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A Toyota logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. Toyota is targeting sales of 1.5 million battery-powered vehicles a year globally by 2026. The announcement came after Toyota executives said in July the company would focus on selling hydrogen-powered trucks and cars in Europe and China. A hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle uses an electric motor like an EV but draws power from a fuel stack where hydrogen is separated by a catalyst to produce electricity. Toyota sold about 3,500 fuel-cell vehicles globally over the January-October period.

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, Daniel Leussink, Mariko Katsumura, Lisa Shumaker, Jamie Freed Organizations: New York, REUTERS, Rights, Toyota, European Union, European Automobile Manufacturers Association, Battery, Lexus, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Europe, EU, China

☆ Toyota partially halts output at Tianjin plant in China - Jiji
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Japan's Toyota Motor (7203.T) is partially suspending production at its plant in Tianjin, China, the Jiji news service reported on Friday, as global automakers face strong sales competition in the world's top auto market. A spokesperson for Toyota China did not immediately comment on the report. A representative for FAW (SASACJ.UL), Toyota's joint venture (JV) in the Tianjin plant, said he was not immediately able to comment. Reuters reported last month that Toyota has told dealers it will extend a plan to reduce output at its JV with FAW in China. Its sales and production in China over that period slipped compared to 2022 amid the rising competition.

Persons: Johanna Geron, Jiji, Daniel Leussink, Rocky Swift, Brenda Goh, Edmund Klamann, Christina Fincher Organizations: Toyota, REUTERS, Rights, Toyota China, FAW, Reuters, JV, Lexus, China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Thomson Locations: Zaventem, Belgium, Tianjin, China, Europe, North America, Tokyo, Shanghai

Toyota, Toyota Industries and Aisin will sell Denso shares worth a total of about 700 billion yen ($4.7 billion) at current market prices, the two sources said. In a statement, Denso said it was considering a share sale, a buyback and other capital measures, but that nothing had yet been decided. At $4.7 billion, it would be the second-biggest such share offering in Japan this year, after the more than $9 billion sale of shares in Japan Post Bank (7182.T) in March, according to LSEG data. Denso shares, which were down almost 4% before the news, extended losses after the Reuters report and fell as much as 6.8% on the day, closing 4.9% lower. Toyota shares finished little changed, as did the benchmark Nikkei 225 (.N225).

Persons: Denso, Miho Uranaka, Daniel Leussink, Maki Shiraki, Nobuhiro Kubo, David Dolan, Jamie Freed, Miral Fahmy, Louise Heavens Organizations: Companies, Toyota, Toyota Industries, Aisin, Japan Post Bank, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Buyers, KDDI Corp, Reuters, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Denso, Japan

Toyota Motor's portion will represent almost half of the roughly 10%, with the total sale seen at about 700 billion yen ($4.7 billion) at current market prices, the two sources said. A Toyota spokesperson said it was not in a position to comment on Denso, adding the contents of the Reuters report of the share sale were not something it had announced itself. Buyers of the shares are expected to largely be domestic investors, and the price has yet to be determined, the sources said. Denso shares, which were down almost 4% before the news, extended losses after the Reuters report and fell as much as 6.8% on the day, closing 4.9% lower. Toyota shares finished little changed, as did the benchmark Nikkei 225 (.N225).

Persons: Miho Uranaka, Daniel Leussink, Maki Shiraki, Nobuhiro Kubo, David Dolan, Jamie Freed Organizations: Companies, Toyota, KDDI Corp, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Reuters, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Denso

TOKYO, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Shares of Japan's Panasonic Holdings (6752.T) have rallied about 10% since it announced on Friday a plan to sell a stake in its automotive systems business and the unit's potential listing raised broader restructuring hopes. Over the last decade, Hitachi's shares have more than trebled, when taking into account dividends, compared to a 87% return by Panasonic. Investors reacted positively to the potential sale of the stake in the automotive unit, which makes cockpit and electronics systems. With its plan, Panasonic likely starts a journey to make itself into a company with a higher return on equity, they said. Panasonic's automotive unit is separate from its energy unit that makes batteries for electric vehicles, including those from Tesla (TSLA.O).

