For decades, the car industry perfected the art of distance. Design in Germany, components from Japan and South Korea, wiring harnesses from Mexico, electronics from mainland China and final assembly wherever labor was the cheapest. The logic was simple: stretching the supply chain across borders, arbitrage wages and scale, and trusting that trade would remain broadly liberal and logistics would remain frictionless. That logic is fraying. Automakers are not abandoning globalization, but they ...

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has initiated an investigation into the automotive rules of origin under the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement to assess their impact on the US economy, competitiveness, and relevance in light of recent technological changes. The USMCA's rules of origin have increased regional value content requirements, compelling manufacturers in the US, Mexico and Canada to source more inputs from within the region to qualify for free tra...

Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NMG) is preparing for the construction of its phase two Matawinie Mine in Canada. The project, identified by the government of Canada as a major project of national interest, aims to support economic growth and the sourcing of critical minerals for G7 countries and allies. NMG has awarded significant contracts, securing over 50% of the project's capital expenditure, to ensure timely and on-budget delivery. Manawan-Fournier, an Atikamekw joint venture, will carry o...

The US has finalized significant tariffs on imports of anode-grade graphite from mainland China following a US Commerce Department finding that the product was sold at a below-market price in the US. The government plans to impose a 93.5% antidumping duty and a 67% countervailing duty on this essential battery material. These duties are set to replace preliminary rates, with a notable decrease from over 700% for two specific companies. Countervailing duties are applied when imports receive unfai...

The EU is working on a new draft policy that aims to mandate electric vehicles to have at least 70% of their components produced within the EU, excluding batteries, to qualify for state support and subsidies. This policy is part of a broader strategy to protect the EU's €2.6 trillion manufacturing sector and to counteract challenges such as competition from low-cost Chinese products, high-energy prices and stringent climate regulations. Additionally, the policy is expected to requir...

When Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) halted production across its UK factories in late 2025, the headlines focused on lost output, idle workers and delayed deliveries. That was the easy story. The deeper, more uncomfortable truth is that the attack exposed how profoundly digital vulnerabilities have been baked into the automotive industry — not just in connected vehicles, but across factories, logistics systems and sprawling supplier networks. What was once a sector defined by nuts, bolts and mecha...

Thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology, the automotive division of the Germany-based thyssenkrupp, opened a new axle assembly plant in Allershausen, north of Munich. The new plant represents a mid-double-digit million-euro investment and is expected to generate about 250 new jobs. The plant is dedicated to assembling front and rear axles for new BMW vehicle generations, marking a significant expansion of thyssenkrupp's production and logistics network in Germany. Volkmar Dinstuhl, CEO of thyssenk...

Mainland China's solid-state battery industry is moving into early production and pilot deployment, with expectations to fully adopt these batteries later in the decade. Multiple battery suppliers and automakers in mainland China are now in the various stages of pilot production and vehicle-integration programs. They are aiming to demonstrate vehicles equipped with next-generation battery technology in 2027 and expand deployment in subsequent years. The industry is characterized by the a...

The recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 (Jan. 6–9, 2026) marked a clear inflection point: software-defined vehicles (SDVs) have entered their industrialization phase. Original equipment manufacturers and suppliers shifted decisively away from exploratory demos and concepts toward scalable, production-ready SDV platforms, with most architectures, toolchains and compute strategies aligned to 2026–28 SOPs. The focus has clearly moved from what SDVs could do, to how they can ...

Mining firm Keliber has initiated lithium mining operations in Kaustinen, located in western Finland, marking the commencement of Europe's first battery-grade lithium processing operation. The project is expected to generate about 350 jobs and offers a unique production chain in Europe. During a recent event attended by invited guests and reporters, the first spodumene veins were extracted from the Syväjärvi open pit mine in Kaustinen. These boulders will eventually yield Europe's first bat...

Cooper-Standard reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2025. In the fourth quarter, the company’s sales increased 1.8% year over year to $672.4 million, but operating income dropped 98.1% year over year to $0.6 million. Net income also decreased by 91.7% year over year to $3.3 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $34.9 million, or 5.2% of sales, while net cash from operating activities was $56.2 million and free cash flow was $44.6 million. The year-over...

Pony.ai announced that the first mass-produced bZ4X robo-taxi, developed in collaboration with Toyota, has been completed, marking a significant milestone in their partnership for the production and deployment of robo-taxis. This achievement demonstrates a deep synergy between Pony.ai and Toyota in autonomous driving technology, vehicle manufacturing and supply chain integration. Both companies plan to produce over 1,000 bZ4X robo-taxis by 2026 and start introducing them into commercial services...

CATL has started deploying its sodium-ion batteries in production-ready passenger vehicles, aiming to establish a leading position in developing more sustainable batteries. Together with Changan Automobile, CATL has introduced a sodium-ion battery-powered vehicle in Yakshi, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, targeting a mid-2026 market launch. This is the world's first mass-produced passenger vehicle with sodium-ion batteries, although previous announcements by other Chinese automakers did not lead to l...

