Both Tesla and BYD face softening EV demand and intensifying competition in China. (Source photos by BYD and Getty Images)
Automobiles

Tesla reclaims EV crown from BYD amid overall sales drop

U.S. and Chinese electric vehicle giants report sharp Q1 delivery declines

3 April 2024
A Dongfeng Motor truck with an autonomous driving system developed by Inceptio Technology is showcased in Shanghai.
China tech

China self-driving truck startup Inceptio eyes Japan tie-ups in global push

Company also wants to expand to Southeast Asia, Middle East in two years

2 April 2024
Panasonic and Indian Oil are in talks to jointly produce batteries for motorbikes in India. (Panasonic)
Technology

Panasonic eyes 'strategic' Indian market as New Delhi pushes green energy

Tesla supplier is in talks with Indian Oil on battery production for motorbikes

1 April 2024
The Nissan e-4ORCE 04 during a test drive in Tokyo on March 29 (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Sports

Nissan gears up for Japan's first Formula E race

Automaker sees event as a testing ground for new technology

30 March 2024
Dongfeng aims in 2024 to boost sales by improving brand power and launching new models. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe)
Automobiles

Dongfeng posts first net loss as ventures with Japan carmakers slump

Lineups heavy on conventional vehicles struggle as China market shifts to EVs

29 March 2024
The Dali apparently lost power and smashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge while sailing out of the harbor early on March 26.
Transportation

Singapore starts dual probes of Baltimore bridge collapse

Maritime authorities to scrutinize potential rule breaches in deadly accident

28 March 2024
The Kia EV9. The South Korean automaker is aiming to make the electric SUV eligible for U.S. tax breaks.
Automobiles

Kia aims to qualify for $7,500 U.S. EV tax credit by early 2025

South Korean maker will start to assemble EV9 in Georgia by end of May

28 March 2024
Car sales in Thailand fell by 26.15% in the first two months of 2024 as 18,000 fewer units were sold than in the year-earlier period. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Automobiles

EV makers offer deep discounts as Thai auto market weakens

Oversupply and feeble demand hint at a coming price war

27 March 2024
U.S. subsidies on the purchase of an EV exclude vehicles assembled outside North America.
Trade

China challenges U.S. electric vehicle subsidies at WTO

Beijing vows to protect its companies and 'fair' global competition

27 March 2024
Australia softened proposed emissions rules for cars following pressure from automakers and the political opposition.
Automobiles

Australia dilutes fuel efficiency standard proposal after industry pressure

Under changes, some four-wheel drives classified as commercial vehicles

26 March 2024
BYD sold more than 3 million vehicles in 2023 and is reportedly targeting 4 million this year.
26 March 2024
Nissan is aiming to make its electric vehicles both more affordable for buyers and more profitable for the company. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Automobiles

Nissan eyes profitable EV business with new models, technologies

Automaker will launch 16 electrified types by 2026

25 March 2024
VinFast electric vehicles are parked before delivery at a store in Los Angeles. The Vietnamese EV maker will hold a press conference in Bangkok on March 26.
Your Week in Asia

China Boao Forum, VinFast debuts in Thailand, Xiaomi to launch EV

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

24 March 2024
Camry hybrids are selling well in the U.S. market. (Toyota)
Automobiles

Toyota and Honda reap rewards from U.S. hybrid boom

Japanese automakers reduce dealership incentives on strong sales

24 March 2024
Toyota Motor, once a pioneer of vehicle electrification, should be setting an example to the industry of precise CO2 reporting and year-on-year emission reductions. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Opinion

Toyota testing scandals underscore rising stakes around emissions

Automakers must make realistic assumptions about lifetime vehicle carbon output

21 March 2024
Geely's luxury brand Zeekr saw sales volume grow 65% in 2023. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Automobiles

China's Geely says auto price war 'normal' after posting profit

Car maker logs record sales by sticking with gasoline vehicles

21 March 2024
Formerly known as Renault Samsung Motors, Renault Korea Motors is making inroads into hybrids and electric vehicles.
Automobiles

Renault Korea to invest $523m in new Busan hybrid vehicle line

Automaker to produce models for domestic market and export

20 March 2024
Honda previously has paid for auto part molds in 24 installments, a common practice in the industry. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Automobiles

Honda to shield suppliers from higher rates with lump-sum payments

Japan automakers break from tradition as interest rates become risk for smaller partners

20 March 2024
From left, EVs made by Xpeng, BYD and Li Auto. (Source photos by Getty Images, Reuters and Yuki Kohara)
Automobiles

Nvidia deepens BYD ties as it taps China EV makers' demand for AI

U.S. chipmaker sees big opportunities even if it can't sell them its best chips

19 March 2024
The penetration of new energy vehicles in China could exceed 50% within the next three months, according to BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu.
Electric cars in China

China vows to pull out all the stops for EV supply chain buildup

Beijing to order 3 state-backed automakers to step up R&D spending

19 March 2024
VinFast, one of the few international EV businesses to target Africa, announced plans for Ghana within weeks of making deals in five other countries, from Oman to Indonesia. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Automobiles

Vietnam's VinFast enters Africa EV market via Ghana distributor

Nasdaq-listed carmaker adds fourth continent and eyes dozens of other countries

18 March 2024
When it comes to investment, Nissan and Honda are well behind both Tesla and China's BYD. (Photo by Yoshiharu Okanishi)
Automobiles

Would-be EV partners Nissan, Honda can't match Tesla's capex firepower

Japanese automakers have steep hill to climb in spending and cash flow

17 March 2024
An Xpeng vehicle is exhibited in Guangzhou in November. The Chinese company will work with Volkswagen on electric vehicles. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe)
Interview

China's EV, battery and chip firms seek bigger global reach

3 top executives outline strategies for raising country's technological clout

16 March 2024
Tata's Nexon electric sport utility vehicle accounted for 23% of all EVs sold in India in 2023. (Photo by Ryosuke Hanada)
Markets

Tata Motors stock soars on EV dominance in India, Jaguar rebound

Indian automaker seeks further boost from split into 2 listed companies

16 March 2024
Workers install an electric motor in a Tata sport utility vehicle in Pune, India.
Automobiles

Tesla gains opening as India slashes tariffs on certain EVs

Automakers must invest at least $500m to eventually build locally to qualify

16 March 2024