Panasonic Group's subsidiary, Panasonic Industry, announced plans to construct a new factory in central Thailand with an investment of JPY17 billion (approx. US$115 million). The facility will produce multilayer circuit board materials specifically designed for artificial intelligence (AI) servers, addressing the surging global demand driven by generative AI technologies

Malaysia is emerging as a key beneficiary of the intensifying US-China technology rivalry, attracting billions in foreign investment as it seeks to cement its role as a critical player in the global semiconductor supply chain. Through a combination of targeted policies and fiscal incentives, Kuala Lumpur is positioning itself as what officials call the "indispensable middle" of the industry

Auden Techno, a Taiwan-based radio frequency antenna and communications module manufacturer, announced its consolidated revenue for August 2025 reached NT$154 million (approx. US$5.08 million), marking a sequential increase of 0.43% and a year-over-year increase of 1.6%. The cumulative consolidated revenue for the first eight months of 2025 totaled NT$1.05 billion

Malaysia's IC design firm Oppstar has entered into two MoUs with Inventec to collaborate on next-generation AI chips and form a joint venture (JV), according to documents filed with Bursa Malaysia

Political turbulence across key Southeast Asian markets has created both challenges and opportunities for Acer's regional operations

In the second quarter of 2025, Southeast Asia's electric vehicle (EV) sales grew 102% year-over-year, driven by affordable battery electric vehicles, rising consumer awareness, government subsidies, and local production expansion. Chinese and Vietnamese brands like BYD and VinFast have become central forces, reshaping the regional EV ecosystem

Taiwan-based Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) is strengthening its international and cloud strategy through its cloud business, Nextlink. FET has announced it has signed a 100% share acquisition agreement with Hong Kong-based cloud service technology firm Renova Cloud, through which FET will gain control of Renova Cloud's subsidiary in Vietnam

Malaysia has revealed that China is prepared to offer assistance in developing rare earth processing technology, contingent upon partnerships involving Malaysian state-owned companies

On July 31, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing new tariffs—ranging from 10% to 41%—on imports from 68 countries and the European Union (EU). While many trade partners faced updated rates, tariffs on Vietnamese goods remained unchanged: a 20% duty on direct imports and a 40% levy on transshipped goods. In exchange, Vietnam has agreed to fully open its market and eliminate all tariffs on American imports

According to Reuters and Antara, the Indonesian government has launched a Mineral Industry Agency to oversee state control of critical minerals, including rare earth elements, announced President Prabowo Subianto. Brian Yuliarto, the current Minister of Higher Education, was appointed to lead the new agency

Tex Year Industries is set to optimize its manufacturing operations across Taiwan, Vietnam, the US, and other Asian locations in response to ongoing tariffs and geopolitical challenges. The company anticipates revenue growth in the second half of 2025 compared with the first half but projects a slowdown in full-year revenue relative to 2024

China's new energy vehicle leader BYD Auto has made headlines for aggressively expanding its overseas market. Its earlier plans to export electric vehicles (EVs) to Taiwan via its Thailand factory drew attention and prompted countermeasures from Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). BYD's Thai subsidiary has recently announced that more than 900 Dolphin EVs have been shipped, primarily destined for the European market, including Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands

South Korean display inspection equipment company Youngwoo DSP has signed a supply contract with Samsung Display Vietnam (SDV) valued at KRW17.9 billion (approx. US$13.2 million). This contract accounts for roughly 30.3% of Youngwoo DSP's forecasted revenue for the year 2024, according to reports from Korean media outlets Hankyung and EBN

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD Auto plans to establish its inaugural assembly plant in Malaysia, situated in Tanjong Malim, Perak. The facility is slated to begin operations in the latter half of 2026, though details on production capacity and investment size remain undisclosed

Vietnamese leaders recently observed humanoid robot performances by VinMotion, a subsidiary of Vingroup, signaling the country's growing interest in robotics for industrial applications. The robots are poised to assist in electric vehicle factories, highlighting a shift toward automation in Vietnam's manufacturing sector