In China, the MPV market has been shrinking in recent years due to the slump in the new automobile market as a whole and the strong popularity of SUVs. In 2019, MPV sales declined 25.2% year-on-year to 1.53 million units, overall share of the passenger vehicle market dropping 2.0pp to 7.1%. The share of B-MPVs (B segment-sized, mainly dual-purpose vans) of the overall MPV market dropped from 40.3% to 39.9%. Meanwhile the share of C-MPVs (C segment-sized MPVs) fell from 35.1% to 24.7%. In contrast, the share of D-MPVs (D segment-sized MPVs) increased fromRead more...

Toyota Motor has been working on optimizing its domestic production system in recent years. In 2020, Toyota’s Tsutsumi Plant began production of the Lexus ES whose production was also launched by Toyota Motor Kyushu. Also in 2020, Toyota Auto Body’s Fujimatsu Plant and Inabe Plant started production of the Alphard and its twin the Vellfire. Parallel production was also scheduled to start of the Yaris Cross at two plants of Toyota Motor East Japan in the summer of 2020. In 2021, Toyota’s Motomachi Plant and Toyota Auto Body’s Fujimatsu Plant are scheduledRead more...

Ashok Leyland: Sales Revenue and Net Profit (FY 2015–2019, FY Q1 2019 / 2020) (Billion INR) Ashok Leyland Launches Two New Platforms to Consolidate Technology, Expand Product Lineup Indian commercial vehicle giant Ashok Leyland is working to diversify its business with the aim of becoming one of the top 10 truck manufacturers in the world. Ashok Leyland is second only to Tata Motors in the Indian medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle market, and its market share has been stable at around 30-35%. On the other hand, its presence is low in light coRead more...

Following the outbreak of the new coronavirus, large-scale automobile-related investment projects have been postponed or put on hold in 2020 in the Asia. This is not surprising given the current business environment, such as uncertainty about the future due to the shrinking automobile market and physical restrictions such as restrictions on overseas business trips. However, despite this situation the manufacturing industry, including automobile parts, is moving into Vietnam. Even in September 2020, when this report was written, several auto parts compRead more...