Australian EV sales accelerate as nation plays catch-up on adoption

SYDNEY — Electric vehicle sales jumped in Australia last year, even as government policy delays and a preference for gas-powered SUVs and pickup trucks leave the country trailing global peers in EV adoption. A record 1.21 million new cars were sold in Australia in 2023, breaking the previous high of 1.18 million set in 2017, according to… Continue reading Australian EV sales accelerate as nation plays catch-up on adoption

Tesla, Volvo Car pause output as Red Sea shipping crisis deepens

BERLIN/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) — Automakers Tesla and Geely-owned Volvo Car said they were suspending some production in Europe due to a shortage of components, the first clear sign that attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are hitting manufacturers in the region. The United States and Britain launched a series of strikes on Yemen on Thursday,… Continue reading Tesla, Volvo Car pause output as Red Sea shipping crisis deepens

China moves NEV target forward to 45% of auto sales by 2027

BEIJING — China now aims to have so-called new energy vehicles make up 45% of all new-auto sales by 2027, setting a more ambitious target in light of the faster-than-expected spread of electric models. The new figure appears in a list of environmental goals released Thursday by the government and the ruling Communist Party. Go… Continue reading China moves NEV target forward to 45% of auto sales by 2027

India tops Japan again as world’s No. 3 auto market

GANDHINAGAR, India — New car sales in India in 2023 rose 7% over the previous year to 5,079,985 units as the country held on to third place in global market size, ahead of Japan but behind China and the U.S., for the second consecutive year. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers released the data on Friday.… Continue reading India tops Japan again as world’s No. 3 auto market

China’s Great Wall Motor kicks off EV production in Thailand

RAYONG, Thailand — Great Wall Motor has started building electric vehicles in Thailand, the Chinese automaker said Friday, one of several companies aiming to take advantage of government subsidies that require local production. Great Wall said it is the first Chinese automaker to begin commercial production of EVs in Thailand. It held an opening ceremony… Continue reading China’s Great Wall Motor kicks off EV production in Thailand

Mazda to use same in-vehicle systems as Toyota’s for EVs

TOKYO — Mazda Motor will share with Toyota Motor in-vehicle systems, the “brains” that operate the acceleration and safety control functions in next-generation vehicles, Nikkei has learned. The two automakers will jointly develop the systems, with Mazda hoping to cut development costs by up to 80%. As electric vehicles spread and cars grow more sophisticated,… Continue reading Mazda to use same in-vehicle systems as Toyota’s for EVs

Toyota chairman: Engines still play role in going carbon-neutral

TOKYO — Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor, revealed on Friday that the Japanese automaker has launched a project to develop a new internal combustion engine, saying, “We will continue producing engines because they still play a role as a practical means of achieving carbon neutrality,” or net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide. Toyoda, former president… Continue reading Toyota chairman: Engines still play role in going carbon-neutral

Japan EV sales hit record-high in 2023, but with slow growth

TOKYO — A record 88,535 electric vehicles were sold in Japan last year, accounting for 2.2% of all new passenger car sales. But the greener alternative to internal combustion engine cars continues to struggle to attract consumers in the world’s fourth-largest auto market. In 2023, 43,991 standard-size EVs and 44,544 electric versions of Japan’s signature… Continue reading Japan EV sales hit record-high in 2023, but with slow growth

China’s 2023 auto sales grow 12% on overseas demand for EVs

SHANGHAI — China’s vehicle sales accelerated 12% to a record 30.09 million units in 2023, an industry group said on Thursday, beating a 3% growth target set earlier. Higher global demand, especially for Chinese electric vehicles, and fierce competition among automakers who enticed buyers with discounts and new models fueled the rise. Recovering appetite for commercial vehicles was another… Continue reading China’s 2023 auto sales grow 12% on overseas demand for EVs

Honda to start from 0 to address its EV woes in China and elsewhere

LAS VEGAS, U.S. — Honda Motor’s CEO said the company will “fight for our survival” with electric vehicles designed for the global rather than regional markets, acknowledging that the company is struggling with its current EV strategy in markets like China. The Japanese automaker has pledged to have EVs make up 100% of its new… Continue reading Honda to start from 0 to address its EV woes in China and elsewhere