TAIPEI — Taiwan’s leading chip manufacturers have promised to “do their best” to tackle the chip shortage that is paralyzing the global automotive industry, the island’s Economic Affairs minister said on Wednesday, but with production lines already running at full capacity, she warned that the situation will take time to improve. Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua… Continue reading Taiwan chipmakers vow to tackle global auto component shortage
Author: Nikki News Feed
Hyundai to customize EVs for shippers and ride-hailers
SEOUL — Hyundai Motor Group will make built-to-order electric vehicles for commercial customers, taking advantage of the greater design flexibility they offer compared with traditional combustion-engine autos. Hyundai affiliate Kia recently announced a standard platform for the group’s electrics, with basic components including a battery pack and a motor. Customers will be able to build… Continue reading Hyundai to customize EVs for shippers and ride-hailers
Toyota forges ahead with 8.25m vehicle goal despite chip crunch
NAGOYA, Japan — Toyota Motor is on track to produce about 8.25 million vehicles worldwide for the year ending in March, largely sticking to its previous forecast even though a global semiconductor shortage has disrupted the auto industry in recent weeks, Nikkei learned Monday. The automaker released a forecast in November with that figure, a 6% decrease from fiscal 2019 for its Toyota and Lexus… Continue reading Toyota forges ahead with 8.25m vehicle goal despite chip crunch
Nidec chief predicts a $3,000-car era with spread of EVs
TOKYO — Car prices will fall to below $3,000 each, creating new demand in India, Africa and the Middle East, said Shigenobu Nagamori, chairman and CEO of the world’s largest motor maker Nidec, on Monday. “The price of a car will drop to as low as 300,000 yen ($2,890), resulting in a spike in demand… Continue reading Nidec chief predicts a $3,000-car era with spread of EVs
Taiwan asks TSMC and other chipmakers to help ease global crunch
TAIPEI — Taiwan’s Economic Ministry is asking domestic chip manufacturers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to help “like-minded” economies alleviate the global shortage of automotive-related chips. The ministry said it has received requests since the end of last year from several nations via diplomatic channels. The countries are asking Taiwan to help look into… Continue reading Taiwan asks TSMC and other chipmakers to help ease global crunch
Toyota accepts staff from halted aircraft factories of Mitsubishi Heavy
TOKYO — Toyota Motor’s subsidiary Toyota Auto Body is taking several hundred employees from aircraft component makers including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, as auto demand recovers while aviation continues to struggle. Employees from companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy and Kawasaki are being transferred to Toyota’s Yoshiwara Plant in Aichi Prefecture, which makes… Continue reading Toyota accepts staff from halted aircraft factories of Mitsubishi Heavy
Renesas, NXP and other chipmakers raise prices on surging auto demand
TOKYO — Japan’s Renesas Electronics, the Netherlands’ NXP Semiconductors and other chipmakers are raising prices on semiconductors that go into cars and telecom equipment as they attempt to maneuver out of a squeeze created by soaring demand and limited foundry capacity. Some observers expect chip shortages for another six months, a drought that is likely… Continue reading Renesas, NXP and other chipmakers raise prices on surging auto demand
Asia’s chip crunch slams the brakes on carmakers’ COVID recovery
TOKYO/TAIPEI — Recovering demand for cars should make this a great time to be selling to the automotive industry — but for a Japanese executive at an affiliate of one of the country’s biggest software developers, it is deeply frustrating. The software he sells for cars is useless without computer chips to run it. And they are… Continue reading Asia’s chip crunch slams the brakes on carmakers’ COVID recovery
Toyota-owned Daihatsu, a gas engine stalwart, tries again in hybrid cars
OSAKA — Japan’s Daihatsu Motor — the country’s only major automaker to develop all gasoline-powered cars — plans to roll out a hybrid compact SUV this year in a second attempt at electrified vehicles, Nikkei has learned. The hybrid version of the Rocky sport utility vehicle will feature technology co-developed by Daihatsu’s parent, Toyota Motor. Hybrid… Continue reading Toyota-owned Daihatsu, a gas engine stalwart, tries again in hybrid cars
China’s BYD raises $4bn war chest to combat Tesla
GUANGZHOU — Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has raised 29.9 billion Hong Kong dollars ($3.85 billion) from a stock sale, with the proceeds to fortify the company against Tesla’s successful forays in its backyard. BYD issued 133 million new shares in Hong Kong’s stock market priced at HK$225 each, the company said Thursday. This represents roughly… Continue reading China’s BYD raises $4bn war chest to combat Tesla