Latest news with #ToyotaTsusho
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Musashi of Japan bets big on India's electric two-wheeler story
HighlightsMusashi Auto Parts is betting big on India's electric two-wheeler market, driven by local demand and cost advantages. The company is expanding its EV portfolio through partnerships and investments, including e-axle manufacturing with Delta Electronics and Toyota Tsusho. India is emerging as a strategic global hub for Musashi, with plans for increased capacity, possible greenfield expansion, and broader EV component exports. Mumbai: It is just a little over a year since Naoya Nishimura took over as CEO of Musashi Auto Parts (India) but he is already convinced that there are tremendous opportunities ahead in the country's electric two-wheeler segment. A wholly-owned arm of Japan's Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co, the company has its operations in Bengaluru and Bawal, Haryana. Honda Motor has a stake of over 20per cent in the parent company which by itself translates into a deep bonding between the two entities. Domestic demand is high in India and we will look at targeting supplies here first. My personal view is that the future can see India take a bigger role for MusashiNaoya Nishimura Quite naturally, HMSI ( Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India ) is a major customer for Musashi while Royal Enfield, Suzuki and Yamaha also feature in its list for supply of ICE (internal combustion engine) parts like transmission gears, shafts and camshafts. 'Our headquarters is aggressively focusing on India for its expansion plans. New product development is currently not happening so much in the world while India is growing rapidly in both ICE and electric vehicles,' Nishimura, who is also CEO of Musashi Africa, told ET Auto in a recent interview. Bullish on startups The company recently made an investment in the Coimbatore-based startup, BNC Motors , for electric scooters. Emobi, another startup based in Bengaluru, has a partnership with Musashi Seimitsu, the Japanese parent, and Honda Power Pack Energy India for electric scooters. Going forward, Musashi Auto Parts will explore more opportunities in the electric space with companies such as Ather, TVS Motor etc. New product development is currently not happening so much in the world while India is growing rapidly in both ICE and EVsNaoya Nishimura Musashi Seimitsu, Delta Electronics and Toyota Tsusho have also invested in Musashi Delta e-Axle India, a separate entity, which will cater to supplies of e-axles for two-wheelers. The e-axle consists of a gearbox and motor and the company (to quote its press release at the time of entering the market) will strive to provide high added value by way of compact, light and quiet characteristics required for EVs. 'Going forward, we will aim to supply e-axles to a wide range of customers, with the main target being the 125cc class, which is the volume zone for motorcycles in the Indian market,' added the press statement. Musashi Seimistu holds 51per cent in this entity with Delta and Toyota Tsusho taking up 34per cent and 15per cent each. 'While Delta is considering how to reduce costs, Toyota Tsushosa has a great network in the supply chain and we are developing the entire e-axle. So combined, these three companies are developing the next generation e-axle with more competitiveness,' said Nishimura. Also Read: Musashi appoints Naoya Nishimura as CEO for India, Africa region India vs China Musashi also has operations in China where it largely meets the needs of BYD and other local automakers. Japanese brands like Honda, Nissan and Toyota are not doing as well in this market where electric has made deep inroads and local Chinese car brands are literally firing on all cylinders. Despite this, Musashi is more upbeat about India where the two-wheeler transition to electric is growing by leaps and bunds. 'I hear that the economic environment in China is not so good right now while India is seeing greater expansion,' said Nishimura. According to him, electric two-wheeler growth in this part of the world is 'quite fast' with additional support coming in from the Government by way of fiscal sops. Three-wheelers are also catching up quickly and Musashi Auto Parts has decided to keep its eyes open on the pace of growth in electric four-wheelers too. The company, incidentally, supplies bevel gears, transmission gears and shafts to ICE-powered four-wheelers as well as EV parts. When demand for four-wheeler EVs increase, we will look at further expansionNaoya Nishimura Nishimura said India has an edge over other countries in cost-competitiveness which will come in handy from the viewpoint of global sourcing. 'Of course, domestic demand is high in India and we will look at targeting supplies here first. My personal view is that the future can see India take a bigger role for Musashi when it comes to global supplies of auto parts,' he said. Advantage India Whether this means taking over more responsibilities from some existing operations in the ASEAN region remains to be seen but the company realises that there are inherent advantages to be availed of in India's cost and quality paradigm. Going forward, free trade agreements may also help the cause especially when it comes to despatching shipments across ASEAN, encompassing countries like Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines etc. Nishimura said plant capacity in India would be increased keeping in mind the growing demand for electric as well as the ICE business where its 'No 1 customer is making a lot of products', the reference being to HMSI in all likelihood. The company may even look at a greenfield facility as the automotive market grows in the coming years. 