logo
Rare earth curbs to affect ICE vehicles as well: Automobile industry

Rare earth curbs to affect ICE vehicles as well: Automobile industry

China accounts for about 70 per cent of global rare earth mining and nearly 90 per cent of rare earth magnet production, giving it overwhelming leverage in this segment
premium
Deepak Patel New Delhi
Listen to This Article
Raising concerns over China's export curbs on rare-earth elements, the automobile industry is learnt to have told the Ministry of Commerce and Industry earlier this month that the issue threatens to disrupt production of not just electric vehicles (EVs) but also internal combustion engine (ICE) automobiles.
To raise these issues, a delegation of senior executives from leading automakers and component manufacturers was scheduled to visit China this month. However, Chinese authorities are yet to respond positively to India's request to allow the delegation, people familiar with the matter said.
'The industry has been checking the status repeatedly, but the matter

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

China Fund Beats 97% of Peers by Buying Pop Mart, Dumping Moutai
China Fund Beats 97% of Peers by Buying Pop Mart, Dumping Moutai

Mint

time3 hours ago

  • Mint

China Fund Beats 97% of Peers by Buying Pop Mart, Dumping Moutai

A 30-year old Chinese fund manager is trouncing peers this year with a portfolio stocked with Gen Z-favored names like Pop Mart International Group, betting that new-age shopping trends can help his fund overcome the country's economic sluggishness. Xie Tianyuan's Penghua Selected Return Flexible Allocation Mixed Fund has returned 24% this year, ranking in the top 3% among roughly 2,300 peers, data from fund tracker East Money Information Co. show. That's a turnaround from its recent past when holdings in traditional sectors like alcoholic beverages and farming dragged performance. A gauge for Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong has risen 20% this year. The Shenzhen-based fund manager, who took over early 2024, wasted little time in replacing what was then the fund's top holding Kweichow Moutai Co., a baijiu distiller, with the maker of smash-hit Labubu dolls, Pop Mart. His repositioning for the fund, which has about $7 million in assets under management, reflects how cultural shifts — brought on by digital influence and youth spending — are creating opportunities for Chinese investors navigating broader challenges in the world's second-largest economy. His conviction strengthened after witnessing the popularity of the toy maker's products in Thailand, which, he says, signaled 'non-linear growth with every metric showing breakout potential.' Growing up immersed in Japanese anime culture — his desk is adorned with Dragon Ball Z figurines — Xie said he developed an eye for identifying promising characters or designs, called 'IP brands,' by mixing personal fandom and online research. That he himself is demographically a member of Generation Z, the driving force behind China's new 'emotional spending' consumption trend, helps him understand what may resonate beyond advertising and go viral. 'Opportunities in the sector in the years to come will be on the single stock level as the population dividend comes to an end,' he said. 'I pick companies that have breakthrough products, new business models and innovative sales channels — products that are both visually appealing and fun.' His top pick, Pop Mart, accounted for 10.5% of the fund's total assets as of March, the top end of its maximum ownership in a single stock allowed, filings show. Other big bets include Mao Geping Cosmetics Co., up 83% this year, as well as Chongqing Baiya Sanitary Products Co., and Yantai China Pet Foods Co. Xie's strategy lies firmly in targeting the Gen Z consumption trend, where purchase decisions are driven by emotional triggers and hobby interest. Despite looming threats from Donald Trump's proposed tariff hikes, this behavioral change fueled rallies in pockets of China's stock market, especially after the momentum from artificial intelligence began to fade. Shares of the companies at the heart of this trend — including Pop Mart and Laopu Gold Co., known for distinctive gold pendants — have staged wild gains this year. Laopu is up more than 2,000% since its initial public offering in Hong Kong a year ago. READ: Labubu's Mega Markups Make Pop Mart a $43 Billion Export Giant The rally has expanded to include sectors like medical aesthetics, pet foods and even vape products. Another potential area for Xie: tapping into the rising popularity of sparkling yellow wine. 'The line between what is considered 'old' and 'new' consumption is blurring and more companies will join the new consumption pool once they realize that there's no future for them eking out a survival in their comfort zones,' Xie said. 'Even old trees can sprout new shoots.' Still, the consumption-driven rally is showing cracks. Pop Mart tumbled after a People's Daily commentary on June 20 that called for stricter regulation of 'blind-box' toys — products in sealed packaging designed to conceal content and induce surprise and greater desire to collect them. Laopu faces greater selling pressure after the lock-up period from its IPO expired Friday. Meanwhile, many Gen Z stocks are near or above their average price targets, and in turn, driving analysts to constantly find reasons to bump up their outlook. Xie acknowledged that valuations in the sector may be getting ahead of fundamentals, with some stocks already pricing in earnings three to five years ahead. Still, he remains overall bullish, particularly on the stocks he's heavily invested in. 'The gains may look incomprehensible to some people, but it's actually all rooted in earnings,' he says. 'Growth for some is underestimated, while others are just in the early stages of their life cycle.' This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

