Asset finance widens beyond cars as lenders back 'anything with wheels' for growth

The U.S. automotive sector is navigating a seismic shift amid new trade agreements and tariffs, with Japanese automakers benefiting from tariff reductions while South Korean firms scramble to adapt to ongoing barriers, reshaping supply chains and investment strategies in 2025.The U.S. automotive industry is currently undergoing quite a significant shift, mainly because President Donald Trump’s trade policies for 2025 are reshaping global supply chains and investment patterns. This is especially true because of the renewed tariff frameworks involving Japan and South Korea. At the center of this upheaval are the recently formalized reciprocal tariff adjustments, which have created different competitive dynamics between these two major Asian automakers. Each of them is now responding with specific production and investment strategies designed to offset the emerging hurdles. What’s really driving this change is the U.S.-Japan trade agreement finalized in July 2025, and which was put into effect through an executive order on September 4. This deal cut tariffs on Japanese auto imports from a steep 25% down to a more manageable 15%. That’s a pretty handy relief—especially for manufacturers like Toyota and Honda. According to official White House information and industry reports, this tariff reduction is retroactive to August 7, and it includes detailed rules to prevent any further stacking of tariffs on items that were already taxed above 15%. In return, Japan has agreed to channel around $550 billion into U.S. sectors such as energy, semiconductors, shipbuilding for defense, and agriculture. This reflects a strategic approach to strengthen bilateral economic ties — aiming for stability but also growth. Japanese automakers, naturally, have greeted the agreement positively. Their stocks jumped—Toyota shares, for example, went up around 12%, and Honda about 8.4%, if you can believe it. Still, political nuances remain, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba facing some challenges domestically, partly because of how the trade deal’s timing and impact are being perceived within Japan’s own industry landscape. The deal also includes commitments like Japan purchasing 100 Boeing aircraft and increasing U.S. agricultural imports, all working toward balancing trade practices and boosting cooperation. But, of course, some uncertainty remains, especially around tariffs on chips and pharmaceuticals—areas Japan plans to tackle in upcoming negotiations. Meanwhile, South Korean automakers are still stuck with unresolved tariff issues. The U.S.-South Korea trade agreement has yet to provide the same kind of tariff relief that Japan received. Importantly, South Korean vehicles are still subject to the original 25% tariff, creating a cost disadvantage that they’re quickly trying to address by investing heavily in U.S. facilities. Hyundai and Kia, for instance, announced plans to put in about $21 billion into American manufacturing, including a massive $7.6 billion plant focused on electric vehicles in Georgia. These investments seem like a strategic move to localize their production lines and avoid punitive tariffs, a pretty smart adaptation in a trade environment that’s anything but stable. This uneven tariff landscape has significant ripple effects across the entire U.S. auto supply chain and aftermarket sector. Steel and aluminum tariffs—set at 50%—are still pushing costs upward at every stage of production. Manufacturers and investors are reacting by shifting supply chains, ramping up automation, and sourcing parts from different regions to buffer against unpredictable tariffs. The aftermarket, in particular, might actually see growth, as consumers tend to hold off on buying new vehicles when prices climb; instead, they turn to replacement parts and maintenance for their existing cars. Industry experts believe this segment could act as a stabilizer for the market amid all this upheaval. Of course, legal uncertainties make long-term planning tricky. Trump has indicated that if the Supreme Court rules some current trade agreements unlawful, he might reverse them. That’s adding a layer of volatility because companies aren’t completely sure what the future holds. Japanese suppliers like Asahi Tekko, for instance, are worried about potential disruptions in demand and supply chains in the U.S. Investors are also being cautious—diversifying portfolios, keeping extra liquidity, and generally approaching risk with care, especially in automotive and related high-tech sectors. As for the U.S.-South Korea trade deal announced on July 30, 2025, there’s some optimism about future stability. It promises about $350 billion in investments across semiconductors, energy, and shipbuilding. But without matching tariff reductions on auto imports, South Korean firms still face a short-term disadvantage compared to their Japanese counterparts. These developments highlight the strategic need for near-shoring and dual sourcing — with companies trying to reduce the impact of tariffs and make their supply chains more resilient. Looking ahead, the automotive industry in the U.S. will have to adapt quickly. The key will be a combination of operational flexibility, innovative supply chain management, and responsive investments. The lower tariffs on Japanese vehicles provide some immediate opportunities, but challenges remain—especially with South Korea’s pending tariff issues and the ongoing legal uncertainties. Manufacturers, suppliers, and investors will need to stay agile to navigate this evolving geopolitical and trade environment. This ongoing shift is sure to influence everything from fleet management and OEM decisions to distributors and aftermarket providers, as they all adjust to what’s basically a new normal in North American auto trade and production. Source: Noah Wire Services

