Manufacturing

Daimler’s European answer to Uber gains momentum

26 Jul 2016

The German carmaker is merging its ride-hailing app Mytaxi with UK-based rival Hailo. The all-share deal creates Europe’s strongest competitor to Uber while avoiding paying the sector’s frothy multiples. For now, Daimler’s digital first-mover advantage is paying off.

Water woes are a drain on Make in India

26 Jul 2016

India has long undervalued one of its most precious resources. Chronic mismanagement of water in the country is already a strain on factories. Now the worry is that it will hold back Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s big plan to create jobs and turn India into a manufacturing hub.

Britain can’t have its chips and eat them too

18 Jul 2016

A takeover of microchip-designer ARM Holdings by Japan's SoftBank shows Britain is open for business. There is little choice. The UK may need dozens of new trade deals on leaving the European Union. However rare ARM's charms, and whoever the buyer, protectionism isn't an option.

China’s factories gain from march of the sew-bots

11 Jul 2016

Millions of jobs across Southeast Asia are at risk from wider use of automation, a new report has warned. The surprising beneficiary might be China. Robots could add to its shrinking workforce, while its network of suppliers and ports are a strength the rest of Asia can’t match.

Japan’s carmakers are passengers in wild FX ride

5 Jul 2016

Shares in Toyota, Nissan, Honda and others have crashed since Britain voted to quit the EU. All will be hit by an economic slowdown, and some would suffer from new tariffs on UK-made vehicles. But the selloff mostly reflects how exposed the firms are to currency-market swings.