TOKYO — Bridgestone will end production and sales of tires for commercial vehicles in China, the Japanese company said Tuesday, focusing instead on high-performance tires for passenger vehicles, one of its specialties. Subsidiary Bridgestone (China) Investment will stop selling truck and bus tires in China within the first half of this year, according to the statement.… Continue reading Bridgestone bows out of truck and bus tires in China
Author: Nikki News Feed
Siam Cement develops cost-effective hydrogen for green mobility
BANGKOK — As Thai companies try to ride the rising wave of electric vehicles, the country’s major industrial conglomerate Siam Cement Group (SCG) is diversifying risk by exploring new business opportunities in other green mobility technologies, particularly hydrogen. Thammasak Sethaudom, SCG’s newly appointed president and CEO, said the group has been working with its partners… Continue reading Siam Cement develops cost-effective hydrogen for green mobility
EV battery cover from Japan’s Proterial helps lighten cars by 10%
TOKYO — Japanese metal maker Proterial has developed a new cover material for electric vehicle batteries that blocks electromagnetic waves, Nikkei has learned, an advancement that would lighten EVs by more than 10% when used in place of the current aluminum cases. Electric vehicles have more onboard electronic devices than do gas-powered cars. Interference from electromagnetic waves… Continue reading EV battery cover from Japan’s Proterial helps lighten cars by 10%
Hydrogen power for AI: Honda expands fuel cell drive to U.S. data centers
TOKYO — Honda Motor aims to supply fuel cells to big tech companies in North America as clean emergency power for data centers, in a bid to harness the growth driven by artificial intelligence to bring down costs for hydrogen-powered vehicles. A trial of the backup system is underway at a Honda facility located a… Continue reading Hydrogen power for AI: Honda expands fuel cell drive to U.S. data centers
VinFast posts higher revenue, aims to nearly triple auto sales in 2024
HANOI (Reuters) — Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast on Thursday reported a smaller-than-expected 133% jump in fourth-quarter revenue but said it aimed to nearly triple vehicle sales this year as it expands into new markets. Shares in VinFast, backed by Vietnam’s largest conglomerate Vingroup, were up 2.3% in premarket trading. Its bullish target comes as other… Continue reading VinFast posts higher revenue, aims to nearly triple auto sales in 2024
Volkswagen slammed by investors group over forced Uyghur labor
HAMBURG, Germany — An ethical investment association in Germany is calling on sustainable investment funds to sell out of Volkswagen Group positions over allegations that forced Uyghur labor was used in the company’s Xinjiang operations. The world’s second-largest automaker has been plagued in recent years by accusations of using forced Uyghur labor in its 50-50… Continue reading Volkswagen slammed by investors group over forced Uyghur labor
Japan’s Itochu in final talks to acquire scandal-hit Bigmotor
TOKYO — Japanese trading house Itochu and a domestic corporate reconstruction fund, J-Will Partners (JWP), are making final arrangements to acquire embattled used-car giant Bigmotor, Nikkei learned on Wednesday. Plans call for splitting Bigmotor — which is embroiled in a scandal involving fraudulent insurance claims — into two businesses, with the newly created company taking over… Continue reading Japan’s Itochu in final talks to acquire scandal-hit Bigmotor
Thailand approves EV incentive program for commercial trucks, buses
BANGKOK — Thailand will expand its incentive programs for electric vehicles, introducing tax reductions for users of electric trucks and buses to encourage businesses to switch to green vehicles. Thailand’s National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, on Wednesday approved a special tax deduction for business users switching from trucks and buses running on fossil fuels to electric… Continue reading Thailand approves EV incentive program for commercial trucks, buses
Indonesia EV competition heats up with VinFast and BYD debuts
JAKARTA — Competition in Indonesia’s electric vehicle market is intensifying as Vietnamese automotive manufacturer VinFast and China’s BYD enter Southeast Asia’s largest economy with passenger car debuts. Indonesia is becoming an increasingly important market for many EV makers as the country touts its position as the world’s biggest producer of nickel, a key component in… Continue reading Indonesia EV competition heats up with VinFast and BYD debuts
Hybrids lead EVs in sales growth as drivers seek convenience
TOKYO — Hybrid automobiles achieved stronger sales gains than electric vehicles in major markets last year, in a sign of EV growth hitting a slow patch. Sales of hybrids rose 30% in 2023 in 14 countries — including China, Japan and the U.S. — to 4.21 million units, MarkLines reports. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids lagged with 28% growth… Continue reading Hybrids lead EVs in sales growth as drivers seek convenience