Akio Toyoda reelected Toyota chairman despite governance concerns

TOYOTA, Japan — Toyota Motor weathered an unprecedented showdown with investors at its annual general meeting on Wednesday as shareholders approved former President Akio Toyoda’s nomination to the board and rejected a proposal demanding better disclosure on climate lobbying activities. Proxy advisers, U.S. pension funds and European asset managers criticized the automaker’s insufficient corporate governance… Continue reading Akio Toyoda reelected Toyota chairman despite governance concerns

Thailand hosts giant China business convention to lure FDI

Thailand hosts giant China business convention to lure FDI – Nikkei Asia Arrow Artboard Created with Sketch. Artboard Created with Sketch. Title Chevron Title Chevron Icon Facebook Icon Linkedin Icon Mail Contact Path Layer Icon Mail Positive Arrow Icon Print Economy Country to promote EVs and other sectors to 4,000 attending in Bangkok A Chinese… Continue reading Thailand hosts giant China business convention to lure FDI

Toyota to roll out solid-state-battery EVs as soon as 2027

NAGOYA, Japan — Toyota Motor aims to release an electric vehicle powered by an all-solid-state battery as early as 2027, with the technology expected to more than double the car’s range from a single charge. The Japanese automaker revealed the plans in a recent briefing at a research base in Shizuoka prefecture. The technology is… Continue reading Toyota to roll out solid-state-battery EVs as soon as 2027

China’s Nio cuts prices, ends free battery swapping as sales slide

SHANGHAI (Reuters) — Nio said on Monday it would lower prices for all its models and end free battery swapping services to new buyers, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker faces mounting pressure over earnings losses and lukewarm sales. Nio will cut prices by 30,000 yuan ($4,200) for all models, including its revamped ES6 and ES8… Continue reading China’s Nio cuts prices, ends free battery swapping as sales slide

Nickel surplus seen widening in 2023 as Indonesian output soars

JAKARTA — The global nickel supply is heading for a bigger surplus this year as more Indonesian smelters feeding EV battery and stainless steel industries come onstream, threatening to keep prices below the record highs of 2022. Prices rose to new heights last year after Russia — another major nickel producer — invaded Ukraine, and… Continue reading Nickel surplus seen widening in 2023 as Indonesian output soars

Japan sees shorter car delivery delays as chip crunch eases

TOKYO — Japanese automakers are making progress in reducing delivery times for new cars, thanks to easing chip shortages sparked by the COVID pandemic, according to a recent Nikkei survey of dealerships in Japan. For mainstay Toyota and Nissan models, delivery times have been cut in half from six months ago, the survey shows. Go… Continue reading Japan sees shorter car delivery delays as chip crunch eases

ASEAN caught in ‘economic cold war’ over China: business lobby head

TOKYO — Southeast Asia is grudgingly open to helping European, U.S. and Japanese industries lessen their dependence on China, but needs to see more aggressive investment from them to do so, the head of a regional business lobby told Nikkei Asia. Arsjad Rasjid, chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), lamented that companies in… Continue reading ASEAN caught in ‘economic cold war’ over China: business lobby head

Vietnam’s VinFast launches ‘mini’ EV with two doors and five seats

HO CHI MINH CITY — Vingroup’s VinFast has unveiled a two-door “mini” electric vehicle for Vietnam, where millions of drivers retain a penchant for motorbikes that can go down sidewalks and squeeze between centuries-old buildings. The jeep-like five-seater is just 3.1 meters long, the EV maker said late on Thursday. Compact cars average more than… Continue reading Vietnam’s VinFast launches ‘mini’ EV with two doors and five seats

CATL to develop EV batteries with Thailand’s Arun Plus

BANGKOK — Chinese battery giant CATL announced on Thursday that it will open a factory in Thailand to assemble batteries for electric vehicles with Arun Plus, a subsidiary of Thai state-owned oil company PTT. Arun Plus and CATL’s joint investment of 3.6 billion baht ($104 million) is the latest in Thailand’s push to become a… Continue reading CATL to develop EV batteries with Thailand’s Arun Plus

New York City sues Hyundai, Kia over vehicle thefts

NEW YORK (Reuters) — New York City on Tuesday sued Hyundai Motor and Kia, accusing the South Korean automakers of negligence and creating a public nuisance by selling vehicles that are too easy to steal. The most populous U.S. city joined several other major cities that have sued Hyundai and Kia over the thefts, including… Continue reading New York City sues Hyundai, Kia over vehicle thefts