TOKYO — The electric-vehicle joint venture between Sony Group and Honda Motor will not be a “one and done” deal, President and Chief Operating Officer Izumi Kawanishi told Nikkei, outlining plans to offer multiple models when it begins sales in 2025 to better compete with the likes of Tesla. In addition to his posts at… Continue reading Sony-Honda EV venture eyes high end with multicar lineup: COO
Author: Nikki News Feed
Nissan’s EV patents loom large in reshaping of Renault alliance
TOKYO — As Nissan Motor seeks to rework a decadeslong alliance with Renault, its sizable catalog of electric vehicle-related patents could emerge as a powerful tool to reduce the French partner’s influence over the Japanese automaker. The automakers are negotiating a deal that would cut Renault’s 43% stake in the Japanese partner to 15%, the same amount of stake… Continue reading Nissan’s EV patents loom large in reshaping of Renault alliance
Bridgestone rolls out long-distance run-flat tire for ambulances
TOKYO — Bridgestone on Friday showed off a new run-flat tire for emergency vehicles that is able to travel 50 kilometers at up to 40 kilometers per hour even when completely flat. Japan’s top tire company developed the tire with the research branch of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Go to Source
Self-driving cars: Japan opens roads to Level 4 vehicles in April
TOKYO — Japan plans to allow nearly autonomous vehicles on public roads in a limited capacity starting this spring, paving the way for services such as robotaxis and driverless buses. Under plans revealed this week, the National Police Agency seeks next April to lift a ban on so-called Level 4 self-driving vehicles, which can operate without… Continue reading Self-driving cars: Japan opens roads to Level 4 vehicles in April
Hino reports Q2 profit drop by a fifth on engine data scandal
TOKYO (Reuters) — Toyota Motor’s truck and bus unit Hino Motors said on Thursday its quarterly profit dropped 21%, hit by an engine data scandal that has crippled a range of its vehicle production. It reported 12.3 billion yen ($84.66 million) in operating profit for the three months to the end of September, beating the… Continue reading Hino reports Q2 profit drop by a fifth on engine data scandal
Scandal-hit truckmaker Hino cancels net earnings forecast
TOKYO — Hino Motors will not announce a net earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending March amid the fallout from its emissions and fuel efficiency falsification scandal, Nikkei has learned. The truckmaker plans to announce earnings from the April-September period on Thursday. However, it decided that it is currently too difficult to calculate losses… Continue reading Scandal-hit truckmaker Hino cancels net earnings forecast
Under-$5,000 Chinese EV seeks route into Japan’s minicar kingdom
TOKYO — The Chinese maker of the Hong Guang MiniEV, one of the world’s most affordable electric vehicles, is looking for a niche in the Japanese market ahead of a possible rollout here next year. Billed as an “alternative to walking,” the four-seater went on sale in July 2020 and was the top-selling EV brand… Continue reading Under-$5,000 Chinese EV seeks route into Japan’s minicar kingdom
Fluoride-ion batteries take spotlight in EV tech race
TOKYO — From automakers to universities, Japanese researchers are accelerating efforts to develop next-generation batteries that would allow an electric vehicle to travel 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. Fluoride-ion batteries are seen potentially becoming a viable option as early as the 2030s. They offer six to seven times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries,… Continue reading Fluoride-ion batteries take spotlight in EV tech race
Toyota to debut electric sedan powered by BYD batteries in China
NAGOYA/GUANGZHOU — Toyota Motor will soon release its first electric sedans in China, expanding its lineup in the world’s largest market for electric vehicles. Developed with Chinese EV maker BYD, the bZ3 is the second model under Toyota’s bZ all-electric series. The first — the bZ4X sport utility vehicle, developed with Subaru — has been… Continue reading Toyota to debut electric sedan powered by BYD batteries in China
Tesla cuts China prices up to 9% as analysts warn of ‘price war’
SHANGHAI (Reuters) — Tesla has cut starter prices for its Model 3 and Model Y cars by as much as 9% in China, reversing a trend of increases across the industry amid signs of softening demand in the world’s largest auto market. The price cuts, posted in listings on the electric vehicle (EV) giant’s China website… Continue reading Tesla cuts China prices up to 9% as analysts warn of ‘price war’