CONNECT WITH US
Oct 2, 12:16
Tariffs, subsidies, and shifting demand reshape the global car market
The global automotive industry in 2025 has found itself at the eye of a geopolitical storm. Major markets—including Europe, the United States, and China—have experienced heavy-handed policy interventions in the first three quarters of the year, forcing a rewrite of global supply chain rhythms. While overall vehicle sales have held relatively steady, automakers and their suppliers are seeing weaker order volumes and declining profitability.
On September 28th, the second day of the 2025 Toyota Gazoo Racing Corolla Cup in Taichung, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda made a surprise appearance—not just to observe, but to put on a drifting demonstration himself. Following his performance at the racetrack, Toyoda sat down with local media to discuss Toyota's vision for hydrogen-powered vehicles, the future of motorsports in Asia, and the company's experimental smart city initiative, Woven City.
Memory module maker Adata has announced a public tender offer to acquire pneumatic tool manufacturer De Poan at NT$32 (approx. US$1.05) per share, aiming to purchase up to nearly 70% of De Poan's outstanding stock for a total consideration reaching NT$1.152 billion.
Despite ongoing uncertainty in Taiwan's auto market and a slower-than-expected recovery in showroom traffic, Hotai Motor Co. remains cautiously optimistic about achieving its full-year sales target, citing three key factors that could drive a robust fourth quarter of 2025.
Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxi service, gaining traction in China, is fast-tracking expansion abroad with Southeast Asia and Australia as its next targets. Halton Niu, GM of Overseas Business at Baidu's Intelligent Driving Group, said the company is in talks with governments in Southeast Asia and Australia to explore pilots and service launches. Baidu is also in discussions with regulators in the Middle East and Europe. In Dubai, Apollo Go has already obtained 50 autonomous test permits, expanding its fleet to 100 vehicles.
Isuzu Motors and Toyota Motor plan to develop hydrogen fuel cell-powered route buses, combining their respective technologies. Production is scheduled to begin in fiscal 2026, according to Nikkei and Yomiuri.

As the global mobility industry undergoes rapid digitalization and platform integration, the promise of greater efficiency, user experience, and innovative business models is becoming a reality. However, so too are the growing cybersecurity risks that threaten not only connected vehicles and their automakers but also suppliers deep within the value chain, including battery manufacturers.

Stellantis N.V. has appointed Joao Laranjo as CFO and member of the Stellantis Leadership Team, effective immediately. Laranjo succeeds Doug Ostermann, who resigned for personal reasons, and will assume all responsibilities previously held by Ostermann.

The US electric vehicle (EV) market is approaching a key inflection point. On September 30, federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — up to US$7,500 for new EVs and US$4,000 for used — are set to expire. While the change is unlikely to trigger a sharp collapse in demand, analysts say it will mark a shift toward a more fundamentals-driven market.

Under the banner of "America First," President Donald Trump sought to revive US manufacturing by wielding tariffs as a blunt-force economic tool. The intent was clear: bring factories and jobs back home. But on the ground, the results have been far more complicated — and in many cases, counterproductive.

Taiwan's electric scooter market is off to a slow start in 2025. Total sales in the first half of the year reached just 20,000 units — down nearly 40% year-over-year — reflecting a broader cooling in consumer interest. While a decade ago electric models held a strong price and subsidy advantage, that gap has now closed, leaving automakers scrambling to find new ways to stand out.

Frank Meng, Chairman of Qualcomm China, believes that in the long run, two emerging categories have the potential to rival, or even eclipse, smartphones in market scale: robots and a wide range of wearable devices, including smart glasses. Meng predicted while speaking to Chinese media outlets Yicai and National Business Daily at the Snapdragon Summit on September 24.