eptember 9, Nikkei Asia reported Toyota would consolidate production of Lexus brand cars in the U.S. to a single location. According to a new Nikkei report, the two new EVs to be built at Georgetown will be based on the Toyota RAV4 and Land Cruiser. Meanwhile, the next-gen Lexus ES will be built in Japan and exported to the US, the source said, adding that the shift is not related to the U.S. auto tariffs. The RAV4 and Land Cruiser EVs are expect...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/11

n (Suzuki) will launch a proprietary series-type hybrid vehicle (HV) in the second half of 2020s, and a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) around 2030. The automaker intends to increase the variety of electrified vehicle models that satisfy the demand and regulations in each country and region, including Japan, India, and Europe. Suzuki plans to utilize its “Super Ene-Charge” 48-volt hybrid system, which is currently under development, for mini veh...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/10

Toyota to end Lexus ES production in U.S., import next-gen from Japan Toyota Motor Corp. plans to consolidate production of its Lexus brand cars in the U.S. into a single location from two in the face of high tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and resultant pressure of cost increases. A Nikkei Asia report on September 9 said the move is aimed at strengthening U.S. production of hybrid vehicles while shifting some production of high-end L...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/10

Government of Karnataka, India secures Renesas and Honda investments On September 9, the Government of Karnataka, led by the Minister for Large and Medium Industries & Infrastructure Development, visited Japan. The delegation met with Renesas Electronics Corporation’s leadership in Tokyo to discuss plans for expanding R&D in Bengaluru, including the design of India’s first 3nm chips. Renesas’ new Bengaluru facility, which opened in May, is ...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/09

ines multimodal vision, language, and action. It quickly adapts to different roads and driving styles. It also improves safety with features like spatial awareness, OCR, and voice control to handle risky situations effectively. DeepRoute.ai is expanding into major international markets like Europe, Japan, and South Korea with a dual-track strategy. Based on DeepRoute.ai press release...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/09

Lexus, world premieres new midsize sedan IS Lexus world premiered the new IS on September 9. It will go on sale in various markets starting in early 2026. This model is available in two versions: IS350 and IS300h (only the FR IS300h will be released in Japan). The IS350 is available with an 8-speed automatic transmission, FR, or a 6-speed automatic transmission with AWD, while the IS300h is available with an electric continuously variable transmi...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/09

Honda to release UNI-ONE seated hands-free mobility device on September 24 On September 8, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) announced that it will introduce the UNI-ONE hands-free mobility device, a seated personal mobility vehicle, to the market. It will begin sales to corporate customers in Japan on September 24. The mobility device is expected to be used as a mobility means within facilities such as theme parks. Annual production volume is set at...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/09

Half of JDI’s workforce applies for voluntary retirement program Japan Display Inc. (JDI) announced that 1,483 employees, which accounts for half of its total workforce, have applied for the JDI voluntary retirement program it has conducted in Japan from June to August. They will retire by the end of March 2027. While an extraordinary loss of JPY 9.5 billion, including costs for additional retirement allowances, is expected to be booked in the ...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/09

kWh, equal to about 125 km of range. The charging setup was a prototype station that merged MCS truck charging tech with a slim CCS cable, safely delivering the extreme current required. Mercedes’ charging network is expanding globally. With hubs already in Germany, the U.S., China, Austria, and Japan, about 80 sites are live, with plans to launch in up to 8 more countries within a year. By 2030, the network will exceed 10,000 fast-charging po...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/08

h Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to build next-generation intelligent assisted driving solutions on the Snapdragon Ride platform. QCraft has already completed development of its NOA solutions based on Snapdragon Ride. Mass production and delivery of QCraft’s full-stack solutions in Europe, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea are expected to begin in 2026. Based on QCraft press release ...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/08

e Minister highlighted the need to use Malaysia’s international connections to promote Proton vehicles worldwide, particularly through the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit. The event will provide an opportunity for leaders from ASEAN countries, along with representatives from China, South Korea, India, Japan, and even Brazil and South Africa, to experience Proton’s electric vehicles firsthand, showcasing their technology, performance, and capabilit...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/08

Japanese automakers relieved as Trump signs order to lower tariffs Japanese automakers breathed a sigh of relief after U.S. President Donald Trump finally signed a U.S.-Japan trade agreement that includes lowering tariffs on automobiles. The US and Japanese governments agreed in July to lower the 25% additional tariffs issued in April to 12.5%, but the timing of the reduction had been unclear. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s Minister in charge of Econo...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/08

U.S. President Donald Trump signs presidential order to implement Japan-US tariff agreement The U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a presidential order to implement the Japan-US agreement based on their tariff negotiations. This acknowledgment gave a sense of relief to the automotive parts industry. However, there remain uncertain factors such as the treatment of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada agreement (USMCA), and there will still be concerning...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/08

METI jointly signs international guidance addressing importance of SBOM use Japan’s National Cybersecurity Office (NCO) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have jointly signed an international guidance that addresses the importance of the use of the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM). SBOM is a record of software components and their supply chain relationships, and is also used in the automotive industry. Led by METI and the U...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/08

Mazda to hike North American price for two models, including CX-5, by 1% On September 3, 2025, Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) raised the prices of the CX-5, a flagship sports utility vehicle (SUV), and the sports convertible model MX-5 (also known as the Roadster in Japan), both of which are sold in North America. However, the increase is only around 1% and according to Mazda, the company did so after considering several industry-wide factors, i...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/08

Trump signs framework agreement with Japan reducing most tariffs to 15% On September 5, U.S. President Trump announced a new tariff framework agreement under which the U.S. will apply a baseline 15% tariff on nearly all Japanese imports entering the U.S., alongside separate some sector-specific treatment for automobiles and automobile parts; aerospace products; generic pharmaceuticals; and natural resources not naturally available or produced in ...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/06

Lutnick says trade deals to remain despite ongoing legal battle over tariffs On September 5, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told media that President Trump's trade deals, including the one announced the previous day with Japan, will stay in place despite the ongoing legal challenge to his sweeping tariffs. After two lower federal courts dismissed the presidential tariffs based on IEEPA legislation, the legality of the tariffs will be deci...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/06

JR Automation building new USD 72.8 million global headquarters in Zeeland, Michigan On September 3, Japanese robotics integrator JR Automation, a Hitachi Group company, said it will invest USD 72.8 million for a new “global headquarters” in Zeeland, Michigan, which will consolidate several locations and 350 employees in West Michigan. “We’re building a new 286,000 sq. ft. Global Headquarters in Zeeland, Michigan. It’s a state-of-the-ar...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/06

EV models in mass-market price range increasing in Japan The lineup of electric vehicle (EV) models in the mass-market price range is expanding in Japan. The current EV prices after deducting national and local subsidies are not much different from the prices of gasoline and hybrid vehicles (HVs). Compact and mini EVs are now priced at a JPY 2 million level, with the help of aggressive price cuts by BYD Co., Ltd. (BYD). Toyota Motor Corporation p...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/05

Honda launches all-new Prelude in Japan On September 4, Honda announced the all-new compact specialty coupe Prelude in Japan. Honda developed the all-new Prelude under the grand concept of “Unlimited Glide”,  inspired by the image of gliders soaring freely and boundlessly through the open sky,  extraordinary experience that people do not have in their everyday lives. The body is 4,520 mm long, 1,880 mm wide and 1,355 mm high, with a wheelba...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/04