Today
- Analysis
- Electric vehicles
Why the Nissan-Honda merger is a ‘terrible thought bubble’
The tie-up would create the world’s third-largest car maker by sales. But the deal appears driven more by desperation than strategic thinking.
- Jessica Sier
This Month
Japan’s car industry consolidates: Honda and Nissan reveal merger plan
The Japanese car giants will merge to create the world’s third-largest automotive group by 2026, as the two companies struggle to keep up with global competitors.
- Jessica Sier
Australian graphite firms file US complaint against China
Novonix and Syrah Resources claim China is flooding the market with cheap graphite, and are urging US regulators to impose a 920 per cent tariff.
- Elouise Fowler
- Analysis
- Cars
Merge or die: Honda-Nissan talks mark pivotal moment in painful transition
Japanese discussions signal industry-wide consolidation as carmakers struggle with electric vehicle transition costs and growing competition from China.
- Updated
- Jessica Sier
Nickel shutdowns ease WA’s gas shortage fears
While gas for Western Australia’s domestic users is adequate for the next few years, a shortfall may emerge in 2028, the market operator says.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Can a looming trade war revive this niche Australian industry?
Firms such as newly listed Merino & Co are positioning themselves between China and Donald Trump, who threatens to impose tariffs on Chinese products.
- Updated
- Jessica Sier
Labor’s manufacturing fund takes stake in quantum tech company
The National Reconstruction Fund has taken a $13 million stake in Quantum Brilliance, which aims to build an Australian-first facility to make diamonds used in quantum computers.
- Ronald Mizen
InfraBuild woes worsen as Gupta moves cash around stricken empire
Confidential documents circulated among bondholders show the industrialist’s local steel assets fell deeper into loss and paid $28.8 million to related parties.
- Simon Evans
November
Generators scramble after NSW’s near miss on blackouts
More than 2000 megawatts of coal power capacity is due back online within 10 days, as generators scramble to avoid a repeat of Wednesday’s close shave on the NSW power grid.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
NSW grid scrapes through power crisis, bigger test ahead
NSW was set to narrowly avoid blackouts on Wednesday only due to emergency measures, a situation that has unnerved industry and consumers.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Administrators called in to probe Gupta’s troubled European empire
A UK court backed ArcelorMittal’s bid to launch an administration process for the parent company of six steelworks owned by Whyalla boss Sanjeev Gupta.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Thyssenkrupp to cut 11,000 jobs at struggling steel unit
The layoff plan would shrink a business that has lost billions of euros to a global steel glut and rising energy prices.
- William Wilkes
Blackout risk lingers in NSW as coal outages hit
The tight electricity supply in the state follows an unusually large number of unexpected outages at coal power units.
- Updated
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Jarden sues ex-client after getting cut from $300m deal
The investment bank worked on the auction of the commercial sauces and condiments maker but was axed just before a deal with private equity giant Quadrant.
- Jemima Whyte
- Exclusive
- Energy transition
The country’s biggest aluminium smelter says green target unreachable
Rio Tinto-backed Tomago, which uses more power than any other industrial operation in Australia, says renewable energy is too expensive and in short supply.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Amcor’s whopper $76b tie-up shows it’s ready to rule the world
It’s one of the biggest deals of the year – and the financial numbers are eye-catching. Imagine $US650 million in synergies.
- Anthony Macdonald
Labor’s $15b reconstruction fund makes landmark first investment
Donald Trump’s retreat from the renewable energy transition is good timing for plans to reboot domestic manufacturing, says the National Reconstruction Fund head.
- Tom McIlroy
Orica profit jumps on demand for explosive technology
The chemicals and explosives maker boosted its margins by selling digital blasting technologies and premium products to miners.
- Mark Wembridge
Gupta owes $684,000 to suppliers in Sydney’s industrial heartland
An Australian business owned by one of India’s richest families is among those chasing payments, while Aurizon extends ban of iron ore transport at Whyalla.
- Simon Evans
Sanjeev Gupta strikes deal to stay afloat. For the fifth time
The embattled industrialist and Whyalla steelworks owner has offered his creditors yet another term sheet – one he says is necessary to save his UK operation.
- Hans van Leeuwen