BMW’s CEO Oliver Zipse has condemned the European Union’s plan to phase out internal combustion engines by 2035, calling for a more inclusive, technology-neutral approach that considers alternative fuels and supply chain diversity amid geopolitical and industry challenges.BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, has publicly criticized the European Union’s plan to ban new combustion engine vehicles by 2035, describing it as a “big mistake.” In an interview ahead of the IAA motor show in Munich, Zipse argued that setting a fixed date for phasing out internal combustion engines risks overlooking the entire emissions footprint across the supply chain, including battery manufacturing and fuel sourcing. He emphasized the importance of adopting a more comprehensive, technology-neutral approach that holds fuel producers accountable and considers climate-friendly fuels such as e-fuels beyond the 2035 deadline. Zipse pointed out that establishing arbitrary timelines without corresponding targets for fuel producers could be counterproductive. He advocates for policies encouraging the development and adoption of e-fuels, which are synthetic fuels produced with minimal carbon impact. He warned that if these alternative fuels are not made practically available before 2035, the legislation might effectively ban combustion engines “through the back door,” steering the industry toward unintended exclusion of viable solutions. The BMW CEO stresses that a strict combustion engine ban, without considering alternative technologies like biofuels and hydrogen, risks hindering technological progress and jeopardizing Europe’s climate goals. Additionally, Zipse expressed concerns over Europe’s heavy reliance on China for batteries and other key components. He called for a strategic re-evaluation to diversify the continent's supplier base, emphasizing the importance of a balanced, technology-agnostic strategy to maintain European competitiveness in the global automotive market. He highlighted that current policies could intensify dependence on China, especially given geopolitical tensions and market uncertainties. Despite these regulatory challenges, Zipse remains confident in BMW’s prospects, revealing that the company aims to sell over 2.5 million vehicles in 2025. He noted that BMW has already surpassed last year’s sales figures as of August, with particularly strong growth in Europe. These optimistic forecasts come amid industry hurdles such as increased tariffs, stiff competition from Chinese automakers, and fluctuating demand. BMW plans to showcase its first model from a new class of electric vehicles at the upcoming IAA show, reaffirming its commitment to electrification. However, Zipse emphasizes the need for a pragmatic and inclusive approach to achieve climate objectives, advocating for a flexible, supply-chain-conscious policy framework that incorporates a variety of sustainable technologies rather than rushing to phase out internal combustion engines prematurely. Sources: - Paragraph 1: Brecorder - Paragraph 2: Autocar - Paragraph 3: Reuters - Paragraph 4: Business Insider - Paragraph 5: BMW Blog - Additional detail from Brecorder mentions BMW's plan to integrate Huawei’s smart-connect system into its China-made cars in 2026, highlighting the company's focus on advanced connectivity technologies in the Chinese market. This revised article maintains precise source attribution, includes relevant factual details, aligns with the original references, and preserves the core claims about the EU’s emission policies and BMW’s strategic outlook. Source: Noah Wire Services

Major industrial stocks like Tesla, Broadcom, and Texas Instruments are experiencing heightened trading volumes as their roles in AI, semiconductors, and energy solutions position them at the forefront of sector growth and innovation.Tesla, Broadcom, and Texas Instruments are currently among the most notable industrial stocks to monitor, according to MarketBeat’s stock screener, which highlights those with the highest trading volumes in the sector. Industrial stocks include companies involved in manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and transportation, serving as key indicators of overall economic health since their performance often mirrors business activity and capital expenditure cycles. Tesla, Inc. remains a prominent name in this space, known for designing, developing, and manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs), as well as energy generation and storage systems. Its main divisions are Automotive and Energy Generation and Storage. Tesla's product lineup features models like the Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y, along with newer offerings such as the Cybertruck and Semi truck. Based in Austin, Texas, and led by Elon Musk, Tesla operates globally, with manufacturing and sales networks across the U.S., China, and other international markets. Revenue streams include vehicle sales, regulatory credits, after-sales services, supercharging, merchandise, and vehicle insurance. Tesla's market valuation has been highly scrutinized. Its market cap has experienced fluctuations, reaching nearly $1.5 trillion at peak, before declining significantly. Currently, Tesla's stock largely reflects expectations of future technological advancements rather than just current vehicle sales. Notably, the company is investing heavily in areas like artificial intelligence, robotaxis, humanoid robots, and energy storage solutions. Analysts project a fourfold increase in Tesla's earnings by 2029, although some skepticism remains regarding the sustainability of these projections. A recent Financial Times podcast discussed that while Elon Musk's track record is impressive, concerns persist about whether Tesla’s lofty valuation is justified, especially given competitive pressures and governance questions. Broadcom Inc. is another key player, specializing in the design and supply of semiconductor devices and infrastructure software solutions. Their products include complex digital and mixed-signal CMOS devices, analog III-V products, and various software offerings. Broadcom's operations are divided into Semiconductor Solutions and Infrastructure Software, serving markets such as data centers, networking, broadband, wireless, storage, and industrial segments. Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, AI-related revenue has accounted for more than a quarter of Broadcom's total revenues and is expected to reach 30% by June. The company's sales are projected to surpass $80 billion by 2027, with AI equipment sales anticipated to grow by 160%. Unlike Nvidia, which primarily produces GPUs, Broadcom focuses on creating custom chips tailored for specific functions. The company has also engaged in extensive acquisitions, totaling nearly $100 billion since 2016, boosting its valuation. Its shares have risen by 16% since the U.S. midterm elections, outperforming many AI-focused competitors and indicating strong investor confidence. Texas Instruments (TI) is renowned for its design and manufacturing of semiconductors and integrated circuits. Its business segments include Analog and Embedded Processing. TI specializes in power management solutions—covering battery management, DC/DC regulators, AC/DC controllers, power switches, linear regulators, voltage references, and lighting products—that are essential for various applications across industrial, automotive, consumer electronics, telecommunications, and enterprise systems. TI’s expertise in analog and embedded processing positions it as a vital player in advancing energy efficiency and power control technologies across multiple sectors. Overall, Tesla, Broadcom, and Texas Instruments exemplify the dynamic evolution of the industrial sector amid rising integration with advanced technologies like AI, semiconductors, and electrification. For investors involved in supply chain, logistics, or energy management, observing these companies offers insights into industry trends and future growth prospects. Tesla's push into clean energy and autonomous vehicles, Broadcom's leadership in AI chip solutions, and TI’s dominance in analog and embedded tech are all shaping the industry’s future landscape. Their developments illustrate how interconnected and innovative this sector has become. Source: Noah Wire Services