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Wednesday 2 April 2025
BYD sells over one million NEVs in 1Q25, eyes 5.5 million annual sales
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has reported first-quarter sales exceeding one million new energy vehicles (NEVs), marking a nearly 60% increase year-on-year.
Wednesday 2 April 2025
'Machine gun' tariffs: Trump's economic barrage forces supply chain recalculation
US President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy has struck the global economy like a machine gun blast. His 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, coupled with uncertainties surrounding the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), have already sent shockwaves through the automotive industry.
Wednesday 2 April 2025
Chinese automakers push autonomous driving forward, challenging Tesla
Chinese companies like BYD are now leaders in autonomous driving technology, bolstered by a strong ecosystem and government support, putting significant pressure on Tesla.
Wednesday 2 April 2025
Lee Jae-yong reportedly brought Samsung's chip and display chiefs along on China trip; signals strategic reset
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong was recently joined by senior executives from the company's semiconductor and display departments on a rare visit to China. Industry analysts in South Korea say the joint trip is highly unusual and likely points to a strategic pivot in Samsung Group's China operations.
Wednesday 2 April 2025
Xiaomi's decade-long comeback: Dramatic role reversal with Samsung and Gree
In a remarkable power shift over the past decade, Xiaomi has transformed from an industry underdog to a dominant force. While CEO Lei Jun once waited hours to secure Samsung display panels, Samsung's chairman now visits Xiaomi's electric vehicle (EV) factory. Similarly, Xiaomi has surpassed Chinese home appliance giant Gree in revenue and market value, with its ecosystem strategy proving superior to Gree's single-product focus in today's digital economy.
Tuesday 1 April 2025
Samsung looks to salvage chip fortunes as chairman Lee Jae-yong courts China's AI and EV powerhouses
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong recently made a high-profile visit to China, meeting with leading Chinese automaker executives and President Xi Jinping. South Korean analysts suggest the trip was more than diplomatic optics—it reflects Samsung's bid to capitalize on China's surging artificial intelligence (AI) demand and revive its faltering semiconductor division.
Tuesday 1 April 2025
Trump's tariff policy puts Taiwan's automotive industry on a cliff edge
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has aimed to restore America's greatness through reciprocal tariffs. For the automotive industry, this is not only an issue of national pride but also one of economic substance. Under the pressure of these tariffs, Taiwan's automotive sector now finds itself walking a fine line, with nearly 300,000 jobs at stake, depending on the government's next move.
Tuesday 1 April 2025
Pre-US auto tariffs buying frenzy fuels supply chain woes
The US auto industry is experiencing a purchasing frenzy ahead of the 25% tariff set to take effect on April 3 under President Donald Trump. The tariff will be expanded on May 3 to include components like engines and transmissions, exacerbating concerns in both domestic and international supply chains.
Monday 31 March 2025
Yulon Motor president addresses tariffs, EV production, and financial outlook
Yulon Group commenced its earnings conference, with Yulon Motor leading the discussion on March 26. This marked president Kuo-Hsing Hsu's first earnings call since assuming the role in August 2024. Hsu addressed key industry concerns, including the impact of US tariffs on Taiwan's automobile market and the company's ongoing efforts in electric vehicle (EV) production.
Monday 31 March 2025
Trump's 25% auto tariff set to boost Tesla as Europe, Canada threaten retaliation
US President Donald Trump will impose a 25% tariff on imported passenger vehicles and key components starting April 2, prompting retaliation threats from the European Union and Canada. Trump warned that further tariffs would follow any retaliatory measures from trading partners, potentially triggering a trade war that would strengthen the competitive position of domestically manufactured vehicles.
Monday 31 March 2025
BYD evaluates Telangana for EV manufacturing unit amid thawing India-China ties
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD is considering establishing an electric car manufacturing unit near Hyderabad, which would make Telangana the first Indian state to host a BYD factory. The company has engaged in extensive discussions with the state government and is assessing three proposed locations before finalizing a site and signing an agreement, reports ETV Bharat, Business Standard, and the Times of India.
Monday 31 March 2025
Geely's Zeekr establishes company in South Korea to accelerate entry into high-end market
Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) brand under Geely, is making swift moves to enter the South Korean market. On December 28, 2024, the company registered "Zeekr Intelligent Technology Korea Holding" with the South Korean court registry, signaling the start of its market expansion, reports Money Today and The Hankyoreh.
Monday 31 March 2025
From smartphones to smart mobility: Xiaomi's bold EV transformation takes flight
Xiaomi made a strong entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market in 2024, selling 136,800 units of its debut model, the SU7. Founder Jun Lei has set an ambitious target of reaching 350,000 sales in 2025, positioning Xiaomi among China's top EV brands. The company's expansion into automotive manufacturing marks a significant shift from its smartphone business, differentiating it from many of its industry peers.
