Kinko Optical Co. is focusing its automotive strategy on external cameras used in ADAS and autonomous driving systems. In 2024, the company gained certification from global auto parts supplier Magna International, giving it access to a diverse portfolio of European car brands. Magna's European-centric shipping model also helps Kinko avoid tariff risks while enhancing growth prospects.
In April 2025, US consumer demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) saw its first decline in 14 months. The decrease is attributed to concerns about limited charging infrastructure, range anxiety, and uncertainty over government subsidies.
Chinese chipmaker Beijing SemiDrive Technology Corporation will begin supplying its flagship X9 smart cockpit processor to an unnamed European carmaker in late 2026—its first large-scale deal with a foreign original equipment manufacturer. The chips will power sedans and SUVs produced in Europe for distribution across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Sony Group has provided an update on its semiconductor business, particularly focusing on its position in the image sensor market. Despite failing to meet its ambitious target of capturing a 60% market share in image sensors by 2025, Sony anticipates building on record revenue and operating profit for fiscal year 2024, which spans from April 2024 to March 2025. The company sees growth potential across various image sensor applications.
Pan German Universal Motors (PGUM) held its 2025 annual shareholders meeting on June 13, 2025, during which it approved the 2024 business report and financial statements.
The automotive industry is rapidly embracing artificial intelligence (AI), new energy vehicles, and humanoid robots, spurred by the ongoing electrification of automotive electronics. As part of this transformation, carmakers are increasingly turning to virtual factory technologies to optimize manufacturing processes and cut costs.
Taiwan-based electrical systems and equipment manufacturer Shihlin Electric and Engineering stated that impacts from tariffs and exchange rates will be limited, and it will continue to evaluate building a facility in the US.
RAC Electric Vehicles, the Taiwan-based electric bus manufacturer, has announced its intention to file for an IPO on Taiwan's Emerging Stock Market by the end of 2025. The company plans to become the first electric vehicle (EV) maker in Taiwan to achieve publicly listed status with annual profitability, targeting a listing in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Nikkei and Kyodo, Renault CEO Luca de Meo will step down from his role on July 15, 2025, after a five-year tenure marked by financial recovery and alliance restructuring with Nissan Motor. The company confirmed his departure on June 15, 2025, and has already initiated the search for his successor.
With Chinese SiC semiconductor manufacturers having resolved supply constraints on the material side in 2023, stable supply has helped to quickly reduce costs. As a result, many uncompetitive SiC semiconductor players are now in danger of being eliminated from the market.
Global silicon carbide (SiC) wafer shipments hit a record high in 2024, with China driving the surge, according to statistics from Fuji Keizai. Chinese shipments grew 81.9% year-over-year, primarily driven by the proliferation of 6-inch wafers. However, the global growth rate is expected to slow significantly to just 20% in 2025, a sharp drop attributed to intensified price competition and supply chain strain originating in China.
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