AMG Critical Materials, a Dutch miner and lithium supplier, aims to reduce its dependence on mainland China by processing battery-grade lithium for electric vehicles in Brazil, Portugal and Germany. Michael Connor, the head of development at AMG, stated that the company plans to create a lithium highway connecting these three countries to bypass mainland China's monopoly on lithium processing. The goal is to establish a Western processing capacity in Brazil and Portugal to provide this expertise...

Across parts of mainland China’s automotive sector, factories designed to operate without human presence are no longer experimental showcases. So-called “dark factories” — highly automated plants that rely on robotics, AI and dense sensor networks — are already producing electric vehicles at an industrial scale, operating continuously without lighting, heating or on-site labor. In Europe and the US, the concept remains more aspirational than real. Yet the direction of travel is incr...

Gako Technologies has unveiled what it calls the automotive industry’s most comprehensive Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)-level intelligence platform for new vehicles. Built over two years and designed for enterprise decision-making, the platform delivers real-time, vehicle-specific visibility into pricing, incentives, payments, specifications and inventory, along with the clean, structured, machine-learning-ready data required to power AI initiatives across the automotive ecosystem. Un...

Solus Advanced Materials, a copper foil manufacturer from South Korea, is on the verge of signing supply contracts for battery foil with two new customers, including a mainland Chinese battery-maker operating in Europe. The company's production facility in Hungary positions it advantageously due to Europe's tightening battery regulations, which include origin requirements. Solus Advanced Materials is expected to finalize contracts within the first half of 2026, aiming to solidify its presence in...

JIOS Aerogel has announced that its South Korean manufacturing licensee has secured a contract to supply Thermal Blade thermal runaway barriers for Hyundai and Kia's upcoming and purpose-built vehicle models. This contract marks the first successful implementation of JIOS' Hub & Spoke business model, which licenses automotive suppliers to produce finished thermal barriers near customers. The contract was awarded through a Hyundai Motor Group tender, with mass production set to begin in Ju...

CES 2026 marked a clear shift in the automotive industry’s priorities. With demand for electric vehicles (EVs) softening and regulatory and cost pressures mounting, automakers and suppliers used the CES tech conference to emphasize automotive technology like artificial intelligence (AI) rather than electrification. Their focus moved to so-called physical and context-aware AI—systems that interpret real-world conditions in real time—positioning cars as software-defined vehicles rather than ...

Schaeffler is leading the ReDriveS research project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. This initiative aims to develop an industrial, automated, scalable and non-destructive recycling concept for electric-axle drives. The ReDriveS project seeks to provide a technological edge in complying with statutory recycling requirements while ensuring cost-effective access to high-value materials in the future. Collaborating with 25 partners from industry...

Northern Graphite Corp. and Obeikan Investment Group have signed a term sheet to jointly develop a $200 million battery anode material (BAM) plant in Yanbu Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The joint venture company will be owned 51% by Obeikan, which operates in packaging, printing and various industrial sectors in the Middle East and Africa, and 49% by Northern. The facility aims to produce 25,000 metric tons per year by 2028, with the capacity to scale up to meet rising global...

Xpeng plans to establish independently operated overseas localized supply chain teams in European and Association of Southeast Asian Nations markets by 2026, following its 2025 launch of local production in Europe and Southeast Asia. This initiative aims to enhance overseas supply resource deployment, improve supply chain responsiveness and support Xpeng's strategy for local production abroad. The company has accelerated its international market expansion over the past two years and aims...

Honda is taking steps to diversify its semiconductor procurement from both domestic and international suppliers to mitigate the risk of another shortage that previously led to significant operating profit losses late in 2025. Starting January 2026, the automaker will incorporate these new supplies into its mass-produced vehicles. The decision follows a production halt in the US and China, which was triggered by a temporary supply cutoff from Chinese-owned Nexperia due to a standoff with the Dutc...

General Motors (GM) announced a $6 billion charge to scale back some of its electric vehicle investments, becoming the latest automaker to do so amid policy changes by the US Trump administration and a decline in EV demand. This decision involves reducing planned EV production, affecting GM's supply chain, and leading to a $4.2 billion cash charge related to contract cancellations with suppliers. However, GM affirmed it would continue to offer its US lineup of EV models. The financial writedo...

Honda Motor has announced the extension of operational suspensions at three Chinese factories due to a shortage of automotive semiconductor devices. This affects the sites of GAC Honda Automobile, a joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group, which were initially scheduled to resume operations after a five-day shutdown but will now restart on Jan. 19. Production of gasoline-powered vehicles and other automobiles will be halted through Jan. 16. Meanwhile, Dongfeng Honda Automobile, another JV&...