Persons: Damian Thong, Thong, Jefferies, Hitachi's, Ulrike Schaede, Daniel Leussink, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Japan's Panasonic Holdings, Apollo Global Management, Panasonic, Hitachi, Macquarie, Investors, University of California San, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Tokyo, Singapore, University of California San Diego

☆ Cruise testing continues in Japan, Dubai, even as vehicles parked in US
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Greg Bensinger | Thomson Reuters | Greg Bensinger Joined Reuters As A Technology Correspondent In Focusing On The World'S Largest Technology Companies. He Was Previously A Member Of The New York Times Editorial Board | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

At issue is an Oct. 2 accident in which a Cruise vehicle dragged a pedestrian in San Francisco after striking her. As recently as October, it had hundreds of autos carrying passengers around San Francisco with no drivers and had announced aggressive expansion plans. In Dubai, Cruise vehicles have primarily been seen recently on a couple of islands on the outskirts of the main city. In Japan, Honda (7267.T) and Cruise have jointly been testing self-driving vehicles on public roads in the city of Utsunomiya - a regional hub of about 513,000 people - and the adjacent Haga town. Reporting by Greg Bensinger in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Daniel Leussink in Toyko and Rachna Uppal in Dubai Editing by Ben Klayman and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Elijah Nouvelage, General Motors, Cruise, ”, “, Bryant Walker Smith, Greg Bensinger, Daniel Leussink, Ben Klayman, Matthew Lewis Organizations: GM Bolt, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, General, Reuters, University of South, National, Traffic Safety Administration, California Department of Motor Vehicles, Cruise, Honda, Thomson Locations: San Francisco , California, U.S, Dubai, Japan, University of South Carolina, Arizona, San Francisco, California, Utsunomiya, Haga town, Toyko

☆ Panasonic plans to sell stake in autos business to Apollo Global funds
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo of Panasonic Corp is pictured at the CEATEC JAPAN 2017 (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, October 2, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Japan's Panasonic Holdings (6752.T) said on Friday it plans to sell a stake in its automotive systems business to funds managed by U.S. private equity firm Apollo Global Management, and has signed a memorandum of understanding with an Apollo affiliate. Continued investment in the automotive systems business would be necessary to achieve sustained growth for the company amid a rapid shift to electric cars and changes to vehicle architecture, Panasonic said. The automotive unit makes cockpit and electronics systems. It is separate from Panasonic's energy unit that makes batteries for electric vehicles, including those from Tesla (TSLA.O).

Persons: Toru Hanai, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Panasonic Corp, Advanced Technologies, Makuhari, REUTERS, Rights, Japan's Panasonic Holdings, U.S, Apollo Global Management, Apollo, Panasonic, Thomson Locations: JAPAN, Chiba, Japan, Tokyo

☆ Japan's Denso to target $8 bln in electrification revenue by FY 2025
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Denso Corp FollowTOKYO, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Japanese automotive supplier Denso (6902.T) aims to increase its revenue from electrification to 1.2 trillion yen ($7.97 billion) by the 2025 business year and 1.7 trillion yen by the turn of the decade, the company said on Wednesday. Denso aimed to grow its revenue from advanced-driver assistance systems (ADAS) to 520 billion yen by the 2025 business year and said it would further unwind cross-shareholdings, according to presentation materials. "As electrification centred on battery electric vehicles progresses from the 2025 business year onward, we want to reach 1.7 trillion yen by 2030 by expanding sales globally," he said. Denso has been ahead of other firms in actively reducing its cross-shareholdings, Matsui said, adding that none of the remaining holdings were off limits. Denso reiterated an October commitment to invest about 500 billion yen in semiconductors by 2030 and pledged to boost the number of workers in software to some 18,000 people by 2030, about 1.5 times of their current level.

