UK Economy Grows 0.1% in Q3 2025 as Outlook Remains Fragile 
Nvidia to Acquire Groq in $20 Billion Deal to Boost AI Chip Dominance 
South Korean Court Clears Korea Zinc’s $7.4 Billion U.S. Smelter Project, Shares Surge 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Japan Plans $189 Billion Bond Issuance as Record Budget Signals Expansionary Fiscal Policy 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as Strong U.S. Growth and Supply Risks Support Market 
Saks Global Weighs Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Debt Pressures and Luxury Retail Slowdown 
California Regulator Probes Waymo Robotaxi Stalls During San Francisco Power Outage 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
Mexico Antitrust Review of Viva Aerobus–Volaris Deal Signals Growth for Airline Sector 
John Carreyrou Sues Major AI Firms Over Alleged Copyrighted Book Use in AI Training 
Asian Stocks Rise as Wall Street Tech Rally Lifts Markets, Yen Slumps Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady After S&P 500 Hits Record on Strong Economic Data 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
BlackRock-Backed Global Ports Deal Faces Uncertainty Amid Cosco Demands 
Asian Markets Rise as AI Rally Caps 2025, Gold and Silver Hit Record Highs 
More Japanese auto parts makers are making use of their technology to explore new business opportunities in other sectors as demand for traditional components is likely to decline with the increased electrification of vehicles.
The electrification of vehicles will bring down the number of components from some 30,000 for gasoline-powered cars to less than 20,000 as electric cars don’t require engines with a complex structure, such as spark plugs, pistons, and exhaust gas treatment equipment.
Tokai Rika Co., which supplies parts to Toyota Motor Corp., came up with the idea of using the magnesium alloy, which is lighter and stronger than aluminum, to develop items used in outdoor activities, such as pots and tent stakes, as they are growing in popularity amid the pandemic.
The firm, which its high-quality metal processing technology to manufacture the steering wheels and brake pedals, also exhibited game controllers it produced on an experimental basis using sensor technology from its flagship switches at the Mechanical Components & Materials Technology Expo at Portmesse Nagoya in early April.
Tokai Rika President Hiroyoshi Ninoyu said the company is aiming to find out where the strength of our technology lies and how it can be utilized.
The firm set up a new marketing department in January to work win contracts in non-auto parts areas.
Iida Industry Co., which uses high-level technology and facilities to measure and evaluate sound insulation levels inside luxury cars, made use of its know-how in auto parts production to venture into construction materials.
The firm’s annual sales of construction materials of ¥400 million to ¥500 million are less than 10 percent of its sales of vehicle materials, but it is aiming to double sales to ¥1 billion in a couple of years.
The firm saw an increased demand for soundproofing with more people stay home amid the pandemic.
Another company, an engine component manufacturer, revealed it had considered doing business in the medical equipment sector, but gave up due to the smaller production volume than that for auto parts and unstable volume of shipments, making it difficult to maintain efficient operations.