South Korean battery material supplier L&F Co. Ltd. announced a dramatic 99% reduction in the value of its 2023 supply agreement with Tesla Inc., dropping from a projected $2.9 billion to just $7,386, signaling deepening challenges in the global electric vehicle supply chain. The Seoul-based firm disclosed the sharp cut on Dec. 29 without specifying reasons, although Tesla's struggles to scale production of its next-generation 4680 battery cells and broader softening in EV demand have bee...

Shanghai-based electric-car maker Nio has adjusted its battery supply strategy, reversing its efforts to reduce dependence on Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL). Nio halted cooperation with BYD's FinDreams Battery due to insufficient orders for its Onvo subbrand's L60 midsize sport utility vehicle, as reported by local media outlet 36Kr. As a result of reduced supply from BYD, CATL has become the primary supplier for both Onvo's 85-kWh long-range battery and 100-kWh batteries, wh...

The lithium mine operated by CATL in Yichun, Jiangxi, is expected to resume operations in about two months after being shut down in August 2025 due to an expired mining permit in mainland China. The mine is anticipated to restart around the Lunar New Year in February 2026, with the holiday running from Feb. 15 to 23, 2026. CATL halted operations on Aug. 10, 2025, which led to a spike in lithium carbonate prices. During the halt, CATL was working on renewing the permit. Reports in November 202...

Verdek LLC, an electric vehicle charging infrastructure provider, has announced the award of the Sourcewell Contract for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) sales, installation, products and related services. The contract, announced Dec. 16, enables eligible public-sector and nonprofit organizations to procure EV charging solutions through a competitively solicited contract. This agreement includes DC fast-charging solutions ranging from 24 kW to over 200 kW and Level 2 AC chargers ...

Automotive component suppliers demonstrated resilience during the first nine months of 2025 (January–September), navigating a period of moderating top-line growth while effectively enhancing profitability, compared to the strong performance in the corresponding period of 2024. While overall revenue growth decelerated from the double-digit pace observed earlier, the industry managed to expand its collective operating margins, reflecting a strong focus on operational efficiencies and cost manage...

CATL has entered into a 10-year agreement with Voyah, a new-energy vehicle (NEV) brand under Dongfeng Motor, to strengthen its position as a battery supplier. The agreement, signed Dec. 17 in Ningde, Fujian, aims to prioritize the supply of CATL's advanced technologies such as the Qilin Battery, Freevoy Battery and Shenxing Battery, for integration into Voyah vehicles. CATL will also establish production capacity near Voyah's facilities to ensure a stable supply chain as Voyah scales up ...

Honda Motor plans to halt operations at its plants in Japan and China between late December 2025 and early January 2026 due to a semiconductor shortage. This decision follows previous temporary production suspensions in Mexico, caused by disruptions in semiconductor supplies, in October 2025 and November 2025. The company announced that it will pause production at three automobile plants in China, operated through a joint venture with a Chinese automaker, for five days starting Dec. 29, 2025. In...

The US Justice Department (US DOJ) has reached a settlement with Wanxiang America, a wholly owned subsidiary of mainland China-based auto parts supplier Wanxiang Group Corp., Reuters reported Dec. 18. This settlement concerns import tariffs on wheel hub assemblies and other parts imported from mainland China over a five-year period. The US government alleged that Wanxiang America had incorrectly classified its imported wheel hub assemblies and failed to disclose that these parts were subject ...

Ford Motor has terminated a $6.5 billion deal with South Korea's LG Energy Solution to supply electric vehicle batteries. The cancellation was announced by LG Energy Solution in a regulatory filing, citing Ford's decision to halt production of certain EV models due to changes in policy and a shift in EV demand outlook. LG Energy Solution had signed contracts in October 2025 to provide EV batteries to Ford in Europe, starting in 2026 and 2027. Recently, Ford also announced a $19.5 billion w...

The United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC (USABC), under the United States Council for Automotive Research LLC (USCAR), has announced nine requests for proposal information (RFPIs) aimed at advancing battery cell development for electric vehicles. These RFPIs are part of a $90 million cooperative agreement with the US Energy Department (US DOE), with $60 million in federal funding. The objective is to identify developers who can meet or exceed USABC's targets for EV battery cells and ...

Mainland China's lithium-ion battery supply chain is facing cost pressures due to proposed price increases from major battery separator manufacturers. This is expected to impact the electric vehicle battery costs in the near term. Several leading separator firms have announced price increases of up to 30% for wet-process separator products, as reported by NBD (Daily Economic News, China), with base film and coated film expected to experience similar increases. While some adjustments have begu...

The Sodecia Aapico Joint Venture, a joint venture company between Portugal-based Sodecia and Thailand-based Aapico, has announced plans to invest $120 million to construct a new manufacturing facility in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, the US. The 400,000-square-foot plant will produce ladder frames for Scout Motors and is expected to create nearly 400 new jobs. Established in May, the joint venture combines the strengths of both companies to serve Scout Motors, which is rev...

