Toyota extends production halt at six factories in central Japan

NAGOYA (Kyodo) — Toyota Motor Corp. will extend a partial production halt in Japan through Wednesday following an explosion at a supplier this week, the automaker said Tuesday, the latest in a series of problems highlighting issues related to the manufacturing system at the world’s largest carmaker. Toyota has halted 10 production lines at six… Continue reading Toyota extends production halt at six factories in central Japan

Wireless EV charging while driving enters first Japan road test

CHIBA, Japan — A city near Tokyo has become the first in Japan to test technology that allows electric vehicles to recharge wirelessly while being driven on public roads. The experiment is taking place in Kashiwa through a partnership that includes the University of Tokyo, tire manufacturer Bridgestone, auto parts makers NSK and Denso, real… Continue reading Wireless EV charging while driving enters first Japan road test

China’s Tsingshan plans $233m lithium investment in Chile

(Reuters) — China’s Tsingshan Holding Group will invest $233.2 million to set up a plant in Chile to produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP), used to power electric vehicles, Chilean President Gabriel Boric said on Monday. The plant in northern Chile is expected to be operational in May 2025 and will create 668 jobs when it reaches… Continue reading China’s Tsingshan plans $233m lithium investment in Chile

Japan’s battle for Thailand, Indonesia auto markets no lost cause

TOKYO — At the Indonesia International Motor Show in August, high-ranking government officials attending the event walked by an Xforce, a new regional strategic sport utility vehicle being debuted by Mitsubishi Motors, and gave it a glance. The officials then stopped to take selfies in front of an electric vehicle exhibited nearby. “The only interest… Continue reading Japan’s battle for Thailand, Indonesia auto markets no lost cause

China tells lenders to pour money into car loans, consumer credit

China’s top financial regulator urged lenders to dramatically expand lending to a broad swath of businesses, help consumers buy more cars and create consumer credit products to help new college graduates. China’s economy is mired in a sustained real estate slump with weak growth and lagging consumption. The financial regulator’s sweeping call for more lending… Continue reading China tells lenders to pour money into car loans, consumer credit

China-owned EV battery maker says U.S. plants are on track

TOKYO — Japan-based electric vehicle battery maker AESC Group is confident its plans for two new U.S. plants remain on track despite Washington’s growing scrutiny of the sector over its links to China, the company’s chief technology officer told Nikkei Asia. Acquired in 2019 by Chinese renewable energy company Envision Group, AESC will also push… Continue reading China-owned EV battery maker says U.S. plants are on track

North Carolina to train workers for Toyota EV battery plant: governor

TOKYO — As Toyota Motor builds a plant for electric-vehicle batteries in North Carolina, the southern U.S. state is ramping up efforts at its schools to prepare a pool of work-ready talent, Gov. Roy Cooper told Nikkei on Friday. The factory, now under construction with Toyota Tsusho, is slated to come onstream in 2025. North… Continue reading North Carolina to train workers for Toyota EV battery plant: governor

Mazda to sell EVs in U.S. as soon as 2025

TOKYO — Mazda Motor will release electric vehicles in the U.S. as early as 2025 in an effort to establish a presence in the country’s rapidly growing EV market, Nikkei has learned. The new EVs will utilize the platforms of existing gasoline-powered vehicles. They will be produced at the company’s plant in Hofu, in western… Continue reading Mazda to sell EVs in U.S. as soon as 2025

India’s Maruti Suzuki looks beyond EVs for green growth

TOKYO — Maruti Suzuki is hedging its bets when it comes to introducing electric vehicles in India, even as the EV wave gains momentum in other Asian markets. In addition to introducing its half a dozen EV models in the coming years, Maruti Suzuki, the Indian subsidiary of Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor, says it will… Continue reading India’s Maruti Suzuki looks beyond EVs for green growth

Toyota, Idemitsu join hands to produce solid-state EV batteries

TOKYO — Toyota Motor has tapped Japanese oil refiner Idemitsu Kosan to develop mass production technology for solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, which the automaker aims to market as early as 2027. Solid-state batteries have attracted much attention from the industry, as they would enable EVs to travel farther per charge compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries. Producing… Continue reading Toyota, Idemitsu join hands to produce solid-state EV batteries