MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An 18-year-old has been charged in a string of aggravated assaults and auto burglaries across Shelby County on April 16 and 17.
R’Shunio Greer was identified by a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office task force as one of three to four suspects who were pulling up to homes in a stolen car and burglarizing vehicles while pointing weapons at the houses.
The incidents happened in both the north and south ends of the county, the sheriff’s office said.
Greer was arrested Friday after law enforcement agencies including the ATF and the Metro Gang Unit served a search warrant in the 1200 block of Quail Ridge Lane near the Memphis airport.
Detectives say they found six firearms including a Glock with an automatic switch, plus four key programmers and drugs.
Greer is charged with three counts of aggravated assault, theft of property $60,000-250,000, motor vehicle burglary, six counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a machine gun, drugs and key programmers.
"It’s like a Grand Theft Auto video game is the best I can compare this enterprise to."
That's how Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel described the crimes a "prolific" auto-theft ring that the Troy Police Department said has been wreaking havoc across Southeast Michigan and border states since last August.
AG Dana Nessel & police speak on bust of Troy car theft ring
VIDEO: AG Dana Nessel & police speak on bust of Troy car theft ring
The ring is believed to be responsible for over 400 cars being stolen and worth approximately $8 million.
Executive Director of Detroit Auto Dealers Association, Rod Alberts said, "I’ve been doing this job for 30 years now, and in my time I’ve never seen such bold and brazen thefts from new car auto dealerships."
Six of the crime ring leaders were arrested Wednesday, all of them young, in their late teens to early 20s.
Law enforcement said they believe there to be possibly 20 suspects still on our streets, the youngest of which they said is just 11 years old.
Nessel said the cars stolen are, "Sold at a dramatic fraction of their true value, sometimes a couple thousand dollars for a brand new $60,000, $70,000, or $80,000 vehicle."
The cars were stolen from pedestrians and dealerships.
How?
Law enforcement showed us a "pro-pad" that they said was supposed to be used by a locksmith, but the thieves were using it to re-program the cars' electrical systems.
They said the thieves would program their own key fob to open and start the car, which allowed them to steal the car and then the owner of the car's key fob no longer worked.
Among the many local dealerships hit by the thieves was the Bob Maxey Dealership in Detroit.
They gave us the video above of the thieves breaking in saying the impact was devastating, they were hit 5 times this winter, and the thieves stole a total of 20 cars from them.
When asked how that affected the business financially, Robert Maxey the general sales manager said, "You can’t put a number on it."
Maxey shared that their dealership garage doors and windows were destroyed, cars customers waited nearly a year for were gone overnight.
He, as well as hundreds of others in our communities, looks forward to the day the rest of the suspects are arrested.
"I hope that it can continue going on so this stops all over the place," said Maxey. "I know countless other dealerships affected as well."
Attorney General Dana Nessel had a message for the other suspects still out there.
Thursday she said, "We know who you are, we know where you’ve been and what you’ve done, and we’re coming for you next."
In Take-Two’s Q4 2024 earnings report, the company stated when gamers can expect the next entry in the GTA series. What was previously a nebulous calendar year 2025 for Grand Theft Auto VI is now a more specific but still a bit vague “fall 2025.”
As we enter Fiscal 2025 with positive momentum, we expect to deliver Net Bookings of $5.55 to $5.65 billion. Our outlook reflects a narrowing of Rockstar Games’ previously established window of Calendar 2025 to Fall of Calendar 2025 for Grand Theft Auto VI. We are highly confident that Rockstar Games will deliver an unparalleled entertainment experience, and our expectations for the commercial impact of the title continue to increase.
In other GTA-related news, the company reported that GTA V has sold 200 million copies: a staggering feat, making the game the second bestselling title of all time but still 100 million copies short of the number one entry, Minecraft.
Other than a trailer (which unfortunately leaked early), Rockstar hasn’t shared more details about the most anticipated game release this decade. There are also rumors that the studio is planning a PC launch of the original Red Dead Redemption, but so far, there’s no word on that, either.
State and local police have cracked an auto theft ring that stole over 400 cars over the last year, including hundreds of new vehicles from factory and dealership lots, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday.
Dozens of detectives from a score of police departments and the Michigan State Police took part in the investigation that resulted in six arrests on Wednesday, while police seek two more suspects in the ring that operated across metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ohio, Nessel said.
The thieves used computerized devices to reprogram key fobs, allowing them to enter new cars, and they displayed violence usually not linked to car thefts, often putting security guards’ safety at risk, Nessel said.
