Lithium-ion batteries, a cornerstone of modern technology, traditionally rely on cobalt for their stability and energy density. However, cobalt's high cost, environmental concerns, and its concentration in geopolitically unstable regions have raised alarms about supply chain vulnerabilities.

On November 26, BYD announced a directive requiring its suppliers to implement a 10% cost reduction starting January 1, 2025. Following this, SAIC Maxus has reportedly launched a similar initiative, also targeting a 10% cost cut across its upstream supply chain, further intensifying market-wide cost optimization efforts.

Tesla's Model 3 has hit a roadblock in Germany's prestigious TÜV safety rankings, while Honda's Jazz demonstrates exceptional reliability in the latest assessment. The 2025 TÜV report, analyzing over 10.2 million vehicle inspections across 228 models between mid-2023 and mid-2024, reveals significant challenges for the American EV maker.

Honda plans to start trial production of all-solid-state batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) in January 2025, aiming to double EV driving range and reduce battery costs by 25% compared to conventional lithium-ion solutions.

Japanese authorities have officially terminated subsidies for APB Corp, a pioneer in next-generation all-polymer battery technology, amid severe financial difficulties and leadership turmoil.

On November 19, Foxconn announced that it had successfully obtained the qualification as the best applicant for the Kaohsiung Metro Y15 Station land development project. The company aims to continue local maritime culture and build a world-class landmark on the site, where Foxconn's flagship headquarters in southern Taiwan will be located.

Auto Guangzhou 2024, opening on November 15, stands as China's final flagship auto event of the year. It previews key trends that will shape the 2025 automotive market. With 1,171 new models showcased, including 512 electric vehicles (EVs), the event highlights the surging dominance of China's local EV brands.

LG Energy Solution (LGES) is set to become SpaceX's first long-term external battery supplier, marking a strategic shift from SpaceX's traditional reliance on in-house battery production. This partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency and reliability as SpaceX accelerates its launch frequencies and pursues ambitious goals, including Mars exploration.

The anticipated return of Donald Trump to the White House could prove pivotal for Tesla's strategy in energy and advanced self-driving technology, as the integration of AI into advanced autonomous driving is expected to significantly enhance the affordable battery electric vehicles (BEVs) market.

CATL's chairman and CEO Robin Zeng has expressed willingness to build a factory in the US if President-Elect Donald Trump is willing to open the door for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) investments. This strategic shift comes as Chinese manufacturers face mounting pressure from Trump's tariffs on EV and lithium battery imports.

On November 12, SEIT Corporation announced it is the first electric vehicle (EV) energy management system (EMS) provider to connect with Taiwan Power Company's (Taipower) distributed renewable energy advanced management system (DREAMS). Using the Open Smart Charging Protocol (OSCP), SEIT's EMS is now integrated with Taipower's Electricity Load Management Optimizer (ELMO), designed to support community EV charging stations by balancing power demand and maintaining grid stability.

During his US presidential campaign trail, President-Elect Donald Trump vowed to overturn key Biden administration policies. Now, with his election victory, the tech sector awaits significant policy shifts that could reshape multiple industries.

SK On, SK Innovation's battery manufacturing subsidiary, posted its first quarterly operating profit of KRW24 billion (approx. US$17.19 million) since becoming independent in October 2021, marking a significant break from its long-standing losses.

With Donald Trump set to return to the White House, he's pledging a platform of low taxes, high tariffs, strict immigration policies, and opposition to the Green New Deal, raising concerns about economic disruption. Industry experts warn these moves could trigger global economic volatility, particularly affecting manufacturing sectors.

Despite their dominance of over 60% of the global lithium battery market, Chinese manufacturers are increasingly seeking to expand abroad to escape fierce competition and price wars at home. However, regulatory pressures from Europe and the US may soon force some firms to retreat to domestic operations.

Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung's historic first public meeting in South Korea has sparked speculation about potential collaboration between the world's top automakers. The leaders met at a joint "Hyundai N x Toyota GAZOO Racing" event, where Toyoda, speaking in Korean, referenced their earlier private meeting in Japan and hinted at future partnership opportunities.

The US presidential election outcome is poised to shake up the global auto supply chain. A Trump victory could reshape the industry by repealing the Inflation Reduction Act(IRA) and easing carbon emission rules for fuel vehicles. Thus creating an entry for Chinese manufacturers to build factories and create jobs in the US.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are accelerating their European shipments ahead of potential anti-subsidy tariffs of up to 35% that could take effect from November 1. While recent EU-China negotiations have made progress on pricing terms, significant uncertainties persist in the evolving trade landscape.

Tesla's third-quarter results exceeded market expectations, with gross margins rising to 19.8%. The company attributed the performance to lower per-vehicle costs, but analysts highlighted the significant boost from near-record carbon credit sales and Full Self-Driving (FSD) software revenue.

Battery safety has become a pressing issue following the complete destruction of nine electric buses in central Taiwan due to alleged spontaneous combustion on October 21, and two-wheeled electric vehicles (EVs) have also faced ongoing scrutiny. In light of these events, insiders from the battery supply chain have analyzed the situation from both material and systemic perspectives.

The ongoing patent dispute between China's two major battery leaders, CATL and CALB, has escalated. Following a patent lawsuit filed by CATL against CALB in 2021, the latter has recently retaliated with four lawsuits claiming that CATL infringed on its patents, seeking approximately CNY1 billion (approx. US$140 million).

Taiwan's push to electrify all public buses by 2030, with 11,700 diesel buses slated for replacement, has fueled rapid growth in the electric bus industry. However, safety concerns have come into focus following a fire in Taichung on October 21, where nine electric buses caught fire in a depot. Although the cause is still under investigation, the incident has raised alarm within the supply chain, as the buses were not charging or in operation when the fire broke out.

Stellantis plans to operate a test fleet of electric vehicles powered with solid-state batteries in two years' time, taking a step toward the potential commercialization of a technology that's aimed at improving EV performance.

As a core component of electric vehicles (EVs), battery technology is crucial for enhancing performance and market competitiveness. During the 2024 Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD24), the company showcased its latest battery innovations, while DIGITIMES Research conducted in-depth interviews to explore six breakthrough advancements in battery technology.

LG Electronics' Business Solutions (BS) division plans to nearly double its revenue in the B2B market to KRW 10 trillion (US$7.4 billion) by 2030, focusing on commercial displays and electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Despite selling LG Display's (LGD) Chinese LCD factory, the company assures that this will not significantly affect its operations, thanks to its supply chain diversification strategy.