Renault Group-owned European car brand Dacia has launched what seems to be the world’s first Augmented Reality (AR) powered vehicle boot space organiser.

The ‘Dacia AR’ app allows customers to efficiently load and optimise their boot space. The company shared that the innovative tool helps users visualise exactly where to put everything from suitcases to surfboards. What’s more, in addition to the various items already listed on the tool, users can also add items themselves to reflect what they plan to store in the boot.

Dacia has also equipped the tool with different demo scenarios, including a camping trip, moving house, or holiday so that users can understand how best to optimise the space in their boot.

The European brand is currently present in 44 countries and has sold more than 9 million vehicles since 2004. 

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Shenzhen-headquartered smartphone and electronics brand Realme has inked a three-year strategic partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team.

As part of the understanding, the electronics company will introduce a co-branded mobile – the Realme GT 7 Dream Edition on 27 May in Paris, France. This smartphone will not only sport the flagship performance of the Realme GT series but also incorporate the iconic two-wing design and the custom Aston Martin Green. Furthermore, as part of this collaboration, the two parties plan to jointly develop two models annually.

Sky Li, CEO, Realme, said, “Collaborating with a legendary racing team like Aston Martin Aramco is a crucial step for us to push the boundaries of innovation. Only our most perfect products get the ‘scarab wings’ and take flight, so we are excited to use our new platform with the team to continue to bring stand-out designs and premium craftsmanship to users across the globe.”

Matt Chapman, Head of Licensing and Merchandise, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Realme to the team, with the launch of our first ever co-branded phone. The GT 7 Dream Edition combines high-performance with innovative design, and we look forward to working together on the collaboration of future models.”

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German commercial vehicle major Daimler Truck has announced the appointment of Raghavendra Vaidya as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Effective 1 June he will succeed Marcus Claesson to lead the company's IT, driving innovation and growth across the organisation.

At present, Vaidya serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) and is responsible for all IT operations in the country. He joined Daimler in 2016 as Senior Vice-President-IT at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI). In the past, he has held various leadership positions for several business divisions at General Electric. Interestingly, Vaidya will continue to be based out of Bengaluru but focus on the global scheme of things for Daimler Truck.

Andreas Gorbach, Member of the Board of Management for Truck Technology, said, “We are excited to welcome Raghavendra Vaidya to our Executive Team. In his previous role Raghavendra has built, strengthened and sharpened the Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) in Bangalore into an integral part of Daimler Truck for central functions, engineering and IT. With a career spanning over 25 years in various IT positions he brings a wealth of experience and know-how, strategic vision and leadership to his new role to lead our company into a rapidly evolving data-driven future.”

"I would like to thank Marcus for his contribution establishing our new IT set-up following the spin-off from the former Daimler AG. Marcus has managed an Herculean task to set up a stand-alone IT including major transformational moves and led vehicle connectivity across all brands worldwide surpassing the milestone of more than 1 million connected vehicles. We wish Marcus all the best for his future, and we are convinced that Raghavendra will build on this strong foundation," added Gorbach.

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Japanese automotive major Honda Motor Co, has announced a strategic realignment of its electrification roadmap, responding to evolving global market conditions and regulatory landscapes.

In a recent business briefing, Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President and Representative Executive Officer (Global CEO), emphasised on the company's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and zero traffic fatalities by 2050, while adapting to current challenges.

He reiterated that Honda's initial target to achieve 100 percent global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by 2040 remains unchanged. However, the company acknowledges a slower-than-anticipated adoption of EVs, particularly in the United States and Europe, due to relaxed environmental regulations and market uncertainties.

Conversely, hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) are experiencing increased demand, offering a practical solution for reducing CO2 emissions without the immediate need for extensive charging infrastructure.

Two-pronged strategy

To navigate these shifts, Honda has outlined two primary strategic directions:

• Enhancing EV and HEV Competitiveness: Honda aims to integrate intelligent technologies into its EV and HEV models, focusing on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and connected services to deliver new value to customers.

• Reassessing Powertrain Portfolio: The company plans to diversify its powertrain offerings, balancing the development of EVs, HEVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to meet varying regional demands and regulatory requirements.

Recognising the scale of investment required for electrification and intelligent technologies, Honda is exploring strategic partnerships, including ongoing discussions with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors. While a full business integration is not currently planned, these collaborations aim to strengthen shared technological capabilities and market presence.

The Japanese automaker which had announced an ambitious plan to invest 10 trillion YEN towards establishing a robust EV value chain, exemplified by its planned battery-focused project in Canada. Now, the company has revised the CAPEX to 7 trillion YEN till 31 March 2031.

“As for EVs, due to the recent market slowdown, our EV sales ratio in 2030 is now expected to fall below the previously announced target of 30 percent. On the other hand, the demand for HEV models is high. Therefore, we will position our HEVs, mostly next-generation HEV models which we will introduce in 2027 onward, as a group of products that will play a key role during the transition period towards the popularisation of EVs,” said Mibe.

