CATL, the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer, unveiled a major technological breakthrough in Munich on September 7, 2025, introducing its NP3.0 (No Propagation 3.0) safety platform and the first lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery built on the system, the Shenxing Pro. The announcement signals both a leap in safety standards and CATL's ambition to deepen its presence in Europe with expanded regional production.

Vietnamese automaker VinFast has officially entered India with the launch of its VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs, betting on local manufacturing and ecosystem partnerships to gain a foothold in one of the world's fastest-growing EV markets. The company's Tamil Nadu plant, with an initial capacity of 50,000 units, represents a US$500 million investment and positions VinFast as the first foreign pure-play EV maker to set up production in India.

The global automotive market reached total sales of 44.42 million units in the first half of 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 2.7%. Among these, the combined sales volume of the three major markets—China, the US, and Europe—totaled 27.48 million units, accounting for 61.9% of the global share, and they remain the core of the worldwide automotive industry.

Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the largest China-based battery maker, has recently dispatched procurement managers and engineers on a large-scale visit to South Korea, with industry insiders believing CATL aims to secure technological advantages by engaging with South Korean companies amid ongoing structural adjustments in the Chinese industry, ensuring its differentiated competitive edge.

A major immigration raid at Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution's (LGES) battery plant in Georgia has exposed the labor and visa hurdles facing South Korean firms in the US. The case raises fresh doubts over how sustainable Korean investment in America's electric vehicle supply chain can be.

China's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency is gaining momentum, but automotive-grade chips present a unique challenge. Local automakers remain cautious about adopting untested domestic components that could jeopardize safety-critical systems.

As the software-defined vehicle (SDV) trend reshapes the automotive industry, tech giants are extending their reach beyond technology alone. Amazon Web Services (AWS), leveraging the e-commerce muscle of its parent company, is pioneering new channels for car sales. After initially partnering with Hyundai Motor to sell new vehicles, Amazon has now teamed up with rental giant Hertz to enter the used car market.

Connector and cable maker ACTT has maintained steady operations amid the ongoing trend of automotive electrification. Beyond its core focus on the automotive market, the company has recently invested in medical electronics and laboratory biotechnology services, expanding from electronic technology into regenerative medicine while strengthening integration of its core technologies.

The global auto market split sharply in the first half of 2025 amid uncertainty over US tariff policy. Electronics and manufacturing giants are responding by pivoting toward in-vehicle electronics and smart mobility, wagering on the rise of software-defined, digitally driven cars.

China's solid-state battery sector is reaching a critical stage, driven by rapid technical advances and new standardization initiatives. On September 10–11, 2025, the China Society of Automotive Engineers will meet in Beijing to review ten proposed group standards, including assembly methods for evaluation cells, and to launch five projects covering topics such as hydrogen sulfide emissions from sulfide-based solid-state batteries.

China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sector continues to face intense price competition, with domestic manufacturers pushing vehicle prices to unprecedented lows. This aggressive pricing strategy has severely squeezed profit margins, prompting the industry to seek innovative solutions that can balance cost and performance. One such emerging technology gaining traction is hybrid SiC, which promises to enhance NEV efficiency while controlling manufacturing expenses.