Foxconn's New Energy Vehicle R&D Center Officially Commences Operations

On February 5, Changan Automobile unveiled its global sodium-ion battery strategy, and the world's first mass-produced sodium-ion battery passenger vehicle was officially introduced. Test data shows that the vehicle equipped with CATL's sodium-ion battery delivers nearly three times the discharge power compared to conventional lithium iron phosphate vehicles with the same battery capacity under -30°C conditions. In extreme cold environments of -40°C, it maintains over 90% capacity retention, and it can still discharge stably even at the extreme low temperature of -50°C.

According to data released by the Japan Automobile Importers Association (JAIA) on February 5, Japan's imported auto sales (excluding Japanese producers) fell 12% YoY to 13,019 units in January. Battery EV sales increased 68% to 2,041 units, marking a return to growth after one month of decline. Mercedes-Benz sales dropped 13% to 3,031 units, ranking first; Volkswagen sales were 1,528 units, down 41%; BMW sales were 1,383 units, down 17%; BYD sales surged 3.4-fold to 180 units.

Toyota plans to increase hybrid vehicle production by approximately 30% from current levels by 2028. The company expects to produce 6.7 million hybrid vehicles in 2028, while its production plan for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2026 is set at 5 million units. Toyota also intends to significantly expand hybrid vehicle production in the US.