Naoto Okamura

Honda and Nissan are sounding upbeat as they raise full-year earnings forecasts, citing progress in sorting out the semiconductor shortage and improved profitability.

Toyota started recalling the bZ4X in June, just two months after the EV went on sale. The callback also affected the Subaru Solterra, a rebadged version sold by Toyota’s partner.

The technology will build upon Subaru’s stereo camera system and use artificial intelligence to improve computer recognition in hard-to-see situations, such as when road lane markers are covered in snow.

EV production should account for about 40 to 50 per cent of Honda's total output in North America in 2030, or around 800,000 battery-electric vehicles.

Toyota said it would slash its global production plan for April by 150,000 units to 750,000 vehicles, compared with the original schedule reported to suppliers earlier this year.

The automaker will reduce output again in November, but the impact will not be as painful as before and Toyota sees signs of recovery on the horizon.

The automaker said parts such as semiconductors and wire harnesses are in short supply because of bottlenecks triggered by lockdowns in southeast Asia.