China's auto market is under pressure from high oil prices and shrinking subsidies, weakening domestic sales even as exports keep growing. Taiwanese supply-chain companies are responding by adjusting their product mix.
One of the most pronounced factors behind China's ferocious rise in the global technology landscape has been its unparalleled strength in the EV sector, where fierce competition over power batteries and high-end battery materials has cemented the country's longstanding dominance in battery manufacturing.
Samsung SDI is accelerating its push into the artificial intelligence (AI) data center battery market, unveiling, for the first time, a cylindrical lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery featuring its proprietary structural design at Data Centre World Asia (DCWA) 2026 in Singapore on September 29.
A new partnership between Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and NIO in electric vehicle (EV) battery swapping is signaling potential consolidation in China's fragmented market. With multiple incompatible systems still competing for adoption, the deal could open a new path toward greater standardization and network integration.
Automakers looking to cut the weight of electric vehicles (EVs) to extend driving range have another reason to consider magnesium alloys: magnesium ingots are now cheaper than aluminum ingots.
The Washington summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping did not produce the speculated auto deal that would have allowed Chinese automakers to manufacture vehicles in the US. While that gave incumbent automakers in the US a temporary reprieve, analysts say Chinese cars entering the US is still only a matter of time.
Japanese motor maker Nidec has replaced president and CEO Mitsuya Kishida with chief technology officer Michio Kaida as the company moves to overhaul its business and governance following accounting irregularities and mounting losses.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL) said its new battery plant in Debrecen, Hungary, began cell trial production on September 22, with the first two cell production lines entering test operation as the company prepares for mass production. The factory is designed for 100GW of annual capacity.
Energy, AI robotics, and autonomous vehicle maker Tesla is reportedly replicating its electric vehicle (EV) playbook by turning to Chinese manufacturing to support the supply chain ramp-up for its Optimus humanoid robot. In addition to conducting factory audits at three auto parts manufacturers in East China, a Tesla delegation also inspected related suppliers in cities such as Hangzhou and Shanghai.
Vietnamese electric scooter brand Dat Bike has launched its family-oriented ERA model with a starting price of VND29.9 million (US$1,151.22), pairing it with a self-developed "integrated charger" that builds the charger directly into the vehicle's power system. The launch comes as Vietnam's electric two-wheeler market accelerates and Dat Bike sets its sights on market leader VinFast.
Chinese automakers are reshaping how they build, source, and sell vehicles as profits come under pressure, a shift with implications for suppliers, buyers, and global car markets. Industry moves toward in-house technology, tighter payment rules, and new supplier roles suggest a broader effort to capture more value across the automotive chain.
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