Latest news with #HondaMotorCo
Japan Today
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Honda, Nissan in talks on sharing common auto software
Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co are in talks on sharing common basic software for advanced vehicle control in a bid to catch up with U.S. and Chinese rivals, sources familiar with the matter said Monday. The two automakers aim to launch vehicles to be operated by the new software in the latter half of the decade, as competition for software-defined vehicles or SDVs is expected to intensify in the global auto market. SDVs require vast amounts of data for their development and operation, giving carmakers that collaborate significant advantages in accelerating development and reducing costs. U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Inc, as well as some Chinese automakers, are already leading the SDV race. Toyota Motor Corp and Mazda Motor Corp are also considering using common software. The Honda-Nissan talks on software are the latest example of possible joint operations between the two carmakers, after they said in February they had terminated merger talks following Nissan's rejection of a proposal to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda. Among other potential tie-ups, Nissan is in the final stages of talks to supply its U.S.-made pickup trucks to Honda, people close to the matter said earlier. The two carmakers are also considering sharing chips, motors, and other vehicle components. The two automakers have been looking for cooperation in software development and battery charging services for EVs since they agreed in March 2024 to start a feasibility study for such a strategic partnership. Still, Honda said earlier it would roll out EV models equipped with its own software, starting from 2026. © KYODO
Japan Today
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Ishiba calls Trump's tariff decision 'truly regrettable'
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on Japan is "truly regrettable," adding bilateral talks will continue toward a mutually beneficial deal. Despite Trump's decision, which was conveyed to Japan in a letter, Ishiba said the tariff rate is lower than the U.S. president had threatened and opens the way for future bilateral negotiations between the longtime allies. Speaking during a tariff task force meeting, Ishiba said the government will not waver in its defense of national interests in future rounds of talks, pledging to do all it can to mitigate the impact of the imminent tariff hike on the export-oriented Japanese economy. "We will continue to engage in negotiations with the United States to explore the possibility of reaching a mutually beneficial deal while protecting our national interests," Ishiba told the meeting. Bilateral tariff talks, including a face-to-face summit, have not resulted in substantive progress. While Trump has turned to tariffs to fix what he sees as imbalanced trade, a 25 percent levy on imported cars has been seen as especially detrimental to Japan, which relies heavily on the likes of Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co. "Unfortunately, we have yet to reach an agreement as there are differences between us. Japan has been avoiding making easy concessions while demanding and protecting what is needed," Ishiba said. Ahead of the July 20 House of Councillors election, he suggested that the bilateral negotiations, mostly conducted by his aide and chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, have helped to keep the U.S. tariff rate for Japan "effectively on hold." Trump had threatened to impose tariffs of 30 or 35 percent, raising the stakes ahead of the end of a three-month pause on "reciprocal" tariffs on Wednesday. The newly set 25 percent levy is scheduled to take effect on Aug 1. "Please understand that the 25% number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with your Country," Trump wrote to Ishiba, with the president sending a similar letter to South Korea, another U.S. ally. "These Tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country," Trump said. The United States is a major trading partner for Japan, which posted a trade surplus of roughly 8.6 trillion yen with the world's largest economy in 2024. Automobiles accounted for more than a quarter of Japan's total exports to the United States by value, according to government data. Tokyo has been urging Washington to focus on what the longtime allies can achieve together through investment, rather than relying on tariffs to address the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. In addition to automobiles, rice has recently become a target of Trump's criticism. He claims that Japan is not importing U.S. rice -- an assertion Ishiba has rejected. Trump's tariff threat comes in the middle of the 17-day campaign period for the upper house election, with Ishiba's premiership hanging in the balance. Media polls show his ruling coalition faces an uphill battle to retain majority control of the chamber. "It's unacceptable," ruling Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Itsunori Onodera said at a party meeting to discuss the U.S. tariffs. "It's extremely rude to send only a letter to an allied nation. I strongly resentment it." U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the point man for the tariff negotiations, has signaled a trade deal with Japan is unlikely to be sealed any time soon, citing complications surrounding the upper house election. © KYODO
