Announcements News, Analysis and Market Intelligence
SearchTrack announcements news alongside market analysis, provider activity, and connected mobility intelligence from PAVE Insight.
DSD expands global engineering model for combustion and hybrid powertrains
Drive System Design is combining senior technical support in Europe and North America with engineering capacity in India to help OEMs develop and adapt combustion and hybrid powertrains, including work on alternative fuels, controls and emissions.
Chery plans to reposition Jetour as a high-end off-road brand
Chery’s Globalization 3.0 strategy will move Jetour upmarket with a focus on off-road vehicles, while integrating the core Chery brand further into global operations. Li Xueyong will oversee the Jetour Brand Division.
CEF Transport receives €3bn in funding requests
CINEA received 246 applications seeking almost €3bn from the 2026 CEF Transport calls, against a €1.1bn budget. Evaluation results are due in March 2027, with grant agreements expected by June.
IoT Global Awards 2026 winners announced, including fleet telematics provider Wialon
Wialon won the Automotive, Transport & Travel category at the 2026 IoT Global Awards. The winners also included projects in IoT security, connectivity, industrial data and analytics.
OmniAir seeks nominations for four board seats
OmniAir Consortium is seeking candidates for four open board seats. Candidates must represent eligible members, and nominations are due by 5pm EST on 2 November. Elections will be held at the consortium’s annual meeting in San Antonio on 15 December.
SolarLite challenge offers free active road studs to three UK councils
SolarLite and LCRIG are inviting UK councils to nominate road-safety sites for free solar-powered active studs. Three schemes will be installed in early 2027 and monitored for effects on safety, energy use and costs.
Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 2 moves towards construction
Site investigations, procurement and development for a 7.4-kilometre rail line from Albion towards Melbourne Airport are due to begin in the coming weeks. Major construction is planned for 2028, with completion targeted for 2031.
Valerann begins AI traffic-management pilots in Italy and Brazil
Valerann is trialling its Lanternn traffic-management platform on Italy’s A22 motorway and Brazil’s Rodovia das Colinas. The pilots will test AI data fusion, incident detection and operator decision support using existing infrastructure.
Four countries join Europe’s autonomous-vehicle testbed initiative
Portugal, Slovakia and Norway signed a declaration to join Europe’s cross-border autonomous-vehicle testbed initiative. Spain joined last week, bringing participation to 22 countries.
$319m contract awarded for Kempsey-Armidale Road reconstruction
Armidale Regional Council has awarded Bielby Holdings a $319m contract to rebuild 48km of road in New South Wales damaged by landslips and natural disasters. Early works are due to begin in the coming months, with major construction expected from 2027 and completion targeted for late 2029.
New York City fleet depot redevelopment reaches structural completion
New York City has reached structural completion on the $121 million Harper Street DOT facility redevelopment in Queens. The 24-hour fleet site is being rebuilt with 38 EV charging stations, redesigned vehicle flows and flood-resilient features, and is expected to open in 2027.
HDT opens 2026 Emerging Leaders award nominations
Heavy Duty Trucking is seeking nominations for its 2026 Emerging Leaders awards, recognising professionals under 40 working in Class 7 and 8 truck fleets. Nominations close on 15 October 2026.
Emovis expands tolling operations across Europe and Latin America
Emovis outlines its expanding tolling operations, including five free-flow gantries in France and the completed go-live of its operational back-office platform for VíasChile. The company also details active systems and services in the UK, Netherlands and Puerto Rico.
Rockhampton Ring Road bridge works reach major milestones
Piling has begun for the 435-metre Fitzroy River Bridge in Queensland, while the final girder is installed on the Capricorn Highway Connector Bridge. A new precast facility is also nearing commissioning for the 14.7-kilometre Rockhampton Ring Road.
A$3bn Western Sydney road programme moves towards construction
Five major Western Sydney road upgrades, jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments, have secured contracts, with construction due to begin later in 2026. Further projects, including intersection and airport-access improvements, are progressing.
Fortescue plans first Australian Formula E team
Mining company Fortescue plans to enter Formula E with a team acquired from Penske and a Jaguar-powered electric race car. Its engineers will use the championship to develop battery, software and hardware technologies for mining and other applications.
