Japan considering support for electric vehicles, policy to be released later this month

On Thursday, during a news conference, Katsunobu Kato, Japan’s chief spokesman for the government stated, the trade ministry is weighing options to support a shift to electric-powered vehicles and will map out a plan by the end of this year. Japan plans on stopping the sale of new gasoline powered cars by mid-2030s in favour…

Honda to quit F1 in 2021, will focus on zero emission technologies

In a significant development, Honda Motor stated, it will end its participation as an engine supplier in the FIA Formula One World Championship at the end of the 2021 season and will instead focus on zero-emission technology. The development was made by Honda Motor’s CEO Takahiro Hachigo during an online news conference. “This is not…

Tesla’s interactive, millimeter wave radar sensor can help prevent children being left behind in car, boost theft prevention systems

California based Tesla Inc has applied for permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to market a short-range interactive motion-sensing device that could help prevent children from being left behind in hot cars. The system could also help improve theft-prevention systems. Tesla aims to get permission for its devices, which will use unlicensed millimeter-wave sensors,…

Indonesia’s government proposes levying taxes on CO2 emitting vehicles

On Wednesday, Indonesia’s Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati submitted a proposal to the country’s parliament proposing to levy tariffs on sugar and artificially sugar-sweetened drinks; she has also proposed levying taxes on vehicles that emit carbon dioxide. She has also asked parliament to reconsider her proposal to impose an excise on plastic bags in order…

Tata Group launches electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in India

India’s steel-to-autos conglomerate Tata Group, is making a big effort towards clean vehicles; it plans on producing electric cars and batteries, build recycling plants and set up charging stations around the country, said senior executives said on Tuesday. They went on to add, more than half a dozen companies, including Tata Chemicals, Tata Motors, Tata…

BMW Group reports records sales for 2019 topping the premium passenger car segment

On Friday, BMW stated, it has sold 2.52 million Rolls-Royce, BMW, and Mini vehicles in 2019, topping the premium category car group, ahead of Daimler. On Thursday, Daimler had reported that it had sold 2.34 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in 2019 – its ninth consecutive year of record sales. In a statement BMW said in…

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China’s Geely and Mercedes Benz launch $780M joint venture to produce EV under same brand

On Wednesday, Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd stated, they would each invest $388.77 million (2.7 billion yuan) in a China-based venture to build “premium and intelligent electrified” vehicles under the smart brand. The 50:50 joint venture has already got regulatory approval and will be based in the Chinese coastal city of Ningbo,…