Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer, long seen as one of Volkswagen Group's top-performing brand executives, will leave the company and become president and CEO of Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo Cars no later than October 1, 2027. The surprise move has jolted the global auto industry and adds pressure to Volkswagen Group as it navigates painful transformation and profit warnings.
Foxtron Vehicle Technologies said its overseas expansion is taking shape as exports to New Zealand and Australia enter their final countdown, with a planned Poland factory with ElectroMobility Poland also drawing attention. On September 22, Foxtron Chairman Andy Lee said Europe's strict emissions rules and strong environmental awareness make it a key electric vehicle (EV) market, while localization and shared platforms are central to the company's strategy.
Hotai Motor said it will invest in lifestyle and entertainment booking platform FunNow to deepen its mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) ecosystem. The company plans to inject US$10 million (about NT$318 million) for an approximately 10% stake, while also launching a deep strategic partnership between its ChicTrip travel platform and FunNow.
Taiwan's auto industry is watching closely as tariff talks between Taiwan and the US continue to shape the sector's outlook. PG Union CEO Ray Wu said in an interview on September 21 that the two sides are still negotiating the new policy, and the process must clear three hurdles before it can take effect.
Chinese EV maker Xpeng is planning to offer its technology to foreign automakers beyond Volkswagen, according to people familiar with the matter, as technology licensing emerges as a new revenue engine for the company.
China's auto industry is increasingly relying on exports to sustain growth as domestic demand remains weak, industry sources said, ahead of a possible visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the US for a summit with US President Donald Trump. Online reports that Beijing may include BYD in a business delegation have fueled speculation the EV maker could use the trip to ease trade frictions and protect overseas momentum.
Foxconn is expanding its global electric vehicle footprint through partnerships with German commercial vehicle brand Quantron and intelligent driving technology company HyperView. The group will serve as the industrial manufacturing partner for Quantron China's truck and bus platforms, producing next-generation zero-emission commercial vehicles for international markets.
Tesla has established a subsidiary in Vietnam as it prepares to enter the local market. Reuters reported that filing documents show the unit is registered in Ho Chi Minh City with capital of US$3 million.