“People were literally shooting at police officers through the windows of these cars, and ramming security vehicles. These are not victimless crimes,” she said.
“It’s been like a Grand Theft Auto video game,” except that more than $30 million in vehicles were stolen and few have been recovered, she said.
Nessel spoke at a news conference in Troy, at the city’s training facility for firefighters, as a convenience for appearances by the Troy police detectives, who began the investigation in August. They then brought their findings to the attorney general’s staff in March, she said, thanking Troy’s officers “for starting this extremely important investigation.”
Thieves sold the cars for “pennies on the dollar,” typically netting a few thousand dollars for vehicles with sticker prices of $60,000 to $80,000, Nessel said.
On a table in front of her were items seized on Wednesday from the six men arrested, including a pile of $100 bills, nine firearms, dozens of key fobs set to be reprogrammed, and the reprogramming devices, called “Pro-pads.”
Those arrested — from Detroit, Troy, and Wixom — are being held behind bars in Oakland County while awaiting arraignments on Friday, Assistant Attorney General Eric Sterbis said.
Along with other charges, each will face two charges that are far more serious than merely auto theft. They two are both 20-year felonies: conducting a criminal enterprise; and use of a computer to commit a crime.
The suspects' names are being withheld until their arraignments. The youngest, an 18-year-old from Troy, already has a long criminal history.
“We’ve been watching him since he was 14,” when the teen drove off in his first stolen car, said a Troy officer, who asked that his name not be published.
Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, said more than two dozen dealers lost new cars to the ring.
“We had one dealer lose nine cars in one night,” Alberts said.
Nessel said her department and the officers involved in the investigation hope to track down those who bought the stolen cars “and hold them accountable,” although that will be difficult. Some of the cars have been “chopped” for parts while others were found abandoned, and police think that some were shipped overseas. Her additional hope, she said, is that Michigan will join 13 other states that require strict licensing for those who possess the devices used to reprogram key fobs, which should be in the hands only of dealership technicians and locksmiths, she said.
A bill to update Michigan law governing the devices is in the state Legislature.
“With the vehicles’ advance in technology, we need the law to catch up,” she said.
BALTIMORE -- The alarming trend of juveniles stealing Hyundais and Kias continues, this time in Harford County.
The Harford County Sheriff tells WJZ his deputies arrested five teens recently after two separate auto thefts.
The agency is seeing an uptick in auto thefts.
At this time last year, they had 38. They've already had 69 this year.
"I came to the scene and it was just total devastation," Ken Sorensen, who runs the Harford County Scanner Facebook page said.
Ken Sorensen, who runs the Harford County Scanner Facebook page shot video of a crash caused by one of the allegedly stolen cars, which was a Hyundai.
The crash happened May 11 at the intersection of Route 40 and Joppa Farm Road. The car entered the intersection, hitting another car, injuring the driver.
"It's sad that stuff like this happens, especially with young kids throwing their lives away," Sorensen said.
After the crash, deputies arrested three juveniles and found a gun and a bb gun at the scene.
"People think, 'Oh okay, somebody's insurance is just gonna pay for it,' but there's a potential for harm," Harford County Sheriff's Office Col. William Davis said.
Just a day earlier, deputies spotted a stolen Kia with two teens in it on Harford Square Road in Edgewood.
Investigators say a 13-year-old was behind the wheel.
The suspects drove off, eventually bailing out of the car about seven miles away in Belcamp where they were arrested. Drugs and two bullets were found at the scene.
"These are kids driving cars -- 13 years old," Col. Davis said. "There's no driving training and they're out there driving."
Col. William Davis doesn't believe these two incidents are connected, but the five juveniles arrested were from Baltimore City and County.
Three of them were eventually released to their parents.
He says deputies are doing everything they can to make arrests, but they're still seeing a sharp increase in juvenile auto thefts.
"Until the legislature fixes it and there's consequences for their actions, it's not going to slow down," Col. Davis said.
Harford County Deputies remind Kia and Hyundai owners that there are a number of things they can do to prevent auto thefts, including making sure their cars are locked, and getting a steering wheel lock.
Google just announced at an update coming to Android for Cars that should make paying attention to the road just a tiny bit harder. The automobile-based OS is getting new apps, screen casting and more, which were revealed at Google I/O 2024.
First up, select car models are getting a suite of new entertainment apps, like Max and Peacock. The apps are coming to car models with Google built-in that support video, including Polestar, Volvo and Renault. More entertainment options are never a bad thing.