Powerstar to put VL 550 through its paces at South Africa’s Truck Test
Powerstar will enter its VL 550 extra-heavy truck in Truck Test 2026 on South Africa’s Johannesburg–Durban route. The 405kW Weichai-powered vehicle will be assessed for fuel consumption, journey times, speed and productivity under long-haul operating conditions.
Digital twins support CCAM pilots across four European cities
Horizon Europe project FRODDO is using digital twins to test connected and automated mobility applications, including traffic-management simulation, early warnings, demand prediction and autonomous tow-truck monitoring across pilots in Ljubljana, Athens, Modena and Bursa.
European Mobility Week 2026 launches with intergenerational focus
The European Commission’s European Mobility Week runs from 16 to 22 September, with more than 2,500 towns and cities promoting accessible, inclusive and sustainable urban transport through car-free days, educational activities and new mobility measures.
Egis wins UK contract to enforce vehicle tax using ANPR
Egis will deliver the DVLA’s UK Vehicle Excise Duty compliance and enforcement service from February 2027, using ANPR-equipped vehicles to identify untaxed vehicles nationwide. The contract includes warning notices, immobilisation, removals and vehicle disposal.
Ettifos selected for Maricopa County V2X deployment
Ettifos will supply aftermarket V2X-AIR onboard units for Maricopa County’s Connected Vehicle Acceleration Zone in Arizona. The 2024–2028 deployment will connect up to 650 roadside units and 400 vehicles, supporting emergency, transit, freight and vulnerable-road-user applications.
Boring Co raises $3bn to fund UAE tunnel expansion
The Boring Co has raised $3bn at a $23bn valuation, led by the UAE, where it plans to build more than 150km of passenger tunnels. The funding will also support expansion of its Las Vegas Loop and other projects.
Finalists named for 2026 Australian Novated Lease Car of the Year
Fleet News Group has named the BYD Sealion 7, Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X as finalists for its 2026 Novated Lease Car of the Year. NALSPA member data covering more than 200,000 salary-packaged vehicles indicates growing demand for battery-electric SUVs.
Ford Australia introduces seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty
Ford Australia will offer a conditional seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on eligible new and demonstrator vehicles delivered from 1 September 2026. Fleet operators must use scheduled Ford dealer servicing to retain coverage, potentially affecting maintenance costs, vehicle replacement cycles and residual values.
AddSecure separates CoDriver and frameLOGIC fleet brands
AddSecure is positioning CoDriver and frameLOGIC as distinct transport-management brands. CoDriver targets larger fleets with telematics, video and compliance tools, while frameLOGIC supports complex mixed fleets with planning, operations, reporting and invoicing capabilities.
Ford outlines broader Australian product and fleet strategy through 2030
Ford Australia aims to cover more than 60% of the new-vehicle market within three years, with a broader range of powertrains and models, including the electric Transit City van, plus the rollout of Ford Pro and enhanced aftersales support.
A$37.4m contract awarded to seal 22.5km of Santa Teresa Road
Exact Contracting will upgrade and seal 22.5km of Santa Teresa Road in Australia’s Northern Territory under the A$415m Strategic Roads Package. Work is due to start in October 2026 and finish in early 2028, improving safety and transport reliability.
Consortium awarded $880m Parramatta Metro station development contract
A Gamuda-led consortium has won an $880 million contract to build Parramatta Metro station and its integrated precinct in New South Wales. Plans include 470 build-to-rent homes, 500 student units, commercial space and a hotel, with construction due to start in 2027.
Tunnelling begins on Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop
Tunnelling has begun on Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop East, with two tunnel boring machines being deployed between Burwood and Glen Waverley. Further machines are due to launch later this year and in 2027, ahead of a planned 2035 opening.
Australia announces $1.55bn upgrade of Melbourne’s Western Freeway
A $1.55 billion upgrade of Melbourne’s Western Freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs will add lanes, improve three interchanges and create a new half interchange. Pre-construction work is under way, with major construction to follow.
