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Jul 7
Xiaomi's 'toys for grown-ups' strategy fuels hype for YU7 EV, smart glasses
Xiaomi's latest breakout products, the YU7 electric vehicle and AI-powered smart glasses, are making waves not just for their functionality, but for how they're being positioned and sold. In today's digital-first consumer economy, tech is no longer just about utilities; it's a lifestyle marker. Analysts are increasingly framing this shift as "hype-driven tech consumption," with some even likening it to the rise of "tech collectibles."

Taiwanese electric vehicle maker Aeon Motor has officially begun mass production at its new Vietnam facility as of April, with the first batch of US-bound products shipped in May. The company sees the move as a critical milestone in its broader global expansion and a strategic hedge amid shifting trade policies and intensifying supply chain decoupling.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is set to officially commence operations at its Brazil car plant in July 2025. However, due to heavy rains and a labor investigation, the plant will not reach full production capacity until July 2026, according to Reuters and the Rio Times.
Taiwanese firms remain optimistic about Vietnam's long-term automotive prospects, citing trade agreements, government support, and improving infrastructure. Though still developing compared to Thailand and Malaysia, Vietnam's rising local production and supply chain integration, boosted by Taiwan's "Local by Local" strategy, signal strong potential for future growth in the sector.

China Motor Corporation (CMC) unveiled a new special edition of its popular J Space model on July 2, 2025. Buoyed by strong sales momentum, the company also raised its full-year sales target for the vehicle from 17,000 to 19,000 units.

Due to the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand and intensified competition in the battery market, South Korea's major battery manufacturers LG Energy Solutions (LGES), SK On, and Samsung SDI have shown lackluster performance. However, as global IT and automotive companies actively invest in the humanoid robot industry, batteries dedicated to humanoid robots are poised to become a key factor in reversing this trend.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the company's first LFP battery plant in the US—located in Sparks, Nevada—is nearing completion and will soon begin production. The facility will have an initial annual capacity of 10GWh, primarily serving Tesla's energy storage product Megapack and select vehicle models.

The global automotive industry is rapidly pivoting toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs), fueling a parallel surge in demand for large in-car displays. Market research firm Omdia forecasts that displays larger than 10 inches will account for a staggering 81% of automotive display sales by 2027, nearly doubling their market share from 2021.

The Taiwan automotive market showed limited growth in the first half of 2025, with consumer caution fueled by ongoing uncertainty related to US tariffs. June vehicle registrations increased slightly month-over-month but declined 17.5% compared to the same period last year.
Next-generation lithium ceramic battery manufacturer ProLogium announced that its cumulative shipments have officially surpassed 2.4 million units as of the first half of 2025, marking a significant milestone since its inception in 2013.
Facing rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding US trade policy under President Donald J. Trump, Chinese EV maker BYD has put plans for a large-scale factory in Mexico on hold.
Taiwan battery material maker HCM signed a cooperation agreement with France's Saft to develop lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, with support from Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute.