Hey, Your Top Automobile News for February 03, 2021

Your Daily Automobile updates From Around The World [img] [img]( [The Automobile News]( [General Motors to eliminate gasoline and diesel light-duty cars and SUVs by 2035]( Credits: www.washingtonpost.com Big U.S. automaker says it will invest heavily in electric vehicles and be carbon neutral by 2040 General Motors has pledged to stop making gasoline-powered passenger cars, vans and sport utility vehicles by 2035, marking a historic turning point for the iconic American carmaker and promising a future of new electric vehicles for American motorists. GM chief executive Mary Barra, who antagonized many climate experts by embracing President Donald Trump’s relaxation of fuel efficiency targets, said Thursday the company now wants to lead the way to a greener future. “As one of the world’s largest automakers, we hope to set an example of responsible leadership in a world that is faced with climate change,” Barra said on LinkedIn. GM has said it would invest $27 billion in electric vehicles and associated products between 2020 and 2025, outstripping its spending on conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles. That figure includes refurbishing factories and investing in battery production in conjunction with LG Chem, a South Korean battery maker. As part of its plan, GM — maker of Buicks, Cadillacs, Chevrolets and Corvettes, among others — will manufacture about 30 types of electric vehicles. By late 2025, about 40 percent of the company’s U.S. models will be battery-powered electric vehicles, it said. And it pledged to make its factories and other facilities carbon neutral by 2040. One of the Big Three automakers that dominated the North American car market for decades, GM has rolled out millions of pollution-spewing cars and trucks. Transportation accounts for about 28 percent of total U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions, making it the largest contributor of the pollution that is driving climate change. GM now faces the task of reorienting and revamping supply chains, assembly lines and its labor force to produce a new kind of product that few Americans have experienced. “This is a very significant pivot … especially for such an iconic American institution,” said Barry Rabe, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan. For a century, GM has been a giant of American carmaking and of the Michigan economy. In Rabe’s corner of southeastern Michigan, where tens of thousands of people are employed by the auto industry, “the central part of life has been the performance of the internal-combustion engine.” “This is more than just a quick flip of the dial,” he said. “It’s a very wrenching transition.” It will also be expensive, said Kristin Dziczek, vice president of industry, labor and economics at the nonprofit Center for Automotive Research. Converting an assembly plant to produce electric cars is a billion dollar or more investment, she said. And pledging to complete that transition by 2035 is “an aggressive target,” she said. The electric-vehicle industry has grown exponentially in the past decade but still represents less than 2 percent of automobiles sold in the United States. Global electric-vehicle sales grew in 2020 even while the rest of the car market suffered from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. The International Energy Agency projects that the global number of battery-powered and hybrid vehicles could increase from just over 5 million to nearly 140 million by 2030. [Read more]( The post [General Motors to eliminate gasoline and diesel light-duty cars and SUVs by 2035]( appeared first on [TheAutomobileNews.com](. [Read Full Story]( [Union Budget 2021-22| New Vehicle Scrappage Policy: Indian Auto Industry reactions]( Credits: www.financialexpress.com The Union Budget for the upcoming financial year is said to include the much-awaited vehicle scrappage policy to help generate demand for new vehicles. The Indian automotive industry has welcomed this new move. The Indian automotive industry has welcomed the new proposal of the old vehicle scrapping provision to be included in the Union Budget 2021-22. The new vehicle scrappage policy is said to help boost demand for new vehicles after removing old unfit vehicles currently plying on Indian roads. Additionally, it is expected to help reduce air pollution caused by older vehicles. This is a compilation of how automotive component manufacturers, union bodies and other involved parties have reacted to the new announcements made by India’s finance minister – Nirmala Sitharaman. Kenichi Ayukawa, President, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) In a visionary budget, the government has adopted an expansionary stance with a thrust on infrastructure building with measures for efficiency improvement and increasing competitiveness. Good macroeconomic growth will translate to good auto sector demand. Specifically, the vehicle scrappage scheme has a good intent and the auto industry would be keen to work with the Government on suggestions for maximizing benefits to environment and society. Vinkesh Gulati, President, Federation of Automotive Dealers Association (FADA) “FADA is happy to note that the Hon’ble Finance Minister has finally announced the much-awaited Scrappage Policy, though voluntary to phase out old vehicles. If we take 1990 as the base year, there are approximately 37L CVs and 52L PVs eligible for voluntary scrappage. As an estimate, 10% of CV and 5% of PV may still be plying on road. We still need to see the fine prints to access the kind of incentives which will be on offer and thus have a +ve effect on retail. The 6,575 km Highway works proposed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam and another 19,500 km work for Bharat Mala project will definitely add fillip to a much-needed revival of Commercial Vehicles especially M&HCV segment. Government’s reduction of customs duty on steel products to 7.5% will benefit Auto OEMs. We hence expect the benefit to trickle down to end customers thus helping in boosting demand. While we expected disposable income for individuals to increase with enhancement of IT slabs and depreciation benefit on vehicles for individuals, the same has not been taken into