Chinese lithium producers are responding to a surge in demand by increasing prices, as reported by Shanghai Securities News. The report highlights that several major lithium iron phosphate (LFP) manufacturers have proposed price hikes, with one company planning to raise processing fees across its entire LFP product line by 3,000 yuan (about $420) per metric ton, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The price adjustment plan indicates that these pricing changes may be renegotiated in the event of significa...

Kumho Tire has announced its plans to establish a passenger car tire production facility in the Opole region of Poland, aiming to enhance its presence in the European market. The new plant is expected to commence operations by August 2028, following the completion of necessary investment approvals and licensing procedures. Initially, the production capacity is set at 6 million tires per year, with plans to adjust output based on market conditions. The South Korean tiremaker will invest $587 mill...

Amid shifting global trade dynamics, automakers are being forced to rethink supply chains for critical electric vehicle (EV) components. EV motors—long dependent on rare earth elements (REEs)—are now a strategic pressure point. Recent export restrictions from mainland China, which currently dominates the mining and refining of rare earth elements, combined with geopolitical uncertainty, have transformed automakers' dependence on REEs into a significant strategic vulnerability. Rare earth ...

General Motors (GM) has allocated $300 million for the Romulus Propulsion Systems plant in Michigan, US, to manufacture 10-speed automatic transmissions for full-size pickups and sport utility vehicles. The confirmation comes a few days after the US-based automaker announced plans to invest $250 million in its Parma Metal Center, located near Cleveland, Ohio, to produce sheet metal stampings and assemblies. While the investment in the Parma Metal Center is anticipated to...

Volvo has decided to reverse its commitment to include standard lidar on its EX90 sport utility vehicle and ES90 sedan due to customer demand and limited supply of lidar hardware. Production of these models without lidar will start in 2025. Volvo also announced the termination of its relationship with Luminar Technologies, its sole supplier of lidar systems. The partnership began in 2020 when Volvo invested in Luminar to develop a small, affordable lidar system for production cars. Although Lumi...

Novelis has resumed operations at its Oswego, New York, aluminum plant following a fire incident on Nov. 20, the second time in three months. The evacuation process was safely conducted, and no injuries were reported among employees, contractors or first responders. The fire was quickly contained, allowing for faster restoration of critical functions at the plant than initially anticipated. The company, part of India-based Hindalco, has confirmed that its cold mill and heat-treatmen...

CATL has drawn up a preliminary plan to restart its Jianxiawo lithium mine located in Yichun by early December, as reported by Bloomberg. The production at this mine was initially suspended on Aug. 10 due to the expiration of a key mining permit, leading to a brief surge in lithium prices. The company is preparing to resume operations amid recent volatility in lithium carbonate prices in mainland China. The battery manufacturer has asked its suppliers and partners to prepare necessary equipme...

General Motors (GM) has announced plans to invest approximately $250 million in its Parma Metal Center in Ohio, US. This investment will facilitate the production of sheet metal stamping and assemblies to support the automaker’s Orion Assembly in Michigan, US; Spring Hill Manufacturing in Tennessee, US; and Fairfax Assembly in Kansas, US. With this investment, GM’s total manufacturing investments for 2025 will reach approximately $5.5 billion, reflecting the company's focus on dome...

Thomas Schaefer, head of the VW brand, confirmed that Volkswagen has successfully secured the necessary supply of chips for its production. Other automakers and suppliers are facing continued difficulties due to a chip supply shortage stemming from a trade dispute over the manufacturer Nexperia. Schaefer stated on Nov. 18 that Europe's largest automaker learned valuable lessons from the chip crisis that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are not experiencing shortages. The same day, sup...

Pony AI has announced collaborations with SANY Truck and Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor to develop fourth-generation autonomous trucks, known as the Gen-4 Autonomous Trucks. These trucks will be built on the advanced battery-electric vehicle platforms of SANY Truck and Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, with a design focused on modularity and adaptability. The mass production of these models is planned for thousands of units, with an initial fleet deployment targeted for 2026. The Gen-4 Autonomous Trucks will e...

The Dutch government has decided to relinquish control of Nexperia, a Chinese-owned chipmaker, effectively de-escalating a crisis that could have disrupted global auto production, according to an Automotive News Europe report on Nov. 19. This decision follows constructive talks with China, after the Netherlands had seized control at the end of September due to concerns that actions by Wingtech Technology, Nexperia's Chinese owner, could disrupt the company's operations. Nexperia plays a crucial ...

Stellantis is planning to more than double component sourcing from India to 100 billion rupees (nearly $1.1 billion) by 2026, up from the current 4 billion rupees, ETAuto reported, citing Shailesh Hazela, CEO and managing director of Stellantis India. "By next year, we should be touching exports close to 10,000 crore rupees [100 billion rupees] only from our suppliers," Hazela told the newspaper. The automaker has invested about 110 billion rupees in India and maintains three manufa...

