Industry

K battery makers see end of chasm tunnel, profitability within reach in Q2

South Korea\'s three major battery makers posted weak first-quarter results. LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI swung to operating losses, and SK On is also expected to remain in the red. Brokerages see the first quarter as a cyclical trough and expect a shift to profitability from the second quarter as energy storage system sales ramp up and electric-vehicle demand recovers. Key variables include the pace of ESS revenue recognition and normalization of North American production.

Mobility

China speeds up commercial rollout of Level 4 autonomous logistics for urban delivery and long-haul freight

Uncrewed logistics systems combining electrification and autonomous driving are moving into commercial use in China, from urban delivery to long-haul freight. Robot vans are expanding in major cities and Level 4 autonomous trucks are being deployed more broadly. At the Beijing auto show, companies including MINIEYE and QCraft unveiled new Level 4 robovan models. Carl Dynamics introduced its KargoBot Space truck and cited transport performance and range claims.