Sodium-ion batteries (SIB) are not just for EVs and home storage. Sodium ion is ideal in rugged environments like farms, and in industry and commerce. Komatsu Japan is partnering with Pret Composites in Neijiang, China, to make 1.5-ton forklifts using Pret’s sodium-ion batteries. Pret plans to invest CNY 800 million … [continued]
TOKYO — After a twelve-year absence, Hyundai Motor Company returned to the Japan Mobility Show with its largest public activation ever mounted in the Japanese market. Rather than competing directly with Toyota, Honda, and Nissan in the hybrid-dominated passenger segment, Hyundai unveiled a dual strategy targeting two distinct niches where … [continued]
When Mitsubishi Corporation walked away from three massive offshore wind projects in August, paying ¥20 billion in penalties rather than proceeding, it sent shockwaves through Japan’s renewable energy sector. For a trading giant to abandon 1.7 gigawatts of capacity — enough to power 1.3 million homes — it signaled something … [continued]
Stories of our discoveries of cars on bike lanes in Amsterdam may soon have a parallel narrative in Japan. MiBot, that tiny EV that CleanTechnica reported on in August, goes into production this year. CleanTechnica reached out to MiBot creator Kazunari Kusunoki, who is also the founder and CEO of … [continued]
For years, Japan’s unique kei car segment has been considered untouchable territory, a sanctuary reserved exclusively for domestic automotive giants like Suzuki, Daihatsu, Nissan, and Honda. These affordable, boxy minivehicles have become vital to daily life across Japan, representing the backbone of personal transportation in dense urban centers and rural … [continued]
TOKYO — The 2025 Japan Mobility Show this year felt like a crucial turning point for the Japanese automotive industry. There was a strong presence from BYD, which started in 2023 with the introduction and sales of the BYD Atto 3. The entry of the Chinese carmaker to Japan also … [continued]
Kia enters the Japanese market with the PV5, targeting the fast-growing EV van demand driven by Japan’s carbon neutrality goals, and expanding its PBV business into a strategically important market Kia strengthens its position as a leading global EV brand with the PV5 Cargo Long-range model, offering an industry-leading driving … [continued]
It appears that Japan is still obsessed with the idea of a hydrogen economy, and some automakers continue to pretend — of fool themselves with the notion — that hydrogen fuel cell cars have a future. Hyundai is one that, honestly, surprises me. The company seems like it most has … [continued]
With the Japan Mobility Show around the corner, attention is being paid to a market-specific vehicle form factor: the Kei Car (or K-Car, not to be confused with the ‘80s Chrysler). These tiny vehicles are largely defined by regulation. They can be no more than 3,400 mm long, 1,480 mm … [continued]
Japan has been a tough market for import brands. The top 10 automobile brands in the country last year were all Japanese. Products from foreign brands are often not a good fit for the market and customers tend to support the home team. Many automakers have tried to break through, … [continued]