To that end, Angry Birds is coming to cars with Google built-in, for those who want another game to fool around with. The once-iconic bird-flinging simulator is likely the best known gaming IP on the platform, as Android Auto’s other games include stuff like Pin the UFO and Zoo Boom. Both Angry Birds and the aforementioned entertainment options are only available when parked.
Cars with Android Automotive OS are getting Google Cast as part of a forthcoming update, which will let users stream content from phones and tablets. Rivian models will be the first to get this particular feature, with more manufacturers to come.
Google’s also rolling out new developer tools to make it easier for folks to create new apps and experiences for Android Auto. There’s even a new program that should make it much easier to convert pre-existing mobile apps into car-ready experiences.
Android Automotive OS is becoming the de facto standard when it comes to car-based operating systems. Google also used the event to announce that there are now over 200 million cars on the road compatible with the OS. Recent updates to the platform allow users to instantly check on EV battery levels and take Zoom calls while on the road.
Catch up on all the news from Google I/O 2024 righthere!
AI race cars get lost around a known track with controlled factors. The future is here!
If AI is going to get good at driving cars, flying planes, and long-haul trucking, it will have to learn to go around a set track quickly and to pass other vehicles. This video proves that fleets of utopian AI cars making our streets safer, instantly causing traffic problems to disappear, and returning so much real estate wasted on parking, fueling, and maintaining vehicles that even housing becomes plentiful is not coming soon.
How long did these teams have to prepare for this specific track? This is spectacular in its unimpressiveness!
Shares of Li Auto(NASDAQ: LI) have been under pressure following a string of weaker-than-expected updates from the Chinese electric vehicle maker.
Deliveries in recent months have disappointed and the company has also moved to cut prices across its lineup following the steps of EV rivals in China. These headlines highlight a challenging industry backdrop with many moving parts.
That being said, there are reasons for investors to look up. Company fundamentals are positive with optimism that the launch of Li Auto's Li L6 model may drive a new wave of growth.
Could this EV leader be a good addition to your portfolio? Here's what you need to know.
Why is Li Auto down 30% year to date?
Li Auto stands with a focus on the premium and luxury segment of electric vehicles, integrating the latest technology and even autonomous driving systems.
For Q1, deliveries totaled 80,400, up 52.9% year over year. While an impressive figure, the result fell short of the company's original guidance, closer to 100k vehicles.
The company has cited "lower-than-expected order intake" for the company's first all-battery electric vehicle (BEV) MEGA model. This new platform marked a departure from the core extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) hybrid technology utilized in the company's other models.
That trend has continued into Q2 with the company reporting 25,787 deliveries in April up just 0.4% from a year ago and down 12% from 28,984 in March.
Li Auto CEO Li Xiang has acknowledged expectations for the BEV opportunity were too high and now wants to refocus the strategy on sustainable growth.
That effort has also included price cuts of around 5% amid an ongoing industry "price war". Companies like Tesla, BYD Auto, NIO, and XPeng have all announced similar pricing adjustments in China as a response to what is seen as a supply glut and intense competition.
Overall, these developments help explain the poor performance of the stock this year.
Li Auto fundamentals remain positive
Despite the series of setbacks this year, investors should consider the big picture.
Li Auto is coming off a record year that has left a high benchmark for comparison. The company delivered 376k vehicles in 2023, up a very strong 182% from 2022.
The initial rollout of the MEGA model may have disappointed, but that doesn't diminish the success of the company's other models including the L7, L8, and L9 which together are the best-selling EREVs in China.
2023 revenue reached RMB 123.9 billion ($17.4 billion), increasing by 173% year over year, benefiting from an integrated business model that includes 467 retail stores and 360 service centers across the country.
Keep in mind that Li Auto is profitable, posting a net income of RMB 11.8 billion ($1.7 billion) over the past year. With a net cash position of more than RMB 79 billion ($11 billion), the balance sheet also represents a strong point in the company's investment profile.
Image source: Getty Images.
Can Li Auto stage a comeback?
The first step for Li Auto to get back on track in 2024 will be to demonstrate that sales have stabilized and can climb again.
The good news is that the latest Li L6 model is seen as a game changer. This five-seat premium SUV is positioned as a more economical option with a base trim starting price of RMB 249,800 (~$34,500) appealing to more buyers. Indications suggest initial orders have been strong with deliveries ramping up this month.
It's also encouraging that macro data out of China has been improving. A recovery in consumer demand could be a tailwind for the broader EV market Li Auto is well-positioned to benefit from.