Xiaomi Auto signs eight German dealer groups ahead of 2027 European entry
Xiaomi Auto has signed memorandums with eight German dealer groups to establish sales and after-sales coverage ahead of its planned 2027 entry into Germany and other European markets. The agreements support its broader European expansion strategy.
Tel Aviv Metro launches US$10bn tender for driverless train systems
NTA has opened pre-qualification for the US$10bn Infra II phase of Israel’s Tel Aviv Metro, covering driverless trains, signalling, electrification, systems integration, operations and maintenance. The three-line, 150km network is planned to operate at GOA4 automation.
New South Wales transport plan identifies more than 40 regional initiatives
New South Wales has published a 20-year transport plan for the Illawarra Shoalhaven, covering road, rail, bus, walking and cycling upgrades. It includes an intersection upgrade and hospital bus services, alongside plans for safer, more resilient and better-connected networks.
Planning advances for Maitland westbound flyover
Transport for NSW has begun geotechnical and survey investigations for a proposed $100 million westbound flyover at Maitland’s Cessnock Road and New England Highway roundabout. The Australian Government is funding the project to ease congestion and improve freight and commuter reliability.
Subaru Forester Hybrid AWD named finalist for Australian fleet car award
The Subaru Forester Hybrid AWD is a finalist for Fleet Car of the Year at the 2026 Fleet News Group Vehicle Awards. The winner will be announced on 14 October, with the hybrid SUV recognised for efficiency, all-wheel-drive capability and fleet practicality.
A47 Norfolk dualling project enters final construction stages
National Highways’ £100m project to dual 2.6 miles of the A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham is nearing completion. The scheme includes junction, bridge, safety and cycling improvements, and is expected to reduce congestion and improve road safety.
Canada-Mexico West Coast zero-emission truck corridor planned
Five governments are coordinating a British Columbia-to-Baja California freight corridor with 20 electric-truck charging stations and three hydrogen fuelling stations. The initiative will also align technical standards and infrastructure planning to support zero-emission trucks across borders.
Microlise backs UK Driver Health Week 2026
Microlise is supporting Driver Health Week from 1–6 September 2026, a UK campaign focused on the physical and mental wellbeing of professional drivers. Driver Health Day will take place in Loughborough on 4 September.
Chery announces iCaur electric brand for Australia from 2027
Chery will introduce its iCaur electric-vehicle sub-brand in Australia in early 2027, starting with the V25 electric SUV. The boxy, lifestyle-focused model will be shown at Sydney’s Everything Electric show, with specifications, pricing and launch details to follow.
Dreame shuts down automotive business after rapid contraction
Dreame Technology is liquidating its Starry Sky automotive project after layoffs reduced its division from nearly 1,000 employees to a few dozen. The venture faced regulatory scrutiny and allegations that its high-performance car demonstrations relied on show vehicles rather than genuine production.
Kapsch begins smart-parking integration project in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Kapsch TrafficCom is implementing a €404,000 smart-parking project in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, integrating occupancy data from 24 car parks into the city’s traffic-management system and displaying availability through nine variable-message panels. Delivery is scheduled for early 2027.
Gurtam launches European aftermarket telematics scenario study
Gurtam is launching a scenario-planning study examining how regulation, energy economics, capital costs and other forces could reshape Europe’s aftermarket telematics sector by 2035. Research will run from August 2026 to January 2027, with publication planned for early 2027.
EnerMech wins electrical services contract for Western Sydney Airport metro
EnerMech has secured a contract with Parklife Metro to provide high-voltage switching, isolation and permit-control services during construction and commissioning of Sydney Metro’s Western Sydney Airport project.
Four fleet leaders named finalists for 2026 Fleet Manager of the Year
Dominika Leja, Jen VrMeer, Linda Ellis and Ron McGuigan have been named finalists for the 2026 Edward J. Bobit Fleet Manager of the Year award. The winner will be announced at the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association conference.
MnDOT selects Sensys Gatso for Minnesota work-zone camera pilot
MnDOT has selected Sensys Gatso to supply solar-powered mobile speed cameras for a $800,000 Minnesota work-zone pilot. The scheme will issue escalating educational warnings rather than fines, with results assessed for speed reduction and worker safety.
