Yulon Motor president addresses tariffs, EV production, and financial outlook

Yulon Group commenced its earnings conference, with Yulon Motor leading the discussion on March 26. This marked president Kuo-Hsing Hsu’s first earnings call since assuming the role in August 2024. Hsu addressed key industry concerns, including the impact of US tariffs on Taiwan’s automobile market and the company’s ongoing efforts in electric vehicle (EV) production.

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Rise and fall of the metaverse: How AI and AR are shaping the future

The metaverse trend briefly surged after Facebook rebranded to Meta Platforms in October 2021, fueling industry-wide interest in virtual reality (VR) and its integration with augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) into extended reality (XR). The ambition was to create immersive digital experiences, with Meta leading substantial investments into building a metaverse ecosystem. However, initial enthusiasm quickly faded as the concept struggled to gain market traction.

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Ennostar expands into optical communication amid AI demand surge

Ennostar is rapidly diversifying from LED manufacturing into optical communication as demand for high-speed modules accelerates due to AI server requirements. The company has developed various optical communication light sources spanning short, medium, and long-distance applications, including Micro LED, VCSEL, indium phosphide (InP), and silicon photonics transmission technologies. Recently, Ennostar increased its stake in Global Communication Semiconductors to 25%, securing three board seats through its subsidiary Unikorn Semiconductor, solidifying its position as the largest shareholder while advancing its strategy to become an integrated device manufacturer (IDM) in optical communication.

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Japan injects US$5.4 billion into Rapidus, eyes US$660 million in private funding for 2nm chip rollout

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said on March 31, 2025, it will provide up to JPY802.5 billion (US$5.4 billion) in fresh funding to Rapidus, a domestic startup developing next-generation semiconductors. The funding signals Japan’s renewed push to revive its advanced chipmaking industry and secure a homegrown supply chain amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

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Trump’s 25% auto tariff set to boost Tesla as Europe, Canada threaten retaliation

US President Donald Trump will impose a 25% tariff on imported passenger vehicles and key components starting April 2, prompting retaliation threats from the European Union and Canada. Trump warned that further tariffs would follow any retaliatory measures from trading partners, potentially triggering a trade war that would strengthen the competitive position of domestically manufactured vehicles.

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