Persons: Denso, Yasushi Matsui, Matsui, Daniel Leussink, Muralikumar Organizations: Denso, Thomson

☆ Nissan more than doubles Q2 operating profit, beating estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A visitor is seen at Nissan Motor Corp.'s showroom in Tokyo, Japan November 11, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Japan's Nissan Motor (7201.T) reported on Thursday it had more than doubled its operating profit for the July-September quarter, beating analysts' estimates, boosted by steady sales in North America and Japan and a weaker yen. The company reported a 127% rise in July-September operating profit to 208.1 billion yen ($1.38 billion), compared with an average estimate of 155.9 billion yen in a poll of 10 analysts by LSEG and a 91.7 billion yen operating profit in the same period a year earlier. The automaker raised its full-year forecast by nearly 13% to 620 billion yen due to a favourable impact of a weak yen and improvements in global retail sales, excluding China. The forecast compared to a 570.1 billion yen average profit forecast in a poll of 19 analysts by Refinitiv.

Persons: Issei Kato, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Muralikumar Organizations: Nissan Motor Corp, REUTERS, Rights, LSEG, Refinitiv, Nissan, Renault, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, North America, China

☆ Honda posts 31% Q2 operating profit jump, raises full-year forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

People are reflected on a Honda Motor car outside the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan February 2, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Honda Motor Co Ltd FollowTOKYO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Japan's Honda Motor (7267.T) posted a 31% increase in operating profit for the September quarter on Thursday, lifted by stronger sales in the United States and a weaker yen, and raised its full-year forecast by 20%. Japan's second-biggest automaker by sales said operating profit totalled 302.1 billion yen ($2.0 billion) in the three months to Sept. 30, compared with an average 345.3 billion yen estimate in a poll of 10 analysts by LSEG. Honda raised its full-year operating profit forecast to 1.2 trillion yen from the 1 trillion yen it had expected, largely in line with the 1.237 trillion yen average forecast from 21 analysts. ($1 = 151.0600 yen)Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by David Dolan and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Honda Motor, REUTERS, Honda, LSEG, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, China

☆ Renault cuts Nissan stake to 15% after transferring shares to trust
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO-The logos of car manufacturers Renault and Nissan are seen in front of dealerships of the companies in Le Coteau, France, July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 8 (Reuters) - France's Renault (RENA.PA) has cut its stake in Nissan (7201.T) to 15% from about 43% by placing 28.4% of the Japanese automaker in a French trust, the companies said in an alliance statement, putting them on equal footing. The new agreement for the restructured alliance between Renault, Nissan and their junior partner Mitsubishi Motors (7211.T) came into effect on Wednesday, the car makers said in the statement. The companies had already said in January that Renault would put roughly 28% of Nissan in a French trust to make them more equal partners. ($1 = 0.9359 euros)Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, France's, Ampere, Daniel Leussink, Christian Schmollinger, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Renault, Nissan, REUTERS, Rights, France's Renault, Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi, Thomson Locations: Le Coteau, France, London

☆ NTT says to test driverless vehicle tech with Toyota, invest in US startup
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Toyota logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Japan's Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) (9432.T) plans to test driverless vehicle technology with Toyota Motor (7203.T) and invest in a U.S. startup developing self-driving systems, a spokesperson for the telecommunications firm said on Monday. The Nikkei newspaper first reported on Monday that NTT will invest in May Mobility, adding that both NTT and Toyota would jointly develop vehicles. Both the NTT spokesperson and a Toyota spokesperson said they had no plans for joint development. Cruise late that month suspended all driverless vehicle operations in the United States following an accident that led California regulators to order the company to remove its driverless cars from state roads.

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, Cruise, Daniel Leussink, Maki Shiraki, Satoshi Sugiyama, Louise Heavens, Christina Fincher Organizations: New York, REUTERS, Rights, Japan's Nippon, Telephone, NTT, Toyota Motor, Nikkei, Toyota, Mobility, Tokio, Honda, General Motors, Cruise, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Japan, Michigan, United States, California

The world's top-selling automaker reported a record operating profit of 1.44 trillion yen ($9.5 billion) in the three months to end-September, a 155.6% increase from a year earlier. It lifted its full-year profit forecast to 4.5 trillion yen from 3 trillion yen, largely due to favourable effects from foreign exchange rates. Toyota expects the weaker yen to account for 1.18 trillion yen of the revision to the full-year profit. The new projection compared to analysts' average forecast of 4.0 trillion yen. Toyota assumed an average rate of 141 yen per dollar in its calculations for the 2023/24 financial year compared to 125 yen previously.

