CONNECT WITH US
Apr 2, 12:39
France backs Taiwan's ProLogium with EUR1.5B subsidy to build solid-state battery factory
The French government will provide about EUR1.5 billion (US$1.7 billion) in subsidies to support Taiwanese startup ProLogium Technology's new factory construction in France. According to Nikkei, this move signals France's accelerated efforts to attract electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers and marks a shift from its previous "self-reliance" industrial policy focused on EU-based companies.

MG, the European arm of China's SAIC Motor Group, confirmed that its upcoming MG4 Urban will feature semi-solid battery technology to address the range loss issues of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in cold climates. LFP batteries are known to lose significant performance in high-latitude, low-temperature environments, drastically reducing driving range. By adopting semi-solid batteries, MG aims to limit range loss even in extreme conditions from -20°C to -40°C, offering European drivers more consistent EV performance.

Japan Display Inc. (JDI) signed a definitive agreement to sell its Tottori Fab to Yahata Touei Estate K.K., with handover scheduled for September 30, 2026; JDI said the transaction follows its March 2025 production halt and forms part of structural reforms that could influence global automotive display supply and the Japanese manufacturing consolidation industry.

Huawei reported 2025 revenue of CNY880.9 billion, up 2.2% year-over-year, its second-highest on record, with net profit rising 8.63% to CNY68 billion (approx. US$9.87 billion). Growth slowed sharply from 22.4% in 2024, leaving revenue just below its 2020 peak of CNY891.4 billion and raising the bar for further expansion, analysts cited by Chinastarmarket.cn said.

A year ago, the Japanese automotive world watched Honda, the financially robust "second brother," attempt to assert dominance over its smaller sibling Nissan. The high-stakes negotiations, marked by a glaring imbalance of power, ended abruptly and bitterly.

Malaysia's EV industrial policy is creating tension with foreign automakers, as export-driven and localization rules prompt BYD to reassess a planned plant. At the same time, authorities insist the framework supports long-term industry development.

In a breakthrough that could redefine electric vehicle (EV) battery technology, a research team led by Professor Yu-Sheng Su at the International College of Semiconductor Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), has developed a lithium-titanate (LTO) battery design that increases capacity by 167% while offering greater safety than conventional automotive lithium-ion batteries.

As competition in the global electric vehicle market intensifies, automakers are increasingly turning to cabin design as a key differentiator. Hiroca Holdings appears to be capitalizing on that shift.
Sony Honda Mobility has scrapped plans to launch its Afeela 1 electric vehicle in the US in 2026, halting both development and commercialization of the model. The decision also cancels a planned rollout in Japan scheduled for after 2027, as well as work on a second Afeela model that had been slated for unveiling at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show.
Geely, the world's eighth-largest carmaker, is restructuring its European research and development operations to narrow the lag between domestic launches in China and international rollouts to less than six months. Supply chain executives say the move is not merely about shortening product cycles; it will determine whether Geely's brands can fully capitalize on their technological edge before it fades in overseas markets.
EVE Energy reached a record CNY61.47 billion (approx. US$8.8 billion) in revenue for 2025, driven by strong growth in its energy storage segment, yet profit growth remained minimal, according to Sina Finance, highlighting mounting pressure in the competitive battery market. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose just 1.4%, essentially flat, even as shipments and market share climbed.
Taiwan's automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation, shifting away from traditional mechanical assembly toward what analysts describe as a semiconductor- and ICT-driven "digital core" of smart mobility. The scale of that structural change is now visible in the data.