The automotive sector plays a critical downstream role in the chemicals value chain, with estimated global sales of $730 billion, per Frost & Sullivan analysis. The launch of the King Salman Automotive Cluster in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to have significant implications for the chemicals industry, particularly in the context of the country’s broader economic initiatives under Vision 2030.

The Australian automotive aftermarket, now in a mature phase, is on a trajectory for significant growth through 2030. The increase in total vehicles in operation (VIOs), coupled with the increasing proportion of aging vehicles, is set to generate robust demand for automotive parts and services.

The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025, was hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “people’s budget” and a “force multiplier.”  It introduced a raft of strategic measures with implications for the long-term growth trajectory of the country’s automotive industry.

The Mitac-Synnex group in Taiwan, a conglomerate covering multiple sectors, including industrial gas, petrochemicals, IT, manufacturing and distribution, with consolidated revenues of US $84 billion in 2023, has recently created a new business division – LienHwa New Energy (LHNE). LHNE has been set up to consolidate the group’s efforts in decarbonization and is primarily responsible for driving coordinated efforts to build a hydrogen economy in Taiwan.

Leveraging multiple companies within the group, including Linde LienHwa, Mitac, and Getac, the Lien Hwa group is strategically positioning itself in the hydrogen mobility value chain, spanning hydrogen generation and supply, fuel cell stack manufacturing, system integration, vehicle assembly, and aftersales service.

Rural areas in Europe, with population densities of under 150 inhabitants per square kilometer, face significant mobility challenges. These include limited public transport alternatives, geographic isolation, and an aging population with reduced mobility. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, accessible, and affordable transportation solutions.

Shared mobility holds the promise of providing on-demand, flexible services that can meet the unique needs of rural residents. However, successful implementation will depend on factors such as infrastructure, technology, and community involvement.