India's GST overhaul sparks rapid price cuts in auto industry ahead of festive season

As UK car manufacturing declines and global trade tensions threaten exports, industry charity Ben enhances support for displaced workers with proactive upskilling and mental health initiatives in a bid to stabilise the sector's future.The UK automotive industry is currently going through quite a tough patch, with production numbers declining, a significant number of jobs being lost, and a real urgency to tackle skills shortages. Industry charity Ben has stepped up its support for automotive workers affected by redundancies. They're not just offering immediate help for those losing their jobs but also focusing on proactive solutions like upskilling and career coaching. For instance, with UK car manufacturing dipping nearly 12% in the first half of 2025, and thousands of jobs being cut across the supply chain, Ben’s expanded ‘Work, health & wellbeing’ services aim to serve as a safety net. These include free online tools, personalized coaching for CV writing, job hunting strategies, managing stress, and financial advice. Plus, there's added digital mental health support programs to back workers up. Rachel Clift, Ben’s CEO, points out that the industry faces a two-fold challenge: “The automotive sector is dealing with redundancies while also having a long-term technician shortage,” she explains. This concern isn’t unfounded — predictions suggest that by 2035, the industry may need to fill over 111,400 new and replacement roles, including 45,800 technician positions. Ben also works closely with key industry players like Rygor, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). These groups provide tailored career resources to help workers manage these turbulent times. Right now, things are made worse by a handful of economic and geopolitical issues. Recently, Lotus announced plans to cut 550 jobs in the UK — around 40% of their 1,300-strong workforce. The company cited falling sales and financial instability caused by global uncertainties such as trade tensions and tariff implications. Although Lotus said it plans to keep manufacturing at its Norfolk plant, the company’s shift towards third-party production and consolidating globally reflects broader instability across the industry. Interestingly enough, this restructuring follows a government-backed intervention that previously prevented the plant’s closure, which really highlights just how fragile UK automotive manufacturing has become given the changing trade policies. Tariffs from the US are still a huge threat, especially to the UK’s luxury brands like Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, and McLaren. These companies face a 25% import tariff on foreign-made vehicles, and Mike Hawes, SMMT's CEO, has warned that these tariffs are quickly eating into export volumes. Unless the government steps in or manages to negotiate better trade deals, thousands of jobs — estimates suggest over 25,000 — could be at risk. These tariffs push up costs and also scare away wealthy American buyers, which directly hits order books and company forecasts. Industry experts warn that unless something changes, many jobs in the UK automotive sector could be lost. On top of that, suppliers in Germany connected with car manufacturing are also feeling the pinch. Thyssenkrupp, for example, announced plans to cut around 1,800 jobs, blaming weak market conditions and tariff concerns. Meanwhile, recruitment firm Hays has issued a serious profit warning, mainly because of reduced hiring in Germany’s automotive sector. That market’s been especially hit by US tariffs and economic headwinds. These issues highlight how intertwined the European automotive supply chain is — problems in one area quickly ripple out and affect employment and investment confidence throughout. Despite a slowdown in job openings across the UK motor trade — vacancies dropped to a vacancy rate of 2.7% in May 2025, a 21% decrease from the previous year — there’s still a strong demand for skilled technicians. Many automotive firms report difficulties in filling these technical roles, and wages are climbing for those positions. The average salary for vehicle technicians is now well above the government median, which shows how competitive the market for skilled, hands-on workers has become. This ongoing skills gap underscores the importance of initiatives like the ones Ben supports—focused on reskilling and career development—to help secure a sustainable workforce long term. As the industry grapples with all these challenges, there's a growing consensus that a unified support system is crucial. Combining immediate aid for workers who’ve lost their jobs with longer-term investments in talent development seems to be the best way forward. While companies and policymakers are trying to navigate economic and trade uncertainties, charities and industry organisations are playing an increasingly vital role — helping automotive professionals shift careers, and ensuring the workforce’s capabilities adapt to evolving industry needs. Source: Noah Wire Services

MAN Truck & Bus's fully electric trucks have surpassed five million kilometres across Europe in demanding operational roles, demonstrating their viability and rapid adoption in sustainable commercial transport, with major companies and municipalities leading the charge.Since early 2025, MAN Truck & Bus's fully electric trucks have traveled over five million kilometres in demanding daily operations across Europe, really showing their increasing viability and acceptance in the world of commercial logistics. Big names in European logistics, like DB Schenker, Dachser, Duvenbeck, and Dräxlmaier, played a big part in reaching this milestone. These approximately 200 battery-electric trucks, which consume about 90 kWh per 100 km on average, have together helped save roughly 3,600 tonnes of CO₂, especially when compared to traditional diesel trucks that burn around 27 litres per 100 km. If you think about it, over the trucks’ typical lifespan — which is around 1.2 million kilometres — that could amount to roughly 172,000 tonnes of CO₂ saved. To put that into perspective, it’s about the same as what a mid-sized German city of around 32,000 people might produce each year. What’s quite remarkable is how versatile MAN's eTGX and eTGS electric models have proven to be, operating successfully in all sorts of sectors. These include automotive logistics, timber, food transportation, and municipal services. They’re built at MAN’s Munich plant, where they use a pretty innovative mixed production line—capable of rolling out up to 100 units every day. These trucks are designed not just for city driving but also for medium to long-distance haulage, construction jobs, and urban deliveries. Friedrich Baumann, who’s in charge of Sales and Customer Solutions at MAN Truck & Bus, mentions that hitting five million kilometres practically serves as "impressive proof of the practical suitability" of their electric trucks, really highlighting how adaptable they are in real-world settings. The first batch—about 200 pre-series electric trucks—rolled off the line in 2024. They were built for customers eager to move toward electric mobility. These trucks have been put to work in several countries—Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Poland, Portugal, Norway, Denmark—you get the idea. For instance, the Behrens Group, a major German timber wholesaler, has clocked over 50,000 kilometres using MAN eTGX trucks equipped with swap bodies for electric forklifts and partly powered by solar energy. Then there’s the Jacky Perrenot Group in France, which ordered over 100 units for food delivery, and Danone in Poland, using these trucks to cut back on supply chain emissions. Also, Royal Unibrew in Denmark and Nor Tekstil—the largest textile service provider in Norway—have incorporated MAN eTrucks into their fleets. It’s like a wave across Europe toward greener logistics. And it’s not just companies—the public sector is taking note too. An Austrian consortium, involving 12 cities and municipalities, has signed contracts for up to 45 MAN electric trucks, which signals a rising trend in municipal adoption. From a production side, MAN aims to exceed 1,000 electric truck orders by the end of 2025. That’s after they saw nearly 800 confirmed orders shortly after starting series production in June 2024. In fact, there was a huge jump—about 238% more electric vehicles sold in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. Admittedly, they started from a pretty low base, but still, the growth is promising. These trucks are also quite capable on long hauls, with typical daily ranges between 400 and 600 kilometres, and some even reaching up to 800 km with strategic charging in between, as Dr Frederik Zohm, one of MAN’s R&D leaders, points out. A core part of the MAN approach is modular battery design and durability, which aims to make it easier for fleet operators to transition, especially since they often have heavy-duty schedules. From the feedback so far, it seems that electric trucks can handle the tough demands of various tasks, while also delivering environmental advantages and dependable operation. It’s pretty interesting, right? I find it surprising that electric trucks like these can really match up to traditional diesel ones in so many ways—while also helping reduce emissions significantly. The future of logistics, it seems, is heading toward cleaner, smarter technology, and MAN appears to be leading quite well in that shift. Source: Noah Wire Services

