China ‘third plenum’ meeting, ADB economic outlook, Indonesia Auto Show

Welcome to Your Week in Asia. The world will give attention to China’s key meeting known as the third plenum, which takes place from Monday through Thursday. China is also scheduled to announce gross domestic product data for the April-June quarter and other statistics. In Southeast Asia, the International Auto Show will start on Thursday… Continue reading China ‘third plenum’ meeting, ADB economic outlook, Indonesia Auto Show

In Pictures: India’s EV market gaining momentum

NEW DELHI — In the smoggy capital city of New Delhi, there is an increasing number of green-plated cars on the roads. These are electric vehicles and even outside of Delhi, they are gaining popularity. Combustion-engine vehicles are still the norm in the country, but EVs are now a common sight in major cities. Ride-hailing services that employ EVs… Continue reading In Pictures: India’s EV market gaining momentum

Vietnam auto sales slump as government weighs latest fee cut

HANOI — As auto sales in Vietnam continue to fall, the government is once again moving to cut part of the cost of buying a car. January-June sales declined roughly 2% from a year earlier to 134,884 vehicles in data released Wednesday by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. The figure includes imports by nonmember companies.… Continue reading Vietnam auto sales slump as government weighs latest fee cut

Japan’s AESC to make cheaper EV batteries at $1bn plant in Spain

TOKYO — AESC Group will start producing a cheaper alternative to lithium-ion batteries at a new plant coming online in Spain in 2026, the Japan-based company said Thursday. AESC will invest over 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) in the new factory, eyeing demand for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries for use in electric vehicles and power storage… Continue reading Japan’s AESC to make cheaper EV batteries at $1bn plant in Spain

Nissan, Honda eye EV battery passports in Europe by 2027

NEW YORK — Nissan Motor, Honda Motor and other Japanese auto industry companies have joined forces to develop a digital tracking system for electric-vehicle batteries, anticipating European Union regulations aimed at encouraging recycling and reducing reliance on China. Mazda Motor and parts supplier Denso are also among the seven Japanese companies planning to introduce a “battery… Continue reading Nissan, Honda eye EV battery passports in Europe by 2027

BHP to suspend Australia nickel operations amid Indonesia-fed glut

SYDNEY — Australian mining giant BHP will suspend its domestic nickel operations, including the country’s only smelter for the key battery metal, from October. A statement to shareholders on Thursday said the decision was due to a global oversupply that has crashed nickel prices over the past year. The glut has been driven by a… Continue reading BHP to suspend Australia nickel operations amid Indonesia-fed glut

China’s AI price war and Japanese who “don’t know how to use it”

Hello from Yifan in California, your #techAsia host this week. I’ve just come back from the Independence Day holiday, which officially kicked off the summer season. I attended several July 4th and summer parties in Silicon Valley over the past few weeks. While AI is still the hottest topic in town, the approaching U.S. presidential… Continue reading China’s AI price war and Japanese who “don’t know how to use it”

Japan’s electronic parts makers boost capital spending by 5%

TOKYO/KYOTO, Japan — Japan’s electronic components makers are boosting capital spending by 5.4% this fiscal year, as automobiles continue to incorporate more electrical parts for everything from hybrid drivetrains to advanced driver-assistance systems.  Based on investment plans of 32 companies — including Murata Manufacturing, TDK and Kyocera — compiled by Nikkei, total spending was expected to reach 1.4… Continue reading Japan’s electronic parts makers boost capital spending by 5%

Chinese lithium majors sink into red despite EV growth

HONG KONG — The rise of China’s electric vehicle industry is sending shock waves through the global auto market, but local players producing lithium — a key ingredient for EV batteries — are feeling financial pain from depressed prices. Tianqi Lithium and Ganfeng Lithium, two of the major Chinese producers of the indispensable metal, separately… Continue reading Chinese lithium majors sink into red despite EV growth

Chinese lithium majors sink into red despite EV growth

HONG KONG — The rise of China’s electric vehicle industry is sending shock waves through the global auto market, but local players producing lithium — a key ingredient for EV batteries — are feeling financial pain from depressed prices. Tianqi Lithium and Ganfeng Lithium, two of the major Chinese producers of the indispensable metal, separately… Continue reading Chinese lithium majors sink into red despite EV growth