Persons: Issei Kato, Yoichi Miyazaki, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Muralikumar Organizations: Toyota, Japan, REUTERS, Nissan, Honda, EVs, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, United States, Asia, China, Southeast, Thailand, North Carolina

☆ Panasonic cuts battery unit's profit outlook, warns on high-end EV sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Panasonic lowered its full-year operating profit forecast for the energy unit that makes batteries for Tesla (TSLA.O) and other automakers to 115 billion yen ($769 million) from 135 billion yen. The battery unit's production in Japan suffered from slowing uptake for high-end EVs in North America, Panasonic said in the presentation material, as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act spurred demand changes among consumers. Panasonic added its production at its North American operations remained steady, and it saw firm sales of vehicles eligible for tax credits. South Korean battery firm LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) last week warned of slowing revenue growth in 2024 due to global economic uncertainties affecting the outlook for EV sales. General Motors (GM.N) is also slowing the launch of several EV models to cut their costs, and pulling back on EV product spending.

Persons: Steve Marcus, Tesla, Elon Musk, Daniel Leussink, Kim Coghill, Miral Organizations: Panasonic, REUTERS, Rights, Panasonic Holdings, Korean, LG Energy, EV, General Motors, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Japan, China, Europe, North America, KS

☆ Toyota September production jumps on stronger Japan output
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Attendees listen as President, CEO and Member of the Board of Directors at Toyota Motor Corporation Koji Sato holds a press briefing during a press day of the Japan Mobility Show 2023 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor (7203.T) said on Monday that worldwide production rose 1.5% in September from the same period a year earlier to 900,919 vehicles, boosted by stronger demand in Japan, the United States and in Europe. The world's biggest automaker by sales reported an 11.6% jump in global sales in September to 921,308 vehicles. Domestic sales surged 20.5% in September, while those in the United States rose 14% and sales in Europe were up 18.1%. In China, the world's biggest auto market, Toyota reported a nearly 7% decline in production even as it reported slightly higher year-on-year sales.

Persons: Toyota Motor Corporation Koji Sato, Issei Kato, Daniel Leussink, Jamie Freed Organizations: Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Toyota, Lexus, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Europe, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China

☆ Japan's Denso to invest $3.3 billion to bulk up chips business
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Semiconductor chips are seen on a printed circuit board in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Japanese automotive supplier Denso (6902.T) will invest about 500 billion yen ($3.3 billion) in semiconductors by 2030 as aims to triple the scale of its chips business by 2035 from current levels, the company's president said on Thursday. Thus, we will forge strategic partnerships with various companies," Denso President Shinnosuke Hayashi said at the Japan Mobility Show, which officially opened on Thursday. The company will hire new employees to specialise in electrification and software and also move staff from mature businesses to electrification and software, he said. ($1 = 150.1900 yen)Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by David Dolan, Jamie Freed and Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Florence Lo, Shinnosuke Hayashi, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Jamie Freed, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Denso, Toyota, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Sony, Japan, Thomson Locations: Japan

☆ Toyota aims to put 1,000 km-range Lexus EV on the road by 2026
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Toyota unveiled a Lexus concept car with a roughly 1,000 kilometre range on Wednesday that it aims to roll out by 2026, part of the Japanese automaker's strategic pivot to EVs reliant on advanced battery technology. The LF-ZC concept car, which debuted at the Japan Mobility Show, uses "prismatic, high-performance" batteries that achieve around twice the range of conventional EVs - or around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles). The low-sitting LF-ZC sports an expansive cockpit and uses advanced AI technology that Toyota has dubbed "Butler". The AI system is able to identify preferences that drivers may not be aware of themselves, Toyota said. Toyota has committed to having battery EVs account for 100% of global sales of the luxury Lexus brand by 2035.

