Author: Ryo Suzuki

Nissan has introduced updates for the 2026 model year of the Nissan Ariya, adding new connectivity features, Vehicle-to-Load capability and subtle design revisions while maintaining its position in the premium end of the mid-size electric SUV segment. The updated Ariya retains the overall styling of the current model, with Nissan making only modest exterior adjustments. The front grille is now finished in body colour, replacing part of the larger black front-panel design used previously. The automaker also revised the lighting signature and redesigned the standard 20-inch alloy wheels, which combine aluminium and plastic components. A new exterior paint option called…

Japanese automotive supplier Denso and the University of Tokyo are collaborating to develop a wireless charging system capable of powering electric vehicles while they are in motion, with commercialization targeted by fiscal year 2029. Under Japan’s fiscal calendar, the period extends from April 1 to March 31 of the following year, meaning the planned launch could occur in early 2030 while remaining within the announced timeframe. See also: MediaTek and DENSO Team Up on Custom ADAS Chip for Global Automakers According to Kyodo News, Denso and the University of Tokyo signed a 10-year partnership agreement last month to support the…

Honda Motor said it will begin accepting pre-orders in Japan for its new Honda Super-ONE compact electric vehicle on April 16, ahead of the model’s market launch in late May. The A-segment battery-electric vehicle weighs 1,090 kilograms and offers a driving range of 274 kilometers under worldwide harmonised light vehicle test conditions, positioning it among the lightest passenger EVs available in the Japanese market, the automaker said. Honda said the Super-ONE is based on an adapted version of its N Series lightweight platform, featuring a widened tread and a thin underfloor battery pack designed to lower the vehicle’s center of…

Tesla has launched the Tesla Model Y L in Japan, expanding availability of the long-wheelbase model to 11 markets across the Asia-Pacific region as the company seeks to build on rising demand. The Model Y L is offered in a single “Premium” grade with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration, priced at 7.59 million yen (around €41,200), including a registration processing fee. The model qualifies for Japan’s Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) subsidy of 1.27 million yen, reducing the effective price to 6.32 million yen. Additional local incentives in Tokyo of up to 800,000 yen could lower the price further to as little…

Autonomous driving technology company Wayve, ride-hailing platform Uber, and automaker Nissan Motor have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development and deployment of robotaxi services based on the Nissan LEAF. The companies plan to prepare a pilot deployment in Tokyo by late 2026. The robotaxi fleet will use Nissan LEAF vehicles equipped with Wayve’s AI Driver technology and will be accessible to passengers through the Uber app. See also: Nissan Tests Fully Autonomous Serena Minivan on Public Roads in Japan The collaboration marks Uber’s first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan and forms part of a broader robotaxi…

Japanese autonomous driving software company Tier IV has joined the Automotive Chiplet Program led by imec, an industry effort focused on developing chiplet-based semiconductor architectures for automotive applications. The company said its participation in the initiative will support its strategy to deliver scalable autonomous driving solutions across multiple vehicle platforms and operational scenarios. Chiplet technology allows semiconductor systems to be built by combining smaller chips with specialized functions into a single package. This modular approach can enable software to run across different silicon platforms without relying on a single hardware vendor, offering flexibility for automakers and technology providers. Tier IV…

TIER IV, Yamato Transport and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) have completed proof-of-concept tests for autonomous long-haul trucking in Japan, using a semi-trailer truck equipped with Level 2+ driving technology to transport freight between Tokyo and Osaka. The trials were conducted from Feb. 16 to Feb. 20, 2026 along a roughly 500-kilometer route linking Yamato Transport’s Haneda Chronogate Base in Tokyo with its Kansai Gateway Base in Osaka. Over the five-day test period, the vehicle completed two round trips carrying customer cargo. During each journey, the truck operated in hands-free mode for approximately 100 kilometers on the Shin-Tomei…

Suzuki Motor Corporation has introduced the e Every, a battery-electric mini commercial van for the Japanese market developed jointly with Daihatsu Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corporation. The vehicle is supplied to Suzuki by Daihatsu on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis and represents the latest collaboration among the three automakers in Japan’s kei vehicle segment. The e Every is powered by a 36.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery that provides a driving range of 257 kilometers under the Worldwide-harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC), according to Suzuki. The electric van features an integrated eAxle system combining the motor, inverter…

Suzuki Motor will acquire the solid-state battery operations of Japanese technology company Kanadevia, with the transaction set to take effect on July 1, 2026, as automakers intensify efforts to develop next-generation battery technologies. Kanadevia, formerly known as Hitachi Zosen Corporation until its rebranding in October 2024, has spent roughly two decades developing solid-state lithium-ion battery technology. The company began research into the technology as early as 2006, well before it gained widespread attention within the automotive industry. Under the AS-LiB brand, Kanadevia launched its first commercial solid-state batteries for specialised applications in 2024. The batteries have been deployed in demanding…

Toyota Tsusho has begun public road demonstration tests of autonomous semi-trailer trucks in Japan as part of an initiative to assess the feasibility of self-driving freight transport on major highway routes. The trials are being conducted between logistics hubs near expressway interchanges in Shizuoka Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture and form part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) “Demonstration Project for the Social Implementation of Autonomous Truck-based Trunk Line Transportation.” The project is being carried out by a five-company consortium led by Toyota Tsusho. Other participants include Robotruck Inc., Otsuka Warehouse Co., Ltd., Seino Transportation Co., Ltd.…

