MITI clarifies open investment rules for BYD and other foreign automakers in Malaysia Reported on March 31, 2026, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has issued a statement clarifying its policies on foreign automotive investment and BYD’s CKD assembly plans in Malaysia. Earlier reports suggested that MITI had imposed restrictive conditions on BYD’s Tanjung Malim plant, including a reported requirement to export up to 80% of...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

V-Green joins Vikki Bank to expand EV charging and battery swapping network in Vietnam Announced on April 1, 2026, V-Green Global Charging Station Development JSC and Vikki Bank have formed a strategic partnership to grow Vietnam’s electric vehicle infrastructure. The collaboration will deploy EV charging stations and electric motorcycle battery swapping cabinets for VinFast users, supporting a more sustainable and connected EV ecosystem. Under...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Michelin completes acquisition of Flexitallic to accelerate growth in polymer composite solutions Michelin announced the completion of its acquisition of Flexitallic, based in Houston, Texas, USA. Flexitallic operates across 17 facilities worldwide and produces a comprehensive range of composite gaskets, sheet products, and specialty filler materials. It employs approximately 1,200 people and generated around USD 220 million in sales in 2025. The...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Philippines’ MIAS 2026 scheduled for April 9–12, themed “Powering Mobility” Announced on March 27, 2026, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2026 will be held from April 9 to 12 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, with additional space at the Philippine Trade Training Center. Under the theme “Powering Mobility,” this year’s edition will extend beyond vehicle displays, with a stronger emphasis on solutions-driven engagement...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Charge+ exceeds 4,000 EV charging points in Singapore Announced on March 30, 2026, Charge+ has grown its network beyond 4,000 charging points nationwide, reinforcing its position as Singapore’s largest EV charging operator, as the country steps up EV adoption under the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Of these, over 2,000 are installed across four of Singapore’s five HDB zones, while around 1,700 points are located within roughly 300 condominiums. ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Japanese government holds first cross-ministerial task force meeting for stable supply of important goods Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) Ryosei Akazawa, who was appointed as the minister in charge of securing stable supply of essential goods, held the first cross-ministerial task force meeting on April 2 and received a briefing from relevant ministries concerned about the supply of fuels, naphtha, and other essential go...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Six Japanese OEMs’ U.S. sales fall for the first time in four years (Jan–Mar 2026) Six Japanese automakers’ new vehicle sales in the U.S. from January to March 2026 totaled 1,416,619 units, a year-over-year (y/y) decrease of 5.4% for the first time in four years. The reason for the decline is believed to be the previous year’s robust sales from a last-minute surge in demand before higher automotive tariffs took effect (in April 2025). Cru...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Mitsubishi Materials to collaborate with U.S. company on rare earth recycling Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (Mitsubishi Materials) announced that it has decided to make an investment in U.S.-based ReElement Technologies Corporation (ReElement) and signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on recycling rare earths and rare metals in both Japan and the U.S. ReElement engages in recycling critical mineral resources such as rare earths. ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

FAW-VW launches Sagitar S sedan On April 1, FAW-VW launched the Sagitar S sedan. The model is available in four variants, with prices ranging from CNY 79,800 to CNY 105,800. The Sagitar S measures 4,702mm long, 1,815mm wide, and 1,484mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,688mm. The Sagitar S features a front-engine FWD layout. Equipped with a powertrain comprising either an 81kW/141Nm 1.5L engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 118kW/250Nm 1.5...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

CaoCao Inc. approved for safety officer-free road testing of ICVs On April 1, CaoCao Inc. became Hangzhou’s first intelligent passenger vehicle company to be approved by the Chinese authorities for safety officer-free road testing of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs). This marks a new stage for unmanned ICV operations. In 2026, CaoCao Inc. plans to develop more urban markets in China, explore the development of Robotaxi operations in Hong K...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

South Korea’s Cosmo Chemical completes patent registration of patent for method for manufacturing iron phosphate for LFP batteries Several South Korean media outlets have reported that Cosmo Chemical of South Korea has completed patent registration for a method of manufacturing iron phosphate for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. This patent relates to a technology for producing LFP precursors using iron sulfate, a by-product generated du...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