'When demand for four-wheeler EVs increase, we will look at further expansion,' he said. It is also too early to say if another separate entity, similar to the e-axle business, will be set up unless there is a need for a specific partnership in the EV arena like batteries for instance. Also Read: Musashi commences production of e2w e-axles in India According to Nishimura, the company is flexible enough to adapt to fuel changes in the future. Electric is still making the news but automakers are also looking at hybrid and flex fuel options as interim solutions. More recently, Honda announced that it was now going to focus on hybrids instead of electric keeping in line with global trends. For Musashi, the key lies in 'utilising current assets' optimally by way of catering to different markets with their own specific fuel requirements be it ICE, electric or hybrid. 'We are very flexible and this is one of the strong points in our group with its varied competencies,' said Nishimura.
Business Wire
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
IonQ Signs Historic Agreement with Toyota Tsusho Corporation to Advance Quantum Computing Opportunities in Japan
COLLEGE PARK, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ), a leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, today announced a pivotal flagship distributor partnership with Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Toyota Tsusho) to accelerate quantum computing in Japan. This milestone marks IonQ's entrance into the Japanese market – reinforcing the company's commitment to advancing quantum computing opportunities globally. 'Japan has long been at the forefront of technological innovation, and our collaboration with Toyota Tsusho Corporation provides more opportunities to bring our cutting-edge quantum solutions to a market that is primed for transformative advancements,' said Niccolo de Masi, President & CEO at IonQ. 'We have already signed our first local deal through Toyota Tsusho's customer network and look forward to continuing our work in the Japanese market.' Toyota Tsusho is a member of Toyota Group with around $70 billion in annual revenue, bringing decades of experience in scaling businesses within Japan's market and is backed by a diverse portfolio spanning industries from automotive to emerging technologies. According to McKinsey, by 2035 quantum computing represents a $1 to $2 trillion opportunity across industries with Japan as a major global player. Toyota Tsusho was established in 1948 as the trading and business development arm of the Toyota Group and has made significant progress in the field of quantum computing in recent years. Leveraging its extensive customer network, the company will introduce IonQ's cutting-edge quantum computing and networking technologies to a broad range of Japanese enterprises. 'We see the immense transformative value of quantum computing technologies for our customers across industries,' said Kazumi Mizukawa, the General Manager of Enterprise IT Department at Toyota Tsusho. 'Our partnership with IonQ is a momentous step toward immediately realizing the commercial benefits of quantum solutions in Japan.' Today's announcement builds on IonQ's landmark partnership with the University of Maryland and the State of Maryland to establish Maryland as the Capital of Quantum in the computing industry. Over the past year, IonQ has expanded its global presence by opening the United States' first quantum computing manufacturing facility, unveiling its first quantum computer in Europe in partnership with QuantumBasel, signing a memorandum of understanding with AIST's Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QuAT), and a memorandum of understanding with the city of Busan, South Korea to drive quantum transformation in Korea. IonQ's partnership with Toyota Tsusho further underscores its commitment to advancing quantum technologies in the APAC region, complementing its current work with Hyundai Motors, Sungkyunkwan University and Seoul National University. For more information about IonQ's quantum computing solutions, please visit About IonQ IonQ, Inc. is a leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world's largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ's current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems, boasting 36 algorithmic qubits. The company's innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes' 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In's 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words "accelerate," "advancing," "commitment," "innovation," "transformative" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to IonQ's quantum computing capabilities and plans. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ's ability to implement its technical roadmap. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filings, including but not limited to those described in the 'Risk Factors' section of IonQ's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by IonQ from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. IonQ may or may not choose to practice or otherwise use the inventions described in the issued patents in the future.
