Hyundai and LG Energy to build EV battery factory in Indonesia

SEOUL — Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it will partner with LG Energy Solution to build an electric vehicle battery factory in Indonesia to secure a stable supply of battery cells for its EVs. The two South Korean companies signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian government to establish a joint venture to… Continue reading Hyundai and LG Energy to build EV battery factory in Indonesia

Hitachi to build EV parts plants in US, China and Japan by 2022

TOKYO — Hitachi will build new electric vehicle components factories in Japan, the U.S. and China by the end of next year in a bid to expand capacity about sixfold and strengthen its position as a top supplier of key parts. An EV motor factory will be located in the U.S. state of Kentucky while… Continue reading Hitachi to build EV parts plants in US, China and Japan by 2022

New paints and steels squeeze CO2 out of auto production

TOKYO — Automotive suppliers Asahi Kasei and JFE Steel have jumped onto the decarbonization bandwagon by developing processes that save energy and reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. Asahi Kasei, a chemical producer, is creating coating material for automotive steel sheets that can be applied at lower temperatures while maintaining conventional performance. The product could erase… Continue reading New paints and steels squeeze CO2 out of auto production

Daimler aims to be ready for all-electric car market by 2030

LONDON (Reuters) — Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler plans to invest more than 40 billion euros ($47 billion) between 2022 and 2030 to develop battery electric vehicles (EVs), and be ready for an all-electric car market by the end of that period. Outlining its strategy for an electric future, the German luxury carmaker said on Thursday it… Continue reading Daimler aims to be ready for all-electric car market by 2030

Toyota halts factories in Thailand as COVID hits supply chain

BANGKOK — Japanese auto group Toyota Motor has halted operations at its three factories in Thailand as the country’s delta-variant COVID epidemic disrupts the supply of key automobile parts. The closures underline how the pandemic is still putting the automobile supply chain under strain. The stoppage started from Wednesday (July 21) and will last at least until… Continue reading Toyota halts factories in Thailand as COVID hits supply chain

Hyundai says chip crunch is easing as profits soar

SEOUL — Hyundai Motor said the global chip shortage was gradually easing as the South Korean automaker reported operating profit tripled in the second quarter from a year ago thanks to strong worldwide sales. Hyundai said Thursday that its operating profit reached 1.9 trillion won ($1.7 billion) in the April to June period, up 219.5%… Continue reading Hyundai says chip crunch is easing as profits soar

Tesla signs nickel deal with BHP to secure non-Chinese supply

Tesla has agreed to buy nickel for its batteries from BHP, the world’s largest miner, as it looks to lock up supplies of the metal not controlled by China. The deal is the third agreement for nickel that the electric carmaker has signed in the last eight months, following deals with Vale and the Trafigura-backed… Continue reading Tesla signs nickel deal with BHP to secure non-Chinese supply

Hyundai and Great Wall EVs challenge Japan’s dominance in Southeast Asia

BANGKOK — When China’s Great Wall Motor rolled out the Haval H6 hybrid sport utility vehicle in Thailand last month, the slogan for the launch — “It’s time to change” — seemed to throw down the gauntlet to the Japanese companies that enjoy a near-monopoly in Southeast Asia. Great Wall is among the Chinese and… Continue reading Hyundai and Great Wall EVs challenge Japan’s dominance in Southeast Asia

Top sponsor Toyota pulls all Olympic TV ads in blow to Games

TOKYO — Toyota Motor said Monday that it will not air any Olympic-related TV advertisements going forward, despite the automaker being a top-tier sponsor. President Akio Toyoda will not attend the opening ceremony, the company also said. The decision signaled that the automaker is distancing itself from the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, which are set to kick… Continue reading Top sponsor Toyota pulls all Olympic TV ads in blow to Games

Top sponsor Toyota cancels all Olympic TV ads in Japan

TOKYO — Toyota Motor will not air any Olympic-related TV advertisements and company officials including President Akio Toyoda will not attend the opening ceremony or other events, despite the automaker being a top-tier sponsor. The decision, which the company confirmed on Monday, comes amid lukewarm public sentiment toward the Olympics, set to kick off Friday amid a… Continue reading Top sponsor Toyota cancels all Olympic TV ads in Japan