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Jan 7, 12:25
Toyota's US$1 million Trump inauguration pledge signals Mexico production concerns
Toyota has announced a US$1 million donation toward the upcoming US presidential inauguration, joining American automakers Ford and General Motors in similar commitments. This strategic move reflects Toyota's efforts to maintain positive relations in the US market amid previous tensions over Mexican manufacturing plans and potential tariffs.
CES 2025, set to launch on January 7 in the US, promises to be one of the largest tech gatherings in recent years. During a pre-show press conference on January 5, Consumer Technology Association (CTA) President Kinsey Fabrizio and CEO Gary Shapiro unveiled the event's highlights.
While smartphone and PC markets show signs of AI-driven recovery, the global automotive sector's weak outlook for 2025 is impacting major semiconductor manufacturers including TSMC, UMC, VIS, and GW. Though TSMC's Kumamoto plant began mass production in December 2024, its capacity utilization ramp-up faces headwinds.
Thailand, known as the "Detroit of the East," is experiencing a transformative shift toward EVs despite the current dominance of fuel-powered cars. This transition is supported by its robust automotive industry and favorable policies from the Thai government, which aims to expand its role in the global electric vehicle supply chain amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges.
China is planning tougher scrutiny on exports of technology to make battery materials, as Beijing looks to protect its grip on a crucial supply chain amid rising global trade tensions.
These are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories in the week of December 30 – January 3.
Despite setbacks such as low demand in the end-user market, price slashing in the automotive market, and sluggishness during the traditional peak season for the consumer electronics industry, Taiwanese LED firms have actively sought growth momentum in 2024 by shifting more toward high-value product lines.
Industrial PC (IPC) manufacturers have long ventured into the transportation sector, supporting vehicle auxiliary systems and fleet management. With advancements in digitalization and intelligent technologies, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have become a focal point in the unmanned vehicle market, particularly for warehouse and factory material handling, offering IPC vendors fresh opportunities.
As 2024 comes to a close, the global technology industry is looking forward to new opportunities in 2025. The rapid implementation of generative AI (GenAI) technologies has led to an influx of new applications, while the electric vehicle (EV) market is poised for significant developments in the new year.
Horizon Robotics, a Chinese manufacturer of intelligent driving chips, has announced its goal of shipping over 10 million chips in 2025, positioning itself to become the first Chinese company to achieve this level of mass production.
Tesla's annual vehicle sales dropped for the first time in more than a decade despite a year-end push that sent deliveries to a record in the fourth quarter.
Chinese chip vendors' efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in automotive ICs have shown progress, but their advancement is hindered by a high barrier formed by European IDMs, according to industry sources.