ing 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 vehicles and price the remaining 20% for local sales above MYR 200,000, which sparked social media discussion. MITI clarified that these reports were incorrect, confirming that the local minimum pr...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

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 acquisition strengthens Michelin’s growth in polymer composite solutions and expands its sealing portfolio and market reach. (Fro...

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

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

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

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

Canadian sales down 8.2% in March, down 4.4% in Q1 2026 On April 2, DesRosiers Automotive Consultants reported that Canadian vehicle sales in March of just under 170,000 units represented an 8.2% decline from the 185,000 units the previous March, with one less selling day in the month than last year. March sales this year were noticeably lower than the first two months of 2026. The SAAR for March came in at 1.85 million units, again lower than ea...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/03

Spanish passenger car sales increase 11.7% in March On April 1, the automobile manufacturers association of Spain (ANFAC) announced that passenger car registrations of 130,340 units in March 2026 represented an increase of 11.7% over March 2025. Passenger car sales of 300,529 units in the first three months of the year represented a 7.6% increase from the same period in 2025.Toyota sales increased 67.5% to 11,930 units, VW sales increased 6.6% to...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

ally, the vehicles were launched on April 2 through Toyota Mobility Tokyo Inc. A nationwide launch is planned for this summer. The selling price for the Tundra 1794 Edition is 12 million yen (including tax), and the Highlander Limited ZR Hybrid is 8.6 million yen (including tax). The target monthly sales volume for nationwide launch is 80 units and 40 units, respectively. Furthermore, Toyota stated that it will begin sales of the Camry, a mid-siz...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

U.S. auto sales fall 11.8% in March amid elevated vehicle prices and weakening demand The number of new vehicles sold in the U.S. in March 2026 (preliminary figures including estimates for GM/Stellantis/Tesla, etc.), aggregated by MarkLines as of April 2, totaled 1,405,817 units, down 11.8% year over year. March had 25 selling days, one fewer than a year earlier. Seasonally adjusted at annual rates (SAAR, millions/year)  *March data will be upda...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

French passenger car sales up 12.9% in March Plateforme de la Filière Automobile (PFA) announced that March new passenger car sales in France of 173,633 units increased 12.9% over the same month last year. Renault Group sales of 48,956 units increased 13.3% (28.2% share) while Group Stellantis sales of 44,495 units increased 2.7% (25.6% share). Volkswagen Group sales of 23,728 units increased 3.5% (13.7% share) while Toyota Group sales of 10,167...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

Italian passenger car sales up 7.6% in March 2026 On April 1, the Italian automobile manufacturers association (ANFIA) announced that passenger car registrations of 185,367 units in March increased 7.6% over the same month in 2025. Year-to-date sales increased 9.2% with 484,802 cars registered in the first three months of 2026. In March, Fiat registrations increased 27.2% year-on-year (11.4% market share), Volkswagen registrations increased 2.7% ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

mph Motorcycles (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to expand production capacity for motorcycles above 500 cc, including engines and major components, at its Amata City Industrial Estate facility in Chonburi. Around 95% of output will be exported to the UK and other Asian markets, with the remainder for domestic sales. Triumph has operated in Thailand since 2009, with total investment exceeding THB 13 billion across its four BOI-backed projects. The company em...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

FY2025 new vehicle sales in Japan down 0.9% y/y to 4.53 million units In the fiscal year that ended in March 2026 (FY2025), Japanese new vehicle sales (total of mini and non-mini vehicles (registered vehicles)) declined by 0.9% year-over-year (y/y) to 4,533,782 units for the first time in four years. While Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. saw increased sales, mainly of mini vehicle, thanks to the introduction of new vehicle models and the rebound from it...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

ilt in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the 2027 Atlas is fitted with the new EA888 evo5 turbocharged and direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI engine, producing 282 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The seven-seat Atlas and five-seat Atlas Cross Sport vehicles accounted for about 30% of the brand’s U.S. sales in 2025. The Chattanooga plant, which also builds the electric ID.4, employs about 4,000 people. (Volkswagen of America release on March 31, 202...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/02

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, India, sales increases 29% in March 2026 On April 1, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. (formerly known as Tata Motors Limited) reported that it sold 66,971 vehicles in domestic and international markets in March 2026, marking a 29% year-on-year increase over the 51,872 units sold in March 2025. Of these, total PV domestic sales (including electric vehicles) were 66,192 units, up 28% from 51,616 last year. Electri...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01

established a wholly-owned subsidiary named Zhejiang Linghao Thermal Control Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of CNY 72 million. The new company’s business scope covers manufacturing of automotive parts and accessories, R&D of automotive parts, manufacturing of battery parts and accessories, sales of New Energy Vehicle electrical accessories, and solar power generation technology and services. From multiple press releases...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01

Charge+ partners BYD distributor Harmony Auto to expand EV charging network in Cambodia Announced on March 30, 2026, Charge+ Cambodia signed an MOU with Harmony Auto, the authorized distributor of BYD vehicles in Cambodia, to support EV adoption. The partnership links charging services with vehicle sales to enhance the overall user experience. BYD and DENZA customers receive a 15% discount on charging across Charge+’s network, which includes 54...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01

Honda-backed startup PathAhead develops artificial aggregate made from desert sand PathAhead Co., Ltd. (PathAhead, Minato Ward, Tokyo), a start-up backed by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. that develops artificial aggregates—such as pavement materials—using desert sand, announced on March 31 that it aims for sales of JPY 43 billion by 2034. Starting in 2027, the company will begin demonstrations in parts of Africa to establish specifications that meet ...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01