Leasing.com expands into motorcycle leasing to capitalise on electric and eco-friendly fleet trends

Southern Company and Ford Pro have completed a six-month project demonstrating efficient EV fleet charging, while Volkswagen and Audi accelerate North American manufacturing investments to mitigate tariff impacts and boost market share amidst a changing trade landscape.Southern Company and Ford Pro have wrapped up a six-month pilot project aimed at optimizing how fleets charge their electric vehicles (EVs). By blending Ford Pro’s cutting-edge software platform with real-time data pulled from vehicles and chargers, the program showed it’s possible to cut down on energy demand—without messing with the fleet’s ability to operate smoothly. According to what they found, managed charging schedules can really help boost energy efficiency. This offers some useful insights for fleet managers who are either planning or speeding up their switch to electric vehicles. Basically, this project is a good example of how the commercial aftermarket is evolving—trying to balance sustainability goals while still meeting the strict demands of fleet operations, which, you know, can be quite rigorous. At the same time, the larger automotive aftermarket scene is going through some significant shifts, especially as tariffs become more of a concern. Volkswagen, for example, has reported that tariffs in the U.S.—which are currently at 27.5%—have hit their bottom line pretty hard. CEO Oliver Blume shared that the company’s paid several billion euros extra this year because of these tariffs, with brands like Porsche and Audi feeling the pinch the most. The lack of local U.S. manufacturing facilities in those brands has made things worse—they’ve absorbed most of the burden. This tariff burden has led to earnings pressures, with Audi taking a €600 million hit in the first half of 2025 alone and Porsche losing about €300 million during the spring months. It’s kind of a tricky situation, because Volkswagen is now weighing whether to make more investments in the U.S., including expanding manufacturing facilities—something that might get a boost with upcoming tax incentives being discussed by the government. Volkswagen’s broader plan for the U.S. aims to counteract declining sales in China and Europe. They’re aiming for some pretty bold growth targets—trying to bump their U.S. market share from around 4% up to 10% by 2030. Part of that strategy involves investing heavily, like their €4.8 billion battery plant in Ontario, Canada, which is meant to supply EVs for North America. But of course, there’s some uncertainty because tariffs could be extended to add taxes on imports from Mexico, Canada, and Europe. That could make supply chain planning quite complicated. Still, Volkswagen expects its profit margins to stay stable this year. They’re also getting ready to roll out new EV models, including an electric version of the Scout pickup truck—an important move into the U.S. market’s popular SUV and electric segments. Audi, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, is also working to deal with tariff-related issues by expanding its production facilities in North America. They’re expected to decide on exactly where to build these plants sometime this year. The idea is that increasing local manufacturing will help soften the blow from tariffs, especially since they’re supported by incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. This move is also in line with broader market trends, where demand is shifting toward electric and SUV models—so Audi’s strategy is really trying to adapt to those changing preferences. All these tariff pressures and strategic shifts highlight a pretty complex environment for automakers and parts suppliers alike. Companies are juggling evolving trade policies, the need for investment, and the push toward electrification—all at once. The Southern Company and Ford Pro pilot adds to this narrative by demonstrating how tech can improve fleet efficiency operationally, while Volkswagen and Audi’s moves reflect the geopolitical, economic, and market forces reshaping how vehicles are made and sold in North America. It’s definitely a busy space these days, and it’ll be interesting to see how everything unfolds. Honestly, these developments—both technical and strategic—are pretty fascinating, don’t you think? Source: Noah Wire Services

Epyx’s new integration with Halfords Autocentres and National Tyres and Autocare enhances real-time, online booking for fleet operators, promising increased efficiency and reduced downtime.epyx has announced a pretty significant boost in how it services fleet operators—namely, through integrating its 1link Service Network SMR platform with the booking systems of Halfords Autocentres and National Tyres and Autocare (NTA). Basically, this new tech allows fleet drivers and their service managers to access and schedule appointments directly into the calendars of 503 Halfords-owned service centres spread across the UK. It’s a move that streamlines the whole maintenance and repair (SMR) booking process, making it a lot more straightforward. By linking up epyx’s platform with Halfords' systems, users can now pick their preferred workshops online, using various digital devices—be it a smartphone, tablet, or computer—and see real-time availability of slots. Once they find a suitable time, they can confirm their appointment instantly. This really steps up the booking experience, especially for company cars and vans, by cutting out the usual delays that come with chasing workshop slots through endless emails or calls. Mike Daniels, who’s sales director at Halfords, pointed out that this kind of real-time diary connection is a real game-changer. It means confirmed bookings can happen 24/7—not just within workshop hours. He also highlighted how much this could help busy fleet drivers, who spend a ton of time on the road. In fact, he mentioned that this should lead to shorter wait times overall and improve the customer experience quite a bit. Greg Tucker, who’s director of OEM and network management at epyx, also chimed in, saying that they’d been aiming for direct booking functionalities for a while now. It only became possible recently, thanks to this new integration with Halfords’ systems. He explained that in the past, drivers would have to send booking requests and wait for manual confirmations—kind of a slow process. Now, they can just select and book their preferred slots independently, which makes everything much clearer and more convenient for everyone involved. This new development is especially useful given that epyx’s 1link Service Network already works with a huge fleet—around 4.9 million vehicles across the UK, including cars, vans, and trucks. The platform collaborates with over 8,500 service providers nationwide, helping fleet operators manage SMR tasks more effectively. On top of that, Halfords' extensive network, including well-known locations like Halfords Autocentre Sale, as well as National Tyres and Autocare centres in places like Cardiff, Falkirk, Durham, Northampton, and Essex, really complements this update. These centres offer a wide range of automotive services, including tyre fitting, repairs, and MOT testing. They’re known for their skilled technicians, competitive pricing, and user-friendly online booking options. Overall, the nationwide network ensures fleet operators get quality service and convenient booking options. Now that the integration is live, fleet servicing is heading into a more digital, user-friendly era. It should cut down on admin hassle and allow for more flexible scheduling of maintenance—an important step toward keeping vehicles operational and reducing downtime. All in all, this move looks set to boost operational efficiency for fleet managers and drivers alike—it’s a pretty notable development in how aftermarket automotive services are managed nowadays. References: - Paragraph 1 – [1] - Paragraph 2 – [1] - Paragraph 3 – [1] - Paragraph 4 – [1] - Paragraph 5 – [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7] Source: Noah Wire Services