consideration.” Deepak Jain, President, Auto Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) “The vision of an Aatma-nirbhar Bharat enshrined in the Union Budget, coupled with the ‘Sankalp’ of ‘Nation-First’ will be the bedrock to propel us further as we redefine our economy in a post-pandemic world. Significant outlay for vaccination in the country will add to the confidence of a resurgent India.” Announcements with regards increased spend on road infrastructure, voluntary scrappage policy, Research & Development and PLI among others, augur well for the automotive sector. Further, continued focus on building rural and agricultural infrastructure and prioritizing agriculture credit growth will have long-term positive impact on rural demand for vehicles. Increase in basic customs duty on select auto components will encourage local manufacturing of such items. It is also heartening that the budget outlay for the MSME sector has been doubled compared to last year. The auto component industry is dominated by MSME and this will provide them the necessary succour as the industry recovers.” Sohinder gill, Director General, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) “We thank the Hon’ble Finance Minister for announcing the Scrappage policy, which would help in encouraging the adoption of greener vehicles. Though we are awaiting more details on the policy but hope that it would be designed in such a way that would automatically push the adoption of electric vehicles. For Clean Air, setting aside an amount of Rs 2,217 crores for 42 urban centres with a million-plus population is a good move. The fund could be utilized to spread awareness about the benefits of using e-vehicles to the environment and its contribution to make the air clean. The government’s plan for strengthening the public transport sector under PPP models with an outlay of Rs 18000 crores for operating 20000 buses is encouraging for the EV industry. The scheme could strengthen the EV industry if more number of e-buses could be supported through the scheme. We urge the government to mandate procurement of E-Buses under the scheme which would help us fight the issue of air pollution.” [Read more]( The post [Union Budget 2021-22| New Vehicle Scrappage Policy: Indian Auto Industry reactions]( appeared first on [TheAutomobileNews.com](. [Read Full Story]( [2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast: Costs, Facts, And Figures]( Credits: www.hotcars.com In the last half a century, the Italian car manufacturer has not made a single car like this. Ferrari was once very well-known for its stunning and effortless 12-cylinder supercars. For some reason, these have gone off the radar for quite a few years. Supercar lovers love and miss them, but we’ve got something that will make you smile. Ferrari is set to release its first 12-cylinder car in over 50 years. In the last half a century, the Italian car manufacturer has not made a single car like this. For those who are eager to hear more, here’s what you need to know about the Ferrari 812. Specification Overview The 2021 Ferrari 812 is the third generation of this model, and its specs are bigger and better than ever. The upgrades consist of a V12 6.5-liter engine that can offer the most insane horsepower of 789. The muscle comes entirely from the engine and its seven-speed automatic transmission. Together, these can deliver a maximum of 530 pound-feet of torque. Like the previous 812 models, the new 2021 is superfast and super-powerful. So powerful in fact that it is the most powerful naturally aspirated production car engine ever made. It is speedier than expected, as the new model is 265 pounds heavier than 2020’s Ferrari 812. The reason for this increase in weight is due to the chassis upgrades, which provide improved handling and smoother shifts. More new additions to the 2021 model include it is available as a convertible. PRevious models have only been released as a coupe, so those who love rolling around in the summer with the roof down will love this version. Extra external features include 20-inch alloy wheels and carbon-ceramic brake rotors, which match the supercar’s luxury look and powerful performance. Of course, the 812 is available in a range of colors, trims, and wheel designs. That is as far as it goes for customization, but you can align it with your unique taste. It might make the car a little more expensive, but it will be worth it if yours is one of its kind. A Look Into The Interior Ferrari’s 812 seats just two drivers, like most luxury supercars. Although the cabin offers only enough room for two, there is plenty of space and enough room to actually fit something in the cargo. Most supercars offer little to no room for storage. Yet, Ferarri has managed to offer its driver 18 cubic feet of space to store belongings. The interior has stayed true to the brand, with black leather seating and red accents around the dash and armrests. Small upgrades have been made to the spacing of the cabin and seats to offer ultimate comfort and easy driving. As for the steering wheel, this has also seen an upgrade. Instead of stalks, Ferrari has installed push-button controls for the screen wipers and indicators to make the driving experience comfortable. For entertainment, drivers can either play their music through the six stereo speakers or enjoy the sounds of the V12 roaring engine. Other features include standard Bluetooth capabilities and a navigation system with voice control. [Read more]( The post [2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast: Costs, Facts, And Figures]( appeared first on [TheAutomobileNews.com](. [Read Full Story]( ------------------ Sponsored Content ------------------ Connect with TheAutomobileNews on Facebook and Twitter [fb](  [tw]( ------------------ You received this email because you operate or create content for a website/service and based on your website it seemed like this could be important information to you and your users. TheAutomobileNews daily newsletter is managed by Postbox Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. C-4/5, IBD Emporia, Kolar Road, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA, 462042 Want to change how you receive these emails? [Update your preferences]( or [Unsubscribe]( Â