The company targets total automobile sales volume of 3.6 million units, with a HEV sales target of 2.2 million units by 2030.  

Two-wheeler sales

Honda Motor Co. announced that its global two-wheeler sales reached a record 20.57 million units for the FY2025, capturing approximately 40 percent of the global two-wheeler market. The company set new all-time sales records in 37 countries and territories, reinforcing its leadership position in the two-wheeler segment.

Looking ahead, Honda expects continued growth in global motorcycle demand, particularly across the Global South, with India – a key market with a growing population and rising income levels – at the forefront. Industry-wide sales are projected to increase from the current 50 million units to approximately 60 million by 2030.

To capitalise on this growth, Honda plans to introduce a broader range of two-wheelers tailored to the varied needs of global customers. It will also optimise its supply chain to ensure more efficient delivery of both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric models.

As part of its commitment to environmental leadership, Honda is accelerating the electrification of its motorcycle lineup. This includes improving fuel efficiency in ICE models and expanding its range of flex-fuel compatible options.

In early 2025, Honda launched the Active e: and QC1 electric models in India. The CUV e: and ICON e:, designed as global electric commuter models, have already rolled out in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, with plans to expand to Europe and Japan later this year.

In a major strategic move, Honda will begin production of electric motorcycles at a dedicated, high-efficiency plant in India starting in 2028. This facility will focus on modularised models developed exclusively for electric platforms, aiming to boost affordability and scalability in electric two-wheelers.

Through these initiatives, Honda aims to broaden access to electric motorcycles, ultimately targeting the top position in the global electric motorcycle market.

By continuing to launch competitive products and strengthening its supply chain for both ICE and electric vehicles, Honda is positioning itself for long-term profitability. The company aims to achieve a 50 percent global market share and a return on sales (ROS) exceeding 15 percent by fiscal year 2031.

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ASPIRE, the program management arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has officially announced the return of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), set to take place on 15 November 2025, at Yas Marina Circuit. The second edition of the world-leading autonomous racing competition will feature an expanded global field, an upgraded racecar and a newly launched virtual racing series, with a total prize pool of USD 2.25 million.

The announcement was made during the Make it in the Emirates Forum, underscoring the UAE’s growing stature in advanced mobility and AI-driven innovation. It builds on the success of its debut in April 2024 – which attracted over 10,000 spectators and more than one million global livestream viewers.

A key highlight of the new season is the introduction of A2RL SIM-Sprint, a year-round virtual competition that will allow teams to refine their algorithms and test autonomous driving systems in simulated environments. This extension of the league offers a controlled, repeatable platform to accelerate AI development, particularly in dealing with ‘edge cases’ – rare scenarios that are difficult to replicate in real-world racing.

Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, said, “By combining the physical thrill of racing with the precision of virtual testing, we’re enabling the world’s best minds to push the boundaries of AI. This year’s expanded league reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to challenge-driven innovation, where real-world impact is engineered at speed and scale.”

At the heart of the competition is the EAV-24, an upgraded autonomous racecar built on the Super Formula SF23 platform. Developed and autonomised entirely in the UAE, the vehicle showcases the country’s advancing capabilities in AI, robotics and high-performance engineering. The EAV-24 boasts enhanced sensors, improved computing systems and sophisticated control logic to handle the extreme demands of autonomous racing.

H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary General of ATRC, said, “With A2RL, we’re not just testing autonomous technology, we’re accelerating its evolution in the most demanding conditions possible. It’s a showcase of engineering excellence, but more importantly, a platform for the future of mobility. From high-speed racing to real-world applications, we are demonstrating what’s possible when nations invest in deep tech innovation and challenge the world to think faster, build smarter and compete responsibly.”

The 2025 league will feature elite university and research teams from 10 countries, including newcomers France and Japan. Returning participants from the USA, Germany, China, Singapore, Italy and the UAE round out a field representing the forefront of autonomous systems research.

In addition to showcasing cutting-edge engineering, A2RL aims to democratise innovation in mobility. The SIM-Sprint platform is expected to open to a broader community in the future, offering a structured pathway from entry-level simulation to real-world racing. Aspiring developers, fans, and independent teams will be able to join the journey through a tiered system – Sim Academy, Sim Pro, and A2RL qualification rounds.

Each team will race using the Dallara Super Formula SF23 chassis, considered the world’s fastest open-wheel race car after Formula One. Built with sustainable bio-composites and capable of speeds up to 300 kmph, the SF23 is equipped with advanced braking, drive-by-wire throttle and a custom-built autonomous software stack.

A2RL continues to position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in the future of mobility, where high-performance engineering and AI converge in a real-world testbed of unprecedented scale.

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