Saturday 29 March 2025
Chinese automakers dodge EU tariffs, boosting sales with PHEVs and ICEVs
Despite the EU imposing anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs)—bringing total tariffs to nearly 50%—Chinese automakers have strategically shifted their focus to tariff-free plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), managing to boost their sales and market share in Europe.
Saturday 29 March 2025
SEMI Country excerpt 4: China, BYD, and the battle for EV supremacy
China's EV industry is now building on the past glories of its automotive sector. The much-criticized issue of "overcapacity" seems to be a perpetual non-concern. Outdated, low-quality EVs are sent to the scrapyard during market transitions. China's system naturally eliminates laggards that fail to keep pace. The Chinese assure the world there is no need to worry unnecessarily, emphasizing that they possess greater resilience and flexibility than other nations to tolerate failures. Even if only three EV manufacturers remain profitable, the Chinese will not falter.
Saturday 29 March 2025
US auto and tech industry push for accelerated self-driving deployment against global competition
At Nvidia GTC 2025, the discussion surrounding advanced autonomous driving heated up, with US automotive alliances and tech industry groups joining forces to urge President Donald Trump to take action. Their goal: to expedite the deployment of self-driving cars by overcoming current regulatory hurdles before China takes the lead in this emerging sector.
Friday 28 March 2025
Canada prepares retaliation on Trump's tariff, freezing Tesla's subsidies
US President Donald Trump is set to impose a 25% tariff on imported cars and related parts in April and May. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed to defend the nation's sovereignty. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province is home to North America's only cluster of five automotive manufacturers and eight assembly plants, has threatened retaliation. The province also houses engine and transmission factories, making it a key player in the region's automotive industry.
Friday 28 March 2025
Taiwan's automotive sector positioned for strategic growth amid Trump's 25% vehicle tariffs
US President Donald Trump is set to impose a 25% tariff on all imported cars starting on April 3, with additional tariffs on select auto parts, such as engines, transmissions, power systems, and electrical components, scheduled to take effect on May 3. In response, Canada and the European Union have threatened retaliatory measures, causing global jitters in the automotive sector.
Friday 28 March 2025
Taiwan automakers urges government not to lower car import tax despite Trump's 25% tariff
In response to US President Donald Trump's announcement that a 25% tariff will be imposed on cars coming into the US starting on April 2, the Taiwan Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers Association (TTVMA) has issued a statement urging Taiwan's government to conduct a comprehensive and careful evaluation when formulating tariff policies, taking into account the long-term development of the industry.
Friday 28 March 2025
South Korean firms overtake Japanese rivals in high-end auto display market for the first time
South Korean display makers have surpassed Japanese manufacturers in the global high-end automotive display market for the first time. In the future, LG Display (LGD) and Samsung Display (SDC) will focus on developing high-end products to expand their business.
Thursday 27 March 2025
China's self-driving car push spurs safety concerns as BYD leads market
Chinese automaker BYD plans to dominate the world's largest car market in 2025 by making smart driving technology accessible in vehicles below CNY100,000 (approx. US$13,780), triggering rivals Geely and Changan to accelerate similar offerings. Industry sources confirm China's advanced driver assistance systems currently max out at Level 2+, requiring constant driver attention despite marketing that suggests otherwise.
Thursday 27 March 2025
CMC resumes MG production, unveils 2025 EV and SUV plans amid tariff uncertainty
Taiwan-based China Motor Corporation (CMC), a Yulon Group subsidiary, held an investor conference on March 26, addressing the MG brand's production status, Taiwan's potential auto import tariff cuts, and the launch of its upcoming electric commercial vehicle and compact SUV.
Thursday 27 March 2025
Trade partners on edge as Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs' fast approach
With just a week until the April 2 deadline for the implementation of what US President Donald Trump calls "reciprocal tariffs," global markets are on edge. Will Trump soften his stance, or will the tariffs be as severe as feared? The answer hinges on which countries and industries will be affected and how markets react to the ongoing uncertainty.
Thursday 27 March 2025
Gogoro downplays differences with allied electric scooter makers over component purchases
Gogoro plays a key role in Taiwan's electric scooter market, with its PBGN (Powered by Gogoro Network) alliance allowing many scooter makers to transition from fuel to electric power. However, as electric scooter technology matures, some PBGN members reportedly have been asking Gogoro to ease control on component purchases.
Wednesday 26 March 2025
Foxconn eyes potential partnership with Mitsubishi Motors, expanding into ASEAN and Oceania markets
Foxconn Chairman Young Liu recently revealed in an earnings call that the company would soon announce a partnership with a Japanese automaker. Following this, rumors quickly emerged suggesting that the automaker in question was Mitsubishi Motors. Foxconn has since declined to comment on the rumors.