Chinese electric vehicle makers are stepping up their global offensive. Backed by price competitiveness and mass production capacity, they are rapidly expanding their overseas market share. Consumer responses in key markets are positive, and shifts in buying sentiment are being detected.

• EV market: Will China dominate the world? • China cars’ value-for-money assault: Canadian consumers already ready to open their wallets

Chinese EV makers are moving beyond expanding exports and are accelerating efforts to build local production systems to target the European market. BYD topped 130,000 overseas exports in April, raising its profile. It is also being mentioned in connection with a possible acquisition of a Stellantis factory in Europe, as it speeds up plans to expand its local foothold. Xpeng is known to be pursuing the acquisition of a Volkswagen plant in Europe on the back of a surge in exports.

Efforts to introduce a standard for affordable EVs modeled on Japan’s kei cars are also adding momentum, further detailing China’s strategy to spread globally with price competitiveness.

• BYD tops 130,000 overseas exports in April, overtakes Tesla • BYD seeks to secure additional European plants, possible acquisition of Stellantis production facilities • China’s Xpeng pushes to acquire Volkswagen’s European plant as exports jump 62 percent • Cheap and small: China moves to introduce affordable EV standard modeled on Japan’s kei cars

In Germany, the shift among companies introducing electric trucks is becoming clear. A survey found that, among 57 companies that have operated electric trucks for more than a year, 93 percent said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the vehicles. The transition to EVs is becoming structurally established in the commercial vehicle segment as well.

• Germany: 93 percent of companies with electric trucks say they will not go back to diesel

While the shift to electrification is moving quickly in some areas, Japan’s automakers are clearly adjusting the pace. Honda has posted large losses in its EV business and faces the need to revise its electrification targets, while pressure to change strategy is growing in the U.S. market as well.

Volkswagen is also delaying the launch of an electric Golf until after 2028, putting the brakes on its EV transition timetable. Uncertainty is spreading across automakers’ electrification strategies.

• Honda posts $9 billion loss on EVs, abandons 2040 goal of 100 percent electrification • Honda faces biggest crisis in 70 years in the United States: Why did its EV strategy collapse? • When will it come out? Volkswagen delays launch of electric Golf until after 2028

"EV king" Tesla is also pressing ahead with upgrades to self-driving technology performance and global rollout at the same time. As news emerged of long-distance driving validation for the Cybercab, FSD is continuing to evolve, accelerating with improvements to its Smart Summon feature.

In Europe, adoption areas are widening, spreading from the Netherlands to Belgium. At the same time, older HW3 vehicles are excluded from update targets, highlighting a gap between technology generations.

• Robotaxi dream becomes reality? Tesla Cybercab completes performance validation crossing the U.S.? • Tesla FSD evolves again, Smart Summon speed up 33 percent; older HW3 excluded • After the Netherlands, it breaks into Belgium: Tesla FSD begins full-scale expansion in Europe

At the same time, controversy over operational transparency and safety has also surfaced around Tesla’s self-driving and AI-centered strategy. Requiring users to submit a reason when disabling FSD has led to allegations of forced feedback. The disclosure of circumstances behind robotaxi accidents also revealed some collision cases during remote operation. As Tesla accelerates a shift from an EV-centered company to an AI company, investor anxiety is also growing.

• Tesla requires submission of a reason when disabling FSD, sparks forced feedback controversy • Tesla discloses circumstances behind 17 robotaxi accidents, including collisions during remote operation • Tesla makes sharp pivot from EVs to AI, investor anxiety grows

There were also adjustments to pricing and service strategies in key markets. Tesla raised Model Y prices in the United States for the first time in 2 years. In Europe, it moved faster to expand subscription services that exclude basic Autopilot functions.

• Tesla raises Model Y price by up to $1,000 in the United States, first change in 2 years • Tesla goes full-scale with subscription business in Europe too, removes basic Autopilot

South Korea’s mobility industry, including Kakao Mobility, TMAP Mobility and Socar, is pursuing both improved results and a technology shift. As they strengthen competitiveness based on autonomous driving demonstration data, new business areas are also taking shape, including expanding robot platform businesses and integrated operation of heterogeneous robots.

At the same time, with major companies continuing to post growth in performance, the overall mobility industry is moving toward securing both stability and scalability.

• Mobility industry accelerates autonomous driving, armed with demonstration data • Kakao Mobility launches robot platform business in earnest: "Integrated operation of heterogeneous robots" • TMAP Mobility posts first-quarter revenue of 62.2 billion won, up 4.3 percent year-on-year • Socar posts first-quarter operating profit of 1.4 billion won, achieving profitability for 7 consecutive quarters

Genesis’ flagship electric SUV, the GV90 coach door model, was spotted without camouflage and drew attention. The vehicle spotted this time applies Rolls-Royce-style coach doors, drawing interest in line with Genesis’ strategy to expand into the upper ultra-luxury car market.

• Thought it was abandoned: Real-life Genesis GV90 spotted without camouflage

Toyota plans to launch the single-seat electric mobility vehicle "Land Hopper" that can be ridden without a driver’s license after spring 2027. It is moving to target a new short-distance mobility market in line with a trend toward easing personal mobility regulations in Japan.

• Ride without a license: Toyota unveils single-seat electric mobility vehicle Land Hopper