Is Li Auto a buy today?
Li Auto's upcoming first-quarter earnings report is set to be released on May 20. A strong report with positive guidance could set the stage for shares to rally.
In terms of valuation, Li Auto is trading at approximately 19.5 times forward earnings according to an average of Wall Street estimates. That level is compelling for an industry leader with a growth runway ahead.
Considering the sharp sell-off in recent weeks, the opportunity now is to pick up shares at a discount. It likely won't be a straight line higher, but I expect Li Auto to deliver positive returns over a long-term time horizon.
Should you invest $1,000 in Li Auto right now?
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More than a dozen Southern California residents are reported to have conspired to create fraudulent insurance claims to illegally collect more than $350,000.
They were arrested last week after an investigation reportedly discovered a large-scale organized auto insurance fraud ring engaged in multiple schemes, including holding vehicles hostage and collusive collisions.
Three additional people were charged for their alleged involvement in the organized ring. The charges involve 19 fraudulent claims resulting in a loss of $353,035.
The Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Task Force began an investigation in 2022 after reportedly discovering a California Highway Patrol non-sworn employee, Rosa Isela Santistevan, 55, of Irvine, was unlawfully selling traffic collision report face pages with personal information of people who had been involved in collisions throughout the region.
Searches reportedly led to the seizure of more than 3,500 CHP traffic collision report face pages from the residence of Esmeralda Parga, 26, of Pomona, who the task force determined was connected to Santistevan through the organized ring’s ringleader, Andre Angelo Reyes, 36, of Corona.
The alleged conspiracy began after Reyes befriended Santistevan and other CHP employees by donating to various CHP events and parties. Santistevan printed and unlawfully sold thousands of traffic collision face pages to Reyes, who reportedly would then provide the reports to Parga. Parga would then pretend to be from the insurance company of involved parties and coordinate having the vehicle towed to a repair center, according to investigators.
Tow trucks were then sent to pick up the vehicles and take them to CA Collision, owned by Anthony Gomez, 35, of Jurupa Valley. Once at there, the repair shop held the vehicle hostage and demand cash payment from the insurers to have the vehicles released.
This investigation resulted in 15 suspects being charged with insurance fraud, grand theft by trick, and false impersonation.
The investigating task force included the California Department of Insurance, California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
A clerk at a Miami auto tag agency was arrested after the bust of a high-end chop shop uncovered a more than $3.3 million title fraud scheme, authorities said.
Katherine M. Vera Moran, 27, was arrested on 18 counts each of title fraud and official misconduct, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said Tuesday.
The investigation into Vera Moran dates back to January, when Doral Police officers investigating a stolen car found it pinging inside the bay of a local auto shop.
Miami-Dade Corrections
Katherine M. Vera Moran
Officers executed a search warrant at the shop and discovered three stolen vehicles, including a 2022 Lamborghini Urus, a 2023 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, and a 2021 Mercedes-Benz G550, officials said. Also found were two fraudulent VIN plates.
The owner of the garage was arrested for operating a chop shop, and after he was questioned, authorities learned of Vera Moran and her role as a clerk at a tag agency in Miami.
Authorities discovered Vera Moran was paid an extra $800-1,000 for each fraudulent title transaction, accepting cash or Cash App payments before forging the titles and tax documents on stolen vehicles.
To pull off the scheme, Vera Moran would manipulate VINs associated with total loss vehicles by transferring them to the stolen vehicles, officials said.
A total of 18 vehicles were recovered and/or positively identified with altered VINs, 12 of which were confirmed to be stolen, authorities said.
“A car could’ve been stolen in Broward County, brought to the chop shop in Doral, these individuals would re-VIN the vehicle, create fictitious paperwork, present it to Ms. Moran at the title agency in the city of Miami, Moran would issue them false paperwork, register the vehicles for use in the Florida databases, collect $800 to $1,000 per vehicle that was presented to her, cash app, Zelle, or other means, and that’s how this thing kept happening, over and over, it happened 18 times," Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez said.
The approximate total value of stolen vehicles recovered and identified was $3,385,000, all of which were processed by Vera Moran, prosecutors said.
"Fraudulent title transfers not only deceive the system but inflict profound harm on victims who suffer the loss of property and insurance companies who are forced to cover theft claims," Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement. "Such crimes can have a lasting and detrimental impact on our community, costing the hardworking citizens of Miami-Dade County by driving up car insurance premiums."
Records showed Vera Moran was booked into jail on Monday. She appeared in court Tuesday where a Miami-Dade judge set her bond at $50,000.
