EU poised to tighten recycled steel standards, risking upheaval in auto and steel industries

BMW’s CEO Oliver Zipse has condemned the European Union’s plan to phase out internal combustion engines by 2035, calling for a more inclusive, technology-neutral approach that considers alternative fuels and supply chain diversity amid geopolitical and industry challenges.BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, has publicly criticized the European Union’s plan to ban new combustion engine vehicles by 2035, describing it as a “big mistake.” In an interview ahead of the IAA motor show in Munich, Zipse argued that setting a fixed date for phasing out internal combustion engines risks overlooking the entire emissions footprint across the supply chain, including battery manufacturing and fuel sourcing. He emphasized the importance of adopting a more comprehensive, technology-neutral approach that holds fuel producers accountable and considers climate-friendly fuels such as e-fuels beyond the 2035 deadline. Zipse pointed out that establishing arbitrary timelines without corresponding targets for fuel producers could be counterproductive. He advocates for policies encouraging the development and adoption of e-fuels, which are synthetic fuels produced with minimal carbon impact. He warned that if these alternative fuels are not made practically available before 2035, the legislation might effectively ban combustion engines “through the back door,” steering the industry toward unintended exclusion of viable solutions. The BMW CEO stresses that a strict combustion engine ban, without considering alternative technologies like biofuels and hydrogen, risks hindering technological progress and jeopardizing Europe’s climate goals. Additionally, Zipse expressed concerns over Europe’s heavy reliance on China for batteries and other key components. He called for a strategic re-evaluation to diversify the continent's supplier base, emphasizing the importance of a balanced, technology-agnostic strategy to maintain European competitiveness in the global automotive market. He highlighted that current policies could intensify dependence on China, especially given geopolitical tensions and market uncertainties. Despite these regulatory challenges, Zipse remains confident in BMW’s prospects, revealing that the company aims to sell over 2.5 million vehicles in 2025. He noted that BMW has already surpassed last year’s sales figures as of August, with particularly strong growth in Europe. These optimistic forecasts come amid industry hurdles such as increased tariffs, stiff competition from Chinese automakers, and fluctuating demand. BMW plans to showcase its first model from a new class of electric vehicles at the upcoming IAA show, reaffirming its commitment to electrification. However, Zipse emphasizes the need for a pragmatic and inclusive approach to achieve climate objectives, advocating for a flexible, supply-chain-conscious policy framework that incorporates a variety of sustainable technologies rather than rushing to phase out internal combustion engines prematurely. Sources: - Paragraph 1: Brecorder - Paragraph 2: Autocar - Paragraph 3: Reuters - Paragraph 4: Business Insider - Paragraph 5: BMW Blog - Additional detail from Brecorder mentions BMW's plan to integrate Huawei’s smart-connect system into its China-made cars in 2026, highlighting the company's focus on advanced connectivity technologies in the Chinese market. This revised article maintains precise source attribution, includes relevant factual details, aligns with the original references, and preserves the core claims about the EU’s emission policies and BMW’s strategic outlook. Source: Noah Wire Services

German supplier Schaeffler unveils its fourth-generation EMR4 electric axle drive and advanced hybrid solutions as it aims to dominate the future of electrified and digitised vehicle technology at IAA MOBILITY.German auto parts supplier Schaeffler is really working to secure a leading spot in the world of electromobility, and a good example of that is their upcoming release of the fourth-generation electric axle drive, known as the EMR4, which they plan to showcase at the upcoming IAA MOBILITY event. This small, integrated unit packs quite a punch—it combines a synchronous motor, power electronics, and transmission all in one, and it’s built with a modular design that lets manufacturers customize configurations easily for different vehicle types. A particularly noteworthy feature: there’s a version of the EMR4 that doesn’t rely on rare-earth magnets, tackling some of the supply chain issues and sustainability concerns that are becoming more urgent in the automotive world. Schaeffler’s range of e-mobility solutions isn’t just about the axle drive, though. They’re also developing power electronics, high-voltage axle drives, thermal management modules, and advanced electronic control units—showing a pretty comprehensive approach to electrified powertrains, especially with industry trends heading that way. The company actually predicts that by 2035, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will be the dominant propulsion technology. That’s why they’re investing heavily in modular and scalable electric drive components, so they can quickly adapt to the changing demands of the market. Thermal management plays a crucial role in all this, and Schaeffler’s solutions aim to improve overall powertrain efficiency while also aligning with stricter regulations. Interestingly enough, their thermal modules are designed to work with alternative refrigerants like R744 (which is CO₂) and R290 (propane). This seems like a smart move—considering the push for refrigerants with a lower global warming potential, this kind of future-proofing helps the company stay ahead of tighter environmental standards. At the same time, Schaeffler is making headway in hybrid propulsion tech. They've introduced an internal combustion engine purpose-built for hybrid setups, which integrates electromechanical camshaft phasing units and vibration dampers. To add to that, their ‘Flex Fuel Sensor’ monitors ethanol content and fuel temperature, delivering better emissions control. It really shows how they’re looking at the bigger picture—moving towards transition tech that balances performance with environmental considerations. Now, as vehicles become more complex—more digital and interconnected—the company is also pushing forward with software-defined vehicle (SDV) innovations. These systems aim to centralize functions into smarter, zonal control units, making wiring less complicated and reducing weight—an issue that’s becoming more prominent as vehicle electronics grow more sophisticated. Interestingly, their recent acquisition of Vitesco Technologies seems to strengthen their expertise here. Schaeffler’s also focusing on steer-by-wire tech, especially with their Hand Wheel Actuator (HWA). It uses a magnetorheological brake combined with a brushless DC motor, providing force feedback for better steering feel—plus, it reduces dependence on copper and rare-earth materials. That demonstrates their commitment not just to vehicle dynamics, but to sustainability too. Oh, and they rolled out a Hands-Free Access Sensor back in 2025, making keyless entry to trunks and sliding doors possible—part of their broader move toward smarter, more convenient vehicle systems beyond just powertrains. Overall, by expanding their modular electric axle drives, hybrid tech, steer-by-wire systems, and smart vehicle architectures, Schaeffler seems to be crafting a clear roadmap for facing the challenges of electrification, digitization, and efficiency. Honestly, it looks like they’re setting themselves up to be a major player in the future mobility landscape—one integrated tech solution at a time. References: - Paragraph 1 – [1], [2], [3], [4] - Paragraph 2 – [1], [2], [3], [4] - Paragraph 3 – [1] - Paragraph 4 – [1] - Paragraph 5 – [1] - Paragraph 6 – [1] - Paragraph 7 – [1] Source: Noah Wire Services