Persons: BEV, Toyota Takero Kato, Simon Humphries, Issei Kato, Butler, Maki Shiraki, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, David Holmes Organizations: Toyota, Lexus, Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Honda, GM scrap $5 bln plan to co-develop cheaper EVs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A Honda logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. GM cited a joint statement that pointed to the projects the companies are still working on together in acknowledging the end of EV plan. A spokesman confirmed she was referring to the Honda EV partnership. The automakers had said the deal was for "affordable" EVs, including compact crossover vehicles, built using GM's Ultium battery technology. "After studying this for a year, we decided that this would be difficult as a business, so at the moment, we are ending development of an affordable EV," Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe was quoted by Bloomberg as saying in an interview.

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, Tesla, Honda, Mary Barra, Toshihiro Mibe, Cruise, Daniel Leussink, Gursimran, Ben Klayman, Mark Potter, David Holmes Organizations: New York, REUTERS, Rights, Honda, General Motors, United Auto Workers, U.S, Tuesday, GM, Honda EV, Bloomberg, Cruise, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, California, U.S ., . California, Japan, Tokyo, Gursimran Kaur, Bengaluru, Ben, Detroit

☆ Sony Honda Mobility could procure EV batteries from US, president says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/4] Sony Honda Mobility's President Izumi Kawanishi poses during the Japan Mobility Show 2023 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Sony (6758.T) and Honda's (7267.T) automotive joint venture could procure batteries for its new Afeela electric vehicle from the United States where Honda is building a factory, the president of Sony Honda Mobility told Reuters on Wednesday. Izumi Kawanishi made the comment on the sidelines of the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, which opened to the press a day ahead of its official opening. Reporting by Daniel Leussink; editing by David DolanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Izumi Kawanishi, Issei Kato, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan Organizations: Sony Honda, Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Sony, Honda, Sony Honda Mobility, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States

☆ Subaru CEO: working with suppliers to lower procurement risks of EV battery materials
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Representative Director, President and CEO at Subaru Atsushi Osaki unveils the Sport Mobility Concept and Air Mobility Concept vehicles during a press day of the Japan Mobility Show 2023 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Japan's Subaru (7270.T) is working with suppliers to decrease risks related to procuring materials used in electric-vehicle batteries, it chief executive said on Wednesday, as automakers grapple with China's move to curb exports of graphite. We want to procure resources while considering various risk hedges," Chief Executive Atsushi Osaki told reporters on the sidelines of the Japan Mobility Show, which opened to the press on Wednesday, a day ahead of its official start. "We are working with suppliers to come up with measures to deal" with the risks, he said. Reporting by Maki Shiraki and Daniel Leussink; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Atsushi Osaki, Issei Kato, Subaru, China's, Maki Shiraki, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Mobility, Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, China

[1/2] A Mitsubishi Motors logo is displayed at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland March 5, 2019. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO/PARIS, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors (7211.T) will invest up to 200 million euros ($214 million) in the new electric vehicle unit of French counterpart Renault (RENA.PA), Mitsubishi said on Tuesday. Mitsubishi said in a statement it seeks to improve its EV development technology and expand its lineup of battery-powered vehicles with the investment in the Renault EV unit, named Ampere. The decision to invest in Ampere comes after Mitsubishi's partners, Renault and Nissan Motor (7201.T), finalised a restructured alliance in July. Shortly before the announcement, the Nikkei newspaper reported Mitsubishi's investment into Ampere was expected to be about 20 billion yen ($133.85 million).

