Automobiles

The challenge now for both companies is to redefine their alliance.
The Nikkei View

Nissan-Renault new chapter should be based on innovation, not scale

Days of 'Le Cost Cutter' and government intervention are over for auto partners

1 February 2023
Former Nissan executive and Nidec President Jun Seki will become the chief strategy officer of Foxconn's electric vehicle business from Feb. 1. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama)
Automobiles

Foxconn's new EV exec Jun Seki had insider's view at Nissan, Nidec

Auto industry veteran brings production, supply chain know-how to newcomer

1 February 2023
The Renault City K-ZE electric car at the Shanghai auto show in 2019. The automaker seeks to launch an EV unit as early as this year.
Nissan-Renault alliance

Nissan-Renault alliance changes lanes as roles reverse

After rescuing Japanese partner, French automaker now in need of boost

1 February 2023
BYD, which has made a big name for itself in China, intends to catch up with Tesla in global electric vehicle sales. (Source photos courtesy of BYD and Getty Images)
Automobiles

China's BYD starts EV sales in Japan as it chases Tesla

Elon Musk's company has global lead but affordable option has entered the race

31 January 2023
A driver charges a Nissan electric minicar in Yokohama. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
31 January 2023
Japan auto industry veteran Jun Seki has been hired as Foxconn's chief strategy officer of its electric vehicle business. (Photo by Atsushi Ooka) 
Technology

Foxconn hires former Nissan exec Jun Seki as EV strategy head

Auto veteran also served as chief of motor maker Nidec until last year

30 January 2023
French automaker Renault and its alliance partner Nissan of Japan have reached a deal that will put the two companies on an even footing in their capital tie-up. (Source photo by AFP/Jiji) 
Automobiles

Renault agrees to cut stake in Nissan to 15%

Nissan set to invest in Renault's new electric vehicle company Ampere

30 January 2023
Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda has maintained the family's storied tradition of launching a new business alongside the mainstay automotive operation. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Comment

Toyota needs to shed 'carmaker' mantle for next chapter of growth

Automaker must stay ahead of change in the age of internet and EVs

28 January 2023
The Rising R7, released by Chinese automaker SAIC Motor in September 2022, is the first commercial production car with high-performance lidar to enable proactive safety and highway autonomous capabilities, according to Luminar founder and CEO Austin Russell. (Photo by Kazuyuki Okudaira)
Technology

U.S.'s Luminar eyes building factory for lidar sensors in Asia

Tech company seeks to lower cost to $100, CEO Russell says

27 January 2023
As the new president of Japan's largest automaker and most valuable company, Koji Sato has been tasked to "full-model-change" Toyota Motor from a carmaker into a "mobility company." (Source photos by Makoto Okada and Reuters) 
Automobiles

Toyota's next president: Who is Koji Sato?

Veteran engineer faces new rivals, supply chain challenges in shift to EVs

27 January 2023
Japanese industrial robots at an Audi plant in Brussels. (Photo courtesy of Audi)
Technology

Japan's industrial robot orders hit new record in 2022

Labor shortages and global EV push provide tailwind for automation

27 January 2023
Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda, right, and successor Koji Sato test-drive a new Lexus electric vehicle. (Photo via Toyota YouTube channel)
Automobiles

Toyota tasks Lexus chief with transition to era of clean vehicles

Akio Toyoda cites his 'own limit' in moving to support role amid rise of EVs

27 January 2023
The talks on the Franco-Japanese alliance focused on reducing Renault's 43% stake in Nissan to 15%, the same as Nissan's stake in Renault. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Nissan-Renault alliance

Nissan, Renault aim for final negotiations as CEOs talk

Automakers look to announce details of alliance overhaul Feb. 6

27 January 2023
Tesla is reportedly in talks to build electric vehicle factories in Mexico and Indonesia. 
Interview

Tesla, Mexico in talks on new Gigafactory but no deal yet: state official

Nuevo Leon builds special lane for the EV maker for quick shipments to U.S.

27 January 2023
Headspring President Osamu Hoshino, left, with Jaisal Singh, vice chairman of Anand Group's executive board. (Photo obtained by Nikkei)
Automobiles

Japan chip startup forms EV parts joint venture in India

Headspring and Anand look to supply Indian and European automakers

27 January 2023
Akio Toyoda, left, will be replaced by Koji Sato as president and CEO of Toyota on April 1. (Source photos by Tomoki Mera and Yuki Nakao) 
Companies

Toyota's Akio Toyoda to step down as CEO and president

Lexus chief Koji Sato, 53, to take over on April 1; Toyoda to become chairman

26 January 2023
Hyundai Motor debuts its Singapore-assembled Ioniq 5 electric vehicle at the Singapore Motor Show on Jan. 13. The South Korean automaker is strengthening its global EV lineup.
Automobiles

Hyundai profits more than double in Q4 amid strong push for EVs

South Korean automaker secures supply chains, builds U.S. factory

26 January 2023
Jaguar Land Rover turned profitable in the October-December quarter, helping drive Tata Motors to a group profit.
Automobiles

Tata Motors swings to profit but warns 'scorching' growth will cool

Jaguar Land Rover parent beats estimates for October-December earnings

26 January 2023
Mazda is experiencing the fastest earnings growth among Japan's seven major automakers. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Automobiles

Mazda's earnings rebound stands out among Japan's automakers

Carmaker still needs medium-term strategy to compete in era of EVs

24 January 2023
Founded in 2015, India's Log9 plans to pursue pilot projects overseas. (Source image from Log9 Facebook page)
DealStreetAsia

Indian battery startup Log9 gets recharged with $40m in funding

Company plans to to boost production capacity, look abroad

24 January 2023
The Afeela electric vehicle prototype, developed jointly by Sony and Honda Motor, is displayed at CES 2023 in Las Vegas. Honda aims to electrify all new vehicle sales by 2040.
Automobiles

Honda, GS Yuasa to launch EV battery joint venture

Automaker taps Japanese battery maker as it moves to end gasoline car sales

24 January 2023
OSG President Nobuaki Osawa. (Sources photo by Natsumi Kawasaki and courtesy of OSG) 
Automobiles

Japan niche industrial-tool maker to leverage EV equipment demand

OSG to create more products for micro-precision machining

23 January 2023
Companies like Pony.ai are struggling to make self-driving taxis profitable. (Photo by Takashi Kawakami)
Automobiles

China's self-driving car push hits legal and cost roadblocks

WeRide and Pony.ai turn to selling systems for short-term profits

19 January 2023
 Toyota recently established an order limits for models under the Lexus brand. (Photo by Hirofumi Yamamoto)
Automobiles

Toyota limits orders for Lexus in Japan due to chip shortage

Auto giant struggles with production of luxury cars requiring more semiconductors

18 January 2023
Japan's Nissan Motor and France's Renault are in talks to reshape their alliance.
Nissan-Renault alliance

Nissan, Renault take 'big step forward' with proposed patent compromise

France also signals support for balancing ownership in auto alliance

18 January 2023