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Apr 1, 10:00
Malaysia defends EV policy as BYD weighs assembly pullout
Malaysia's EV industrial policy is creating tension with foreign automakers, as export-driven and localization rules prompt BYD to reassess a planned plant. At the same time, authorities insist the framework supports long-term industry development.

In a breakthrough that could redefine electric vehicle (EV) battery technology, a research team led by Professor Yu-Sheng Su at the International College of Semiconductor Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), has developed a lithium-titanate (LTO) battery design that increases capacity by 167% while offering greater safety than conventional automotive lithium-ion batteries.

Sony Honda Mobility has scrapped plans to launch its Afeela 1 electric vehicle in the US in 2026, halting both development and commercialization of the model. The decision also cancels a planned rollout in Japan scheduled for after 2027, as well as work on a second Afeela model that had been slated for unveiling at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show.
Geely, the world's eighth-largest carmaker, is restructuring its European research and development operations to narrow the lag between domestic launches in China and international rollouts to less than six months. Supply chain executives say the move is not merely about shortening product cycles; it will determine whether Geely's brands can fully capitalize on their technological edge before it fades in overseas markets.
EVE Energy reached a record CNY61.47 billion (approx. US$8.8 billion) in revenue for 2025, driven by strong growth in its energy storage segment, yet profit growth remained minimal, according to Sina Finance, highlighting mounting pressure in the competitive battery market. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose just 1.4%, essentially flat, even as shipments and market share climbed.
Taiwan's automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation, shifting away from traditional mechanical assembly toward what analysts describe as a semiconductor- and ICT-driven "digital core" of smart mobility. The scale of that structural change is now visible in the data.
BYD on March 27 released its audited 2025 results, according to disclosures compiled by Sina Finance, showing steady revenue growth but a notable decline in profitability amid intensifying competition.
Thermoplastic composites have emerged as key materials in manufacturing worldwide, as production trends toward lightweighting and automation. With competition in the field now intensifying, both the US and China are accelerating the development of relevant supply chains, with the aim of rapidly boosting market penetration through government policies and expanding application scenarios.
At the 2026 Smart City Summit & Expo in Taipei, a new generation of solar technology took center stage.
The global auto industry is entering a turning phase of structural transformation, and nowhere is the upheaval more intense than in China, where a fierce competitive shakeout is underway.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, announced in mid-March that he would launch the Terafab megafab project within seven days, and on March 21 confirmed that the facility will be built in Austin, Texas. While many remain skeptical, industry forum SemiWiki offers an alternative perspective. Fifteen years ago, Musk acquired the Fremont production line in California from General Motors and Toyota, transforming it from a struggling facility into a cornerstone of Tesla's electric vehicle production.

Japan's power semiconductor sector is moving toward consolidation, with Rohm, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi Electric entering negotiations to integrate their power chip businesses, according to Yomiuri Shimbun and Nikkei. The talks target scale in electric vehicles, AI data centers, and power infrastructure, where demand for power control semiconductors is rising.