Persons: Pierre Albouy, Jean, Dominique Senard, Mitsubishi, Ampere, Renault's Senard, Daniel Leussink, Gilles Guillaume, Jacqueline Wong, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Mitsubishi Motors, 89th Geneva, REUTERS, Rights, French, Renault, Mitsubishi, Renault EV, Nissan, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, PARIS, Paris, Ampere, Japan, China, Tokyo

Toyota Motor Corporation's cars are seen at a briefing on the company's strategies on battery EVs in Tokyo, Japan December 14, 2021. The Japan Mobility Show, which opens on Thursday, comes at a critical moment for the domestic industry. Toyota (7203.T), the world's top-selling automaker, this year announced a strategic pivot to battery EVs, including plans to commercialise advanced batteries and adopt die-casting technology pioneered by Tesla (TSLA.O). Toyota's shift has helped silence criticism that it was too slow to embrace battery EVs. In contrast to the darkening outlook in Japan, data from the ASEAN Automotive Federation shows that the auto market in Southeast Asia has been growing.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Koji Endo, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Jamie Freed Organizations: Toyota, REUTERS, Companies, Japan, Japan Mobility, Tesla, Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, BYD, HK, BMW, Honda, SBI Securities, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, ASEAN Automotive Federation, EV upstarts, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, China, Southeast Asia, Thailand

☆ Analysts' comments on China's export permits for some graphite products
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Here is what analysts are saying about the measure:IVAN LAM, SENIOR ANALYST, COUNTERPOINT RESEARCH:"In addition to China, other countries and regions also implement graphite export controls. Graphite has a wide range of applications in industry, and the demand for its use is growing. KANG DONG-JIN, ANALYST AT HYUNDAI SECURITIES IN SEOUL:"It's not that China would suddenly stop export graphite, but it would be more intensely regulated and reviewed. It is still unclear how far China would take this graphite export curb, which would determine the supply chains. "With this new graphite export curb, South Korean firms - or South Korea in general, which heavily rely on China for graphite imports, would need to seek alternatives, such as mines from the United States or Australia, but it would likely increase cost burden for many."

Persons: Aly, IVAN LAM, CHRISTOPHER RICHTER, you've, KANG DONG, JIN, Brenda Goh, Daniel Leussink, Heekyong Yang, Miyoung Kim, Nivedita Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, EU, Thomson Locations: Port, Shanghai, China, Rights SINGAPORE, Russia, Ukraine, TOKYO, SEOUL, South Korea, United States, Australia, Tokyo, Seoul

☆ Honda, GM, Cruise plan to begin Japan driverless ride service in early 2026
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Honda Motor (7267.T) said on Thursday that it aims to set up a joint venture with General Motors (GM.N) and Cruise to begin a driverless ride service in Japan in early 2026. The three companies aim to establish the joint venture in first half of 2024 pending regulatory approval, the Japanese company said in a statement without providing financial details. Vogt said it was hard to say whether offering a driverless ride service in Tokyo posed a unique or distinct challenge for the company. The Japan service is planned to launch in central Tokyo, using dozens of Origins before expanding to a fleet of 500 vehicles, Honda said in its statement. The companies plan to later broaden the service to areas beyond central Tokyo, Honda said.

Persons: Rebecca Cook, Cruise, Waymo, Honda, Kyle Vogt, Vogt, Toshihiro Mibe, Daniel Leussink, Mariko Katsumura, Rocky Swift, David Dolan, Christopher Cushing Organizations: General Motors, REUTERS, Rights, Honda, Cruise, GM, Thomson Locations: Detroit , Michigan, U.S, Japan, San Francisco, United States, Tokyo, Austin

☆ Toyota halts some production at two Japan plants after supplier accident
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor (7203.T), Japan's biggest automaker, has suspended operations at three lines in two domestic assembly plants due to an accident at a supplier's facility, a company spokesperson said. The incident at supplier Chuo Spring (5992.T), which makes engine and valve springs used in vehicles, also halted some production at group companies Toyota Auto Body and Toyota Industries (6201.T), the spokesperson said. Production in five lines at three Toyota Auto Body plants - all of the unit's lines - was stopped due to the accident, affecting production of minivans such as the Alphard as well as some Land Cruiser models, including for overseas markets. Toyota will decide later on Tuesday whether production at its affected plants would be resumed on Wednesday, its spokesperson said. Operations at all 14 of the automaker's domestic assembly plants ground to a halt in August due to a system malfunction.

Persons: Daniel Leussink, Rocky Swift, Christopher Cushing, Muralikumar Organizations: Toyota, Japan's, Chuo, Toyota Auto Body, Toyota Industries, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Tokyo

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