China's battery materials sector is thriving, backed by government subsidies, low electricity costs, and cheaper labor, enabling aggressive investment. In contrast, South Korean firms, lacking comparable support, are struggling with mounting losses and potential market exits, threatening the stability of South Korea's EV supply chain.

Chinese automakers, including NIO, XPeng Motors, BYD, and Taiwan's Foxconn, are reportedly exploring partnerships with cash-strapped Nissan, leveraging its global distribution networks to enter the US market, according to Japanese supplier Ibiden via Chinese media.

Taiwan's Sanyang Motor (SYM) and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) have reached a significant milestone in their joint hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle project, successfully completing a key road test.

Nissan and Honda, two of Japan's automotive giants, are set to hold merger talks on December 23, 2024. Renault, Nissan's largest shareholder and a French automotive leader, is reportedly open to the proposed merger, signaling a pivotal moment for the Japanese automakers.

Germany and Japan have built powerful automotive manufacturing industries over decades, establishing global dominance with brands like Toyota, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Nissan, and Honda. However, the rapid rise of China's electric vehicle (EV) industry is now transforming an automotive sector that has remained stable for decades.

Chinese carmakers are rumored to be targeting financially troubled Nissan as a means of indirect entry into the US market. Rumors have also pointed to Foxconn as a possible suitor for an acquisition or potential joint control with a Chinese company.

Japan-based Denso announced a strategic collaboration with Onsemi, aimed at advancing semiconductor technology vital for autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). As part of the partnership, Denso plans to acquire a stake in Onsemi, but the exact financial details are undisclosed.

Global auto parts makers are grappling with a paradox: While vehicle sales continue climbing, their order books are shrinking. The culprit? A dramatic shift in inventory management by automakers, who've slashed safety stock requirements from 60-90 days to as little as 14 days, signaling growing caution about market conditions.

The European Union has imposed anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs), reaching nearly 50%, forcing NIO to consider aligning its prices with luxury automakers like Porsche. NIO CEO William Li indicated the move is unavoidable as the company grapples with rising costs and dwindling incentives.

Multiple delays in the production of Nvidia's flagship Thor smart driving chip have forced XPeng to reconsider its adoption for 2025 vehicle models. Wallstreetcn reports indicate that the setbacks are raising concerns about Nvidia losing key automaker partners.

Taiwanese automotive electric firm Cub Elecparts expects 2024 profits to match last year's figures, while forecasting substantial growth in 2025 driven by its electronics and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) business, according to company chairman SC Yu. Beyond its core products, the company has initiated small-scale production of new offerings, with future growth primarily centered on mmWave radars for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), spherical TPMSs, and smart security systems.