On January 14, Pegatron Corporation, the leading contract manufacturer, held an investor conference. The company released the financial reports for 2022Q4 and the entire 2022, as well as voiced its outlook for 2023. Pegatron believes that business prospects will continue to be affected by macro-environmental factors in 2023, with many variables beyond its control at play here. The revenue in 2023 is expected to be about the same as the previous year or decline slightly. As for the highly anticipated automotive electronics market, Pegatron aims to increase its share of the revenue from the current single-digit percentage range to over 10% within two years.
China-based EV company Nio signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with its supplier, Ningbo Tuopu Group, on March 16. The pair will collaborate on a "Tier-0.5" model, developing and producing new energy vehicle (NEV) components together.
Gallium nitride (GaN) has been rapidly adopted in mass-market small-voltage chargers and is now making inroads into automotive on-board chargers (OBC), according to Andy Chuang, VP of business development at GaN Systems.
Scooter use is surging as people grow more interested in electro-mobility and micro-mobility. Coming along with electric micro-mobility is an increasing appreciation of the flexibility and ease of driving a scooter. For those still weighing the pros and cons between a charge-at-home scooter and a battery-swapping bike, Indian startup Brisk EV is bringing a combined battery solution to the market.
Japan-headquartered Honda Motor has begun an effort to accelerate electrification in the US. It plans to retool three existing factories in Ohio for EV and component production, including the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP), the carmaker's first auto plant in America.
Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) has stepped up efforts to kickstart its EV business and transform its existing EMS, with India seen to play a key role in both, according to market sources.
Volkswagen announced on March 13 that it is going to build the first overseas battery cell plant in Ontario, Canada. The plant will be stablished through VW's battery subsidiary PowerCo.
Darfon Electronics is seeing its keyboard inventory gradually return to a healthy level in the first quarter of 2023 after the success in clearing its excess inventory in the second half of 2022 and should have a chance to enjoy rising orders from clients in the second half of 2023. The company's green energy business should also enjoy growth in 2025.
Taiwan-based automotive cooling fan supplier Yen Sun Technology (YS Tech) said it will continue to work closely with Chinese customers on new energy vehicle (NEV) projects and anticipates that new Chinese government policies will further boost the country's electric vehicle (EV) sector.
China smartphone vendor Xiaomi has set up a CNY10 billion (US$1.43 billion) fund with other partners to invest in companies dedicated to developing chip technologies related to AI, smart manufacturing and automotive electronics.
After Tesla officially announced that it will build a Gigafactory in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, the Mexican government said it has also suggested Tesla build a battery plant in Mexico, according to Reuters.
Japan- and Taiwan-based suppliers of MLCC and other passive components are devoting more resources to automotive applications, according to industry sources.
Tesla's decision to significantly reduce SiC components in EVs has already shaken the Chinese capital market's confidence in the development of the country's SiC semiconductor industry, according to industry sources in China.
Xiaomi plans to begin mass-producing its EVs in the first half of next year, according to its founder, chairman and CEO, Lei Jun. It has been two years since the China-based tech giant revealed its EV ambition. Now all eyes are on its upcoming first model.