Welcome back! Do you miss me? Yes, of course you did it. There is a lot of “the future of transportation” news to follow. Let’s jump in.
It’s comeback week, not just because I’m back from vacation. I’m talking about the IAA mobility conference in Munich, and the purposeful efforts of German automakers to show the world it can still deliver engaging, technologically advanced and affordable vehicles. The subtext of the splash event that started Tuesday: “Hey, China, we are not quitting the competition.”
Volkswagen Group,,,,, Mercedesand BMW All showed off many new cars, including electric vehicles. Executives cried: Volkswagen Group Oliver Blume In several interviews with reporters, the company’s plan was proposed in a bullish tone and Competitive in Chinaespecially with EVS, Volkswagen is already behind.
But what about home? Chinese automakers have been driving into Europe, and consumers have responded. German automakers hope their latest products, including the new all-electric Mercedes GLC, the BMW IX3 with its four “superbrain” computers, and the Volkswagen ID Polo and ID Cross concepts, will retain or even increase market share. But they have some work to do. Over the past year, Chinese companies like BYD have almost doubled their market share in Europe. Jato Dynamics Report In July.
Notes on IAA News: RIMAC technologyRIMAC Group’s Technology and Parts Division has been developed Solid state battery pack It said it will be available in late 2027. These batteries obviously fill energy, which can range from 10% to 80% energy Less than 10 minutes.
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A little bird
modern Still seem to be committed to actionAccording to two birds who shared new investment information with me.
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Hyundai and APTIV created a joint venture (called Motional) and agreed to invest $4 billion in the work. Aptiv exited in early 2024, allowing Hyundai to either invest its own money, find other external partners, or close the program altogether. Modern Choice Invest $1 billion – $475 million invested directly into the action as part of a wider deal, including the purchase of joint venture partner ATPiv. Hyundai agreed to spend another $448 million to buy 11% of Aptiv’s common stake in Motional.
Now it seems that Hyundai is investing in two branching moves. The first one is scattered this year, with about $452 million. The second one is next year, and I am still working to lower this amount. The first number is Reports from North Korean stores. Hyundai refused (several times!) to answer my question about funding. This is typical for large companies. However, a bird deep in the AV industry also pointed out that Hyundai may not want to make a big difference because it also works with Waymo.
Among other bird chir, there are two new employees General Motors You might find it interesting. Sony MohapatraThe former senior manager of Cruise’s AI Compute platform has served as Director of AI and Machine Learning Engineering at GM. and Paul MensonHe is a senior staff account manager at Megapack Teslanow the director of energy storage systems business development at General Motors.
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trade!
passthe shipping software launched has attracted the attention of on-demand shuttle service for consumers and made its debut in the IPO. As I mentioned before, the company has been focusing on the IPO plan for years.
Earlier this year, it secretly filed an IPO, and it was the second time it took this step. But this time, a major IPO leap has been passed. The company is known for its CityMapper mobile navigation app 10.7 million shares sold $46 per share. A total of $492.9 million was raised at a valuation of $3.7 billion. That’s only higher than the $3.5 billion valuation it received in 2023 on the last business.
We have to end the newsletter before it officially starts trading, but I will be back next week to update.
Other deals that caught my attention…
Arc shipa Los Angeles-based startup founded in 2021 by a former SpaceX employee, signed $160 million contract There is Curtin Maritime, which targets the newly hybrid electric tug, which is expected to hit the waters around the LA port in 2027.
LeydenjarDutch battery materials start, Raised 13 million euros ($15.2 million) in a round led by Entantia and Invest-NL.
Standard Teamfleet management software company, Raised $13 million In the A Series led by Nova Threshold, participation from Wex Venture Capital, SNR, Garry Tan (CEO of Y Combinator), Salil Deshpande (Unrelated Ventures) and Apoorv Bhargava (Weavegrid). Returned investors include Burst Capital, Canvas Ventures, Liquid 2, Night Capital, Olive Capital, UP2398 and Danny Wen.
Famous readings and other tidbits
this Federal Aviation Administration Announce New pilot program This will allow electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) startups to test certain operations before obtaining full regulatory certification.
modern Electric taxi startups that once formed super Difficult to get out of the ground. company Stop working on the plane plan After months of hardship, staff layoffs and the departure of the CEO and CTO, two people familiar with the matter told TechCrunch.
In the darkThe mountain view-based startup started in Siberia and is known for its bid-based rides in Asia and Latin America, and he hopes to be a global super app. This is the goal.
Jaguar Land Rover explain Cyber Attack Put the vehicle assembly line in a standstill state.
Lyft and Possible liquidity The Robotaxi service has been launched in Atlanta, the first commercial deployment of the two companies’ partnerships.
Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Management Started the investigation A boring company has suffered “sabotage damage” after working on a tunnel in Las Vegas. Work has stopped.
Tesla Have appropriate permission Start the test Autonomous driving technology on public roads in Nevada. As I explain in this article, getting a testing license in the state is simple and easy. (Simply fill out the registration form and make sure you have the proper $5 million insurance coverage.) Tesla still needs to complete the self-certification process to be able to roll out the entire plan. It will require separate approval to operate a commercial ride service.
Uber Starting with China’s self-driving cars momentum Plan begins Testing robot Starting in Munich in 2026.
this U.S. Department of Justice File a lawsuit be opposed to Uberaccusing cycling companies of violating federal law by discriminating against people with physical disabilities.
One more thing…
TechCrunch interrupt 2025 Just around the corner – about six weeks. We have some high-profile people from the world of transportation coming to the stage at the Mostin Center in San Francisco. The event will be held from October 27 to 29, including road Co-founder and CEO Alex Kendall,,,,, Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakanaand Flexport Founder and CEO Ryan Peterson. And more. stay tuned.
you can Buy tickets here. And make sure to view our entrepreneurship battlefields of 200, one Very incredible startup list This will showcase – some pitches on the main stage.
