As the world's largest aftermarket (AM) car door handle manufacturer, Taiwan-based Hu Shan Autoparts has been actively advancing its "AM 2.0" product strategy in recent years. This initiative targets the mid-to-high-price market by offering premium upgraded components, aiming to enhance both quality and profitability.
Honda and Nissan scrapped merger talks after failing to agree on terms, marking an abrupt end to what could have been a landmark consolidation in Japan's auto industry. The negotiations, which began in December 2024, were seen as a survival strategy amid intensifying global competition.
Despite being traditionally an off-season month, multiple Taiwanese automotive aftermarket (AM) supply chain players, including Iron Force Industrial and Orange Electronic, achieved record-high revenue for January 2025. This growth was fueled by strong demand in the North American AM sector and ongoing enhancements in automotive safety standards.
With smart reading lights and starlight roof features gradually expanding from high-end to mainstream vehicle models, Shining Victory Motor Electronic (Shining Victory) remains optimistic about sustained market growth in 2025. The company aims for high double-digit revenue growth while also targeting double-digit profit increases.
Europe's industrial control and automotive sectors remain sluggish, with weak demand and excess inventory likely delaying recovery until the second quarter of 2025, according to IDMs and IC distributors. Recovery remains uncertain, with global macroeconomic conditions and potential trade policies under Donald Trump adding further volatility.
Taiwan's automotive market has entered a stable growth phase, with electric vehicles (EVs) and high-end models showing the most significant expansion. The global momentum for new energy vehicles continues to strengthen, with supply chain players expressing confidence in strong market performance for 2025.
Transmission system specialist Tsang Yow has continued to maintain close partnerships with established carmakers, Tier 1 component suppliers, and after-market (AM) service suppliers. In addition, the company has made progress in its semiconductor layout, with sustained expansion and investments in Southeast Asia.
The proposed merger between Honda and Nissan has reached an impasse, while Renault is preparing to reduce its 36% ownership in Nissan. This development has sparked speculation about potential new investors, notably Apple and Foxconn.
Foxconn chairman Young Liu dismissed speculation about a potential Nissan acquisition, emphasizing that the company seeks collaboration rather than equity control. "Acquiring shares is not our primary goal," Liu said.
The surge in luxury car and electric vehicle (EV) sales in Taiwan has created profitable opportunities for component suppliers, particularly in the tire sector. Bridgestone Taiwan is capitalizing on this trend by introducing specialized products designed for the evolving market requirements.
Japanese automaker Isuzu Motors is planning to build a new pickup truck assembly plant in the US by 2027 that will produce electric vehicles (EV) and gas-powered cars.
Geely Auto (Geely) recently introduced the DeepSeek large language model, set to enable significant leaps in human-machine interface (HMI) upgrades for its vehicles in the future. This move may also send shockwaves through the autonomous driving chip and solution platforms, posing potential threats to the industry's leading players.
Automotive cooling fan specialist Yen Sun Technology (YS Tech) has reported strong performance driven by sustained order inflows and pre-holiday shipments in early 2025. Despite fewer working days in January due to the Lunar New Year and a larger comparison base from deferred orders recognized in the same period in 2024, the company maintained robust operations.
Many aspects of US President Donald Trump's tariff policy remain obscure and have been subject to frequent modifications. Hiroca Holdings, a Taiwanese automotive component maker that recently established a factory in Mexico, has prepared countermeasures in advance.
Copper has been hailed as "the oil of the new energy sector," playing an irreplaceable role in areas such as power transmission, renewable energy, and electric vehicles (EVs). Specifically, China has been the world's largest consumer of copper due to its leading development in renewable energy and EVs, making its demand trends the focal point of global markets. Furthermore, movements in major copper-producing countries in South America, along with US tariff policies, also impact the global supply landscape.
Prior to the start of US President Donald Trump's second term, he repeatedly indicated that he would take measures to target the energy and automotive industries with the goal of "making America great, again." However, right after announcing new tariffs, Trump made a sharp U-turn. Under such unpredictable developments, Taiwanese auto industry players have their own take on the situation.
BYD Electronics is positioned to become the primary beneficiary of BYD's upcoming intelligent driving expansion, according to a CLSA research report. At its 30th-anniversary event on February 10, 2025, BYD will unveil its comprehensive autonomous driving strategy, supported by a CNY100 billion investment in technology development.
Global PMX, a leading manufacturer of automotive power and safety components, is driving growth through healthcare sector expansion and AI implementation. The company continues to strengthen its product portfolio with AI applications to enhance gross profit margins while maintaining stable growth in its traditional automotive market.
Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (SMI), a leading provider of NAND flash controllers, has achieved a significant milestone as its PCIe Gen4 SSD controller chip received ASPICE CL3 certification from global certifying body UL Solutions, becoming the world's first SSD controller supplier to reach this certification level.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and data center demand are emerging as key performance drivers for Japanese electronic component makers such as Murata Manufacturing, while performance in areas such as automotive and smartphones remains mixed.
As new US tariffs take effect and trigger retaliatory measures, automotive component suppliers face mounting challenges that could threaten their very survival.
On February 1, 2025, the US government imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese exports, citing fentanyl-related concerns. The new tariffs will take effect on February 4, escalating trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.
US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to temporarily delay the implementation of a 25% tariff on automobiles, originally set for January 4, by one month. Despite this extension, uncertainty continues to erode confidence in the North American automotive sector, heightening concerns over long-term stability.
Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) has seen steady progress in its lithium intellectual property (IP) certification, even as trade wars and heightened tariffs pose a looming threat to the EV and energy storage industries in 2025. The company released its latest customer certification progress report on February 3, reflecting steady growth in the global lithium battery market.