Australia's Syrah Resources has announced an extension to the deadline of its graphite supply agreement with Tesla, marking the second such extension in recent months. The extension aims to address an alleged default related to the delivery of conforming active anode material samples from Syrah's processing facility in Louisiana, US, intended for Tesla's electric vehicle batteries. Initially set for Sept. 16, 2025, this deadline was first extended to Nov. 15, 2025, and now further pushed...

BYD India is optimistic about the country's electric vehicle prospects, predicting a 20% penetration in passenger car EVs by 2030. Rajeev Chauhan, head of Electric PV Business at BYD India, has outlined the company's strategic focus on addressing consumer needs beyond awareness at the India EV Conclave. He emphasized that EV buyers seek value propositions, and residual value concerns need attention. This marks a shift from awareness to addressing practical challenges within the Indian EV mark...

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) has made progress toward restarting a major lithium mine in mainland China that has been inactive since August. The company has been informed of the cost for the rights to the mine, indicating progress in negotiations with the authorities. This could lead to an increased lithium supply, which is vital for electric vehicles and grid storage globally. Receiving notification about the payment provides CATL with a clearer path for resuming productio...

Clarios, a global entity in low-voltage energy storage solutions, has announced its acquisition of Maxwell Technologies, a company specializing in supercapacitor cells and modules for various applications, including mobility and data centers. The acquisition aims to fortify Clarios' stance in high-performance, short-duration energy storage solutions by leveraging Maxwell's innovative supercapacitor technology. Supercapacitors are distinguished by their ability to charge and release energy rap...

Australia's Alliance Nickel announced that carmaker Stellantis will terminate their supply deal for battery-grade nickel and cobalt from the NiWest project, effective Dec. 3. Alliance Nickel cited missed milestone deadlines as the reason for the termination, attributing the delays to challenging conditions in the global nickel market, which have hindered financing opportunities. The pressure on nickel prices over the past two years has affected Alliance's financial position, forcing the compa...

Novelis anticipates the full reopening of its Oswego aluminum plant in New York, US, by December, following damage from a fire on Sept. 16. This update was shared by Novelis CEO Steven R. Fisher during an earnings call to discussing the company's second-quarter financial results. "We are fully committed to restoring the hot mill and minimizing disruptions," Fisher said. "Significant progress over the past month has allowed us to expedite our timeline, and we now expect the hot mill to be oper...

Dutch chipmaker Nexperia BV said it welcomes recent announcements by the US and Chinese governments lifting restrictions on the shipment of its chips, marking a potential turning point in the global supply disruption that has alarmed automakers, Reuters reported Nov. 2. The company emphasized that its priority is now ensuring supply stability for customers. The Dutch government, which recently took control of Nexperia citing national security reasons, stated it continues discussions with Chin...

According to a report Reuters published on Oct. 31, Stellantis has established a “war room” to manage potential chip shortages occurring from complications at Dutch group Nexperia. During a call with analysts about the company's third-quarter performance, CEO Antonio Filosa responded to a question about whether Stellantis could face production stoppages similar to those at Volkswagen, emphasizing that Stellantis is actively monitoring the chip situation related to Nexperia and implementing a...

Europe's automotive industry is bracing for disruptions after a diplomatic and trade dispute over Dutch chipmaker Nexperia escalated, prompting urgent calls from automakers and suppliers for political intervention to avert production halts. The standoff began after the Dutch government placed Nexperia—owned by China's Wingtech Technology- under state control, citing national-security and intellectual-property concerns. In response, Beijing blocked exports of Nexperia's chips from its facili...

Volkswagen has warned its workers of potential production stoppages due to ongoing supply chain issues, following a dispute involving Dutch chipmaker Nexperia. The Dutch government took control of Nexperia, which is owned by China, citing intellectual property concerns, while China has placed restrictions on exporting necessary products to European car manufacturers. Although Volkswagen has not yet been directly affected by chip shortages, it acknowledged the possibility of future impacts on pro...

Volkswagen will pause the production of the Golf at its Wolfsburg plant in Germany starting Oct. 29 as a result of a new microchip crisis triggered by a trade dispute between the US and China. This announcement follows an internal alert from Volkswagen to its workers about possible production disruptions. Besides the Golf, other models such as the Tiguan, Touran and Tayron, also manufactured at the Wolfsburg facility, are expected to experience production halts, although the duration of the...

The SDV market is laying the groundwork for vehicles that are not only smarter but more responsive to the demands of today’s consumers. However, this shift is not just about keeping pace with consumer demands, it is also about fundamentally changing how automakers approach vehicle design and functionality, and consequently, their software strategies. SDVs are also rewriting the rules for how automakers and suppliers work together. The old original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-supplier model...

