Honda and Nissan merger talks reportedly hit impasse as Nissan rejects subsidiary status

The merger negotiations between Honda and Nissan are facing a potential breakdown. According to Japanese news outlets, Honda proposed making Nissan a subsidiary before February 1, 2025, but Nissan strongly opposed this move as it would result in a loss of operational control, raising concerns that the merger talks could ultimately fail.

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Apple’s CarPlay 2.0 faces roadblocks as automakers push back

Apple’s grand vision for CarPlay 2.0, unveiled at WWDC 2022, aimed to dominate vehicle interfaces by integrating across multiple screens and controlling key functions—potentially sidelining traditional dashboards. The announcement rattled the auto industry, sparking fears that CarPlay could become a Trojan horse, encroaching on automakers’ turf. At the time, 98% of new US vehicles supported CarPlay, and nearly 80% of buyers preferred it.

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Hotai Motor aims to maintain 450,000 units in 2025

At the “Hotai Motor and Kuozui Motors 2025 Lunar New Year Press Conference” on February 4, 2025, General Manager Chwen-Shing Su expressed optimism for Taiwan’s auto market. With the recovery in the local car market, total vehicle sales reached 458,000 units in 2024, as most 2023 order cancellations were resolved. The three brands under Hotai Motor’s dealership – Toyota, Lexus, and Hino – registered over 159,000 vehicles in total, marking their second-highest sales record with a market share of 34.9%. The company maintained its position as Taiwan’s top car seller for the 23rd consecutive year, with revenues surpassing NT$270 billion (US$8.2 billion), setting a new record.

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