Sputtering Nissan-Renault alliance stirs shareholder unrest

TOKYO — Nissan Motor’s general shareholders meeting Tuesday spotlighted the struggles of the automaker’s alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi Motors, a partnership that initially promised to rival the likes of Toyota Motor and Volkswagen. Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida apologized to investors for the gap that has opened between Nissan and its rivals, and also for… Continue reading Sputtering Nissan-Renault alliance stirs shareholder unrest

Daihatsu tailors new cars to Malaysia and Indonesia

OSAKA — Daihatsu Motor is stepping up efforts to produce cars tailored to Southeast Asian nations, adopting its fast, low-cost production method developed in Japan to emerging markets, starting with Malaysia and Indonesia. Emerging markets are important to the Japanese automaker, which acts as a vanguard for parent Toyota Motor. Daihatsu is also trying to… Continue reading Daihatsu tailors new cars to Malaysia and Indonesia

Nissan’s iconic Skyline sedan reaches the end of the road

TOKYO — Nissan Motor is pulling the plug on the development of its signature Skyline sedans after 64 years. The Skyline was the first Nissan model to be made and is arguably the company’s most iconic, although it is sold under the Infiniti brand in some overseas markets. The high-end Skyline was emblematic of Japan’s… Continue reading Nissan’s iconic Skyline sedan reaches the end of the road

Honda discontinues fuel cell car Clarity on weak demand

TOKYO — Honda Motor will stop production of the Clarity fuel cell car this year, the automaker said Tuesday, as part of a broader push to trim underperforming models. Honda has also decided to stop making the Legend, its high-end gasoline-fueled sedan, as well as the Odyssey luxury sport utility vehicle. Realigning global manufacturing operations, the Japanese company will… Continue reading Honda discontinues fuel cell car Clarity on weak demand

Honda and Ford join push to set global rules for EV battery emissions

TOKYO — Japanese, U.S. and European carmakers and major cloud providers are among a group of 100 companies and organizations that will create international rules to accurately measure the carbon dioxide emissions of car batteries as early as 2022, Nikkei has learned. Batteries account for about half the CO2 generated in the production of electric vehicles. By recording… Continue reading Honda and Ford join push to set global rules for EV battery emissions

China’s new data law casts wider net, from Teslas to robots

BEIJING — China has passed a new law that strengthens oversight of data collection within its borders, broadening authorities’ reach to include electric vehicles and factories in a move with repercussions for global enterprises. The Data Security Law is China’s first comprehensive legislation governing the handling of digital data. The National People’s Congress standing committee approved the act… Continue reading China’s new data law casts wider net, from Teslas to robots

Toyota speeds up carbon-zero target for factories to 2035

NAGOYA, Japan — Toyota Motor has moved up its target year for attaining net-zero carbon emissions among group factories to 2035 from the previous deadline of 2050, the company said Friday. The Japanese automaker will achieve this goal by adopting new technology in coating and casting processes, it said. The company will also step up its use… Continue reading Toyota speeds up carbon-zero target for factories to 2035

Nissan to end development of sedans in Japan

TOKYO — Nissan Motor will end development of new versions of all its sedans in Japan as sport utility vehicles make inroads into its home market, Nikkei has learned. Major suppliers had been informed of the plans as of Friday, according to people familiar with the matter. All four sedan models sold in Japan will… Continue reading Nissan to end development of sedans in Japan

Great Wall and Foxconn bet on Thai electric car market

BANGKOK — As the global automotive industry undergoes a radical shift toward electrification, Thailand, the manufacturing hub of Southeast Asia, is emerging as a new arena of competition for the world’s leading manufacturers. China’s Great Wall Motors on Wednesday officially opened its first factory in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor industrial zone of Rayong. It will focus on electric… Continue reading Great Wall and Foxconn bet on Thai electric car market

Nissan launches flagship Ariya EV in Japan

TOKYO — Nissan Motor has started taking preorders in Japan for limited editions of its first new battery electric car in a decade. The Japanese carmaker is pinning hopes on the Ariya, its first all-electric crossover SUV, to pep up its EV range. The Ariya “will be Nissan’s flagship car,” said Asako Hoshino, executive vice… Continue reading Nissan launches flagship Ariya EV in Japan