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May 23
XPeng rewrites mobility script with AI chips, robot pilots, and LiDAR-free autonomy
As AI foundation models embed deeper into vehicle system architecture, China's XPeng Motors is shifting from conventional car manufacturing to a full-stack AI mobility platform. Its strategy now revolves around three core pillars: large-scale automotive foundation models, in-house AI chips, and humanoid robots—laying the groundwork for the next decade of intelligent transportation.
As geopolitical strains between the United States and China reshape global supply chains, Taiwanese LED driver IC maker Macroblock is seeing tangible benefits in the automotive sector, even as tariff headwinds persist. While exports to the US from its Chinese clients face tariff pressure, Chinese automakers pivoting toward US-linked supply chains are creating new opportunities. This shift has improved order visibility for automotive applications through the end of 2025.

For years, automakers across Europe, the US, Japan, and even China have heralded 2025 as the dawn of Level 3 (L3) autonomous vehicles—a long-anticipated turning point for the commercialization of self-driving technology. Yet, a familiar question resurfaces: Is the year of L3 still approaching?

On May 21, Jabil, a global manufacturing solutions provider for the automotive industry, announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AVL Software and Functions GmbH, the e-drive and software arm of AVL List GmbH. The agreement marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration aimed at streamlining the development of next-generation vehicle electronics.

The recent tariff negotiations between the US and China have led to short-term concessions in some areas, but unresolved issues continue to tighten the noose on global supply chains. Among these, China's expanded restrictions on rare earth exports are significantly impacting critical industries, leaving European and American supply chains scrambling.
Amid the growing trend toward connected, autonomous, shared, and electrification (CASE) in the automotive industry, vehicles are now much more than simply mechanical products but rather rely on contributions spanning the ICT, software, semiconductor, and optical sectors.
During Computex 2025, NXP not only featured a keynote speech on edge AI development by Jens Hinrichsen, executive vice president and general manager of Analog and Automotive Embedded Systems, but also showcased various solutions across automotive electronics, industrial control, and AI imaging systems.
The US Commerce Department set the stage for anti-subsidy duties on imports of key battery components from China after concluding materials had been unfairly subsidized.
Julian Hetherington, director of Automotive Transformation at Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), elaborated on the development of the UK's automotive and semiconductor sectors during an exclusive interview with DIGITIMES. Although the US lowered tariffs on UK cars to 10%, this preferential rate applies only to 100,000 vehicles. Could this cap become a "ceiling" for UK car exports to the US in 2025 or even in subsequent years?
US President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policies have prompted countries worldwide to vie for priority negotiation opportunities. Among them, the UK was the first to secure a trade agreement with the US, covering sectors such as automobiles, steel, and aluminum. Julian Hetherington, director of Automotive Transformation at Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) UK, recently visited Taiwan's industry sector and shared insights exclusively with DIGITIMES, revealing the secrets behind the UK-US consensus.
More than two years ago, on the outskirts of a medieval German town, China's biggest EV battery company placed a EUR1.8 billion (US$2 billion) bet on the future of global trade.
US President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs on foreign-made cars and auto parts to drive supply chain reshoring. The move aims to reduce import dependency, boost domestic jobs, and reinforce the administration's "industrial security is national security" strategy.