Forvia’s Fengcheng Mega Plant employs 1200 staff, housing 89 production lines dedicated to producing products in three main areas: display technologies, cockpit electronics and automated driving technologies for both passenger and Commercial Vehicles (CVs).

"This endeavour seeks to enhance the skills and employability of these women, enabling them to pursue their dreams. This perfectly aligns with our brand philosophy of "Koi Manzil Door Nahin”," says Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director and CEO, Ashok Leyland.

The high-powered 1 MW chargers are expected to go into series production in late 2024 and initially, will be rolled out in Finland and then later to other parts of Europe.

"Ashok Leyland’s mission to achieve Net Zero by year 2048 is one of the triggers to set up this plant in Uttar Pradesh."

Giorgio Zino is set to lead commercial operations in Europe, Danilo Fetzner in Latin America, Gauthier Ricord in Africa and the Middle East and Marco Franza in the Asia Pacific. Stéphane Espinasse has been appointed to lead Sales and Market Development of global operations.

Luca de Meo recently unveiled a roadmap for developing a competitive European green mobility ecosystem, co-signed by the heads of Europe’s largest commercial vehicle OEMs. The roadmap, submitted to the EU Parliament and Commission is premised on three pillars of supply, production and demand, encompassing views of all relevant industry stakeholders.

The company cut 150 jobs in the U.S. and Canada amid financial pressure as it seeks profitability. The cuts came in the manufacturing and administrative segments of the business.

Representing an approximate investment of USD600m, the new facility will be developed along “vertical production” principles a la Tesla, meaning that battery and vehicle assembly will take place at the same location.

The market for electric vehicles in North America is currently a very crowded one. In the wake of two crucial U.S. government bills – the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) and the Inflation Reduction Act (2022) – established OEMs and startups are enjoying a boost in interest as grants and tax incentives support the expansion of EV manufacturing, sales, and charging/fuelling infrastructure.

This will encompass its EV chargers (inductive and DC fast chargers), mobile chargers, related infrastructure and the management software for these charging solutions.

In the Dutch city of Eindhoven, there remains one of those odd survivals of the former industrial age, now largely superseded by the digital revolution: the privately owned diversified manufacturing company, VDL Groep. Founded by Pieter van der Leegte in 1953, it now comprises more than 100 companies operating in 19 countries, overseen by Willem van der Leegte, who represents the third generation of the VDL family.

T&BB decided to have a closer look at the world’s 4th biggest tyre manufacturer as it looks to expand its global presence through fleet digitalisation, product range and aftermarket services in the context of the impending Euro VII regulation.