Honda Motor plans to export a battery-electric vehicle produced at its Chinese joint venture plant to Japan for the first time, marking a shift in the automaker’s global EV strategy as it seeks to expand its lineup in its home market. According to reports from Chinese and Japanese media, the e:NS2 electric model produced at the factory operated by Dongfeng Honda will be introduced in Japan as early as spring 2026. The vehicle will reportedly be sold under the revived Honda Insight nameplate. Pre-orders for the model are expected to begin on March 19, with exports limited to about 3,000…

China’s new energy vehicle maker BYD plans to expand its sales network in Japan by opening smaller, simplified dealerships, as it prepares to launch the Racco mini electric vehicle tailored for the local kei car market. BYD aims to accelerate network growth by establishing “mini dealerships” that display only one or two models, according to a report by Nikkei Asia on Monday. The outlets are expected to be located in regional cities with populations below 500,000, allowing faster setup and lower operating costs. “We intend to cover small, regional commercial areas in order to sell mini EVs,” Atsuki Tofukuji, president…

Japan’s defense procurement agency has selected autonomous driving software developer TIER IV to study the use of self-driving vehicles at Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) facilities, as the country looks to address mounting workforce challenges linked to its aging population. The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), an independent body under Japan’s Ministry of Defense, said the study will evaluate whether autonomous vehicles can be deployed at maritime air bases to support ground operations such as aircraft towing and material transport. See also: TIER IV and JR Central Form Alliance to Advance Autonomous Mobility Around Rail Hubs ATLA said the assessment…

Toyota Motor said it has appointed its current chief financial officer, Kenta Kon, as president and chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2026, as part of a broader management reshuffle at the world’s largest carmaker by sales. Kon, 57, will succeed Koji Sato, who will move into the role of vice-chairman and chief industrial officer while remaining on the board of directors. Toyota said Sato will focus on industry-wide initiatives and competitiveness, while Kon will assume responsibility for internal corporate leadership and execution. See also: Idemitsu Backs Solid-State Battery Push With New Pilot Plant for Toyota EVs Kon has spent…

Subaru has begun in-house production of its first globally marketed battery-electric vehicle at its Gunma Yajima plant in Japan, marking a milestone in the automaker’s electrification strategy. The vehicle entering production is the mid-size Trailseeker EV, which will be sold in Europe as the e-Outback. Subaru said the start of manufacturing follows plant upgrades completed in January, allowing battery-electric, hybrid and petrol vehicles to be built on a single mixed-production line. See also: Subaru Starts U.S. Hybrid Production With 2026 Forester at Indiana Plant The move represents Subaru’s first internal production of a full battery-electric model. Its earlier electric vehicle,…

Toyota Motor Corporation has launched a battery-electric version of its Pixis Van kei commercial vehicle in Japan, aiming to capture demand from last-mile logistics operators as electrification accelerates in the country’s light commercial segment. Sales of the Pixis Van BEV began on Feb. 2, 2026, Toyota said. The model delivers a cruising range of 257 kilometres under Japan’s WLTC test cycle from a 36.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, which Toyota says is the longest range currently offered among kei commercial van battery-electric vehicles. See also: Idemitsu Backs Solid-State Battery Push With New Pilot Plant for Toyota EVs The BEV powertrain was…

Japan’s second-largest oil refiner Idemitsu Kosan has taken a final investment decision and begun construction of a large pilot plant to produce solid electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries, the company said on Thursday, marking a step forward in efforts to commercialise next-generation battery technology. The project is part of Idemitsu’s collaboration with Toyota Motor, which is targeting the launch of electric vehicles equipped with all-solid-state batteries in the 2027–2028 timeframe. Idemitsu said the decision moves the partnership into a new phase aimed at scaling up production capabilities. “This marks a move into the next phase toward commercialisation,” the company said.…

Japan’s Nissan has revealed a solar-powered concept version of its Ariya electric crossover, showcasing how vehicle-integrated photovoltaic technology could supplement battery charging and support the company’s long-term carbon-neutrality ambitions. The Ariya concept features 3.8 square metres of high-efficiency solar panels integrated into the hood, roof and tailgate. Developed in partnership with Dutch solar mobility firm Lightyear, the system converts sunlight directly into direct-current power, which is managed by a dedicated controller to optimise energy use and reduce dependence on external charging infrastructure. See also: 2025 Nissan Ariya Earns Marginal Rating for Rear Passenger Safety in IIHS Crash Test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVjG-7ii8lk According…

Mitsubishi Fuso has entered a close collaboration with Taiwan’s Foxconn to establish a joint venture focused on electric buses in Japan, confirming earlier expectations of a partnership between the two groups. The joint venture will develop and market zero-emission buses initially for the Japanese market and is scheduled to begin operations in the second half of 2026. It will operate as an independent bus original equipment manufacturer, with Katsuto Kora, currently head of Fuso’s bus division, appointed as chief executive of the new company. Through their respective subsidiaries Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, the partners will combine…

The global automotive industry is entering a period of strategic uncertainty. China, the world’s largest car market, continues to embrace electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids at an accelerating pace. In contrast, Europe has begun easing pressure on manufacturers as EV adoption lags earlier expectations, while the United States shows uneven demand across regions. Against this backdrop, Toyota stands apart. While many rivals committed early to all-electric roadmaps, Toyota has consistently argued for a diversified approach, maintaining that internal combustion engines (ICE), hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles will coexist for decades. That stance was underscored by the unveiling of the GR…