CONNECT WITH US
Oct 17, 15:36
With EV credits expired and tariffs mounting, US automakers shift costs to buyers

As the Trump administration lets key electric vehicle tax credits expire and former President Donald Trump's legacy tariffs continue to weigh on imports, the American auto industry is entering a turbulent final quarter of 2025, caught between the pressure to absorb rising costs and the need to preserve consumer demand.

Europe's plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) market is bracing for significant disruption as the European Union prepares to tighten carbon emissions calculations beginning in early 2025, with full enforcement set for 2026. The shift, driven by a more stringent emissions algorithm, is already triggering an end-of-year sales surge in PHEVs as automakers race to meet current targets before the new rules take effect.

Since taking the helm of Hyundai Motor Group five years ago, Chairman Eui-sun Chung has steered the South Korean automaker to new heights, vaulting past global rivals to become the world's third-largest car manufacturer. His leadership has been defined by bold investments and aggressive market expansion. Now, as the global auto industry enters a phase of profound disruption, Chung is doubling down once again.

Hyundai Mobis is set to invest an additional US$28.6 million in its Pesqueria plant in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, aiming to reinforce its dominance in the North American market amid escalating US-China trade tensions and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
China's electric vehicle market is entering a pivotal moment. As the government prepares to scale back a decade-long tax exemption policy, automakers are rushing to push new models and capture sales before the financial incentives begin to fade.

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries—long praised for their affordability and safety—are gaining traction among Western automakers. As cost-conscious electric vehicles (EVs) enter the spotlight, global giants like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis are increasingly building out product lines centered on LFP battery technology.

Taiwan-based Hotai Group has partnered with global satellite navigation and smart wearable brand Garmin to launch an upgraded version of the Drive+ Link intelligent in-car system. As smart vehicle technology advances, car infotainment systems have evolved beyond navigation and entertainment to become indispensable smart assistants during driving.
LG Energy Solution (LGES) reported preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2025, posting an operating profit of KRW 601.3 billion (approx. US$423 million), up 34.1% year-over-year and surpassing market expectations. Despite reduced customer demand following the US removal of electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, LGES's expanding energy storage system (ESS) business successfully offset the impact.
In the wake of the US government's decision to end electric vehicle (EV) tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) at the end of September 2025, Detroit automakers General Motors and Ford Motor Company sought to keep the US$7,500 incentive alive through their own financing arms—only to face swift political backlash that forced an abrupt reversal.
Tensions are flaring yet again between China and the US. China has reportedly made plans to impose export controls on certain lithium batteries, key anode and cathode materials, and manufacturing equipment starting November 8, 2025. If China enforces the controls, consumer electronics like notebooks will be significantly impacted. However, data center Battery Backup Unit (BBU) systems primarily use Japanese and Korean cells, making the impact there relatively limited.
As the European Union pushes forward with mandatory quotas to accelerate the electrification of corporate and commercial vehicle fleets, its top-down approach is encountering significant market resistance. In stark contrast, China has surged ahead with a dual-track strategy—one that marries policy incentives with economic viability—resulting in widespread adoption and far greater momentum.
The European Union is preparing to push its green transition into a new and more forceful phase — one that could spark a contentious standoff with parts of its own automotive industry.