With its factory utilization rates reaching 70-80%, polarizer manufacturer Cheng Mei Materials Technology (CMMT) anticipates double-digit sequential revenue growth in the second quarter, driven by new orders from South Korea and China.
In an effort to position itself as more than a panel company by 2025, AUO has increased its deployment of non-display business operations, according to company chairman Paul Peng.
Demand for battery EVs has faced challenges since the second half of 2023. Sales volume has sagged this year, especially in Europe and the US, the world's second and third-largest automotive markets.
After Tesla reported weaker-than-expected sales in the first quarter of 2024, CEO Elon Musk has taken several measures to maintain the company's leadership in the EV sector. However, these approaches seem to have achieved limited success and caused an unexpected setback.
The major Japanese automakers such as Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are planning cross-industry collaborations to develop new automotive technologies. The scope includes Generative AI (GenAI), semiconductors, application programming interfaces (APIs), LiDAR, simulation, cybersecurity, high-definition 3D maps, and more.
Mahindra announced a substantial investment in its EV business over the next three years as the company tries to catch up with EV leaders, particularly Tata, in the rapidly growing market in India.
Honda Motor is trying to catch up with its competitors in the global EV market. The Japanese automaker aims to inject JPY10 trillion (US$65 billion) into its EV efforts and launch seven EV models under its flagship series by 2030.
Taiflex Scientific, a specialist in flexible PCB materials such as flexible copper clad laminates (FCCL), celebrated the grand opening of its Thailand plant on May 15 at the Amata City Chonburi Industrial Estate.
Macroblock, a Taiwan-based LED driver IC design house, intends to avoid the red ocean sector and instead focus on increasing high-value-added products such as professional large-scale LED displays, XR display applications, and vehicle LED displays.
The US announced 25% to 100% tariff hikes on China-made EVs, batteries, semiconductors and other goods. Although the move does not impact South Korean industries for now, companies must tackle a new round of supply chain disruptions as US-China trade disputes heat up.
US President Joe Biden announced sweeping tariffs on multiple Chinese goods on May 14. Industry experts said China's lithium-ion battery exports will likely take a significant hit while the solar sector is less unlikely to be disrupted.
Chin-Poon Industrial, which has a strong production focus on automotive PCBs, has revealed plans to invest an additional THB1 billion (US$27.3 million) in expanding its factory site in Thailand.
NXP Semiconductors and Pegatron have announced plans to open a joint laboratory and work together on various automotive electronics applications. Their early partnership will concentrate on applications that can be implemented quickly, starting with smart cockpits.
Hesai Technology Co., a developer of sensor technologies used in self-driving cars, is suing the US Department of Defense for including it on a list of companies accused of aiding China's military.
The US Biden administration reportedly will impose higher tariffs on Chinese solar panels, lithium batteries, and EVs. In retaliation for the move, China is said to pressure global automakers with its lithium battery patents.
The US government reportedly plans to raise tariffs on China-made clean energy products, especially EVs. Supply chain sources said the move will likely achieve instant success: protecting the US automotive industry from China's price war and fostering America's local supply chain.
As Tesla lays off almost its entire team for charging business and slows charging station deployment, its competitors are poised to grow their market share and lure talents who left the company.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) is reportedly expediting the development of its semiconductor packaging-use Glass Core Substrate (GCS) business by advancing the construction of a glass substrate trial production line by one quarter, aiming to stay competitive in the semiconductor materials market.
The US is poised to take a tough stance on China's clean energy products. The Biden administration reportedly will soon announce new tariffs on China-made EVs, solar goods, and other products, with EVs likely seeing their levy quadruple.
