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Oct 17
With EV credits expired and tariffs mounting, US automakers shift costs to buyers

As the Trump administration lets key electric vehicle tax credits expire and former President Donald Trump's legacy tariffs continue to weigh on imports, the American auto industry is entering a turbulent final quarter of 2025, caught between the pressure to absorb rising costs and the need to preserve consumer demand.

South Korean battery materials maker Posco Future M has signed its largest-ever supply agreement for natural graphite anode materials in a deal valued at KRW671 billion (US$472 million), marking a pivotal moment in the company's expansion beyond China-dependent supply chains.
China's technological advancement remains a central focus of global attention, with social media frequently showcasing local tech applications and innovations. Yet for many outside observers, the actual situation in China continues to fuel curiosity and skepticism, prompting many to wonder what lies beneath the polished surface.
China's electric vehicle (EV) market, once a symbol of the country's technological ascendancy, is now grappling with a harsh correction. Excess production capacity is pushing automakers into aggressive discounting and export strategies to offload growing inventories, creating price pressures not only domestically but across global markets.
Stellantis, one of the world's five largest auto groups, has announced plans to relocate production of its flagship Jeep Compass from Canada to the United States—a move that marks a dramatic pivot in the company's North American manufacturing strategy. More than just a routine operational shift, the decision is being seen by analysts as a high-stakes gamble, trading short-term diplomatic friction for long-term strategic gain.

Europe's plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) market is bracing for significant disruption as the European Union prepares to tighten carbon emissions calculations beginning in early 2025, with full enforcement set for 2026. The shift, driven by a more stringent emissions algorithm, is already triggering an end-of-year sales surge in PHEVs as automakers race to meet current targets before the new rules take effect.

Since taking the helm of Hyundai Motor Group five years ago, Chairman Eui-sun Chung has steered the South Korean automaker to new heights, vaulting past global rivals to become the world's third-largest car manufacturer. His leadership has been defined by bold investments and aggressive market expansion. Now, as the global auto industry enters a phase of profound disruption, Chung is doubling down once again.

Hyundai Mobis is set to invest an additional US$28.6 million in its Pesqueria plant in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, aiming to reinforce its dominance in the North American market amid escalating US-China trade tensions and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
China's electric vehicle market is entering a pivotal moment. As the government prepares to scale back a decade-long tax exemption policy, automakers are rushing to push new models and capture sales before the financial incentives begin to fade.

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries—long praised for their affordability and safety—are gaining traction among Western automakers. As cost-conscious electric vehicles (EVs) enter the spotlight, global giants like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis are increasingly building out product lines centered on LFP battery technology.

Taiwan-based Hotai Group has partnered with global satellite navigation and smart wearable brand Garmin to launch an upgraded version of the Drive+ Link intelligent in-car system. As smart vehicle technology advances, car infotainment systems have evolved beyond navigation and entertainment to become indispensable smart assistants during driving.
LG Energy Solution (LGES) reported preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2025, posting an operating profit of KRW 601.3 billion (approx. US$423 million), up 34.1% year-over-year and surpassing market expectations. Despite reduced customer demand following the US removal of electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, LGES's expanding energy storage system (ESS) business successfully offset the impact.