Automotive Industry News & Contents 2026 [Daily Updates]

Oct 08, 2026

This edition highlights a perceived quality survey of the Nissan Leaf instrument panel, an in-depth analysis report on U.S. and European automotive lighting suppliers, and the regional manufacturing footprint of lighting makers across the Americas.

Updated daily with the latest information for the automotive industry. Coverage (Japanese/English/Chinese) of information directly related to business, including complete vehicles, EVs, automated driving, sales figures, and industry reports.

Table of contents

▶ Nissan Leaf Perceived Quality Survey: Instrument Panel

▶ Analysis Report: Lighting (U.S. and European Markets)

▶ Distribution of The Americas Automotive Lighting Suppliers

▶ Statistics

▶ Supply chain: Nissan Leaf

▶ Wheel & Tire Supply Chain

▶ News

Nissan Leaf Perceived Quality Survey: Instrument Panel

Comprehensive analysis of interior design and perceived quality

What is Perceived Quality?
Nissan Leaf Interior Components Survey (Instrument Panel)
Main components, materials, and texture
Points of interest from a perceived quality perspective

Perceived Quality reports

Global HMI Trend Report
This approximately 900-page report summarizes HMI trends in production vehicles based on surveys of around 100 models from Japan, Europe, the U.S., China, and Korea conducted at global motor shows and exhibitions by HMIpro Inc.

Analysis Report: Lighting (U.S. and European Markets)

Competition continues in both Europe and the Americas

Lighting Suppliers: Marelli Automotive Lighting, Forvia Hella, Valeo, OPmobility, ZKW Group, Magna International

Major lighting suppliers and their automaker customers (vehicle OEMs)
New trends in lighting technology
Trends of major lighting suppliers
Sales figures of major lighting suppliers
Global footprint (Details)

Other Analysis reports

Distribution of The Americas Automotive Lighting Suppliers

Automotive Lighting Suppliers in the Americas

The automotive lighting market in the Americas includes major suppliers such as Japan-based Koito Manufacturing and Stanley Electric, Europe-based FORVIA HELLA and Valeo, and Marelli, which has roots in both Japan and Europe. Production and development facilities are concentrated particularly in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil. Koito Manufacturing operates plants in these three countries and supplies Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Ford, GM, and other automakers. Stanley Electric also has manufacturing and sales operations in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil. FORVIA HELLA focuses its lighting business mainly on the U.S. and Mexico, while Valeo has a broad customer base across the Americas. Marelli also has multiple facilities across North, Central, and South America, with customers including Nissan, Stellantis, GM, and Ford. As automotive lighting requires long-term development and supply relationships, Japanese and European suppliers have established local production capabilities based on their existing OEM relationships.

Distribution | List

Search Suppliers (70,000 Database)

Statistics

Spanish sales rise 8.6% in September

With the market expanding thanks to the continuation of government subsidies and an expanded lineup of electrified vehicles. By automaker, BYD (with the ATTO 2), Chery (with the OMODA 5), and Toyota (led by the C-HR) boost their sales, contributing to the market's growth.

1 VW Group 20,455 → 20,208（-1.2%
2 Stellantis 14,721 → 14,927（+1.4%）
3 Renault 13,066 → 12,017（-8.0%）
4 Toyota Group 10,512 → 11,578（+10.1%）
- C-HR 1,784 → 2,559（+43.4%）
5 Hyundai Kia Automotive Group 8,708 → 7,667（-12.0%）
6 BYD Auto 2,460 → 4,443（+80.6%）
- ATTO 2 (Yuan UP) 410 → 1,256（+206.3%）
7 Mercedes-Benz Group 4,127 → 4,280（+3.7%）
8 Ford Group 4,740 → 4,208（-11.2%）
9 BMW Group 4,003 → 4,155（+3.8%）
10 Chery Automobile 2,093 → 4,073（+94.6%）
- OMODA 5 750 → 1,448（+93.1%）

Spain Monthly Sales Data

Canadian sales rise 5.1% in September

market leader Ford boosts sales—led by the F-Series—while key models such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru XV drive overall volume. Tesla also sees significant sales growth, contributing to the market's expansion.

1 Ford Group 21,990 → 26,613（+21.0%）
- Ford F-Series 11,116 → 12,300（+10.7%）
2 GM Group 24,885 → 24,816（-0.3%）
3 Toyota Group 19,783 → 22,477（+13.6%）
- RAV4 5,630 → 6,382（+13.4%）
4 Hyundai Kia Automotive Group 20,809 → 21,734（+4.4%）
5 Honda 11,891 → 13,230（+11.3%）
- CR-V 4,558 → 5,841（+28.1%）
6 VW Group 11,511 → 11,539（+0.2%）
7 Stellantis 9,557 → 8,219（-14.0%）
8 Subaru 5,102 → 7,468（+46.4%）
- XV 2,685 → 3,622（+34.9%）
9 Nissan 9,069 → 7,322（-19.3%）
10 Mazda 7,996 → 6,454（-19.3%）
11 Tesla 2,583 → 4,170（+61.4%）

Canada Monthly Sales Data

Japanese sales rise 1.3% in September

marking the sixth consecutive month the market outperformed year-earlier levels. Nissan is driven by the Note, while Mazda sees sales growth led by the CX-5; Mitsubishi and Tesla also perform well, contributing to the market's expansion.

1 Toyota Group 180,074 → 179,737（-0.2%）
2 Suzuki 69,553 → 69,113（-0.6%）
3 Honda 63,758 → 56,161（-11.9%）
4 Nissan 38,532 → 45,329（+17.6%）
- Note 4,217 → 6,432（+52.5%）
5 Mazda 13,635 → 15,068（+10.5%）
- CX-5 2,360 → 4,394（+86.2%）
6 Mitsubishi 11,169 → 13,456（+20.5%）
7 Subaru 13,167 → 11,742（-10.8%）
8 Isuzu 8,643 → 8,496（-1.7%）
9 ARCHION 0 → 6,859（-%）
10 VW Group 6,522 → 6,655（+2.0%）
11 Mercedes-Benz Group 5,501 → 5,984（+8.8%）
12 BMW Group 6,043 → 5,075（-16.0%）
13 Tesla 1,470 → 3,347（+127.7%）

Japan Monthly Sales Data

Supply chain: Nissan Leaf

The current Nissan Leaf is the third generation and went on sale in the U.S. in fall 2025 as a 2026 model. Redesigned as a "next-generation crossover EV," it is characterized by a significant increase in driving range and the inclusion of advanced driver-assistance technologies. It utilizes the "CMF-EV" platform, developed jointly with Renault specifically for EVs. Additionally, it is the first model to feature the new "3-in-1" powertrain, which integrates the motor, inverter, and reduction gear into a single unit, resulting in a 10% reduction in size compared to the previous model. Production takes place at Nissan Motor's Tochigi Plant. Combined average monthly sales in the U.S. and Canada from January to June 2026 were about 730 units. The main suppliers include AESC Japan for the drive battery, JATCO for the 3-in-1 electric drive system, BOSE for the 10-speaker audio system, Autoliv for seat belts, among others.

Nissan Leaf Supply Chain Details

Nissan Leaf specifications and safety features

Production plants: