China’s BYD debuts passenger EVs in Indonesia

JAKARTA — China’s top electric vehicle maker, BYD, on Thursday launched three passenger models in Indonesia, making a foray into an economy that is Southeast Asia’s largest and is courting such investment through new incentives. BYD introduced its popular Seal sedan, Atto 3 sports utility vehicle and Dolphin hatchback for the Indonesian market at a… Continue reading China’s BYD debuts passenger EVs in Indonesia

Daihatsu mulls recall of up to 320,000 vehicles amid safety scandal

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Scandal-hit Daihatsu Motor said Wednesday it is considering a recall of two minivehicles found with a door defect, potentially affecting about 320,000 units. The announcement comes a day after Japan’s transportation ministry instructed Daihatsu to consider recalling the Cast model sold under the Daihatsu brand and the Pixis Joy sold under the marque of… Continue reading Daihatsu mulls recall of up to 320,000 vehicles amid safety scandal

Beijing Hyundai sold Chongqing plant late last year to city government

SEOUL (Reuters) — Beijing Hyundai Motor sold its Chongqing plant late last year for 1.62 billion yuan ($225 million) as part of efforts to optimize China operations, Hyundai Motor said in a statement on Wednesday. The buyer was Yufu Industrial Complex Construction, Yonhap news agency reported late on Tuesday. Reuters was unable to reach Yufu… Continue reading Beijing Hyundai sold Chongqing plant late last year to city government

Japan cracks down on Daihatsu over safety neglect

TOKYO — By moving to revoke certifications for three commercial trucks made by Daihatsu Motor, the Japanese government is responding seriously to what it views as systemic disregard for safety rooted deeply in the company. The move announced Tuesday by the transport ministry came alongside a corrective order calling for an organizational overhaul and plans… Continue reading Japan cracks down on Daihatsu over safety neglect

Panasonic leads Japan’s EV battery comeback plan with U.S. push

DE SOTO, U.S. — Rick Walker, mayor of De Soto, Kansas, can barely contain his excitement about the vast U-shaped factory going up on his city’s outskirts. Overhung with cranes and buzzing with over a thousand workers, the plant is being built by Panasonic Energy, a Japanese maker of batteries for electric vehicles and a major supplier to… Continue reading Panasonic leads Japan’s EV battery comeback plan with U.S. push

VinFast expands EVs to Indonesia with thumbs up from Jokowi

HO CHI MINH CITY — Indonesia’s president slipped into a white VinFast on the weekend, giving the Vietnamese electric vehicle producer its boldest stamp of approval yet to expand to Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s state visit to Vietnam included a factory tour with VinFast CEO Pham Nhat Vuong, who is pushing into Indonesia… Continue reading VinFast expands EVs to Indonesia with thumbs up from Jokowi

Suzuki suspends production at Hungary car plant due to Red Sea attacks

TOKYO — Suzuki Motor has suspended production at a Hungarian car plant for seven days through Jan. 21, the company said Tuesday. That comes amid delays in the delivery of engines and other parts from Japan as a recent wave of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea disrupts global logistics. The suspension will stop output of the… Continue reading Suzuki suspends production at Hungary car plant due to Red Sea attacks

Japan to cancel certification for three Daihatsu models after scandal

TOKYO — Japan’s transportation ministry is planning to cancel the certifications required for Daihatsu Motor to make three car models, following the revelation of widespread misconduct in product testing by the automaker in December. Daihatsu will not be able to make the vehicles until it reacquires the certification. Tetsuo Saito, the minister of land, infrastructure,… Continue reading Japan to cancel certification for three Daihatsu models after scandal

Tesla EV plans spur ‘Musk pilgrimages’ from India and Southeast Asia

BANGKOK/MUMBAI/NEW YORK — Indian and Southeast Asian leaders are appealing directly to Tesla CEO Elon Musk to invest in their countries as the electric-vehicle maker weighs options for curbing its dependence on the Chinese market. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Musk in New York last June, the month after officials from Tesla and… Continue reading Tesla EV plans spur ‘Musk pilgrimages’ from India and Southeast Asia

Nissan, Hyundai woo Japanese car lovers with EV sports models

TOKYO — Electric vehicles may lack the “vrooming” engine sounds that have attracted many to become car fans over the years, but they can still be enjoyable to look at and fun to drive, according to automakers and tuning companies that gathered near Tokyo for a three-day event targeting Japanese car lovers. Nissan Motor unveiled… Continue reading Nissan, Hyundai woo Japanese car lovers with EV sports models