China EVs soar in Brazil, threatening Fiat, GM and VW dominance

SAO PAULO/TOKYO — Brazil’s demand for inexpensive electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids has seen sales of Chinese autos swell eightfold in the country this year, cutting into Western automakers’ hold over the market. Total sales of passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles in Brazil totaled 208,000 units in April, according to the country’s Fenabrave dealers… Continue reading China EVs soar in Brazil, threatening Fiat, GM and VW dominance

Letter from Nikkei Asia’s editor: Europe’s EV dilemma

Hello from Tokyo. Chinese President Xi Jinping is now visiting Europe for the first time in five years. In France, the first stop of his tour, President Emmanuel Macron — who visited Beijing last year and made the controversial remark that Europe should avoid getting dragged into a conflict over Taiwan — greeted him warmly,… Continue reading Letter from Nikkei Asia’s editor: Europe’s EV dilemma

Panasonic turns to Japan as European, U.S. EV demand slows

TOKYO — Panasonic Holdings said on Thursday that it now views Japan as a new “strategic market” for its electric vehicle battery business, in addition to the U.S. where the conglomerate is a key supplier to Tesla. “We will continue to do our best in the U.S. … but additionally, Japan will become a strategic… Continue reading Panasonic turns to Japan as European, U.S. EV demand slows

Panasonic turns to Japan as European, U.S. EV demand slows

TOKYO — Panasonic Holdings said on Thursday that it now views Japan as a new “strategic market” for its electric vehicle battery business, in addition to the U.S. where the conglomerate is a key supplier to Tesla. “We will continue to do our best in the U.S. … but additionally, Japan will become a strategic… Continue reading Panasonic turns to Japan as European, U.S. EV demand slows

India and ASEAN rise in supply chain priority, global survey shows

SINGAPORE — Global business leaders are increasingly looking to India and Southeast Asia as alternative supply chain destinations while trade relations between China and the U.S. deteriorate, a poll by PwC published Thursday shows. At the same time, these leaders will not disengage from the two major powers in the coming years, the survey, targeting… Continue reading India and ASEAN rise in supply chain priority, global survey shows

Nissan to bail out ex-affiliate cut loose under Carlos Ghosn

TOKYO — Nissan Motor will extend financial support to an auto parts manufacturer that was once part of its affiliated supplier network but struggled to recover after the carmaker spread out its supply chain, Nikkei has learned. Nissan will provide 6 billion yen ($38.6 million) to Kasai Kogyo through a placement of a special class… Continue reading Nissan to bail out ex-affiliate cut loose under Carlos Ghosn

EU tariffs on Chinese EVs could backfire, German car bosses warn

LONDON/BERLIN (Reuters) — Top executives at BMW and Volkswagen on Wednesday warned against imposing EU import duties on electric vehicles from Chinese automakers, saying it could upend the bloc’s Green Deal plan and harm automakers that import cars made in China. The European Commission, which oversees trade policy in the 27-nation European Union, launched an… Continue reading EU tariffs on Chinese EVs could backfire, German car bosses warn

Toyota to invest $13bn in EVs, AI and supply chain

TOKYO — Toyota Motor on Wednesday reported a record net profit of 4.9 trillion yen ($31.8 billion) for the financial year ended March, double that of the previous 12 months, helped by a weak yen and accelerating demand for hybrid vehicles. “We aim to increase our efforts to utilize generative artificial intelligence, including autonomous driving.… Continue reading Toyota to invest $13bn in EVs, AI and supply chain

Honda to join forces with Japan taxi companies on driverless service

TOKYO — Honda Motor will team up with taxi companies to roll out self-driving cabs in Japan, supplying vehicles and systems to existing operators in a division of labor that is unusual in the nascent industry. The automaker looks to start putting driverless taxis on Tokyo roads in 2026 in partnership with Teito Motor Transportation… Continue reading Honda to join forces with Japan taxi companies on driverless service

BYD Americas CEO says EV maker is not TikTok or Huawei

LOS ANGELES — Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD differs from TikTok and Huawei and should not be blocked from doing business in the U.S., CEO of BYD Americas Stella Li argued at the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference. Speaking on Monday at the annual event — which draws thousands of bankers, investors, policymakers and tech… Continue reading BYD Americas CEO says EV maker is not TikTok or Huawei