To crack the code of building low-cost electric vehicles, Japan's automakers intend to leverage their skills at tried-and-true lean manufacturing and kaizen.

Japan's automakers are stoking R&D investment to meet mounting demand for a staggering array of technologies. Toyota by far outpaces the pack.

The government said LG Energy, SK Innovation and Samsung SDI will be key players, driving investment in R&D and battery production.

For a house-proud engineering force such as Honda, relying on GM for EV help may be surprising. But Honda expects to return to its old independent prowess in due time.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida talks with Automotive News about electrification plans, autonomous driving, the brand's road to recovery in the U.S. and Nissan's relations with partner Renault.

The company that pioneered the Prius hybrid has drawn criticism for perceived foot-dragging on EVs. But Akio Toyoda wants it known that his company is pursuing carbon neutrality.

Toyota's new EV will be slightly bigger than its compact Corolla, the world's best-selling car of all time. One source told Reuters that the vehicle is like a "Corolla with bigger back-seat section."

Nissan's move is part of a push to equip nearly every new model with lidar safety technology by the end of the decade. It lets vehicles conduct high-speed emergency maneuvers on the highway without a hand on the wheel or foot on the brake.

The University of Michigan's Anna Stefanopoulou says with the right battery, hybrid technology could extend the life of the internal combustion engine.

The Corolla Cross H2 Concept is just one of many advancements in hydrogen combustion that Toyota rolled out at Fuji Speedway. Toyota is about 40 percent of the way toward commercializing its hydrogen combustion technology, a top executive says.

While Tesla has led the development of the global EV market, the two giants of automaking are determined to defend their dominance.