Hans Greimel Asia Editor, Tokyo Hans Greimel is the Asia Editor and Tokyo bureau chief for Automotive News Europe, in charge of coverage from Japan, China and South Korea. [email protected] +81 3 3828 9060 See All Staff Page Recent Stories Renault, Nissan agree on framework to rebalance alliance The automakers will increase their cooperation on EVs and launch projects in Latin America, India and Europe as part of a deal that addresses friction in their alliance. New Toyota CEO Koji Sato faces big challenges in critical new era As the head of the Lexus premium brand and Gazoo Racing motorsports division, Sato's mission was to break the boring-old Toyota mold by developing fun-to-drive cars that are stylish and cool. Alfa Romeo plans large E-segment vehicle for U.S. expansion by 2027 To expand sales in U.S., Alfa Romeo needs a bigger, all-electric vehicle. The new entry will help Alfa Romeo achieve a goal of generating 40 percent of brand global sales from outside Europe by 2030, compared with just 18 percent in 2021. Toyota taps Lexus head Koji Sato as new CEO; Akio Toyoda becomes chairman Koji Sato will be Toyota's next president and CEO, as Akio Toyoda, grandson of the company’s founder, steps up to become chairman. Japan's automakers get creative, funky at Tokyo Auto Salon Japan's homegrown automakers are out in force for the Tokyo Auto Salon, with funky new concepts and reimagined road cars. Toyota will cut December global output The automaker is cutting back worldwide production again on supply chain disruption. Mazda will invest $11B into electrification in catch-up plan The plan could include EV production in the U.S. as early as 2026-2027. The automaker also will partner with Envision AESC Group, a Chinese-owned battery maker. Tokyo show to be revamped as mobility event Organizers hope the Tokyo auto show will reboot international interest in Asia’s one-time premier auto event and in Japan as a technology leader. Toyota gives Prius hybrid a sportier redesign On tap for the redesigned fifth-generation Prius is a new range of more powerful drivetrains with more power. Mazda grapples with tight labor at U.S. plant as it struggles to ramp up CX-50 Mazda hopes to add a second shift to its new Alabama plant as it struggles with staffing amid low unemployment in the U.S. state, where it makes the CX-50. Nissan quarterly profit soars on better pricing power, model mix Operating profit increased but net income fell, largely due to a big one-time charge for the cost of Nissan quitting its Russia business. Honda dealers could service Sony-Honda EVs The sales and servicing plan for Honda's EV partnership with Sony is still under discussion. But Honda's network of more than 1,000 U.S. dealers are well situated to service the new cars, the automaker's CFO said. Mitsubishi weighs possible stake in Renault EV spinoff Operating profit more than tripled to 53.8 billion yen ($372.3 million) and net income more than doubled to 44.1 billion yen ($240.4 million) in the three-month period. Subaru struggles to compete with McDonald's on wages as U.S. inflation bites Subaru says soaring U.S. labor costs are one reason his company is not thinking of new investments to build electric vehicles Stateside anytime soon. Toyota eyes European price increases to offset higher costs, slumping profits Toyota warns of looming price increases, saying they are needed to offset surging input costs that automaker's European business to an operating loss in the latest quarter. The big question is how much of an increase customers will be willing to bear. Load More
Hans Greimel Asia Editor, Tokyo Hans Greimel is the Asia Editor and Tokyo bureau chief for Automotive News Europe, in charge of coverage from Japan, China and South Korea. [email protected] +81 3 3828 9060 See All Staff Page