Tesla unveiled its new Roadster, equipped with rocket-style thrusters, on October 15 and announced plans to begin production in 2028, more than a decade after the second-generation prototype was first showcased.

Tesla's unveiling of a redesigned Roadster with rocket-style thrusters has intensified interest in flying cars, while an internal report calls on Hyundai Motor Group to reconsider its aircraft development direction and advanced air mobility (AAM) strategy.

Tesla's Robotaxi expansion is entering a new phase as the company increases unsupervised autonomous mileage, deploys its purpose-built Cybercab and works to expand fleet operations. The challenge now is translating those advances into a commercial transportation service capable of operating across more cities while managing vehicle production and operating costs.

Technology appears capable of almost anything. Tesla's next-generation Roadster electric sports car has brought capabilities once confined to science fiction films into the realm of real-world electric vehicles.

Tesla has unveiled its Roadster 2 rocket-powered sports car, but the significance extends beyond the performance specifications of a single vehicle. The unveiling highlights how CEO Elon Musk is building an interconnected ecosystem across his businesses, enabling technologies to be combined, shared, and reinforced across different industries.

Hybrid vehicles now account for more than 60% of Taiwan's auto market, shifting the focus of competition from whether a vehicle offers hybrid technology to which hybrid system it uses.

Chinese battery giant CATL is giving its battery-service business a distinctive boost through a three-party battery-swapping agreement linking Huawei-affiliated Yinwang Intelligent Technology, CATL, and CATL's battery-swapping subsidiary, Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology (CAES).

Global passenger vehicle registrations totaled approximately 46.77 million in the first eight months of 2026, down 6% year-over-year. The market is expected to contract 3.4% for the full year, as China's domestic market plunges, Europe remains the only growth market among China, Europe, and the US, and the war involving Iran drives up oil prices and freight costs, creating both risks and opportunities for Taiwan's automotive suppliers.

The 91st Paris Motor Show opened on October 12, drawing dense crowds to Chinese automaker booths, with brands like BYD and Xpeng taking center stage for media and industry observers alike.

China’s Luxeed EV brand, jointly developed by Chery Auto and Huawei, has obtained independent vehicle manufacturing qualifications and plans to pursue a standalone listing. Production capacity will be transferred from Chery, with no additional capacity planned, according to Chinese media outlet Yicai.

Toyota plans to transition its entire lineup of approximately 50 vehicle models to software-defined vehicles (SDVs) by 2030, equipping them with advanced software capabilities that allow owners to upgrade vehicle functions through over-the-air (OTA) updates after purchase.

Foxconn announced on October 16 that it has formed a strategic alliance with Mitsubishi Electric through its investment management subsidiary Lin Yin International Investment. The two companies will jointly operate an automotive equipment business and develop next-generation mobility solutions under a "Made in/by Japan" concept aimed at supporting the sustainable growth of Japan's automotive industry.

Toyota Motor will introduce its proprietary gigacasting technology in China to produce premium vehicles, while it has not disclosed whether it will use equipment from local Chinese suppliers. The automaker also plans to produce the next-generation Corolla in China from 2028 using a common platform compatible with multiple powertrain systems.

Chinese EV giant and AI mobility manufacturer XPeng has made a major appearance at the Paris Automotive Summit by bringing not just its automotive expertise into the European collaborative space, but a broader technology stack built on the automaker's existing strengths in EV manufacturing and humanoid robotics.

The engineering fusion of SpaceX and Tesla's flagship technologies is making a dramatic showcase through Tesla's next-generation Roadster reveal, held at SpaceX's McGregor, Texas test site on October 15.

Chinese automakers are accelerating their expansion into humanoid robotics, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, electric drive systems, and supply chain resources developed through their automotive businesses, according to DIGITIMES Intelligence.

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to sell 1,000 units of its compact electric bus, the e-Palette, within five to six years as it prepares to introduce a Level 4 autonomous driving version in fiscal 2027, which runs from April 2027 through March 2028. The target is more than 10 times the vehicle's current sales, positioning the e-Palette for broader use in mobility services across Japan.

BYD plans to launch a large-scale hiring drive in Europe, aiming to increase its local workforce to about 40,000 by 2030 as it seeks to become a leading automaker in the region. Stella Li, BYD's executive vice president for overseas operations, told Bloomberg Television at the Paris Motor Show on October 12 that the company's commitment to Europe is firm and long term.

Yulon Nissan Motor president Chen-hsiang Yao expects Taiwan's auto market to remain at approximately 420,000 vehicles in 2026, excluding heavy vehicles, supported by growing demand for luxury cars and new energy vehicles (NEVs). While market saturation and shifting consumer preferences pose challenges, a potential resolution of US tariff issues could provide additional momentum.

China will reduce its export tax rebate for new energy vehicles (NEVs) from 13% to 9% on April 1, 2027, increasing cost pressure on automakers, particularly those selling lower-priced models with thin profit margins. The Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration announced the four-percentage-point reduction on October 12.

China's Geely has officially entered the Canadian market and plans to launch its first vehicles there in 2027, expanding its North American footprint. Geely has completed its Canadian corporate registration and begun operations while building local sales and after-sales service networks.

At the Paris Motor Show, Stellantis NV CEO Antonio Filosa rejected proposals to split the company's European and US brands and said the company would not sell Maserati. The automaker is pursuing a US$70 billion restructuring plan as it seeks to reverse a sharp decline in its share price.

As the push toward smarter vehicle systems and full electrification intensifies alongside China's strengthening position in the EV market, these trends are increasingly prompting overseas automakers to enter a new phase of operational restructuring.

China proposed tighter vehicle design and safety requirements that would restrict fully hidden door handles, virtual controls for critical functions and several interior features in new vehicles. The draft rules, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and three other government departments, are intended to reduce safety risks associated with rapidly developed vehicle models and would affect automakers seeking approvals in China.

The European Union plans to cap imports of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) at 350,000 units per year, with safeguard measures potentially taking effect as early as December 1, 2026. The four-year framework sets a 350,000-unit limit in its first year, followed by a 6% annual quota expansion starting in the second year, while both sides commit to complying with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.