Automotive Industry News & Contents 2026 [Daily Updates]

Oct 05, 2026

This edition highlights an exclusive interview with MAHLE on commercial vehicle electrification and megawatt charging, the launch of a new keyword-based part name search in "Who supplies Whom", and September/August automotive production and sales figures for the U.S. and Thailand.

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

▶ Interview: MAHLE on the Future of Electrification

▶ Who supplies Whom: Part Name Search Now Available

▶ Statistics

▶ U.S. RAV4 Shifts to HEVs/PHEVs as Competition Intensifies

▶ Indonesia: xEVs of Emerging EV, South Korean, and Japanese OEMs

▶ Brake Supply Chain

▶ Supplier Search for Drive Motor-Related Components

▶ News

Interview: MAHLE on the Future of Electrification

Management, Range Extenders, Next Generation of Batteries

The electrification of commercial vehicles is creating new challenges involving megawatt charging, driving range, vehicle uptime, and next-generation batteries. At IAA Transportation 2026, MarkLines interviewed Dr. Marco Warth, Vice President Corporate Research and Advanced Engineering at MAHLE, about thermal management for megawatt charging, the company’s range extender system offering a range of more than 800 kilometers, the industrialization of solid-state batteries, and the growing importance of system integration.

MAHLE detailed report

More exclusive interviews
Going beyond press releases and publicly available information, MarkLines explores on-the-ground perspectives, the background behind business initiatives, and future strategic directions.

Who supplies Whom: Part Name Search Now Available

Search by Part Name / Model / Supplier

A search function has been added to the "Search (Model/Supplier)" page of "Who supplies Whom". Users can now perform partial-match searches by entering keywords in the detailed component name field. The existing search method of selecting from component categories remains available.

Statistics

U.S. sales rise 4.4% in September

U.S. sales rise 4.4% in September, supported by solid demand for light trucks and a rise in demand for hybrid vehicles—driven by increasing gasoline prices. Models such as the Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai-Kia Tucson see sales growth, spearheading the market expansion.

GM Group: 218,839 → 218,562 (-0.1%)
Toyota Group: 185,748 → 201,306 (+8.4%)
- Camry: 24,521 → 25,350 (+3.4%)
Ford Group: 160,405 → 163,604 (+2.0%)
Hyundai Kia: 143,367 → 162,511 (+13.4%)
- Tucson: 17,569 → 23,164 (+31.8%)
Honda: 105,097 → 121,796 (+15.9%)
- CR-V: 28,549 → 34,788 (+21.9%)

US Sales Volume Dashboard

Thailand August production rises 10.9%
Driven by strong domestic sales. Increased production of the Toyota Hilux Revo and Honda City contribute to this overall expansion in output.

1 Toyota Group 49,285 → 55,365（+12.3%）
- Hilux Travo 9 → 13,561（+150577.8%）
2 Isuzu 15,440 → 13,732（-11.1%）
3 Ford Group 15,265 → 13,416（-12.1%）
4 Mitsubishi 11,226 → 11,755（+4.7%）
5 Honda 4,385 → 10,019（+128.5%）
- City 797 → 4,718（+492.0%）
6 BYD Auto 4,519 → 5,082（+12.5%）
7 SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group)) 2,612 → 4,050（+55.1%）
8 Mazda 4,855 → 2,683（-44.7%）
9 GAC Group 0 → 2,055（-%）
10 Great Wall Motor Company Ltd. (GWM) 2,424 → 1,860（-23.3%）

U.S. RAV4 Shifts to HEVs/PHEVs as Competition Intensifies

The Toyota RAV4 in the U.S. launched its sixth-generation model in December 2025. The new model discontinued the ICE version and shifted to an electrified lineup consisting of hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Toyota aims to maintain and expand the RAV4's position as a core SUV in the U.S. market by positioning the hybrid version as the volume model. However, in January-August 2026, the Honda CR-V, which offers both ICE and hybrid versions, increased sales by 8.3% year on year to 302,000 units, while RAV4 sales totaled 219,000 units, below those of the CR-V. RAV4 sales have been affected by supply constraints associated with the transition to the new model. In addition, the discontinuation of the ICE version may have led some customers seeking an ICE vehicle to shift to competing models such as the CR-V. Honda plans to introduce next-generation hybrid models in North America from 2027, led by the new CR-V, while expanding hybrid vehicle production capacity at its North American production facilities. In addition, Nissan will launch the new Rogue in fall 2026 and add a series-hybrid e-POWER version. Toyota has shifted the RAV4 to electrification ahead of its rivals, while Honda and Nissan are strengthening their hybrid lineups and production capacity. The competitiveness of the two automakers' strategies in response to
the RAV4's electrification strategy will be a key factor in the U.S. compact SUV market.

U.S. Compact SUV Electrification Analysis

U.S. Sales Volume Full Year 2025 / Jan.-Aug. 2026
Honda CR-V 403,768 units / 302,056 units
Toyota RAV4 479,288 units / 219,472 units
Nissan Rogue 217,896 units / 179,816 units

RAV4 monthly production figures (by country and powertrain)

Indonesia: xEVs of Emerging EV, South Korean, and Japanese OEMs

Local OEMs partnering with Chinese automakers; VinFast expanding its sales network.

Polytron, Aletra: Local emerging EV manufacturers partnering with Chinese OEMs
VinFast: Launches its own plant and expands sales network
Hyundai's BEV prototype Neira, Kia Carens EV concept
xEVs of Japanese OEMs: Toyota, Daihatsu, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Honda, Mazda

Read the full Indonesia xEV report

Brake Supply Chain

Brake Analysis Report

Supplier Search for Drive Motor-Related Components

The Parts Manufacturers Search can be used not only to check company information, but also to identify potential new business partners. Using automotive drive motors as an example, we would like to introduce how the Parts Manufacturers Search can be used to identify potential suppliers. In addition to searching by module, you can specify component parts such as motor cores, motor shafts, rotors, and stators, and combine criteria such as region and customers supplied to efficiently identify suppliers that meet your specific needs. We encourage you to make use of the Parts Manufacturers Search to support your sales and research activities, including new customer development and market research.

Rotor & Stator Suppliers for Drive Motors in Europe:
List | Distribution Map

Drive Motor Suppliers in USA:
List | Distribution Map

Parts Manufacturers Search – Top Page