Unipart has entered into a strategic collaboration with the UK-based battery-cell manufacturer Volklec to provide logistics and management services for electric vehicle battery cells, encompassing transport, storage, testing and triage. Unipart's responsibilities include managing global transport through certified carriers, overseeing storage at a 610,000-square-foot warehouse with intelligent charging to minimize degradation, ensuring air freight compliance, and conducting testing and t...

The increasing theft and vandalism of high-power charging cables across Europe is posing significant disruptions for electric vehicle users. According to a recent study released by charge-point operator (CPO) Allego, each theft renders an EV charging spot inoperable, leaving drivers unable to charge their vehicles, forcing them to reroute, delay, or abandon journeys. The repeated thefts increase operational costs for CPOs, potentially affecting end users. The International Energy Agency ...

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has expressed deep concern over potential major disruptions in European vehicle manufacturing due to an interruption in the supply of Nexperia chips. On Oct. 10, automobile manufacturers and their suppliers were informed by Nexperia that they could no longer guarantee the delivery of their chips to the automotive supply chain. Nexperia supplies a significant volume of semiconductors crucial for electronic control units in vehicle electric...

Stellantis' Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan has halted production for at least three weeks due to a shortage of aluminum caused by a fire at Novelis Inc.'s Oswego plant in New York, The Detroit News reported Oct. 16, citing a local United Auto Workers union official. The fire occurred Sept. 16, impacting the supply of aluminum, which is a critical material for producing Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer full-size SUVs. Eric Graham, president of UAW Local 140, which represents the worke...

Posco Future M, part of the Posco Group, has signed its largest contract for anode materials supply, valued at 671 billion won (about $468.3 million), with a global automaker. The company will provide natural graphite anode materials from October 2027 to September 2031, with a potential extension to 2037, which could increase the contract's value to 1.7 trillion won. The automaker's identity remains confidential. This deal reflects a trend where automakers are seeking direct partnerships with...

Vulcan Energy has reached an agreement to supply Glencore with lithium hydroxide monohydrate from its Lionheart Project in Europe. Under this deal, Vulcan Energy will provide Glencore with between 36,000 metric tons and 44,000 metric tons of the product over an initial eight-year period, which constitutes approximately 20% of Vulcan's projected output for this time frame. This agreement follows previous deals with Stellantis, Umicore and LG Energy Solution and represents the final offtak...

Ford Motor Co. has decided to reduce its purchase volume and delay lithium shipments from Liontown Resources Ltd., reflecting challenges in the electric vehicle supply chain. Ford will not receive any lithium from the Kathleen Valley project in 2027 and 2028, and the total volume from the Western Australia site will be reduced to 256,250 metric tons. This revision comes amid issues faced by US automakers, driven by regulatory changes from US President Donald Trump, including the red...

Ford Motor is halting production at its Dearborn, Michigan, plant in the US, where the F-150 Lightning electric pickup is manufactured, Reuters reported Oct. 8, citing a union official at the plant. The pause is linked to a fire at Novelis' New York aluminum factory on Sept. 16, which is anticipated to affect the production of Ford's F-150 vehicles for several months. A memo shared with the plant workers and viewed by Reuters indicated that the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center (REVC), which produce...

A fire at Novelis' aluminum processing plant in Oswego, New York, on Sept. 16 is expected to impact the business operations of Ford and other automakers for several months, Reuters reported Oct. 7, citing The Wall Street Journal. Ford, identified as the largest user of the plant's aluminum, is likely to address the potential effects of the disruption to its investors during its upcoming quarterly financial disclosures later in October. Novelis’ New York plant is a key supplier of aluminum s...

ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks (AMTB), a division of ArcelorMittal that specializes in laser-welded blanks (LWBs), also known as tailored blanks, is set to enhance its presence in North America by constructing a new 154,000-square-foot blanking facility in Ingersoll, Ontario. This new facility will combine advanced blanking technology with sustainable manufacturing practices, underscoring AMTB’s dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility in the automotive sector. LWBs are...

Renault is investing in a purchasing center in Mexico to supply auto parts to its plants in South America and strengthen its aftermarket network in Mexico. The new center will start operations in October. “Mexico has a spectacular supplier base. We have opened a new business unit set to start in October, and the objective is to increase Mexican-sourced parts in the vehicles manufactured in Colombia, Brazil and Argentina. It is a new unit, it is a reality, and we will be starting the first ship...

LS-L&F Battery Solution (LLBS), a joint venture between LS Corp. and L&F Co., has completed preparations for a new precursor factory in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province. The facility plans to conduct trial production by the end of 2025 and produce 20,000 metric tons of precursors in 2026. A further expansion is expected to increase production to 120,000 metric tons by 2029, sufficient for 1.3 million electric vehicles. With an investment of 1 trillion won (approximately $712 million)...

Mainland Chinese electric-car maker BYD has a contingency plan in place should it face restrictions on using NVIDIA chips in its vehicles, according to a report from CNBC on Sept. 23, citing Stella Li, the company's executive vice president. Although the mainland Chinese government has not directed BYD to discontinue using NVIDIA products, Li emphasized the importance of having a backup plan. She refrained from detailing this alternative but mentioned BYD's ability to swiftly navigate supply cha...

