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Dec 17, 12:16
CHR Hangko expands South Korea base to penetrate local rechargeable battery supply chain
China-based battery equipment maker CHR Hangko is actively expanding its production base in South Korea, aiming to deepen its presence in the local rechargeable battery supply chain amid growing advances of Chinese firms into battery equipment sectors.
Viking Tech, a leading automotive-grade thin-film resistor manufacturer, announced it will increase prices for its thin-film inductors by 10% to 40% starting in the first quarter of 2026, adding it to the list of passive component makers implementing price hikes. The move follows rising costs of precious metals and signs of recovering demand in the artificial intelligence (AI) and networking markets.
Next-generation lithium ceramic battery manufacturer ProLogium Technology has announced the launch of its fourth-generation superfluid all-inorganic solid-state battery, with plans to begin mass production at its Taoyuan Science Park facility in Taiwan starting mid-2026. In addition to targeting electric vehicle (EV) applications, ProLogium is actively pursuing markets including robotics, electric bicycles, and energy storage systems (ESS), with related partnerships expected to be unveiled at the January 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Luxshare Precision Industry is accelerating efforts to diversify its business mix as it seeks to reduce its heavy reliance on Apple-linked consumer electronics, even as that segment remains the company's largest revenue contributor. Financial data show consumer electronics accounted for 79% of Luxshare's revenue in the first half of 2025, down from a peak of 88% in 2020 and 85% in 2023, signaling a gradual but deliberate rebalancing.
Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has aggressively expanded into the electric vehicle (EV) market in recent years, with its EV business showing strong performance and cumulative deliveries surpassing 500,000 units. The company also achieved the annual sales target set by founder Lei Jun ahead of schedule. However, alongside rapid sales growth, Xiaomi has recently faced a series of safety-related incidents, bringing renewed scrutiny to its vehicle safety and management processes.
Luminar Technologies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Texas on Monday, seeking to sell its core business after losing a crucial supply contract with Volvo Cars and facing mounting financial pressure, according to court filings and company statements.
The global automotive electronics and electrification (E/E) landscape has shifted from a simple race for technological supremacy to a high-stakes geopolitical arena spanning Europe, the United States, and China. At the heart of this competition lies the lithium battery—both the most valuable and most sensitive component of the modern EV industry.
As growth in the global electric-vehicle (EV) market begins to slow, consumer concerns over driving range and charging convenience are intensifying, prompting the industry to shift its focus toward more centralized electronic/electrical (E/E) architectures, improved energy efficiency, enhanced smart-cabin experiences, and regulatory compliance alongside supply chain realignment.

To help the automotive industry navigate emerging trends, DIGITIMES hosted the "AI x EV: Dual-Track Innovation in Mobility" forum on December 12, bringing together representatives from government, academia, research institutions, and industry to analyze the current state and future outlook of the smart vehicle and electric-vehicle sectors. Hung-Ching Yang, executive vice president of China Motor Corporation under the Yulon Group, spoke on behalf of the industry, sharing both opportunities and challenges for Taiwan's automotive ecosystem.

Foxconn plans to invest NT$15.9 billion (approx. US$510 million) to build a flagship headquarters in southern Taiwan, deepening its footprint in Kaohsiung as the contract electronics manufacturer accelerates its expansion into electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and software-driven services.

On December 11, 2025, Taiwan officially inaugurated its first hydrogen refueling infrastructure with the simultaneous opening of CPC Corporation's Nanzi station in Kaohsiung and Linde LienHwa Group's Shugu demonstration station in Tainan. The milestone signals a new chapter for Taiwan's hydrogen energy supply chain and practical use in transportation.

China's prolonged price war in the auto market is taking a growing toll on profitability, and even BYD, the country's dominant electric-vehicle maker, is beginning to feel the strain. At the same time, the company's latest sales figures highlight the scale of its operations and the increasingly complex dynamics shaping its growth.