Just four months after a celebratory opening, the USD 5.8 billion BlueOval SK battery plant has hit a dramatic standstill. The facility, a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and South Korea’s SK On, is now sitting idle, leaving approximately 1,600 workers jobless and sparking a heated political debate over the future of American manufacturing stated news reports.

The 1,500-acre site was positioned in mid-2025 as the crown jewel of Kentucky's economic development, promised to be a ‘lifeline’ for the region's workforce. However, by December, the optimism vanished as Ford and SK On dissolved their partnership. Ford has confirmed the plant will remain idle for roughly 18 months as it undergoes a total strategic pivot.

Rather than powering the next generation of electric cars and trucks, the facility is being retooled to produce battery energy storage systems (BESS). These industrial-sized batteries are intended for power grids, data centres and commercial utilities.

Ford executives cited a ‘harsh operating reality’ for the pause, specifically:

• Slowing Demand: US EV sales projections for 2030 have been slashed from 45 percent of the market to as low as 9 percent.
• Regulatory Shifts: The administration has moved to rescind federal EV tax credits of up to USD 7,500, which many argue has cooled consumer interest.
• Supply Chain Pressures: New requirements for 100 percent US-made components for charging infrastructure have further complicated the transition.

The shutdown has become a lightning rod for political finger-pointing. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has blamed federal policy shifts – specifically the rollback of EV incentives – for draining the market momentum that justified the plant's massive scale.

Conversely, some industry critics and workers, like maintenance technician Joe Morgan, suggest the failure also lies in corporate strategy, arguing that Ford may have overestimated the public's immediate appetite for all-electric versions of flagship models like the F-150.

Image credit: Ford Motor Co

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Green SM, the electric vehicle ride-hailing service company of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has officially launched Green SM Limo service in New Delhi, marking its strategic entry into the Indian market.

India represents the company's fifth international territory, following active deployments in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Rao Narbir Singh, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Environment, Forest & Wildlife, Foreign Cooperation, and Sainik & Ardh Sainik Welfare for the Government of Haryana and Dr. Virinder Sharma, Vice-President of the Commission for Air Quality Management. Representatives from the Embassy of Vietnam in India and various strategic industrial sectors were also present.

In its initial phase, Green SM Limo will operate exclusively within key areas of the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), with plans to scale service coverage incrementally in response to consumer demand. The service features a specialised, single-model electric fleet tailored for premium passenger transport.

The fleet consists entirely of the VinFast Limo Green, a fully electric, 7-seater SUV that produces zero tailpipe emissions. To optimise passenger comfort during business commutes, family trips, or airport transfers, each vehicle is stocked with complimentary drinking water, wet tissues and essential travel amenities. Vehicles are integrated with a proprietary Secure-to-Safe system, which features interior and exterior monitoring cameras, AI-powered driving assists and dedicated emergency support buttons accessible by both the driver and passengers.

Operating under the core service commitment of ‘Ride 5 Star,’ Green SM Limo utilises a team of professionally trained ‘Green Drivers’ instructed in specialised electric vehicle mechanics, defensive driving and hospitality workflows.

Passengers within the active Delhi NCR zones can secure rides through three primary channels:

• The Green SM mobile application (available on the iOS App Store and Google Play).
• A dedicated telephone service hotline.
• Direct street-hailing within valid Green SM operating parameters.

To celebrate its market entry, Green SM is offering a 50 percent discount (up to INR 250) for all rides booked via its official app from 5 June to 11 June 2026.

Coinciding with the brand launch, Green SM inducted five local Indian partners spanning the mobility, travel, technology and service sectors into its Green Alliance Frontier. This global platform is designed to connect eco-conscious commercial enterprises to encourage collaborative cross-market innovation and accelerate localized green transformations.

Nguyen Van Thanh, Global CEO, GSM, said, “India is one of the most important mobility markets in the world. Its scale, rapid growth, and strong spirit of innovation are opening up many opportunities for the future of green transportation. We come to India with respect for the market, confidence in its long-term potential, and a commitment to working closely with local partners. Green SM hopes to bring high-quality fully electric rides to customers, while contributing to broader access to safe, reliable, and more sustainable mobility choices."

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced a national partnership with Animation Express for the multi-city Anime India 2026 convention series.

The collaboration is designed to deepen the automaker's brand engagement with Gen Z and millennial demographics by blending automotive showcases with contemporary pop culture.

The partnership will officially kick off with the Delhi edition of the convention, scheduled for 6-7 June 2026, at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi. As one of the country's leading ticketed anime conventions – having drawn over 60,000 attendees across its last two iterations – the event celebrates licensed anime, manga, gaming and Japanese pop culture.

The event will see a live performance by popular Japanese musical artist Yurika and a highly anticipated first appearance in India by veteran Japanese voice actor Inoue Kazuhiko, globally recognised for voicing the character Kakashi in the hit anime series Naruto.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor will deploy an immersive on-ground experiential showcase featuring interactive customer touchpoints and themed vehicle wraps. Toyota will exhibit three of its popular passenger models across the venue: Urban Cruiser Hyryder (Flagship Booth), Toyota Glanza and Urban Cruiser Taisor.

