As the European Union imposes steep anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese-made battery electric vehicles (BEVs), a new mode of cross-border cooperation is quietly reshaping the continent's automotive landscape.

Martin Eberhard, Tesla's co-founder, recently shared his entrepreneurial insights and outlook on the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Korea. He emphasized that the key to EV adoption lies in the accessibility of charging infrastructure and the cost curve. Eberhard also praised South Korean EV brands for their global competitiveness, stating that Hyundai Motor is likely to be the maker of the next breakthrough EV.

The competition in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) industry has reached a fever pitch. While domestic automakers continue to meet surging demand at home, they are now rapidly expanding their marketing and distribution networks across the globe.

Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors plans to complete its CEO transition by October 2025. Current CEO Kurt Sievers, who will remain in the position until then, made what is likely his final visit to Taiwan as chief executive during SEMICON Taiwan 2025. Incoming CEO Rafael Sotomayor also attended the event and met with Taiwanese partners as part of the planned leadership change.

ProLogium Technology has officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tier 1 automotive supplier Rimac Technology to jointly develop a new generation battery platform, which will integrate ProLogium's superfluidized all-inorganic solid-state lithium ceramic battery technology in a significant breakthrough for the field. Rimac Technology will leverage its expertise in high-performance battery pack design to create scalable solutions tailored for the automotive industry, incorporating cutting-edge technologies to meet the stringent demands of the electric vehicle market.

Chinese lidar manufacturer Hesai Technology announced on September 15, 2025, that it has deepened cooperation with a leading US robotaxi company by signing a lidar order exceeding US$40 million. Hesai will exclusively supply lidar sensors to this autonomous driving firm, with deliveries scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

Fan manufacturer Yen Sun Technology (YS Tech) expects solid operational growth for the full year of 2025. Despite challenges in August, such as European automakers entering their summer shipment offseason and cautious sentiment regarding US tariffs, automotive-related sales within China remained strong. Additionally, the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) boom continues to drive demand for its high-end networking and IT products.

The Trump administration has officially reduced the tariff rate on passenger cars imported from Japan from 27.5% to 15%, effective from 12:01 a.m. on September 16, 2025 (1:01 p.m. Japan time), according to documents released by the US Department of Commerce. However, ambiguity remains over whether Japan's semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries will receive most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment under the agreement.

Leading European carmakers have called on the EU to ease strict CO2 emission rules and support various powertrain technologies like hybrids to meet market needs. However, the EU has responded cautiously, postponing any decisions on loosening the targets.

China's technology industry is witnessing a surge in demand for domestic production and automation equipment, driven by broad environmental trends. The development pace differs across regions, reflecting local industrial ecosystems, with the emerging "low-altitude economy" gaining recognition as a vital sector for future growth.