[Toyota Indonesia Warns Escalating Middle East Conflict May Affect Exports and Global Supply Chains] Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) recently stated that the continuously escalating conflict in the Middle East could have multi-stage impacts on the company's export business and global supply chains. Bob Azamangkat, the company's vice chairman, told Indonesian automotive media that the company is currently continuing to assess potential fluctuations in energy prices and disruptions to international logistics routes that the conflict may trigger.

The 2026 SMM (3rd) Global Renewable Metal Industry Chain Summit & Battery Recycling Forum will be held in Tokyo, Japan, from May 11–12, 2026. The summit aims to bring together leading global enterprises, research institutions, industry experts, and policymakers in the fields of renewable metals and battery recycling.

On March 10, 2026, Lynas and Japan’s JARE signed a long-term deal featuring PrNd floor prices, profit-sharing, and heavy rare earth priority. Analyzing 2025 production data, this report evaluates the partnership’s commercial terms, operational progress, and downstream demand security.

Japan's major battery company, GS Yuasa International Ltd., announced the launch of its "Battery Stable Power Supply Assurance Plan." It intends to construct an ESS battery manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 2 GWh in northern Tokyo. The total project investment amounts to 70.3 billion yen (approximately 3.13 billion yuan). The plant is expected to commence operations in October 2028 and will become one of Japan's largest battery factories upon completion.

Toyota Motor has formulated a production increase plan, aiming to raise the production of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles to approximately 6.7 million units (expected to be achieved in 2028). This production target is 30% higher than the estimated 5 million units projected for 2026.

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.

[Toyota Unveils New Hydrogen Fuel Cell With 20% Increase in Driving Range] February 20 - Toyota Motor Corporation unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell (FC) system for the first time at an exhibition in Tokyo on the 19th. The system has achieved approximately a 20% increase in driving range, addressing one of the challenges of realizing a hydrogen-powered society, while also reducing costs. In addition to passenger vehicles, the system's application can be expanded to commercial vehicles such as large trucks, where demand is expected to increase. Toyota is expected to launch the system in markets including Japan, Europe, North America, and China starting in 2026. The new FC system allows for adjustments in the number of components called "Cells" based on vehicle size, enabling coverage from large vehicles to small ones. Durability has also been doubled, allowing for a driving range of over 1 million kilometers.

【SMM Steel】Toyota began buying green steel from Nippon Steel, JFE, and Kobe Steel late last year. Green steel costs ~40% more than conventional, but govt subsidies help. Volumes undisclosed. Using EAFs instead of blast furnaces cuts CO₂ by ~75%. Toyota gets official certificates, joining Nissan and Isuzu. The move by the world's top automaker may push wider adoption of cleaner tech.

[Toyota Group Plans to Privatize Toyota Industries, Accelerating Its Transformation into a Mobility Company] Toyota Group announced on June 3 that Toyota Motor, Aisin Seiki, Denso, and Toyota Tsusho are participating in a series of transactions aimed at privatizing Toyota Industries through a tender offer for its shares and related transactions. To achieve the privatization of Toyota Industries, the parties will establish a new holding company. Toyota Real Estate will invest approximately 180 billion yen in cooperation with Toyota Group. As a commitment to the transaction, Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor, will invest 1 billion yen. In addition, Toyota Motor will invest approximately 700 billion yen to purchase non-voting preferred shares.

[Toyota's Indonesian Plant Commences Localized Production of Hybrid Vehicle Batteries] Toyota Motor Indonesia has initiated preparations for the localized production of hybrid vehicle batteries and established a dedicated battery production line in Indonesia. The production line currently focuses on manufacturing batteries for hybrid car models, in response to the continuously growing demand in the local market.