NAGOYA, Japan — Toyota Motor is in the unusual position of having to turn down orders for half of its major models at dealerships in Japan due to production backlogs stemming from stubborn pandemic supply restraints. Nikkei asked several Toyota dealerships about the sales status for 20 popular consumer models. Go to Source
Author: Nikki News Feed
Taiwan’s PSMC to rev up auto chip business with Japan plant
TAIPEI/SENDAI, Japan — Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (PSMC) will use its new plant in Japan as a springboard to sharply expand its automotive semiconductor business, the company’s chief told Nikkei. “There is a huge opportunity in Japan,” where automakers are concentrated, Chairman Frank Huang said in an interview. Go to Source
Japan’s SMFG follows MUFG foray into Indonesian car loan business
TOKYO — Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) on Monday said it will spend 20 billion yen ($136 million) for 51% of the shares in two Indonesian auto loan companies, following a similar move by rival Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group as the Japanese megabanks move to cash in on the Southeast Asian country’s booming population. In… Continue reading Japan’s SMFG follows MUFG foray into Indonesian car loan business
Japan’s SMFG follows MUFG foray into Indonesian car loan business
TOKYO — Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) on Monday said it will spend 20 billion yen ($136 million) for 51% of the shares in two Indonesian auto loan companies, following a similar move by rival Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group as the Japanese megabanks move to cash in on the Southeast Asian country’s booming population. In… Continue reading Japan’s SMFG follows MUFG foray into Indonesian car loan business
France moves to curb subsidies for Asian-made EVs
PARIS/FRANKFURT — France is set to adopt rules that may exclude some Asian-made electric vehicles from subsidies while Italy considers similar steps, adding to signs of European protectionism around EVs. Changes to France’s “green bonus” subsidy, which provides 5,000 euros ($5,400) to 7,000 euros at purchase, will assign vehicles a score based on carbon emissions. Go to Source
Japan’s Isuzu invests in Nvidia-backed Israeli AI startup
TOKYO — Isuzu Motors has invested in Israeli startup Foretellix, which uses artificial intelligence to test the safety of autonomous vehicles, as the Japanese automaker develops self-driving trucks. The investment was made at the end of November. The amount has not been disclosed. Go to Source
Beijing opens Thai research institute to support Chinese carmakers
BANGKOK — China has opened a state-run automotive research institute in Thailand to assist Chinese automakers setting up shop in Southeast Asia’s largest auto market. The China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) established a regional branch in the capital of Bangkok. Thailand is the fourth country to house a center, following Japan, Switzerland and Germany. Go to Source
CATL says Ford project on track despite new U.S. battery rules
HONG KONG — CATL’s partnership with Ford Motor on an electric vehicle battery plant in the U.S. will not be affected by the White House’s new rules on Chinese involvement in such projects, Zeng Yuqun, the founder of the Chinese battery giant, told Nikkei Asia. “The plant structure was designed under the definition of the… Continue reading CATL says Ford project on track despite new U.S. battery rules
Nissan’s go-it-alone shift clouds Renault alliance
TOKYO — French automaker Renault appears to be going out of its way to demonstrate that its partnership with Nissan Motor remains rock solid even as the Japanese partner adopts its own strategy in Europe. Leaders from Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors on Wednesday presented strategies in their first joint news conference since the three-member… Continue reading Nissan’s go-it-alone shift clouds Renault alliance
Chinese carmakers rush to build own semiconductor supply chains
WUXI, China/SHANGHAI — More of China’s biggest automakers have moved to procure more semiconductors from domestic sources as Beijing seeks to build a supply chain immune to U.S. trade restrictions. Among them is Great Wall Motor, which says it has started making power semiconductors in a “breakthrough of a technological barrier” that marks “a new step forward.” Go… Continue reading Chinese carmakers rush to build own semiconductor supply chains