DigiTimes 专访南阳实业副总：台湾混动占比已超六成、2027 年目标七成，但属产业观点访谈，无任何可交易硬信息

Hybrid vehicles now account for more than 60% of Taiwan's auto market, shifting the focus of competition from whether a vehicle offers hybrid technology to which hybrid system it uses.

James Chan, executive vice president of Nan Yang Industries, Hyundai Motor's general distributor in Taiwan, said that with new models from various automakers arriving between the fourth quarter of 2026 and 2027, the next two years will largely be a battle between competing hybrid systems.
Chan noted that Taiwan's economy remains polarized, a trend unlikely to change significantly over the next two years. Vehicle replacement demand is expected to drive market growth, with owners of cars around 10 years old facing decisions about which powertrain system to choose when purchasing their next vehicle. Differences in hybrid technology could therefore become a decisive factor in determining which brands succeed.
Citing hybrid systems used by competing automakers, Chan explained that some models eliminate conventional transmissions and instead rely on just one or two sets of clutches to switch between low- and high-speed operation, with electric motors handling low-speed driving. This approach helps reduce costs but also depends heavily on computer controls.
By comparison, Hyundai Motor Group emphasizes a coaxial hybrid configuration that integrates the engine, electric motor, and six-speed transmission along the same axis, aiming to balance performance with fuel efficiency.
Chan believes hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly affordable, while regulatory requirements in North America and Europe are accelerating the transition toward hybrid powertrains. Battery-electric vehicles, meanwhile, face greater development challenges because of constraints involving charging infrastructure and other public facilities.
Hybrid adoption appears set to continue rising, Chan said, with competition increasingly determined by how effectively each manufacturer's system performs.
Hyundai targets 70% hybrid sales mix in 2027
According to Chan, hybrid vehicles, including mild hybrids but excluding fully electric vehicles, already account for more than 60% of Taiwan's market. Demand is expected to expand further in 2027, with hybrid vehicle sales potentially surpassing those of conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.
Some automakers have already transitioned their locally manufactured SUV lineups entirely to hybrid powertrains in 2026 without experiencing adverse effects on sales.
At Nan Yang Industries, nearly the entire product lineup, apart from smaller vehicles, is moving toward hybrid powertrains, with the transition scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026. Hybrids currently account for approximately half of the company's sales, and Nan Yang aims to increase that proportion to around 70% in 2027.
Chan revealed that advance orders for the company's commercial hybrid vehicles already extend into 2027, making the segment one of its stronger potential growth drivers next year.
He acknowledged that several Hyundai models are approaching the latter stages of their product life cycles in 2026. However, the company plans to refresh its entire lineup between the fourth quarter of 2026 and 2027, strengthening its product competitiveness next year.
Taiwan auto market expected to remain largely flat
Looking at Taiwan's overall auto market, Chan forecasts sales of approximately 425,000 vehicles in 2026 and 430,000 in 2027, indicating relatively flat growth. He believes most of the positive factors supporting new vehicle sales in 2026 have already played out, leaving market competition particularly intense.
As automakers prepare for 2027, Chan expects competition to center increasingly on replacement demand and the relative advantages of different hybrid powertrain systems.