Panasonic scraps timetable for EV battery growth as U.S. market slows

TOKYO — Key Tesla supplier Panasonic Energy says it is no longer aiming to triple revenue and quadruple production capacity of EV batteries by fiscal 2030, amid slower demand in North America. The Osaka-based company says it still aims to hit both those targets but no longer has a firm deadline for doing so. Go… Continue reading Panasonic scraps timetable for EV battery growth as U.S. market slows

Japan’s auto testing scandal accelerates: 5 things to know

TOKYO — A safety test scandal in Japan’s automotive industry accelerated this week, with Toyota Motor, Mazda Motor and three other major companies disclosing widespread misconduct in the gathering of data used to apply for model certification. That comes after the nation’s transport ministry ordered 85 companies in the sector — including both car and… Continue reading Japan’s auto testing scandal accelerates: 5 things to know

Honda launches production of fuel cell vehicles in the U.S.

MARYSVILLE, Ohio — Honda Motor announced Wednesday the start of assembly on the first fuel cell passenger vehicle built by an automaker in the U.S. The Japanese automaker showed off the new CR-V e:FCEV crossover sport utility vehicle at a media event at its plant here to mark the manufacturing kickoff. Honda last produced fuel… Continue reading Honda launches production of fuel cell vehicles in the U.S.

DJI drone tech helps Chinese carmakers offer affordable driver assist

GUANGZHOU — More Chinese automakers are equipping their vehicles with driver assistance technology from China’s DJI Automotive, which uses drone technology from the parent to provide self-driving capabilities at an affordable price. DJI Automotive offers Level 2 driver assistance technology, using a unique algorithm to process information collected by cameras mounted on a vehicle to… Continue reading DJI drone tech helps Chinese carmakers offer affordable driver assist

Toyota scandal raises questions about automaker’s testing compliance

NAGOYA — The newest scandal in Japan’s auto industry has shed light on Toyota Motor’s overconfidence in internal testing, underscoring a disregard for following government standards. Toyota, Mazda Motor, Honda Motor, Suzuki Motor and motorcycle maker Yamaha Motor have admitted to irregularities in testing, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said Monday. Deliveries of six… Continue reading Toyota scandal raises questions about automaker’s testing compliance

China’s BAIC speeds push into Africa with Cairo flagship store

BEIJING — Chinese state-owned automaker BAIC Motor is making a push into the African market, recently opening a flagship store in the Egyptian capital of Cairo and a factory in South Africa last year, hoping to strengthen sales there and in the Middle East. The passenger vehicle unit of BAIC Group has partnered with a local… Continue reading China’s BAIC speeds push into Africa with Cairo flagship store

Toyota HQ inspected over improper vehicle quality certification

TOKYO (Kyodo) — The transport ministry inspected Toyota Motor Corp.’s headquarters in Aichi Prefecture on Tuesday, a day after the company admitted to improperly obtaining vehicle quality certifications in a setback for the carmaker that has risen to the world’s No. 1 spot on its reputation for product reliability. Government inspectors are expected to examine… Continue reading Toyota HQ inspected over improper vehicle quality certification

China’s Guangzhou to invest $1.4bn in flying car infrastructure

HONG KONG — Guangzhou will invest more than 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) by 2027 in the “low-altitude economy” — services that operate in airspace well below regular commercial aviation — as the Chinese government seeks new engines to speed up sluggish growth. The nascent sector includes both piloted and autonomous civilian aircraft that fly… Continue reading China’s Guangzhou to invest $1.4bn in flying car infrastructure

Toyota testing scandal leaves another stain on Japan auto industry

TOKYO — The latest testing scandal surrounding Japanese automakers has ensnared previously untouched players including Toyota Motor, further undermining the reputation for quality that has supported a pillar of the nation’s manufacturing sector. Toyota, Mazda Motor and motorcycle maker Yamaha Motor have suspended shipments of six models over safety testing irregularities in their applications for… Continue reading Toyota testing scandal leaves another stain on Japan auto industry

Toyota, Mazda, Yamaha suspend six models over test irregularities

TOKYO — Four automakers and a motorcycle manufacturer have admitted to irregularities in safety tests, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced on Monday, leading Toyota Motor, Mazda Motor and Yamaha Motor to temporarily suspend shipments of a total of six models. It said the other two companies that reported misconduct were Honda… Continue reading Toyota, Mazda, Yamaha suspend six models over test irregularities