Japan Today
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Toyota global sales in May up 6.9%; record for month
Toyota Motor Corp said Friday its global sales for May rose 6.9 percent from a year earlier to 898,721 units, a record high for the month, due to last-minute demand in the United States amid concerns over possible price hikes due to high tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, global production dipped 0.7 percent to 806,677 units, falling below the same period the previous year for the first time in five months. The United States raised the tariff rate on imported passenger vehicles by 25 percentage points to 27.5 percent in early April, with Tokyo and Washington holding multiple rounds of talks to negotiate an agreement. By region, sales in the United States grew 10.9 percent to 240,176 units. Those in China were up 6.8 percent to 149,887 units, with hybrid vehicles especially sought after due to government subsidies. Domestic sales climbed 4.4 percent to 106,586 units on a rebound from the previous year when Toyota was hit by a verification scandal. The launch of new models including the Land Cruiser 250 series also helped lift sales in the country. The automaker said production in the United States dropped 1.8 percent to 120,539 units due to one fewer working day. Domestic output fell 5.4 percent to 241,570 units. Honda Motor Co, the country's second-biggest automaker, also benefited from greater demand in the United States in May, with sales up 6.5 percent from the previous year to 135,432 units. But globally, sales slumped by 4.1 percent to 298,167 units, with those in China logging its 16th consecutive monthly decline on fierce price competition. Meanwhile, Nissan Motor Co, which is struggling to turn around its business and undergoing restructuring, saw global output decline 16.5 percent to 229,645 units and global sales slip 6.0 percent to 256,159 units. The company earlier this week said it forecasts a net loss of 200 billion yen for the April-June period, weighed down by effects of the U.S. tariffs. © KYODO
19-06-2025
- Automotive
Honda Eyes Case-by-Case Collaboration with Nissan
News from Japan Economy Jun 19, 2025 19:25 (JST) Tokyo, June 19 (Jiji Press)--Honda Motor Co. President Toshihiro Mibe said Thursday that the automaker will pursue case-by-case collaboration with Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. on the development of electric vehicles. "Based on the business environment, we will promote (collaboration) only where we can expect benefits," Mibe said at a general meeting of Honda shareholders in Tokyo. He said that the three automakers are continuing talks, but did not mention when they are expected to reach an agreement. In response to a shareholder's question about the possibility of Honda resuming management integration talks with Nissan, which fell apart in February, Mibe said there is no such possibility "for the time being," but added, "I don't mean to completely deny it." Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's high tariff policy, Mibe said that Honda is increasing production in the United States to mitigate its impact. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The Star
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Japan factory declines slow in May but tariff worries persist, PMI shows
Workers assemble Honda Motor Co. North America-bound Fit vehicles on the production line at the company's Suzuka factory in Suzuka, Mie, Japan, on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg TOKYO: Japan's factory activity shrank at the slowest pace in five months in May as the decline in new orders eased, but worries over U.S. tariffs have dampened the recovery from an almost year-long contraction, a private-sector survey showed on Monday. The final au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 49.4 in May from 48.7 in April, marking the 11th consecutive month of staying below the 50.0-line that indicates contraction. Still, the reading was higher than the flash figure of 49.0 and the highest so far this year. "Manufacturing conditions in Japan moved closer to stabilisation in May, according to latest PMI data, with companies signalling a softer decline in sales and improved jobs growth," said Annabel Fiddes, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiled the survey. Among sub-indexes, new orders fell for the 24th straight month, with manufacturers citing U.S. tariffs and increased client hesitancy as factors behind subdued demand conditions. Factory output also contracted for a ninth consecutive month, at a quicker pace than in April, the survey showed. To mitigate the impact of the U.S. tariffs on cars and other manufacturing sectors, which are the backbone of the Japanese economy, Tokyo has held four rounds of trade talks with Washington and plans a fiscal package to support households and businesses. In a positive sign, input cost inflation eased to a 14-month low in May, while output price inflation slowed to the softest in nearly four years. Employment increased for the sixth month in a row as firms filled vacancies and prepared for anticipated production increases, according to the survey. Business confidence on future output strengthened from April's near five-year low, with firms citing expectations of stronger market demand particularly in the semiconductor industry. However, some expressed concerns over U.S. tariffs, inflation and Japan's declining population as potential headwinds to growth, the survey showed. - Reuters
