Business / Corporate Apr 19, 2021
A tale of two makers: GM and Toyota take different electric roads in China
by Norihiko Shirouzu
While General Motors has successfully tapped into the market for small, no-frills runarounds, Toyota is still in mid-size and SUV territory.
Business Apr 17, 2021
Renesas restarts production at fire-hit chip plant near Tokyo
The company has completed repairs and preparations in cleanrooms, which are crucial for semiconductor manufacturing, as part of work to restart production.
Business Apr 14, 2021
Skyrocketing metal prices threaten affordability of electric cars
Lithium, the mainstay for rechargeable power packs used in EVs, is roaring back after a three-year slump in prices.
Business Apr 13, 2021
Even Tesla can’t overcome Australia's 'uniquely hostile market' for electric cars
by Angus Whitley and Georgina Mckay
Tesla Inc. and the electric-car industry generally thrive in the world’s richest nations. Not so in Australia, where even tractors outsell EVs two to one.
Business Apr 13, 2021
In Europe, once 'green' plug-in hybrid cars now look like dinosaurs
by Nick Carey and Kate Abnett
EU policy plans for plug-in hybrid vehicles could mean the "transition" technology has a shorter lifespan than envisaged by carmakers.
Business / Corporate Apr 8, 2021
Toyota launches Lexus and hydrogen-powered Mirai with assistant tech
The autonomous driving technology equipped with the new models is a level-2 assistant system that could help with driving on an expressway or other motor-vehicle-only roadway.
Business Apr 8, 2021
The next electric-car battery champion could be European
by Tara Patel and Ewa Krukowska
With Europe expected to lead the world in electric-car sales for a second straight year, a rush to build a battery-supply chain from scratch is playing out across the continent.
Business / Corporate Apr 8, 2021
Jeep sales rise in Japan as young people warm to brand
by Shiho Takezawa and Masatsugu Horie
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, more young people are taking an interest in the cars, drawn by their ability to handle all sorts of outdoor terrain.
Business | FOCUS Apr 7, 2021
Auto industry rethinks cost-cutting playbook as COVID-19 and chip shortages disrupt supply chains
by Ben Klayman
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. Many automakers and suppliers like the Ohio maker of axles, driveshafts and other auto parts ...
Business | FOCUS Apr 6, 2021
Why shortages of a $1 chip sparked crisis in the global economy
by Debby Wu and Takashi Mochizuki
The trouble for the chip industry — and increasingly companies beyond tech, like automakers — is that there aren’t enough display drivers to go around.
Business / Economy Mar 31, 2021
Japan's industrial output fell 2.1% in February as strong quake hit automakers
Automakers were also forced to cut production due to a global chip shortage, according to a report by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.