Taiwan and the US are deepening auto trade ties that could influence consumer choice, supply-chain resilience, and tariff policy beyond the island's borders. The latest comments from the American Institute in Taiwan come as Taiwan weighs lower car import duties, a move that could affect prices, jobs, tax revenue, and trade dynamics worldwide.

German auto joint ventures in China slipped below 50% capacity utilization in 2025 as weaker imported-car demand and the rapid rise of local brands reshaped the market. Mobility Global said the trend reflected broader pressure on German and Chinese automotive supply chains, with Chinese manufacturers also accelerating overseas expansion.

DIGITIMES Intelligence said its observations at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) show the automotive industry's transformation moving from software-defined vehicles (SDV) toward AI-defined vehicles (AIDV). This shows that physical AI is becoming the key driver of change as carmakers shift from adding functions to building full AI capabilities.

Global automakers are moving toward larger, more integrated cockpit displays as in-car screens become the main interface between drivers, passengers, and vehicles. According to Counterpoint Research, center stacks, rear-seat entertainment systems, and head-up displays are all expanding, while traditional sub-9-inch center displays continue to lose ground.

To the horror of commenters across the internet, the Ferrari Luce appears to be a sales success.

Global automakers are facing slower market growth, the rapid rise of Chinese carmakers, and sustained EV investment, with Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz under strain in recent years. While German automakers still lead the global auto industry, revenue and profitability have come under broad pressure over the past two years as competition shifts from volume growth to product value and operating efficiency.

As automotive electronics, electrification, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and AI-defined vehicles (AIDVs) reshape the global auto industry, Taiwan's Ken Sean Industries is accelerating efforts to build a non-China automotive supply chain in partnership with leading Taiwanese electronics companies and Japanese automakers.

BMW has put a two-stage battery sourcing plan in place to protect supplies for its South Carolina electric vehicle operations as AESC's US cell plant has faced delays tied to foreign entity rules. The strategy is designed to keep the Woodruff, South Carolina, high-voltage battery assembly plant on schedule for the BMW iX5 and other US-built X-series EVs.

Volkswagen AG has reversed course on European trade protection and now supports possible EU tariffs on Chinese plug-in hybrid vehicles, after opposing such measures three years ago. The change comes as the automaker faces weaker profits in China, rising competition in Europe, and renewed pressure to protect its home market.

Xiaomi is preparing to unveil a new car technology platform on July 30, signaling a deeper move into the range-extended electric vehicle market. The launch is expected to spotlight not only two flagship SUVs, but also the company's supplier strategy, which could influence competition across China's fast-moving new-energy vehicle sector.

Joby Aviation said at the Farnborough International Airshow that it had reached a multi-year exclusive partnership with Virgin Atlantic to launch a UK air taxi service, and added that certification test flights for its S4 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft were moving ahead on schedule. The company said it is targeting its first commercial passenger flight by the end of 2026.

Japanese autonomous driving startup Tier IV listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on July 22 and said it planned to raise capital to expand its self-driving technology ecosystem. The offering came as the company sought to advance its goal of democratizing autonomous driving technology, even after a weaker-than-expected first-day trading debut.

New-car registrations in Europe's midsize and large SUV market reached 476,000 in the first five months of 2026, nearly tripling from four years earlier. As the market expands rapidly, competition among automakers from Europe, the US, Japan, South Korea, and China has shifted sharply, with Tesla's Model Y retaining its place as the best-selling single model.

LG Energy Solution has filed patent infringement proceedings against Chinese battery maker EVE Energy in the US over cylindrical lithium-ion battery technologies, seeking relief through both the US International Trade Commission and the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

CATL reported a 42% rise in first-half 2026 net profit as electric-vehicle and energy-storage battery shipments surged, although weaker margins and intense storage pricing highlighted the cost of sustaining its global lead.

General Motors reported seven consecutive profitable quarters in China in its second quarter 2026 results, even as the market remains defined by an intense price war that has pressured European, US, Japanese and South Korean automakers. The results showed that GM's early restructuring in China helped it preserve earnings by shifting away from scale and toward a more defensive operating model.

Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi have been cutting prices in China since early 2026 as inventory rose and the premium market shifted toward new energy vehicles led by Chinese brands. The German luxury trio, often referred to as BBA, has faced increasing pressure to use discounts and dealer incentives to protect sales momentum through 2026.

Aluminum substitution for copper gained momentum in 2026 as elevated raw material costs and cost-cutting pressure spread across the auto, power and appliance sectors. The shift was driven by geopolitical tensions and the view that copper prices had little room for a sharp decline.

China's new energy vehicle (NEV) supply chain has risen rapidly, with an operating model that differs sharply from the century-old mainstream automakers in Europe, the US, Japan, and South Korea. A quality issue triggered by GAC Aion's use of CALB's LFP batteries has revived discussions of its past disputes with CATL. Across the industry, the long-running tug of war between Chinese automakers and dominant battery suppliers has continued to deepen the low-margin, even loss-making, dilemma facing carmakers.