Ongoing US-China tensions have sparked the most significant automotive supply chain shift in decades. Disruptions at semiconductor maker Nexperia have pushed US automakers to cut reliance on Chinese parts, while Taiwanese electronics suppliers ramp up local production to meet rising demand from American companies.
Germany's three automotive giants—Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz—are facing an increasingly difficult balancing act. China remains its largest and most profitable market, yet the recent crisis involving Nexperia, the Dutch chipmaker owned by China's Wingtech Technology, has once again exposed the structural risks of its deep reliance on Chinese supply chains. The episode has forced all three companies to accelerate efforts to reduce their dependence on China.
China's Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS) recently issued a Notice on Referencing the Lithium Iron Phosphate Cost Index and Regulating Industry Development, an effort to halt a years-long price war in lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) materials. By proposing a "cost red line," the association hopes to curb destructive price-cutting and restore a basic sense of pricing discipline to a market that has become increasingly chaotic.
Despite various rumors and external pressures, Foxtron still showcased multiple planned vehicle models at the 2025 Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD). Among them, the most anticipated was Model B, originally scheduled for release in 2025.
Kian Shen Corporation, a vehicle frame supplier under Taiwan's Yulon Motor Group, expects to secure orders for more than 1,000 electric bus frames in 2026 as supply constraints ease, positioning the electric bus segment as its primary revenue and profit growth driver, according to company president Chiung-chih Tseng.
Japan-based NSK has announced the development of actuators capable of enabling agile movements in humanoid robots. These drive products include rotary actuators for joints such as shoulders and elbows, as well as linear actuators for arms and legs, achieving both miniaturization and lightweight design.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has revealed in a post on X that the company is close to taping out its next-generation AI5 chip while simultaneously beginning development of AI6. Tesla plans to introduce a new AI chip design into volume production every twelve months, positioning the company to become the world's largest producer of AI silicon.
South Korean battery maker SK On has restructured its investment portfolio by exchanging shares with Chinese battery firm EVE Energy, resulting in SK On acquiring full ownership of its Jiangsu-based joint venture SKOJ and divesting its entire stake in the Guangdong-based EUE factory. This move aims to enhance operational efficiency amid challenges in the EV market.
At its Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD) held in Nangang, Taipei, Hon Hai (Foxconn) outlined its strategic transformation through chairman Young Liu's remarks and technology showcases. The event highlighted the company's emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and its expanded role in smart industries, underscoring a shift towards a broader technology platform service orientation.
CMC, a Yulon Group subsidiary, detailed its 2026 product and market roadmaps during an online investor briefing on November 20, outlining new model launches and deeper strategic partnerships. Executive vice president Ching-wu Chien confirmed that Mitsubishi's next-generation XForce SUV will make its official Taiwan debut at the 2026 Taipei Auto Show, which runs from December 31, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
Electric vehicles continued to dominate Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD25) this year, with Foxconn unveiling a fully realized version of its Model A concept and framing the project around the idea of "From Japan for Japan."
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