In recent years, CES has become a platform for automotive and display technology, with smart and electric vehicles stealing the spotlight. However, CES 2025 marked a shift, with fewer automotive brands present—Mercedes-Benz among the absentees.
The global automotive industry has experienced significant ups and downs in recent years as it strives to embrace electronic and electrification innovations. CES 2025 served as a showcase of these developments.
Laster and Excellence Optoelectronics (Excellence), the Taiwan-based LED automotive module manufacturers, have posted record-breaking revenues for 2024, with year-over-year growth rates of 10.2% and 28.2%, respectively. In response to the global trend of diversifying automotive supply chains, Laster plans to collaborate with Taiwan-based manufacturers in Thailand and Mexico starting in 2025. Meanwhile, Excellence is accelerating the construction of its plant in Mexico, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025, with production scheduled to begin in 2026.
AU Optronics (AUO) has collaborated with Sony Honda Mobility to unveil an innovative Micro LED Display Human-Machine Interface (HMI) at CES 2025. The technology has been integrated into the Afeela electric vehicle, serving dual functions as both a head-up display and an external communication interface.
Tata Elxsi is teaming up with Qualcomm to develop virtual models of Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions for cloud-native application development, showcased at CES 2025.
In Taiwan, the manufacturing sector generates 51.37% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, followed by 19.87% from the residential and commercial sectors, and 12.69% from transportation. Government subsidies and incentives have spurred major automakers from Europe, the US, Japan, and South Korea to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) to Taiwan. Foxconn's entry into the electric bus market has further propelled EV adoption, with both the sales ratio of electric passenger cars and the penetration rate of electric buses surpassing government targets.
Garmin unveiled its next-generation Unified Cabin solution at CES 2025, securing a CES Innovation Award for its innovative approach to reimagining the digital cockpit experience with cutting-edge features.
Major tech companies unveiled their latest products and strategies ahead of schedule on January 6, 2025 (US time), with crowds gathering before Samsung Electronics' (Samsung) press conference. During the event, CEO Jong-Hee Han emphasized that "Home AI" would be a crucial development direction.
While smartphone and PC markets show signs of AI-driven recovery, the global automotive sector's weak outlook for 2025 is impacting major semiconductor manufacturers including TSMC, UMC, VIS, and GW. Though TSMC's Kumamoto plant began mass production in December 2024, its capacity utilization ramp-up faces headwinds.
Despite setbacks such as low demand in the end-user market, price slashing in the automotive market, and sluggishness during the traditional peak season for the consumer electronics industry, Taiwanese LED firms have actively sought growth momentum in 2024 by shifting more toward high-value product lines.
Three prominent Chinese tech companies -- semiconductor firm Eswin Technology Group, battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), and smartphone manufacturer Honor -- are preparing for public listing in 2025.
The global display panel industry is currently experiencing a significant turning point as production lines transition into a phase of replacement and adjustment. Has the closure of outdated factories become a "necessary pain" for the display industry to transition toward transformation and upgrading?
Building on the prior exploration of Foxconn's management philosophy and the advantages of its new policies, this DIGITIMES feature delves into the company's growth trajectory, the hurdles encountered by Chairman Young Liu, and his forward-looking strategies to overcome them.
Mainstream car manufacturers are mulling expanding collaboration with Taiwan's supply chain to counter Chinese competitors' dominance in the electric vehicle (EV) market, according to industry sources.
Taiwan-based Waffer Technology, a major manufacturer of magnesium-aluminum casings, has announced that its Chinese subsidiary, Wazhong Precision Technology (Ma'anshan), has officially begun operations of the world's first 3,000-ton semi-solid twin-shot molding machine for magnesium alloys.
The year 2024 saw intensifying US-China tech tensions amid sweeping US sanctions and China's economic challenges, including weak demand, declining foreign investment, and widespread layoffs. With former President Trump's return in 2025 looming, tech and trade conflicts are set to escalate, deepening the nations' decoupling.
In the fiercely competitive automotive aftermarket (AM), manufacturers must maintain diverse product lines to meet customer demands while securing certifications to ensure quality. Despite these challenges, Taiwan's AM supply chain continues to influence the global industry significantly, with Gordon Auto Body Parts at the forefront.
Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Jun Lei announced on December 25, 2024, that the company's automotive division has partnered with Nio, XPeng, and Li Auto to integrate their charging networks. The collaboration will add over 10,000 charging stations to Xiaomi's charging map.
China's electric vehicle (EV) industry has endured a two-year price war, leading to significant profit compression across the supply chain. Automakers have slashed costs to defend their market share, but this strategy has intensified upstream financial strain. Suppliers face cash flow crises, disrupting component stability and driving up costs, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of instability.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. unveiled a new car chassis with an integrated battery strong enough to withstand fires or explosions from high-impact collisions.
BYD Co. has severed ties with a construction firm after Brazilian authorities halted construction of a new electric-vehicle plant where workers were found working and living in "slavery"-like conditions.
World Known Precision Industry (WKPT), Taiwan's largest supplier of metal-processed parts for commercial vehicles, is advancing its global footprint with new plants in the US, Taiwan, and China. At a recent earnings call, Chairman Kevin Lu outlined plans to gradually transform WKPT from a traditional machining specialist into a key player in the electronics supply chain.
The accelerating penetration of automotive electronics is driving a technological revolution in the global automobile industry, with thermal management systems playing a pivotal role. King Shing Industrial, a leading supplier of automotive cooling fans and air-conditioning blowers, has announced its strategy to expand from the aftermarket (AM) segment into original equipment (OE).