China's electric vehicle industry has reached a decisive milestone with over half of auto sales now EVs, prompting rapid consolidation, technological advancements, and new opportunities for global firms amid geopolitical and regulatory challenges.China’s electric vehicle (EV) scene has hit a pretty significant milestone this year. For five months straight, EV sales have made up over half of the total auto market—definitely a clear turning point in the world’s biggest car market. This trend really cemented China’s role as the top global player in EV manufacturing and sales. Industry reports suggest that in 2024, China produced around 12 million EVs, with most of those cars sold domestically. They’ve outpaced smaller markets like Norway, where EVs hit a 50% share back in 2020, and by 2024, that figure had risen to 90%. Big Chinese brands—especially BYD, which last year overtook Tesla as the world’s largest EV producer by revenue, and Geely—are also spreading their footprint abroad, including markets like Australia, Norway, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. The boom in China’s local industry offers both opportunities and some hurdles for Western car tech companies contemplating entering this rapidly growing market. Chinese EV makers are quite proficient at mass production and have significantly improved vehicle design over the past decade—something critics once saw as a barrier to wider adoption. However, Western firms still hold a strong edge in specialized areas such as software-defined vehicles, centralized computing systems, and automotive operating systems (OS). There’s especially high demand for systems management software that coordinates hardware and applications seamlessly, driver-assistance algorithms, infotainment systems, and connectivity tech. Additionally, safety-critical systems conforming to international standards like ISO 26262—supporting advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving, and real-time safety functions—remain areas where Western expertise is highly valued. Furthermore, Western companies excel in creating user-friendly interfaces for navigation, multimedia, communications, and voice controls—technology that’s increasingly important both domestically in China and in export markets. This contrast with Chinese vehicles, which sometimes lag in embedded functions, presents opportunities for partnerships or technology transfers. Industry insiders suggest that Western firms with strong software capabilities can tap into China’s openness to innovation through joint ventures or consultancy roles. Still, success in the market depends on careful navigation of regulatory and commercial complexities. Despite the bright prospects, China’s EV industry faces some challenges. Industry voices, including BYD’s Vice President Stella Li, warn of an upcoming consolidation phase prompted by government crackdowns on aggressive discounting and price wars that have led to deflation and harmed long-term competitiveness. Predictions indicate that out of more than 130 current EV makers, up to 100 could either merge or exit, leaving fewer than 20 viable OEMs. This consolidation aims to address oversupply and cutthroat competition—what Reuters describes as an “involution” cycle where intense rivalry continually drives prices down and profits shrink—even for industry leaders like BYD. Adding to the difficulties, geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions are complicating efforts for Chinese EV brands to expand globally. While brands like BYD, with its Atto 3 model, have enjoyed success in markets such as South Korea—where it became the top import EV in April—and Australia, barriers like tariffs and origin-based trade policies still pose significant hurdles in regions like Europe and the US. Some manufacturers are already relocating production outside China to mitigate these challenges. On a positive note, China continues to lead in battery technology and charging infrastructure development. For instance, BYD recently introduced fast-charging technology capable of adding 470 km of range in just five minutes—surpassing competitors like Tesla and Mercedes-Benz. Plans are underway to deploy thousands of compatible public chargers across the country, making Chinese EVs even more attractive both domestically and internationally. Western automakers aren’t immune to the shifting landscape either. Premium foreign brands such as Porsche have experienced notable declines in China—Porsche’s sales dropped 42% in the first quarter of 2025, marking a three-year decline—while local brands like BYD, Xiaomi, and Nio are rapidly gaining ground, particularly in the luxury segment. For example, Xiaomi’s SU7 EV garnered 10,000 pre-orders within two hours, showcasing a significant shift in consumer preferences. For Western tech providers and supply chain firms, China’s EV market presents both challenges and opportunities. Its rapid innovation pace and tightening regulations mean that companies need to remain agile. However, strategic alliances in software, safety systems, and connected vehicle services could unlock substantial benefits. Experts emphasize understanding local market dynamics, regulations, and potential partnership avenues as essential steps for success. Firms like Asian Insiders offer deep in-market expertise to navigate this fast-evolving environment. In sum, China’s EV industry is undergoing rapid consolidation and maturation. Driven by domestic giants that are reshaping global competition and technological progress, the market offers promising growth prospects for foreign OEMs, software developers, and tech firms—yet they must carefully weigh the opportunities against regulatory hurdles and fierce domestic rivalry. Navigating this landscape effectively requires strategic collaborations and continuous innovation. Source: Noah Wire Services