Ford and BYD Discuss Hybrid Battery Partnership as Chinese Automakers Set to Surpass Japan in Global Sales by 2025

International News: Reports indicate that Ford is in discussions with BYD regarding a partnership for hybrid vehicle battery supply. Additionally, projections suggest that Chinese automotive manufacturers will surpass Japanese companies in global sales by 2025. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz has seen strong sales of its premium models in India.

Chinese Automakers to Surpass Japanese Sales by 2025

According to data from Nikkei China, by 2025, Chinese automotive manufacturers are expected to achieve global car sales that will exceed those of Japan for the first time, solidifying China’s position as the world’s largest automobile market. It is estimated that Chinese companies will sell approximately 27 million vehicles globally, while Japanese manufacturers will see their sales dip slightly below 25 million.

Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Certain AI Chips

On January 14, U.S. President Trump announced a 25% tariff on certain imported artificial intelligence chips as part of a new national security directive. This measure aims to encourage domestic chip manufacturers to increase semiconductor production in the U.S. and reduce reliance on manufacturers in regions such as Taiwan.

Jaguar Land Rover Cyberattack Fallout and UK Economic Recovery

After a cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover, the situation has stabilized, leading to a rebound in the UK’s industrial production. The Office for National Statistics reported on January 15 that the UK’s GDP grew by 0.3% in November, reversing a 0.1% decline in October.

Canadian Automotive Sales Hit Three-Year Low

Due to the global chip shortage, weak market demand, and escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, the Canadian automotive industry’s sales data showed a significant decline in November. Statistics Canada reported a 15.9% drop in manufacturing sales for the automotive sector, with wholesale sales of vehicles and parts down 11.5%, marking the lowest levels since October 2022.

Ford and BYD in Talks for Hybrid Battery Supply

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Ford is negotiating with BYD to procure batteries for its hybrid models. Sources indicate that discussions are ongoing regarding the specifics of their collaboration, with one potential strategy being the use of BYD batteries in markets outside the United States.

Mercedes-Benz Sees Strong Demand for Luxury Models in India

Mercedes-Benz India’s CEO, Santosh Iyer, noted a 23% decline in sales of entry-level models in 2025; however, demand for high-end models increased by 12%, and sales of the high-performance AMG brand surged by 34%. Overall, Mercedes-Benz sold 19,007 vehicles in India in 2025, experiencing a slight decrease in volume but an increase in revenue.

Elliott Rejects Toyota Auto Loom’s Privatization Proposal

Elliott Investment Management has turned down Toyota’s increased offer for the privatization of its core subsidiary, Toyota Auto Loom, urging other shareholders to reject the proposal to push for a better price. On January 14, Toyota announced it would raise its acquisition offer by 15% to ¥18,800 per share (approximately $118.11).

Stellantis CEO Confirms No Changes to Corporate Structure

Stellantis Group CEO Antonio Filosa stated that after a comprehensive review of the company, the Franco-American-Italian joint venture plans to maintain its global organizational structure, emphasizing a desire to continue growing collaboratively.

Honda USA Aims for 1.5 Million Vehicle Sales by 2026

Honda’s American division anticipates a 4% increase in sales by 2026, targeting 1.5 million vehicles. Sales head Lance Woelfer indicated that the company will adopt a balanced strategy that includes hybrid, gasoline, and electric vehicle models to adapt to the evolving market and consumer price sensitivity.

Kia to Assemble MPVs in Indonesia Using Hyundai Facilities

Kia Motors Indonesia plans to begin local assembly of two MPV models at Hyundai’s facility in West Java by the end of 2026. The first model will be an electric vehicle set to launch in late 2026, followed by a seven-seat MPV with both electric and internal combustion engine versions expected to start production in early 2027.

Honda to End Production of Current Acura RDX

Honda has announced that production of the current Acura RDX will cease this year after nearly 740,000 units were sold since its launch in 2018. There will be a production gap until the next generation RDX, which will feature a dual-motor hybrid system, begins production, though specific timelines have not yet been disclosed.

Tesla Expands Partnership with Samsung for 5G Vehicle Communication

Tesla has confirmed it will source 5G communication modules from Samsung Electronics, with initial deliveries planned for the first half of this year. These modules will first be utilized in Tesla’s Robotaxi fleet in Texas, marking a deepening of their collaboration and reflecting Tesla’s ongoing focus on enhancing hardware and supply chain management in autonomous driving and smart mobility.

Mercedes-Benz Expands EV Charging Network into Canada

Mercedes-Benz has launched electric vehicle fast-charging stations at three locations in Vancouver, marking the first phase of its high-power charging (HPC) network expansion into Canada. Over the coming months, an additional eight charging centers will open in British Columbia.

Tensor Auto Seeks New Funding Ahead of IPO

U.S. autonomous vehicle startup Tensor Auto is reportedly looking to raise hundreds of millions before going public. The company is collaborating with the Royal Bank of Canada to facilitate this funding effort and has begun discussions with potential investors, with estimates suggesting it could raise between $300 million and $400 million.

Mitsubishi Electric Plans $1.9 Billion Sale of Automotive Equipment Subsidiary

Mitsubishi Electric is reportedly planning to sell its automotive equipment subsidiary and is set to initiate a bidding process. The potential sale could range from ¥200 billion to ¥300 billion (approximately $1.3 billion to $1.9 billion), with offers expected from other automotive parts suppliers and private equity firms.