FOX Business' Jeff Flock reports on the 33% rise in auto repair costs across the past four years.
There's no such thing as a tiny repair anymore, thanks to skyrocketing auto repair costs and more complicated cars.
Translation: A small fender bender could mean hundreds or even thousands out of pocket just to get back on the road again.
Data shows the average cost of repairs for gas-powered vehicles comes in at a whopping $4,696, with repair costs for electric vehicles edging out that expense at an average cost of $6,018.
While inflation is partially to blame, increasingly complex vehicles hitting the road poses another issue.
Various car parts and accessories. Auto repairs are becoming more expensive thanks to inflation and increasingly complex vehicles.(istock / iStock)
"This is a sensor that goes behind the bumper in front and detects a possible collision," Andrey Shumylo, owner of Shums Auto Repair in the Philadelphia suburbs, said as he showed FOX Business' Jeff Flock an automotive part taken from a vehicle inside his shop.
Shumylo said the driver came in after his car was "bumped" and the dashboard alerted him that the collision warning system needed to be serviced.
FOX Business' Jeff Flock and Andrey Shumylo, owner of Shums Auto Repair, discuss a car sensor that could cost a vehicle owner $900 plus the installation cost to repair.(FOX Business/Varney & Co. / Fox News)
"When we scan the codes, it was saying that the sensor went bad," he explained. "The sensor actually says it right on its side… so this could be damaged by not just physical damage, but just bumping."
The cost of the part alone is $900. Combine that with installation costs, and you could be forking over $500 or $600 extra, according to Shumylo.
Average repair prices for electric vehicles outpaced the average cost for gas-powered alternatives.(Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images / Getty Images)
"Every year, cars get more complicated. We want more creature comforts. We also want more safety, so all these systems are being added, and technicians need to be able to work on those systems, program computers, figure out complicated electrical issues," he said.
"These things get tight under the hood, so, the bigger the engine, the less room you have to work on it, so it takes longer."
An affordable and easy way to add an Android Auto display to your car. This device comes in at 10 inches and also has a dash cam on the front. Furthermore, you also get support for Apple CarPlay. Right now, it can be had for just $35.
For the most part, head units for cars are boring and often underpowered. You're either often going to get a stale experience or software that will never see an update in its lifetime unless there's some kind of major defect. With that said, some head units toss out a lifeline in these dire situations with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. And well, if you're one of those souls that doesn't have that option, things can get pretty pricey if you're looking to upgrade.
Luckily, we've managed to find a really affordable option if you're trying to get Android Auto in your car. This 10-inch display is just the thing you need, with support for wireless Android Auto and CarPlay connectivity. Furthermore, it also comes with a dash cam built in and 64GB microSD card to record all your travels. Best of all, this device is just $35 for a limited time when you clip the digital coupon before checkout, making it an absolute steal right now at 50% off.
What's great about this 10-inch Android Auto display?
Having a connected display in your car is one of the best upgrades you can make. It enhances the way you travel and can even make your journeys safer by providing conditions of the road and even accident reports. The display is large enough to show everything you need but not be distracting. Furthermore, it connects to your compatible device wirelessly, making it a seamless experience on the go.
As stated before, you get a 10.26-inch screen, and it also has a 2.5K dash cam on the front that can record your trips. With Android Auto and CarPlay, you'll gain access to some of the best apps on each platform, like Google Maps, Spotify, Waze, YouTube, and more. What's great is that you can broadcast audio from the screen to your head unit using Bluetooth or an FM transmitter.
Naturally, the former is going to create the best connection, but if your head unit is an older model, then FM transmission is going to be available as well. Or if neither of those are an option, you can also use the built-in speaker for audio too. When it comes to warranty, the brand offers a full year, and for peace of mind, you'll have the option of returning it within 30 days. So try it out, and upgrade your driving experience on the cheap.
As shoppers increasingly purchase auto parts from third-party online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay, retailers and eCommerce merchants specializing in the category are seeing sales declines.
In Q1 of this year, CarParts.com’s net sales dropped 5% year over year, and the company’s net loss of $6.5 million marked a significant drop from the $1.1 million net income in the same quarter last year.
Similarly, in its most recent earnings report in February, discussing Q4 2023 results, Advanced Auto Parts reported a decline in comparable stores sales.
The study, which estimated Amazon and Walmart’s market shares in various categories based on years of earnings reports in conjunction with national data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis, found that, as of Q4 2023, Amazon held a 12.1% share of consumer spending on car parts, up from 11.1% the year before. For the full year 2023, the company’s share amounted to 9.6%, significantly higher than its 7.1% share pre-pandemic in 2019.
