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Jun 16
EU industrial bill forces Chinese automakers to race for European factories
The European Commission proposed an Industrial Acceleration Act to curb foreign direct investment that it says could threaten domestic industry and jobs, and the draft rule prompted Chinese electric vehicle and battery makers to accelerate plans to secure plants in Europe before the law takes effect. The framework would require regulatory approval for investments by firms with more than 40% global market share and for deals above EUR100 million (US$112.10 million), and it set conditions including joint ventures, foreign ownership caps, intellectual property licensing to EU entities, and prioritizing local supply chains.

Poland is seeking major Taiwanese investment to strengthen its manufacturing base, a shift that could reshape Europe's supply chains and technology capacity. The plan spans electric vehicles, semiconductors, and industrial policy, and reflects how governments are adapting to geopolitical pressure and shortages in key global sectors.

Xiaomi Auto is putting manufacturing and supply chain control at the centre of its electric vehicle strategy, with former Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory head Song Gang saying Tesla's real competitive moat lies not in branding alone, but in manufacturing execution.

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are accelerating strategy shifts as Chinese automakers rise rapidly, global EV competition intensifies, and software-defined vehicles (SDV) and AI advance, according to DIGITIMES Research. The research firm noted that Japanese automakers are moving away from scale expansion and toward profitability and smart-vehicle development, with hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) remaining the near-term growth anchor.

Volkswagen Group announced expanded layoffs and production cuts as it sought to secure net annual savings of ?6 billion by 2030, citing persistent pressure from geopolitical tensions, war, energy costs and inflation that have undermined earlier cost reductions. The company disclosed the move ahead of its annual general meeting and said savings from prior workforce and output cuts had been fully offset by adverse market conditions.

US automakers are shifting major battery investment away from electric vehicle traction packs and into stationary battery energy storage systems as policy changes and grid needs have altered market incentives, executives said. The move has accelerated in recent months as the expanding US BESS market and federal and local "Made in the US" subsidies have made large-scale stationary storage a more immediate commercial opportunity than some EV segments.

LG Energy Solution (LGES) reached a patent licensing agreement with Chinese battery maker Sunwoda, ending a two-year legal battle that had involved courts in Germany, China, and South Korea, the firms announced. The settlement, disclosed through a joint statement handled by patent manager Tulip Innovation, did not include financial or royalty terms.

Taiwan-based UBright Optronics is accelerating its transformation from an LCD optical film specialist into a diversified technology supplier, expanding into semiconductor materials, passive components and smart acoustics. The new businesses are expected to begin generating revenue in 2026 as product certifications advance, but the company has not yet offered guidance on their revenue impact.

India sees rising global tech investment as Meta, Reliance and Anthropic deepen AI ties, while EV firms expand, Starlink faces delays, and semiconductor and tablet markets show steady structural growth.

Tsang Yow is preparing to broaden its manufacturing footprint in Malaysia, a move that could help global semiconductor supply chains become more regional, resilient, and tariff-proof. The drivetrain systems maker expects trial production at the new plant before the end of 2026, as demand tied to artificial intelligence and advanced chips reshapes sourcing patterns worldwide.

The US Department of Defense has expanded its list of Chinese military companies, adding major battery, electric vehicle, solar, memory, sensor, and robotics firms. The move came as Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL) disclosed lithium-air battery research, underscoring how Chinese companies are responding to mounting policy pressure.

Taiwanese cathode materials maker Aleees has disclosed an expansion plan to meet North American demand for lithium iron phosphate precursor materials. The move highlights Tesla's broader push to localize its battery supply chain, reduce exposure to China-linked technology and materials risks, and secure upstream capacity for electric vehicle production worldwide.