Japan and European countries are strengthening their collaboration to mitigate geopolitical tensions and supply chain vulnerabilities stemming from tensions between the US and China. On September 15, 2024, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced expanded cooperation with the European Union (EU), particularly focusing on the battery supply chain, as reported by Yomiuri Shimbun and Nikkei Asia. This move is part of broader partnerships aimed at advancing technology industries, green energy, and satellite sectors.

A one-two punch of artificial intelligence (AI) and electric vehicles (EVs) is sparking a new era of structural change across global industries. The surging demand for AI computing power is creating an urgent need for lightning-fast data transfer and a massive, reliable energy supply. At the same time, a flood of government incentives and private investment is supercharging growth in the EV market.

The Trump administration's tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from Japan, though reduced to 15%, continue to weigh heavily on Japanese manufacturers. The US Department of Commerce has also signaled it may impose new duties on auto parts in the coming weeks, citing national security concerns, further fueling industry uncertainty.

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has begun European production in partnership with Magna Steyr, using the Austrian contract manufacturer's Graz plant to assemble its G6 and G9 models. The collaboration marks a pivotal step in Xpeng's push to localize operations, bypass trade barriers, and establish a lasting presence in the European market.

Cub Elecparts, a long-time developer of automotive electronic sensors and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), announced on September 18 its official entry into the counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) market, extending its civilian sensing technologies into high-barrier defense technology.

As the European Union imposes steep anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese-made battery electric vehicles (BEVs), a new mode of cross-border cooperation is quietly reshaping the continent's automotive landscape.

Martin Eberhard, Tesla's co-founder, recently shared his entrepreneurial insights and outlook on the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Korea. He emphasized that the key to EV adoption lies in the accessibility of charging infrastructure and the cost curve. Eberhard also praised South Korean EV brands for their global competitiveness, stating that Hyundai Motor is likely to be the maker of the next breakthrough EV.

The competition in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) industry has reached a fever pitch. While domestic automakers continue to meet surging demand at home, they are now rapidly expanding their marketing and distribution networks across the globe.

Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors plans to complete its CEO transition by October 2025. Current CEO Kurt Sievers, who will remain in the position until then, made what is likely his final visit to Taiwan as chief executive during SEMICON Taiwan 2025. Incoming CEO Rafael Sotomayor also attended the event and met with Taiwanese partners as part of the planned leadership change.

ProLogium Technology has officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tier 1 automotive supplier Rimac Technology to jointly develop a new generation battery platform, which will integrate ProLogium's superfluidized all-inorganic solid-state lithium ceramic battery technology in a significant breakthrough for the field. Rimac Technology will leverage its expertise in high-performance battery pack design to create scalable solutions tailored for the automotive industry, incorporating cutting-edge technologies to meet the stringent demands of the electric vehicle market.