At the IAA Mobility show in Munich, global car manufacturers reveal new electric models, from BMW’s premium iX3 to Volkswagen’s budget-friendly ID.CROSS, highlighting rapid innovation and strategic shifts in the electrification race amid geopolitical and market pressures.At the IAA Mobility show held in Munich, the car industry’s top manufacturers rolled out a pretty wide array of new electric vehicles—EVs—each one seemingly eager to attract consumers in this period of rapid electrification. You could say the event was packed with major launches from global giants like BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Skoda, Polestar, and also some emerging players such as BYD and Leapmotor. This really highlighted how fierce competition and ongoing innovation are thriving both in the luxury segment and among more affordable EVs. BMW, for instance, introduced its Neue Klasse iX3 electric SUV, a key model aimed at clawing back some of its market share—especially in China, where the competition has gotten pretty intense. The iX3 is positioned as a flagship for BMW’s new electric architecture, promising over 800 km of driving range and super-fast charging that can add more than 370 km in just ten minutes. Production is expected to commence by the end of 2025, with a European launch set for March 2026. The starting price will hover around €68,900 (£59,000), which is a premium but still competitive move, trying to keep profitability at about the same level as traditional combustion cars by 2026—at least, that’s what BMW’s CFO Walter Mertl has said. BMW’s sales boss, Jochen Goller, stressed that they’re keeping a close eye on how pricing plays out in China, especially since the iX3’s pricing strategy there will be crucial after a 15.5% dip in sales during the first half of 2025. The iX3 sports a 74 kWh battery, providing roughly 285 miles on real-world roads, with a max charging rate of 150 kW—that positions it quite comfortably in the mid-range electric SUV market. Volkswagen, on their end, debuted the ID.CROSS, a compact electric SUV concept that’s now finalized for production in summer 2026. They’re aiming the model at budget-conscious buyers with a price forecast of about €28,000 to €30,000 (£24,000–£26,000). This model clearly mirrors Volkswagen’s broader plan to regain ground in the affordable EV space—especially against Chinese manufacturers offering cheaper alternatives. It’ll be produced alongside other budget-friendly models, like the ID.Polo hatchback and Cupra variants, at their plants in Spain. This comes after quite a hefty €10 billion investment into production and battery facilities there. CEO Oliver Blume pointed out that global competition, pricing pressures from China, and US tariffs are all impacting premium brands within the group. To stay competitive, Volkswagen’s planning around 60 new models through 2025, and they’re also restructuring the business with some job cuts and capacity shifts, all aimed at better cost efficiency. Mercedes-Benz isn’t falling behind either. They announced plans to launch the GLC fitted with their EQ electric tech around mid-2026, signaling their ongoing push to electrify their popular SUV line-up to meet the rising demand for luxury EVs. Meanwhile, Hyundai threw a new concept into the mix: the Concept THREE, a compact EV under its IONIQ sub-brand, which aims to showcase the next wave of design and innovation for future electric vehicles. Skoda and Polestar also made some noteworthy appearances. Skoda rolled out the Epiq, a five-seater SUV with a 264-mile battery range, plus the Vision O concept, hinting at how their electric design language might look going forward. And Polestar has opened orders on the Polestar 5, which is a pretty unique luxury electric sedan—so much so that it deliberately skips traditional features like a rear window and glove box, highlighting Polestar’s avant-garde approach to EV design. Other interesting bits included China’s BYD previewing its SEAL 6 DM-i TOURING Super Hybrid—set to be manufactured at their new Hungarian plant—and Leapmotor’s B05, along with Changan’s AVATR 07. The latter, by the way, was described by the company’s CEO as a “statement” of their ambitions, and features a UFO-inspired frontend that certainly grabs your attention. This entire wave of launches at IAA Mobility 2025 shows how, from the well-known European brands to rising Asian newcomers, everyone is stepping up their efforts to broaden their electric vehicle lineup. The focus isn’t just on luxury EVs with long ranges and quick-charging capabilities—like BMW’s iX3—but also includes more accessible, mass-market options like Volkswagen’s ID.CROSS and Polo models. Additionally, the landscape is being shaped by geopolitical factors—trade tariffs, shifts in regional demand, and strategic moves to localize production and sourcing of batteries—all aimed at reducing costs and making supply chains more resilient. For folks working in the industry—OEMs, distributors, logistics teams, and repair shops—this relentless move toward electrification means they need to adapt at every level. New electric platforms bring their own service challenges, parts supply issues, and training needs, while supply chain players must get ready for changing production locations and evolving customer demand. The influx of new models and tech showcased at IAA Mobility really underlines the opportunities, as well as the competitive pressures, that will shape the aftermarket’s future in our increasingly electrified automotive world. Source: Noah Wire Services