South Korea's mobility platform industry delivered results in 2025 that defied expectations. Earlier in the year, pessimism prevailed that it would be a year of survival competition, but Kakao Mobility, Tmap Mobility and Socar all succeeded in improving operating profit, demonstrating a shift to profitability-focused management.

• [2025 Wrap-up ⑥/Mobility] Three platforms focus on AI and data... momentum for practical improvements

The most striking change was diversification of business structures. Kakao Mobility expanded into lifestyle services beyond the base it built over 10 years in taxi-hailing. Tmap Mobility found a way forward through its data business. In the second quarter, it achieved EBITDA profitability for the first time since its founding and continued consecutive profitability through the third quarter. Socar improved its fundamentals through its “Socar 2.0” strategy. It extended the average vehicle holding period to 4 years from 3 years to reduce depreciation costs and raised utilization to 39.1 percent through data-based vehicle redeployment.

• Fuel tax cut extended by 2 months… auto purchase tax cut runs until end-June next year • Global EV market shows “clear” growth even as U.S. slows

The government will extend by two months a fuel tax cut set to expire at the end of this month to support price stability and a recovery in livelihoods. Fuel tax cuts currently apply at 7 percent for gasoline and 10 percent for diesel and LPG butane, and the deadline will be extended to the end of February next year. It also decided to extend by six months, until June 30 next year, a cut in the individual consumption tax on automobiles that had been set to end at the end of this year.

The U.S. electric vehicle market is experiencing sluggishness, but globally, EV sales are steadily increasing and maintaining growth. In October this year, global registrations of battery-electric vehicles rose 19 percent from a year earlier to 1.3 million, and rapid adoption is also appearing in emerging markets such as Latin America.

• Waymo robotaxis halted by a major blackout… cause was “traffic lights” • Tesla Model 3 using FSD in China crashes after entering wrong-way lane… autonomy safety debate rekindled • The cost of futuristic design… Tesla electric door-handle controversy

Waymo, which experienced a major blackout in San Francisco, is moving to strengthen operational stability by improving its traffic-signal response software. It judged that the reason vehicles stopped was traffic lights not functioning.

In China, a Model 3 using Tesla FSD entered a wrong-way lane and caused a head-on collision. FSD was activated at the time of the crash, and Tesla denied system responsibility, bringing driver overreliance into focus. The incident has again amplified debate over the limits of Tesla FSD and the safety of autonomous driving technology.

Elon Musk personally decided on the Tesla Model 3’s electric door handles, prioritising futuristic design over safety. A Bloomberg investigation found that designs that operate only electrically, such as door handles, can make it harder to escape in an accident and threaten safety.

• Consumer Reports recommends 5 best luxury SUVs under $40,000 • Volkswagen becomes more China-focused… specs revealed for mid-to-large electric SUV “ID. Unyx 08” • China’s BYD tops 15 million cumulative EV sales… widens gap with Tesla

Consumer Reports selected 5 best luxury SUVs under $40,000. The Mini Countryman received top marks for handling, the Acura ADX was recognised for value for money, and the Lincoln Corsair for quietness. The Lexus UX’s strength is fuel economy of 37 mpg, and the Volvo XC40 won praise for its premium interior.

Volkswagen revealed specifications for its electric SUV “ID. Unyx 08” aimed at the China market. The model, jointly developed with Xpeng, uses an 800-volt system enabling ultra-fast charging. Driving range is 630 km, 700 km and 730 km. It is driven by an electric motor with maximum output of 230 kW, or 308 horsepower.

BYD achieved cumulative plug-in vehicle sales of 15 million and recorded about 20 percent global market share, strengthening its position in the global EV market. Tesla sold about 8.7 million vehicles for a 12 percent share, and experts assessed it as uncertain whether BYD can maintain its long-term share.

• South Korean researchers double EV range with anode-free technology • Charging as fast as refuelling becomes reality… what is China’s BYD 5-minute ultra-fast charging technology?

South Korean researchers developed an anode-free lithium metal battery and suggested the possibility of doubling EV driving range. The anode-free structure optimises internal battery space to maximise energy storage capacity. The research is expected to be an important breakthrough that improves both EV battery efficiency and lifespan.

As BYD unveiled ultra-fast charging technology that enables 400 km of driving in 5 minutes, BYD CEO Wang Chuanfu stressed that the goal is charging speeds comparable to gasoline refuelling. The technology is set to expand to global markets including Europe.

• From ultra-lightweight 10 kg class to value models in the 1 million won range… 2025 electric bicycle hot keywords • No regenerative braking on e-bikes? New motor technology overturns the notion • There was an original electric kick scooter… “Autoped” roamed cities 100 years ago

The 2025 electric bicycle market erased physical limits on mobility with portability-enhancing folding designs and ultra-lightweight technology in the 10 kg range. It also widened choices with value-for-money models that lowered barriers to entry and versatile practical models optimised for Korean terrain.

Technology has been developed that breaks the conventional notion that e-bike motors cannot use regenerative braking. CHARGE changed motor design to implement regenerative braking even in geared hub motors. If commercialised, the technology is expected to increase e-bike range and brake life.

Electric kick scooters may look like a product of the latest technology, but they already existed 100 years ago. The “Autoped,” manufactured in the United States and Germany from 1915 to 1922, had gasoline and electric versions, and was also ridden by women’s suffrage activists. Top speed at the time was 32 km per hour and driving range was 200 km, with performance similar to modern scooters.