US Prez says 'very wealthy' group ready to buy TikTok
US Prez says 'very wealthy' group ready to buy TikTok

Time of India

time3 hours ago

  • Time of India

US Prez says 'very wealthy' group ready to buy TikTok

President Donald Trump said Sunday a group of buyers had been found for TikTok, which faces a looming ban in the United States due to its China ties, adding he could name the purchasers in two weeks. "We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way," Trump said in an interview on Fox's Sunday Morning Futures. "Very wealthy people. It's a group of wealthy people," the President said, without revealing more except to say he would make their identities known "in about two weeks." The President also said he would likely need "China approval" for the sale, "and I think President Xi (Jinping) will probably do it." TikTok is owned by China-based internet company ByteDance. A federal law requiring TikTok's sale or ban on national security grounds was due to take effect the day before Trump's inauguration on Jan 20. But the Republican, whose 2024 election campaign relied heavily on social media and who has said he is fond of TikTok, put the ban on pause. In mid-June, Trump extended a deadline for the popular video-sharing app by another 90 days to find a non-Chinese buyer or be banned in the US.

US leads global AI race, usage a challenge: Report
US leads global AI race, usage a challenge: Report

Time of India

time4 hours ago

  • Time of India

US leads global AI race, usage a challenge: Report

BENGALURU: The global artificial intelligence (AI) innovation race is intensifying, but so are internal gaps between business ambition and technological execution. According to NetApp's 2025 AI Space Race report, while 81% of global organisations are piloting or scaling AI and 88% consider themselves ready for transformation, regional disparities and internal misalignments may decide the eventual winners. The study, based on a survey of 800 CEOs and IT leaders across the US, China, UK, and India, found the US to be the most synchronised on AI ambition and execution. In the US, 86% of IT executives and 77% of CEOs reported active AI deployment. In contrast, China, while bullish at the leadership level, revealed a sharp internal disconnect. Around 92% of Chinese CEOs said they had active AI initiatives, but only 74% of their IT counterparts agreed with them. A similar gap emerged in perceived AI readiness, with 68% of Chinese CEOs believing their firms were ready, while only 58% of IT leaders felt the same. "This divergence in perception may weaken execution, particularly in regions that are prioritising speed over infrastructure," the report noted. India and the UK trail the US and China in current AI leadership, but both countries show stronger alignment between leadership and tech functions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Interestingly, respondents in India (40%) and the UK (34%) over-indexed on belief in their region's future AI leadership, well above their global peer averages of 16% and 19%, respectively. The report identified intelligent data infrastructure as the primary determinant of AI success. While integration with core systems was seen as crucial in the US, UK, and India, China uniquely prioritised scalability, with 35% of respondents citing it as the most critical capability, 11 percentage points above the global average. "Winning organisations will be those that invest in secure, scalable data architecture that removes friction from AI deployment," said Russell Fishman, senior director, product management at NetApp. Despite widespread optimism, 79% of global leaders remain concerned that weak data and cloud strategies could lead to AI failures, ranging from broken models to security breaches. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store