Honda’s Prologue SUV ushers in its EV transition: The second-largest Japanese carmaker is leaning on American technology to jumpstart its wider electrification efforts with a SUV it designed in VR.
The factory has eyes: Startup Invisible AI will deploy its computer vision analytics system in all of Toyota’s factories in North America. But the unprecedented insight could have some downsides.
High-speed, low voltage charging could be an EV game-changer: VW and BP’s chargers can be installed where higher voltage is not available, making them a viable retrofit option for petrol station
Chip factories could see delays: Now it’s the tools used to build chip fabs that are facing shortages. As new factories are delayed, the chip shortage will continue into 2024, resulting in scarcity and price hikes.
Elon Musk and Twitter agree to $43.4B buyout: Musk hopes to take Twitter private with less content moderation and more free speech but will need to consider ramping up advertising to cover debt financing costs.
Close to half of US adults believe widespread use of driverless cars would be bad for society. Meanwhile, 26% think it’d be good for autonomous vehicles to rule the roads, and 29% aren’t sure.
Didi moves to delist from NYSE as it awaits verdict on penalties: Once considered China’s most successful startup, the ride-hailing company’s fate could lead to investors shifting away from Chinese tech stocks.
TSMC’s founder says US chip efforts are doomed: Former CEO Morris Chang cites lower overseas labor costs and high manufacturing costs but fails to mention savings on importation and transportation.
Add robotaxis to the list of upcoming Tesla products: Struggles with fully autonomous driving, delivering on schedule, and safety are huge roadblocks to Tesla’s robotaxi flex.
Tesla buyers paying more for less: Teslas are increasingly more expensive and now charging cables aren’t even included with new cars. Unpopular changes may lead to buyers considering competitors.
Hyundai’s NFT project is at odds with sustainability goals: The automaker is diving into NFTs as the craze is dying down.
TSMC’s resilience leads to record revenues: The leading chip manufacturer now has the opportunity to seize more market share as competitors falter in the face of lockdowns.
Hertz on track to electrify fleet by diversifying EV suppliers: Polestar fills Tesla’s gaps and may attract other manufacturers to help Hertz reach its goal of half a million rental EVs.
Coronavirus lockdowns in China have global repercussions: The ripple effect of Chinese factory shutdowns will be felt far and wide while businesses are forced to adjust expectations.
EV batteries could last the life of electric vehicles: Effective recycling of key minerals and components could be the booming industry of the next decade as the EV market surges.
China tries to balance productivity amid COVID-19 lockdowns: The Chinese government struggles to contain infections in Shanghai while adopting a business-as-usual attitude toward closed-loop factories.
A giant leap for robot-run factories: Ford’s new technology lets robots operate 3D printers making auto parts, boosting production 24x7 while human workers stay home—perhaps permanently.
GM raises its stake in Cruise autonomous service for possible spin off: Buying out SoftBank’s equity ownership in AV startup Cruise gives GM more latitude to take the company or structure it as a separate ride-hailing company
Auto and parts and food and beverage will be the fastest-growing ecommerce categories; both will see double-digit growth but from a relatively small base.
Ukraine invasion puts global automotive supply chain in peril: Automakers will ship far fewer units in 2022 or cut corners due to missing components. Scarcity could drive up pricing.