Nissan to end Philippine auto assembly operations

MANILA — Nissan Motor will end its assembly operations in the Philippines in March as part of efforts to restructure its regional operations, the Japanese automaker said on Thursday. Nissan’s move comes as automakers in the country struggle to keep business humming amid the pandemic. Car sales in the Philippines fell 40% last year to… Continue reading Nissan to end Philippine auto assembly operations

Japan’s Teijin to disclose emissions from making auto parts

TOKYO — Japanese chemicals company Teijin will disclose the total amount of carbon dioxide it emits in the making of its automobile products, from the start of manufacturing to its final disposal, as it tries to meet the demands of European automakers that are accelerating their own decarbonization plans. An increasing number of manufacturers in… Continue reading Japan’s Teijin to disclose emissions from making auto parts

Toyota and Honda resume production in Malaysia

BANGKOK — Toyota Motor and Honda Motor restarted their Malaysian plants on Monday, after the government reversed a policy that suspended operation of all nonessential industries as coronavirus cases surge in the country. The government changed its mind after the automobile industry and the Japan External Trade Organization lobbied for work to resume. Perodua, the national automaker backed by Japanese car… Continue reading Toyota and Honda resume production in Malaysia

TDK eyes $5bn push into electric vehicle batteries and clean energy

TOKYO — Japanese electronic parts manufacturers are making big investments to scale up output of components for electrified vehicles, seeking to establish a place in the coalescing supply chains for the rapidly growing field. TDK expects to budget more than 520 billion yen ($5.01 billion) over three years starting in April to boost production of batteries… Continue reading TDK eyes $5bn push into electric vehicle batteries and clean energy

Hyundai rides China hydrogen wave with first overseas fuel cell plant

SEOUL — South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group will build its first overseas fuel cell factory in China, taking advantage of government backing for autos that run on hydrogen. Work starts next month on the plant in a special development district of Guangzhou. Operations will begin after completion in the second half of 2022, with capacity… Continue reading Hyundai rides China hydrogen wave with first overseas fuel cell plant

In Depth: Tesla powers on as rival EV makers scramble to compete in China

On New Year’s Day, Tesla lobbed a bomb into China’s electric vehicle market with the sudden announcement that it was dropping the price of its new Shanghai-made Model Y cars by 30%. The new starting price of 339,900 yuan ($52,550) was around 100,000 yuan less than the presale price announced in August. Showrooms were swamped,… Continue reading In Depth: Tesla powers on as rival EV makers scramble to compete in China

Renault to produce 7m cars with Nissan and Mitsubishi: Chairman

PARIS — French automaker Renault is beefing up its collaborative efforts with Japan’s Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors, with the three-way alliance planning to share the production of major components. Renault unveiled a midterm strategic plan on Thursday that stresses manufacturing cooperation as well as production cost reductions as it scales back factories. The French… Continue reading Renault to produce 7m cars with Nissan and Mitsubishi: Chairman

LG, Panasonic and Sony step up EV efforts

TOKYO — Asian companies highlighted their efforts to create cost-efficient and eco-friendly electric vehicle parts at CES, as the auto sector drew more notice at the world’s biggest consumer electronics and technology expo this week. “Our aim is to be one of the industry’s leading suppliers of automotive components and solutions,” said Brian Kwon, CEO of LG Electronics, at a Tuesday media… Continue reading LG, Panasonic and Sony step up EV efforts

Toyota and Honda shut Malaysia plants as lockdown blocks commute

BANGKOK — Toyota Motor and Honda Motor have halted operations at multiple plants in Malaysia, Nikkei has learned, due to the strict lockdown imposed by the government to combat a surge in coronavirus infections. Toyota shut down two assembly plants on Thursday. When asked when the facilities will reopen, a representative said that “a decision… Continue reading Toyota and Honda shut Malaysia plants as lockdown blocks commute

Bus maker leads $310m funding for China self-drive startup WeRide

HONG KONG — Chinese autonomous vehicle startup WeRide has raised $310 million from bus maker Zhengzhou Yutong Group and several state-backed investors as Beijing rolls out new guidelines for testing self-driving cars. WeRide, backed by the alliance of Groupe Renault, Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors, is among the front-runners in China’s rapidly growing autonomous vehicle sector. The… Continue reading Bus maker leads $310m funding for China self-drive startup WeRide