Kakao Mobility will work with Nvidia on Level 4 autonomous driving technology. The companies plan to integrate Nvidia’s computing, sensing and safety technologies into Kakao Mobility’s proprietary autonomous driving software and deploy it in Kia’s PBVs.

Kakao Mobility also plans to introduce an autonomous driving computing unit (ADCU) equipped with 2 Nvidia Drive AGX Thor systems. Sensor and hardware connections will be optimised using Nvidia’s Hyperion reference architecture to secure compatibility among the vehicle, sensors and the ADCU. Nvidia’s integrated safety system, Halos, which prevents system abnormalities, will be applied to autonomous driving software development and verification.

• Kakao Mobility and Nvidia cooperate on Level 4 autonomous driving technology

As Kia pushes to expand its electric vehicle lineup, Hyundai Motor and Kia continue strong sales momentum in the U.S. market. Kia is fleshing out development of its new electric SUV, the EV7, as it moves to strengthen its EV range. Hyundai Motor and Kia each posted their highest-ever monthly sales in the United States in October. With new model development and local sales expansion moving together, attention is focused on their U.S. push in the EV and auto markets.

• Kia to add to EV lineup... outline emerges for new SUV EV7 • Hyundai Motor and Kia deliver in U.S.... record-high sales side by side in October

Tesla's electric pickup truck Cybertruck is expected to move toward a production halt amid weak sales, prompting shifts in business strategy.

Tesla has begun refunding deposits ahead of a planned production end in mid-2027 and raised vehicle prices by up to 10 percent after announcing the production halt. Factory space used for Cybertruck production is known to be set for robotaxi production, drawing attention to Tesla’s shift to next-generation businesses.

• "Because it won't sell..." Tesla moves toward ending Cybertruck production in mid-2027 • Tesla raises prices by up to 10 percent after announcing Cybertruck production halt... base price tops $90,000 • Tesla refunds Cybertruck deposits... production halt in 8 months, factory to be used for robotaxis

Tesla is adjusting the name and operating method of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature to meet regulatory standards in Europe.

In Europe and Britain, it is introducing the name "Tesla Assisted Driving" instead of FSD and reducing the allowed driving speed leeway from 50 percent to 10 percent. It appears to be revising its strategy for entering the European market by limiting functions to meet local regulations ahead of EU approval.

• Tesla finally changes FSD name... introduces "Tesla Assisted Driving" in Europe and Britain • Tesla FSD speed leeway 50 percent to 10 percent... tougher rules ahead of EU approval

Tesla is moving to expand the electric vehicle ecosystem by promoting its next-generation electric sports car and charging infrastructure. Interest in performance rose after a first-person video was released showing the next-generation Roadster rotating in midair. EVgo is also pushing to expand across the United States after installing its first Tesla Supercharger equipment in Chicago. Changes around Tesla are continuing across both vehicle technology and charging networks.

• "More than 007" Tesla Roadster moment spinning in midair... first-person video released • EVgo installs first Tesla Supercharger equipment in Chicago... seeks expansion across the U.S.

Mercedes-Benz is upgrading electric vehicle technology and in-car experiences while reshaping its charging infrastructure business strategy.

It is exploring the possibility of extending EV lifespan through charge and discharge control technology by battery cell and also unveiled next-generation technology that uses the entire windshield as a display. It is also withdrawing from the EV charging network business in Europe and shifting direction to partnerships with outside companies, appearing to place weight on core technology development and business efficiency.

• Extending EV battery life?... Benz unveils charge-discharge control by cell • Benz exits European EV charging network business... shifts to partnership model • Windshield becomes a huge screen... Benz's next-generation in-vehicle display technology

In the global robotaxi market, competition for leadership between Uber and Waymo is intensifying. Uber has made a big bet with a large-scale expansion strategy that deploys 2,000 robotaxis. Waymo plans to increase operations to 20,000 vehicles and to launch its own app in 2028 to secure passengers directly. Competition between the two over vehicle supply and service operations is becoming fiercer.

• Uber's 2,000-robotaxi bet... Waymo counters with expansion to 20,000 • Waymo, once ridden via Uber, to take customers directly... switches to its own app in 2028

China’s autonomous driving industry is accelerating development of technology to secure driving data in virtual environments beyond real roads. Baidu unveiled a virtual robotaxi world that can secure training data equivalent to 100,000 km per day without driving on real roads. By virtually implementing complex and diverse road situations, it aims to raise autonomous driving training efficiency, as technological competition in China’s robotaxi industry expands from real roads into virtual space.

• Trains for 100,000 km a day without real-road driving... China's Baidu unveils virtual robotaxi world

Yamaha unveiled an electric version of its popular sports scooter NMAX, called the NMAX E. The NMAX E is a 125cc-class electric scooter with higher performance than existing low-speed urban electric two-wheelers and is set to be launched in Europe as a 2027 model.

The core of the NMAX E is a newly developed compact e-axle drive unit. It delivers power to the rear wheel via a belt system, and the electric motor produces 6.7 kW rated output and a maximum of 7.5 kW. Maximum torque is 33.3 Nm. Yamaha did not disclose the top speed, but the NMAX E falls under Europe’s A1 licence class and is categorised in the same class as 125cc internal combustion engine scooters.

• Yamaha's popular scooter also goes electric... NMAX E, 104 km on a single charge