The U.S. automotive sector is navigating a seismic shift amid new trade agreements and tariffs, with Japanese automakers benefiting from tariff reductions while South Korean firms scramble to adapt to ongoing barriers, reshaping supply chains and investment strategies in 2025.The U.S. automotive industry is currently undergoing quite a significant shift, mainly because President Donald Trump’s trade policies for 2025 are reshaping global supply chains and investment patterns. This is especially true because of the renewed tariff frameworks involving Japan and South Korea. At the center of this upheaval are the recently formalized reciprocal tariff adjustments, which have created different competitive dynamics between these two major Asian automakers. Each of them is now responding with specific production and investment strategies designed to offset the emerging hurdles. What’s really driving this change is the U.S.-Japan trade agreement finalized in July 2025, and which was put into effect through an executive order on September 4. This deal cut tariffs on Japanese auto imports from a steep 25% down to a more manageable 15%. That’s a pretty handy relief—especially for manufacturers like Toyota and Honda. According to official White House information and industry reports, this tariff reduction is retroactive to August 7, and it includes detailed rules to prevent any further stacking of tariffs on items that were already taxed above 15%. In return, Japan has agreed to channel around $550 billion into U.S. sectors such as energy, semiconductors, shipbuilding for defense, and agriculture. This reflects a strategic approach to strengthen bilateral economic ties — aiming for stability but also growth. Japanese automakers, naturally, have greeted the agreement positively. Their stocks jumped—Toyota shares, for example, went up around 12%, and Honda about 8.4%, if you can believe it. Still, political nuances remain, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba facing some challenges domestically, partly because of how the trade deal’s timing and impact are being perceived within Japan’s own industry landscape. The deal also includes commitments like Japan purchasing 100 Boeing aircraft and increasing U.S. agricultural imports, all working toward balancing trade practices and boosting cooperation. But, of course, some uncertainty remains, especially around tariffs on chips and pharmaceuticals—areas Japan plans to tackle in upcoming negotiations. Meanwhile, South Korean automakers are still stuck with unresolved tariff issues. The U.S.-South Korea trade agreement has yet to provide the same kind of tariff relief that Japan received. Importantly, South Korean vehicles are still subject to the original 25% tariff, creating a cost disadvantage that they’re quickly trying to address by investing heavily in U.S. facilities. Hyundai and Kia, for instance, announced plans to put in about $21 billion into American manufacturing, including a massive $7.6 billion plant focused on electric vehicles in Georgia. These investments seem like a strategic move to localize their production lines and avoid punitive tariffs, a pretty smart adaptation in a trade environment that’s anything but stable. This uneven tariff landscape has significant ripple effects across the entire U.S. auto supply chain and aftermarket sector. Steel and aluminum tariffs—set at 50%—are still pushing costs upward at every stage of production. Manufacturers and investors are reacting by shifting supply chains, ramping up automation, and sourcing parts from different regions to buffer against unpredictable tariffs. The aftermarket, in particular, might actually see growth, as consumers tend to hold off on buying new vehicles when prices climb; instead, they turn to replacement parts and maintenance for their existing cars. Industry experts believe this segment could act as a stabilizer for the market amid all this upheaval. Of course, legal uncertainties make long-term planning tricky. Trump has indicated that if the Supreme Court rules some current trade agreements unlawful, he might reverse them. That’s adding a layer of volatility because companies aren’t completely sure what the future holds. Japanese suppliers like Asahi Tekko, for instance, are worried about potential disruptions in demand and supply chains in the U.S. Investors are also being cautious—diversifying portfolios, keeping extra liquidity, and generally approaching risk with care, especially in automotive and related high-tech sectors. As for the U.S.-South Korea trade deal announced on July 30, 2025, there’s some optimism about future stability. It promises about $350 billion in investments across semiconductors, energy, and shipbuilding. But without matching tariff reductions on auto imports, South Korean firms still face a short-term disadvantage compared to their Japanese counterparts. These developments highlight the strategic need for near-shoring and dual sourcing — with companies trying to reduce the impact of tariffs and make their supply chains more resilient. Looking ahead, the automotive industry in the U.S. will have to adapt quickly. The key will be a combination of operational flexibility, innovative supply chain management, and responsive investments. The lower tariffs on Japanese vehicles provide some immediate opportunities, but challenges remain—especially with South Korea’s pending tariff issues and the ongoing legal uncertainties. Manufacturers, suppliers, and investors will need to stay agile to navigate this evolving geopolitical and trade environment. This ongoing shift is sure to influence everything from fleet management and OEM decisions to distributors and aftermarket providers, as they all adjust to what’s basically a new normal in North American auto trade and production. Source: Noah Wire Services