PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: Automakers' sales updates

JAPAN

Honda (7267 JT) - Co. will suspend operations at three Chinese factories longer than planned due to a shortage of automotive semiconductor devices. It was also reported that Honda and Princeton NuEnergy announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to advance discussion on collaboration around next-generation lithium-ion battery recycling technologies. (Nikkei/PR Newswire)

Mazda (7261 JT) - Co. North America operations December sales fell 18.9% Y/Y to 32.6k units. (Mazda)

Mitsubishi Motors (7211 JT) - Co. North America Q4 sales 21,354 units (prev. 19,647 units in Q3). (PR Newswire/Mitsubishi)

Nissan (7201 JT) - Co. new vehicle sales in Japan last year fell 15% to 403,105 units, representing the lowest level since comparable records began in 1993. (Nikkei)

Subaru (7270 JT) - Co. America unit sales fell 7.2% Y/Y to 57.4k vehicles. (Subaru)

Toyota (7203 JT) - Co. North America sales in 2025 rose 8% Y/Y to over 2.5mln units. (Toyota)

 SOUTH KOREA

Hanwha Corp (000880 KS) - Hanwha Qcells began solar panel recycling at its US unit. (Nikkei)

Hyundai Motor (005380 KS) - Co.’s Boston Dynamics unit unveiled the latest iteration of a humanoid robot designed to work in the carmaker’s manufacturing plants starting in 2028. (Nikkei)

Shinsegae (004170 KS) - Co. signed an agreement with Alibaba (9988 HK) on Monday to help expand overseas sales channels for competitive South Korean sellers. (Yonhap)

Tech - Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) and SK Hynix (000660 KS) are refusing to negotiate long-term agreements and are sticking to quarterly contracts, according to Hankyung, citing sources. Furthermore, they reportedly offered major DRAM customers a 60-70% Q/Q increase in supply prices for Q1, while similar increases are being offered to PC and smartphone DRAM customers. (Newswires)

Geopolitical

South Korean President Lee and Chinese President Xi shared the view on the importance of resuming talks with North Korea. (Yonhap)

North Korean leader Kim inspected a memorial for soldiers who died in Russia’s war against Ukraine. (Newswires)