while the assembly line needs 295 dashboards to run at full capacity. This gap has not been solved with organizational changes such as adding more shifts. Machine breakdowns have also created delays across the entire production line. Another issue was that the downsizing of San Nicola, a local supplier, has forced Stellantis to rely on international partners. This has increased delivery times, complicated logistics, and left many vehicles un...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/25

Canatu, Finland, develops next-generation camera heater concept On March 23, Canatu signed a 24-month joint development agreement (JDA) with a global automotive technology supplier to develop a next-generation carbon nanotube (CNT) film heater concept integrated into automotive glass. It will help to develop an enhanced material configuration for Canatu film heaters, improving compatibility with automotive glass components.  Canatu and the partn...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/25

id systems, engines, and range extenders. It will promote the sustained evolution of core power technologies with diversified powertrain products, major powertrain innovations, and powertrain solutions. Internally, the GAC powertrain business unit will function as a technology developer and product supplier to collaborate closely with the finished vehicle sector to ensure that its powertrain solutions precisely match market requirements. External...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/23

Taiwanese Minth Group, which acquires Nissan head office, to establish two plants in Aichi Prefecture, Japan Minth Group Limited (Minth Group, Taipei City, Taiwan), a Taiwanese automotive parts supplier that has purchased Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.'s head office in Yokohama City, plans to establish two plants in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and also to actively pursue mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The company aims to achieve sales of JPY 100 billion or...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/23

tilt-and-slide (walk-in) feature of the 2nd row power seat assembly. Hyundai said the March 7 fatality took place in the third row and that overall it has four reports of minor injuries to second-row occupants, with a total of 17 unique vehicles with claims. Nidec Mobility Korea Corporation was the supplier of the Power Seat Control Units in the second and third rows. The recall remedy is currently under development, but until then, Hyundai will ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/21

Vianode, Norway partners with Ateios Systems, USA for synthetic anode graphite supply On March 19, Vianode, an advanced battery materials company, and Ateios Systems, a US-based battery component supplier, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the supply of high-performance synthetic anode graphite to support Ateios’ advanced electrode platform, with phased deliveries planned for use in various battery applications across automotive and multiple ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/20