Mitsubishi Motors has signed a MOU with Foxconn subsidiary Foxtron Vehicle Technologies to supply EVs for the Australian and New Zealand markets starting in 2026. TrendForce reports that this move not only marks a concrete step in Mitsubishi’s electrification roadmap but also represents a strategic pivot in response to rapid market changes. For Foxconn, having its contract design and manufacturing service (CDMS) model recognized by a global automaker is a milestone with far-reaching implications for future business expansion.
TrendForce’s latest “Human-Machine Technology Report” points out that although the 90-day delay on the U.S. reciprocal tariffs announced by the Trump administration in early April 2025 offers temporary relief, it has already triggered lasting shifts in global manufacturing and supply chain strategies. The post-pandemic landscape and geopolitical tensions had already prompted a move away from long, global supply chains toward shorter, regionalized models. The added uncertainty of tariffs is now forcing companies to reassess manufacturing footprints and supply risks as they accelerate the search for resilient strategies.
On April 2nd, the U.S. officially implemented reciprocal tariffs, though not extended to the automotive industry in general. According to TrendForce’s latest research, the US has applied a 25% surcharge to imported passenger cars and light trucks as planned. A similar 25% tariff on auto parts is set to take effect by May 3rd.
TrendForce reports that NVIDIA introduced the Isaac GR00T N1 foundation model for general-purpose humanoid robots at GTC 2025. This open-source model features comprehensive datasets, multi-modal inputs, and adaptable training capabilities, enabling researchers to fine-tune GR00T N1 with real and synthetic data for specific environments and applications. GR00T N1 is expected to drive early market adoption of humanoid robots by accelerating AI model training and reducing time-to-market, with the industry’s total market value projected to approach US$4 billion by 2028.
TrendForce’s latest report reveals that global EV traction inverter installations reached 8.67 million units in 4Q24, marking a 26% QoQ increase. Strong demand from China and Europe served as the primary growth driver, leading to a 28% increase in installations for both BEVs and PHEVs compared to the previous quarter. This surge propelled Huawei into the top five global traction inverter suppliers for the first time.