Sinbon Electronics Co. Ltd., an electronics system integrator from Taiwan, is set to make its debut at The Battery Show North America 2025, showcasing its latest innovations under the theme Plug-and-Play Revolution, Reliable Charging Systems for a Connected World. The company will highlight advanced thermal management and high-power charging solutions aimed at enhancing performance, energy efficiency and compatibility within the electric vehicle sector. Sinbon has significantly expanded its p...

In a press release dated Sept. 22, Neo Performance Materials announced that it had opened its advanced permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Narva, Estonia, marking a pivotal development in its European presence. This facility is designed to support the growing demand for rare earth magnets, crucial for electric vehicles, wind energy and other sectors fueling the energy transition. A concurrent Investor/Analyst Day offered attendees insights into Neo's operations, featuring tours of the ...

On Sept. 19, Neo Performance Materials signed a multiyear memorandum of understanding with Bosch to extend a strategic partnership for high-performance magnets. Under the agreement, the Canadian supplier will designate a substantial portion of its annual magnet production capacity for the Germany-based partner. This capacity reservation aims to evolve into formal projects that benefit both partners. By securing production capacity with Neo, Bosch ensures a steady supply chain and fosters the ...

Scout Motors, a US division of the Volkswagen Group, is investing an additional $300 million to establish a supplier park at its manufacturing plant in Blythewood, South Carolina. The planned investment aims to support about 1,000 supplier jobs, enhancing the company's over $2 billion commitment to South Carolina. Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Scout Motors, emphasized the initiative's role in fortifying US manufacturing and South Carolina's position as a hub for automotive innovation and ...

At the 4th Semiconductor Summit during IAA Mobility in Munich, Volkswagen Group brought together industry leaders to outline its semiconductor procurement strategy, strengthen partnerships and foster deeper collaboration between the automotive and semiconductor sectors. A key highlight was the introduction of the group’s new-level procurement model with Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, covering more than 50 semiconductor categories, including core components such as microcontroller...

Posco International has secured a significant order worth 600 billion won (approximately $430 million) for drive motor cores from a North American client. These cores are essential components of electric vehicles and traditionally rely on rare earth materials predominantly sourced from mainland China. Posco International was chosen due to its successful establishment of an independent supply chain free from mainland Chinese dependency. Posco Mobility Solution, a subsidiary of Posco Internatio...

Energy Fuels Inc. and Vulcan Elements have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets in the US, independent of mainland China. Energy Fuels, a US producer of rare earth element oxides, will supply Vulcan Elements with high-purity "light" and "heavy" rare earth oxides, specifically neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) and dysprosium (Dy), which will be used for the production of rare earth permanent magnets. This collaboration involves sour...

The US Commerce Department has announced an increase in tariffs on 407 products, including wind turbines, mobile cranes, bulldozers and other heavy equipment, as well as electric vehicle parts, with immediate effect. These products are now subject to a 50% tariff on any steel and aluminum content. The tariffs also extend to imported parts for automotive exhaust systems and electrical steel for EVs, despite concerns from foreign automakers about insufficient domestic capacity to meet...

ZF Lifetec, a specialist in occupant safety systems in vehicles, has started the third phase of its Rizhao plant in the Rizhao Economic and Technological Development Zone, Shandong Province, mainland China. This new phase focuses on producing one-piece woven (OPW) airbags and is expected to fully scale production by 2027 with an annual capacity exceeding 5 million OPW airbags. This expansion aims to bolster the company's supply capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region and global markets. The g...

CATL has reportedly suspended operations at its significant lithium mine in Jianxiawo, Yichun, in the Jiangxi province of mainland China. While unfavorable for CATL, the development might benefit other lithium producers who have endured prolonged price suppression. The cessation of operations is attributed to CATL's inability to renew a vital mining license that expired Aug. 9. The company is in discussions with government agencies to extend the license but is preparing for a closure las...

Intelligent power management company Eaton announced that its Mobility Group has been selected by a leading global automaker to supply the high-power lock box (HPLB) SQ8 connector system for a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle platform. This marks the first use of the SQ8 configuration in a PHEV application. Building on Eaton’s expertise in harsh-environment, high-current connectivity, the SQ8’s core innovation lies in its patented inverted terminal contact system. This design combines ...

General Motors (GM) plans to import electric vehicle batteries from the mainland Chinese company, CATL, as a temporary measure while it works on producing its own lower-cost batteries with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. This decision aligns with practices by other US automakers who have relied on foreign suppliers for LFP battery sourcing to maintain competitiveness. GM said that its Chevrolet Bolt will feature LFP technology and noted that it sells 12 EVs in the US with domestically...