To directly appeal to convention attendees, all three display cars will feature custom exterior wraps inspired by the globally renowned anime franchise 'Attack on Titan'. The flagship Hyryder booth will also drive community engagement through gamified activations, including a stamp rally, a spin-the-wheel game, and a live quiz competition.

Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice-President of Sales-Service-Used Car Business at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Anime India offers a unique platform to connect with a highly passionate community that strongly identifies with creativity, self-expression and contemporary pop culture. As an innovative, new-age format, Anime India presents an exciting opportunity to engage meaningfully with the Gen Z audiences. Through this partnership, we aim to further position Toyota as an exciting brand that resonates with younger customers by creating engaging and culturally relevant experiences."

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Caterham has announced the appointment of three new official retailers across Europe, strengthening the brand’s presence in key markets. Caterham Noville in Switzerland, Caterham Barcelona in Spain and Caterham Colmar in France will bring the iconic Seven model closer to driving enthusiasts in their respective regions.

In Switzerland, Caterham Noville joins the Leuba Collection, an organisation known for its dedication to automotive excellence and heritage. Kevin Duffournet, Head of the Collection, will lead his team in providing Swiss customers with expert guidance on the Caterham range along with dedicated aftersales support.

The Spanish expansion sees Hirundo Motors, the team behind Caterham Madrid, launch Caterham Barcelona under CEO Bernardo Bello. The new Catalan showroom aims to grow the Seven’s presence in Spain, deliver the brand’s pure and simple driving experience and serve existing owners with aftersales support.

Meanwhile, France gains Caterham Colmar in the Alsace region, managed by Julien Paques of PJ Sportscars. Leveraging his specialist automotive experience, Paques and his team are well positioned to deliver the pure driving experience for which Caterham is renowned.

Olivier Jouanne, European Territory Manager, Caterham, said, "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Caterham Noville, Caterham Barcelona and Caterham Colmar to our European retail network. Europe continues to be a crucially important market for the brand. By partnering with experienced and highly passionate individuals like Kevin, Bernardo and Julien, we can ensure that our customers receive the exceptional service, expertise and enthusiasm they expect when purchasing a Seven."

Kevin Duffournet, Head of the Leuba Collection (Caterham Noville), said, "We are proud to welcome Caterham within Leuba Collection in Noville and to officially represent such an iconic and authentic British sports car brand in Switzerland. In an increasingly digital automotive world, Caterham remains one of the last brands delivering a truly raw and mechanical driving experience. Our ambition is to develop the brand in Switzerland through a premium customer experience, exclusive events and a true community of driving enthusiasts.

Bernardo Bello, CEO, Hirundo Motors (Caterham Barcelona), said, “After three years operating from Madrid, we are delighted to expand the Caterham brand presence in Spain, starting with Barcelona because of the passion and support from all the Caterham lovers in Spain since we are back in 2023. With this opening, we will be able to offer customers in the Cataluña region comprehensive sales and authorised service together with motorsport and track events. We aim to keep growing our community in Spain by enabling more car lovers the thrill of driving a Caterham and feel first-hand what is like to feel something so pure, simple and fun.”

Julien Paques, Managing Director, PJ Sportscars (Caterham Colmar), said, "We are particularly proud and thrilled to officially represent the Caterham brand in Eastern France and to offer our customers a comprehensive experience, from vehicle sales to authorised after-sales service. Our ambition is to expand Caterham's footprint nationwide – both within our dealership and during enthusiast gatherings, track days or motorsport events. We look forward to sharing with the brand’s enthusiasts the pure joy of driving that makes Caterham legendary."

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Haryana-based Victura Technologies (formerly Victora Auto), an automotive component supplier, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Vineet Sahni as the new CEO.

Sahni, an automotive industry veteran, comes with over 25-years of experience across companies. In his last stint, he was the CEO and Director at FIEM Industries, where he led the company for over three years from May 2023.

He had started his career in September 1999 as Head of Business Development at erstwhile Schefenacker Motherson (now Samvardhana Motherson), before joining Minda Industries in November 2011, where he is credited with scaling up the lighting division business from USD 4 million to USD 60 million in a matter of six years.

Sahni then moved to Varroc Engineering in December 2011 as Director and President, before joining Lumax Industries in May 2013 as CEO, spending close to a decade at the company.

In his new role at Victura Technologies, Sahni will be responsible for leading 20 manufacturing facilities spread across India. The Group provides complete engineering solutions in sheet metal stamping, tube & wire bending, forging, machining, aluminium casting, investment casting, laser cutting and laser welding for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, electric vehicles, off-road vehicles and trucks. For FY2025, the Victura Group reported revenue of INR 80 billion.

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