Hyundai to open new factory in Georgia to avoid US policy risks

General Motors said Tuesday it won't resume production of its BrightDrop electric delivery van at its Ingersoll, Ontario, factory, citing weak demand and changes in the regulatory environment. GM said it will assess future options for the Canadian factory. The decision is the latest blow for Canada's auto sector, which is struggling under the weight of President Trump's 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars. "Instead of assigning a new product to this plant, they're choosing to simply give it up," said Flavio Volpe, C.M., head of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association. https://lnkd.in/eRZ93YTe

Every time there’s another dark turn for Canada’s auto sector (which, as in other countries, is heavily subsidized), the question gets asked of whether we should just give up on it altogether. And it’s probably being asked all the more so at a time when tariffs aimed partly at protecting it from Chinese competition are causing retaliatory consequences for other sectors. My view is that for a whole bunch of reasons - the importance to local economies, the many offshoot jobs, and the value of automotive manufacturing infrastructure for other stuff we want or might need to make - the industry needs to be maintained and ideally strengthened. But as I wrote in my weekend column, we need to start thinking about how to move on from relying on the Detroit Three, or whatever we call them now - as demonstrated not just by the recent Stellantis news, but also a lot else that’s happened over the past couple of decade. And there are plenty of other options that merit serious exploration about now. https://lnkd.in/gV2dQD6p

Australia got out of the auto racket in 2018 - not sure they suffered in the following years. The intention was to redeploy the subsidies to sectors with more potential. https://lnkd.in/g6fsvDjF

⚡️ Major EV Reversal: GM Pulls the Plug on BrightDrop Production in Canada 🇨🇦 A major shockwave is hitting the North American auto industry today. General Motors has announced it is immediately ending production of its BrightDrop electric delivery vans (Zevo 400 and 600) at the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. This facility was hailed just two years ago as Canada's first full-scale EV manufacturing plant, backed by a significant $500 million investment from the federal and provincial governments. Key Takeaways to Spark Discussion: + Demand Challenge: GM cites "slower than anticipated demand" in the commercial EV segment and a "changing regulatory environment" in the U.S. (including the loss of key tax credits) as the core reasons. + Human Impact: The decision leaves the future of over 1,000 unionized workers uncertain. This news, coming just a week after a similar production shift by Stellantis, raises serious concerns about the stability of Canada's auto manufacturing sector. What's Next for CAMI? GM has stated BrightDrop production will not move elsewhere, effectively ending the line. However, the company and the Canadian government are now scrambling to form a "response group" to urgently find a new product mandate for the Ingersoll plant. This move underscores the volatility of the EV transition, especially in the commercial sector where upfront costs and charging infrastructure remain major hurdles. ❓ What does this signal for the future of specialized commercial EVs vs. multi-purpose electric vans? And how should governments respond when major investments in next-gen manufacturing face sudden market-driven cancellations? -- The Logic https://lnkd.in/gU_VQDVc #Ontario #Canada #NorthAmerica #EVs #ElectricVehicles #GM #BrightDrop #CAMI #Automotive #DeliveryVans #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #FutureofWork #jobs

British company YASA, a Mercedes-Benz subsidiary, has created the world's most powerful axial-flux electric motor. Weighing just 12.7 kg, this compact unit delivers a peak output of 1000 hp, surpassing the firm's previous designs by 40%. It achieves a record power density of 59 kW/kg. A working prototype, built without exotic materials to avoid supply chain dependencies, is currently being tested. This breakthrough, achieved through refined design and engineering, is slated for potential production next year and could be revolutionary for both electric vehicles and aviation. #technology #yasa #mercedes

Once again, former Toyota executive Stephen Beatty has posted about Canada’s approach to the auto sector - and in contrast to many others, he suggests alternative approaches that will result in improvements. I recommend that you read and learn!

Anchoring Ontario's auto plants that are running hot and essential to companies' North American production targets--i.e. cannot easily be moved to the US due to significant cost and ramp-up time constraints--could be supported by directly tying automotive duty remission to their Canadian manufacturing production. Signaling a willingness to do that is urgent. Waiting until there is a reconfiguration process further underway under a formal CUSMA negotiation may be too late. 👇

GM Ends BrightDrop EV Van Production in Canada General Motors will end production of its BrightDrop electric vans at the CAMI Assembly plant in Ontario, marking a major setback for Canada’s auto industry as the company shifts focus back to U.S.-built gas vehicles. The move affects about 1,200 workers, including 950 already on layoff since May, when production was paused. GM had planned to restart later this year but now says the program is discontinued due to weak commercial EV demand and high costs. The decision aligns with a broader GM strategy shift under the Trump administration, emphasizing U.S. investment in gas models and scaling back EV programs in Michigan and Ohio. Canada’s auto sector faces growing strain from U.S. tariffs and GM’s retreat, despite a $760M upgrade to the CAMI plant for EVs. Unifor, the autoworkers’ union, is urging Canadian leaders to protect local manufacturing jobs. GM says EVs remain its “North Star,” but near-term priorities center on profitability from gas-powered vehicles as global EV demand cools. ——— Thanks to our sponsor: Autotrader US (https://lnkd.in/ebZU6JyZ)

Spot on from Toyota SA CEO Andrew Kirby. At the Naamsa Autoweek Conference, he called out the outdated ad valorem tax system — saying we’re taxing affordable cars like luxury models. 💬 “It made sense in 1995, but we’re now taxing lower-end vehicles as if they were premium products.” Think about it: 🔹 1995 – VW Citi Golf Chico: R33,950 → R21 tax 🔹 2025 – Suzuki S-Presso: R178,900 → ±R6,300 tax That’s a 30,000% increase on the entry-level car. Kirby’s bigger point hits home: If we don’t adapt policy and accelerate the move to new energy vehicles (NEVs), South Africa risks falling behind global markets shifting fast toward electric mobility. ⚡ ⸻ 💭 My view: He’s right — it’s time to modernize. We need fair taxes, strong local manufacturing, and a clear path toward NEVs. Affordability and progress must work hand in hand. 🇿🇦 Change is long overdue — our industry deserves a fair road ahead. 🌍 🗞️ Source: [MyBroadband / BusinessTech] 📸 Used under fair use for information #BreakTheSilenceAboutSouthAfrica #Automotive #Leadership #ToyotaSA #Naamsa #EVTransition #TaxReform #Mobility #SouthAfrica #Innovation #IndustryGrowth

Türkiye's Tofas signs new deal with Stellantis to export 230,000 K0 light commercial vehicles to North America, raises investment to $448.6M https://lnkd.in/dwA6HWVK