Here are some of the trending news topics in the automotive and mobility markets from around the world. We will be curating three interesting pieces of news from the automotive industry and providing insightful summaries to give our readers a better understanding of the latest developments in this field.

By presenting the most significant information in a concise and accessible format, we aim to provide an engaging and informative reading experience.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy learning about the exciting happenings in the world of automotive technology!

1. Renault Group and Valeo sign a partnership in Software Defined Vehicle development

Renault Group and Valeo announced on 5/23/2023 that they have entered into a partnership to develop the electrical and electronic architecture of Renault Group’s next generation vehicles. The Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture will be used throughout the vehicle lifecycle to It enables the integration of new functions without hardware changes, while always remaining up-to-date.

Through this partnership, Valeo will supply the Renault Group with the main electrical and electronic components of the SDV, including the high-performance computer (HPC). Valeo engineers will develop the software near the Renault Group’s sites, working with a team from the Renault software plant. In the future, the company will also provide in-vehicle application software, such as parking assistance.

With this new partnership, Renault Group aims to reduce the development time and cost of its electrical and electronic architecture while focusing on high performance, compatibility, and safety.

In addition to Google for OS, Cloud, and Digital Twin, and Qualcomm for Digital Chassis and System-on-a-Chip, this partnership with Valeo will enable the Renault Group to strengthen its control in the Software Defined Vehicle value chain The partnership with Valeo will enable the Renault Group to strengthen its control in the software-defined vehicle value chain.

2. Charge+が東南アジア全域全長5,000kmのEV充電ネットワーク計画を発表

Charge+, a Singapore-based EV charging solutions company, announced on 5/17/2023 plans to build a 5,000km EV charging network with 45 charging stations in 5 Southeast Asian countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam).

This charging network will be the longest in Southeast Asia and one of the longest in the world, with an average distance of approximately 120 km between charging stations. These charging stations will be located either directly on the highway or within 2 km of an interchange.

The announcement was made at the Future Mobility Asia Summit in Bangkok, where the partnership with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) was also announced. This will allow Charge+ to install charging stations on land in Thailand owned by EGAT. In addition, Charge+ app users will be able to access EGAT’s charging stations, simultaneously solving the problem of using multiple apps for EV charging.

Of the 45 planned stations, 18 confirmed stations will be owned and operated by Charge+. These will be ready by the end of 2024 and will be installed in cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi.

The remaining 27 stations will be completed by the end of 2025 and will consist of stations owned by Charge+ and other partners.

3. Jaguar Land Rover-owner to pick UK over Spain for giant car battery plant

Mr. Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of Indian automotive giant Tata Motors’ Tata Group, is expected to visit London soon to finalize a contract to build an EV battery plant of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in the UK.

Spain was also mentioned as a possible site, but JLR has reportedly decided to proceed with the project in that country due to subsidies and preferential treatment from the British government.

The project is expected to create up to 9,000 jobs in the vicinity of the Gravity Business Park in Somerset, which is adjacent to the M5 freeway and Bridgwater Bay, the proposed construction site.

The UK lags behind the US and the EU in expanding battery production, which is essential for promoting EVs, and the UK government has acknowledged the urgent need to manufacture EV car batteries in the UK to secure the future of the automotive industry.

Currently, only one plant is operating in the UK, adjacent to the Sunderland plant being jointly promoted by China’s Envision AESC and Nissan, and barely one plant is planned for Northumberland.

In contrast, 35 plants are in operation, under construction, or planned in the EU.