focus·Sankei
In the shadow of Trump’s tariffsJapan’s six major car companies’ exports to the United States still rose 3% in May
In May, despite the challenge of new tariffs imposed by the United States on automobiles and auto parts, the total exports of cars by Japan’s six major automakers to the United States reached 274,806 units, a year-on-year increase of 3%; And in the first five months of this year, the exports of these Japanese car companies to the United States also increased by 3% year-on-year to 1.5 million units.
Musk said he would step down lawmakers who supported Trump’s tax bill
On June 30, Musk once again criticized US President Donald Trump’s massive tax cuts and spending increase tax bill, and promised to remove lawmakers who supported the bill while promising to limit government spending during the election campaign. Musk recently posted on the social media platform X that the bill is “completely crazy and destructive.”
focus·New trends in traditional car companies
It was revealed that Nissan sought to delay payment to suppliers，To alleviate financial pressure
According to multiple emails and a company document, Nissan has recently asked some suppliers in the UK and the EU to extend the payment cycle in order to ease short-term financial pressure. This move highlights that Nissan is eager to improve cash flow. Nissan said: “Suppliers can choose to collect money immediately or choose a deferred collection plan with interest compensation. ”
Nissan plans to launch layoffs in the UK due to financial pressure
In the face of global business contraction pressure, Nissan will start the layoff negotiation process at its Sunderland plant in the UK this week. Nissan said the layoffs are aimed at improving the plant’s operational efficiency and making it a “leaner and more flexible” production base. The company did not disclose the exact number of layoffs, but Japan’s Kyodo News reported that it plans to cut 250 jobs.
Honda has postponed plans to produce fuel cells in Japan
On June 30, Honda announced that it would postpone the start of production of next-generation fuel cell modules in Japan from the original fiscal year 2027, the exact time has not yet been determined, and cut plans by about 30%Capacity。 The company said that the limited market acceptance of fuel cell vehicles due to the high cost of fuel cell vehicles is the main reason for the adjustment.
Mercedes-Benz expects tariffs to be rightQ2Margin impact less than 3%
According to the latest research report from investment bank Bernstein, Mercedes-Benz said in a regular investor conference call before the quarterly earnings report that it expects the impact of tariffs on the profit margin of its core passenger car business in the second quarter to be controlled within 3%. This is mainly due to three factors: easing trade tensions between China and the United States, some tariff costs being passed offset, and the time buffer effect of the gradual tariff increase in April.
BenzExecutivesIt is called Chinarare earthExport controls did not affect their supply chains
On June 30, Joerg Burzer, head of Mercedes-Benz’s production department, said that although China restricted the export of some rare earth raw materials, the company’s production was not affected for the time being. Burger said Mercedes-Benz is closely monitoring supply chain risks, especially rare earth shortages, but so far there have been no problems.
Volkswagen has invested an additional 850 million euros in Rivian
Volkswagen recently announced a new round of capital injection into its U.S. partner Rivian. As Rivian reached the contractual targets, the Volkswagen Group paid a second investment of US$1 billion (850 million euros) on June 30. If Rivian continues to reach the milestone of the agreement, Volkswagen may also invest in two additional phases, with a total investment of $3.5 billion. At that time, Volkswagen will replace Amazon as Rivian’s largest single shareholder.
Mitsubishi Motors plans to achieve annual sales of 75,000 to 80,000 units in the European market by 2025
Recently, Mitsubishi Motors Europe CEO Frank Krol revealed to EuroAutomotive News that Mitsubishi plans to achieve annual sales of 75,000 to 80,000 units in Europe in 2025, an increase of 20% to 30% over last year, and this goal will be achieved by relying on two new models based on the Renault platform.
NHTSA has launched an investigation into about 92,000 Jaguar Land Rover vehicles
On June 30, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it had initiated a preliminary assessment of 91,856 Jaguar Land Rover vehicles due to the risk of failure of the vehicle’s front knuckle. NHTSA has received reports of unilateral or double breakage of the aluminum front steering knuckle, which connects the front wheel to key components such as the brake assembly, in potentially affected vehicles.
Toyota Group accelerated the reduction of cross-holdings and sold 1.2 trillion yen of shares
Industry analysis shows that Toyota Group is accelerating its reduction in cross-holding shareholdings. This move not only responds to the market’s requirements for capital efficiency, but also raises funds for the company’s electrification transformation. According to the group’s Toyota Motor,Denso, Aisin and Toyota Tsusho, the group sold a total of 1.21 trillion yen (about $8.3 billion) of shares in the fiscal year ending March this year, an increase of about 50% from 837 billion yen in the same period last year.
Toyota’s Daihatsu Motor will suspend operations at some factories in Japan
On June 30, Toyota’s Daihatsu Motor announced that due to insufficient supply of supplier parts, some of its Japanese vehicle plants will suspend operations: from July 8 to 11, the operation of the second plant in Shiga Prefecture will be suspended; From July 7 to 11, the operation of the second plant in Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture will be suspended.
focus·Electrification
Sony Honda’s electric vehicle joint venture has intensified losses
On June 30, Sony Group and Honda MotorElectric vehicleSony Honda Mobility Inc., a joint venture, disclosed that it doubled its annual operating loss to 52 billion yen (about $362 million) in the fiscal year ending in March this year. Currently, the two parties are preparing to launch their first model, AFEELA, this year.
Tesla’s June European marketSalesRebounded strongly
After months of declining deliveries and market pressure, Tesla has regained its growth momentum in the European market. The latest data shows that the electric vehicle maker achieved a significant jump in registrations in several key European markets in June. Among them, the performance in the UK, Spain and the Netherlands market was particularly impressive, with registrations in the UK soaring by 224% month-on-month and more than tripling in Spain, making it the best-selling car brand (including fuel vehicles) in the Dutch market.
teslafirst batchV4 SuperCharging pilesPut into operation in China
Tesla announced on June 30 that its first batch of V4 superchargers have been officially launched in China, covering provinces and cities such as Shanghai, Chongqing, Gansu and Zhejiang. Tesla said that V4 supercharging piles will also be gradually promoted and deployed in Beijing, Guangdong and other regions, and will be open to other electric vehicle brands.
Rivian lays off some of its production staff，improveR2Production and operational efficiency
Recently, Rivian laid off about 140 employees, or about 1% of its workforce. This move aims to improve the production efficiency of the upcoming R2 pure electric SUV and optimize operational processes. The layoffs primarily affected the company’s manufacturing division, the latest in a series of layoffs carried out by Rivian in recent months.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 Exports increased by 275% month-on-month in May
In May this year, exports of South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor’s large pure electric SUV IONIQ 9 increased by 275% to 1,482 units, a significant increase mainly due to the model’s strong sales in the European market, which is reported to be mostly shipped to Europe, which is also one of the company’s strategic measures to deal with tariffs on US imported cars.
focusSupply chain
Japanese auto parts supplier Musashi Seiko plans to close two factories in Germany
On June 30, Japanese auto parts supplier Musashi plans to close two factories in Germany and reduce the workforce at the third plant, a move that will affect hundreds of employees, according to sources. The company will close its factories in Hannoversch Muenden and Leinefelde in central Germany, while the Luechow plant will make significant layoffs.
India’s Sona Comstar intends to produce rare earth magnets locally
Sona Comstar, an Indian auto parts supplier and largest importer of rare earth magnets, plans to produce rare earth magnets, a key component of electric vehicles, in India. The move comes as China restricts rare earth exports and the Indian government introduces policies to encourage local production. Despite the agreement signed by the United States and China in June to speed up the approval of rare earth exports, governments and companies around the world are still scrambling to find alternatives.
