The automotive electronics industry is undergoing a structural transformation unlike any it has seen before. As artificial intelligence moves from the margins to the core of vehicle design, two of Taiwan's lesser-known industrial champions—HCMF Group and Kinpo Electronics—are deepening a cross-industry partnership aimed at navigating the upheaval. Their strategy rests on two pillars: system integration and a "global-local" manufacturing footprint, designed to withstand volatility in an increasingly fragmented market.
Amkor Technology, the US-based semiconductor packaging and testing company, said it will close its Hakodate plant in northern Japan by December 2027, citing weak demand stemming from a slowdown in the global electric vehicle (EV) market. The factory, located in the town of Nanae in Hokkaido, specializes in packaging chips used in automobiles.
US LiDAR company Aeva Technologies has been selected as a partner for Nvidia's next-generation autonomous driving platform, Drive AGX Hyperion, drawing attention to its integration with Mercedes-Benz. Rumors also highlight South Korean firm LG Innotek's crucial role in equity investment, supply, and R&D collaboration with Aeva.
Taiwan's urban mobility market has undergone a significant transformation since 2025, driven by the rising adoption of digital platforms and evolving consumer travel habits. LINE GO, a leading mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platform, reported its official account surpassing 10 million friends by the end of 2025, underscoring the growing integration of digital services into daily transportation. This expansion highlights stronger demand for shared and diversified mobility solutions across Taiwanese cities.
Hotai Motor Co. officially introduced the All New RAV4 on January 13, 2026, with an initial factory allocation of 30,000 units. Pre-orders have already exceeded 10,000, prompting the company to seek additional quotas to satisfy market demand.
The EU has introduced a minimum price commitment mechanism for Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fundamentally altering the competitive landscape in Europe. This move shifts the contest from tariff disputes to complex challenges surrounding cost structures and market positioning across various automakers.
The EU has replaced tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with a "minimum price commitment" mechanism, signaling a shift in the ongoing trade dispute from border barriers to deeper market competition. Supply chain analysts warn that Europe's automotive sector faces significant challenges amid US tariff pressures and China's technological and cost advantages in new energy vehicles.
The EU has introduced a minimum price commitment mechanism to address the ongoing tariff dispute with China over battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This shift comes after months of high tariffs failed to curb the growth of Chinese automakers in the European market.
Hotai Motor president Justin Su indicated on January 13 that despite growing interest in US-spec vehicles in Taiwan, the high manufacturing costs of US-made cars limit their market appeal. Hotai will continue prioritizing Japanese imports in the near term.
EV manufacturer Ola Electric has rolled out Ola Shakti, a residential battery energy storage system (BESS), from its gigafactory in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu, marking the company's formal entry into India's residential energy storage market and an expansion beyond its core automotive business, according to ANI, PV Magazine, and the Economic Times.
China's total trade in goods reached CNY45.47 trillion (approx. US$6.51 trillion) in 2025, marking a 3.8% year-over-year increase and setting a new record, the General Administration of Customs announced on January 14. Exports rose 6.1% to CNY26.99 trillion, while imports edged up 0.5% to CNY18.48 trillion, maintaining China's status as the largest merchandise trader globally.
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