As global automakers and their supply chains struggle with the growing pains of electrification, a quiet hedging strategy is emerging, led by Europe's long-established Tier-1 suppliers.
Xiaomi's electric vehicle has dominated headlines since its debut, and its sales have been impressive by any measure. But that excitement has not been evenly felt across the supply chain. While some upstream suppliers are benefiting, downstream manufacturers say they are not seeing the same lift.
Tesla and BYD are both facing increasing sales pressure, with the two electric vehicle (EV) giants showing signs of fatigue in their key markets. Tesla's decline across Europe continues without signs of slowing, while BYD faces rising competition at home, recording its third straight monthly decline in November and putting its full-year goal at risk.
Hotai Motor, the Taiwanese distributor of Toyota, Lexus, and Hino vehicles, expressed confidence in achieving its 2025 sales target of 165,000 units during a November 26 earnings briefing, maintaining a positive outlook for fourth-quarter demand. A company spokesperson, Chih-wei Lai, highlighted continued optimism for electrified vehicles, noting that Toyota and Lexus EV and hybrid models already account for roughly half of total sales.
In recent years, a growing number of Taiwanese auto–parts suppliers have accelerated their push into the robotics and server supply chains. Most remain in the sampling or small-batch shipment stage, but industry analysts say their products are often highly interchangeable. As a result, turning this cross-sector move into a meaningful revenue surge remains challenging.
One of the most talked-about topics in Taiwan's auto market in recent weeks is the widely circulated report that Foxtron Vehicle Technologies—the joint venture between Foxconn and Yulon Motor—is preparing to acquire Luxgen, Yulon's own passenger-car brand. The industry remains divided on the implications, but many observers see the move as one that could ultimately benefit both sides.
