Denso, Japan's largest auto parts maker, reported falling profits for the first half of fiscal 2026 as surging memory and other component costs, driven partly by the AI boom, offset revenue growth. The company said it will pass some costs on to customers when necessary while securing supplies through long-term contracts.
Tong Hsing Electronic Industries (THEIL) outlined the latest developments and market trends across its four major product lines of optical communications, ceramic substrates, new semiconductor materials, and image sensors, during an earnings call on October 30.
Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) and Japan's Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus (MFTBC) will officially launch their bus joint venture on November 2, according to Foxconn chief strategy officer for electric vehicles (EVs) Jun Seki. Separately, Foxconn's joint venture with Mitsubishi Electric's automotive business is expected to take around nine to 10 months to complete antitrust reviews in various countries.
South Korean companies showcased humanoid robot components, dual-arm machines, and autonomous driving systems at FIX 2026 in Daegu, offering a look at how developers are bringing automation into factories and transportation. The technologies ranged from robotic hardware under development for manufacturing applications to an autonomous taxi service already carrying paying passengers.
From the spectacular flying demonstration of its next-generation Roadster to the prospect of a merger with SpaceX, Tesla appears to be approaching a historic strategic turning point.
Honda Motor plans to achieve Level 4 autonomous driving around 2027 and replace high-definition maps with AI technology around 2030, enabling Level 4 vehicles to navigate the narrow roads and mountain routes common in Asia, said Yuji Yasui, a fellow at Honda R&D, at Hon Hai Tech Day 2026 (HHTD26).
Speaking at Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD 26), Kazunori Tanaka, Representative Director and President of Mitsubishi Electric Mobility, emphasized that the company's core competitiveness in EV platforms has decisively pivoted toward software—spanning electric powertrains, autonomous driving, and in-cabin intelligence. Tanaka announced that Mitsubishi Electric Mobility will officially join the Foxconn family in October 2027, leveraging complementary strengths to target JPY1 trillion (approx. US$6.4 billion) in annual revenue by 2030.
Foxconn Technology Group Chief Strategy Officer Jun Seki unveiled three new electric vehicles (EVs) at Hon Hai Tech Day 2026 (HHTD 26): the Model A+, an SUV derived from the Model A platform; the Model K, a light-duty truck built on a new compact platform; and the Model K+, a small SUV based on the Model K.
Samsung SDI, a major South Korean battery maker, posted strong results in the third quarter of 2026 as rising energy storage system (ESS) battery demand lifted operating profit to its highest level in 12 quarters. The company is also expanding into emerging applications, advancing the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries and securing new cylindrical battery customers in aerospace and humanoid robotics.
Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast aims to make India one of its two largest markets alongside Vietnam, Tapan Ghosh, CEO of VinFast Asia, told Nikkei Asia in an interview published on October 28. The Nasdaq-listed company expects Asia, including Vietnam, to account for 90% of its global sales by 2030.
BYD reported rising profits for the third quarter of 2026, but its performance fell short of analysts' forecasts. The result stems from the challenges China's automakers face, navigating price wars at home while pushing to expand to higher-margin overseas markets.
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