Toyota handed corrective order for certification violations

TOKYO (Reuters) — The Japanese government issued a corrective order to Toyota Motor on Wednesday following newly discovered violations in the company’s vehicle certification procedures. The transport ministry said that on-site inspections uncovered widespread, intentional misconduct and irregularities in seven additional models that had not been previously disclosed. Toyota said in a statement the corrective… Continue reading Toyota handed corrective order for certification violations

Cost is key for Southeast Asia to attract EV investment, BCG says

JAKARTA — Southeast Asian countries looking to enter the electric vehicle supply chain must do more to reduce costs if they want to take advantage of the trade friction between China and the West over EVs, Boston Consulting Group’s Asia-Pacific chief told Nikkei Asia. Alex Dolya, managing director and leader for Asia-Pacific operations at the… Continue reading Cost is key for Southeast Asia to attract EV investment, BCG says

Isuzu to enter U.S. EV truck market ahead of tougher CO2 rules

TOKYO — Japan’s Isuzu Motors will start selling locally assembled compact electric trucks in North America in August and expand into midsize trucks in 2026, ahead of the U.S. government’s implementation of stricter vehicle emissions regulations, starting in 2027, Nikkei has learned. Isuzu will export components from Japan for assembly by a local partner. Go… Continue reading Isuzu to enter U.S. EV truck market ahead of tougher CO2 rules

Harley-Davidson Japan faces probe over excessive sales quotas

TOKYO — Japan’s Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday inspected a Harley-Davidson Japan office in Tokyo, amid alleged suspicions that it imposed excessive sales quotas on its authorized dealers and forced them to buy unsold inventory, sources told Nikkei. The subsidiary of U.S. motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson is suspected of breaching the Antimonopoly Act, with the company… Continue reading Harley-Davidson Japan faces probe over excessive sales quotas

Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi join forces to catch Tesla in EV race

TOKYO — The expected entry by Mitsubishi Motors into the planned strategic partnership between Honda Motor and Nissan Motor represents the latest effort by Japanese automakers to pool their resources to catch up to foreign rivals in electric vehicles. The anticipated alliance essentially would divide Japan’s auto industry into two camps: the trio, with combined annual sales of over 8.33… Continue reading Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi join forces to catch Tesla in EV race

Chinese robotaxi operator WeRide files for U.S. IPO

GUANGZHOU — Chinese self-driving startup WeRide has filed for an initial public offering in the U.S., as the company looks to expand at home and abroad. The company is testing and commercializing robotaxis and other self-driving technologies in 30 cities across seven countries including China. Go to Source

China’s Hesai CEO calls U.S. accusation of military ties ‘ridiculous’

SHANGHAI — The top executive of Hesai Technology, a leading producer of laser sensors used in driverless cars, told Nikkei Asia that the U.S. government’s accusation that the Chinese company has military ties is baseless, and that a second Donald Trump presidency could have more of a “business rationale.” Hesai aspires to capture global demand… Continue reading China’s Hesai CEO calls U.S. accusation of military ties ‘ridiculous’

EV price war angers Thai BYD owners as buyers wait for more cuts

BANGKOK — The Thai government may be celebrating the opening of a BYD plant in early July, but owners of the Chinese EV maker’s cars are less than thrilled. BYD offered yet more discounts on its Atto 3 SUV this month, in an attempt to maintain its lead in an increasingly crowded market. The price… Continue reading EV price war angers Thai BYD owners as buyers wait for more cuts

Nissan falls behind Renault in market cap a year after equal alliance

TOKYO — A year after Nissan Motor and Renault Group agreed to rebalance their alliance to a team of equals, the Japanese automaker has fallen behind its French partner in market capitalization amid struggles to adapt to shifting market environments. Nissan’s group operating profit fell 99% on the year to 995 million yen ($6.45 million)… Continue reading Nissan falls behind Renault in market cap a year after equal alliance

CATL state subsidies jump by 35% amid EU squeeze on China EVs

HONG KONG — China’s leading battery manufacturer CATL received 35% more in state subsidies during the first half of the year even as the Chinese electric vehicle industry’s export drive faces severe scrutiny over such financial assistance from the government. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., the official name for CATL, became the top recipient of government aid for… Continue reading CATL state subsidies jump by 35% amid EU squeeze on China EVs