TOKYO — Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor announced on Wednesday that it will start producing ventilators and face masks in India through its subsidiary Maruti Suzuki India. Maruti will collaborate with local manufacturers and aims to jointly produce 10,000 ventilators per month amid a global surge in new coronavirus infections. Suzuki’s decision comes right after the… Continue reading Maruti Suzuki to begin making ventilators and masks in India
Author: Nikki News Feed
Coronavirus latest: Honda extends US factory stoppage, halts Thai plants
The Nikkei Asian Review is tracking the spread of the new coronavirus that originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Global cases have reached 416,686 according to the World Health Organization. The worldwide death toll has hit 18,589. To see how the disease has spread, click this interactive virus tracker: Here are the latest… Continue reading Coronavirus latest: Honda extends US factory stoppage, halts Thai plants
Tata Motors faces ratings downgrade by Moody’s
MUMBAI (NewsRise) — Moody’s Investors Service placed Tata Motors‘ rating under review for a downgrade, as the raging coronavirus pandemic threatens to further weaken the Indian automaker’s already fragile credit profile. The rapid spread of the pandemic, alongside deteriorating global economic outlook and falling oil prices, are creating a “severe and extensive credit shock across… Continue reading Tata Motors faces ratings downgrade by Moody’s
Toyota and NTT in tie-up for $1.8bn smart city project
TOKYO — Toyota Motor and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone have decided to sign a capital and business tie-up deal, Nikkei learned Tuesday. The companies, which will spend a total of some 200 billion yen ($1.81 billion), will bring together their respective technologies for a project to build a smart city to start in 2021 on a former Toyota plant site… Continue reading Toyota and NTT in tie-up for $1.8bn smart city project
Toyota to halt 5 Japan plants in April as demand slows
NAGOYA, Japan — Toyota Motor said Monday that it will suspend assembly lines at five domestic group plants next month to offset the slump in offshore demand due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Japanese automaker will halt seven lines starting April 3. The shutdowns are slated to last until April 15 at the longest, though… Continue reading Toyota to halt 5 Japan plants in April as demand slows
Suzuki to invest $109m to raise Myanmar factory capacity fourfold
TOKYO — Suzuki Motor announced on Monday that it will increase production at one of its factories in Myanmar. It will introduce a new line for four-wheeled vehicles at its plant in southeastern Yangon that will handle tasks like painting car bodies. Suzuki has two factories in the country. The investment will cost about 12… Continue reading Suzuki to invest $109m to raise Myanmar factory capacity fourfold
Nissan temporarily lays off 3,000 workers at Spanish plants
TOKYO — Nissan Motor will temporarily lay off roughly 3,000 workers at three plants in Spain that have halted production due to the coronavirus outbreak, Nikkei has learned. Its plant in Barcelona has remained idle since March 13 as travel restrictions imposed by the Spanish government have cut off supply chains. Nissan produced roughly 65,000 vehicles in Spain last… Continue reading Nissan temporarily lays off 3,000 workers at Spanish plants
Panasonic to suspend operations at EV battery plant for Tesla in US
TOKYO — Panasonic will suspend operations of its electric vehicle battery plant in the U.S. that supplies EV maker Tesla in response to the new coronavirus outbreak. The Nevada plant, known as Gigafactory 1, will close for 14 days after March 23. Tesla has already decided to suspend its assembly plant for finished vehicles in… Continue reading Panasonic to suspend operations at EV battery plant for Tesla in US
Japan scouts more Asian players for TPP to cut China dependence
TOKYO — Japan will make a fresh attempt to expand the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact to include more Asian economies, such as Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines, after the new coronavirus exposed the risks of supply chains overly dependent on China. First up will be Thailand, a key production hub for many Japanese automakers.… Continue reading Japan scouts more Asian players for TPP to cut China dependence
Korean Air’s family feud opens door to activist challenge
SEOUL — Like the heads of many airlines, Korean Air Lines Chairman Cho Won-tae is fighting to keep his company afloat as the coronavirus and travel restrictions batter the aviation industry. Unlike most of his peers, Cho is doing this while trying to fend off a coup by his own sister. The family feud is… Continue reading Korean Air’s family feud opens door to activist challenge