LG Chem to strengthen automotive electronics material business South Korea’s LG Chem Ltd. (LG Chem) announced that it has unveiled a plan to expand its electronic material business, from current KRW 1 trillion (JPY 110 billion) in sales to KRW 2 trillion (JPY 220 billion) by 2030. Prior to this, the company positioned automotive electronic components, semiconductors, and next-generation displays as the main areas of its business and integrated ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Toyota Motor Hamura is established, taking the lead in ladder-frame vehicles Toyota Motor Hamura Co., Ltd. (Hamura City, Tokyo), a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) that took over the Hamura Plant (Hamura City, Tokyo) from Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino), was established on April 1 and announced its corporate philosophy and other details. As a leader in ladder-frame vehicle production—featuring a structural ladder-like frame...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Stellantis U.S. Q1 sales increase 4.3% on strength of ICE vehicles On April 1, Stellantis reported that its total first-quarter U.S. sales increased 4.3% versus the same period in 2025. Overall, the company sold 305,902 vehicles in the quarter.      • Jeep brand sales were up 2.8% to 144,552 units, assisted by sales of the all-new Cherokee and increased Grand Wagoneer sales    • Ram brand sales were up 20.1% to 112,160 units, led by Ram ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Stellantis reportedly in talks to build Leapmotor EVs at idled Brampton, Ontario plant Stellantis is reportedly in talks over options for building electric vehicles (EVs) in Canada with Chinese partner, Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., according to people familiar with the matter. The development follows on changes in Canadian industrial policy as a result of imposition of tariffs and other pressures from the Trump administration on OEMs to mov...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

GM’s joint venture in China seeks to build vehicles in Mexico General Motors and its Chinese joint venture, SAIC-GM-Wuling, are reported to be in advanced talks to manufacture vehicles in Mexico. The move comes amid shifting trade policies, as Mexico raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 50% in January. The joint venture already ships approximately 130,000 Chinese-built Chevrolet Aveo, Groove, and Tornado vans annually to Mexico, but adding loca...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

GM U.S. Q1 2026 sales fall 9.7% from pre-tariff market high On April 1, GM announced that its sales in Q1 2026 totaled 626,429 vehicles, a decline of 9.7% compared to the same period a year earlier. GM says it expects a similar decline for the U.S. auto industry as a whole since the current market has been feeling the effects of winter storms (as well as affordability and gasoline price concerns) and is being compared to an exceptionally high sel...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Ford Q1 U.S. sales down 8.8% from Q1 2025 to 457,315 units On April 2, Ford announced that it sold 457,315 vehicles in Q1 2026, a decrease of 8.8% from a particularly strong industry performance in the same quarter a year ago. Ford brand SUV sales in Q1 dropped 7.8% to 185,766 units, while truck sales fell 11.3% to 257,475 units (with F-150 sales affected in part by available inventory after a fire at an aluminum supplier’s plant late last year...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Tesla Q1 production up 12.6％, deliveries up 6.3％ On April 2, Tesla reported that it had produced 408,386 vehicles in Q1 2026, up 12.6% from the 362,615 units produced in Q1 2025. Of those vehicles produced in Q1 2026, 394,611 were Models 3/Y, and 13,775 were other models, including Models S/X, Cybertruck, and Semi. In Q1, Tesla delivered 358,023 vehicles, up 6.3% from the 336,681 units delivered in Q1 2025.  Of those vehicles delivered in Q1...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Hero MotoCorp, India picks up 36.67% in Euler Motors On April 1, Hero MotoCorp completed the acquisition of 268,219 Series E Cumulative Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares in Euler Motors for INR 2.1 billion, part of a broader INR 2.75 billion additional investment approved in February 2026. Post acquisition, Hero MotoCorp holds 36.67% of Euler Motors on a fully diluted basis, up from its earlier associate-level stake. Euler Motors is a Be...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02