Across retail industries, Amazon is making it harder and harder for specialty players to hold their own. Take music: Sam Ash recently announced it is closing all its stores, as consumers increasingly purchase hobby-related products via Amazon. Plus, in 2020, even as consumers were buying more musical instruments, Guitar Center went bankrupt.
Then there’s the craft supplies retail industry. Joann announced Thursday (April 25) its emergence from bankruptcy, keeping its stores open, now to operate as a privately-owned company. The company has been operating at a significant loss, as Amazon has been gaining share of consumers’ sporting goods, hobby, music and book retail spending.
Regarding the auto parts industry, Amazon is not the only eCommerce marketplace growing its presence in the category. eBay, too, has a growing car parts business.
“To date, we have enhanced eligible auto parts with approximately 5 billion pieces of incremental fitment data and we’ve continued to see a double-digit increase in conversion on these augmented listings,” eBay CEO Jamie Iannone told analysts on the company’s Q1 earnings call earlier this month. “Our full-funnel approach to marketing has increased awareness and consideration of eBay as a trusted place to shop for auto parts and accessories,”
Online marketplaces offer the convenience of browsing and purchasing auto parts from the comfort of one’s home. Customers can easily compare prices, read reviews, and find the exact parts they need without having to visit multiple physical stores. These platforms often have a vast selection of auto parts from various brands and sellers, giving customers a wide range of choices. This extensive inventory makes it more likely for customers to find the specific part they are looking for.
Additionally, online marketplaces frequently offer competitive pricing due to the high level of competition among sellers. Customers can often find better deals online compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores or specialized eCommerce retailers.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 13 May 2024, 10:34 AM
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During a media briefing after the company's financial report, Tata Motors’ CFO noted that hybrid vehicles are frequently chosen for tax benefits rathe
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Tata Motors believe that hybrids should not be the primary focus of government incentives, as they are seen as a temporary solution.
In a recent statement, Tata Motors' Group CFO, PB Balaji, raised concerns about the growing trend towards hybrid vehicles, suggesting that their adoption is primarily driven by tax incentives rather than a genuine commitment to reducing emissions.
During a media call following the company's financial results, Balaji remarked that hybrid vehicles are often used as a means to benefit from tax breaks rather than as a serious effort to achieve zero-carbon emissions. He emphasised that while electric vehicles offer a zero-emission solution, they are not without their challenges.
Balaji argued that, from a policy perspective, hybrids should not be the primary focus of government incentives, as they are seen as a temporary solution. He referenced a recent report indicating that many hybrid vehicle owners predominantly use petrol, which diminishes the potential environmental benefits of the technology.
Watch: 2023 Tata Nexon EV facelift first drive review: Best-seller gets even better?
These comments come amidst reports that the Indian government is considering tax cuts for hybrid vehicles to encourage their adoption. Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has reportedly urged the finance minister to reduce the goods and service tax (GST) on hybrids to 12 per cent. Currently, India levies a 28 per cent GST on vehicles with internal combustion engines, including hybrids, and a five per cent GST on electric vehicles. However, with the inclusion of cess, the tax on hybrid vehicles exceeds 43 per cent, depending on the model.
Maruti Suzuki, India's largest passenger car manufacturer, has been advocating for a reduction in GST on hybrid cars for some time. With the majority of India's power generation coming from coal, Maruti Suzuki believes hybrid technology is a cleaner alternative to electric vehicles in terms of overall emissions. They argue that hybrids will be relevant in the short to medium term to reduce the country's transportation emissions.
While the market for hybrid vehicles in India is still relatively small, sales have been increasing steadily. In 2023, the industry saw the share of hybrid vehicles rise to around two per cent from 1.7 per cent. In addition to Maruti Suzuki, automakers like Toyota and Honda also offer hybrid models, indicating a growing interest in this technology among consumers.
GRAY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Washington County Tennessee Sheriff’s deputies are asking for the public’s help in identifying a pair of individuals involved in auto burglaries that occurred in Gray, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.
According to the release, three cars were burglarized on Ridgeview Meadows Drive around 1:25 a.m. on Friday.
The pair was caught in security footage ransacking an unlocked vehicle after attempting to get into a locked vehicle but ultimately failing. The pair then walks away.
Those with information or home security footage are asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Text 847411 and say ‘WCSOTN’ followed by the information.
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