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May 2nd, 2019

Sparks fly

Inside the strained Tesla-Panasonic relationship

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The Big Story

Sparks fly: Inside the strained Tesla-Panasonic relationship

Mindful of past losses, battery maker sets limits on Tesla-related investment

Under CEO Elon Musk, above, Tesla has partnered with Panasonic to produce some of the world's best-selling electric vehicles. But within the Japanese company, concerns are growing over the cost of Musk's ambition to become a mass-market carmaker. (Photo by Getty Images)
An electric bus manufactured by China's BYD is charged as part of a new public transport fleet in Santiago, Chile.
The Big Story

From China to the US, dwindling subsidies take shine off electric cars

Chinese policy aims to weed out weaker EV and battery companies

A shopper walks through a forest of socks and myriad other products at the Mega Don Quijote store in Tokyo's Shibuya district. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Company in focus

Japan's Don Quijote exports retail 'jungles' in age of Amazon

Discounter bets on bricks-and-mortar chaos to win Asian customers

A chip from Huawei subsidiary HiSilicon is displayed at the Huawei China Eco-Partner Conference in Fuzhou, Fujian province, on March 21. 
China tech

Huawei closes technology gap with Apple on chip design

Chinese 4G semiconductors already 'equal to or better than' US tech giant

Samsung unveils a 5G smartphone at a February event. The company seeks to lead the market for logic chips such as processors, which are expected to see rising demand as 5G technology takes off. (Photo courtesy of Samsung Electronics)
Companies

Samsung looks to diversify with $116bn bet on logic chips

Memory market leader plans challenge to TSMC and Intel

A CP Foods chicken plant in Thailand: The agribusiness company is one of the conglomerate's main pillars. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Companies

CP Foods taps into Vietnam's TPP access to drive poultry exports

Thai conglomerate invests in new facility as part of worldwide expansion

The Oasia Hotel Downtown in Singapore's Tanjong Pagar business district has trailing plants growing on its exterior to help cut the cost of cooling the building and to appeal to environmentally conscious guests. (Photo by Mayuko Tani)
Environment

Singapore buildings put on a cool, green face

Eco-friendly certification scheme helps fulfill Lee Kuan Yew's garden city dreams

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. employees will now be rated on customer experience.
Companies

Japan's SMBC scraps personal sales quotas

Megabank shifts focus to growing customer assets

The Nikkei Asian Review received the award for Best Economics Article earlier this month from the Madrid-based IE Business School.
Announcements

Nikkei Asian Review wins third IE Business School journalism award

Cover story on 'quiet crisis' at Japanese banks is named Best Economics Article

A visitor uses a mobile phone in front of the LG booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
Companies

LG shifts smartphone production from South Korea to Vietnam

Company tries to stem 4 years of red ink by moving production to low-wage country

Maruti Suzuki has a roughly 50% share of India's passenger vehicle sales.
Companies

Maruti Suzuki to phase out diesel autos by April 2020

Top Indian automaker cites cost to make smaller cars meet emission standards

Buildings rise out of Metro Manila's Makati City, known as the Wall Street of the Philippines. (Photo by Jun Endo)
Property

Philippines' largest developer paves way for country's first REIT listing

Ayala Land eyes $500 million from public offering this year

© Illustration by Eric Chow
Asia Insight

China and US square off in Taiwan's presidential race

Feted in Washington, Tsai faces threat from Beijing -- and within her own party

Security personnel keep watch at Galle Fort, one of Sri Lanka's most popular tourist destinations, on April 24. (Photo by Amila Gamage)
Economy

Sri Lanka's tourism industry defiant after deadly attacks

Minister and merchants expect rebound, despite risk to economy and jobs

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the Oval Office at the White House on April 26.
International relations

Trump tells Abe trade agreement with Japan possible by May

US makes no demand for auto quotas or currency provisions

Thai central bank Gov. Veerathai Santiprabhob lays out the factors that could imperil regional financial stability. (Photo by Masayuki Yuda)
Interview

Thai central bank to scrutinize shadow banking more rigorously

Governor also warns of payment 'fragmentation' as Alipay and WeChatPay spread

Pork for sale at a market in Beijing. Pork is a staple meat in China.
Economy

China's deadly swine fever drives up global pork prices

Imports from US on track toward record despite tariffs as herds are depleted

A supporter holds an image of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit at a police station in Bangkok on April 6: The emergence of Future Forward signals a welcome change.
Opinion

Thai military does not have all the weapons

Amid post-poll uncertainty, Future Forward and social media critics challenge junta power

Nissan executives should have the courage to try to build an AB InBev of cars.
Opinion

Renault-Nissan -- Why not a proper merger?

For the sake of shareholders, Nissan should try marriage before seeking divorce

Widodo's immediate challenge is how to satisfy the millions who did not vote for him.
Opinion

Indonesia -- a nation redivided

After an apparently decisive win, it's time for Jokowi to bring country together again

Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a toast at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on April 26.
The Nikkei View

China must follow global norms for the Belt and Road

Transparency is key to ensuring all parties benefit from cooperation

The Seven Stars passes through the Kyushu countryside. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Life

Kaiseki on wheels

For the fortunate few, luxury train offers glimpses of rural Japan in ultimate comfort

Trump on Show is a curious beast.
Arts

Making Cantonese Opera Great Again

Hong Kong composer Edward Li bids to revive a moribund art with a little help from The Donald

The bag is the message at this organic produce store in central Bangkok. (Photo by Gwen Robinson)
Tea Leaves

The great 'greenwash'

Companies too often don't practice what they preach