Noveon Magnetics has announced a multiyear supply agreement with General Motors (GM) to provide rare earth magnets for a variety of GM vehicle components. Production began immediately, and deliveries started in July. The agreement focuses on providing rare earth magnets for GM's full-size sport utility vehicles and trucks. This agreement is seen as a significant step in developing a resilient domestic supply chain for the future of US automotive manufacturing. Noveon CEO Scott Dunn ...

Chinese chip company Flagchip has completed a funding round worth hundreds of millions of yuan, as announced in a press release via its WeChat account on Aug. 6. The funding round received strong support from notable investors, including Xiaomi's investment arm Beijing Xiaomi Zhizao Equity Investment Fund Partnership, Hainan Jimu Venture Capital, and the Beijing Advanced Manufacturing and Intelligent Equipment Industry Investment Fund. The new capital is expected to strengthen Flagchip's positio...

Forge Nano Inc., a technology company focused on advancing domestic battery and semiconductor technologies, announced its development of a lithium-ion battery cell intended for the US Defense Department. This development emphasizes the use of battery materials exclusively sourced from within the US. The 18650 cylindrical cell is designed to offer high capacity and energy density, conforming to the Defense Department's standards for cycle life and operating temperatures. Paul Lichty, CEO of Forge...

Lucid Group Inc., known for producing advanced electric vehicles, has joined the newly launched Minerals for National Automotive Competitiveness Collaboration (MINAC) and partnered with critical mineral producers such as Alaska Energy Metals, Graphite One, Electric Metals and RecycLiCo. This collaboration seeks to expedite the development and procurement of essential minerals for automotive manufacturing by US-based automakers and tier 1 suppliers. MINAC is an initiative aimed at en...

Bosch plans to restructure its Reutlingen plant in Germany, potentially cutting up to 1,100 jobs by 2029, Mint reported on July 22. The layoff will affect approximately one-tenth of the workers at the site, including those involved in the assembly line and back-office roles. The decision is attributed to intense competition within the European market for steering systems, particularly from Chinese manufacturers, which has been challenging German car manufacturers...

Inteva Products, a US-based supplier of vehicle interior systems, closures, motors and electronics, announced plans to invest 150 million Mexican pesos ($8 million) in expanding its Matamoros plant in Tamaulipas, Mexico, creating 500 direct jobs. The announcement was made in the presence of local and state government officials as well as company representatives who highlighted the direct impact of the investment on job creation and its contribution to strengthening the city’s economic and indu...

Posco Future M, a division of Posco Holdings specializing in battery materials, announced July 11 that it has obtained a supply contract for electric vehicle battery materials from a significant Japanese battery manufacturer. The contract entails Posco Future M supplying natural graphite-based anode materials produced at its Sejong plant for EV batteries made in Japan. The specific details regarding the client or the supply volume were not disclosed due to a mutual agreement between the parties ...

Researchers at the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new membrane technology designed to efficiently extract lithium from water, aiming to address growing concerns about lithium supply and demand. This innovative technology, which sees collaboration with the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, responds to vulnerabilities in the current supply chain, which predominantly relies on hard-rock mining and salt lakes in limited geo...

US President Donald Trump announced his plans to impose a 50% tariff on imported copper, further escalating his administration's strategy to bolster domestic industries through tariffs, Fox Business reported July 8. This announcement, made at a Cabinet meeting, aligns with Trump's America First policy, which aims to enhance industrial supply chains by encouraging companies to procure materials from within the US. During the meeting, Trump highlighted that copper will join steel...

On June 12, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced that it had hired 50 specialists to enhance the resilience and ethical standards of its electric vehicle supply chains, addressing ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. This initiative is part of JLR's strategy to transform its operations to deliver the new generation of pure electric models across all its brands by 2030. The specialists' role involved providing detailed and accurate visibility of the supply chain, particularly focusing on th...

Ideal Power Inc. has announced that it has received an order from a global tier 1 automotive supplier that serves multiple top global automotive original equipment manufacturers. The order includes packaged B-TRAN® devices, SymCool® power modules, and solid-state circuit breaker reference design boards and drivers. These components will be evaluated for a novel solid-state electric vehicle contactor. The supplier has also requested budgetary quotes for millions of SymCool® power modules fo...

According to a Reuters report dated July 3, the United States has lifted export restrictions to China for chip design software developers and ethane producers, indicative of improving trade relations between the US and China. Key electronic design automation (EDA) software companies, including Synopsys, Cadence Design Systems and Siemens, have announced restoring access to their software for Chinese customers. On the same days, the US notified ethane producers about rescinding a licensing requir...

Nissan is implementing several measures as part of its recovery plan, which includes cutting 20,000 jobs, equivalent to about 15% of its global workforce, and negotiating with suppliers for extended payment terms to free up cash flow, according to a report by Electrek published June 30. This move follows a previous announcement by the Japanese automaker in May about workforce reductions and factory closures aimed at cost-cutting. In the UK, Nissan will commence discus...