The Biden Administration planned to ban Chinese hardware and software for vehicle communication and autonomous driving systems in the US by September 2024. In addition to this, a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) has been introduced, with additional tariffs expected under a potential second term for Donald Trump. These measures reflect heightened scrutiny of Chinese technology in critical sectors.
The Biden Administration seized the opportunity during its last days in office to introduce new regulations for artificial intelligence (AI) chip controls, categorizing China as a third-level control area with almost total prohibition.
The Biden administration is rolling out measures to bolster US automotive manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) development, as it looks to sharpen curbs on Chinese technology and tee up potential restrictions for Donald Trump, to enact.
The US's tightened semiconductor restrictions have propelled China's drive for self-sufficiency, spurring advancements in autonomous vehicles, AI robotics, and industrial-grade semiconductors. This development could enable China to shape global industry standards.
The self-driving car industry has bounced back from a Cruise incident in 2023 thanks to advancements in generative AI. These innovations in AI robotics now place the industry on the verge of potentially exceeding US$1 trillion, highlighting it as a notable force in technology.
Honda and Renesas Electronics have joined forces to co-develop high-performance chips for its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs), integrating advanced features like autonomous driving. Leveraging TSMC's cutting-edge 3nm process technology, these chips are designed to deliver superior performance and efficiency.
Tesla may shift its focus more towards AI robotics than automobiles by 2025. However, the rise of hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is creating significant challenges for Tesla, as its strong growth encroaches on the territory dominated by battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
At CES 2025, Nvidia announced that it will supply Toyota with the latest semiconductor technologies for autonomous driving systems for its next-generation vehicles. Toyota plans to accelerate the development of its autonomous driving technology by sourcing high-performance products from the world's leading semiconductor companies.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes that the development of "very useful" quantum computers may require approximately 20 more years. Speaking at CES 2025, Huang also highlighted the advanced autonomous driving technology from Chinese automakers, noting that companies including BYD, Nio, Xiaomi, and XPeng have established new benchmarks in the field.
Chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV agreed to buy Austrian automotive software developer TTTech Auto for US$625 million in cash to build out its products for software-defined vehicle makers.
As 2024 comes to a close, the global technology industry is looking forward to new opportunities in 2025. The rapid implementation of generative AI (GenAI) technologies has led to an influx of new applications, while the electric vehicle (EV) market is poised for significant developments in the new year.
Tesla's annual vehicle sales dropped for the first time in more than a decade despite a year-end push that sent deliveries to a record in the fourth quarter.
As Donald Trump readies his return to the White House, the automotive supply chain braces for potential regulatory shifts favoring Tesla. Reports suggest Trump's transition team aims to revoke National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rules requiring self-driving carmakers to share accident data, a move seen as targeting Tesla. If enacted, the changes could enable Tesla to withhold such data.
Industry sources reveal that US and European automakers, alongside the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other regulators, have yet to agree on redefining Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving standards. In response, automakers are developing modular frameworks for 2029–2031 models, designed for easy adaptation to evolving regulations through a "Lego-like" approach.
Hyundai Motor Group has reportedly disbanded its Semiconductor Strategy Group (the Group), a key division tasked with driving the company's in-house development of automotive semiconductors to reduce reliance on external suppliers. Its functions and personnel are being reassigned to other departments as part of a broader restructuring.
Japan-based Denso announced a strategic collaboration with Onsemi, aimed at advancing semiconductor technology vital for autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). As part of the partnership, Denso plans to acquire a stake in Onsemi, but the exact financial details are undisclosed.
Japanese telecommunications company KDDI and its subsidiaries KDDI SmartDrone and KDDI Research have successfully completed a fully unmanned automated logistics delivery experiment in collaboration with partners including Tier IV and Aisan Technology.
General Motors (GM) has ended its nearly decade-long, US$10 billion Cruise robotaxi project, a decision that has severely impacted Honda's plans for autonomous driving technology, according to reports from The New York Times and BBC.
Global IDM leader Onsemi announced a cautious outlook for the semiconductor market in its third-quarter 2024 financial report. CEO Hassane El-Khoury tempered expectations for 2025 but underscored promising growth in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) and industrial energy storage markets, which remain resilient amid broader industry challenges.
Tesla plans to launch its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in China by early 2025, though regulatory approval remains uncertain. Domestic automakers are intensifying efforts to showcase their tech, with Xiaomi demonstrating automated parking on its SU7 EV. However, reports of parking mishaps have surfaced, prompting Xiaomi to cover repairs and offer compensation, though the actual number of incidents is unclear amid fierce market competition.
Auto Guangzhou 2024, opening on November 15, stands as China's final flagship auto event of the year. It previews key trends that will shape the 2025 automotive market. With 1,171 new models showcased, including 512 electric vehicles (EVs), the event highlights the surging dominance of China's local EV brands.
With Donald Trump expected to take office in January, his transition team reportedly aims to kill the US$7,500 consumer tax credit for electric vehicle (EV) purchases, a central provision of the IRA. Tesla reportedly showed support, as the proposal is expected to benefit Tesla at the expense of many.
Autonomous driving and artificial intelligence are the buzzwords at this week's Guangzhou auto show — the last major gathering of Chinese carmakers for the year.
The anticipated return of Donald Trump to the White House could prove pivotal for Tesla's strategy in energy and advanced self-driving technology, as the integration of AI into advanced autonomous driving is expected to significantly enhance the affordable battery electric vehicles (BEVs) market.
