Automotive Industry News & Contents 2026 [Daily Updates]

Sep 18, 2026

This edition highlights technological innovations and all-solid-state battery trends in the Chinese auto industry, production plant overviews for featured commercial EVs at IAA Transportation 2026, and Nissan's expanding UK supply chain alongside its GBP 170 million investment in Sunderland.

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

▶ China's tech innovation & future trends

▶ Production Plants for Featured Models at IAA Transportation 2026

▶ Nissan's Suppliers in the UK (including indirect transactions)

▶ Supply chain: Nissan Kicks (Thailand)

▶ Launch Schedules for small SUVs competing with the Nissan Kicks in Thailand

▶ Engine (Main Engine Parts) Supply Chain

▶ Statistics

▶ News

China's tech innovation & future trends

Technology Innovation and Future Direction of the Chinese Automotive Industry

NEV development systems, development trend of all-solid-state batteries, and more

China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM): Development, Challenges, and Future of China's Automotive Industry
Leapmotor: In-house development and technology innovation across all fields, product renewal, and overseas collaboration
FAW Group: Development trends of all-solid-state batteries

China related reports

Production Plants for Featured Models at IAA Transportation 2026

Production Facilities & Plant News

Nissan's Suppliers in the UK (including indirect transactions)

Nissan to produce new Kicks at Sunderland plant with GBP 170M investment

Nissan’s UK supply chain is centered around its Sunderland plant. Key suppliers include AESC UK (batteries), JATCO (electric powertrains), NSG, NSK, Marelli, TI Automotive, and GKN Automotive.

Distribution Map | Supplier List

Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK (NMUK), Sunderland Plant (UK)

Supply chain: Nissan Kicks (Thailand)

The Nissan P15 "Kicks e-POWER," produced in Thailand at the Samutprakan plant, features Nissan's proprietary "e-POWER" hybrid system. Powertrain components are sourced primarily from Japanese suppliers: Aichi Machine Industry (engine and gearbox), Astemo Asia (engine ECU), Vehicle Energy Japan (lithium-ion battery pack), and Marelli (battery cooling fan).

Nissan Kicks Supply Chain Overview

Nissan's suppliers in Samut Prakan, Thailand (including indirect transactions):
Distribution Map | Supplier List

Launch Schedules for small SUVs competing with the Nissan Kicks in Thailand

The Toyota Yaris Cross and Honda HR-V lead Thailand's small SUV market. With the launch of the new Kicks e-POWER in spring 2026, competition is intensifying among BEV and FHEV models.

Thailand Small SUV Market & Launch Schedule

Thailand Sales Volume Full Year 2025 / Jan.–Aug. 2026:
Toyota Yaris Cross: 34,709 units / 25,426 units
Honda HR-V: 22,051 units / 17,395 units
BYD ATTO 3: 7,962 units / 8,771 units
Mitsubishi Xforce: 4,104 units / 6,796 units
Nissan Kicks: 1,877 units / 1,558 units

Engine (Main Engine Parts) Supply Chain

Search by Model / Supplier/ Component category
Click here

Statistics

Japan August Production Falls 4.4%

Driven by a decline in output—particularly of mini-vehicles—following factory shutdowns caused by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake in late July. Production cuts for models such as the Toyota Prius, Daihatsu Move and Tanto, Suzuki Swift and Spacia, and Honda N-WGN had a substantial impact.

Japan Production Data

Toyota Group: 231,475 → 221,240 (-4.4%)
- Prius: 6,909 → 4,727 (-31.6%)
- Tanto: 9,155 → 6,121 (-33.1%)
- Move: 12,718 → 6,710 (-47.2%)
Mazda: 50,866 → 49,283 (-3.1%)
Nissan: 37,707 → 42,664 (+13.1%)
Suzuki: 51,902 → 41,640 (-19.8%)
- Swift: 9,029 → 6,235 (-30.9%)
- Spacia: 14,812 → 12,377 (-16.4%)
Honda: 43,999 → 36,124 (-17.9%)
- N-WGN: 4,242 → 1,469 (-65.4%)
Subaru: 30,068 → 32,815 (+9.1%)
Mitsubishi: 17,974 → 19,915 (+10.8%)