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Ben Klayman
For Ben Klayman's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Tesla Model 3 vehicles are seen for sale at a Tesla facility in Fremont, California, last May.
BUSINESS
Apr 6, 2024
Tesla scraps low-cost car plans amid fierce Chinese EV competition
The automaker will continue developing self-driving robotaxis on the same small-vehicle platform, the sources said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 12, 2023
Slow-selling EVs are the U.S. auto industry's new headache
More than 90 new EV models are expected to hit the U.S. market through 2026, according to AutoForecast Solutions. Many will struggle to reach profitable sales volumes, analysts said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jun 4, 2022
Musk's warning could be auto industry's 'canary in the coal mine' moment
Tesla CEO Elon Musk's 'super bad feeling' about the economy could signal a looming recession for an industry whose bosses have shown no signs of concern.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 24, 2021
GM, Google and others join retreat from CES over rising COVID-19 cases
The event will still be held in person, but with 'strong safety measures,' including vaccination requirements, masking and COVID-19 tests.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 20, 2021
No pain, no gain for big funds hunting the next Tesla
The search is turning up plenty of clunkers as well as potential superstars.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Apr 7, 2021
Auto industry rethinks cost-cutting playbook as COVID-19 and chip shortages disrupt supply chains
After a year of getting hammered by the pandemic, a semiconductor shortage and storms that snarled Dana Inc.'s global supply chain, the auto parts maker is considering a different strategy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Oct 26, 2020
Auto startups chasing Tesla race past red flags to go public
Few firms have products ready to sell or any likelihood of generating significant revenue anytime soon.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / ANALYSIS
May 21, 2015
Takata air bag recall could take years to complete, amid drastic shortage of replacement parts
Takata Corp.'s record U.S. recall of potentially deadly air bag inflators could take years to complete, industry experts and safety advocates said, as automakers scrambled to line up replacement parts, some not from Takata.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 21, 2014
Explosive mix at Takata air bag factories
The dusty, industrial town of Ciudad Frontera, Mexico, has moved from the far reaches of the global auto supply chain to the front lines of an investigation into why air bags from Takata Corp. are blowing up with lethal force in accidents.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / FOCUS
Sep 14, 2014
Cars that drive themselves starting to chat with each other
A Honda Motor Co. Acura RLX sedan demonstrated an unusual way to tow another car last week: the vehicles were not physically attached. The second car drove itself, following instructions beamed over by the first in a feat of technology that indicates a new stage in automation is happening faster than many expected.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on