Nexperia Chip Dispute Highlights Fragile Global Supply Chains Automotive Weekly – International Trade & Investment

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The dispute over Dutch-based chipmaker Nexperia has exposed vulnerabilities in the global semiconductor supply chain, disrupting production for European automakers including BMW and Volkswagen.

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Nexperia chip dispute highlights fragile global supply
chains

The dispute over Dutch-based chipmaker Nexperia has exposed
vulnerabilities in the global semiconductor supply chain,
disrupting production for European automakers including BMW and
Volkswagen. The conflict began in September, when the Dutch
government intervened in the company’s decisions, prompting
Beijing to restrict exports of Nexperia chips. Nexperia, owned by
Chinese firm Wingtech Technology Co., operates facilities in the
Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, with wafer testing and assembly
primarily in China, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Dutch
authorities acted after concerns that company leadership was
diverting assets and threatening Europe’s chip supply.
Beijing’s export restrictions caused immediate production
disruptions, though some shipments have resumed under limited
exemptions.

Source: CBT News

Ford joins Amazon

Ford and Amazon have teamed up to offer certified pre-owned Ford
vehicles for online browsing, financing, and purchase through
Amazon Autos, which illustrates a notable advancement in digital
car shopping. Customers in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Dallas can now
complete most of the transaction online, including securing
financing, and then schedule pickup at participating local
dealerships. The program is expected to expand to additional cities
in the coming months. Ford Blue Advantage warranties cover all
vehicles offered on the platform and include a 14-day/1,000-mile
money-back guarantee. The program includes three tiers of
certification to meet a range of customer needs.Source: CBT
News

This SUV was the most stolen vehicle in Ontario last year:
report

The Toyota RAV4 was the most stolen vehicle across Canada in
2024, according to a new report by Équité
Association, but in Ontario, a different SUV took the top spot. The
organization released its annual report on Tuesday, revealing that
1,309 Honda CR-Vs were stolen in Ontario in 2024, making it the
vehicle targeted by thieves in the province most often. The 2024
model, Équité said, was the most popular model year
for theft.Across Canada, the RAV4 was crowned the winner in 2024,
with 2,080 thefts last year alone, according to
Équité, which serves as a national insurance crime
and fraud prevention body.

“Newer SUV models, particularly those with vulnerabilities in
their keyless entry systems, remain prime targets for sophisticated
criminal networks nationwide, especially in Quebec and
Ontario,” the report notes.

In both Ontario and Canada-wide, the second most stolen vehicle was
the Dodge Ram 1500 Series. Équité said 1,159 of those
trucks were stolen in Ontario last year, with the 2022 model year
stolen most frequently. The Honda Civic was a close third in the
province, seeing 1,113 thefts in 2024. The 2019 model was the
targeted most often, Équité said. “While we see
early positive signs of progress, auto theft remains a national
issue that has become a significant funding source for organized
crime groups. Despite an overall 19 (per cent) decrease nationwide,
auto theft continues to cost Canadians over $1 billion in losses
each year,” Terri O’Brien, president and CEO of
Équité Association, said in a written
statement.Source: CTV News

Connected vehicles need cell service…

In some parts of the U.S., that’s a
problem When automakers advertise their push for
connected services and software-defined vehicles, one important
caveat often goes unnoticed: For some parts of the country, these
services, including those related to emergency support, may be
unavailable because of a lack of cell service. “Toyota
Connected Services depend on certain factors outside of
Toyota’s control in order to operate, including 4G network
availability, a cellular connection and GPS signal,“ says a
2025 document. ”Without any one or more of these things,
operability may be limited or precluded, including access to
response center and emergency support.”



Source: Automotive News

Used vehicle values rise slightly in mid-November Amid tight
inventory

Wholesale used vehicle prices in the U.S. saw a modest uptick in
mid-November, according to the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index.
The MUVVI reached 205.0, a 1.1% increase from October, though it
remains 0.2% below November 2024 levels. Non-adjusted wholesale
prices fell 0.5% from October and were down 0.2% year over year.
Historically, November prices typically decline 0.6% seasonally.
Early November trends indicate a softening of elevated depreciation
rates observed in October, as wholesale values moderate after
higher valuations earlier in 2025. Lower loan rates for new and
used vehicles, down roughly 30 basis points from October, are
supporting consumer activity. Dealers are expected to see stronger
early demand in the months ahead, boosted by anticipated tax
refunds in spring.>Source: CBT News

Drivers missing service

The approaching holiday season means an increase in road travel.
But nearly half of all U.S. and 
Canadian drivers are behind on at least one major service,
according to recent Carfax data, revealing room for service drive
sales growth. Major services include brakes, steering, drive train,
engine and fuel efficiency/air quality. Data shows that almost 30%
of cars are behind on tire rotations and nearly 20% are behind on
oil changes. Recent consumer research found that dealers excel at
tire rotations but fall behind in other service areas compared to
competitors, according to automotive industry data and technology
provider CDK.

Source: CBT News

Supreme court tariff case could cost auto industry $1.8
billion

And Affect Vehicle Sales. A pending U.S.
Supreme Court case challenging President Donald Trump’s
global tariffs could impose up to $1.8 billion in annual
manufacturing costs on automakers, even though the case does not
directly target vehicle-specific levies. The case, Learning
Resources, Inc. v. Trump, questions whether the president had legal
authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers
Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs on products from more than 90
countries. The IEEPA tariffs currently cover machinery and
lower-value raw materials, a narrow portion of automakers’
production costs, but one that is significant enough to show up on
company balance sheets.

Source: CBT News

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