Global automotive industry news, data and analysis

Suzuki, connected car, GM investments- the week

Future-new models-r-us - this week a brand I have long like (since 1970s I3, two stroke air cooled motocycling days thru the rear engine, I3, two-stroke/I4 four-stroke kei cars, Alto, Swift [aka Holden Barina/Geo Metro et al to the latest, re-badged-for-Europe Toyota RAV4/Corolla Tourer-based Across and Swace hybrids). It wasn't a great first half of the year for Suzuki Motor Corporation and Maruti Suzuki alike, Japan and India having been hit very hard by the coronavirus crisis. Still, not being a major brand in Europe and tiny in both China and the Americas at least means that SMC didn't suffer too badly outside its two big markets. Now, growth is resuming and new models are starting to appear.

RESEARCH SNAPSHOT - Taking the long view on hydrogen vehicles

Cast your mind back a decade or so ago and you’ll recall how hydrogen was among a number of promising alternative fuel candidates to replace petrol, compressed natural gas, bio-diesel and even battery-electric power. For a variety of reasons, however, demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has gradually increased to the point where every carmaker is investing heavily in them. Continuing just-auto/AIC’s series of research snapshots, we take a look at how hydrogen can play a role as a viable fuel in the future across the automotive industry alongside BEVs.